Gas Vs. Electric Chainsaws: Which Will Better Cut Its Way Into Your Heart & Home?

The chainsaw is a useful, versatile tool to have around the home and can be more beneficial than you might realize. Whether you're trying to prune branches, complete yard work, cut down a tree, or chop up firewood for use in your fireplace, the tool can be well worth having around. Chainsaws are extremely effective and efficient at cutting and can help you handle wood-related tasks related with ease. While you should, of course, learn various tips for using a chainsaw effectively (and safely), some of your success with the tool will depend on the type that you have. Both gas-powered and electric-powered chainsaws are available, but they each come with different pros and cons.

As with many other decisions that relate to a tool or equipment purchase, the answer of which one is better isn't clear-cut — you'll need to consider a few different factors to make a great decision for your unique needs. A gas chainsaw runs on unleaded gas and oil and boasts a lot of power and excellent mobility. On the other hand, electric chainsaws run on an electrical cord or battery and don't require as much maintenance — you won't constantly need to worry about gas, oil, and spark plugs.

If you're looking for a powerful chainsaw option that gives you heavy-duty functionality, then a gas-powered chainsaw is probably right for you. Gas chainsaws work incredibly well for handling all kinds of tasks and can help you cut large pieces of wood with ease. These chainsaws are also incredibly mobile and you'll be able to be take them anywhere. There will be no need to plug them into an electrical outlet to power them up.

Despite the clear benefits in power, however, gas chainsaws aren't environmentally friendly as electric chainsaws are. Considering the oil and gas requirements as well as their exhaust fumes they leave a bit to be desired. The noise of gas chainsaws is also pretty significant, and can reach levels of 100 to 120 decibels. These chainsaws are also quite heavy so you'll need some strength to have good control over them. Finally, keep in mind that maintenance can be more intensive with gas chainsaws as well. You'll need to perform various tasks such as premixing gas and oil for them to use — there will be problems if you put raw gas in a chainsaw. Paying attention to air filters and spark plugs is also important to making sure that a gas chainsaw continues working well.

Although there are positive aspects of owning a gas chainsaw, there are many benefits of electric chainsaws as well. For one thing, they're significantly quieter than gas chainsaws and can be less disturbing — both to you and your neighbors. They're also better for the environment since they're powered by electricity rather than gas. The lighter weight of these chainsaws is also beneficial because handling them is a lot easier. Your arms won't experience as much strain and you'll feel more comfortable using it for long spans of time. 

Despite these advantages, electric chainsaws aren't perfect. They're not quite as powerful as gas chainsaws are and aren't as well-suited for heavy-duty tasks. Many electric chainsaws require the use of a cord, so you'll need to keep it plugged in during use. Although cordless electric chainsaws are available, their power leaves even more to be desired. While they're likely to work well if you need to prune a tree or handle lightweight cutting tasks, you won't be able to demand too much of them. In addition to this, electric chainsaws won't last for long — you'll need to regularly charge the battery to keep getting the functionality you need. 

Overall, there are advantages and disadvantages to both gas and electric chainsaw options. To make your choice, you'll need to consider the jobs and tasks you'll be focused on as well as your personal preferences. Carefully consider factors such as power, maintenance, ease-of-use, and weight to make a decision that you'll be happy with.