What Is The Best Craftsman Chainsaw? Gas, Corded, Or Battery Powered?

What is a Craftsman chainsaw like, and should you get one?

There is a range of gas, electric, and battery-powered Craftsman chainsaws for sale. The best one for you will depend on the type of work you expect to be doing and what you’re most comfortable with.

My mom, for example, always prefers a battery chainsaw over a gas chainsaw because it’s quieter, less smelly, and she perceives it to be safer.

As for me, I’ll choose a gas engine over a battery or electric chainsaw any day – unless I’m up a tree with a chainsaw. If that’s the case, I’ll often use a good battery chainsaw.

Overall, Craftsman chainsaws have been found to be reliable, useful, and durable chainsaws for use around the home, so here are 5 of our favorite on the market today.

The Best Craftsman Chainsaws

We’ve got 2 gas chainsaws (16 and 18-inch bar), 2 corded electric chainsaws, and 1 battery-powered chainsaw that we’re taking a look at down below.

You can see the full range for sale on Amazon here.

Generally speaking, I don’t ever recommend electric corded chainsaws. They are cumbersome, limiting, and, in my opinion, more dangerous.

A battery-powered saw is far better as you can go where you want without the need to be connected to a power outlet. There’s no cord you can accidentally cut either!

However, if you are confident enough to run a gas chainsaw (basically anyone can learn), then that’s my top pick!

Here are the options.

Craftsman Gas Chainsaws

Gas chainsaws are best for those who will be using their chainsaws for many hours at a time.

Battery chainsaws run out of power in as little as 30 minutes, so unless you’re keeping a large stash of suitable batteries they’re not ideal.

Gas chainsaws give you a bit more freedom to work where you want for as long as you want – given your chainsaw is up for the challenge. These are my preference while keeping in mind that the electric alternatives do have their place.

Here are 2 of the best-selling Craftsman Gas Chainsaws.

1. Craftsman 16 Chainsaw

 

This CRAFTSMAN 42cc chainsaw is one of their best-sellers. It’s a gas chainsaw and it comes with a 16-inch bar.

It comes in the recognizable ‘liberty red’ color of all modern Craftsman saws and is equipped with a ton of great features for such an affordable chainsaw.

For example, it has an adjustable auto chain oiler. For those who are unfamiliar with chainsaws, this is used to provide lubricant to the bar and chain.

You put the bar and chain oil (or a substitute), which is different from engine oil (mixed with the fuel), into the tank closest to the bar. This then feeds out onto the chain and bar.

The flow can be adjusted (a feature not available on all chainsaws) depending on the climate you are working in. In warmer climates the oil won’t be as thick so the flow can be adjusted down and vice versa.

All this to say, it’s a nice feature to have!

This Craftsman 16 chainsaw is well-balanced, lightweight, and easy to handle. It’s perfect for occasional use around the home.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• It’s been proven reliable for light work
• Performs well for light clean up tasks
• Ok for felling small trees and processing firewood

Cons:

• At the end of the day, it’s a cheap chainsaw that won’t last forever and won’t be perfect for everyone
• You will be limited in what you can do because of the shorter bar size

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2. Craftsman 18 Chainsaw

The Craftsman 18 is also a 42cc gas-powered chainsaw, the main difference is that this one comes with an 18-inch bar.

Customer reviews state that this chainsaw is good for pruning and processing firewood and can be used for both softwoods and hardwoods. It’s good for clearing small trees or dealing with tree debris after a storm.

There are some complaints about quality with this saw, with some users experiencing a quick drop-off in usefulness. It starts off well, but after using it for a bit it can slow down or become extremely difficult to start.

It’s always hard to know if those who make negative reviews are using their chainsaws appropriately and/or maintaining them properly, but it’s always best to hear the good and the bad before buying.

The overall consensus is that for the price the Craftsman 18 inch chainsaw provides good value.

Pros:

• Very cheap
• Good for occasional use
• Perfect as a homeowners chainsaw

Cons:

• Some negative reviews from those who have tried and tested it
• Lower quality components than the likes of a Husqvarna chainsaw

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Craftsman Electric Chainsaw

Electric chainsaws are great for small round-the-home jobs, and battery-powered is even better.

Most people also have battery saws in mind when they say electric, so that is what I’m focusing on here. I only share one electric. I don’t recommend getting a Craftsman corded electric chainsaw – go with a battery model.

You can basically just pick them up, push a button, and you’re good to go. They are great for pruning small trees and bushes around your property and are good to have on hand for this purpose.

Craftsman electric chainsaws are small, lightweight, easy to maneuver, and (most importantly) effective!

Here are 3 of the best-selling Craftsman electric chainsaws.

1. Craftsman 12-Inch Battery Chainsaw

The Craftsman V20 is a battery-powered saw that comes with a single 4ah battery and charger.

It is part of the V20 cordless system and so the battery can be used with other Craftsman power tools in this line.

It’s a small, comparatively low-powered chainsaw that is good for pruning trees – and that’s about it! You should not expect to be processing large volumes of firewood for the winter with this chainsaw.

It’s a handy chainsaw to keep in your car or truck if you live in an area where you commonly come across branches or small trees across the road.

While it doesn’t require gas or engine oil, it does require bar and chain oil, and it has an automatic oiler. It also has a tool-free tensioning mechanism which makes life a little easier!

Pros:

• Small and lightweight
• Very affordable
• Easy to transport and store
• Quick and easy to start and use

Cons:

• Not for heavy work
• Not a lot of power
• Best for cutting small softwoods

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2. Craftsman Battery Chainsaw

The CRAFTSMAN V60 Cordless Chainsaw is another step up in size and power from the V20 and is part of the V60 range of tools.

This model is sold and recommended to be used with a 16-inch bar. It comes with a 2.5 Ah battery pack and charger.

As with all of these electric and battery saws, it has an automatic oiling feature, easy chain tensioning, and a low kickback bar and chain. It’s super easy to use and has been well-reviewed by many verified buyers.

As with most of these types of products, there is also a fair amount of negative reviews saying things like, ‘does not work,’ or ‘I ended up hating it.’ It’s definitely not for everyone.

If you’re wanting a high-powered, versatile chainsaw that can go all day without skipping a beat but isn’t going to break the bank, check out something like the Husqvarna 460 Rancher. The Craftsman range isn’t designed and manufactured to be a loggers chainsaw!

Pros:

• More power
• Longer cutting time
• Larger cutting bar

Cons:

• Could be some quality issues
• Won’t run all day or last forever

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3. Craftsman Corded Electric Chainsaw

The 14 inch Craftsman has a 14-inch bar on it and 8 amp motor, making it more powerful than the previous model.

Again, it’s very light and easy to wield, weighing only 7 pounds. This model is CORDED electric, meaning you are limited to working within reach of a power source.

It also has an auto-oiling feature, easy chain tensioning, and it’s easy to store or transport.

Pros:

• A bit more power
• A longer bar for more use options
• Extremely cheap

Cons:

• It’s corded
• Not as durable as some brands

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Craftsman Chainsaw Review

Overall, are Craftsman chainsaws any good?

They are for the right people.

If you are just looking for a low-priced chainsaw that you can pick up and use on the odd occasion, they might be for you. I wouldn’t recommend them for large (or even small) scale firewood production, or for heavy-duty yard or farm clean-up.

While the gas models are certainly better for the heavier duty work, they still aren’t designed to be a hobby farmer’s one and only chainsaw.

For more info on the brand and history, read this post on ‘who makes Craftsman chainsaws?‘

And, if you have doubts about the Craftsman electric chainsaw range, consider the DEWALT electric chainsaws or these Ryobi Chainsaw reviews.

Let us know if you have any questions in the comment section below.