The Best Chainsaw Chain Options on the Market

Whether you've got a messy yard to clean up, oak trees to rip into planks or a woodpile that needs to be replenished after the winter, you’ll want to invest in the best chainsaw chain available to keep your saw working effectively. Below are several options for different chains, cutting styles and lengths:

There are several reasons to have a replacement chain available, and many of them have to do with protecting the life of your saw. Dull chains turn your saw into a grinder, and grinding wears on the motor components. A replacement will also protect your saw if you need a different cutting angle for a different style of cutting; for example, a semi-chisel with rounded corners is recommended for working in dirt, clearing stumps and other rough work.

Ripping planks is a very different action for the saw to complete than bucking firewood. When ripping, you work along the grain. Bucking means you have to cut across the grain. Having the right chain on the bar will keep you safer and lead to a cleaner outcome on the cut wood.

A full-skip chain has half as many teeth as a standard. Full-skip chains are a great option for those working with long bar saws while cutting soft wood. The non-cutting links in your chainsaw chain are what carry away the wood chips. If you have a large log to cut into sections, a full-skip chain will clear the kerf more quickly and efficiently.

As a general rule, full-skip chains are harder to control and most likely to kick back or grab at the bar. They may be the fastest cutting chainsaw chain around in some applications, but an inexperienced user may find that this saw will cut more than wood. If you're not extremely experienced on your chainsaw, you'll be much safer using a standard chain. Standards make the cleanest and most consistent cuts.

Not all 18" bars will allow you to put an 18" chain on the tool. Review your saw carefully and study the existing bar for any compatibility issues. Be aware that your bar may become worn over time and the restrictions relating to chain requirement may no longer be visible; whenever possible, go back to the manufacturer to find a chain to fit your brand of saw. This isn't always exact, but it's the first step in saving yourself a lot of frustration.

Your first step when changing out your chainsaw chain is to be sure you have your replacement chain nearby and that it will fit. If possible, match it to the pitch numbers on the bar. If the gauge is wrong, the drive links are too thick and the chain won't drop down into the bar. Make certain that the brake release is loose before you remove the nuts holding the chainsaw bar cover in place.

Once the cover is off, draw back the chainsaw bar until the chain is loose enough to remove, loop your new chain over the gear drive on the motor and over the top of the bar, making sure to seat it in the sprocket at the bar tip. You can then manually snug up the chain by sliding the bar forward. Replace the bar cover, finger-tighten the nuts and do a final snug on your chain at the tensioner screw. Finally, tighten down the cover nuts.

As possible, match your replacement chain to your cutting tasks. For example, a semi-chisel cutting link may be the best chainsaw chain for cutting firewood, but not the best chainsaw chain for hardwood. A diamond-tipped chainsaw chain sounds ideal and fast, but these chains are designed to be used on a concrete chainsaw. These chainsaws are unique in that water is applied to the blade as you cut to keep things cool, which is not a great option when cutting firewood.

​​​​​The most aggressive chainsaw chain is the one with the best edge. If you find yourself constantly replacing chainsaw chains, take a good look at your cutting conditions. A square chisel chain may be the best chainsaw for cutting hardwood, but if you're grubbing out tree roots, you'll turn this very nice cutting edge into a blunt instrument in the course of an afternoon, and these edges can be hard to sharpen.

A replacement chain is a great time to consider adding a new chisel to your arsenal. Consider investing in a round chisel for clean conditions and sharpening your semi-chisel for the next round of dirty work.