Best Petrol Chainsaws UK 2026
The best petrol chainsaws in the UK for 2026, tested and compared on engine size, bar length, weight and value. Top picks for firewood, felling and smallholding work.
A petrol chainsaw is still the right tool when the job is bigger than a battery can handle: felling, seasoning a winter''s worth of firewood, storm clearance or working a smallholding where there is no socket in sight. These five are the petrol saws we rate highest in the UK right now, chosen from published Garden-Review product data and weighted on cutting performance, build quality, weight and price.
How to choose a petrol chainsaw
Engine size (cc) is the headline figure. Under 40cc suits limbing and light firewood; 40–50cc is the all-round sweet spot for most UK property owners; 50cc and above is for felling mature trees and sustained heavy cutting.
Bar length should exceed the diameter of what you are cutting by a few inches. A 400mm (16in) bar handles most domestic work. A 450–500mm bar gives more reach but adds weight and demands more engine to drive it — an underpowered long bar is slower and more dangerous than a well-matched short one.
Weight matters more than buyers expect. A saw that feels fine in the shop is punishing after an hour of overhead limbing. Anything under 6kg dry is comfortable for extended use; above 7kg, plan for breaks.
Chain and bar brand is a reliable quality signal. Saws fitted with Oregon bars and chains as standard use parts you can replace anywhere in the UK, which matters far more over the saw''s life than the badge on the cover.
Safety and the law in the UK
There is no licence required to use a chainsaw on your own property, but if you use one at work — including self-employed grounds work — you must hold a recognised certificate of competence under PUWER and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. Regardless of setting, chainsaw trousers to EN 381 or EN ISO 11393, a helmet with visor and ear defenders, and cut-resistant boots and gloves are not optional. Chain brake, chain catcher and anti-vibration mounts should all be present on any saw worth buying.
Running costs and maintenance
Petrol saws run on a two-stroke mix, typically 50:1 with a quality synthetic oil, plus bar oil in a separate reservoir. Budget for a sharpening file set and a spare chain from the outset — a blunt chain is the single biggest cause of poor cutting and kickback. Drain or stabilise the fuel before winter storage; stale petrol in the carburettor causes more chainsaw failures than wear ever does.
Our Verdict
Which petrol chainsaw should you buy?
For most UK buyers clearing branches, cutting firewood and handling the occasional fallen tree, a 45cc saw with a 400–450mm bar and an Oregon chain is the right specification, and the Draper CSP4546 hits that brief at a sensible price. Step up to the Hyundai HYC6200X if you are regularly felling larger timber and want the extra engine to drive a 500mm bar without bogging down.
If your cutting is limited to pruning, hedging and light garden tidying, a petrol saw is more machine than you need — a cordless model is lighter, quieter, starts instantly and needs no fuel mixing. Whichever you choose, buy the protective kit at the same time and factor in a spare chain; both cost far less than an accident or a ruined afternoon.