Cutting your own firewood is one of the great satisfying jobs of country life — sawdust on your boots, the woodpile rising, the warmth of working ahead of winter. The right chainsaw for the job depends mostly on the wood you cut and how often. We've used the saws below across hardwood (eucalypt, ironbark) and softwood (pine, fir) over multiple winters. Always wear chaps, hearing protection and a face shield — every chainsaw section we write begins and ends with that warning.
Our team’s top picks
Stihl MS 261 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
- 50cc, 18" or 20" bar
- M-Tronic electronic carb auto-tunes
- Pro-grade build, lifetime serviceable
- The reference for firewood cutting
Echo CS-400 Petrol Chainsaw
- 40.2cc with 18" bar
- Excellent build for the price
- Easy starting, simple servicing
- Pro-quality at homeowner pricing
EGO Power+ 18" Cordless Chainsaw
- 56V battery, 18" bar
- Cuts hardwood credibly
- Quiet for early morning work
- Tool-less chain tensioning
Husqvarna 460 Rancher Chainsaw
- 60.3cc, 20" bar
- X-Torq engine — fuel efficient
- Air Injection keeps the filter clean
- For people who run a saw weekly
Stihl MS 170 Compact Chainsaw
- 30.1cc — light, predictable
- 14–16" bar
- Best for under-4-cord/year users
- Genuine Stihl quality at entry price
What to look for in a chainsaw for firewood
- For occasional firewood (under 4 cords/year), 16–18" bar and 40–50cc petrol or 60V cordless is plenty.
- For regular firewood (10+ cords/year) you want 18–20" bar, 50–60cc, and a saw built for daily use.
- Cordless saws have caught up dramatically — a 60V Stihl or 80V EGO will out-cut a 35cc petrol saw on most logs.
- Always run premixed fuel on small petrol saws if you cut once a month or less. Old petrol gums up carbs.
- A sharp chain matters more than engine size. Learn to file, or buy two chains and swap them out.
Frequently asked questions
How big a chainsaw do I need for firewood?
For under 4 cords a year (a typical Australian wood-fire household), an 18" bar with 40–50cc petrol or 60V cordless is plenty. For more, step up to 20" and 55–60cc.
Cordless or petrol for firewood?
Cordless if you cut occasionally and want quiet, low-maintenance running. Petrol if you cut regularly or work off-grid. Pro-grade cordless (Stihl AP, EGO 56V) genuinely competes with mid-range petrol now.
What safety gear do I need for chainsaw work?
Chainsaw chaps (or trousers), steel-cap boots, hearing protection, eye protection, gloves, and ideally a hard hat with face shield. The chaps are the non-negotiable — they're the difference between a tear in fabric and a hospital trip.
How often should I sharpen the chain?
A quick file with a round file every tank of fuel, or every 30 minutes of cordless cutting. Replace the chain when the cutters are filed back to half their original length.
Bottom line
If you only take one thing from this guide, it is that quality matters more than spec on paper. The picks above have been chosen because our team uses them or trusts them — not because they are the most expensive or have the flashiest marketing. Buy once, garden often.
