Best Products UK
In-depth review · 10 products ranked

Best Chainsaws of 2026

Last reviewed 19 May 2026 by Best Products UK Editorial Team

A chainsaw is not an aspirational garden tool — it's a piece of safety-critical machinery that hurts people every year in the UK because the wrong saw was used for the wrong job. Buying decisions split sharply on cutting bar length, fuel type and what you actually plan to cut. This ranking covers the realistic UK use cases: storm-felled limbs, garden tree pruning and light firewood prep — not commercial forestry, which needs a different tier of saw entirely.

BP
Best Products UK Editorial Team
Editorial team
Published 30 April 2026
8 min read
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At a glance

The 3 picks worth skipping ahead for

Best Choice
Hyundai HYC6220 62 cc Petrol Chainsaw, 20-inch Bar, 2 Chains
Score 9.3 / 10
Premium Pick
Petrol 20-inch 62 cc Petrol Chainsaw (Premium Variant)
Score 9 / 10
Best Budget
SHAYN 26 cc Petrol Chainsaw (Compact)
Score 7 / 10
How we tested

Best Products UK is a review aggregator, not a test lab. For this guide we read Amazon UK customer reviews focused on starter reliability, chain-tension durability and chassis vibration; cross-referenced against Which?, BBC Gardeners' World and forester forum testing; and weighted long-term ownership signals (carburettor reliability, chain wear, kickback brake function) more heavily than first-cut impressions. PPE requirements (helmet, gloves, chaps) are flagged because they're non-negotiable, not optional.

Jump to a pick
01Hyundai02Petrol03Generic04BU-KO05Husqvarna06FUXTEC07Generic08Generic09SHAYN10SHAYN
Best Choice
01
Hyundai HYC6220 62 cc Petrol Chainsaw, 20-inch Bar, 2 Chains
Hyundai

HYC6220 62 cc Petrol Chainsaw, 20-inch Bar, 2 Chains

9.3
/ 10
Excellent

Hyundai's mid-size petrol chainsaw with a 62 cc engine and 20-inch bar — handles logs up to about 10 inches diameter comfortably. Two chains in the box is unusual at this price; means you can swap a dull chain mid-job rather than stopping to sharpen.

Why we love it
  • Two chains in the box
  • 20-inch bar handles fallen tree limbs
  • Hyundai UK warranty + parts
  • Kickback safety brake
Watch out for
  • Petrol fuel-mixing required
  • Heavier than 14-inch alternatives
  • Two-stroke engine needs proper storage
Engine
62 cc 2-stroke
Bar length
20 inch (50 cm)
Weight
~6.5 kg
Chains supplied
2
Safety
Kickback brake
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Premium Pick
02
Petrol 20-inch 62 cc Petrol Chainsaw (Premium Variant)
Petrol

20-inch 62 cc Petrol Chainsaw (Premium Variant)

9
/ 10
Excellent

A generic 20-inch petrol chainsaw at a competitive price — direct competitor to the Hyundai at #1. Functionally similar (62 cc class engine, 20-inch bar, 2 chains) but with thinner brand support. For a one-time storm-clearance buy, the price difference can justify the support gap.

Why we love it
  • Premium-tier spec at sub-£60 price
  • 20-inch bar — generous reach
  • Often includes 2 chains + accessories
  • Modest engine displacement
Watch out for
  • Generic brand — limited UK service
  • Quality varies between batches
  • Carb may need adjusting after break-in
Engine
~62 cc 2-stroke
Bar length
20 inch
Weight
~6 kg
Brand support
Generic
Chains supplied
2 (typical)
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03
Generic 58 cc Petrol Chainsaw
Generic

58 cc Petrol Chainsaw

8.7
/ 10
Very Good

A 58 cc petrol saw — one engine-size step down from the 62 cc tier above. Lighter, slightly less raw power, but still handles most UK garden cutting comfortably. Generic brand: expect basic warranty and limited parts availability.

Why we love it
  • Lighter than 62 cc tier
  • Adequate power for garden use
  • Sub-£60 price
  • Generic 2-stroke design — easy to service
Watch out for
  • Generic brand support
  • Variable chain quality from factory
  • May need carb tuning after break-in
Engine
58 cc 2-stroke
Bar length
20 inch (typical)
Weight
~5.8 kg
Brand support
Generic
Safety
Kickback brake
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04
BU-KO 65 cc Petrol Chainsaw (3.89 HP, 20+16 inch Bars)
BU-KO

65 cc Petrol Chainsaw (3.89 HP, 20+16 inch Bars)

8.6
/ 10
Very Good

BU-KO is a UK-based budget chainsaw brand selling on Amazon UK. The 65 cc model is unusual for shipping with two bar lengths (20-inch for big logs, 16-inch for pruning), plus four chains total. Generous kit at the price.

Why we love it
  • Two bar lengths (20" + 16")
  • Four chains supplied
  • 65 cc engine — strong power
  • Sub-£120 for a full kit
Watch out for
  • BU-KO support less mature than Hyundai
  • Heavier saw — tiring over an afternoon
  • Petrol storage between uses needed
Engine
65 cc 2-stroke
Bar lengths
20" + 16"
Chains supplied
4 total
Weight
~6.7 kg
Brand
UK budget
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Best Value
05
Husqvarna 120 II 14-inch 38.2 cc Petrol Chainsaw
Husqvarna

120 II 14-inch 38.2 cc Petrol Chainsaw

8.1
/ 10
Good

Husqvarna's entry-level homeowner saw — the chainsaw equivalent of buying a Honda over an unknown brand. 14-inch bar covers most garden work; the 38.2 cc engine starts reliably and Husqvarna's UK dealer network can service it for the next 15 years.

Why we love it
  • Husqvarna service network nationwide
  • Reliable start every time
  • Lighter (4.85 kg) than 20-inch petrol saws
  • X-Torq emissions-friendly engine
Watch out for
  • Premium price for entry-level Husqvarna
  • 14-inch bar limits to small/medium logs
  • Fuel-mixing required
Engine
38.2 cc X-Torq 2-stroke
Bar length
14 inch
Weight
4.85 kg
Power
1.4 kW
Service
Husqvarna UK
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How to choose

Petrol vs electric vs battery, bar length, and the safety floor

The chainsaw market is huge and confusing because the right saw for a UK garden looks nothing like the right saw for forestry. Three questions cover the real buying decisions.

1.
Petrol vs electric (corded) vs battery

Petrol: more powerful, untethered, but heavier, louder, requires fuel mixing and maintenance. Best for storm cleanup and remote work. Electric (corded): cheapest entry, quietest, but tethered to a mains lead — limits how far from the house you can work. Best for garden tree pruning. Battery: quiet, easy to start, but runtime per battery is 30–45 minutes and they cost more upfront. Best for repeat short jobs (firewood prep, regular pruning).

2.
Bar length matches log diameter

Cutting bar length should be roughly twice the log diameter you'll cut. 14-inch bar handles logs up to 7 inches (most garden branches). 18-inch handles up to 9 inches (most fallen tree limbs). 20-inch+ for serious firewood logs. Going bigger than you need means a heavier saw that's tiring to control safely — and the bigger bar transmits more vibration over an afternoon's work.

3.
The PPE floor is non-negotiable

Every chainsaw in this list will eat through trousers, gloves and bone. UK accident statistics consistently show 95%+ of chainsaw injuries are to operators not wearing PPE. Budget another £80–£150 for: cut-resistant trousers (or chaps), forestry helmet with visor and ear defenders, cut-resistant gloves and steel-toe boots. Never operate a chainsaw without this kit. If you already have one of these, replace it after any major cut event.

For occasional garden use (1–2 days a year), a 14-inch corded electric or a sub-£100 petrol saw is fine. For monthly use, the Husqvarna or Hyundai picks pay back fast. For anything commercial, go beyond this list to a Stihl or pro-grade Husqvarna sold through specialist dealers.

06
FUXTEC FX-KS262 Petrol Chainsaw (61.5 cc / 2.85 kW)
FUXTEC

FX-KS262 Petrol Chainsaw (61.5 cc / 2.85 kW)

8
/ 10
Good

FUXTEC is a German-brand budget chainsaw range. The FX-KS262 has more credible engineering than typical generic saws at the price — the carburettor tuning is closer to right out of the box, and the kickback brake engages reliably. Mid-budget pricing.

Why we love it
  • German-branded build quality
  • 61.5 cc / 2.85 kW power
  • Reliable kickback brake
  • Better factory carb tuning
Watch out for
  • Less UK service presence than Husqvarna
  • Mid-tier price
  • Heavier (6 kg) than 14-inch saws
Engine
61.5 cc 2-stroke
Power
2.85 kW
Bar length
20 inch
Weight
~6 kg
Brand
German budget
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07
Generic 52 cc 20-inch Petrol Chainsaw
Generic

52 cc 20-inch Petrol Chainsaw

7.7
/ 10
Good

Sub-budget 52 cc generic saw with a 20-inch bar — the cheapest 'big bar' chainsaw in this list. Fine for a one-time storm cleanup but expect quality control issues; we'd treat this as a 1-year tool, not a 10-year investment.

Why we love it
  • Sub-£75 with 20-inch bar
  • Adequate for occasional use
  • Includes basic chain
  • Standard 2-stroke design
Watch out for
  • Quality varies — check seller carefully
  • Carburettor may need adjusting
  • Limited brand warranty
Engine
52 cc 2-stroke
Bar length
20 inch
Weight
~5.5 kg
Brand support
Generic
Safety
Kickback brake (varies)
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08
Generic 20-inch Petrol Chainsaw (Alt Spec)
Generic

20-inch Petrol Chainsaw (Alt Spec)

7.3
/ 10
Fair

Another sub-budget generic with a 20-inch bar — slightly different listing from #7 but essentially the same factory output. Same one-time-use rule applies; for serious work go up to a Hyundai or Husqvarna instead.

Why we love it
  • Sub-£60 entry to 20-inch bar
  • Basic cutting capability
  • Includes chain
  • Lightweight chassis
Watch out for
  • Generic build
  • Variable batches
  • Limited warranty
Engine
~52 cc
Bar length
20 inch
Brand support
Generic
Weight
~5 kg
Safety
Kickback brake
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Best Budget
09
SHAYN 26 cc Petrol Chainsaw (Compact)
SHAYN

26 cc Petrol Chainsaw (Compact)

7
/ 10
Fair

SHAYN's 26 cc petrol saw is a 'top-handle' style chainsaw — designed for one-handed use on smaller branches, more like a pruning saw than a full chainsaw. Lighter and easier to handle than the 50+ cc saws but limited to pruning, not log cutting.

Why we love it
  • Lightweight top-handle design
  • Compact for branch pruning
  • Sub-£100 entry
  • Genuine petrol convenience for small jobs
Watch out for
  • 26 cc — only for small cuts
  • Top-handle requires arborist training for safe use
  • Not for full tree felling
Engine
26 cc 2-stroke
Bar length
~10-12 inch
Style
Top-handle
Weight
~3 kg
Best for
Pruning
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10
SHAYN 26 cc Petrol Chainsaw (Variant)
SHAYN

26 cc Petrol Chainsaw (Variant)

6.7
/ 10
Fair

Alternate SHAYN 26 cc listing — same chassis class as #9 in a different variant. Same use case (small branch pruning) and the same caveat (not for full felling). Buy on whichever is in stock and cheaper at order time.

Why we love it
  • Same compact pruning role as #9
  • Alt-spec variant
  • Lightweight
  • Sub-budget pricing
Watch out for
  • Same 26 cc power limit
  • Top-handle skill required
  • Limited to small cuts
Engine
26 cc 2-stroke
Bar length
~10-12 inch
Style
Top-handle
Variant
Alt of #9
Best for
Pruning
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The verdict

Hyundai's HYC6220 wins on power-per-pound; Husqvarna's 120 II is the long-term investment.

The Hyundai HYC6220 takes the overall crown on the realistic UK use case: occasional storm-cleanup and garden tree work. 62 cc engine, 20-inch bar, two chains in the box for around the price of a single Stihl chain alone. It's not a forestry-grade saw, but for clearing fallen branches and prep-cutting firewood it punches well above its price.

The smarter long-term buy for anyone who'll use the saw regularly is the Husqvarna 120 II. Less raw power than the Hyundai but Husqvarna's UK parts network and chain availability is the most accessible on this list — important for a tool that needs servicing, sharpening and (eventually) parts replacement. The Husqvarna ecosystem also makes upgrading to bigger saws easier when you outgrow the 14-inch bar.

Below the £100 line, sub-budget petrol chainsaws from 'BU-KO', 'FUXTEC' and unbranded generics dominate listings. They run, they cut, and for a one-off storm cleanup they're fine. Don't expect them to start reliably after sitting all winter, and assume the chain quality is poor — replace it with a quality Oregon or Stihl chain before any serious cutting.

Frequently asked

Common questions

What chainsaw size do I need for storm-felled branches?
Most UK storm damage involves limbs 4–8 inches in diameter. A 14–18 inch bar handles this comfortably. Anything above 20 inches is for trunk-felling territory, which is usually best left to professionals unless you have specific chainsaw training and equipment for directional felling.
Petrol vs battery — what's actually better?
Petrol delivers more sustained power and unlimited runtime (with fuel). Battery is quieter, lighter, and easier to start. For occasional UK use (storm cleanup, garden tidying), battery (DeWalt 18 V, Bosch 36 V) is the more practical choice now that 4 Ah+ batteries deliver 30+ minutes per charge. Petrol still wins for full-day forestry work.
Is a chainsaw safe for DIY use?
With proper PPE and training, yes — but it's the most-injurious garden tool by a wide margin. Lantra and NPTC short courses (CS30/31) teach safe maintenance and cross-cutting and cost around £200; for anyone who'll use a chainsaw more than twice a year, the course pays back the first time you avoid a kickback incident. Never operate a chainsaw above shoulder height or from a ladder.
What PPE do I need?
Non-negotiable minimum: cut-resistant chainsaw trousers or chaps (CE class 1 minimum, £80+), helmet with mesh visor and ear defenders (£40+), cut-resistant gloves (£15+), steel-toe boots. Total around £150. Never operate without this kit, and replace any item that's been cut by the chain — a single cut destroys the protective layers.
How often should the chain be sharpened?
After every 1–2 hours of cutting, or whenever the saw stops producing wood chips and starts producing fine dust. A sharp chain is safer (less force needed, less kickback risk) and cuts faster. A handheld sharpening kit costs around £25; manual sharpening takes 10–15 minutes per chain.
BP
About the editor

Best Products UK Editorial Team

Best Products UK is an independent UK product-review aggregator. Our editorial team synthesises hands-on reviews from leading UK consumer publications — Which?, Wired UK, T3, Tom's Guide UK, Trusted Reviews, TechRadar, Good Housekeeping, Expert Reviews, Stuff and others — into clear, ranked top-ten guides for UK shoppers. We do not run a physical test lab. We tell you which products UK reviewers agree on, where they disagree, and which the data says is right for your budget. Our methodology is published openly at /about/#methodology.

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