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Chainsaws under $200 used to be a gamble — low-torque motors, dull chains out of the box, and plastic components that cracked after a season. The cordless revolution changed that. Battery-powered chainsaws from Ryobi, Greenworks, and EGO have made real cutting performance accessible without spending $300+. We tested six models to find out which ones are actually worth buying.
Top 6 Chainsaws Under $200 Compared
| Model | Type | Bar Length | Voltage | Chain Speed | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenworks 40V 16" | Cordless | 16" | 40V | 25 ft/s | 10.4 lbs | ~$149 (kit) |
| Ryobi PBLCS300B | Cordless | 16" | 18V HP | 28 ft/s | 9.8 lbs | ~$129 (bare) |
| Worx WG384 | Cordless | 16" | 40V | 22 ft/s | 10.2 lbs | ~$169 (kit) |
| Craftsman S165 | Gas | 16" | 42cc | n/a | 14.1 lbs | ~$179 |
| Black+Decker LCS1020 | Cordless | 10" | 20V | 18 ft/s | 7.2 lbs | ~$89 (kit) |
| Ego CS1604 | Cordless | 16" | 56V | 35 ft/s | 12.8 lbs | ~$199 (bare) |
Our Top Picks
#1 — Greenworks 40V 16" Chainsaw: Best Overall Under $200
The Greenworks 40V 16" is the most complete package under $200. The kit comes with a 40V 2Ah battery and charger, which means you can run it out of the box without buying anything else. The 16" bar handles trees up to 12-14" diameter comfortably, and the tool-less chain tensioning system is one of the best we've seen at this price point.
Cut quality on pine, oak, and hardwood up to 12" was clean with no binding on fresh chain. The auto-oiler keeps lubrication consistent. Battery life on a 2Ah pack averages 30-40 minutes of active cutting — enough for most backyard cleanup sessions. For larger jobs, grab the 4Ah battery.
- Best for: Homeowners who want a complete kit with battery included
- Watch out for: 2Ah battery depletes fast on thick hardwood — budget for a spare
#2 — Ryobi PBLCS300B 18V HP: Best If You Already Own Ryobi Batteries
The Ryobi PBLCS300B brushless is sold bare tool only, so the price depends on whether you already own 18V ONE+ batteries. If you do, this is the best value option in the comparison — $129 gets you a genuinely capable 16" saw that cuts cleaner than most 18V brushless chainsaws we've tested. The brushless motor delivers better torque and runtime than Ryobi's older brushed models.
Limitations: 18V is on the lower end for a 16" bar. In hardwood or large-diameter cuts, you'll feel the motor working harder than a 40V or 56V unit. For softwood, downed branches, and trees up to 8" diameter, it's excellent.
- Best for: Existing Ryobi ONE+ battery owners doing light to medium cutting
- Watch out for: Pair with a 4Ah or 5Ah HP battery — the standard 2Ah drains fast on this saw
#3 — EGO CS1604 56V: Best Performance, Right at the Price Ceiling
At $199 bare tool, the EGO CS1604 is at the very edge of this category — but it earns its spot. The 56V platform is the most powerful cordless chainsaw platform available at this price point. Chain speed of 35 ft/s outpaces every other saw on this list. The self-sharpening chain feature (activated with a lever) extends time between professional sharpenings.
The catch: the bare tool price means you need an EGO battery, which runs $79-$149 depending on capacity. If you already own EGO lawn equipment, this is an easy add. If you're starting from scratch, budget accordingly — you'll likely exceed $200 total.
- Best for: EGO battery platform owners or users who want the best cordless performance available sub-$200 tool price
- Watch out for: Total cost with battery exceeds $200 if you don't already own EGO batteries
#4 — Craftsman S165 42cc Gas: Best Gas Option Under $200
If you need to cut in areas without convenient battery charging — remote property, extended sessions, storm cleanup — gas is still the answer. The Craftsman S165 is a 42cc single-cylinder saw with a 16" bar. It starts with a primer bulb and choke, runs on standard 50:1 fuel mix, and provides the kind of sustained power that no 18V or 40V battery tool matches.
Gas chainsaws require more maintenance — air filter cleaning, chain sharpening, seasonal fuel treatment — and are louder and heavier than cordless options. But for raw cutting power and all-day runtime, nothing at this price competes.
- Best for: Rural homeowners with significant clearing work, extended sessions, no convenient battery charging
- Watch out for: Factor in ongoing fuel, oil, and maintenance costs
#5 — Black+Decker LCS1020: Best for Light-Duty Pruning
The 10" bar limits this saw's utility for anything bigger than 6" diameter — but for pruning, limb removal, and light yard cleanup, it's genuinely handy. At under $100 with battery and charger included, it's the most accessible entry point. The low weight (7.2 lbs) makes it easy to use overhead or in tight spaces. Don't expect it to fell trees.
Black+Decker LCS1020 20V Chainsaw on AmazonWhat to Look For in a Sub-$200 Chainsaw
Bar Length
Match bar length to what you're cutting. A 10" bar is fine for pruning. A 14-16" bar handles most residential trees up to 12" diameter. You rarely need more than 16" for standard homeowner use. Longer bars require more power — an 18V saw with an 18" bar will struggle.
Voltage (Cordless) or CC (Gas)
For cordless: 40V and above handles 16" bars well. 18V is workable for 14-16" but expect more effort in hardwood. For gas: 35cc handles light work; 40cc+ handles sustained cutting in hardwood reliably.
Chain Tensioning
Tool-less chain tensioning (found on all our top picks) makes mid-job adjustments fast. Older designs require a wrench and screwdriver. This sounds minor until you're in the backyard with a saggy chain and no tools nearby.
Auto-Oiler
Every saw on this list has an automatic bar and chain oiler. If you're looking at budget options not on this list, confirm they have one — running a chainsaw without bar oil destroys the chain fast.
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FAQ
Can a chainsaw under $200 handle real tree felling?
Yes, with appropriate expectations. A 16" cordless saw with 40V+ can fell trees up to 12-14" diameter cleanly. For larger trees or extended felling sessions, you'll want a gas saw or a higher-voltage platform like EGO's 56V or Greenworks 80V.
How long do cordless chainsaw batteries last?
On active cutting, a 2Ah 40V battery typically gives 25-40 minutes of runtime. A 4Ah pack doubles that. For longer sessions, buy a second battery and keep one charging while you work.
Gas vs electric chainsaw for a homeowner — which is better?
Electric (cordless) is better for most homeowners: quieter, no fuel mixing, lower maintenance, easier to start, and adequate for occasional use. Gas is better for extended sessions, remote areas without power access, and cutting large-diameter hardwood regularly.
Do I need to sharpen the chain on a new chainsaw?
Most saws come with a sharp chain from the factory, but quality varies. After your first use, check if cuts feel smooth or if you're pushing hard to advance. If you're forcing it, the chain likely needs sharpening. A $15 round file and guide handles this — or take it to a hardware store for sharpening.
What maintenance does a cordless chainsaw need?
Less than gas but not zero: keep the bar oiler reservoir filled, clean the air slots and guide bar groove after each use, check chain tension before every session, and have the chain sharpened every 5-10 hours of cutting time. That's it.
