Whether you’re felling a small tree, clearing storm damage, or working through a pile of logs for the wood burner, a good chainsaw makes light work of what would otherwise take hours. The challenge is knowing which type to buy — cordless battery models have come a long way, corded electrics are still the sensible choice for many gardens, and petrol remains king for heavy-duty work. Below we’ve rounded up seven of the best chainsaws on Amazon UK right now, across all three power types, so you can pick the one that actually suits your garden.
Quick Comparison Table
|
Product |
Best For |
Price Range |
Rating |
|
EGO Power+ CS1804 |
Best overall cordless |
See card for current price |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|
Makita DUC353Z |
Best cordless power |
See card for current price (body) |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|
McCulloch CS42S |
Best petrol for home use |
See card for current price |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|
Oregon CS1400 |
Best corded mid-range |
See card for current price |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|
Einhell GH-EC 2040 |
Best budget corded |
See card for current price |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|
BLACK+DECKER GKC3630L20 |
Best for light garden work |
See card for current price |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|
DeWalt DCM565P1-GB |
Best premium cordless |
See card for current price |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Prices change frequently on Amazon — check each product card below for the current price at time of viewing.
Our Top Picks
1. EGO Power+ CS1804
Best for: Homeowners wanting cordless convenience with serious cutting power.
The EGO Power+ CS1804 remains our top overall pick for UK gardens. It pairs EGO’s 56V ARC Lithium battery platform with a 45cm bar, giving it genuinely petrol-rivalling cutting performance without the fuel, fumes or maintenance. At 4.8kg with the battery fitted it’s not the lightest saw here, but the trade-off is a chain speed of 12.5m/s and a included 5.0Ah battery that comfortably gets through a full session of garden work on a single charge.
Key specs: 56V ARC Lithium battery, 45cm bar, 4.8kg with battery, 12.5m/s chain speed, 5.0Ah battery included, at time of writing available with battery and charger included.
Pros: – Gas-equivalent power with none of the maintenance – Outstanding battery life with the 5.0Ah battery included – Instant start — no warm-up or choke required – Quiet enough to use without disturbing the neighbours
Cons: – More expensive upfront than corded alternatives – Heavier than entry-level models at around 4.8kg – Battery is EGO-specific, so there’s a system to buy into
2. Makita DUC353Z
Best for: Tradespeople and serious gardeners already in the Makita battery ecosystem.
If you already own Makita 18V LXT batteries, the DUC353Z is hard to beat. It runs on two 18V batteries for a combined 36V, drives a brushless motor for extended run time and durability, and its 35cm bar is plenty for most garden trees and log work. Being sold as a bare tool keeps the upfront cost down for anyone who already has batteries and a charger on the shelf.
Key specs: Twin 18V (36V total) brushless motor, 35cm bar, 3.8kg without batteries, tool-free chain tensioning, body-only (batteries and charger sold separately).
Pros: – Brushless motor for extended battery life and durability – Excellent cutting performance for its size – Great value if you’re already in the Makita LXT ecosystem – Tool-free chain tensioning
Cons: – Body only — batteries and charger sold separately – Needs two 18V batteries to run – 35cm bar limits it to medium garden tasks
3. McCulloch CS42S
Best for: Those who need reliable petrol power for larger trees and tougher jobs.
Our previous petrol pick in this slot is no longer readily available on Amazon UK, so we’ve switched to the McCulloch CS42S — a genuinely current, widely-stocked 42cc petrol chainsaw with a 40cm bar that covers the same “serious petrol power for the home garden” ground. It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense saw built for occasional heavy-duty jobs like felling smaller trees, clearing storm damage or processing firewood, without stepping up to a professional-spec (and professionally priced) machine.
Key specs: 42cc petrol engine, 40cm bar, two-stroke, easy-start pull cord, auto chain oiling.
Pros: – Genuine petrol power for larger trees and tougher cutting jobs – 40cm bar handles thicker trunks than most cordless or corded rivals here – Straightforward to start and maintain for occasional users – Competitively priced against dealer-only petrol brands
Cons: – Requires petrol and two-stroke oil — more ongoing maintenance than electric options – Louder and produces fumes compared to battery or corded alternatives – Needs regular servicing and chain maintenance to stay in good condition
4. Oregon CS1400
Best for: Regular garden use where a mains power source is available.
The Oregon CS1400 is a 2400W corded electric chainsaw with a 40cm bar, and it remains one of the best corded options for anyone happy to stay within reach of a power socket or a decent extension lead. Because it’s mains-powered, there’s no battery to run flat mid-job and no petrol to mix or store, and Oregon’s ControlCut chain keeps cuts smooth and accurate.
Key specs: 2400W motor, 40cm bar, 4.5kg, 14.5m/s chain speed, corded electric with ControlCut chain.
Pros: – Constant power — no battery to run flat mid-job – Low noise compared to petrol equivalents – ControlCut chain is smooth and accurate – Backed by Oregon’s chain and bar expertise
Cons: – Restricted by cable length and the need for an outdoor extension lead – Not suitable for use far from a power source – Corded design limits flexibility around the garden
No products found.
5. Einhell GH-EC 2040
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers wanting a reliable corded saw for occasional use.
Our previous budget corded pick has been discontinued, so we’ve replaced it with the Einhell GH-EC 2040 — a 2000W corded electric chainsaw with a 40cm bar that hits the same low-cost, occasional-use brief. It’s a sensible choice for anyone who only needs a chainsaw a handful of times a year and doesn’t want to spend heavily on a saw that will mostly sit in the shed.
Key specs: 2000W corded electric motor, 40cm bar, tool-free chain tensioning, metal gearing, kickback protection.
Pros: – Excellent price for occasional users – 2000W motor handles most domestic tasks despite the low price – Tool-free tensioning and metal gearing for the money – Widely available from mainstream UK retailers
Cons: – Build quality reflects the budget price point – Corded only — you’ll need an extension lead – Not intended for heavy, repeated professional use
No products found.
6. BLACK+DECKER GKC3630L20
Best for: Light garden tidying and small branches without the hassle of a cord.
For lighter jobs — trimming small branches, tidying up after pruning, the occasional log — the BLACK+DECKER GKC3630L20 is a compact, easy-to-store option that comes complete with battery and charger in the box, so there’s nothing else to buy before you can start using it.
Key specs: 36V cordless Li-Ion, 30cm bar, 3.5kg with battery, 2.0Ah battery included, tool-free chain tensioner.
Pros: – Cordless freedom for light garden work – Battery and charger included in the box – Compact and easy to store – Tool-free chain tensioner
Cons: – 30cm bar limits capacity — not for larger trees – 36V battery is less powerful than higher-voltage alternatives – Performance drops on dense or wet wood
7. DeWalt DCM565P1-GB
Best for: Premium cordless performance and professional-grade build quality.
Our previous pick in this slot is a dealer-only brand not genuinely available through Amazon UK, so we’ve replaced it with the DeWalt DCM565P1-GB — an 18V XR Brushless cordless chainsaw that’s a genuine step up in build quality and comes as a complete kit with a 5.0Ah battery and charger included. It’s the pick for anyone who wants trade-grade reliability and is happy to pay a bit more for it.
Key specs: 18V XR Brushless motor, 30cm bar, 5.0Ah battery and charger included, tool-free chain tensioning, low-kickback chain.
Pros: – Outstanding build quality and brushless efficiency – Sold as a complete kit — battery and charger included – Backed by DeWalt’s widely available UK service network – Low vibration and comfortable to handle for longer sessions
Cons: – Premium price for a 30cm-bar cordless saw – 30cm bar is smaller than some petrol or corded rivals here – Best value if you’re already on the DeWalt 18V XR platform
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Chainsaw
What to Look For
Key decision factors include power source selection, bar length (30–35cm for most gardens, up to 40–45cm for heavier work), and weight. Bar length determines the maximum size of wood you can cut in a single pass, so match it to the biggest job you realistically expect to tackle.
Types of Chainsaw
- Cordless battery chainsaws: 18V–40V models suit light-to-medium work; 56V platforms like EGO’s can rival entry-level petrol saws.
- Corded electric: Ideal for regular use where a power source is nearby.
- Petrol: Offers the most power and is the best choice for professional-style or heavy-duty tasks.
- Top-handle vs rear-handle: Top-handle saws are for trained arborists working at height; rear-handle saws are safer and more suitable for most home users.
How Much Should You Spend?
- Under £100: Budget corded electric — the Einhell GH-EC 2040 is a solid choice.
- £100–£200: Mid-range corded and entry-level cordless options.
- £200–£400: The sweet spot for cordless — the Makita DUC353Z and EGO CS1804 both sit here.
- £400+: Professional and semi-professional territory.
Check each product’s card above for the current price, as prices move on Amazon regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a licence to use a chainsaw in the UK?
You don’t need a licence to use a chainsaw as a private individual on your own property for domestic garden work. However, if you’re using one professionally or working at height, relevant qualifications (such as NPTC chainsaw certificates) are a legal requirement.
How often should I oil a chainsaw chain?
Most modern chainsaws have an automatic oiling system that lubricates the chain during use. You should check the bar oil level before each use and top it up as needed — as a rough guide, you’ll go through roughly one bar oil fill per tank of petrol, or per battery charge on cordless models.
What’s the best chainsaw for a beginner?
For most beginners, a corded electric or mid-range cordless chainsaw is the best starting point. They’re easier to start, require less maintenance, and are generally lighter than petrol saws.
Can I sharpen a chainsaw chain myself?
Yes, and it’s a worthwhile skill to learn. A chainsaw file and guide set costs around £10–£15 and will keep your chain cutting cleanly for the life of the saw.
Final Verdict
For most UK gardeners, the EGO Power+ CS1804 is the standout choice — it combines genuine petrol-equivalent power with the convenience and low maintenance of battery technology, and the included 5.0Ah battery gives you enough runtime for a full day of garden work. If you’re already invested in the Makita LXT platform, the DUC353Z is a superb cordless alternative at a lower body price. For those who only need a chainsaw occasionally and want to keep costs down, the Einhell GH-EC 2040 is a reliable and affordable corded saw that won’t break the bank.
