Whether you prepare firewood for winter, clear your yard or cut for a living, choosing the best chainsaw can sometimes be more difficult than cutting a tree.
When it comes to buying the best 50cc chainsaw, there is a lot to consider to ensure that you get value for your money.
Due to the high number of 50cc chainsaws on the market, making the right choice can be tedious.
I understand your pain, which is why I have done the heavy lifting and provided you with a list of the top 50cc chainsaws on the market.
Contents
50cc vs 60cc Chainsaws: Which to go for?
Cc stands for cubic centimeters and refers to the size of the engine that is driving the chains.
How do you decide which engine size to buy?
What is the difference between a 50cc and a 60cc gas-powered chainsaw?
Larger engines will drive larger chains, and vice versa. Therefore, a 60cc engine will drive a larger chain than a 50cc engine and will do greater work than the 50cc engine. The best choice of which to go for depends on what you are doing.
There is no hard and fast rule to this. However, chainsaws with the best 50cc engines meet a lot of low-volume as well as heavy-duty wood cutting expectations, making them a solid choice.
The 50 cc chainsaw brands
The chainsaws I listed here are made by some of the top manufacturers of chainsaws. Husqvarna is known for being the producer of outdoor power products like chainsaws, mowers, and the like. The company has been operating since 1689, with its headquarters in Sweden. Husqvarna owns Poulan Pro, which manufactures similar products.
Makita, which is headquartered in Japan, is one of the oldest manufacturers of chainsaws. It has other sub-companies, like Dolmar, which produces similar products.
Tanaka Power Equipment produces the previously mentioned Tanaka chainsaw. It is involved in manufacturing two-stroke-powered handheld power equipment, with low-level consumers and trade users as their targets.
Hitachi, a Japanese company, is one of the old manufacturers of machines, being founded in 1910.
Best 50cc Chainsaw Reviews
Husqvarna 450- 2-Cycle Gas Powered 50 CC Chainsaw
Husqvarna 450 machine’s maximum speed is 9,600 RPM. Its lightweight makes it easy to hold and maneuver while cutting.
If you’re looking for the best chainsaw for occasional cutting(like to clear your yard, some branches, or your garden), then Husqvarna has got you covered with its X-Torq engine gas-powered 50cc chainsaw.
With this machine, designed with a 3.2 HP 2-cycled engine, you can bank on your fuel working for its full value.
You do not need to worry about being exposed to excess exhaust emission here, because the 50cc Husqvarna powerful engine is designed to be eco-friendly. It’s also user-friendly.
The vibration-dampening design makes using it less hassle to the joints and the body, reducing worker fatigue and making the entire cutting process smooth.
It features a CARB-compliant design. The quick starting process is seamless with a smart start feature. While working with this Husqvarna x-torq gas powered
chainsaw, you have a clear line of sight of the fuel level, which means you can easily tell when to stop for a refuel.
Additional Specification
- Best For: Landowners or Homeowners
- Blade Length: 20-Inch
- Horsepower: 3.50
- Weight: 12.8 Pounds
- Power Speed: 9000 rpm
What We Like:
- Its smart starting feature and ability to cold start make it suitable for low-temperature applications.
- Minimal vibration makes it smooth to use.
- Its relatively light weight makes handling and controlling it easy.
- Easy carb adjustment.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not suited for heavy-duty or commercial use.
- The one-bolt design doesn’t hold chains perfectly.
Tanaka TCS51EAP 50 CC Chainsaw
The Tanaka TCS51EAP uses the same 50cc engine (PureFire engine) as the Hitachi chainsaw, making it suited for commercial and heavy-duty applications.
This 50cc gas-powered chainsaw meets your needs if you intend to cut large trees quickly and easily. Its fuel consumption is on the low side, and it offers clean and outstanding performance.
The bumper spikes and sprocket nose bar in this machine ensure more control over your cutting.
The decompression valve provides easy and quick starting. You can adjust your chain tension easily with integrated side tension access and an automatic oiling system.
The anti-vibration system makes the cutting process smooth and less tiring, with a double-pole brake handle that provides safety while you tear down that wood.
Additional Specification
- Best For: Commercial Use
- Blade Length: 20-Inch
- Weight: 17.64 Pounds
- Warranty: 7-year Consumer
- Key Features: Adjustable Oiler
What We Like:
- Suitable for both heavy and light cutting.
- Easy to start and cuts quickly.
- Minimal fuel consumption
- Has a nice power-to-weight ratio.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Gets very hot during prolonged use, and therefore requires regular cooling before reuse.
- Leaks oil; can be messy.
- Nonadjustable carb.
Makita DCS5121REG 50 cc 18″ Chainsaw
Makita DCS5121REG 50 cc chainsaw runs at a maximum speed of about 13,800 RPM, which makes cutting fast and smooth.
Its touch-controlled engine-stopping feature could be the difference between you going home safe after the days cutting or having a fatal accident while in the woods.
You’ll find its power output and its weight (power-to-weight ratio) impressive: one of the reasons it was added to this list.
The vibration-dampening design reduces cutting fatigue and saves your joints and fingers from numbness.
This machine is easy to start, with a spring-assisted starter, and comes right in with a slide-out baffle that allows for operation in cold conditions. The best 50 cc Makita gas-powered chainsaw is designed to make cleaning the chips and the chains very easy.
Additional Specification
- Best For: Cutting Fast & Smooth
- Blade Length: 18-Inch
- Horsepower: 3.9 hp
- Weight: 16.1 Pounds
- Power Speed: 13,800 rpm
What We Like:
- Starting this machine is easy, with its easy-start feature.
- The chain compartment is easy to clean, making using the chainsaw relaxing.
- A slide-out baffle that allows for cold operation makes it your all-weather friend.
- Dampened vibration feature.
What We Didn’t Like:
- This chainsaw cannot be efficiently used for heavy-duty applications.
Poulan Pro PP5020AV-50cc Gas Powered Chainsaw
If constantly oiling the chains of your chainsaw is something you consider a waste of time, you might like the Poulan Pro chainsaw.
It comes with an automatic chain oiler. You’ll find it easy to start for its weight.
The vibration-dampening system reduces the wear and tear on your joints at the end of the day’s work.
This might suit you well if you’re a professional woodcutter or spend long hours felling and cutting trees.
You can bank on the PP5020AV lasting a long time with its Duralife 50cc gas-powered
engine, which is what makes the 5020AV well-suited for heavy and prolonged application. The clean air filter system allows you to enjoy your air filter for a long time.
Additional Specification
- Best For: Easy to Start
- Blade Length: 20-Inch
- Horsepower: 1.5 hp
- Weight: 17 Pounds
- Warranty: 2-year Limited
What We Like:
- Suited for light- and heavy-duty application.
- The saw is on the light side for a gas-powered chainsaw, which allows for easy moving and maneuvering while working on your timber.
- A high power output makes cutting easier and smoother and provides a finer finish.
- Ease of maintenance is guaranteed by an accessible plug and a quick-release air filter.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Difficulty adjusting carb.
Hitachi CS51EAP 50 CC Chainsaw
The Hitachi CS51EAP 50cc chainsaw might be the best choice if you’re a professional woodcutter.
The PureFire engine provides a powerful and clean-cutting experience and minimizes the amount of fuel consumed by this chainsaw.
The oiling is done automatically, reducing your job to just filling the fuel and oil tank and heading for the woods. The rear handle ensures a solid grip of the machine while starting cutting.
This machine is designed to start easily and comes with a decompression valve, an auto-return choke, and a primer bulb.
It is designed for heavy-duty cutting and large-diameter trunk cutting. The bumper spikes and sprocket nose ensure that you can direct your cutting properly.
A chain tensioning system that is easy to access makes the overall cutting operation handy.
The vibration-dampening design reduces the fatigue on your body, which can make cutting feel more enjoyable and less like work.
Check our Latest 20-inch chainsaw Reviews and Buying Guide.
Additional Specification
- Best For: Commercial User
- Blade Length: 20-Inch
- Horsepower: 2.40 hp
- Weight: 17.64 Pounds
- Power Source: Corded Electric
What We Like:
- A PureFire engine makes it suitable for heavy-duty applications.
- Minimal fuel consumption
- Easy to start and warm-up.
- Idles properly.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Consumes a lot of oil.
- Too many plastic parts.
- On the heavier side for a chainsaw.
50cc Chainsaw Comparison Chart
| Name | Best For | Blade Length | Horsepower | Weight | Power Source |
| Husqvarna 450- 50 CC Chainsaw | Landowners or Homeowners | 20-Inch | 3.50 hp | 12.8 Pounds | Gas-Powered |
| Tanaka TCS51EAP 50 CC Chainsaw | Commercial Use | 20-Inch | N/A | 17.64 Pounds | Gas-Powered |
| Makita DCS5121REG 50 cc Chainsaw | Cutting Fast & Smooth | 18-Inch | 3.9 hp | 16.1 Pounds | Gas-Powered |
| Poulan Pro PP5020AV-50cc | Easy to Start | 20-Inch | 1.5 hp | 17 Pounds | Gas-Powered |
| Hitachi CS51EAP 50 CC Chainsaw | Commercial Use | 20-Inch | 2.40 hp | 17.64 Pounds | Corded Electric |
What Should You Look Out for When Buying the Best 50CC Chainsaw
If you want to enjoy every minute of cutting, and have some enthusiasm left to even whistle while you tear those logs in pieces, these are some factors you must consider when shopping for your next 50cc chainsaw. This YouTube video also contains some good information.
These factors will help you choose the right chainsaw that will ensure improved productivity, longevity, and value for your money.
- What you’ll be cutting. If you’ll be cutting soft and/or thin wood, the power requirement will not be as much as if you’re going to be hacking down hard and/or thick wood. In practice, the bar of your chain saw should exceed the diameter of the wood you’re cutting by at least 2 inches.
- How long have you been using a chainsaw? If you’re just getting your first 50cc chainsaw, you’ll be better off starting with the light, easy, and less powerful ones. This will reduce the chances of an accident and provide a less steep learning curve.
- What time of the year will you be out there? If you’ll be working when it’s cold outside, then you have to choose a chainsaw that cold-starts and warms up easily. If you will be working in warm weather only, you will have more options.
- The money in the bank. How much are you willing to spend? What is your budget for a chainsaw?
Safety
Chainsaws are one of the most dangerous home power tools. You can end up in the hospital if you don’t take the appropriate care and caution. Your safety is important, which is why you have to factor in safety accessories like head, eye, and ear protection, gloves, and cut-resistant boots to protect against kickbacks and other injuries. Here is a list of the important parts of a chainsaw by OSHA.
Weight
You don’t want to numb your hands and joints over a few hours of cutting in the yard. On the other hand, heavy chainsaws are suitable for heavy cutting; this reduces the pressure you have to apply and makes the cutting finer and faster. Your physical strength is an important factor in choosing a 50cc chainsaw. What weight can you handle properly and manipulate easily?
Ease of Maintenance
Your saw will need some work at some point. How easy is it to maintain the air filters and other parts of a chainsaw? Are they easily accessible? Can the chains be easily adjusted or tightened? Are replacement parts easy to find? These are important factors to consider.
Warranty
Is there a warranty for the product you’re going for? This is important if you will need your chainsaw for a long time. It is great to know that any problem that may arise is covered.
What Are the Most Important Parts of a Chainsaw?
The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) requires that you have the following 10 parts in your chainsaw:
- Chain catcher
- Flywheel
- Clutch
- Decompression valve
- Anti-vibration handle
- Handguard
- Muffler
- Chain brake
- Throttle
- Throttle interlock
Frequently Asked Questions and Answered
What Are the Differences Between 50 CC, 60 CC, and Other Engines?
The cc stands for cubic centimeters and refers to the size of the engine that powers the blade. The larger the size, the more powerful the chainsaw.
Can Chainsaws Cut Bone?
If you want to use your chainsaw on a pig or some hard bones, you might want to buy higher-cubic centimeter machines. They produce more power for the cutting process.
Should I Buy a Gas-Powered or Electric Chainsaw?
That depends on what you want to use it for. Gas-powered chainsaws can handle a larger bar length than their electric counterparts. Gas-powered chainsaws are also more reliable in heavy-duty applications than electric chainsaws.
How Do I Protect Myself Against Kickback Accidents?
One in every 12 timbering accidents is caused by chainsaw kickbacks (thought.co). To protect yourself, use only chainsaws that match your fitness and strength, have a solid grasp and control of your chainsaw, and most importantly, purchase protection gear along with your chainsaw.
Wrap-up
Getting the best chainsaw your money can get is the key to enjoying every cutting operation. From the 5 chainsaws that I presented, the Husqvarna 450 18-Inch 50.2cc X-Torq 2-Cycle Gas-Powered Chainsaw is my best pick.
Husqvarna 450 meets most of my expectations from a gas-powered chainsaw. A 3.2 HP 2-cycled 55cc engine brings smoothness and quality to woodcutting.
It’s easy to start and works well in low-temperature. Its lightweight makes using it easy for anyone. If you desire a chainsaw that provides high air quality cutting for a fair price, you might consider going for the Husqvarna 450.
Though it is not optimized for heavy-duty applications, its eco-friendliness, vibration-dampening, conspicuous fuel level indicator, and easy carb adjustment are features that make using this chainsaw a delight.
The Poulan Pro 5020AV is a good low-budget chainsaw. It meets most of what you want from a chainsaw while staying cheap. Because it serves both light- and heavy-duty applications, it eliminates the need for having more than one chainsaw.
If you have the budget, Makita DCS5121REG might be a good buy. Though it’s not optimized for heavy-duty application, its high-power-output engine that guarantees high performance, and other features like the touch-controlled engine-stopping that ensures safety, and easy tension adjustment, make it worth every penny.
Even if you’re getting your first chainsaw, or it is just for a replacement, doing your homework will go a long way in ensuring high quality of work and satisfaction.
