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Thinking of buying the best 18 inch chainsaw?
But not sure which one to get?
Then, you’ve landed on the right page.
I’m here to help you find the best 18 inch chainsaw for your particular needs.
If you’re searching for the best 18 inch gas chainsaw, electric chainsaw, or even a battery operated chainsaw, you’ll find a list of the top models for you to compare here.
In many ways, an 18″ chainsaw is the perfect size tool.
It offers that extra bit of reach to tackle larger cuttings jobs in addition to the smaller tasks you need to get done around the yard.
If you’ve got some serious tree cutting to do and need a machine that can handle it, an 18″ chainsaw is definitely the way to go.
So, let’s get into it.
You’ll find the best 18″ chainsaws on this page.
What is the Best 18 inch Chainsaw?
These are the best 18 inch chainsaws you can buy today:
- Husqvarna 455 Rancher Chainsaw
- Poulan Pro PR4218
- Greenworks Pro GCS80420 Chainsaw
- Kobalt 80-volt Chainsaw
- WORX WG304.1 Chainsaw
- Oregon CS1500 Chainsaw
How Do You Choose the Right 18″ Chainsaw?
Before we jump into my 18″ chainsaw reviews, I wanted to go over a few things about each type of chainsaw is powered.
That way, you can choose the right tool for your needs.
Not everyone needs—or wants—an 18″ gas chainsaw. In fact, some people prefer 18″ electric chainsaws or 18″ battery chainsaws over gasoline models.
So, to help you narrow down what your ideal chainsaw is, I’ve included a brief overview of the pros and cons of each type.
Gas Chainsaws
Powered by a mixture of gasoline and 2-stroke oil.
Pros:
- Most powerful type
- Cuts the fastest
- Cuts for long periods of time (only limited by the fuel in your tank)
- Extremely portable
- Moderately priced
Cons:
- Starts with a pull cord which can get harder over time
- Heaviest type
- Loudest type
- Produces emissions
- Requires the most maintenance
What is the Best 18 inch Gas Chainsaw?
If you’re looking for the best 18 inch gas chainsaw, you have two great options:
Corded Electric Chainsaws
Powered by an extension cord plugged into an electrical outlet.
Pros:
- No fuel to mix
- Push-button start (no cord to pull)
- Quiet (only makes noise when the trigger is pulled)
- Unlimited cutting time (if it’s plugged in, it will cut)
- Cheapest type
- Lightest type
Cons:
- Less powerful than gas chainsaws
- Slower cutting speed than gas chainsaws
- Extension cord can be a hassle (i.e. get in the way) while cutting
What is the Best 18 inch Electric Chainsaw?
If you’re looking for the best 18 inch electric chainsaw, you have these powerful choices:
Battery Chainsaws
Powered by rechargeable batteries.
Pros:
- No fuel to mix or electrical cord to plug in
- Push-button start (no cords to pull)
- Quiet (only makes noise when the trigger is pulled)
- Extremely portable
- Very little maintenance
- Lighter than gas chainsaws but heavier than corded electric chainsaws
Cons:
- Less powerful than gas chainsaws but equally powerful as corded electric chainsaws
- Slower cutting speed than gas chainsaws but equally fast as corded electric chainsaws
- Cutting time is limited by battery size (i.e. 30 mins to one hour)
- Most expensive type
What is the Best 18 inch Battery Chainsaw?
If you’re looking for the best 18 inch battery chainsaw, you have these popular models:
18 inch Chainsaw Reviews & Buying Guide
Now that you know what to expect out of each type of 18″ chainsaw, and got a glimpse of the top products in each category, we can now move on to the full reviews of each machine.
Below, you’ll find reviews of the best 18 inch chainsaws for the money.
Not every chainsaw includes the same features, so it’s good to have options to choose from.
By picking any of the chainsaws on this list, you can feel confident that you’re getting a high-quality model that delivers the results you need.
Best 18″ Gas Chainsaws
If you’re looking for the overall best 18 inch gas chainsaw you can get, this model delivers professional results at a reasonable price.
If you’ve never heard of Husqvarna before, just know that this brand has a strong reputation for building the highest quality gasoline chainsaws on the market.
What makes this 18 inch gas powered chainsaw so popular is the fact that it’s super lightweight and has all of the top features you could want, including:
- Upgraded X-Torq Engine that lowers emissions by 60% and reduces fuel consumption by 20%. This lets you cut for longer periods of time and save more money on fuel.
- Inertia-Activated Chain Brake for safety (the best of its kind for stopping the chain from moving during a kickback).
- Automatic (Adjustable Flow) Oiler for precision oiling of the bar and chain.
- Centrifugal Air Cleaning System that keeps large dust out of the air filter which results in fewer cleanings and a longer-lasting machine.
- Weighs only 11 pounds which is half the weight of most other 18″ gas chainsaws.
All-in-all, this is the most advanced and highest rated 18″ chainsaw you can buy today.
If you’re looking for a cheaper 18″ gas chainsaw than my first review, this Poulan Pro model is your next best option.
In fact, it’s less than half the cost of the Husqvarna chainsaw previously reviewed.
While this model does have a smaller engine, it still boasts a number of highly sought after features to make up for the lower performance, including:
- Quickstart Technology for smooth starts.
- Automatic (Adjustable Flow) Oiler for lubricating the bar and chain (same as the Husqvarna).
- 5-point Anti-Vibration System to make it easier to handle for long periods of time.
- Tool-Less Chain Tensioner for super-quick chain adjustments while out in the field.
- Manual Chain Brake for protecting against kickbacks.
If you want the best 18 inch gas chainsaw for the money, this product is hard to beat.
Best 18″ Battery Operated
If mixing gas doesn’t appeal to you, then an 18″ battery operated chainsaw may be the better choice for you.
Battery operated chainsaws are not only cleaner, easier to handle, and maintain, but are also the most environmentally friendly type of chainsaw you can own.
As for the best 18 inch battery chainsaw you can buy today, this Greenworks model tops the charts.
It offers extreme performance and tackles the toughest cutting jobs you throw at it. You can cut down thick trees, cut up fallen branches, slice firewood, and more.
The most notable features include:
- Super lightweight at just 10 pounds.
- 30-45 minutes of actual cutting time.
- 30 minutes to recharge.
- Automatic (Fixed Flow) Oiler for keeping your tool well lubricated at all times.
- Tool-Less Chain Tensioning System for quick and easy chain adjustments.
For anyone who wants a highly portable chainsaw without the fuss of maintaining a gas powered model, this is a clear winner.
If you want an 18″ battery chainsaws, but for some reason, you can’t find the previous Greenworks model or just don’t like the color, then this Kobalt model is a great alternative.
In fact, it’s practically identical to my last review except for the blue color.
As for the specs for this chainsaw, you’ll find that the only difference between the Greenworks model is that this version is that it’s a bit heavier.
- 13.8 pounds.
- 30-45 minutes of actual cutting time.
- 30 minutes to recharge.
- Automatic (Fixed Flow) Oiler.
- Tool-Less Chain Tensioning System.
Best 18 inch Battery Chainsaw
Finally, this brand is easily found in Lowe’s Home Improvement stores, so if you ever want to pick up replacement parts in your local chain, you can easily do that if you buy this model.
If you want to spend the least amount of money on the best 18 inch chainsaw, then a corded electric chainsaw is what you need.
The only sacrifice you’ll have to make for these cost savings is being tied to an extension cord.
You won’t be able to take the chainsaw farther then the cord will reach which is usually 100 feet.
As for the best 18 inch electric chainsaw, this Worx model is at the top of its class.
It’s great for first-time users and an excellent machine for all-day cutting jobs around the yard, such as trimming tree branches, clearing brush, cutting firewood, etc.
The top features include:
- Lightweight at 11 pounds.
- Patented Auto-Tensioning Chain System keeps the chain properly tightened for hundreds of cuts and prevents over-tightening.
- Automatic (Fixed Flow) Oiler for effortless bar and chain lubrication.
- Manual Chain Brake for safe cutting on every job.
- Endless cutting as long as it’s plugged in.
If you want an inexpensive 18 inch chainsaw, this machine is a great choice.
My final recommendation is for someone who not only wants the cheapest 18 inch chainsaw but also a tool that’s the easiest to maintain.
What makes this chainsaw stand out among the competitors it’s the only machine on the market that includes a self-sharpening system.
All chainsaw chains must be sharpened regularly for them to cut well. The most common way is to hand-file which can take 15 minutes or more to do.
The Oregon PowerSharp feature takes the headache and hassles out of sharpening your chainsaw chain by allowing you to do it while the chain is still on the saw and perform this task in a matter of seconds.
All you do is pull a lever, squeeze the chainsaw trigger, and the chain instantly gets sharpened. You really have to see it to believe it.
As for the other features you’ll get, these include:
- 12.9 pounds of weight.
- Tool-Less Chain Tensioning System.
- Automatic (Fixed Flow) Oiler with an oil level view window.
- Low vibration.
- Manual Chain Brake.
If you want the best 18 inch electric chainsaw that can handle endless amounts of work, this may be the perfect one for you.
Additional Chainsaw Information
What Can You Do with the Best 18 inch Chainsaws?
When most people are looking to buy an 18″ inch chainsaw, they already have a specific cutting task in mind.
Usually, it’s cutting down large trees or slicing up logs into useable chunks for splitting firewood.
However, 18″ chainsaws can do so much more than just the heavy-duty jobs.
With a chainsaw of this size, you can do the following things:
- Tree Pruning — Removing dead and loose wood for improving tree health and getting rid of hazardous falling branches.
- Tree and Bush Trimming — Shaping and tidying up the appearance of woody plants. With thicker branches, a standard trimmer tool can get hung up on these tasks.
- Tree Felling — Cutting down a tree for removal or to split into logs.
- Log Splitting — Cutting up a felled or fallen tree into manageable size logs that you can then haul away or slice into firewood.
- Firewood Cutting — Cutting logs up into smaller pieces of firewood.
As you can see, an 18″ chainsaw is a great tool for routine tree work and can also handle the tougher jobs as well.
In many ways, 18 inches is the perfect length for most homeowners and tree professionals. This size chainsaw is large enough to cut down average size trees yet still compact enough to trim up limbs and bushes.
Chainsaw Maintenance and Care
If you’re going to buy a chainsaw, you need to understand that there’s a certain level of maintenance and care that you must adhere to.
Neglecting to maintain your chainsaw will cause it to deteriorate or become damaged at a faster rate.
When it comes to caring for your 18 inch chainsaw, follow these tips:
- After each use, clean off any dirt, sawdust, or other debris on the body of the chainsaw, bar, and chain.
- After each use, top off the bar and chain oil reservoir.
- When storing the chainsaw, keep the bar and chain well oiled to prevent corrosion.
- When storing the chainsaw, cover the blade with a sheath to protect it from the elements.
- If it takes extra pressure to go through a cut, sharpen the chain since it’s likely dull.
- Before each use, test that the Chain Brake is in proper working condition.
- Before each use, check that the chain is properly tensioned. Not too tight and not too loose.
- Gas Chainsaws: Always empty the fuel tank after each use.
- Gas Chainsaws: Always clean the air filter after a long day of use or several short bursts of usage.
- Gas Chainsaws: Once per month, check the spark plug for damaged electrodes or discoloration if you use the chainsaw regularly. Otherwise, perform this check every three months.
- Battery Chainsaws: When storing, remove the battery from the chainsaw and place it on the charger.
Here are some related posts if you need more than just an 18 inch chainsaw in your kit:
Closing Thoughts on My 18 inch Chainsaw Reviews
As you discovered, you have quite a few options when it comes to buying the best 18 inch chainsaws.
You’re not just limited to looking for or comparing the best 18 inch gas chainsaw against the best 18 inch electric chainsaw. Today, you also have the choice of purchasing an 18 inch battery chainsaw that combines the best of both of those worlds.
However, the products you found on this list are really just the beginning when it comes to comparing chainsaws.
While 18 inches is the ideal length for most people, there are other size chainsaws that can meet a number of other demands you may have for this type of tool.
On another page, I’ve put together the best chainsaw reviews which include the top chainsaws you can buy today in various lengths.
Or perhaps you want to know what the best chainsaw for home use is for everyday use. If so, I’ve got a detailed guide on that topic as well.
And finally, if you’re at all debating between a 16″ and 18″ chainsaw, you may want to check out my other post on the best 16 inch chainsaw here. It’s laid out similar to this page, with six chainsaw recommendations divided into three categories: gas, battery, and corded electric.
So, take a quick look at those links to see what other options you have.
I hope you enjoyed this guide on finding the best 18 inch chainsaw for the money.
Happy sawing!
Your Pal,
Chainsaw Larry