Best Chainsaw Under $300: 5 Gas Saws for Firewood and Cleanup
Five gas chainsaws under $300 compared by engine size, bar length, weight, chain brake and stated warranty, from a 38 cc Husqvarna to 63 cc two-bar kits.
By FirewoodGearHQ Editorial
Updated October 5, 2026
A homeowner cutting a cord or two of firewood a year does not need a pro saw, but a budget saw still has to start reliably, pull a 16 to 20 in bar through hardwood and stop the chain fast on kickback. This guide compares five gas chainsaws under $300 by engine size, bar length, listed weight, chain brake and stated warranty, from a light 38 cc Husqvarna to 58 to 63 cc saws that come with two bars.
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Quick picks
- Best Overall Snoonwee 58cc: 58 cc with 20 and 18 in bars, a quick-stop chain brake and a stated 2 year warranty. Check price
- Best Name Brand Husqvarna 120 Mark III: Husqvarna 38 cc with a 16 in bar, inertia chain brake and the lightest listed weight here. Check price
- Best Kit PROYAMA 62cc: 62 cc with 18 and 22 in bars plus a face shield, ear defenders and a carry bag. Check price
- Best Two-Bar Warranty Pick IVOVI 63cc: 63 cc with 20 and 18 in bars and a stated 2 year warranty. Check price
Compare the picks
| Model | Woodlot Score | Bar | Engine | Weight (listed) | Chain brake | Warranty (stated) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snoonwee 58cc | 67 | 20 and 18 in | 58 cc, 3.6 HP | 14.5 lb | Quick-stop | 2 years |
| Husqvarna 120 Mark III | 62 | 16 in | 38 cc, 1.8 HP | 10.7 lb | Inertia activated | Not stated |
| IVOVI 63cc | 60 | 20 and 18 in | 63 cc, 3.7 HP | 14 lb | Not stated | 2 years |
| SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc | 59 | 20 in | 62 cc, 4.2 HP | 14 lb | Quick-stop | Not stated |
| PROYAMA 62cc | 55 | 18 and 22 in | 62 cc, 3.5 HP | 14 lb | Not stated | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, collected 5 October 2026. Weights are as listed and may or may not include the bar and chain. Two listings do not describe a chain brake at all.
The picks
| Award | Product | Woodlot Score About the HQ ScoreThe Woodlot Score runs from 0 to 100 and weighs rated performance, build, value, safety listing and warranty, using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick › | |
|---|---|---|---|
58CC Gas Chainsaw with 20-Inch & 18-Inch Guide
|
67/100 | Buy | |
Husqvarna 120 Mark III Gas Chainsaw, Garden Tools
|
62/100 | Buy | |
63CC Gas Chainsaw with 20-Inch and 18-Inch Bars
|
60/100 | Buy | |
SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc Gas Chainsaw 20 Inch Gas Powered
|
59/100 | Buy | |
PROYAMA 62cc Gas Powered Chainsaw
|
55/100 | Buy |
58CC Gas Chainsaw with 20-Inch & 18-Inch Guide
A 58 cc, 3.6 HP gas chainsaw sold with 20 in and 18 in bars and two chains, a quick-stop chain brake, automatic oiler and dual-spring anti-vibration handle.
Pros
- Both 20 in and 18 in bars and chains included
- Quick-stop chain brake stated
- 2 year manufacturer warranty in the listing table
- Chain pitch, gauge and drive links listed for easy replacement
Cons
- Very few ratings so far
- Little-known brand with no dealer network
- 14.5 lb listed weight
- Emissions certification not stated
Husqvarna 120 Mark III Gas Chainsaw, Garden Tools
A 38 cc, 1.8 HP X-Torq homeowner chainsaw with a 16 in bar, inertia-activated chain brake, air purge, LowVib dampeners and automatic oiler.
Pros
- Name brand with dealer service and parts
- Inertia-activated chain brake
- 10.7 lb listed weight, the lightest here
- Air purge and combined choke and stop for easier starts
Cons
- 38 cc and a 16 in bar are slow in big hardwood rounds
- No warranty term stated on this listing
- Only one bar in the box
- Recommended bars top out at 18 in
63CC Gas Chainsaw with 20-Inch and 18-Inch Bars
A 63 cc, 3.7 HP gas chainsaw with 20 in and 18 in bars, two chains, an easy-start recoil, shock-absorbing handles, automatic oiler and tool kit.
Pros
- 63 cc, 3.7 HP, the largest engine in this group
- 20 in and 18 in bars and chains included
- 2 year manufacturer warranty in the listing table
- Chain specs listed for both bars
Cons
- Chain brake not described on the listing
- Few ratings so far
- Little-known brand
- Emissions certification not stated
SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc Gas Chainsaw 20 Inch Gas Powered
A 62 cc, 4.2 HP gas chainsaw with a 20 in bar, low-kickback chain, quick-stop chain brake and a safety switch against accidental starts.
Pros
- Low-kickback chain stated
- Quick-stop chain brake and safety switch
- 20 in bar, a common firewood size
- Hundreds of owner ratings
Cons
- No warranty term stated
- Only one bar and chain
- Short listing with few specifications
- Emissions certification not stated
PROYAMA 62cc Gas Powered Chainsaw
A 62 cc, 3.5 HP EPA-certified gas chainsaw sold with 18 in and 22 in bars and chains, a carry bag, ear defenders and a face shield.
Pros
- 18 in and 22 in bars and chains included
- Face shield, ear defenders and carry bag in the box
- Engine stated as EPA certified for emissions
- Three-point spring anti-vibration system
Cons
- Chain brake not described on the listing
- No warranty term stated
- Included face shield and ear muffs are not rated protection
- 14 lb listed weight
How we scored them
Each saw is scored out of 100 on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, using only what the listing publishes. A saw whose listing does not describe a chain brake gets zero for safety. The weights are on our How We Pick page.
| Product | Woodlot Score | Perf. | Build | Value | Safety | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snoonwee 58cc | 67 | 22 | 11 | 17 | 8 | 9 |
| Husqvarna 120 Mark III | 62 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 8 | 0 |
| IVOVI 63cc | 60 | 23 | 12 | 16 | 0 | 9 |
| SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc | 59 | 23 | 11 | 17 | 8 | 0 |
| PROYAMA 62cc | 55 | 23 | 12 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
Buying guide: a chainsaw under $300
Name brand or more engine?
At this budget you choose between a smaller name-brand homeowner saw (around 38 to 42 cc, 14 to 18 in bar) and a generic saw with a 58 to 63 cc engine and two bars. The name brand gives you dealer service, parts and a known chain brake. The generic saw gives you more power for big rounds, but quality control, parts supply and support vary.
Bar length
A bar a few inches longer than most of your wood is comfortable. 16 in handles limbs and small to medium rounds; 18 to 20 in covers most firewood. A long bar on a budget saw adds weight at the tip and is harder to control, so use the shorter bar unless the round needs the longer one.
Chain brake and low-kickback chain
Do not buy a saw without a chain brake. Inertia-activated brakes trip on kickback even if your hand stays on the handle. A low-kickback chain reduces the force of kickback. If the listing does not describe the brake, check the manual or ask the seller before you buy.
Warranty and parts
Only two of these listings state a warranty term. For a budget saw, a stated warranty and published chain specs (pitch, gauge, drive links) make it much easier to keep running.
Emissions and California
Some budget saws are not certified for California. If you live there, look for a stated CARB or EPA certification on the listing.
If you cut several cords a year, a 50 to 60 cc farm and ranch saw is worth the step up: see the best chainsaw for firewood. To plan how much wood you need, use the firewood cord calculator.
Turn a stack's length, height and depth into full and face cords, and estimate how much wood a winter takes.
Wear cut-resistant chaps, a helmet with face screen and hearing protection, gloves and sturdy boots. Know where the kickback zone is (the upper tip of the bar), keep the chain brake working and the chain sharp, and never cut alone in the woods. Felling trees is hazardous work: hire a professional for large, leaning or storm-damaged trees, especially near buildings or power lines. See OSHA logging safety for chain saw operators. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cheap chainsaw good enough for firewood?
For a cord or two a year, often yes, if it has a chain brake and you keep the chain sharp. Budget saws vary more in quality control and parts supply than name brands, so a stated warranty matters.
What engine size do I need under $300?
A 38 to 42 cc saw is enough for limbs and small to medium firewood. For hardwood rounds over about 14 in, a 50 cc or larger engine cuts faster.
Should I buy a saw with two bars?
Two bars are handy: a shorter bar for limbing and a longer one for the occasional big round. Most of the time, run the shorter bar, since it is lighter and easier to control.
Is a 16 inch chainsaw big enough?
For a suburban woodpile and storm limbs, yes. It cuts rounds up to roughly 14 in across in one pass and is lighter to carry.
Should I hire someone to fell trees?
For large, leaning or storm-damaged trees, especially near buildings or power lines, yes. Felling is the most dangerous part of firewood work, and we do not publish felling instructions.
Related guides
See the chainsaw hub and gas chainsaws, and the best chainsaw for firewood for bigger saws. Once the rounds are cut, a kindling splitter makes fire-starting wood safely. Our species guides cover common firewood like oak and maple. Prefer no fuel or pull cord? See the best battery chainsaws for homeowners. Splitting next? Read how many tons of log splitter you need.
About the author
The FirewoodGearHQ editorial team researches firewood and wood heating equipment from published specifications, ratings and warranty terms, and scores every pick the same way. We do not run our own product trials.