Are you looking for the best 16 inch chainsaw?
Well you’ve come to the right place because that’s exactly what I’ll be going over in this post.
I’ve spent a lot of time researching different 16 inch chainsaws. Different chainsaws like electric, gas, and different brands such as Sithl.
All this to find you the very best of the best.
So, let’s get straight into it.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall |
Makita XCU09Z |
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 |
Husqvarna 130 |
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|
 |
Greenworks G-MAX |
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|
 |
WEN 40417 |
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|
Cheap |
WEN 4017 |
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|
 |
Craftsman 41AY4216791 S165 |
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Makita XCU09Z (Best Overall)
- 16 inch bar
- Battery powered
- Weighs 11lbs
Engine power
This produces 60volts of engine power which is the equivalent of 30cc when it comes to a gas chainsaw. The power level may seem low but it’s actually able to accomplish a lot of tasks.
You’ll be able to cut branches and split wood with absolute ease. You can even fell trees that are up to 14 inches thick. The chain rotates around the bar rapidly, allowing it to make sharp precise cuts.
It’s battery powered so you can take it with you on the go without it having to be connected to a power source. It’s a smart type battery so it won’t overload, overheat, or over-discharge, shorting it out.
Because it’s battery powered, it won’t make a lot of noise. So you won’t have to disturb your family or neighbors. It’s easy to use, simply start at the press of a button and you’re good to go.
Automatic chain lubrication
When you’re cutting, there’s a lot of friction being created. And this friction creates heat and too much heat will damage your chainsaw. In order to keep it cool, you need to lubricate the chainsaw.
You’ll be pleased to know there’s an automatic chain lubrication system, so you don’t have to do it manually. You just have to refill it with bar oil when it’s getting low.
Well made
Overall, this chainsaw is well made. The chain doesn’t dull easily and the bar will last for a long time.
The grip is rubberized so it will reduce the vibration and increase your control of the chainsaw. You won’t run into any quality control issues with this.
Easy side tensioning
As time goes on, your chain will loosen, and cutting with a loose chain will be ineffective. Not to mention it could fling off the bar and hit you.
There’s a side tensioning mechanism at the side for you to adjust the chain tension. It’s easy to use and will only take a moment.
Related:
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Husqvarna 130
- 16 inch bar
- Gas engine
- Weighs 10.03lbs
38cc engine
The 38cc engine is able to accomplish a lot of tasks. It’s mainly used to clear up the yard. Maybe a tree fell and now you need to cut it up. There are a bunch of logs and now you need to split them.
Those are the kinds of tasks this chainsaw was designed for. You can fell trees up to 12 inches with this but nothing huge. It’s able to make those precise and sharp cuts without an issue when pushing it into a tree.
Automatic chain oiler
The automatic chain oiler will lubricate your chain and bar to prevent it from overheating. The friction will be minimized to keep your chainsaw working as it should. You simply have to refill it when it’s getting low.
Simple chain tensioning system
The chain tensioning system is there to adjust the tension of your chain, duh, thank you Captain Obvious. But all jokes aside, it’s a necessary feature on a chainsaw since it helps you to keep the chainsaw working as it should.
If the chain is too loose it will just fly-off the bar. If it’s too tight, the chain could snap.
Low vibration
There is an anti-vibration system built into this. It’s able to absorb a lot of the vibration so you can maintain control better. It won’t leave your fingers numb when you’re using this.
You’ll be able to maintain control and make the exact cuts you want with ease.
Greenworks G-MAX
- 16 inch bar
- Battery powered
- Weighs 10.36lbs
Brushless motor
The brushless motor allows this chainsaw to output more power without using more energy. It’s a more efficient and powerful way to use a chainsaw.
You’ll be able to cut up to 18 inches thick with ease. You can make over 100 cuts before the battery needs a recharge.
Reviewers have mentioned that when you need to recharge the battery is when you’ll need a break because you’ve been cutting for so long.
Since this is an electric chainsaw, it’s easy to start. You simply have to press a button and you’re good to go. There’s no pulling on a cord here. There’s a light indicator that shows how much power is left in the battery.
Automatic oiler
This saw is a complete bad-ass. You’ll find yourself cutting lots of wood because of how easy it is. As time goes on, your chainsaw is going to heat up.
This will burn the bar and dull the blades unless you’ve properly oiled it. You’ll be pleased to know there’s an automatic oiler to cool down your saw.
Lightweight
Weighing in at only 10.36lbs, it’s lightweight and easy to handle. You won’t be getting fatigued when using this for long periods of time. You’ll be able to undercut and overcut with ease.
Quiet
If you don’t want to disturb anyone in the house or your neighbours, you’ll be pleased to know this is quiet when operating. There are no gas smells coming from this since it’s electric.
Also, it has a shock absorbing system, making it easier to handle and cut with.
Toolless chain tensioning
As time goes on, you’ll be able to notice that the chain has loosened. This will effect the cutting in a negative way and the chain could even fling-off the bar.
That’s why there’s an easy to adjust, toolless chain tensioning feature. Allowing you to tighten it back up again within 2 seconds.
WEN 40417
- 16 inch bar
- Battery powered
- Weighs 12lbs
Battery powered
This has a 40Volt battery inside that can cut for at least 20 minutes. Now, that might now sound like a long time but hear me out.
When you’re cutting, you’ll often find yourself stopping between cuts because you have to adjust yourself or go to a different tree. So 20 minutes of being out there can amount to a lot of time.
You’ll be able to comfortably cut through 14 inch thick wood. It’s a brushless motor so it’s powerful, does not consume a lot of energy, and has a long life span.
Fraction of the noise
Even though this is an electric chainsaw, it’s not completely silent. But it only produces a fraction of the noise that a gas powered chainsaw produces. So you won’t be disturbing your neighbors.
Auto oiling system
You’re probably aware that when you’re operating a chainsaw, it’s going to heat up. This will damage the overall saw. To prevent the heating issue, you’ve got to prevent the friction since the friction causes heat.
To do this, you will use oil. You simply have to refill this with bar oil and it will automatically distribute it throughout the chain. Keeping it cool and operating like it should.
Tool free chain tensioning system
Your chain will eventually loosen over time. So you’ll need to tighten it up which often requires a tool.
However, this has a tool free tensioning system. It only takes a moment to tighten it back up and you’re good to go. No hassle!
2 year warranty
There’s a 2 year warranty on this. So if anything goes wrong, you can very easily get it fixed. Easy peasy!
WEN 4017 (Cheap)
- 16 inch bar
- Electric powered (Corded)
- Weighs 10lbs
12A motor
This has a 12 amp motor and no it’s certainly not a powerful chainsaw but it’s not designed to cut thick wood. Instead, this was mainly for cutting up smaller trees. It’s a great backyard type of chainsaw.
Your trees aren’t huge or made from hardwood like oak. Instead, you’ve got softwood trees that go up to 12 inches thick. If that’s the case, this is the chainsaw for you.
One reviewer mentioned how he saved $1,000 by purchasing this. The reviewer mentioned how the tree removal company wanted to charge him $1,000 to cut down his trees.
But instead, he bought this and spent a few hours cutting up his tree. A pretty nice saving if you ask me.
If you’ve got a lot of wood to cut and you’re near a power source, this will provide you with unlimited stamina since it’s corded.
Lightweight
Weighing in at only 10lbs, you won’t have an issue handling this. It’s well balanced and easy to manouver. You won’t experience fatigue when using this.
Auto oiling
I was surprised when I saw the auto oiling function since this comes in at a very low cost. You just have to refill this with bar oil to keep your chainsaw in tip-top condition.
Preventing the bar from burning and the chain from dulling do quickly.
Tool free chain tensioning
Again, I was surprised when I saw the tool free chain tensioning system on this since the price is so low. As time goes on, your chain will loosen. And you’ll want to tighten it back up again to keep it cutting as it should.
Price
This chainsaw comes in at a very low price. It’s able to clear up a lot of small trees and at a very, very low cost. With the auto oiling system, you can easily maintain this with ease. So it’s going to last you for years to come.
Craftsman 41AY4216791 S165
- 16 inch bar
- Gas powered
- Weighs 21.4lbs
42cc engine
This chainsaw has a 42cc engine allowing it to cut up to 14 inches thick. So you’ll be able to cut through the majority of wood out there. It can split wood and fell trees without an issue.
Just make sure not to go for hardwood or attempt to cut through large trees. This wasn’t designed for that. It’s ideal for the yard or ranch. Going around and cutting up some trees.
Vibration dampner
There’s a vibration dampner built into this. It will absorb a lot of the vibration and general juddering. Preventing your hands from going numb and allowing you to cut for long periods of time.
An anti vibration system is an underrated feature in my opinion, especially if you plan to cut for a long time.
Adjustable auto chain oiler with a view
There’s an adjustable auto chain oiler. So you can decide how much oil is lubricating your chain. You can decide how little or how much oil is being put on your chain and the bar.
This will help prevent your chainsaw from overheating, burning, and prevent the chains dulling so quickly.
Also, you’ll be able to see how much oil it left because of the little window.
Durable
Craftsman have been around a long time and have really mastered the art of creating well built chainsaws.
The bar is a hard bar, the chain can take a lot of tugging and pulling, and the rope isn’t going to snap when you’re pulling. It’s something that will last you for years.
What is the best 16 inch chainsaw?
The best 16 inch chainsaw is the Makita XCU09Z. It’s battery powered and produces up to 60 volts of power. This is equivalent to a 30cc chainsaw in terms of power. It weighs 11lbs/5.9kg, making it easy to handle. It’s able to cut through wood that’s up to 14 inches thick.
I hope you found exactly what you were looking for in this guide.
I did my absolute best to put together the most resourceful guide on this topic.
Happy sawing!
– Adam
