What are the best chainsaws for milling lumber?
Milling lumber from logs you’ve sourced yourself is a great way to save money on building projects. It also gives you complete control over the quality of the lumber, as well as the size and dimensions of the beams and boards.
If you have access to a supply of logs, the best chainsaws for milling your own wood can be a worthwhile investment. The initial cost of the saw may be higher than purchasing lumber from a store, but over time, the savings will add up.
On top of that, being able to mill your own lumber gives you the flexibility to create custom pieces that may be difficult or impossible to find at a store. Whatever your reasons for wanting to mill your own lumber, the best chainsaws for the job will help you achieve success.
What to look out for before buying chainsaws for milling lumber
Chainsaws come in a wide range of sizes and styles and you may often find yourself asking, what is the best chainsaw for milling lumber? Making it crucial to choose the right tool for the job.
When selecting a chainsaw, the first step is to determine the size of the tree or log you will be cutting. If you are cutting firewood, a smaller saw is typically sufficient. For larger jobs, such as felling a tree, a more powerful saw is necessary.
The second step is to consider the amount of time you will be using the chainsaw. If you only need it for occasional jobs, a corded model may be sufficient. For more frequent use, however, a battery-powered or gas-powered chainsaw is recommended.
Finally, consider the features of the chainsaw itself. Some models come with built-in chain oilers and bar-tighteners, which can save time and effort when maintaining the saw. With these factors in mind, you will be able to choose the best chainsaw for your needs in 2022.
Top 10 chainsaws for milling lumber
- EGO Power+ CS1804 18-Inch 56-Volt Cordless Chain Saw
- DEWALT 20V MAX* XR Chainsaw Kit
- Husqvarna 460 460R 24″ Gas Chainsaw
- Greenworks Pro 80V 16-Inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw
- Oregon CS1500 18-inch 15 Amp Self-Sharpening Corded Electric Chainsaw
- WEN 4015 9-Amp 14-Inch Electric Chainsaw
- Husqvarna 16 Inch 130 Gas Chainsaw
- Makita XCU06SM1 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 10″ Top Handle Chain Saw
- Makita XCU04CM 36V (18V X2) LXT®
- WORX WG322 20V Power Share 10″ Cordless Chainsaw
1) EGO Power+ CS1804 18-Inch 56-Volt Cordless Chain Saw
The Ego Power+ CS1804 is at the very top of the game in terms of the very best chainsaw for milling in 2022. This saw contains a state-of-the-art auto-tension sensing system that tightens your chain at the twist of a dial automatically. This ensures that your cutting is precise, clean, and always on point.
What we liked
- 18″ Oregon bar and chain
- 11,000 Revolutions per minute
- Battery powered
- Bright LED lights
EGO Power+ CS1804 18-Inch 56-Volt Cordless Chain Saw specifications
Item Dimensions 34 x 9.9 x 9.5 inches
Power Source: Battery
Size: 18-inch
2) DEWALT 20V MAX* XR Chainsaw Kit
The DEWALT 20V MAX XR Chainsaw is an outstanding lightweight option with a low level of kickback. It also has an extended runtime which is perfect for those tougher jobs. This particular model comes as a kit, which includes a charger and two batteries.
What we liked
- 90 cuts per charge
- 20V Max
- Compact
- Lightweight
DEWALT 20V MAX* XR Chainsaw Kit specifications
Item Dimensions: LxWxH 25 x 9 x 9 inches
Power Source: Battery Powered
Item Weight: 8.8 Pounds
3) Husqvarna 460 460R 24″ Gas Chainsaw
The Husqvarna 460 Gas Chainsaw is the top gas-powered chainsaw on our list because of its rugged reliability and sheer strength to get the job done right.
It comes with a low-vibration system, which helps to reduce user fatigue. On top of that, this 24 inch blade is constantly lubricated with an automatic oiler allowing for efficiency when cutting.
What we liked
- 24” Bar
- Low Vibration System
- Powerful X-Torq® Engine
Husqvarna 460 460R 24″ Gas Chainsaw specifications
Power Source: Gas Powered
Horsepower: 3.62
Item Weight: 14.5 Pounds
4) Greenworks Pro 80V 16-Inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw
The Greenworks Pro 80V 16-Inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw is an electric beast. With an 80V lithium battery, it can provide up to 120 cuts on a charge, with a rapid recharge time of 30 minutes.
This saw is also equipped with a 16” Oregon bar and chain, providing more than enough power to get the job done properly.
What we liked
- 16″ Oregon bar and chain
- 80v battery
- Automatic oiler
- Translucent oil tank
Greenworks Pro 80V 16-Inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw specifications
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 30.12 x 9.7 x 9 inches
Power Source: Battery Powered
Item Weight: 12.8 Pounds
5) Oregon CS1500 18-inch 15 Amp Self-Sharpening Corded Electric Chainsaw
The Oregon CS1500 Self-Sharpening Electric Chainsaw is a powerful option for an electric chainsaw consumer. Using new self-sharpening technology you can count on a minimal amount of downtime as it rapidly sharpens your chain in 3-5 seconds.
What we liked
- 15 Amp motor
- Automatic oiling system
- 18″ Low-kickback bar and chain
Oregon CS1500 18-inch 15 Amp Self-Sharpening Corded Electric Chainsaw specifications
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 18 x 37.5 x 10.5 inches
Power Source: Corded Electric
Horsepower: 2400
Item Weight: 12.6 Pounds
6) WEN 4015 9-Amp 14-Inch Electric Chainsaw
The Wen 4015 9-Amp 14-Inch Electric Chainsaw is one of the best chainsaws for milling as the powerful electric motor rotates the chain at 39 feet per second.
It also features an automatic oiling system that applies oil to both the bar and chain to prolong saw life.
What we liked
- 9-Amp motor
- 14-inch blade
- Automatic oiling system
WEN 4015 9-Amp 14-Inch Electric Chainsaw specifications
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 16.5 x 8 x 8 inches
Power Source: Corded Electric
Horsepower: 3.5
7) Husqvarna 16 Inch 130 Gas Chainsaw
The Husqvarna 16 inch 130 gas chainsaw is a go to for a homeowner looking to have a powerful yet sleek chainsaw to get small jobs around the property.
This chainsaw features a 2-cycle engine that is both easy to start and use. With an ergonomic design, it is easy to maneuver and guide while cutting.
What we liked
- 16-inch blade
- 2-cycle engine
- Easy to start
Husqvarna 16 Inch 130 Gas Chainsaw specifications
Power Source: Gas Powered
Horsepower: 2 hp
Item Weight: 5.67 Pounds
8) Makita XCU06SM1 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 10″ Top Handle Chain Saw
The Makita Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 10″ Top Handle Chain Saw is compact and used across the professional tree care industry. Its high speed chain and variable speed trigger gives the user complete control when cutting.
What we liked
- 10” blade
- Brushless motor
- Variable speed trigger
Makita XCU06SM1 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 10″ Top Handle Chain Saw specifications
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 9.21 x 14.96 x 8.78 inches
Power Source: Battery Powered
Horsepower: 0.73 hp
9) Makita XCU04CM 36V (18V X2) LXT®
The Makita SCU04CM 36V is an older brother to number 8 on our list. The Makita XCU04CM is a brushless chainsaw that uses two 18 volt batteries in order to create 36 volts of power. Featuring a 12” blade, it makes it one of the larger and more powerful electric options on this list.
What we liked
- 36V brushless motor
- 12” blade
- 3.5 horsepower
Makita XCU04CM 36V (18V X2) LXT® specifications
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 10.63 x 22.24 x 10.59 inches
Power Source: Battery Powered
Horsepower: 3.5 hp
10) WORX WG322 20V Power Share 10″ Cordless Chainsaw
The WORX WG322 20V Power Share 10″ Cordless Chainsaw is our final best chainsaw for milling lumber. This electric chainsaw has a patented auto-tensioning system that extends the life of your chain and bar by keeping proper tension.
What we liked
- Automatic tensioning system
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Auto-chain tension
WORX WG322 20V Power Share 10″ Cordless Chainsaw specifications
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 25 x 7.5 x 9.5 inches
Horsepower: 3.2 hp
Item Weight: 6.19 Pounds
Final Thoughts on the best chainsaws for milling lumber in 2023
When it comes to finding the best chainsaw for milling lumber, there are a few things you want to keep in mind. You’ll want to consider the power source. Gasoline powered chainsaws are going to be the most powerful, but they’re also the heaviest and require more maintenance. Electric chainsaws are lighter and require less maintenance, but they’re not as powerful.
Tierney Callahan
Tierney is traveling around the word, discovering new sport hotspots to report on. He loves water sports and activities and he always takes his German Shepherd, Jack, with him, wherever he goes.
