So how do you choose the best chainsaw brand? Well, Stihl and Husqvarna immediately spring to mind but if you're really serious about finding the best saw for your situation then you need to conduct your own research before jumping in on one recommendation.

What type of research are we referring to? Let's take a look at some of the things you need to consider:

- How often will you use the saw? This is an extremely important point because if you're simply planning to do some work around the home then you need to look at the smaller lightweight models.

- How much are you willing to spend? Again, very important because as a home owner, you're not likely to use your machine very much so you don't want to be spending hundreds of dollars on a machine that is going to sit in your tool shed for most of the time.

- Do you prefer a gas-powered chainsaw or an electric machine? There is a big difference. Gas powered saws a re usually more expensive, have greater portability and are more powerful. Electric saws are hampered to some extent by a chord but are less expensive and quieter which is a big asset if you live in a suburban area.

Choosing Your Chainsaw

Finding the best chainsaw brand means you need some open discussion and the best place to get this is from an online forum dedicated to chainsaw users.

Yes, Stihl and Husqvarna will get plenty of recommendation and you could do no worse than to look at these specifically but be sure to ask about some of the lesser known brands such as Echo, Poulan and McCulloch.

Another area to consider are some of the major shopping stores which sell what have been termed budget chainsaws. Are they worth the investment? Well, in many cases the investment isn't a lot and the truth is, despite their budget tag there are some real gems amongst them in both the electric and gas-powered range.

In fact, for around 50 bucks, you can pick up some excellent electric chainsaws which come with warranties. Don't let the price put you off as the market has become extremely competitive in recent years with more brands "jumping into the pool." They may not be the best chainsaw brands but for home use, they are more than ideal.