A 16 inch chainsaw is the size most homeowners actually need. Long enough to cut a downed limb after a storm, a small tree clearing a driveway, or a stack of firewood logs without trading bars. Short enough that the saw feels controllable rather than top-heavy. After comparing the current generation of 16 inch chainsaws across gas, battery, and corded power sources, these five stood out for cutting speed, chain tension system, weight, and long-term durability. The lineup gives you the right pick whether you cut once a season or once a week.
Quick comparison
| Saw | Power | Weight | Tension | Chain Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stihl MS 170 | Gas 30.1cc | 9.3 lb | Manual | 53 ft/sec |
| Husqvarna 130 | Gas 38cc | 10.4 lb | Manual | 55 ft/sec |
| EGO CS1610 | Battery 56V | 11.5 lb | Tool-free | 49 ft/sec |
| DeWalt DCCS672 | Battery 60V | 12.2 lb | Tool-free | 51 ft/sec |
| Worx WG304.1 | Corded 15A | 11 lb | Tool-free | 47 ft/sec |
Stihl MS 170, Best Gas Pick
Stihl’s MS 170 is the entry-level gas saw that has been the homeowner standard for two decades. A 30.1cc engine pushes 1.3 kW through the 16 inch bar at a chain speed of 53 ft/sec, which is enough power for everything short of milling hardwood. The saw weighs 9.3 pounds (powerhead only), which is light for a gas saw and reduces operator fatigue on a long day.
Build quality is what you pay for. The carburetor is rebuildable, the air filter is easily accessible without tools, and the bar and chain are standard sizes available at any hardware store. Stihl’s parts network is the best in the industry; a 10-year-old MS 170 can still be repaired with new factory parts.
Trade-off: the MS 170 is a basic saw, not a feature-rich one. No tool-free chain tensioning, no anti-vibration grips beyond the basics, no decompression valve. For a price about 30 percent below the Husqvarna 130, this is the trade. Also: gas saws require fuel mixing (50:1) and regular carburetor cleaning if used infrequently. Mix small batches and stabilize the fuel.
Husqvarna 130, Best Featured Gas
The Husqvarna 130 is one step up in displacement (38cc) and feature set from the Stihl MS 170. The X-Torq engine reduces fuel consumption and emissions, the side-mounted chain tensioner is easier to access than the under-cover tensioner on the Stihl, and the air injection pre-filter keeps debris out of the main air filter for longer service intervals.
Cutting speed is slightly higher than the Stihl at 55 ft/sec. The saw weighs 10.4 pounds (powerhead only), which is a pound heavier but distributes weight closer to the handle for better balance during overhead cuts.
Trade-off: the larger engine drinks more fuel per cut and the parts network is not as deep as Stihl’s. For occasional use, the Stihl is the simpler ownership story; for frequent use, the Husqvarna’s features pay off.
EGO CS1610, Best Battery Performance
EGO’s 56V platform has matured into a serious gas alternative. The CS1610 with a 5 Ah battery runs for about 100 to 120 cuts in a 6 inch log, which is roughly 45 minutes of active cutting. The brushless motor delivers a chain speed of 49 ft/sec under load, which is close enough to gas performance for most homeowner work.
The tool-free chain tensioner is the standout feature. A single knob loosens, tensions, and locks the chain in under 10 seconds. No bar wrench, no pinched fingers. The saw is heavier than gas equivalents because of the battery, but the weight is concentrated near the operator’s body for good balance.
Trade-off: the battery is the expensive part of the system. If you do not own other EGO tools, the saw plus battery plus charger costs more than the Stihl MS 170 by a real margin. For users already on EGO’s 56V platform, the saw alone is the value play.
DeWalt DCCS672, Best for FlexVolt Owners
DeWalt’s 60V FlexVolt platform shares batteries with the brand’s miter saws, drills, and circular saws. If you already own DeWalt 60V tools, the DCCS672 is the natural addition. A 60V battery (6 Ah or larger) runs the saw for about 70 cuts in a 6 inch log, which is less than the EGO but comes with deeper tool compatibility.
The brushless motor pushes a chain speed of 51 ft/sec. The tool-free chain tensioner works well, the auto-oiler keeps the bar lubricated, and the LED light on the handle is genuinely useful when working in low light or under a canopy.
Trade-off: 60V FlexVolt batteries are heavy (3.5 to 4 pounds for the 9 Ah), and the saw is on the heavier end of the field at 12.2 pounds with battery. For long cutting sessions, the weight is felt.
Worx WG304.1, Best Corded
If you cut logs in the driveway or backyard and have an outlet within reach, a corded chainsaw is the cheapest path to gas-equivalent cutting power. The Worx WG304.1 pulls 15 amps through a 16 inch bar, producing a chain speed of 47 ft/sec. No fuel, no battery, no break-in.
The tool-free chain tensioner is built into the saw body, and the automatic oiler handles bar lubrication. The saw weighs 11 pounds and the cord is the limit on range. With a 100-foot 12-gauge extension cord, you can reach most of a typical residential yard.
Trade-off: the cord. Anything beyond log cutting near a power source is impractical. For tree work in the back of the property, choose battery or gas. For firewood cutting at a chopping block, corded is the simplest, cheapest, lowest-maintenance option.
How to choose
Match power source to use pattern
Gas for frequent or remote use. Battery for moderate use and homeowners on a major tool platform. Corded for stationary cutting near an outlet.
Chain tension system matters
A tool-free tensioner is genuinely useful because chain tension changes during use as the chain stretches and warms up. Manual tensioning with a bar wrench is fine if you have the tool with you, but on a tree-work job a tool-free system saves real time.
Chain pitch and gauge
A 16 inch saw typically uses a 3/8 inch low-profile chain at .043 or .050 gauge. Replacement chains are common at any hardware store, but verify the spec on your saw’s bar before buying.
Anti-kickback and chain brake
Both are standard on all modern chainsaws. The chain brake stops the chain in under 0.1 seconds if the saw kicks back. Test the brake before every cutting session by tipping the saw forward; the inertia should trip the brake.
For related outdoor work, see our breakdown in chainsaw bar length by task and the safety overview in best 16 inch gas chainsaw. For details on how we evaluate outdoor power equipment, see our methodology.
A 16 inch chainsaw is the right size for most homeowners. The Stihl MS 170 is the gas pick that lasts forever, the EGO CS1610 is the battery saw that genuinely competes with gas, and the Worx WG304.1 is the cheap-and-cheerful corded option for stationary cutting. Match the power source to your actual use pattern and the saw will serve for a decade or longer.
Frequently asked questions
What size tree can a 16 inch chainsaw actually cut?+
A 16 inch bar cuts through anything up to about 14 inches of trunk in a single pass (the bar tip needs an inch of clearance for the chain to wrap). For larger trees, you make two cuts from opposite sides, which means a 16 inch saw realistically handles trunks up to 28 to 30 inches with care. Beyond that, the work gets tedious and a 20 inch bar is the right tool. For storm cleanup and most homeowner pruning, 16 inches is the right call.
Gas, battery, or corded for occasional use?+
For a homeowner who uses a chainsaw 5 to 10 times a year, modern battery saws (40V to 80V) match gas performance closely on a 16 inch bar and are dramatically easier to maintain. No fuel mixing, no carburetor cleaning, no pull start. Gas still wins on extended runtime and raw cutting speed in hardwoods. Corded electric is the cheapest option but the cord is a real limitation for tree work; reserve corded saws for log cutting near an outlet.
How often does the chain need sharpening?+
A chain that has cut through dirt or hit a hidden nail needs sharpening immediately, even after one cut. A clean chain used in soft pine lasts 3 to 4 hours of cutting before it noticeably dulls; in oak or hickory, 1 to 2 hours. The fastest test is the chip size. A sharp chain throws large rectangular chips; a dull chain produces fine sawdust. Sharpen with a round file matched to the chain pitch, or buy a 12 dollar bench sharpener for faster work.
What is the difference between low kickback and standard chain?+
Low-kickback chains (also called safety chains) have additional metal between the cutters that reduces the tendency of the saw to jump back at the operator when the bar tip touches wood. Most consumer chainsaws ship with low-kickback chain by default, and for occasional users this is the right choice. Standard professional chain cuts faster and more aggressively but requires proper technique to control kickback. Stick with low-kickback unless you cut firewood for a living.
Do I need to break in a new chainsaw?+
Gas chainsaws benefit from a brief break-in. Run the first tank at low to moderate throttle, take frequent breaks to let the engine cool, and avoid sustained high-RPM cutting until the second tank. Battery and corded saws do not require break-in. For all saws, regardless of type, tension the chain after the first 5 to 10 minutes of cutting because the chain stretches as it warms up. Check tension at every fuel-up or battery swap.
