Shopping for a chainsaw in 2025 can feel like walking a maze. Big box aisles packed with battery kits, a few gas boxes tucked in the corner, and very little help when you need it most. We spent the day across Central Florida doing a true side-by-side look at what you get at Lowe’s, Tractor Supply, and Home Depot, then compared that to real dealer floors at Main Street Mower, Reeds, and Mower Station. The goal was simple, treat it like a science project and find out what remains for gas, what is real in battery, and what matters if you want a saw that lasts.

Here’s what we covered: Stihl, Husqvarna, Echo, Shindaiwa, EGO, Craftsman, Kobalt, Skil, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, and Ryobi. You’ll see the best values we found, what to watch for in build quality, and why where you buy matters as much as what you buy.

Pro tip: If you’re cutting one tree and tossing the saw, big box works. If you want a saw you’ll own for years, think dealer.

Battery tools are popular, and for good reasons. They start easy, they are quiet, and there’s no mixing fuel. But there is one thing they can’t escape, degrading batteries. Most packs lose capacity over time even if you baby them. Expect about 5 to 6 years before performance drops and you need a new pack.

Gas saws are different. With clean, fresh fuel, regular use, and some basic care, a gas saw can run for decades. Many homeowners kill gas saws with old fuel that gums up carbs. Use high quality premixed fuel, the kind that does not go bad, and you avoid most fuel issues.

A quick way to decide:

1. Battery pros: quick start, low noise, no mixing.
2. Gas pros: more power for big wood, long service life with routine care.
3. Key advice: run fresh, pure fuel in gas saws. Synthetic canned fuel helps prevent clogs.

A lot of battery models look flashy, but the feel tells the story. Small details point to durability:

• Look for metal bumper spikes, dual bar nuts, side-access chain tensioners, and a rim sprocket on pro-leaning models.
• Watch for plastics that feel toy-like with rough edges.
• Heavy is not always bad. Some large battery saws feel like a backpack blower in hand. That weight can signal bigger motors and batteries, but it’s tiring if you are cutting for hours.

Warranties matter too. Some brands include it with the tool. Others sell it as an add-on. That small detail shows up later when you need help.

We rolled into Lowe’s and hit a wall of battery. Plenty of brands, and a few standouts:

• EGO had a 20 inch bar model at about $449. It is packed with features like metal spikes, dual bar nuts, side chain tensioner, and a rim sprocket. It also felt very heavy for a battery saw. The price was low for the size, but the build felt mixed, part toy, part pro features.
• EGO also listed a 40 cc equivalent kit with a 16 inch bar for about $219, battery and charger included. That price is aggressive.
• Husqvarna had a 40 cc class battery bundle. The shelf tag looked wrong. Online it sat around $479 with a large battery. Shelf labels can mislead, always verify.
• Kobalt had a large battery model with a 24 inch bar listed around $249. Claimed 30 cc equivalent. Big body, not too heavy in hand, but the look and feel were not pretty.
• Skil had a 16 inch class battery saw around $299 with a 2.5 Ah pack. Competitive, but heavy for the size.

Then we found gas. Craftsman had three models on the wall, all boxed:

• 16 inch, 40.6 cc at about $199.
• 18 inch at a sale price, usually around $229.
• 20 inch, 50 cc at about $249.

The prices are hard to beat. Still, there were doubts about long-term durability and country of origin. If you grab one, run a high quality premixed fuel. It helps the saw live longer, especially if it sits.

Tractor Supply had a strong Husqvarna lineup:

• 460 Rancher, 24 inch bar, listed at $649. A known workhorse.
• 455 Rancher at $589. Similar class to a Stihl MS 271 by price and intent. Note that the Husqvarna warranty looked like a separate purchase here, while Stihl includes warranty at dealers.
• 440 at $399 with an 18 inch bar. That sits near Stihl MS 250 territory by size and price.
• Smaller homeowner models lined the shelf, including a 38 cc class option around $219.

Battery extras showed up too. A DeWalt 8 inch mini saw at $239 felt like a competitor to Stihl’s GTA series. Another DeWalt 16 inch bundle with a 6 Ah battery was listed around $329, which felt like a good value for a homeowner kit. They also stocked Oregon chain and file kits to keep you cutting.

Depot had several brands but kept most tools locked down. You can see, not hold, which makes it tough to judge balance and feel.

Echo’s gas lineup stood out:

• CS-590 Timber Wolf, 59 cc class at $449. Available with 18, 20, and 24 inch bars. The price is low for the size. A 24 inch bar on a 59 cc saw is a lot of bar, so keep that in mind if you cut hardwood.
• 50 cc class around $399, which sits near Stihl’s MS 250 or MS 271 by price and punch.
• A 41 cc model around $349 and smaller models down to the low $200s. In all, about five Echo gas models from $219 to $449.

Battery shelves were deep:

• Milwaukee’s M18 16 inch chainsaw lists a giant 12 Ah battery in the kit lineup. Those big packs get pricey fast.
• DeWalt had a top-handle style battery saw at $279 tool only. It felt nose heavy.
• Makita showed several, including an 18V tool-only model around $259, a 16 inch with toolless chain adjuster, a compact hatchet-style around $219, and a larger 18 inch that claims a 42 cc equivalent. Fit and finish looked better than some, but many plastics in this class still feel rough. The comment in store was blunt: some of these feel like Fisher Price compared to Stihl’s smoother, tighter plastics.
• Ryobi led the merch on the aisle but had fewer pro tells than the brands above.

Bottom line at Depot, Echo gas is a strong value, and battery choice is wide. The drawback is you can’t feel most of the tools before you buy.

A dealer floor changes the whole buying experience. Nothing is locked. You can pick up saws, compare weight, and get help from staff who run these tools. Service is on-site, with parts support and techs in the back.

On the chainsaw wall, Stihl gas models covered every rung, from homeowner to serious pro. Prices tracked closely with big box, often the same or close, but with support behind the counter.

Highlights:

• Stihl MS 162, 30 cc, about $219. A popular entry point that matches many battery kits by claimed power but gives gas longevity.
• Stihl MS 182, 35.8 cc, about $269. A step up in punch.
• Stihl MS 250, 45 cc, about $429. One of the most loved mid-range saws.
• Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss, 50 cc, about $569. A farm and ranch favorite.
• MS 291, 55 cc, around $649.

From there, Stihl climbs into serious pro land. Bigger bars, higher power, and even saws that feel like small dirt bikes in your hands. There is a place for everything from trimming to massive felling.

Why buy at a dealer? You can test fit, get setup help, and even fire it up before leaving. That matters more than a shelf tag.

Here is a quick snapshot of a few price points mentioned on the floor. Shelf tags change, so treat this as directional.

• Craftsman gas at Lowe’s: 16 inch 40.6 cc around $199, 18 inch around $229, 20 inch 50 cc around $249.
• Husqvarna at Tractor Supply: 455 Rancher $589, 460 Rancher $649, homeowner models down to about $219.
• Echo at Home Depot: 59 cc Timber Wolf $449, 50 cc around $399, smaller models from $219 to $349.
• Stihl at dealers: MS 162 around $219, MS 182 around $269, MS 250 around $429, MS 271 around $569, MS 291 around $649.

Reeds in Orlando is a Husqvarna stronghold. The showroom is split between battery and gas, with most of the range on the floor. That alone beats big box, where we only saw five Husqvarna gas models at Tractor Supply and a single battery Husqvarna at Lowe’s.

What you’ll find:

• Homeowner models around $269 to $399, similar to Stihl’s MS 172 to MS 250 tier.
• Mid-range saws like the 445, 450, 455 Rancher, and 460 Rancher, generally $449 to $649. These go head to head with Stihl’s MS 250, MS 271, and MS 291.
• Climbing saws that line up with Stihl’s MS 194, MS 151, and MS 201 T. Husqvarna’s T525 and T540 XP are the go-to’s in that class.
• Bigger ground saws that can run bars up to 28 inches and beyond.

On the battery wall, Husqvarna had homeowner bundles, plus a serious commercial top-handle kit that ships with two batteries. Chain speed felt strong in hand testing.

Regional loyalty is real. Some cities are Husqvarna towns. Others are Stihl towns. What matters is having a real dealership nearby that knows the tools and stocks parts.

If you are Echo-curious, Mower Station is the stop. The climbing wall had the full spread, including the saw everyone mentions, the CS-2511T top-handle at about $559. It is very light and feels like Stihl’s MS 151 class. The CS-2511P is the rear-handle version for ground work, also very light with a clean anti-vibe setup.

Other highlights:

• CS-271T and CS-355T sit near Stihl’s MS 194 class. Good balance, metal touches, and a robust wrap handle on some models.
• Ground saws run up through the CS-620PW, a 59 cc unit that can take a 20 to 28 inch bar. Home Depot’s Echo top end priced at $449 fits into this range, but dealers fill in the bigger gaps with models up to the CS-7310, which can swing a 36 inch bar.

Right next to Echo sits Shindaiwa, which shares ownership with Echo and builds heavy duty pro saws. Not a household name, but serious gear. If you thought gas saws were gone because big box hides them, a dealer wall proves otherwise.

Even Echo has its own compact battery pruner. It looks and feels as nice as the small Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita versions we handled.

• Big box is convenient, but selection is thin. You’ll see a fraction of what a brand makes. Most tools are locked down, so you can’t judge weight, balance, or controls.
• Battery saws cut well for light to medium duty. Just remember your battery pack is a wear item. Plan for 5 to 6 years before capacity declines.
• Gas still wins for long service life. Use clean fuel, keep it maintained, and you can run the same saw for decades.
• Dealers change the ownership experience. You get guidance, setup, parts, and warranty support. Prices are often in line with big box for the same power class.

If you want a saw that will always be ready in your garage, on your farm, or in your business, go with a dealer brand known for support. Stihl is our top pick. Echo and Husqvarna are also strong choices with real dealer networks.

The 2025 chainsaw aisle is full, but not always helpful. Big box stores offer convenience and sharp prices on a few models, mainly battery. Dealers offer the full picture, hands-on help, and tools built to last. If you only need to cut a limb or two, a battery kit from a big box store will get it done. If you want a saw you’ll own for years, visit a local dealer and compare Stihl, Echo, or Husqvarna in person. Thanks for reading, and when you are ready, stop researching and go hold the saws that fit your work. Your hands will tell you the truth.

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