Best entry level chainsaw under £200?

[Zombosis]

On 26/02/2025 at 18:29, Stere said:

 

 

4301 is a good small saw the ones listed are not in the same ballpark so id say none of the above

 

Get a battery saw maybe but the decent ones are expensive,,,,,

Thanks, I agree and I love my 4301, so would you use that over a 2511, Mitox equivalent or say a Husqvarna 135 Mk II? (Just for light work).

 

I’m interested as to whether a shorter bar would make my 4301 a nice little pruner!?

 

 

Edited March 2 by Zombosis

[Stere]

Not tried the echo but have  used a  ms181 and other smililar budget saws etc I didin't like any much as they are alot weaker and not much lighter than the 4301 so were a big step down in cutting performance for a  very little advantage in weight...

 

 

The 2511 does apeal as it has a  very good power to weight ratio( its alot lighter) and the top handle version is well regarded.

 

Id want to try it for  it coppicing hazel etc

 

I like the 15 bar on the 4301 tried a 13" one and found it less useful.

 

Other "pro" small options are the 201 and 540XPMK3 rear saws but they are more than the echo.

 

Both have very good power to weight..

 

 

[manco]

sounds like you want a silky.

or a gta if you really insist on a chainsaw.

[Steven P]

11 hours ago, Stere said:

Not tried the echo but have  used a  ms181 and other smililar budget saws etc I didin't like any much as they are alot weaker and not much lighter than the 4301 so were a big step down in cutting performance for a  very little advantage in weight...

 

Not tried the 4301 for comparison but the MS181 does me OK, servicing not done too much apart from spark plugs and filters but it is lasting well enough.

 

Light tree work? 2" up to 6"? I'd go battery. Not sure what Homebase are doing just now but there might be a deal in there (closing down sale) - I got a decent battery saw for half price when my local one closed down a few years ago.

 

 

[Muddy42]

Or one of these in whatever brand you already have the batteries for. This makita one is excellent.  I used it for a while to get used to it then I have now removed the guard so I can do undercuts and help chip clearance. Keep the other hand and body well away and use with caution, Im sure it could cause some serious flesh damage.

[Zombosis]

On 02/03/2025 at 08:45, Stere said:

Not tried the echo but have  used a  ms181 and other smililar budget saws etc I didin't like any much as they are alot weaker and not much lighter than the 4301 so were a big step down in cutting performance for a  very little advantage in weight...

 

 

The 2511 does apeal as it has a  very good power to weight ratio( its alot lighter) and the top handle version is well regarded.

 

Id want to try it for  it coppicing hazel etc

 

I like the 15 bar on the 4301 tried a 13" one and found it less useful.

 

Other "pro" small options are the 201 and 540XPMK3 rear saws but they are more than the echo.

 

Both have very good power to weight..

 

 

Good points there amigo! Thanks.

 

Double checking the specs again you are 100% correct, the only concession I get with the ‘budget saws’ is a lack of power and build quality. You’ve convinced me the shorter bar won’t really achieve much either. 
 

The 2511 is so tempting, as it looks like a little ripper. If I hadn’t read the couple of bad reviews on here I’d probably have bought one last week.

 

 

[Zombosis]

On 02/03/2025 at 09:59, manco said:

sounds like you want a silky.

or a gta if you really insist on a chainsaw.

You may be right, I don’t have a silky, just a really crap cheapo pruning saw which snags and bends and feels like the blade is about to snap and fly into your eye. 
 

The genuine silky saws look very expensive for what they are but I guess you are getting a very high quality item that will be a pleasure to use?

 

The GTA and similar I will address below the guy who recommended the Makita version…

 

thanks.

[Zombosis]

1 hour ago, Muddy42 said:

Or one of these in whatever brand you already have the batteries for. This makita one is excellent.  I used it for a while to get used to it then I have now removed the guard so I can do undercuts and help chip clearance. Keep the other hand and body well away and use with caution, Im sure it could cause some serious flesh damage.

Originally looked at the Husqvarna version as there was a free spare battery offer going, but dithered and now that’s ended. Watched a few of these being tested and they looked a bit pants to be honest with comments such as “I’d be quicker with a silky” and other disparaging remarks on YouTube.

 

Hence my switch to the small petrol chainsaw route..

 

As it happens I do run the Makita 18 volt system, and have only one remaining functional battery despite having three chargers, two drills, an impact driver and angle grinder. (Did have the mini hoover and torch but both broke. Will have a look into this Makita one, if it’s available as a kit so that I can restore my battery arsenal. 
 

thanks.

[Muddy42]

2 hours ago, Zombosis said:

Originally looked at the Husqvarna version as there was a free spare battery offer going, but dithered and now that’s ended. Watched a few of these being tested and they looked a bit pants to be honest with comments such as “I’d be quicker with a silky” and other disparaging remarks on YouTube.

 

Hence my switch to the small petrol chainsaw route..

 

As it happens I do run the Makita 18 volt system, and have only one remaining functional battery despite having three chargers, two drills, an impact driver and angle grinder. (Did have the mini hoover and torch but both broke. Will have a look into this Makita one, if it’s available as a kit so that I can restore my battery arsenal. 
 

thanks.

ive had this for a while and its really grown on me. Its great for bonfiring. Much quicker that a silky! 

 

just make sure your battery is compatible, i think there are a few types.

[peds]

3 hours ago, Zombosis said:

You may be right, I don’t have a silky, just a really crap cheapo pruning saw which snags and bends and feels like the blade is about to snap and fly into your eye. 
 

The genuine silky saws look very expensive for what they are but I guess you are getting a very high quality item that will be a pleasure to use?

 

I bought a cheapo pruning saw once, it was 50% off as well making it almost free. I wanted a second pruning saw, mostly so I could keep the Silky for climbing only. Pure shite, not fit for purpose. 

 

You get what you pay for with a Silky.