How to Choose a Chainsaw: Bar Length, Power & Safety

The bar is the metal guide the chain rides on, and its length caps what you can cut in one pass. A practical rule: pick a bar about 2 inches longer than the diameter of the wood you cut most often. Going much longer than you need makes the saw heavier, harder to control, and more prone to kickback.

For pruning and limbing, a 12–14 inch bar (like the EGO CS1400) is plenty and easy to handle. For firewood and small tree felling, a 16-inch bar (like the Echo CS-310) cuts logs up to ~14 inches. Homeowners rarely need more than 16–18 inches; larger bars belong to experienced users felling big timber.

Battery saws start instantly, run quietly, need no fuel mixing, and are ideal for occasional limbing and storm cleanup. Their limits are bar length and runtime — you cut until the pack dies, then recharge or swap. A 56V platform like EGO is a good fit for most suburban yards.

Gas saws deliver more sustained power and unlimited runtime as long as you have fuel, making them better for regular firewood cutting or felling. The cost is 2-stroke fuel mixing, pull-starting, more maintenance, noise, and exhaust. Corded electric saws exist too but tether you to an outlet.

A saw you can control safely beats a more powerful one you can barely hold up. Check dry/with-battery weight and how balanced it feels; fatigue causes accidents. Look for tool-free chain tensioning, an automatic bar oiler, and a low-kickback bar and chain — all standard on the homeowner saws above.

Consider the ecosystem too: if you already own EGO or another 56V battery platform, a bare-tool saw saves money. If you have no batteries, factor the kit price or a gas saw's lower entry cost into the decision.

Chainsaws cause tens of thousands of injuries a year, most to the hands and legs. Never run one without full PPE: a helmet with face shield and hearing protection, cut-resistant chaps or trousers, sturdy gloves, and steel-toe boots. Eye protection is non-negotiable.

Kickback — the bar snapping up and back toward you — is the leading cause of serious injury. It happens when the upper tip of the bar (the 'kickback zone') contacts wood or another branch. Avoid cutting with the bar tip, keep the chain sharp and properly tensioned, use a saw with a chain brake, and hold the saw with both hands and thumbs wrapped. Cut at waist height, keep firm footing, never cut above shoulder height, and never work alone or when tired. For overhead limbs use a pole saw from the ground, and stay well clear of power lines. If a job involves large trees, leaning trunks, or anything near structures or lines, hire a professional.

A dull chain forces you to push harder, which increases kickback risk and ragged cuts — sharpen or replace it regularly. Check chain tension before each use (a loose chain can derail; an over-tight one strains the bar) and keep the bar-oil reservoir topped so the chain stays lubricated.

On gas saws, use fresh, correctly mixed 2-stroke fuel and clean the air filter periodically. On battery saws, store packs at moderate temperatures. Always stop the engine or remove the battery before clearing debris, adjusting the chain, or transporting the saw.