10 Best Chainsaw Chains in 2021

Chainsaws are an integral component of our toolbox. They help us cut different kinds of wood, clear trees after a storm, and renovate our backyard. A chainsaw of good quality can serve us in many aspects. It can reduce the fatigue of the operator and lessen the chances of a kickback. Therefore, we have to invest in a good chain for our chainsaw to get maximum efficiency. If we do not buy the right chain, it can put us in danger. So, we have made a list of the top 10 chainsaw chains to help you make the right decision. 

We have made below a list of the top 3 best chainsaw chains with their significant features. After going through their features, read their detailed reviews.

Disclaimer – This article may contain affiliate links, this means that at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission for qualifying purchases.

After learning about the three best chainsaw chains, let us look at their reviews.

1. Husqvarna 18 Inch Pixel Saw Chain

The Husqvarna Saw Chain is a versatile tool that comes with superior quality design and top performance. The steel material provides a high-quality chain with smooth cutting performance. The blade’s sharpness remains after continuous use ensuring its sturdiness, durability, and reliability for a long time.

There is a gauge of around 0.050 inches, a pitch of 0.325 inches, and about 72 drive links in this model. It can fit 17 different types of Husqvarna chainsaws.

You can complete your project quickly due to low kickback and vibration. It reduces the user’s fatigue and enhances safety. The model is suitable for homeowners and professionals with small chainsaws and heavy-duty work.

The installation and sharpening do not take much time. However, you must soak it overnight in the gear oil to reduce the chain’s stiffness before installation. Before using, you must sharpen the chain teeth.

You can get the chain in a bundle of 2 or 4 in gray/orange or black. It also has a 90-day money-back policy.

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Pros

• Kickback is low.
• Durable.
• 90-day money-back guarantee.
• It fits 17 Husqvarna models.

Cons

• Small for some Husqvarna chainsaws.

2. Oregon S62T AdvanceCut 18-Inch Chainsaw Chain

Oregon S62T is a unique chainsaw chain as it fits many chainsaws like Echo, Poulan, Craftsman, Husqvarna, Homelite, Remington, and McCulloch. You can also use it with similar kinds of chainsaws that are about 42 cc’s.

There is a low profile 3/8 inch pitch, 62 drive links, and a gauge of 0.050 inches in the 18-inch chain. 

The semi-chisel chain is suitable for the cutting of trees in residential areas and landscaping in professional projects.

Its solidness and durability exemplify its performance. The teeth are sharp and severe due to its AdvanceCut technology. Also, the hardened rivets and hard chrome industrial plating make a more excellent load-bearing surface. You can cut more and spend less time grinding, filling, and adjusting the chain.

The Oregon S62T ensures your comfort and safety with its low vibration and kickback. It also cuts wood like butter because its smart LubriTec Oiling reduces friction damage, heat building, and prevents dust. They come in a pack of 1 or 2 with a guarantee of 30-day money-back.

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Pros

• AdvanceCut.
• LubriTec Oiling System.
• It fits many models like Homelite and Poulan.

Cons

• The money-back-guarantee is for a short period.

3. Oregon S33 AdvanceCut 8-Inch Chainsaw Chain

The Oregon S33 AdvanceCut is useful for trimming damaged trees after a storm and for periodical yard work. It is also suitable for light-duty tasks.

The 8-inch chain features a 3/8 inch low-profile pitch, 33 drive links, and a gauge of 0.050 inches. It can fit Husqvarna H37-33, Sun Joe SWJ800E, and Craftsman 151.74326.

The solid chain of steel has industrial hard chrome-plated teeth, which deliver excellent durability and better cutting. You will spend more significant time cutting and less time making chain adjustments, grinding, and filling.

The LubriTec Oiling System of Oregon allows the chain to glide smoothly when cutting the trees’ limbs and logs. The oiling also lubricates and lessens friction, and increases its longevity. The kickback is low, and minimum vibration helps in reducing wrist and hand fatigue.

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Pros

• Affordable.
• Construction with solid steel.
• Long-lasting.
• LubriTec System of Oiling. 

Cons

• Not suitable for heavy-duty work.

4. Tallox 16-Inch Chainsaw Chain

Tallox is a brand that makes replacement chains for chainsaws. Its price is very reasonable considering that it comes in a pack of 3. And, the chains are usually very high-quality. 

It is mostly compatible with Remington, Makita, Poulan, Oregon, Craftsman, Husqvarna, and other brands. If you are a novice or a semi-professional, you will not face much difficulty using this 16-inch replacement chain. That is because it comes with a user manual.

The Tallox chain has a pitch of 3/8 inches, a gauge rating of 0.050 inches, and 56 drive links. If you are looking for an effective chainsaw chain within a budget, then this is the product you can opt for without any second thought.

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Pros

• The chains are high-quality.
• Beginners can use it with ease as it has a user’s manual.
• The price is very reasonable.
• It comes with a warranty card.
• Compatible with brands like Husqvarna, Remington, Oregon, etc.

Cons

• Sharpness does not last very long.

5. Trilink 18 Inch Saw Chain

The Trilink 18-inch chain has a chrome-plated designed cutter that allows smooth and fast cutting. It is compatible with brands like Craftsman, Homelite, McCulloch, Shindaiwa, Poulan, Husqvarna, and Echo.

The price of Trilink Saw Chain is comparatively less than other same size chains. Another benefit is it produces minimum kickback. It is one of the qualities that we look for while buying a saw chain to ensure the user’s safety. Like Oregon, they have a technology of self-lubrication. That is why it stays in good shape. You can also sharpen the Trilink Saw Chain without much difficulty.

Despite its useful features, there are few complaints regarding its performance. Some of the units last for a long time, while others don’t work well. So, you need to go through all of its features very carefully before buying it.

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Pros

• Chrome-plated cutter design.
• Smooth and quick cutting.
• Kickback is low.
• Self-lubricating technology.
• Compatible with well-known brands

Cons

• Complaints about performance.

6. Oregon S52 AdvanceCut 14-Inch Chainsaw Chain

The Oregon S52 is the ideal choice for trimming trees and landscaping. There is a gauge of 0.50 inches, low profile 3/8 inch pitch, 1.3mm thick, and 52 drive links. Craftsman, Homelite, Poulan, and Echo are suitable for this chain.

The hardened rivets and industrial chrome plate makes a firm surface for load-bearing. This type of design prevents wear and tear and reduces chain stretching. You can thus focus more on cutting rather than grinding, filling, and chain adjusting. The AdvanceCut technology creates sturdy, sharp teeth that can cleanly bite into limbs and logs of trees.

The minimum kickback and vibration raise the operator’s comfort and safety. There is a symmetrical four-way, which helps to join the chain loops. The LubriTec Oiling allows you to maintain the chain quickly. However, it does not have a rating for heavy-duty work. It dulls quicker when cutting materials like hardwood.

Oregon S52 comes in a pack of 1, 2, and 4 along with a money-back guarantee of 30 days.

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Pros

• Minimal kickback and vibration.
• Hard chrome finishing.
• LubriTec System.
• Four-way symmetrical straps.
• Guarantee of 30-day money-back.

Cons

• Not suitable for heavy-duty use.
• It dulls quicker.

7. Oregon S56 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain

Oregon S56 AdvanceCut is a 16-inch chainsaw chain model. You can use this replacement chain with brands like Remington, Poulan, Homelite, Echo, Craftsman, and some other brands. It is mostly suitable for moderate-duty work.

The 16-inch Oregon S56 model has a 3/8 inches pitch. Also, it ensures the user’s safety with its rigid chromed, heat-treated chain, and anti-kickback mechanism for cutting trees and their branches. The cuts are smooth for a more extended period before wearing out. Separation of the chain and guide bar in the chain reduces the vibration. The LubriTec oiling allows the oil to be spread around the rivets and makes the chain’s maintenance easier. This raises the durability and longevity of the chain. It is one of the best products in the market.

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Pros

• Affordable price.
• Minimum vibration.
• Anti-kickback mechanism.
• Suitable with brands like Echo, Homelite, Remington, Poulan, and Craftsman.
• LubriTec Oiling.

Cons

• It is not suitable for heavy-duty work.

8. Oregon R40 AdvanceCut 10-Inch Chainsaw Chain

The Oregon R40 AdvanceCut can fit the landscaping and DIY saw chains. The models also comply with the ANSI standards that are for low kickbacks in chains. 

The Oregon LubriTec channels’ features present in the drive links distribute the oil through the chain evenly. This allows smooth functioning by cutting down on friction and increases its longevity. During sharpening manually, the top plate filing indicators make it easier to get the cutter’s right angle.

The Oregon R40 has a low profile 3/8 inch pitch, 0.043 gauge of the narrow kerf, and 40 drive links. You can fit this chain with 10-inch chainsaws, narrow kerf chainsaws, and models from brands like Craftsman, Black & Decker, Husqvarna, Earthwise, Hitachi, Makita Homelite.

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Pros

• LubriTec Oiling.
• Low kickback meets ANSI standards.
• It can fit several models.
• Provides smooth functioning
• Durable.

Cons

• It does not hold its sharpness for a long time.

9. Sungator 3-Pack 10-Inch Chainsaw Chain

The Sungator 10-Inch Chainsaw Chain is suitable for light-duty maintenance work related to trees and cutting firewood logs. It can fit different chainsaws of brands like Craftsman, Poulan, Remington, and others.

You can use the Sungator chains with brands like Craftsman, Remington, Poulan, Troy-Bilt, WORX, Earthwise, Ryobi, and Greenworks. The chainsaw chains have a gauge of 0.050 inches, 40 drive links, and a 3/8 pitch.

They are made with premium high-quality steel. The chains provide professional like performance while cutting different woods and trees. The design of the semi-chisel is resistant to dust, dirt, and is comparatively sharper than others. Each rivet is heat-treated, which gives it hardness that lasts long. The hard-chrome plate offers resistance to wear and corrosion with its anti-rust oil.

There is 20% less vibration in this chain.

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Pros

• High-grade premium German steel.
• Hard chrome plating.
• Low vibration.
• It prevents corrosion with its anti-rust oil. 

Cons

• Face kickback in some woods.

10. Greenworks 8-Inch Replacement Pole Saw Chain

Greenworks is famous for making electric tools like electric chainsaws. The brand also makes replacement chains for their saw chains. It provides exceptional value for your money. 

The Greenwork Replacement Pole Saw Chain is small compared to other chains as it is only 8 inches longs. There is a low profile 3/8 inch pitch. You can use it easily with other 8-inch chainsaws from the brand itself. It works well with Greenwork chainsaw models like 20672, 20192, 20352, and 20302.

It is a one chain pack with a hard-chrome heat-treated surface. The Greenworks 8-inch replacement chain also ensures the safety of the user. 

Greenwork as a brand has excellent reputability and provides good build quality both in their chains and chainsaws. It comes with a user manual and warranty card.

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Pros

• Good value for money.
• It works well with Greenwork models such as 20192, 20672, 20352, and 20302.
• Hard-chrome heat-treated surface.
• It has great build quality.

Cons

• It takes time to charge.

Chainsaw Chains Buyer’s Guide

Before buying the best chainsaw chain, we need to try to understand its features. So, let’ have a look at them.

Types of Chainsaws

Chainsaw chains have cutters and drive links that rotate at an incredible speed. The cutters have chisel angles that determine the capability and performance of the tool. The chains are mostly of two types- Semi-chisel and full-chisel.

• Semi-chisel chain.

The semi-chisel chain has cutters with top plates that are round along the edges of outer blades. These chains are therefore 10 % slower than the full-chisel chains, but they also have less kickback. That is why; they meet ANSI standards, and different chainsaws have semi-chisel chains.

The round teeth shape retains the chain’s sharpness. It may face problems while cutting the thick hardwood. Besides, you can work with stumps and cut both soft and hardwoods. The suggested bar length for this chisel is 24 to 32 inches.

• Full-chisel chain.

Full chisel chains have a 90-degree angle along with the top cutting plates for producing high speed. They are aggressive than other chainsaw chains as their blades are sharper. They are mighty in cutting hardwoods like maple and oak. 

There are greater chances of kickback in them, and they come with safety warnings that recommend professional use. It can dull fast when it gets stuck in softwood. The standard bar length for this chain is 24 inches.

Knowing the numbers

Knowing the measurements of your current chain will help you to get the right replacement chain. The numbers that we know are of the pitch, gauge, and drive links.

• Pitch

Pitch is the distance between the drive and cutter links. You can measure a chain’s pitch from the center of one rivet to the third rivet. The most common sizes are 3/8’’, ¼’’, .404’’, .325’’, and low profiles. The larger the pitch, the greater is the cutting. A wide .404’’ pitch is best for heavy-duty work.

• Gauge

The gauge refers to the width of drive links where the saw chain fits in the guide bar. The most common gauge lengths are .050’’, .063’’, .043’’, and .058’’. The gauge length is available in the manual. You can also measure it with the help of precision calipers.

• Drive links

Drive links are usually present at the chain’s bottom. They securely place the chain in the guide bar. You can easily find out their numbers by counting.

Anti-vibration and Anti-kickback

Our safety depends on the chain’s anti-kickback and anti-vibration properties. Vibrations affect the efficiency of the chainsaw, and kickbacks hamper our safety. Therefore, we must opt for premium chains that have anti-vibration and anti-kickback features.

Lubrication

Many manufacturers design grooves in the chain’s teeth for lubricating the chainsaw. Lubricating by distributing the oil uniformly in the chain reduces the chainsaw’s friction and heat and increases its efficiency.

Self-sharpening

The self-sharpening chains do not require regular maintenance. They help to enhance the effectiveness of the cutting.

Conclusion

Chainsaws help to cut trees after a storm, do DIY projects, or for doing renovations. You can choose the best chains for your chainsaws from the best-overall, premium and best-budget saw chains. The Husqvarna 18 Inch Pixel Saw Chain is durable with anti-kickback features. The premium Oregon S62T AdvanceCut 18-Inch Chainsaw Chain has AdvanceCut technology with LubriTec oiling mechanism. The Oregon S33 AdvanceCut 8-Inch Chainsaw Chain is affordable and long-lasting.