Quick verdict
For most homeowners the Husqvarna 120 Mark III is the easiest Husqvarna to start with, a 38cc 16 inch gas saw with an air purge system, a chain brake and LowVib dampening. If you cut firewood regularly, step up to a Rancher, and if you want no fuel at all, the battery Power Axe 350i is the pick.
Husqvarna 120 Mark III Gas Chainsaw
The Husqvarna 120 Mark III is a light 16 inch gas saw with a 38cc, 1.8 HP X-Torq engine, positioned as easy to start and handle for home and garden tasks. An air purge system and combined choke stop control ease starting, an inertia activated chain brake adds safety, air injection cleaning protects the engine, and LowVib dampening reduces fatigue. It is the friendly homeowner starting point.
Check price on Amazon →Best Husqvarna chainsaw guide: we compare the 120 Mark III, 445S, 455 and 460 Rancher gas saws and the cordless Power Axe 350i for every job.
Why you should trust this guide
I built this guide from Husqvarna’s own listings for each saw and lined up displacement, bar length and power source so the differences are clear. Every number here, from the 38cc engine on the 120 Mark III to the 60.3cc on the 460 Rancher, comes straight from the product descriptions rather than a figure I estimated. Where Husqvarna cites a claim like 20 percent faster cutting, I present it as their statement.
My goal is to match the right Husqvarna to your workload, not to push the biggest engine on everyone. A 60cc Rancher is overkill for pruning, while the light 120 will struggle on large felling. I keep the tradeoffs honest, including the fuel mixing and maintenance that come with every gas model and the runtime limits of the battery Power Axe.
How we evaluated
My evaluation focused on the criteria that decide fit: engine displacement and the material each saw can handle, bar length, power source, and starting, safety and comfort features such as Smart Start, air purge, inertia chain brakes and LowVib dampening. I also weighed whether a saw is gas or battery, since that shapes maintenance, noise and runtime.
I did not personally run these saws, so I do not report cutting speed or runtime from my own use. Instead I compared the documented specifications and each saw’s intended job. Husqvarna publishes detailed listings, so the figures here are theirs directly, and I avoided adding any spec that was not stated.
What to look for
- Engine displacement: 38cc for light home use, 50 to 55cc for firewood, 60cc for land clearing.
- Bar length: 16 inch for general cutting, 18 to 24 inch for larger limbs and trunks.
- Power source: gas for cord free power, or the battery Power Axe 350i for no fuel and quiet operation.
- Easier starting features such as air purge or Smart Start.
- Safety features like an inertia activated chain brake.
- LowVib dampening and ergonomic handles for comfort on longer sessions.
- Chain quality, such as the X-Cut chain on the higher end saws.
How we test
We base every pick on real-world use, published manufacturer specifications and verified owner feedback. We compare the tools on the things that actually matter for your lawn, power, runtime, cut quality, build and value, and we never accept payment for a ranking. When we have not used a specific model first-hand, we say so.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna 120 Mark III Gas Chainsaw | Best Overall | Check price | |
| Husqvarna 460 Rancher Gas Powered Chainsaw | Best Value | Check price | |
| Husqvarna Power Axe 350i Cordless Electric Chainsaw | Best Premium | Check price | |
| Husqvarna 445S Gas Chainsaw 18 Inch | Best Budget | Check price | |
| Husqvarna 455 Rancher Gas Chainsaw | Also Great | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Husqvarna 120 Mark III Gas Chainsaw
The Husqvarna 120 Mark III is a light 16 inch gas saw with a 38cc, 1.8 HP X-Torq engine, positioned as easy to start and handle for home and garden tasks. An air purge system and combined choke stop control ease starting, an inertia activated chain brake adds safety, air injection cleaning protects the engine, and LowVib dampening reduces fatigue. It is the friendly homeowner starting point.
Reasons to buy
- Husqvarna 120 16 inch portable chainsaw is easy to start and easy to handle, making it a v
- Effortless Start-Up: Air purge system and combined choke/stop control for easier starting,
- Superior Performance: Gas powered chainsaw delivers superior performance with an efficient
- Air Injection Technology: Gas chain saws equipped with a centrifugal air cleaning system t
- Easy Handling: This cordless chainsaw features LowVib technology with dampeners to reduce
Reasons to avoid
- At 38cc it is a light duty saw, not built for large trunks or heavy felling
- As a 2 cycle gas saw it needs fuel mixing and routine maintenance
Husqvarna 460 Rancher Gas Powered Chainsaw
The Husqvarna 460 Rancher is the most powerful gas saw here, with a 60.3cc, 3.6 HP X-Torq engine on a 24 inch bar. Smart Start eases pull starting, the inertia activated chain brake and air injection cleaning add safety and durability, and a 7 degree offset front handle with LowVib improves handling. It is the pick for firewood, tree trimming and land clearing.
Reasons to buy
- Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24-inch gas chainsaw combines exceptional ergonomic features for eas
- Effortless Start-Up: Smart Start allows this Husqvarna chainsaw to start quickly with mini
- Superior Performance: The 60.3-cc, 3.6-HP X-TORQUE Engine. Patented engine technology maxi
- Gas Chain Saws With Air Injection Technology: Equipped with a centrifugal cleaning system
- Easy Handling and Ergonomic: Features a 7 degree offset front handle with improved grip an
Reasons to avoid
- A 60cc saw with a 24 inch bar is heavy and more than most homeowners need
- Like the other gas saws it requires fuel mixing and more upkeep than a battery model
Husqvarna Power Axe 350i Cordless Electric Chainsaw
The Husqvarna Power Axe 350i is the cordless option, an 18 inch battery chainsaw that ships as a complete kit with a 40V 7.5Ah battery and charger. Husqvarna equips it with an X-Cut chain, tool less tensioning, a brushless motor and a Boost mode that adds 25 percent more power on demand. It suits users who want strong cutting with no fuel or cold starts.
Reasons to buy
- ALL IN ONE KIT: Husqvarna Power Axe 350i Cordless Chainsaw with Battery and Charger ship t
- MORE CUTTING POWER THAN GAS: Battery operated chainsaw is a lightweight 18 inch chainsaw t
- LASTING SHARPNESS: Battery powered chainsaw is equipped with an X-Cut chain to deliver top
- EFFICIENT BRUSHLESS MOTOR: Husqvarna chainsaw electric model has a brushless motor for dur
- BOOST MODE: With the simple push of a button, Boost Mode delivers 25 percent more power ri
Reasons to avoid
- Runtime is limited by the battery, so heavy sessions may need a spare pack
- The 40V battery works only with Husqvarna handheld tools, not the gas ecosystem
Husqvarna 445S Gas Chainsaw 18 Inch
The Husqvarna 445S is an 18 inch gas saw with a 50cc, 3 HP X-Torq engine that Husqvarna says cuts 20 percent faster for more productivity. Smart Start eases starting, an inertia chain brake adds safety, an included X-Cut chain holds an edge, and LowVib plus a slim body improve handling. It is a strong mid size firewood saw.
Reasons to buy
- Husqvarna 445S 18 inch gas powered chainsaw delivers 20% faster cutting for increased effi
- Effortless Start-Up: Smart Start allows this Husqvarna chainsaw to quickly and easily star
- Superior Performance: Chainsaw gas powered with powerful and efficient 50-cc, 3-HP X-Torq
- Optimized Cooling and Handling: Gas chain saw with reinforced, patented crankcase design t
- Comfortable Handling: Featuring LowVib technology that uses dampeners between the engine a
Reasons to avoid
- At 50cc and 18 inches it is more saw than needed for light pruning
- It is a 2 cycle gas engine that needs mixed fuel and regular service
Husqvarna 455 Rancher Gas Chainsaw
The Husqvarna 455 Rancher is a 20 inch gas saw with a 55cc, 3.5 HP X-Torq engine, sitting between the 445S and the big 460 for firewood, tree trimming and land clearing. Smart Start, an inertia chain brake, air injection cleaning and a 7 degree offset LowVib handle round it out. It is a capable all rounder for demanding yard work.
Reasons to buy
- Husqvarna 455 Rancher handheld chainsaw gas powered product with a 20 inch bar combines er
- Effortless Start-Up: Smart Start allows this Husqvarna gas powered chainsaw to quickly and
- Powerful and Efficient Engine: Gas-powered chainsaws deliver superior performance with a p
- Air Injection Technology: Equipped with a centrifugal air cleaning system that expels larg
- Easy Handling and Ergonomic Design: 7 degree offset front handle with an improved grip and
Reasons to avoid
- A 55cc saw with a 20 inch bar is heavier and more demanding than a homeowner saw
- As a gas saw it requires fuel mixing and periodic maintenance
What to look for
Match displacement to the work
The 38cc 120 Mark III suits light home use, the 50cc 445S and 55cc 455 Rancher handle firewood, and the 60cc 460 Rancher is the one for land clearing and larger trees.
Gas versus battery
The gas saws give cord free power without charging but need fuel mixing and upkeep. The Power Axe 350i runs on a 40V battery for quiet, fume free work, with a Boost mode and no cold starts.
Bar length and reach
A 16 inch bar covers general homeowner cutting, while the 18 to 24 inch bars on the Rancher saws and the Power Axe give the reach for bigger limbs and trunks at the cost of more weight.
Starting and comfort
Look for Smart Start or an air purge system for easier starting, plus LowVib dampening and ergonomic handles to reduce fatigue during longer cutting sessions.
Kit completeness
The gas saws need fuel and oil to run, while the Power Axe 350i ships as a complete kit with its 40V 7.5Ah battery and charger, ready to cut once charged.
Our verdict
For most homeowners the Husqvarna 120 Mark III is the easiest Husqvarna to start with, a 38cc 16 inch gas saw with an air purge system, a chain brake and LowVib dampening. If you cut firewood regularly, step up to a Rancher, and if you want no fuel at all, the battery Power Axe 350i is the pick.
FAQs
The 120 Mark III is the friendliest starting point. Its 38cc engine, air purge starting, chain brake and LowVib dampening make it easy to start and handle for light home and garden cutting, though it is not built for heavy felling.
The 460 Rancher is the most powerful, with a 60.3cc, 3.6 HP X-Torq engine on a 24 inch bar. It is aimed at firewood, tree trimming and land clearing, and it is heavier and more capable than most homeowners require.
Yes. The Power Axe 350i is an 18 inch cordless saw that ships with a 40V 7.5Ah battery and charger. It uses a brushless motor, an X-Cut chain and a Boost mode for extra power, with no fuel mixing or cold starts.
Both handle firewood well. The 445S is a 50cc 18 inch saw that Husqvarna says cuts 20 percent faster, while the 455 Rancher is a 55cc 20 inch saw with more reach. Choose the 455 for larger material and the 445S for a lighter mid size saw.
Yes. All the gas Husqvarna saws here use 2 cycle X-Torq engines that run on a gas and oil mixture and need routine maintenance. If you prefer to skip that, the battery Power Axe 350i is the alternative in this lineup.