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Choosing between a petrol and an electric chainsaw comes down to what you cut, how often, and how much upkeep you are prepared to take on. Petrol saws are the traditional choice for big, remote jobs. Electric saws, both corded and cordless, have improved enormously and now suit most ordinary garden work. Here we compare the two, with six real saws to show what each type offers.
Quick Verdict
For most UK gardens, an electric chainsaw is the better buy. It is quieter, cleaner, easier to start and cheaper to maintain, and it can handle pruning, small trees and a winter’s worth of logs. Choose petrol if you regularly cut large trunks, work far from a power socket and do not want to depend on a battery, or if you want a professional-grade saw from a name such as Stihl.
Corded electric saws give the best power for the money but tie you to a cable. Cordless saws are the most convenient, but cost more and are limited by battery capacity.
Petrol Chainsaws
A petrol chainsaw has a two-stroke engine that runs on a mix of petrol and oil. It is strong, fast and works anywhere, with no cable or battery to run out. Modern engines are cleaner than old ones, but they are still noisy, produce fumes and need regular care: fresh fuel, a clean air filter and a sharp chain.
Stihl MS 180
The Stihl MS 180 is a compact, lightweight petrol saw aimed at firewood and pruning, with a 40cm cutting length. It has an anti-vibration system and a single-lever control, and the fuel and oil tanks are transparent, so you can see at a glance when to top up. Stihl has a reputation for dealer support and spare parts, which matters if you keep a saw for many years.
Pros: Trusted brand, light and compact, anti-vibration system, easy to maintain.
Cons: Costs several times as much as budget petrol saws. Still needs fuel mixing and regular upkeep.
Who it suits: gardeners who want a quality petrol saw for pruning and firewood.
- Petrol chainsaw, ideal for cutting firewood and pruning branches. It is compact, lightweight and features an anti-vibration system for greater comfort and smoother cutting. Easy starting thanks to the ergonomic control lever that automatically springs back into the idle position for ease of use. Side mounted chain tensioning, improved visibility of the chain and oil tank.
- Its anti-vibration system reduces strain on muscles and joints, while single-lever operation and a transparent fuel and oil tank make for easy handling and maintenance.
- Economical 2-MIX engine STIHL anti-vibration system Intuitive control lever Long life air filter system
Hyundai 62cc 20-inch Petrol Chainsaw
Hyundai’s 62cc saw is a powerful two-stroke with a 50cm bar, a side-mounted chain tensioner and a three-year warranty. It is a lot of saw for the money and has the power to handle large logs and bigger trees.
It is also a heavier, louder machine than a small garden saw, and a 20-inch bar is more than most gardeners need. It suits those who regularly cut big timber.
Pros: Plenty of power, long bar, side tensioner, low price for the capability.
Cons: Heavy and loud. More saw than a small garden needs, and it demands careful handling.
Who it suits: large trees, bigger logs and rural plots.
- Hyundai Petrol Chainsaw: A powerful 2-stroke petrol chainsaw from Hyundai. Designed to handle tough DIY and gardening cutting jobs, our 50cm 20'' Hyundai petrol chainsaw is highly versatile, delivering high sawing performance.
- Powerful Chainsaw: This powerful petrol chainsaw’s 62cc 2-stroke engine has EURO 5 engine technology, which lowers fuel consumption and emissions whilst maintaining a powerful cutting speed.
- 20 Inch (50cm) Petrol Chainsaw: Fitted with Hyundai’s own professionally engineered 20” (50cm) bar and chain, capable of tackling anything from large trees and cutting firewood to smaller garden clearance job
- Low Maintenance Chainsaw: Built with easy maintenance in mind, the chainsaw’s side-mounted chain tensioner makes adjustment extra quick and easy.
- Easy-To-Use Chainsaw: With its ergonomic and comfortable design, the HYC6200X also has anti-vibration technology to minimise any discomfort in your hands or arms whilst in use.
Corded Electric Chainsaws
A corded electric saw plugs into the mains. There is no fuel, no starting rope and very little maintenance beyond chain care. Power is constant and the saw is relatively light, but you need an outdoor socket and cable, and you must take great care not to cut through the cord. Always use an RCD.
Hyundai 2400W Electric Chainsaw 16-inch
The Hyundai 2400W has a 40cm Oregon bar and chain, tool-free chain tensioning, automatic chain lubrication and a 12m power cable. It is good value, and with a 2400W motor it can handle thick branches and firewood.
Pros: Strong motor, Oregon bar and chain, tool-free tensioning, long cable, good price.
Cons: Tied to a mains socket. Cable is a trip hazard and a cutting risk.
Who it suits: gardeners with a plot near the house who want power at a low price.
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE 2400W MOTOR – Delivers exceptional cutting power for tackling tree trunks, thick branches, and firewood with ease. Perfect for homeowners, landscapers, and gardeners.
- PREMIUM OREGON BAR & CHAIN – Fitted with a high-quality 40cm (16") Oregon bar and chain for smooth, efficient, and reliable cutting performance every time.
- EASY CHAIN ADJUSTMENT – Features a tool-free chain tensioning system for quick and effortless adjustments, helping you stay productive without interruptions.
- AUTOMATIC CHAIN LUBRICATION – Built-in oil system keeps the chain perfectly lubricated for longer life, smoother cuts, and reduced maintenance effort.
- LIGHTWEIGHT & EASY TO HANDLE – Designed with user comfort in mind, this corded electric chainsaw offers excellent balance, low vibration, and a soft-grip handle for fatigue-free operation.
Oregon 2400W Corded Electric Chainsaw 16-inch
Oregon is better known for chains and bars, so it is no surprise that this saw has a quality chain and a built-in chain brake. It also offers tool-free chain tensioning and automatic oiling. It costs a little more than the Hyundai, but you get a respected name in saw components.
Pros: Chain brake, quality chain, tool-free tensioning, automatic oiling.
Cons: Needs a mains supply. A bit pricier than similar corded saws.
Who it suits: those who value a trusted chain and brake and have mains power nearby.
No products found.
Cordless Electric Chainsaws
Cordless saws run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. They start with a switch, have no cable and no exhaust, and are well suited to pruning and cutting small logs. The compromises are battery runtime and price, because the battery and charger add significantly to the cost.
Greenworks GD24CS30K4 Cordless Chainsaw
The Greenworks GD24CS30K4 has a brushless motor, a 30cm bar, automatic oiling and kickback protection. It is supplied with a 24V 4Ah battery and charger, and weighs around 2.6kg, light enough for easy handling. A 30cm bar is ideal for pruning and smaller logs.
Pros: Light, brushless motor, battery and charger included, tool-free tensioning, three-year guarantee.
Cons: Small bar limits the size of wood it can cut. Runtime depends on the battery.
Who it suits: gardeners who want a convenient saw for pruning and small firewood.
- POWERFUL, LIGHTWEIGHT AND COMPACT 30cm CHAINSAW - weighing only 2.6kg with comfortable, ergonomic soft-grip handles and a 30cm blade for cutting logs or firewood, pruning shrubs and coppicing branches
- NEW GENERATION LITHIUM 24V 4Ah BATTERY – powered by an advanced battery that you can use in any Greenworks 24V tool to save money, cut waste and reduce storage space
- EFFICIENT, SAFER, SPEEDY CUTTING - brushless motor gives unmatched power and run time yet maintains a fast chain speed of 7.8m/s to quickly and cleanly cut timber, and for safety, the chain stops instantly if the chainsaw recoils due to kickback
- CHAIN IS EASY TO TENSION AND AUTOMATICALLY OILED - toolless chain adjustment means no fiddling about when you adjust the chain tension and the chain stays lubricated with an automatic oiling system that has a 200ml translucent tank
- 3 YEAR GUARANTEE WITH 2 YEAR BATTERY WARRANTY – by Greenworks, a world leader in electric tools and battery technology, with a global reputation for smart design, high performance and outstanding customer service
Hyundai 40V Cordless Chainsaw 14-inch
Hyundai’s 40V saw uses two 20V batteries, with a 35cm bar, a brushless motor, automatic oiling and an anti-kickback brake. The kit includes two 4.0Ah batteries and a charger. It is the most capable cordless saw here, suited to branches and logs up to around 35cm.
Pros: Brushless motor, 35cm bar, two batteries and charger, automatic oiling, brake.
Cons: Most expensive electric saw in this comparison. Heavier than a 30cm saw.
Who it suits: gardeners wanting the most cordless power and capacity.
No products found.
Feature Comparison: Petrol vs Electric
Power: petrol saws lead on raw power and bar length, which matters for thick trunks. Corded electric saws are surprisingly strong for their price, and cordless saws are adequate for garden jobs but run out of battery on long sessions.
Noise and fumes: electric saws are quieter and produce no exhaust. That makes them far more neighbour-friendly in a residential garden, though you should still wear ear defenders.
Convenience: cordless saws start instantly. Petrol saws need priming and a pull cord, and fuel must be mixed and stored safely. Corded saws are simple but limited by cable length.
Maintenance: electric saws need little beyond chain care. Petrol saws need fuel mixing, an air filter, spark plug care and winter storage, so they cost more in time and money to maintain.
Cost: electric saws are generally cheaper to buy and run, though a cordless saw costs more because of the battery. A premium petrol saw costs the most up front.
Specs at a Glance
| Saw | Power source | Bar length | Approx. price |
| Stihl MS 180 | Petrol | 40cm cutting length | Around £350-400 |
| Hyundai 62cc | Petrol | 50cm (20 inch) | Around £100-130 |
| Hyundai 2400W | Corded electric | 40cm (16 inch) | Around £80-100 |
| Oregon 2400W | Corded electric | 40cm (16 inch) | Around £95-120 |
| Greenworks GD24CS30K4 | Cordless (24V) | 30cm | Around £130-155 |
| Hyundai 40V | Cordless (2x20V) | 35cm (14 inch) | Around £175-200 |
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy petrol if you cut large trees or heavy logs, work away from mains power, or want a long-lasting professional-grade saw. Buy a corded electric saw if you want strong cutting power for logs and branches close to the house at the lowest cost. Buy cordless if convenience matters most and your jobs are pruning, small trees and light firewood.
Whichever you pick, wear proper protective gear, including chainsaw trousers, boots, gloves, eye and ear protection and a helmet, and keep the chain sharp.
Our Verdict
For most gardeners, electric wins. The Hyundai 2400W is our value pick for corded power, the Greenworks GD24CS30K4 is the best cordless saw for light work, and the Hyundai 40V is the cordless choice for those who need more reach. Petrol still earns its place for larger jobs: the Stihl MS 180 is the premium option, and the Hyundai 62cc is the budget powerhouse.
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