Just like real estate, it's important not to over-capitalize when comparing the prices of chainsaws. Sure the bigger, more powerful Stihl, Husqvarna, Echo and Poulan machines are tempting to take home but let me predict what will happen.
Buyer's remorse will set in. And why wouldn't it? This article is directed at those of you who live in surburbia with not a lot of call to use a chainsaw on a regular basis.
Electric Chainsaws
There are some excellent electric models on the market today. Better still, they are available for what seem crazy prices. In fact, for $50-$75 you can pick yourself up a great working electric model chainsaw which will handle most of the jobs around the home.
Yes there are drawbacks to electric chainsaws namely wet conditions and they're not as flexible as gas-powered machines. However, if you intend using them on just a handful of times a year then wet weather is not going to be an issue.
The more expensive electric models when assessing chainsaw prices will usually be under the name brand banners of Stihl and Husqvarna. These machines are loaded with many more features than the low priced items but once you start getting into this price category, then it might pay to inspect the gas-powered models.
Gas Powered Chainsaws
Extra power and portability are the main attractions of gas-powered saws however, they are noisier and less suited to suburban conditions.
The intention of this article though is to try and get the most suitable machine in your hands as a infrequent user for the best price. Poulan have some very suitable lightweight saws while brands such as Homelite, Remington and Echo are worth exploring.
If you're looking at spending less than a hundred dollars then we can't guarantee what you'll pick up in the gas-powered range however, when comparing chainsaw prices, by looking at the $100-$200 range, then you are well in the ball park and open to many great options.
Forking out hundreds of dollars on a chainsaw just doesn't make sense if you're buying your first machine or you're only going to use it a few times a year. Sure, you might be the envy of your friends and neighbors but wouldn't the extra few hundred dollars you outlaid have been better directed to your kid's college fund?
