Chainsaws for Beginners Compared: 3 Starter Saws Cover 12- to 40-Volt Jobs

The Verdict, and the Basis for It

A beginner saw only helps if it keeps yard cleanup moving without forcing you into a larger, heavier tool than the job needs. The Black & Decker LCS1240B does that with a 40V MAX battery platform and a 12 in. bar, which gives you a compact starting point for branches and small limbs.

Pick the Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw if you want a 2.0Ah battery in the mix, and choose the Greenworks 24V Mini Chainsaw if a 3.4 lb tool is the priority. The Black & Decker LCS1240B also keeps the price near the low end at around $109, which matters when you are buying a first saw and do not want to overspend on capacity you may not need.

We screened 95 Chainsaws at New Hardware and compared 10 in this page’s table for beginner handling, bar length, and battery setup. The shortlist runs from $109 to $179.99, and the median price of the 10 products in our comparison is $165.40.

View the setup and warranty notes to understand what you need to get started.

Find the FAQ to get answers to common questions about these models.

Consult the buying guide to learn the essential criteria for making your choice.

Full Comparison Table of Chain Saws for Beginners

Prices are approximate and move frequently – check the current price before deciding. “Not stated” means the manufacturer listing does not give that figure – we do not estimate it.

Among our top picks, Black & Decker LCS1240B 40V MAX 12 in. is the value leader, and that matters for first-time buyers because it pairs the lowest price with 40V MAX power.

Each Pick for Beginners, Reviewed

The 3 picks below are reviewed in the same order as the cards above.

Black & Decker LCS1240B 40V MAX 12 in.

Buyers often start with too much bar and too much weight for a first yard saw. The LCS1240B keeps the bar at 12 in. and the weight at 8.3 pounds, which makes it a smaller step into beginner cleanup than the longer options here. Its 40V MAX battery spec also gives it enough electrical headroom for trimming small branches and light yard work.

What we like: The 12 in. bar is the kind of reach that suits light pruning and small branches, not large-diameter firewood. Tool-free chain tensioning and automatic oiling reduce the number of setup steps you have to manage. The scabbard is included, and the price sits around $109, which keeps the entry cost low.

Keep in mind: Battery not included, so you need a compatible 40V MAX battery before the saw is ready to run. The weight is higher than the lightest pick here, so it favors buyers who want a compact starter saw more than the easiest one-handed handling.

Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw

This Greenworks model fits a beginner who wants a compact cordless saw with a full battery system stated on the listing. Its 12-inch bar and 40V battery give it the same size class as the Black & Decker, while the stated 2.0Ah capacity adds a clear runtime figure for short cleanup jobs. The 6-pound weight makes it the lightest full-size option in this group.

What we like: The 6-pound weight is the main draw if you want a small yard saw that stays easy to reposition. Automatic oiling and tool-less tensioning cut down on routine setup steps, and the low-kickback safety chain adds a consumer-friendly chain format. The price is around $179.99, which buys a fully specified battery setup instead of a tool-only listing.

Keep in mind: The 2.0Ah battery is the smaller capacity among the 40V picks here, so it favors shorter jobs over longer cutting sessions. If you want the lowest upfront price, this is not the budget entry point.

Greenworks 24V Mini Chainsaw

The 24V Mini Chainsaw is the easiest-handling pick here, and its 6-inch bar makes that clear. A 3.4-pound weight with battery changes the job from general yard cleanup to very small branches and close-in trimming. For a first chainsaw, that smaller format is the safest way to start if you value control over reach.

What we like: The 3.4-pound weight is the lightest figure in this group, and that matters more than extra bar length for a first-time user. The brushless motor, tool-less chain tightening, and security lock all point toward simple starter use. The 24V battery and 2.0Ah capacity are enough for light tasks, and the price is around $118.66.

Keep in mind: The 6-inch bar limits the size of wood it can span, so this is not the right choice for larger limbs or bigger bucking jobs. If you want one saw to cover broader yard work, a 12-inch model gives you more reach.

Check the scope to see which specific models are included in this list.

Use the comparison table to see all the technical specifications side by side.

Review the audience checklist to see which model best fits your specific needs.

Understanding your budget is essential, so see how much chainsaws cost at various price points.

What Matters Most in a Chainsaw for Beginners

Bar Length For First-Time Handling

Look for 6 to 12 inches when you want a starter chainsaw that stays easy to place around small yard work and pruning. The 6-inch Greenworks mini saw gives the shortest reach here, while both 12-inch models keep the cut size useful for branches without moving into the 16-inch range that suits larger limbs and faster bucking. The 40V MAX Black & Decker and the 40V Greenworks both sit at 12 inches, so the size choice separates handling more than cutting reach; the mini saw favors the easiest repositioning, and the 12-inch pair gives you more span for yard cleanup.

Kickback Control Features

Choose a bar and chain setup with low-kickback parts when you want a first chain saw that is easier to manage on small cuts. Black & Decker lists a 12 in. Oregon low-kickback bar and chain, and Greenworks lists a low kickback safety chain on its 12-inch compact model. Chain type shapes cutting behavior and kickback tendency, so this is where the field separates most clearly for beginners. The Stihl MS 261 C-M is the benchmark pro gas saw for cutting speed, balance, and durability, while these picks lean on safer chain hardware rather than pro-level cutting pace.

Battery Runtime Or Corded Reach

Use battery voltage and capacity to judge beginner runtime, not cutting strength alone. The 40V Black & Decker and 40V Greenworks give more electrical headroom than the 24V mini saw, and the Greenworks compact model also states 2.0Ah, which is the storage figure that helps decide how long it can run before recharging. For small yard work and pruning, 24V is already enough in the data here, and 40V gives more margin without moving into the weight and size of a larger homeowner saw. If you want the simplest first setup, confirm your battery system before ordering, because the Black & Decker listing says battery not included.

How tool-free chain tensioning reduces setup steps between cuts

Pick tool-free chain tensioning if you want fewer setup steps between cuts and less time spent on adjustments. Black & Decker, Greenworks 40V, and the Greenworks 24V mini all state tool-free or tool-less tensioning, so this criterion separates convenience more than cutting ability. That matters most for a beginner chainsaw, because the easier adjustment is the part you will notice before any extra bar length or voltage. The Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss is the benchmark midrange gas saw for serious property work, but the beginner picks here lean on simpler adjustment hardware instead of that heavier-duty role.

Weight And Balance In Use

Keep weight and balance in use low if you want the easiest first-time handling. The Greenworks 24V mini weighs 3.4 lbs with battery, the Greenworks 40V compact lists 6 pounds, and the Black & Decker comes in at 8.3 pounds, so the mini is the lightest option by a clear margin. That difference matters more than raw voltage when you are trimming small branches or making short cuts, because less mass is easier to reposition and hold steady. The 12-inch Black & Decker and Greenworks models give you more bar length, but the mini saw is the one that favors the lightest handling.

Explore the detailed reviews for an in-depth look at each individual chainsaw.

See our top picks for a quick summary of the best options available.

Understand the job requirements to identify the minimum power figures you need.

What Each Job Takes, Worked Out for These Picks

Each row is a job this page’s buyers ask about, worked out from each pick’s listed battery voltage and a typical need for the job.

What each job takes is a typical figure, not a manufacturer claim, and every result is worked out from the pick’s listed specifications. Check your own job against them before you order.

Who Buys Chain Saws, and What It Really Costs

Before the First Use, and After Delivery

What you need before a beginner chainsaw will run

Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw states a battery-powered setup, Greenworks 24V Mini Chainsaw states cordless electric, and LCS1240B states 40V MAX but no included battery.

• Black & Decker LCS1240B 40V MAX 12 in. needs a compatible 40V battery before it can run; the listing says battery not included.
• Greenworks 24V Mini Chainsaw needs a 24V, 2.0Ah battery, and its 3.4 lb weight makes the pack choice matter for handling during longer jobs.

What to verify when the box arrives

Cover differs by seller and country, so verify the saw, bar, chain, and battery details before the return window closes.

• Confirm the bar length first. The Black & Decker and Greenworks compact model both state 12 in., while the mini saw states 6-inch. A mismatch changes what the saw can span.
• Check the battery voltage on the saw and pack. The Black & Decker states 40V MAX, the Greenworks compact model states 40V, and the mini saw states 24V. A wrong pack leaves the saw unusable.
• Confirm the chain and bar match. The compact saws state bar-and-chain setups, and a wrong replacement chain will not fit correctly or cut well.
• Look for the oiler and tensioning parts. Automatic oiling is stated on the Black & Decker and Greenworks compact model, while tool-free tensioning is stated on all three picks. Those parts matter because chain lubrication and chain adjustment affect whether the saw is ready to use.

Start by charging the battery, filling the oil reservoir if the saw includes one, and fitting the chain before the first cut.

Questions Buyers Ask Before Choosing Tree Saws for Beginners

How heavy should a beginner chainsaw be before it becomes too tiring or hard to control?

A beginner chainsaw becomes harder to manage as weight climbs, and the lightest pick here is the Greenworks 24V Mini Chainsaw at 3.4 lbs. The Greenworks 40V Compact weighs 6 pounds, and the Black & Decker LCS1240B lists 8.3 pounds, so the easier-handling choices sit on the lower end.

What safety features should a beginner chainsaw have before I buy it?

Kickback is the sudden upward or backward motion the chain can produce, so a beginner chainsaw should state low-kickback chain protection, a hand guard, or a lock-off or security lock. Black & Decker lists a low-kickback Oregon bar and chain, a lock-off button, and a front hand guard; Greenworks lists a low kickback safety chain and a hand guard; the 24V Mini adds a security lock.

Which starter chainsaw suits a buyer who wants the least setup hassle?

The starter chainsaw that suits a buyer who wants the least setup hassle is the one with tool-free chain tensioning and automatic oiling. Black & Decker and Greenworks 40V both state those two features, while the Greenworks 24V Mini states tool-less one-click chain tightening and one-hand chain tension adjustment, but not automatic oiling.

Which easy-to-use chainsaw fits a small yard and quick branch work?

The easy-to-use chainsaw for a small yard and quick branch work is the Greenworks 24V Mini if you want the smallest bar and the lightest body. Its 6-inch bar is the shortest here, and its 3.4 lbs weight makes it the least bulky option among these three picks.

Who Should Skip These Chainsaws

You should move up to a homeowner saw with a 16-inch bar or an 18-inch class model for that scale of work. Think of it like a small hand saw versus a longer pruning saw: the longer reach changes what you can span, not just how hard you push.