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18-inch chainsaws are some of the most versatile tools you will ever be able to work with.
They can handle everything from small pruning projects to chopping up dead firewood.
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Read on to learn more about these awesome tools and the many ways they can make your yard work easier.
Hoping to cut right to the chase? Below are the best 18-inch chainsaws:
Comparison of the Best 18-inch Chainsaws
Product | Specs | Price |
|---|---|---|
Husqvarna 455 Rancher  | ||
Greenworks GCS80420  | ||
Remington RM4618 Outlaw  | ||
Craftsman CMXGSAMA421S  | ||
Husqvarna 445e II  |
Can You Really Find a Quality 18 Inch Chainsaw That’s Affordable?
18-inch chainsaws walk the fine line of being around the exact middle of average chainsaw sizes available on the market today.
This is a good quality in that it means there are a lot of different saws to choose from, but it can be easy to get caught up in how much a saw costs and seeing that as a reflection of a saw’s quality.
While it is true that you do always want a high quality chainsaw, especially an 18-incher that you will be using for a ton of different products, that does not mean you have to break the bank. There are plenty of affordable, high quality 18 inch saw options out there.
Review of the Best 18-Inch Chainsaws
Here is our complete list of the most impressive 18 inch chainsaws on the market:
Best Overall:
Husqvarna 18-Inch 455 Rancher Gas Chainsaw
PROS
CONS
Our Review
This saw is a top notch option for part time and homeowner use because it is smaller and more lightweight than many other saws with an 18-inch bar. Users report that they have specifically used this saw for cleaning up downed wood during storm work, and for limbing smaller trees.
It also has a great air cleaning system that stops pieces of debris along with larger sawdust particles from getting backed up in the air filter, so you will not need to spend a lot of time cleaning this saw out.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
This saw implements Husqvarna’s brand new X Torq technology. X Torq reduces overall fuel consumption by up to twenty percent, so you will be able to save a ton of money on gasoline costs, and it also reduces overall emissions by sixty percent.
Runner Up:
Greenworks GCS80420
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Out of all the battery operated saws we have worked with, we were most impressed with the battery recharge rate on this model. The battery takes only a half hour to become fully recharged, and each full charge will provide around one hundred and fifty cuts.
You also will always know when the saw’s battery is running low, thanks to the battery life indicator that is built into the side of the saw so the battery levels are always easily visible.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
You may be a little bit leery about investing in a saw with an eighteen inch bar that runs on batteries as opposed to good old fashioned gasoline, but never fear. The battery power on this baby is the equivalent to a 45cc gas engine (also known as one and a half gas tanks, so you are saving a ton of money on fuel!).
Best for the Money:
Remington RM4618 Outlaw
PROS
CONS
Our Review
This saw has a manual chain brake which acts as an additional safety feature against any kickbacks a user may experience, so you will not have to worry about using it on old wood that may have a lot of hidden knots.
Plus, it has a tool less chain tensioner – so say goodbye to always having to carry around a heavy toolbox with you when you are doing work out in your yard. It also has an automatic oiling system that adjusts the flow for you in order to maximize efficiency.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
We could not believe our eyes when we saw an 18-inch chainsaw from the reliable Remington brand at such a low, low price. At first, we thought it must be a knockoff – no way could an actual Remington be on sale for that little amount. But it is not too good to be true, so hop on this deal stat!
Best Craftsman 18-inch Chainsaw:
Craftsman CMXGSAMA421S
PROS
CONS
Our Review
This saw is tough! It can cut through a tree trunk up to sixteen inches in diameter with no issues at all.
The bucking spikes on the sides of the saw also help it to maintain stability while it is making these monster cuts, which reduces overall vibration and increases user safety, due to less numbness and tiredness in your arms from being shaken up.
Its chain brake is also great and automatically engages during any kickback.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
We loved the intentional design on this model. Are you always taking precautions when cutting with your saw to avoid banging the spark plug against something and potentially causing irreversible damage? Finally, Craftsman has designed a saw with a spark plug cover!
Best Husqvarna 18-inch Chainsaw:
Husqvarna 18-Inch 445e II Gas Chainsaw
PROS
CONS
Our Review
We were big fans of the air filtration system on this saw. The air filter will catch all large debris before it makes its way down to your saw’s engine, which will significantly reduce overall wear and tear on your saw.
It is also a great choice for felling trees, thanks to this model’s built in felling marks. With all that technology, you would think it would be a beast to haul around, but it is actually quite lightweight and easy to maneuver.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
What is the biggest hassle in operating a chainsaw? Getting it started, of course. Say goodbye to start up struggles forever with this Husqvarna Rancher. It consistently starts with just a few pulls, no matter how long it has been sitting in your shed and no matter how cold it is outside.
In summary, here are the best 18 inch chainsaws:
Pros and Cons of 18-Inch Chainsaws
Why should you go with an 18-inch saw over another size? Here is what to consider:
Pros
As mentioned before, 18-inch saws strike a pretty perfect balance. They are still short and small enough so that they are somewhat easy to maneuver, meaning they can make smaller, more precise cuts that larger saws may be unable to handle.
They are also lighter, which makes them easier to carry and less likely to tire you out and cause you to make a mistake. Plus, they are versatile enough to be used for a wide variety of different projects.
Cons
About the only drawback to working with an 18-inch saw is that they are not the largest saws out there. While that has some benefits, as listed above, it is also true that there will be some cutting projects that an 18-inch saw just will not be able to handle.
When Would You Use an 18-Inch Chainsaw?
Here are the best uses for an 18-inch chainsaw:
Trimming Small Branches
Trees are great additions to any yard, but what about that branch that is growing straight at your newly installed patio? 18-inch saws are a great option for lopping off smaller branches that will get really annoying and inconvenient if they are allowed to grow unchecked.
Pruning
Sometimes, it is healthy for your trees to actually have their branches and new growth be cut back and pruned. It would be difficult to find a saw better for that task than an 18-incher, which can easily get into those tight spots and weird angles.
Cutting Down Small Trees
While bigger projects are probably outside of the range of an 18-inch saw, smaller trees that you want to remove entirely are projects your saw could easily be able to handle. You can use an 18-inch saw both to fell trees and to chop them up afterward.
How to Clean an Chainsaw
- Make sure you have on appropriate safety gear such as ear plugs, safety glasses, a chainsaw helmet, and gloves.
- Use a compressed air hose to blow all of the gunk off of the outside casing on the saw.
- Take off the chain guard and then remove the chain and bar as well.
- Use your air hose to remove all of the dust that is caked on to the saw’s interior (this will likely be a lot more than was on the saw’s exterior, so you may want to do this in an open space so you are not choking on dust).
- Use a Phillips head screwdriver to also take off the top part of the saw and get your air compressor in there as well to clear out all the dust.
- Finally, run your air compressor along the chainsaw's bar to get the dust out of all the crevices.
Check out this video for a visual of what was explained above:
Conclusion
18-inch chainsaws are the true rockstars of the yard work world. There really is not much these saws will not be able to do – plus, they are easier and more safe to operate than their larger, toothier cousins. We promise that if you go with a model from our list above, you will not be disappointed with the outcome.