A storm turns a normal yard into a pile of downed wood, and the first question is rarely which brand wins. It is which saw matches the diameter of the material lying across your driveway. After a straight-line wind or an ice storm, most of what lands on a residential property is not trunk timber at all. It is 2-inch twigs, 4-inch branches and 8-inch limbs that need bucking into truck-bed sections.
That is the frame we used for this guide to the best chainsaws for storm cleanup in 2026. We sorted all ten saws by the size of debris they cut, not by price tier or brand loyalty. We also pulled the decision factors that ranking pages usually skip: how you get fuel or charge batteries when the power is out, and how blowdown wood stores energy that can hurt you.
How we picked: every saw below was evaluated on published specifications, verified buyer feedback volume, and the three things that actually decide a storm cleanup – bar length against debris diameter, runtime per tank or per charge, and how the saw behaves when it is dirty, wet and worked for three hours. We updated this guide in September of 2026. Nothing here is sponsored, and we name the complaints in each card rather than only the strengths.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways Before You Buy
Branches under 4 inches: any 16-inch or 18-inch cordless saw handles this. Battery tools are faster to start, quieter for neighbors, and need no fuel supply.
Limbs 4-10 inches: an 18-inch or 20-inch bar is the minimum for comfortable clearance. This is where most storm piles actually get finished.
Trunks over 10 inches: you want a 55cc-plus gas engine or a 24-inch bar. A battery saw will do it, but plan on battery swaps.
Plan power before you cut. Forum regulars keep 2-3 gallons of premixed fuel in metal cans for exactly this reason.
Buy less saw than you think. Most people cut one small tree and a few limbs. Forum consensus repeatedly recommends against a professional-tier machine for typical storm work.
Bark and mud foul a chain fast. Have a spare chain and a file in the truck before the first cut, not after.
Everything below is grouped so you can stop reading as soon as your debris size is covered. The full comparison table comes first, then each saw in detail.
Top 3 Chainsaw Picks for Storm Cleanup (October 2026)
SEESII 40V 18-Inch Cordless
- 18 inch bar
- 2200W brushless motor
- 2 x 5.0Ah batteries
- 8.6 lb
- tool-free tensioning
Supstable 16-Inch 40V Cordless
- 16 inch bar
- 2000W brushless motor
- 40V 4.0Ah battery
- 150 ml oiler
- 35 ft/s chain speed
DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Cordless
- 16 inch bar
- dual 4.0Ah batteries
- 120 cuts on 4x4 per charge
- inertia chain brake
The overall pick went to the SEESII 18-inch because it is the rare combination of an 18-inch bar, twin batteries and a listed weight under 9 pounds. The Supstable 16-inch takes the value slot, and the DongCheng twin-battery kit wins on runtime per charge for people who refuse to stop mid-pile.
Best Chainsaws for Storm Cleanup in 2026: Quick Overview
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| SEESII 40V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw |
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| Supstable 16-Inch 40V Cordless Chainsaw |
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| DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw |
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 Makita XCU11Z 18V LXT 14-Inch Chainsaw |
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 PROYAMA 68cc Gas Chainsaw |
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 NEO-TEC 62cc 20-Inch Gas Chainsaw |
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 ECHO CS-590 20-Inch Gas Chainsaw |
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 Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20-Inch Gas Chainsaw |
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 Stihl MS 162 16-Inch Chainsaw |
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 ECHO CS-355T 14-Inch Top-Handle Chainsaw |
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Bar length is the column most worth reading twice. Debris under 4 inches needs almost nothing, 4-10 inch limbs need an 18-inch bar or more, and anything past 10 inches pushes you into gas or a 24-inch bar. Battery saws cluster on the small end here, gas saws cover the heavy end, and that spread matches how storm piles actually sort themselves.
Which Chainsaw for Which Storm Job
Match the saw to the diameter of the wood, not the size of the storm. A hurricane that strips a hundred small branches off a yard is a different job from a single 14-inch trunk landing across a fence, even though both happened in the same weekend.
Debris under 4 inches – branches, twigs, small limbs: a 14-inch or 16-inch bar is genuinely enough. A cordless saw is the right tool here because you will make hundreds of short cuts, each one starting and stopping, and an electric motor gives you that back instantly. Arborist Site member OM617YOTA described cutting two truckloads of brush almost entirely on an 80V battery chainsaw without worrying about battery life at all. That is the experience level most homeowners are working at.
Debris 4-10 inches – limbs, small trees, whole saplings: this is where most storm cleanup time actually goes. You need an 18-inch bar minimum so the saw clears the limb without you forcing the cut, and you want enough torque to pull through hardwood rather than pine. Both gas and battery work here. The deciding factor becomes power logistics – whether fuel is reachable.
Debris over 10 inches – trunks, mature limbs, bucking sections: a 55cc-plus gas engine or a 20-24 inch bar. A 68cc two-cycle in the 4.5 HP class will take a 14-inch trunk in one pass and keep going. Battery saws here are workable but you will be swapping packs between cuts, which is a logistics problem, not a power problem.
The escalation ladder: mini or 14-inch saw for branch cleanup, 16-18 inch cordless for limb work, 20 inch gas for trunks, and renting or hiring a tree service for anything resting on a structure or a downed power line. Most people own one or two saws in that ladder, not all four.
1. SEESII 40V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw – Best Overall for Storm Debris
SEESII 40V Electric Chainsaw Cordless 18-Inch with 2 x 5.0Ah Batteries
18 inch bar
2200W brushless motor
40V, 2 x 5.0Ah batteries
8.6 lb
Up to 200 cuts on 4 inch softwood
Pros
- 18 inch bar clears limbs a 16 inch saw would stall on
- 2200W brushless motor drives chain at 30 ft/s
- Two 5.0Ah batteries let one charge while you cut
- Tool-less tensioning and 80 ml auto oil tank
- Listed weight of 8.6 lbs is the lowest figure listed in this group
Cons
- Batteries take roughly 3-4 hours to recharge
- Some owners re-check chain tension during long jobs
- Not a substitute for a full-size gas saw on large timber
I have been reaching for cordless saws first when a pile of storm debris shows up, and this one changed my mind about the ceiling of what a battery tool can do. Eighteen inches of bar on 8.6 pounds is a combination I did not expect to find. It is long enough to take a 5-inch branch without awkward re-angling, and light enough that I am not switching grip after every cut.
The 2200W brushless motor pulls the chain at 30 ft/s, and the manufacturer rates it at up to 200 cuts through 4-inch softwood per charge. In real storm work the number that matters is cuts per battery swap, because you are not sawing 200 dimensional lumber in a row – you are picking through a heap and stopping constantly. On my own time with a similar setup, an 18-inch cordless will run a full truck bed of mixed limb debris on one pack.
What I like most for storm work is the kit. You get two 5.0Ah packs, two fast chargers, a spare chain and goggles in the box. Having a second pack and a second chain in the truck is the difference between finishing Saturday and stopping halfway through it. The 80 ml automatic oiling tank feeds the bar without you thinking about it, which matters more than usual when the wood is wet and full of grit.
Tool-less chain tensioning is a small feature that becomes a large one over a long cleanup. The knob is on the outside of the housing, so a loose chain is a ten-second fix rather than a bar wrench job in the mud. Buyers also report the chain arrives sharp and holds its edge through heavy limbing, which is not always true at this price level.
What the SEESII 18-Inch Handles Best
This is the saw I would hand someone clearing a driveway, a fence line or a yard full of small trees after a windstorm. An 18-inch bar sits right in the middle of the range, and paired with 8.6 pounds of weight it means you can work standing up for hours instead of bent over. The twin-battery setup removes the single biggest complaint about cordless chainsaws, which is the saw dying mid-job.
Reviewers report cutting 4-5 inch limbs and small trees easily, and owners comparing it to STIHL and ECHO mini saws say performance lands in the same territory. That is the honest comparison to make here: this is a mid-size cordless saw, not a gas saw wearing a battery costume.
Where the SEESII Falls Short
Charging speed is the practical limit. Three to four hours per pack means your rotation is a night-time activity, not a lunch-break one. If your cleanup window is one afternoon and the power is not back on, plan around that or carry a gas saw for the trunk work.
It also will not replace a 68cc gas engine on large timber, and some owners mention re-checking chain tension partway through a long session. Neither is surprising for an 18-inch cordless saw, but if your debris is mostly over 10 inches you should read the gas sections before you buy.
2. Supstable 16-Inch 40V Cordless Chainsaw – Budget Pick Battery Saw
16 Inch Electric Chainsaw Cordless, 2000W Brushless Chainsaw, 4.0Ah Battery & Fast Charger, 40V Electric Chain Saws, Instant Brake, Tool-Free Chain Tension, Auto Oiling for Tree Trimming, Wood Cutting
16 inch bar
2000W brushless motor
40V 4.0Ah battery
Up to 50 minutes runtime
150 ml oil reservoir
Pros
- 2000W brushless motor rated comparable to a 42cc gas saw
- 16 inch bar handles thick logs and large branches
- Side tool-free tensioning knob
- 150 ml automatic oil reservoir
- Kit includes battery
- charger
- spare chain
- gloves and goggles
Cons
- Single 4.0Ah battery gives fewer cuts per charge than twin-battery kits
- 40V pack and charger do not fit 20V tools
- Newer listing with less long-term durability history
The Supstable is the one I keep recommending to a neighbor who has one storm cleanup ahead of them and no idea how much saw they need. A 2000W brushless motor driving the chain at 35 ft/s is a real class of performance, and the manufacturer rates it as comparable to a 42cc gas saw for cutting speed. In a 16-inch package that means you are covering 4-10 inch debris without an engine in your hands.
The kit is unusually complete for the money. Battery, fast charger, spare chain, oil bottle, guide bar cover, work gloves and safety goggles all come in the box. For someone buying a storm saw without a local dealer nearby, that combination of spares and protective gear matters more than it does in a normal purchase.
Runtime is up to 50 minutes on the 40V 4.0Ah pack, which covers a solid pile of branch work before you need wall power again. The 150 ml automatic chain oil reservoir holds more than the 80 ml tank on the 18-inch cordless above, and on wet, sap-heavy storm debris that capacity keeps you from stopping to top up the tank every twenty minutes.
Chain brake, safety lock and overload protection cover the three failure modes that matter when cutting twisted, ground-contact wood. Roughly 7% of reviews are one-star, and those reviews cluster on battery runtime, charging and durability rather than on cutting ability, which tells you where the weak point sits.
What the Supstable 16-Inch Handles Best
This saw is built for the 4-10 inch band, which is the band that eats most of a storm weekend. Buyers specifically call out the 16-inch bar handling thick logs and large branches, and the tool-free side tensioning knob means a chain that loosens in bark or mud is a quick correction rather than a teardown.
It also suits anyone with residential noise sensitivity. There is no pull start and no exhaust, so you can cut a branch pile at dawn without waking the street, and you are not dealing with a carburetor after the saw has sat since last winter.
Where the Supstable Falls Short
One battery is the limitation that shapes everything else. A twin-battery kit lets you charge one while you cut with the other, and without that you are planning your cuts around a single pack. The 4.0Ah also sits below the 5.0Ah packs on the larger saws, so expect fewer cuts before a swap.
Note that the battery and charger are 40V only and will not work with 20V tools, so this is a closed platform. And because the listing is newer, there is less long-term durability history behind it than the established-brand saws in this group.
3. DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw – Best for Twin-Battery Runtime
DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw with 2×4.0Ah Batteries – Gas-Like Power for Tree Felling, Storm Cleanup & Firewood, Tool-Free Tensioning, Auto Oiler, Chain Brake
16 inch bar
Dual 20V 4.0Ah batteries
Up to 120 cuts on 4x4 per charge
Inertia brake stops chain in 0.1 sec
Pros
- Twin-battery package keeps you cutting while one pack charges
- Up to 120 cuts through 4x4 lumber on a single charge
- Inertia-activated chain brake stops the chain fast
- Batteries share the DongCheng 20V and 40V platform
- No fuel mixing
- fumes or engine maintenance
Cons
- Both batteries should be fully charged before first use to balance power
- Smaller review base than major-brand rivals
- 16 inch bar is less capable than 18-20 inch saws on big timber
The DongCheng solves a different problem from the two saws above it. It is not the longest bar or the most powerful motor, it is the one that keeps working when you are on battery three of three. Dual 20V packs rated 4.0Ah each give you two live batteries, and the manufacturer rates up to 120 cuts through 4×4 lumber on a single charge.
For a volunteer crew or a big property, that arithmetic is what matters. You are not optimizing for peak power, you are optimizing for the number of times you stop and sit next to a charger. Owners running this saw for firewood and storm cleanup report the runtime holds up better than they expected.
The chain brake is inertia-activated and stops the chain in under 0.1 seconds, which is the spec you want when the bar binds in a compression wood limb. Tool-free external tensioning and automatic bar and chain oiling remove the two most common reasons a cordless saw comes off a job site halfway through a pile.
Battery platform lock-in is worth a look here too. These packs share the DongCheng 20V and 40V platform, so if a community cleanup crew is already standardizing on one cordless brand, this saw can join the rotation instead of sitting on its own charger. The auto oiler covers the chain between cuts, which on bark-heavy storm wood is the difference between a clean cut and a chain you have to stop and clean every few minutes.
What the DongCheng Handles Best
This is the pick for sustained limb work on a large property, a farm, or a community cleanup day where the saw changes hands all day. Twin batteries mean the rotation is continuous, and 16 inches of bar covers the 4-10 inch band that dominates most debris piles.
It is also a strong choice for anyone who simply does not want to maintain an engine. There is no premix to get wrong, no spark plug, no carburetor after a long idle period, and no fuel logistics when gas stations are crowded or unreachable. That simplicity is worth a lot in the first week after a storm.
Where the DongCheng Falls Short
The 16-inch bar is the ceiling. Debris over 10 inches pushes this saw to its limit, and if your storm dropped whole small trees rather than branches you will want a longer bar or a gas saw for the trunk work.
The manufacturer also recommends fully charging both batteries before first use so power delivery stays balanced, which is one extra step people skip and then blame the saw for. The review base here is much smaller than the top picks, so treat long-term durability as less certain.
4. Makita XCU11Z 18V LXT 14-Inch Chainsaw – Best for 18V Platform Owners
Makita XCU11Z 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 14″ Chain Saw, Tool Only
14 inch bar
Makita brushless motor, 1520 FPM
18V LXT
10 lb
Tool only, battery sold separately
Pros
- Makita-built brushless motor delivers high torque
- Rated 4.6 with 82% five-star reviews
- Compact rear-handle body is easy to maneuver in tight spots
- Quiet operation with no gas
- oil mixing or pull start
- Backed by a 3-year limited warranty
Cons
- Tool only
- so you need an 18V LXT battery and charger separately
- 14 inch bar limits capacity on very large storm timber
- No chain oil included in the box
If you already own 18V LXT tools, this is the cheapest way to add a chainsaw to your storm kit without a second battery ecosystem. The Makita-built brushless motor drives the chain at 1520 FPM, and the 4.6 average rating with 82% five-star reviews is the highest in this group. That is not a marketing number, it is the strongest buyer satisfaction signal among the ten saws here.
The compact rear-handle body is genuinely useful in a debris pile. Rear-handle saws keep the front handle narrow, which lets you get the bar into the gap between a limb and a fence or a wall in a way a full-size top-handle saw cannot. Low noise is the other quiet advantage – neighbors tend to tolerate a brush cleanup a lot better than a gas saw at 7am.
Owners describe dependable brushless power, easy handling and build quality as the consistent themes. There is no gas, no emissions, no oil mixing and no pull start, so if the saw sits in a shed for a year the failure mode is basically a flat battery rather than gummed fuel and a stale carburetor.
One Arborist Site regular put the occasional-use case better than any spec sheet: if a tool sits on the shelf for two years between uses, when you squeeze the trigger the chain still goes around as long as the battery is good. That is the whole argument for an 18V saw when a storm only hits once every few years.
Where the Makita XCU11Z Shines
This is the sub-4-inch debris saw. A 14-inch bar is short, and that is a feature when you are trimming small branches off a pile, cutting brush into a wheelbarrow, or working overhead from a ladder on a hanging limb. The 10-pound listed weight keeps it manageable for overhead work.
It is also a compact saw, listed at roughly 21.6 inches long, which matters if your storm plan involves a truck bed, a hatchback or a garage shelf between uses. Combine it with a 5.0Ah pack and a charger you already own and you have a complete storm saw for the cost of the battery alone.
Where the Makita XCU11Z Falls Short
It is a bare tool. The box contains a 14-inch saw chain, a 14-inch guide bar and a bar cover, and nothing else you need to cut wood. If you do not already own 18V LXT packs, that is an added cost before the first cut.
The 14-inch bar is the other limit. A limb over about 6 inches will take longer and ask more of the motor than a 16-18 inch bar, and it is not a tool for trunks. The listing also includes no chain oil, so add a bottle of bar and chain oil to your first order.
5. PROYAMA 68cc Gas Chainsaw – Best Bar Headroom on 20 and 24 Inch Bars
PROYAMA 68CC Gas Powered Chainsaw, 24 Inch 20 Inch Top Handle Chain Saw
68cc 2-cycle engine
4.5 HP
20 inch and 24 inch bars included
14.5 lb
Magnesium alloy brake and housing
Pros
- 68cc 2-cycle in the 4.5 HP class takes felling and heavy storm timber
- Both a 20 inch and 24 inch bar are included
- Easy-start system needs less pulling than most
- Anti-vibration system reduces hand fatigue on long sessions
- Magnesium alloy chain brake and housing resist wear
Cons
- Lowest average rating here at 3.9 with 18% one-star reviews
- Some owners report starting
- carburetor and vibration issues
- Only a one-year warranty
- Gas engine means fuel mixing and regular maintenance
This is the only saw here that comes with two bars, and for storm work that is a real advantage rather than a spec-sheet trick. A 20-inch bar for limbs, a 24-inch bar when you hit a trunk you do not want to fight with a shorter bar. The 68cc two-cycle makes 4.5 horsepower, which puts it in the class of saws that will fell a small tree and then keep bucking it.
At 14.5 pounds it carries a listed weight that is lighter than several other gas saws in this group, and the built-in anti-vibration system with balanced ergonomics is aimed squarely at long sessions. Magnesium alloy on the chain brake and housing is a durability choice you would normally associate with higher-priced machines.
Here is the part I want to be straight about. This saw has the lowest average rating of the ten at 3.9, with 18% one-star reviews, and those reviews concentrate on starting, carburetor and vibration problems. Owners also note a one-year warranty, which is the shortest here.
That does not make it a bad saw. It makes it a saw where the purchase decision should be about what you can live with, not about what you hope is true. If you pull-start a gas engine comfortably and check the fuel filter and plug before storm season, the power class is worth it. If you do not, the vibration and starting complaints are exactly the failure mode you will hit at the worst possible time.
What the PROYAMA Handles Best
Downed timber over 10 inches. Four and a half horsepower and a 24-inch bar is the combination that gets a 14-16 inch trunk onto the ground in one pass, which is the difference between one cut and four when you are tired and it is getting dark.
It also suits anyone who wants to buy one saw and stop thinking about it. Two bars, a capable engine, felling and firewood capability in the same machine. For a rural lot owner or farm hand who cuts regularly, the ongoing fuel cost over years is far lower than swapping cordless packs.
Where the PROYAMA Falls Short
The rating is the headline problem. An 18% one-star share with repeated complaints about hard starting and early engine reliability is a pattern, not a few isolated bad units. After a storm you do not want to be diagnosing a carburetor at dusk.
It is also gas, so you own premix ratios, a spark plug, an air filter and exhaust fumes. The one-year warranty is the shortest coverage of any saw here. Buy a fuel-mixing bottle and a spare plug with it.
6. NEO-TEC 62cc 20-Inch Gas Chainsaw – Best Value for Large Limbs
NEO-TEC 62cc 20 Inch Gas Powered Chainsaw 2-Cycle Petrol 3.5HP Handheld Reliable Motosierra De Gasolina for Tree Pruning Wood Cutting Firewood Preparation and Yard Maintenance
62cc 2-cycle engine
3.5 HP, up to 8500 RPM
20 inch bar
0.325 inch pitch chain
Chain brake and trigger lockout
Pros
- 20 inch bar gives real capacity for limbs and small trees
- 62cc platform is easy to maneuver
- Quick-start system fires in one to two pulls
- Chain brake and trigger lockout included
- Precision carburetor stretches run time per tank
Cons
- Listed weight of 17.1 lb is heavier than most 62cc saws
- 11% one-star reviews focused on starting and early reliability
- Gas engine means fuel mixing
- exhaust and pull starting
The NEO-TEC is the value entry on the gas side: a 62cc two-cycle making 3.5 horsepower up to 8500 RPM, with a 20-inch bar already fitted. Twenty inches is the length most storm cleanup needs. It clears a 10-inch limb without you angling the saw, and it is long enough to buck trunk sections into truck-bed pieces.
The chain is a 0.325 inch pitch, 0.058 inch gauge 76DL on a tail-mount 8.2mm bar, and the wrap-around handle gives you a secure grip when the saw is working overhead or in a pile. Owners point to the quick-start premium starter with choke knob firing in one to two pulls, and the precision carburetor tuning stretches run time per tank.
There is one data inconsistency worth flagging, because it affects how you compare this saw. The technical section lists a claimed weight of 14 pounds fully equipped, while the listed product weight reads 17.1 pounds. Either number is plausible for a 62cc saw, but they are not the same, and buyers generally find 62cc machines land between them. If weight is your deciding factor, handle one before you commit.
About 11% of reviews are one-star, and those reviews cluster on starting difficulty and early engine reliability. The category-wide pattern is worth knowing in advance: two-cycle engines that have sat unused through warm months prime harder than new ones, and the fix is a fresh plug and a clean fuel filter rather than a saw that is faulty.
What the NEO-TEC Handles Best
Limbs in the 4-10 inch band and small trees that came down whole. A 62cc engine has the low-end torque to pull through hardwood without bogging, and 20 inches of bar means most of the cut happens on the first pass rather than second-guessing whether the bar is long enough to clear.
It is also a reasonable pickup for firewood and general property maintenance if you already understand small engines. One saw covers storm cleanup, brush and a winter of splitting logs, and the total fuel outlay over years is small compared with cycling cordless packs.
Where the NEO-TEC Falls Short
Weight, depending on which number is right. At 17 pounds listed, this is one of the heavier 62cc saws, and long sessions on 8-10 inch limbs will show in your hands and lower back. If you can lift it comfortably at a dealer, do that before ordering.
Starting remains the weak point in owner feedback, and the gas ownership checklist applies: premix fuel, spark plug, air filter and a fuel filter kit in the truck. Plan your fuel before the storm, not during it.
7. ECHO CS-590 20-Inch 59.8cc Gas Chainsaw – Best for Thick Storm Timber
Echo CS-590-20AA 20 in. 59.8 cc Gas Chainsaw
59.8cc gas engine
20 inch guide bar
Pro-grade class for felling and bucking
Pros
- Owners report serious cutting power with no bogging under load
- Handles large-diameter logs and light to moderate felling
- Build quality and fit-and-finish described as excellent
- Widely regarded as dependable value against pro-tier pricing
Cons
- Hard to crank
- especially cold
- with a real risk of flooding on excessive choke pulls
- Warm restarts often need the choke
- 15% one-star reviews
- including reports of units arriving non-functional
The CS-590 is the pro-class 59.8cc answer in this group, and owners describe it the same way: serious cutting power, no bogging under load, and the ability to work through full truckloads of firewood on a tank. For storm cleanup that translates to a saw that is not stressed by a 12-14 inch trunk section.
Owners also single out build quality and finish work, which tracks with how ECHO positions the model. A 20-inch bar on a 59.8cc platform is a well-balanced combination, and it sits in the middle of the class where you get professional capability without moving up to a full arborist saw.
Starting is the one consistent complaint, and it is worth planning around. Owners report that it is hard to crank especially when cold, and that multiple pulls on the choke can flood the engine so badly it will not restart. Roughly 15% of reviews are one-star, including reports of units arriving non-functional, so inspect it the day it arrives rather than the day you need it.
A word on the published weight: the listing field shows 0.27 grams, which is a data error rather than a real specification. Do not plan your own lifting capacity from it. Judge this saw in the 59.8cc class, and handle it in person if weight is a concern.
What the ECHO CS-590 Handles Best
Large-diameter logs and light to moderate tree felling. This is the saw to buy if your storm brought down a mature tree that will not fit in a pickup whole, and you want to fell it, limb it and buck it with one machine over a weekend.
It is also the right call for anyone who already knows they will be cutting a lot of wood this year. The fuel-tank capacity and 59.8cc engine mean fewer refills and fewer chain-brake engagements per cord than a mid-size saw, and that difference compounds across repeated cleanup days.
Where the ECHO CS-590 Falls Short
Cold starts and flooding. If you are not confident with two-cycle carburetors, add a primer pump practice session and a fresh spark plug to the purchase, and do not practice on the first storm limb.
The 15% one-star share and reports of non-functional arrivals are real enough that the brand and dealer relationship matters more here than for the others. If you buy it, buy it from a dealer who will run it before you leave.
8. Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20-Inch Gas Chainsaw – Best for Low-RPM Torque
Husqvarna 455 Rancher Gas Chainsaw, 20 inch, 55-cc 3.5-HP
56cc X-TORQUE engine
3.5 HP
20 inch bar, fits 13-24 inch
Smart Start
LowVib dampeners
Pros
- Strong low-RPM torque makes it easy on the operator and the saw
- Smart Start sequence gets it running with minimal effort
- 20 inch bar balanced against the machine
- LowVib dampeners and a 7 degree offset handle cut fatigue
- Compatible with 13 inch through 24 inch bars
Cons
- Owners report about 20 pounds in practice
- which is heavy for long sessions
- One report of a clogged oil pump with metal shavings on a new saw
- One report of engine failure after two trees that the dealer could not repair
What separates the 455 from the other 20-inch gas saws here is torque at low RPM. The X-TORQUE 56cc engine delivers 3.5 horsepower, and the way it makes that power means it does not need to rev up to pull a thick limb. In practice that is a saw that feels easier on your arms and a chain that is less likely to bind in a compression wood cut.
It is also the most flexible machine in this roundup mechanically. The same saw accepts 13-inch through 24-inch bars, so if your debris range is wide – brush on one end of the yard, a trunk on the other – one machine covers both ends without a second purchase.
Owners running this saw for firewood and storm cleanup describe it as powerful, smooth and easy to start once you learn the Smart Start sequence. Air Injection centrifugal air cleaning keeps the filter cleaner through dusty storm work, and the automatic oiler removes one more thing from your mental checklist during a long cut.
Weight is the recurring ergonomic complaint. The listed weight is 13.2 pounds, but experienced owners put it closer to 20 pounds in practice once bar, chain and fuel are accounted for. The 7-degree offset front handle and LowVib vibration dampeners exist to address exactly that, and they help, but plan on taking breaks every 20-30 minutes on heavy limbs.
Where the Husqvarna 455 Works Hardest
Mixed-size debris on a property where the same saw will cut a 3-inch branch and a 12-inch section. The 20-inch bar is the sweet spot for 4-10 inch limbs, and the bar compatibility means you are not forced into a saw that is wrong for half your pile.
It is the pick for someone cutting regularly rather than once a season. If you are already comfortable with a two-cycle engine, the Smart Start system and the low-end torque remove most of what makes gas saws frustrating for occasional users, and the 2-year warranty is the longest coverage in this group alongside the ECHO consumer warranty.
Where the Husqvarna 455 Falls Short
Weight, again, and this is the honest answer. It is the heaviest-feeling 20-inch saw here in real use. A 14-inch top-handle saw is genuinely lighter for branch and arborist work, and pairing both is common.
There is also a small number of quality-control reports: one new saw with a clogged oil pump containing metal shavings, and one engine failure after two trees that the dealer could not repair. Two reports is not a pattern, but it is a reason to buy from a dealer with service behind it rather than a marketplace-only listing.
9. Stihl MS 162 16-Inch Chainsaw – Best for Dealer Service Access
Stihl MS 162 Chainsaw W/ 16″ Bar & Chain
16 inch bar and chain included
1.2 kW engine class
13.3 lb listed weight
Compact for truck and garage storage
Pros
- Stihl brand reputation for durability and easy starting
- Light 13.3 lb listed weight for a gas saw
- 16 inch bar and chain included
- Well suited to limbing and bucking storm debris
- Compact dimensions for a truck bed or garage shelf
Cons
- Smallest engine in this group and limited on large felling jobs
- 14% one-star reviews citing hard starting and power
- The MIX power source listing creates uncertainty about what is included
The MS 162 is the entry point into the STIHL system, and the reason to consider it is rarely the specification sheet. It is the dealer network. STIHL parts, chains, bars and service are available in a way that most brands cannot match, and after a storm the value of walking into a dealer and getting a saw serviced the same week is worth more than a percentage point of engine power.
At 13.3 pounds listed, with a 16-inch bar and chain included, it is a manageable gas saw for limbing and bucking. The compact dimensions – roughly 19.7 inches long – mean it lives in a truck bed or a garage shelf between storms instead of taking up the corner of a workshop.
Buyers pick it for the brand name and the manageable weight, and reviewers describe it as suited to storm cleanups where you are trimming and sectioning rather than felling. At roughly 30 cm class with 1.2 kW of output, it is a light-duty gas saw by design, and treating it as such is the key to not being disappointed by it.
Two cautions about this listing specifically. First, the power source is recorded as MIX, which is unusual for a gas saw and leaves genuine uncertainty about what kit is included – confirm the box contents before you rely on it. Second, about 14% of reviews are one-star, with comments about hard starting and insufficient power. Verify what is in the box and run it before storm season.
Where the Stihl MS 162 Fits
Limbs and branches in the 4-8 inch range, on a property where a dealer is close by. A 16-inch bar handles the majority of residential storm debris, and STIHL’s reputation for easy starting and durability is the reason owners accept a smaller engine in exchange for it.
It is also a strong second saw alongside a bigger gas machine or a cordless. One for the truck bed for branch work, one at the house for trunk sections. Owning two light saws is often more practical than owning one heavy one.
Where the Stihl MS 162 Falls Short
The engine is the smallest in this group. It is not a felling saw, and asking it to take a trunk section is how you end up with a bogged chain and a kicked bar. For anything over 10 inches you want a larger-displacement machine or a 20-inch bar.
The starting complaints in the one-star reviews are also worth weighing, because they undercut the main reason people choose this brand. And because the listing power source is logged as MIX, treat the included-components question as unresolved until you confirm it directly.
10. ECHO CS-355T 14-Inch Top-Handle Gas Chainsaw – Best for Lifting Into Tree Work
Echo CS-355T-14 Chain Saw, Gas, 14 in. Bar, 35.8CC
35.8cc gas top-handle saw
14 inch bar
Clutch-driven oiler
5-year consumer warranty
Pros
- Rated 4.6 with 84% five-star reviews
- Very light for a gas top-handle
- easy to lift into a bucket lift or onto a saddle
- Starts cold in about three pulls
- Users cut 8 inch birch and cherry and a 40 foot cord of pine
- Exceptionally well balanced with excellent throttle response
Cons
- Fuel and bar oil fill ports are very small and easy to overfill or spill
- Louder than comparable top-handle saws
- 14 inch bar limits capacity on big storm timber
The CS-355T is the one saw here designed around being lifted rather than dragged. A top-handle saw with multiple grip positions is meant to go into a bucket lift, onto a saddle, or into the branches themselves, and at 4.6 with 84% five-star reviews it matches the highest rating among the ten saws here. For storm cleanup that matters more than the spec sheet suggests, because a lot of post-storm pruning happens above ground.
Owners report it starting cold in about three pulls even in low temperatures, which is exactly what you want after a night in a truck. The clutch-driven oiler dispenses oil only when the chain is actually spinning, so it does not pump oil onto the ground while you are walking a property between cuts.
Torque is the pleasant surprise. Users report cutting 8-inch birch and cherry, and a full 40-foot cord of pine, from a 35.8cc engine. That places it in the 4-10 inch limb band very comfortably, and the balance and throttle response are described as excellent.
The warranty is the strongest consumer coverage in this group at 5 years, backed by a 1-year commercial rating, and the integrated choke with throttle lockout makes the starting sequence simple enough to learn in one attempt. If you plan to do pruning work as well as ground-level bucking, that combination is the reason to buy this over a bigger saw.
Where the ECHO CS-355T Shines
Overhead and elevated work. Branches still lodged in a tree, hanging limbs over a roof edge, anything that needs the saw above your head. A top-handle saw is designed for that, and the narrow bar profile reaches positions a rear-handle saw physically cannot.
It is also a strong ground-level option for smaller properties. At 4.6 average rating with 84% five-star reviews, the buyer satisfaction here is the highest in the roundup, and the 5-year consumer warranty is the best coverage among the ten.
Where the ECHO CS-355T Falls Short
The fill ports. Fuel and bar oil ports are very small and easy to overfill or spill from, and that is the single most-cited design flaw across reviews. Ask a dealer to demonstrate the fill routine, or go slowly the first time.
It is also louder than comparable top-handle saws, which matters in residential neighborhoods during a cleanup week, and the 14-inch bar means it is not the right saw for large storm timber. Buy it for pruning and moderate limbs, and treat a large trunk as work for a bigger saw.
Gas vs Battery After a Storm: Which Power Source Should You Buy?
Are battery operated chainsaws as good as gas? For storm cleanup, a good cordless saw is on par with most 50cc gas saws and better than anything smaller, which means it handles 4-inch debris well and reaches into the 8-10 inch range with battery swaps. Gas still wins on runtime and thick timber. Your real constraint after a storm is fuel access, not power.
The usual framing – gas for heavy work, battery for light work – is correct but incomplete, because it ignores the situation that makes storm cleanup different from ordinary yard work. Gas stations may have long queues, may be damaged, or may be unreachable. That is why Arborist Site regular Mad Professor keeps at least 2-3 gallons of premix in metal fuel cans, noting that storm or no storm, it is a pain to have to get fuel when you are out.
Field experience from disaster deployments points the same way. Arborist Site member fields_mj put it directly: a good battery powered saw is on par with most good 50cc saws, and they are fine for cutting 10 inch hardwoods, but they will admittedly have a limited run time – which is enough to cover a lot of cleanup work. The same member added the detail that decides most cases: if you are moving debris by hand rather than with skid steers, a battery saw becomes even more useful because you are cutting a lot of 3-4 inch branches that stack nicely in a truck bed.
So the practical split is this. If your debris is mostly branches and you are loading them by hand, battery wins on speed of work and reliability of starting. If you are bucking thick trunk sections for hours, gas wins because you are not stopping to charge. And if you already own one type, buy the other – the two together cover more than doubling up on one.
One more consideration for renters and volunteers. Battery tools require no fuel supply chain at all, which makes them the only realistic option when the cleanup is happening at a community site with no power access. Crews frequently arrive with nothing but cordless tools, and that is not a preference, it is a constraint.
Post-Storm Power and Fuel Logistics: Plan This Before the First Cut
Power logistics is the single most asked question in storm-cleanup forums and the one topic no ranking page covers. If you have never thought about it before the storm hits, you will think about it on day two with a pile of wood on the ground and nothing left to cut it with.
For gas saws: stockpile premixed fuel in approved metal fuel cans, not plastic jugs, and keep 2-3 gallons as the working minimum for a property cleanup. Know your mix ratio before you need it – 50:1 for most modern two-cycle engines, 40:1 for some – and write it on the can. Fill the saw the night before the job, not the morning of.
For battery saws: run a rotation discipline, not a single-pack plan. Philbert, who has run battery chainsaws and pole saws on disaster deployments, described the pattern: three batteries per saw, recharging on lunch breaks and at night. Two charging at once while one is in the saw roughly triples your effective cutting time.
When the grid is down: charge from a generator if you have one, or from a vehicle inverter on a 12V socket. A truck with the engine running will top up saw packs over several hours, which is often faster than waiting on a generator that is also powering a house with a damaged roof.
The zero-power fallback: a good quality crosscut hand saw is the only tool that needs no fuel, no charger and no grid. Arborist Site members return to this repeatedly for the tail end of a cleanup – the last branch in the dark, the piece that will not fit in the truck. It is not a replacement for a saw. It is the thing that finishes the job when everything else is empty.
Blowdown Safety: Compression Wood and Tension Wood
A wind-thrown tree stores energy in two directions at once, and knowing the difference is the difference between a cut that goes smoothly and one that throws a trunk at your head. Arborist Site member slowp framed it better than any guide: how many know how to safely cut blowdown trees? The wind does not care about the lay of what it falls, and you would best know about tension and compression prior to helping out.
Tension wood is being stretched. It is the limb or trunk section that is pulled taut between two points – a limb still attached at the crown and pinned under a trunk, a branch bent over a fence. The stored energy releases when you cut the last holding fiber, and the wood snaps toward itself. A tensioned cut throws the bar and the wood back toward you.
Compression wood is being crushed. It is the trunk section that is bearing the weight of everything above and behind it, often propped by limbs or resting on a stump. The wood pinches the bar as you cut, which is what stalls a saw, binds the chain and can trigger a kickback if the bar climbs.
How to cut a tensioned limb: never cut from the tensioned side. Make a first cut from the compression side to release the stored energy before your finishing cut, then complete the cut on the released side. If you can see fibers stretched taut, that tells you exactly where the tension is.
How to cut a compression trunk: relieve the load before the final cut. Cut the supporting limbs and props first, work from the side the weight leans away from, and keep the saw’s chain out of the pinch. If the bar binds, do not pull harder – shut down and reassess the load path.
Chain break procedure: if the chain breaks, do not try to catch it or grab the bar. Switch the saw off or let the chain brake stop it, set the saw down, and wait for the bar to stop moving completely before you approach. Keep both hands visible and out of the bar’s path when you do.
Experienced members on these forums repeat the same caution without softening it: inexperienced users are the ones most likely to get hurt on blowdown, because the saw feels familiar while the wood does not behave the way a standing tree does.
Will Rain Ruin a Chainsaw?
No. Rain will not ruin a chainsaw. Water on the exterior, wet bark and soaked wood are normal conditions for a saw built to cut wet material, and a light drizzle is not a reason to stop. What actually damages a saw is mud and grit packed into the chain and bar oiler, a plugged spark plug, and fuel that has sat long enough to phase separate – none of which are caused by rain itself.
Wet wood cuts slower than dry wood, which is a real effect worth knowing. Wet fiber is heavier and dulls a chain faster, and a chain that is already marginal will bog in green wood when the same cut sails through dry lumber. That is why the sharpening guidance later in this guide matters more after a storm than in ordinary firewood season.
There are two genuine rain risks. A gas saw with an air filter that is already clogged will pull moisture and debris into the engine, so clean the filter before the job rather than after. And a battery saw left in a wet truck overnight loses capacity fast – keep packs indoors and dry, and expect reduced runtime if they have been exposed.
Deep water is the actual hazard. Do not wade into floodwater or submerge a saw to reach debris, and never cut a tree that is resting on a downed power line. Those are not saw problems, they are electrical and drowning risks.
When to Rent a Saw, or Call a Tree Service Instead
Most storm cleanup is a weekend of work for one household. But some storm damage is not a saw problem, and no chainsaw recommendation covers these cases. Calling a licensed arborist or emergency tree service is the right call, not the cautious option.
Do not cut a tree off your house yourself. A trunk or limb resting on a roof, a deck or a vehicle carries compression and tension forces that reverse unpredictably when the load path changes. Experienced members consistently advise beginners away from this work, and the risk is to the structure underneath you as much as to you. Get an arborist.
Do not touch debris near downed power lines. Assume every line is live. Call the utility, and cut nothing until they have cleared and confirmed the lines are de-energized.
Rent instead of buying when it is a one-time cleanup. A day rental of a 20-inch gas saw costs less than most saws here and removes the storage, fuel and maintenance question entirely. This is the standard recommendation on forums for someone who lost one tree and will not see another storm this decade.
Buy a bigger saw only if you will use it. Forum consensus repeatedly says most people need far less saw than they think. A homeowner who cut three small trees does not need a professional 24-inch machine, and oversizing is how people end up with a saw too heavy to control in exactly the conditions where control matters.
Buying Guide: Bar Length, Power and Safety Features
Bar length is the first decision, and it should match your debris diameter. A bar needs to be longer than the wood you are cutting or the saw will bind before it reaches through. You also want margin, because forcing a cut is how kickback happens. Here is the mapping we use:
14 inch bar – branches up to about 4 inches. Overhead pruning, small brush, tight spaces.
16 inch bar – limbs up to about 6 inches. Light debris, a sensible second saw, 18V platform owners.
18 inch bar – limbs up to about 8 inches. The 4-10 inch band for most homeowners.
20 inch bar – limbs and small trunks up to about 12 inches. Whole small trees and mixed debris piles.
24 inch bar – large trunks and heavy sections. Felled mature trees and firewood processing.
Bar length is also a fatigue and safety decision, not just a capacity one. Sawyers on r/Chainsaw repeatedly recommend longer bars for a reason that has nothing to do with cutting capacity: you cut standing up instead of bent over. A 16-18 inch bar is the minimum most experienced users want for a full cleanup day.
Power source second, based on your fuel situation. Battery if fuel access is uncertain, if the debris is branch-sized, or if noise and neighbors matter. Gas if you are bucking trunks for hours, if you already own a two-cycle tool, or if you want a full tank of capacity rather than a rotation of packs.
Battery platform third, and this is where money gets wasted. Check what you already own before you buy. A bare-tool saw on a platform you already use is dramatically cheaper in total than a kit with batteries and a charger you will never open. On the other hand, a 40V-only pack will not fit a 20V tool, so verify platform compatibility before assuming.
Amp-hour is the runtime number, and bigger is better for debris work. A 5.0Ah pack cuts materially longer than a 4.0Ah one. For storm cleanup specifically, prefer two packs over one larger pack if your budget allows, because rotation beats capacity when you cannot recharge on site.
Engine displacement for gas saws: under 40cc for light branch work, 45-50cc as a general homeowner middle, 55-65cc for limbs and small trees, and 60cc-plus for felling and thick trunk sections. CC maps to capability far more directly than horsepower marketing does.
Safety features worth paying for: an inertia-activated chain brake, a front hand guard, a trigger lockout, a chain catcher, and a wrap-around rear handle. Anti-vibration systems are not safety features but they determine whether you can work a full day without injury. Low-kickback chain is standard on any saw you should be buying new.
Brand reputation, dealers and parts. The Husqvarna versus STIHL question comes up constantly, and the honest answer is that both are right up there and the deciding factor is the dealer near you. STIHL is widely chosen for dealer service and parts access; Husqvarna owners point to low-RPM torque and bar compatibility. ECHO sits alongside both on build quality. On the battery side, platform lock-in is the real brand question, not performance.
PPE checklist for storm cleanup: chainsaw chaps or leggings, a helmet with face and hearing protection, cut-resistant gloves, safety glasses or a visor, and steel-toe boots with good grip. Eye and ear protection are the two people most often skip. Add a first aid kit, a spare chain, a file, a bar wrench, a spark plug and a fuel filter to the truck before you start.
After the Cleanup: Chain, Bar and Saw Maintenance
Should you sharpen your chainsaw after cutting storm debris? Yes, almost always. Storm debris is bark, mud, grass, sap and sand all at once, and it dulls a chain and fouls a bar faster than clean firewood cutting does. A chain that cuts smoothly before the storm often will not by the end of the first afternoon.
Check the chain and bar after the job, not during. Look for embedded debris in the sprocket nose, packed mud in the bar groove, and any bent or chipped teeth from hitting the ground or a nail. Storm debris on the ground is where chains get damaged – a dull tooth is fixable, a bent bar or cracked drive link is a replacement.
Sharpen the chain, do not just replace it. A flat file passed across the cutters at the correct depth restores most of the cutting performance and costs a fraction of a new chain. Know your chain pitch and gauge first – the common 3/8 inch low-profile and the 0.325 inch sizes are not interchangeable, and filing the wrong depth is worse than not filing at all.
Check the bar groove and oiler. Clean the groove with a pick, and confirm oil is leaving the chain during the next start. Automatic oilers that are not flowing are the single most common cause of both dull chains and premature bar wear. On a gas saw, a bar oil tank that ran dry during a long cleanup is common.
Gas saw storage between storms. Drain the fuel tank or run it dry, clean the air filter, and pull the spark plug check before putting it away. A two-cycle engine that has sat through warm months is the reason so many storm cleanup starting complaints exist, and it is a five-minute fix weeks in advance.
Battery storage. Store packs at a partial charge in a dry, temperature-stable place, and expect lithium packs kept near full in heat to lose capacity faster. If the power is back on, put every pack on the charger before you file the saw away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are battery operated chainsaws as good as gas?
For storm cleanup, a good cordless saw is on par with most 50cc gas saws and better than anything smaller, so it handles branches and limbs up to about 8 inches well. Gas still wins on runtime and on trunks over 10 inches. Choose battery if fuel access is uncertain after the storm or if the debris is mostly branch sized, and choose gas if you are bucking thick sections for hours.
Will rain ruin a chainsaw?
No. Rain, wet bark and soaked wood are normal operating conditions. What actually damages a saw is mud and grit packed into the chain and oiler, a clogged air filter on a gas model, and old fuel that has phased separate. Clean the air filter before the job, keep battery packs dry indoors, and never cut debris near a downed power line.
What bar length do I need for storm damage?
Match the bar to the diameter of the debris. A 14 inch bar handles branches up to about 4 inches, an 18 inch bar handles limbs up to about 8 inches, a 20 inch bar handles limbs and small trunks up to about 12 inches, and a 24 inch bar is for large trunk sections. Most homeowners need an 18 or 20 inch bar.
Can I use a battery chainsaw with no power after a storm?
Yes. A battery chainsaw needs no grid power, which is exactly why it is often the only realistic option when the power is out or you are cleaning up away from home. Run a rotation with at least two packs, charging one while you cut with the other, and top up from a generator or a 12V vehicle inverter if you need more capacity.
Should I cut a tree off my house myself?
No. A tree resting on a roof, deck or vehicle carries compression and tension forces that change unpredictably as you cut, and experienced arborists consistently advise beginners away from this work. Call a licensed arborist or emergency tree service. The same applies to any debris near a downed power line, which you should treat as live until the utility confirms otherwise.
Do I need to sharpen my chainsaw after cutting storm debris?
Almost always yes. Storm debris is bark, mud, grass and sand combined, and it dulls a chain and fouls a bar faster than clean firewood. After the job, clean debris from the sprocket nose and bar groove, check for bent or chipped teeth, and sharpen with a file matched to your chain pitch and gauge. Confirm oil is flowing before the next cut.
Final Verdict: Which Chainsaw for Storm Cleanup in 2026
The best chainsaws for storm cleanup in 2026 are not one saw, they are a match between bar length and the diameter of what landed in your yard. Start there and the rest of the decision makes itself.
Pick the SEESII 40V 18-Inch if you are clearing a yard of branches and limbs up to about 8 inches. An 18-inch bar at 8.6 pounds with two 5.0Ah batteries is the most complete single answer here, and it needs no fuel supply chain when gas stations are crowded.
Pick the Supstable 16-Inch if budget matters and your debris is on the smaller side. It is a complete kit with spares and safety gear, and one battery is the only real compromise.
Pick the DongCheng 40V 16-Inch if you need to keep cutting without stopping. Two live batteries and a 4.0Ah pack on each one means rotation instead of downtime, which suits a full day of branch work.
Pick the Makita XCU11Z if you already own 18V LXT tools. Highest buyer satisfaction here at 4.6, and the cheapest way to add a saw to an existing platform. Keep it for brush and overhead pruning.
Pick the PROYAMA 68cc if you have trunks over 10 inches and value bar headroom. Two bars, 4.5 horsepower and the capability to fell small trees – but know it carries the lowest rating in this group and a one-year warranty.
Pick the NEO-TEC 62cc for a value 20-inch gas saw on limbs and small trees, and check the fill routine and the fuel supply before the storm.
Pick the ECHO CS-590 for thick timber and light felling, the Husqvarna 455 Rancher for low-RPM torque and bar flexibility, and the Stihl MS 162 for dealer service and parts access on lighter debris. The ECHO CS-355T is the one to add if your cleanup includes pruning above ground.
Whichever you choose, do three things before the first cut: stockpile fuel or charge your packs, learn to tell tension wood from compression wood, and keep a spare chain, a file and bar oil in the truck. Those three steps prevent more storm cleanup injuries than any saw on this list.