Best Husqvarna Chainsaws of 2021 – Top Picks Reviewed

Cody
| Last Updated: February 12, 2021

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You will not be able to spend very much time perusing the market for today’s top chainsaws without running into a model made by the famous Husqvarna brand.

We decided to compile a list of the most impressive Husqvarna chainsaws so that you will be able to easily find a saw that will fit your needs and come with the Husqvarna satisfaction guarantee.

Read on to learn more about this company and why they have been able to go the distance with their saws.

Hoping to cut right to the chase? Below are the best Husqvarna chainsaws:

  1. Husqvarna 460 Rancher
  2. Husqvarna 455 Rancher
  3. Husqvarna 445e II

Comparison of the Best Husqvarna Chainsaws

Product

Specs

Price

Husqvarna 460 Rancher

  • Available in a variety of bar lengths and gauges
  • 24" bar and chain
  • 3.62 HP and weighs 13.2 lbs.

Husqvarna 455 Rancher

  • Perfect for felling bigger trees, yet can also tackle smaller projects with ease
  • 20" bar and chain
  • 3.49 HP and weighs 13.2 lbs.

Husqvarna 445e II

  • Best for the Money
  • 18" bar and chain
  • 2.8 HP and weighs 11.2 lbs.

Husqvarna 440e II

  • Best Husqvarna 440 Chainsaw
  • 16" bar and chain
  • 2.4 HP and weighs 9.8 lbs.

Husqvarna 435e II

  • Best Husqvarna 435 Chainsaw
  • 16" bar and chain
  • 2.2 HP and weighs 9.2 lbs.

Husqvarna Company Overview

Husqvarna is right up there as one of the world’s oldest tool manufacturers, as it was founded in 1689. The brand originates from a city in Sweden of the same name (although these days it is based out of Stockholm).

The company is perhaps best known for its power tools, but it also produces construction equipment and diamond tool manufacturing – AKA, tools with diamond edge blades that are used to cut stone and quarries, thanks to diamonds being the world’s hardest substance. 

Why Did These Husqvarna Chainsaws Make Our List?

Here is why these chainsaws stood out from the rest of the pack:

Durability

Husqvarna is well-known brand for making reliable products that can go the distance and last a long time. Their chainsaws are no different – even if you use these saws on a daily or near daily basis, they will still consistently perform as if they are brand new.

Safety Features

When you have been making power tools for hundreds of years, you understand the danger inherent in operating these tools. Husqvarna has incorporated lots of additional safety features, including automatic chain brakes, to keep users safe.

Ease of Use

This features ties in a bit to the safety emphasis described above – if a saw is easy to use, it is not only safer to use, but it will help you as the user get the job done faster. Say goodbye to annoying pull starts that will not actually start, or bulky saws that are difficult to maneuver.

Review of the Best Husqvarna Chainsaws

The Husqvarna chainsaws we were most impressed by are outlined below:

Best Overall: Husqvarna 460 Rancher

PROS

  • Has a twenty four inch long bar
  • Can easily chomp through harder woods
  • Endorsed for use by professional loggers
  • Tough enough to stand up to daily heavy use
  • Users say its easy to handle despite the longer bar length

CONS

  • Piston rings will seize up fairly easily
  • Tends to bind up when cutting larger logs
  • No AutoTune feature, unlike other models

What Are People Saying?

People are impressed with a lot of the smaller design details present on this model. They particularly appreciate the side mounted chain tensioner, which both makes it easy to tension up the chain and helps to prevent any kickback, which makes operating this saw safer.

What We Love About It

We were big fans of the anti vibration technology Husqvarna incorporated into this saw. If you are sick of needing to take breaks while you are cutting to wait until enough blood and feeling returns to your shaken up hands, this is definitely the saw for you.

Who’s This Perfect For?

Multiple buyers are saying this is one of the best Husqvarna options for working with harder woods or with wood that has been dead for a while and has become especially rigid. If you anticipate cutting a lot of hard wood, you should go with this model.

Final Thoughts

The Husqvarna 460 Rancher is an absolute rock star when it comes to handling harder woods, and can cut for a long, long time without causing painful vibrations. It is also safer and easier to handle than many competitor saws. There is not much to dislike with this model!

Runner-up:
Husqvarna 455 Rancher

PROS

  • Only around twelve pounds
  • Makes great cuts in all weather conditions
  • Particularly skilled when making precise cuts
  • Has a two stroke engine for an increased amount of power
  • Strikes an excellence balance between durability and performance

CONS

  • Not great with cold starts
  • Kill switch and choke pull both feel flimsy
  • Has a shorter blade when compared to other saws on this list

What Are People Saying?

People love how fuel efficient this model is. It incorporates patented Husqvarna X Torq technology, which reduces fuel consumption by twenty percent and overall saw emissions by sixty percent. If you want to save your wallet and the planet, this is the model for you.

What We Love About It

The air filtration system on this saw is a beast. It is super efficient, making sure to filter out larger dust particles as well as consistent pieces of smaller debris. Say goodbye to the days of constantly clearing out the air filter.

Who’s This Perfect For?

If you are looking for a casual use saw, this is a great option. It is smaller and more lightweight, meaning it is easy for anyone to operate, even those without a lot of sawing experience. It is also a great choice for storm work. 

Final Thoughts

This Husqvarna model is impressive for a number of reasons: its smaller size, its inclusion of fuel efficient X Torq technology, and its badass air filtration system. If you want a saw that will consistently come through for you on your yard projects, you have got to go with this model.

Best for the Money:
Husqvarna 445e II

PROS

  • Simple to operate
  • Extremely well balanced
  • Easy to carry around, thanks to its lighter weight
  • Has a two year warranty that can be extended for even longer
  • Consistently easy to start, even if it is starting cold or if it is cold outside

CONS

  • Not CARB compliant
  • Not intended to be used heavily
  • Some users say the chain slips off easily

What Are People Saying?

People appreciate that this saw is designed to go the distance. Its air filtration system is designed to catch all large debris before it ever reaches the engine, which will reduce overall wear and tear and extend your saw’s life expectancy. 

What We Love About It

How can a genuine Husqvarna saw be available for this low of a price? We thought that there must be something wrong with this model for it to be offered this cheaply, but we tried it out and this saw is still a rockstar. Hop on this steal of a deal while you can!

Who’s This Perfect For?

The 445e II is probably the best option on this list if you are looking for a model that is great when trying to fell trees. The 445e actually specifically includes felling marks to make that process easier on saw users.

Final Thoughts

This model option is a great choice for anyone who is looking for a lighter duty saw, specifically one intended for felling smaller trees. Plus, if you want a saw that will perform consistently but not take a huge toll on your budget, you will not be able to find a better deal than the 445e.

Best Husqvarna 440 Chainsaw:
Husqvarna 440e II

PROS

  • Very fuel efficient
  • Easy to carry and transport
  • Has an automatic chain oiler
  • Well made of high quality material
  • Flip up tank cap is easy to open and close

CONS

  • Cold starting does not work very well
  • Vibrates more than other saws on this list
  • Has a tendency to leak oil, so users will have to empty the oil tank in between uses

What Are People Saying?

Users appreciate how easy this saw is to maneuver. They report that it is an excellent product option for branch work and other yard work that may require tight corners and more precise cuts, which necessitates a shorter bar length and a lighter overall saw weight.

What We Love About It

It is a small thing, but we really loved the flip up tank cap on this model. Say goodbye to the days of struggling to unscrew your saw’s fuel tank cap or needing to take off your work gloves just to add more fuel to your saw’s engine.

Who’s This Perfect For?

Because this saw is smaller, it is an excellent choice for those who may feel intimidated by larger models. Also, if you are looking for a saw that can handle simple tasks and not require a ton of power, this is an excellent model option for you.

Final Thoughts

This product option is ideal for anyone looking for something that is easy to operate, from its more maneuverable size to its convenience aspects like a flip up fuel tank cap. If you want a saw that is safe to handle but can still get the job done, this is a great choice.

Best Husqvarna 435 Chainsaw:
Husqvarna 435e II

PROS

  • Easy to start
  • Great for homeowner use
  • Lightweight and easy to operate
  • Comes with an included tensioning tool
  • Air filter is quick release for easier cleaning

CONS

  • Users report the choke feels cheap
  • Does not feel particularly well balanced
  • Safety brake has a tendency to seize up

What Are People Saying?

If you want a saw that comes with some extra goodies and provides more bang for you buck, this is the model for you. Users report that this saw comes with almost three ounces of fuel already included, plus a bar cover to protect your model.

What We Love About It

We liked the convenience of the side mounted chain tensioner, which Husqvarna has incorporated into some of their most reliable models. Having the tensioner easily accessible makes it much more quick to adjust the chain without needing to stop working.

Who’s This Perfect For?

Recent buyers feel comfortable when working with this saw because of its chain brake system. The brake is activated by inertia, or basically any time the saw is not cutting something. If you want maximum safety, you will find it with this model.

Final Thoughts

The final saw on our list certainly did not get that spot because it is not as impressive as other models. This saw has a lot going for it: the side mounted chain tensioner, an included bar cover, and an automatic chain brake activated by inertia, just to name a few.

Quick, here are the best Husqvarna chainsaws:

  1. Husqvarna 460 Rancher
  2. Husqvarna 455 Rancher
  3. Husqvarna 445e II

Brand Comparison

Why should you go with Husqvarna over some of the other well known saw brands? We compared Husqvarna with two of the most common other saw brands available on the market today:

Stihl vs Husqvarna

Just like Husqvarna, Stihl is known for producing exceptionally high quality chainsaws. There are some differences between the brands, though.

Husqvarna saws are known to cut at a faster rate, and to be able to be used for a longer time, thanks to their larger fuel tanks. On the other hand, Stihl saws have more low end torque, meaning they are likely to be able to handle tougher cuts.

Echo vs Husqvarna

Echo and Husqvarna saws are pretty equivalent when it comes to overall power, with both being designed primarily for homeowner use.

Echo chainsaws tend to have lower vibration rates than Husqvarnas, but thry have a number of features that outpace the Echo models, including a quick release air filter and an oil pump that is easily adjustable.

How To Start a Husqvarna Chainsaw

  1. To cold start your saw, pull the choke all the way out.

  2. Put your right foot through the rear handle and grip the front handle firmly with your left hand.

  3. Pull the starter handle with your right hand until the saw starts – for a cold start, this may take several pulls.

  4. Push the choke back in and continue to pull on the starter handle until the throttle hits.

  5. When the engine speed drops to idle, you are ready to get going with your saw.

How to Assemble a Husqvarna Chainsaw

Compile everything you received in the chainsaw box, which will likely include the saw body, the bar, the chain, the instruction manual, and, with Husqvarna saws, also an additional multitool.

Use that tool to remove the nut on the side of the saw. Pull back on the front handguard and pop off the clutch cover. Once the clutch cover is off, also remove the interior garnet.

Slide the bar onto the saw and loop the chain over the bar. Replace the clutch cover and re-secure the nut using the multitool. Use the multitool again to adjust the chain tension until there is no slack between the bottom of the bar and the chain.

We understand that this process can be a little confusing to read about without an additional visual component, so we have linked to a video below for further reference.

Conclusion

When you buy a Husqvarna chainsaw, you are not just buying a saw – you are buying the promise of a company that has lasted for centuries. There is a reason Husqvarna has been making power tools for as long as they have: they are pretty freaking great at it. We know that if you choose to go with one of our Husqvarna saws reviewed above, you will be just as impressed as we are with this awesome corporation.

People Also Ask

Even with a brand as well known as Husqvarna, you may still have some questions. We compiled the answers to some of the most common questions below.

Who Owns Husqvarna?

Husqvarna’s official name is the Husqvarna Group, and they are owned in part by multiple corporations, including Investor AB and Lundbergs AB. Husqvarna also owns a number of other companies, including PoulanPro and WeedEater.

How to Adjust Husqvarna Chainsaw Carburetor

To adjust your Husqvarna carburetor to address any idling issues your saw may be having, you need to work with several screws on the saw’s side. The idle speed screw is labeled “T,” the low speed screw is labeled “L,” and the high speed screw is labeled “H.” Adjust these screws until you are no longer experiencing issues when the saw is idling.

How to Tighten Chain on Husqvarna Chainsaw

Undo the chain brake and remove the clutch cover. Use the chain tensioner to tighten the chain by spinning the tensioning screw clockwise. Replace the clutch cover and engage the chain brake again. Your chain will now be tighter!

How to Sharpen a Husqvarna Chainsaw

First, you should invest in a Husqvarna filing gauge. Make sure the arrows on your gauge are pointing the same way as the chain’s rotation. Place the file on the gauge and file at each tooth on the chain using both hands.