There is a point in almost every overgrown garden when secateurs stop being helpful. A branch is too thick, the log pile is getting bigger, or a small tree needs more than a pruning saw. That is usually when people start looking at chainsaws, and discover that choosing one can feel harder than the cutting job itself.

Petrol, corded electric, cordless, mini, and pole saws all cut wood, but they are designed for different situations. The best chainsaw is not automatically the one with the longest bar or the largest engine. It is the lightest, most manageable saw that can safely complete the work you actually need to do.

Start with the job, not the chainsaw

Before comparing engine sizes, voltages, or bar lengths, write down what you expect to cut. A person removing a few low branches twice a year has a very different requirement from someone processing several tonnes of firewood or clearing storm-damaged timber.

Pruning shrubs and small branches: prioritise low weight, control and quick starting.

Reaching established branches from the ground: consider a pole saw, while staying within the model’s stated cutting capacity.

Cutting logs and occasional firewood: look for a manageable full-size saw with enough bar length and runtime for the typical log diameter.

Regular firewood processing or larger timber: sustained power, durability, refuelling or battery strategy and operator fatigue become more important.

Felling trees or working at height: this is higher-risk work. Training, competence, site assessment and professional help should lead the decision, not simply buying a larger saw.

If your list contains several very different jobs, choose for the work you will do most often. 

What type of chainsaw should you choose?

Cordless chainsaws

A cordless chainsaw is often a practical starting point for garden owners who want portability without storing and mixing petrol. It starts at the press of a control, produces no exhaust emissions at the point of use, and generally needs less engine-related maintenance than a petrol model.

Cordless saws suit pruning, garden clearance, smaller logs, and intermittent firewood cutting. Runtime depends on the battery, the saw, timber hardness, cut diameter, chain condition, and working technique, so a quoted battery capacity is only part of the picture. For a longer session, consider whether you already own compatible batteries and whether a charged spare would be useful.

Hyundai's cordless range is designed around a shared battery platform. If you already own Hyundai 20V cordless garden tools, you'll already understand the benefit of using the same batteries across multiple products. Even our 40V tools use two 20V batteries working together, allowing you to build your collection without investing in separate battery systems.

Choose cordless when convenience, lower noise, portability and lighter-duty or intermittent work matter most. Do not assume a battery saw is harmless because it is quiet or compact; the moving chain presents the same fundamental cutting hazard.

Corded electric chainsaws

A corded electric chainsaw offers continuous power without fuel or battery downtime. It can be a cost-effective choice for cutting logs, pruning, and general maintenance in a smaller garden where a suitable outdoor supply is close by.

The cable is the main limitation. You must manage it throughout the job and use the electrical protection and extension equipment specified by the manufacturer. A corded model is less suitable where the work is spread across a large plot or where the cable could cross the cutting area, undergrowth, or wet ground.

Petrol chainsaws

Petrol chainsaws provide portable, sustained power for frequent cutting and more demanding timber. They can be refuelled quickly and are not tied to a socket or charging cycle, which makes them useful on larger properties, smallholdings, and remote work areas.

That capability comes with more weight, noise, vibration, and maintenance. Petrol must be mixed and stored correctly for the specific model, and the engine, filter and spark plug all need attention. Petrol saws also produce exhaust gases and must never be run indoors or in an enclosed space.

If you're new to petrol chainsaws, Hyundai's HYC6200X includes a step-by-step setup and unboxing video showing how to prepare the chainsaw correctly, including adding chain oil and getting ready for first use.

Mini chainsaws and pruning saws

Mini cordless chainsaws sit between hand pruners and full-size chainsaws. Their compact size can make them useful for low branches, shrubs, and small sections of timber, particularly where a full-length guide bar would be cumbersome.

Small does not mean low risk. These tools still need two-handed control where the design provides two grips, suitable protective equipment and the same care around the bar tip and moving chain. They are not substitutes for a full-size saw when the wood exceeds their stated capacity.

Pole saws

A pole saw helps cut selected overhead branches while the operator remains on the ground. It is usually a better option than trying to use a conventional chainsaw from a ladder, but overhead work introduces falling-branch hazards and requires a clear working zone.

A pole saw is for suitable pruning work, not for branches that are too large, badly tensioned, or positioned near buildings, roads, people or overhead services. Those jobs need competent assessment and may require a professional tree surgeon.

Our cordless pole saw runs from the same battery system as the chainsaw, making it ideal if you want to build up your tool kit and buy a chainsaw and a pole saw.

Petrol vs cordless vs corded chainsaws at a glance

What size chainsaw do you need?

Chainsaw size is usually discussed through guide-bar length and, for petrol models, engine capacity. Both affect capability, but neither should be read in isolation.

Guide-bar length

The guide bar supports the chain and influences the size of timber the saw can tackle. A shorter bar is normally lighter and easier to manoeuvre. A longer bar gives more reach and cutting capacity but adds weight and can make the saw more tiring and less forgiving for an inexperienced operator.

Hyundai’s current range includes compact 6-inch and 10-inch cordless options, 14-inch and 16-inch electric or cordless models, and a 20-inch petrol model. Match the bar to the typical work, not the largest piece of timber you can imagine encountering once.

 

• Around 6 inches / 15cm: compact pruning and small branches within the tool’s stated capacity.
• Around 10 inches / 25cm: pruning, garden clearance and smaller logs.
• Around 14 inches / 35cm: broader garden maintenance and medium-sized logs.
• Around 16 inches / 40cm: larger logs and more demanding domestic cutting.
• Around 20 inches / 50cm: heavier cutting where petrol power and operator experience are appropriate.

Bar length is not a promise that a saw can safely cut timber of the same diameter in every situation. Timber species, tension, decay, access, operator competence, and the power of the saw all affect the job. Always stay within the operating instructions and recommended cutting capacity for the exact model.

Power, chain speed, and cutting performance

Voltage, wattage, and engine capacity describe different power systems, so they cannot be compared as if they were the same number. Cutting performance also depends on motor design, torque, chain speed, chain sharpness, and how well the bar and chain are lubricated.

A sharp, correctly tensioned chain on a suitable saw will usually work more efficiently than a larger saw with a neglected chain. If you need to force the bar through the wood, the answer may be maintenance or technique rather than more power.

Weight and balance

Published weights do not always include the battery, fuel, or cutting equipment, so compare like with like. Think about the saw’s working weight and how long you can hold it securely. Fatigue reduces control, particularly during limbing and repetitive firewood cutting.

If two models can complete the job, the lighter and better-balanced option is often the more sensible choice.

Which Hyundai chainsaw fits which job?

The following selector uses the current Hyundai chainsaw and pole-saw range as listed July 2026. Availability and specifications can change, so confirm the live product page and operating manual before publication or purchase.

Features worth comparing before you buy

Chain brake and start lock

A chain brake is designed to stop the chain rapidly in specific circumstances, while a lock-off or safety control helps prevent unintended activation. Check how these controls work on the exact model before the first use. They support safe operation but do not replace training, correct grip or careful working practice.

Chain tensioning

The chain needs correct tension to run safely and efficiently. Tool-free adjustment can make routine checks quicker, particularly for occasional users, but every system still needs to be used according to the manual. A chain can settle or stretch during early use and should be checked regularly.

Automatic chain lubrication

The bar and chain require a steady supply of the correct chain oil. Automatic lubrication reduces manual intervention while cutting, but the reservoir still needs checking and filling. Battery and electric chainsaws need chain oil too; they are lower-maintenance, not maintenance-free.

Brushless motors

On cordless tools, a brushless motor can improve efficiency, durability and power delivery compared with a conventional brushed design. It is useful, but the complete package, battery capacity, weight, chain speed, bar length and intended workload, should drive the decision.

Battery compatibility

One of the biggest advantages of choosing a Hyundai cordless chainsaw isn't just the chainsaw itself, it's the battery platform behind it.

Hyundai's cordless garden range is built around a shared battery ecosystem. Our 20V tools use the same interchangeable 20V battery, while our 40V tools are powered by two 20V batteries working together. That means your investment doesn't stop with one product.

Once you've bought into the platform, the same batteries can power a wide range of Hyundai garden tools, including hedge trimmers, grass trimmers, lawn mowers, blowers, pole saws, and more.*

Instead of buying separate batteries and chargers for every new tool, you simply expand your collection while using the batteries you already own.

*Always check each product page for battery requirements. Some products are supplied as complete kits including batteries and charger, while others are available as bare tools for customers who already own Hyundai batteries.

Safety has to be part of the buying decision

A chainsaw can cause life-changing injury. The Health and Safety Executive describes chainsaw work as high risk and requires people using chainsaws at work to have adequate training and competence for the work they carry out. Domestic owners should take the same hazard seriously, read the complete operating manual and seek practical training before attempting unfamiliar work.

• Wear suitable chainsaw protective clothing and equipment for the task, including appropriate leg, foot, eye, face, hearing, head and hand protection where required.
• Inspect the saw, bar, chain, controls and lubrication before use.
• Keep other people and animals out of the working area.
• Plan where the wood can move, fall, roll, split or spring when cut.
• Do not use a conventional chainsaw while standing on a ladder.
• Do not work alone in remote locations without a reliable emergency plan.
• Leave large-tree felling, storm-damaged trees, overhead hazards, work near services and aerial chainsaw work to properly trained and equipped professionals.

A five-question chainsaw selector

1. What will you cut most often? List the typical branch or log size, timber type and frequency of use.
2. Where will you work? Decide whether a safe power supply is genuinely convenient or whether cordless or petrol portability is needed.
3. What can you control comfortably? Compare working weight, balance, starting method and vibration, not just maximum power.
4. How long will each session last? Consider continuous mains power, spare batteries, or petrol refuelling alongside breaks and fatigue.
5. Is the job within your competence? If it involves felling, work at height, hung-up or storm-damaged timber, overhead services or uncertainty about how the wood will move, stop and seek professional help.

Before your first cut

Once you have chosen a chainsaw, do not jump straight from the box to the log pile. Read the model-specific manual, assemble and tension the chain correctly, add the specified chain oil and, on a petrol model, prepare the exact fuel mixture stated for that machine.

If you're buying a Hyundai chainsaw for the first time, it's worth watching the product video before getting started. Many of our product pages include videos showing exactly what's included in the box, how to assemble the chainsaw, correctly tension the chain, fill the chain oil reservoir and prepare the saw for its first use.

For example, if you're considering the HYC6200X 62cc Petrol Chainsaw, the product page includes a complete unboxing and setup video that walks you through preparing the saw correctly before your first cut.

Don't forget the essentials

A chainsaw is only part of the job. Before getting started, it's worth making sure you have the consumables and accessories you'll need to keep cutting safely and efficiently.

Depending on the model you've chosen, you may also want to consider:

• 2-stroke oil (petrol chainsaws)
• Bar and chain oil
• Spare chains
• Replacement guide bars
• Battery and charger (if purchasing a bare tool)
• Additional batteries for longer cordless runtime
• Chainsaw sharpening equipment
• Protective clothing and PPE

Keeping these items on hand helps minimise downtime and means you're ready whenever the next cutting job comes along.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best chainsaw for a beginner?

The best first chainsaw is usually a manageable, well-balanced model matched to a defined task, not the largest saw in budget. For light garden work, a cordless or corded model may be easier to start and maintain than petrol. A beginner still needs suitable PPE, the operating manual and practical instruction.

Is a petrol or cordless chainsaw better?

Cordless is often better for occasional pruning, garden clearance and shorter sessions because it starts easily and needs no fuel mixing. Petrol is better suited to frequent, sustained or more demanding cutting away from a power supply. The right choice depends on workload, timber size, runtime and operator experience.

What size chainsaw is best for cutting firewood?

Choose a guide bar and power system that suit the diameter, hardness and volume of the logs you usually process. A 25 - 40cm cordless or electric saw may suit occasional domestic firewood; frequent work or thicker timber may justify petrol. Use the model’s stated capacity rather than choosing by bar length alone.

What chainsaw is best for pruning branches?

A light mini chainsaw, compact cordless chainsaw or pole saw may suit pruning, depending on branch diameter and height. Use a pole saw for suitable overhead work from the ground. Do not use a conventional chainsaw from a ladder.

Do I need a licence to use a chainsaw in the UK?

There is no general domestic chainsaw licence, but workplace users must be adequately trained and competent for the work. Specialist tasks such as aerial tree work demand appropriate competence, equipment and training. Landowners, employers and contractors may also impose specific requirements.

Does a cordless chainsaw still need chain oil?

Yes. Battery and corded electric chainsaws still need the correct bar-and-chain lubricant unless the model instructions explicitly state otherwise. The battery replaces the engine fuel; it does not remove the need to lubricate the cutting system.

Can I put a longer bar on my chainsaw?

Only fit guide bars and chains approved for the exact model. A longer bar changes load, balance and cutting behaviour, and the motor or engine may not be designed for it. Check the manual or contact Hyundai support.

Are mini chainsaws safer than full-size chainsaws?

Their lower weight and shorter bar can make them easier to manoeuvre, but they still have a fast-moving cutting chain and can cause severe injury. Treat a mini chainsaw as a chainsaw, use it within its stated capacity and follow the supplied safety instructions.

How do I know when a chainsaw chain is blunt?

Common signs include fine dust instead of distinct chips, slower cutting, smoke despite correct lubrication, a tendency to pull sideways or the need to force the saw. Stop and inspect the chain, tension, and bar before continuing.

Which Hyundai chainsaw should I buy?

For compact pruning, consider the HY20CCS150. For portable general garden work, compare Hyundai’s 20V and 40V cordless models. For domestic work near a socket, compare the HYC1600E and HYC2400E. For frequent heavier cutting, the HYC6200X provides petrol power. Confirm live specifications and choose for your normal workload.

Choose a chainsaw that fits the work

Buying a chainsaw is easier when you stop looking for the most powerful machine and start looking for the best fit. Define the job, choose the appropriate power source, keep the guide bar manageable and account for the equipment, training and maintenance that safe ownership requires.

Hyundai’s range covers compact cordless pruning saws, corded models for home use, portable 40V chainsaws, petrol power for heavier work and pole saws for suitable overhead branches. Compare the live range, check the operating specifications and choose the model you can control confidently for the work you will genuinely do.

Still deciding? Every Hyundai chainsaw product page includes detailed specifications, downloadable manuals, product videos, FAQs, and compatible accessories to help you choose the right model with confidence.

Browse Hyundai chainsaws and pole saws:s https://hyundaipowerequipment.co.uk/collections/chainsaws