Best 40cc Chainsaw: 6 (Stunning) Saws

Got some light duty cutting that needs doing regularly in your yard? 

Want something that doesn’t weigh a tonne to quickly and easily tackle those tasks?

Want the best 40cc chainsaw on the market? Take a look at our rundown of 6 fantastic models.

>>> I know about chainsaws already, jump me straight to the reviews <<<

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Best 40cc Chainsaw: At A Glance List

Below is a quick view of my favorite 40cc chainsaws. To find out more about them click on the link to take you to the full review.

Best 40cc Chainsaw

Name	Bar Size	Rating
#1 – Echo CS-400 >>> BEST FOR: ♦ Best Buy ♦	18″	93%	Read Review
#2 – Husqvarna 440E >>> BEST FOR: Power	16″	91%	Read Review
#3 – Remington RM4214 >>> BEST FOR: Price	14″	90%	Read Review
#4 – Poulan Pro PR4016 >>> BEST FOR: No emissions	16″	89%	Read Review
#5 – Tanaka TCS40EA18 >>> BEST FOR: Warranty	18″	88%	Read Review
#6 – Husqvarna 435 >>> BEST FOR: User Friendliness	16″	87%	Read Review

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40cc Chainsaws – All You Need To Know

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Know about chainsaws?
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Are They For You?

Put simply if you have a smaller yard and won’t ever need to tackle larger duty jobs you will never need anything more than a 40cc chainsaw. For small tree feeling and general yard maintenance they are perfect.

As they are smaller that means they are lighter and generally cheaper than their more powerful counterparts. If you are likely to have to tackle bigger jobs there are a host of other fantastic gas chainsaws on the market.

Pretty obvious right?

Remember though that at the very most a 40cc chainsaw will only be able to accommodate a 20 inch bar at the very most (and that is at a push). To push a longer bar it takes more power.

The long and short of it is:

If you have decided you want a 40cc chainsaw then a lot of other factors will be pre-decided as a result of that choice.

The bar length will most likely be 14 to 18 inches – remember an 18 inch bar can cut a tree 36 inches in diameter – but you have to do it in two passes.

I’ll bet you this.

You want your chainsaw to be easy to start right? This is something that not all gas chainsaws are! Some will have spring assist starting – making it much easier to get running.

Keep an eye out for vibration dampening tools which reduce the fatigue on your arms and make using a gas chainsaw a much easier, and more pleasant experience.

Don’t forget:

To see how well balanced the chainsaw is to use. All of the chainsaws in our list below are pretty light, but some will have their weight balanced more evenly and be more comfortable to use.

Other features that are worth considering are an automatic chain oiler and tool-less chain adjustment.

And don’t forget to consider how easy it is to get replacement parts and the length of the warranty. Finally make sure you keep the chain sharp!

I think you get the idea!

The Best 40cc Chainsaws

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#1 ECHO CS-400

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BEST FOR…
Those looking for an easy to start chainsaw.

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With its flawless starting system and top notch vibration dampening the Echo CS-400 earns its place amongst bigger names such as Husqvarna and Poulan Pro on this list.

So let’s go.

This has a 40cc, 2-stroke engine and an 18-inch bar. It holds 13.9 fl. Oz of fuel and weighs 10.1lbs (without the bar and chain). The chain pitch is 3/8ths of an inch.

This is HUGE:

This really is a wonderfully easy chainsaw to start. Echo have perfected their i-30 starting system – it starts like a four stroke and you can almost guarantee it will start within the first couple of pulls.

That means less time messing about getting it started and more time cutting wood for you!

It also has excellent vibration dampening. Some saws transmit vibration back up your arm so you can feel it hours later. Echo’s design means the vibration is absorbed so you don’t feel it. It makes for a really comfortable chainsaw to use.

It doesn’t stop there though:

• There are some nice little details in the build – the case is high quality as is the switch gear and it has separate kill and choke switches.
• I love the strong plastic frame and metal handle bar. The handle bar is coated in rubber and gives good shock isolation (as mentioned above) but you don’t lose any control over the saw.
• It is quick and easy to access the air filter so it can be cleaned. The filter itself is pretty heavy duty.
• For a smaller chainsaw this has plenty of power and lots of torque. Combine this with good chain speed and it slices through pines, hickory, oaks, etc, etc without a problem.
• This is ergonomically really well made and feels very light to use.

It isn’t all sunshine and roses though:

I do have a couple of gripes. The bar is pretty narrow – which allows for no slack in the chain and means it does come off too easily. Also the chain oiler seems overly eager! It does leak oil somewhat.

In short:

This Echo ticks all the right boxes – power, weight, ease of starting, comfort to use and it cuts well! For a 40cc chainsaw this is hard to beat, it is a little more expensive than others on this list but you can feel that it is genuine quality.

A great investment.

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MY RATING: 93%

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#2 Husqvarna 440E

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BEST FOR…
Those wanting a powerful 40cc chainsaw.

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If you are looking for a 40cc chainsaw that is a cut above (pun fully intended) the rest then the Husqvarna 440E is what you want.

So here we go.

This has a 40.9cc engine and a 16 inch bar. It weighs 9.7lbs (excluding cutting equipment) and is covered by a two year warranty.

Laying it bare.

This is the best all round chainsaw in my list. It is lightweight and well balanced – so there is next to no stress on the arms.

It has many of the other hallmarks of the Husqvarna brand – it is reliable and easy to start, has a good capacity reservoir for chain oil and can deal with anything up to mid-range (15 to 18 inch) trees.

You really can’t go far wrong with it

So what else:

• The chain this comes with it is really good and holds it’s edge even after a fair amount of cutting through hardwoods.
• It has a lovely comfortable rear handle, with a soft inlay and ergonomic trigger. Adding this to how well balanced it is and it is a dream to use.
• Well built – everything from the pull rope to the forged three-piece crankshaft feels of the highest quality and you feel assured it will last.
• A really power to weight ratio – this can limb, brush and block some big trees and it doesn’t bog down, handling far more than you might initially think when you pick this up.
• A multitude of other pluses – tool-less chain tensioning that works, visible fuel level, inertia activated chain brake.

However:

It is at the higher end of the price band when compared to some others on this list – but you get what you pay for! Also it does get through a fair amount of bar oil in comparison to some of its competitors.

All in all:

This is lightweight, easy to maneuver, fast cutting, built to the highest quality and, as a result, built to last. It can tackle larger jobs than most 40cc chainsaws as well.

It is more expensive, but it will last a long time and deal with any job a standard householder will need.

Put simply – you are onto a winner with this!

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MY RATING: 91%

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#3 Remington RM4214

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BEST FOR…
Those looking for great value for money.

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If you are looking for a 40cc chainsaw that offers amazing value for money then you can’t look much further than the Remington RM2414.

So let’s take a closer look.

Aside from a budget price tag this has a 42cc engine, a 14 inch bar and chain and a two year warranty. The chain pitch is 3/8ths of an inch and it weighs 15.7lbs.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the price.

This is the cheapest of the chainsaws on my list – but it has some features that more expensive 40cc chainsaws don’t – such as an adjustable carburetor and a metal crankcase.

It has a nice die-cast chassis, a bolt on cylinder and a nice rim drive sprocket. It is an extremely high quality saw for the price.

There is more to this than a nice price tag though:

• It starts quickly and easily. The process for starting from cold is multi-step, but it is outlined well in the manual and it works perfectly so you should have no problems cranking it.
• It has a nice ergonomic design – it is balanced and thanks to a cushioned handle wrap it is comfortable to operate.
• I love the nice clear rubber primer bulb – you can easily see whether the saw is out of gas or not before you try and start it.
• It has a chain brake that works in a nice and smooth manner – stopping the chain immediately, and giving you confidence that it will work when needed.
• The sprocket tipped bar and chain is low kick back and deal with 8 inch logs with no problems whatsoever.

Note:

The air filter is poor. It has a cheap rubber gasket that needs to be lined up to the most precise level to stop dirt getting in. Also I am not overly fond of the choke, it is on a rubber band (or that is what it feels like) and when you pull it out you don’t feel like it will stay out.

To sum up:

This is an unbeatable chainsaw for the price. It looks, feels and performs like a much higher grade chainsaw and is balanced and maneuverable.

A great buy if you want a budget 40cc chainsaw.

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MY RATING: 90%

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#4 Poulan Pro PR4016

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BEST FOR…
Those looking for something very clean running.

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With a cleaning running exhaust and efficient fuel consumption the Poulan Pro PR4016 is a great 40cc chainsaw for anyone who is eco-conscious and still wants something that can cut well.

So let’s fire away:

Equipped with a 40cc two-stroke engine, this has a 16 inch bar and weighs 13lbs. It comes with a two-year warranty and includes a scrench for tool-less chain tensioning.

First off:

Poulan Pro claims its OxyPower patented technology allows for lots of power, alongside efficient fuel consumption and reduced emissions.

There certainly seems some grounds for that, as this definitely seems less noxious than similarly size competitors and does a great job for cutting firewood and dealing with storm cleanup.

Add to that:

• This follows in the Poulan Pro tradition of being a dependable starter. It has a spring-assist pull cord and a wonderfully easy to use purge bulb and generally starts right up.
• This has been well designed, with all the controls easily accessible and minimized vibration which makes it comfortable to use.
• The onboard scrench is great, and fits nicely beneath the snap lock cover so it is easy to change the tension of the chain.
• It feels sturdy and well made.
• It does have a good amount of power and cuts through large limbs without much problem.

A word or two of caution…

This does seem to leak a little oil onto the chain and bar, and it is worth keeping an eye on.

Also Poulan Pro products do tend to be of excellent and reliable standard, but sometimes their parts do require replacement over the years slightly more frequently than say the Husqvarna models. However generally this is nothing that an ordinarily mechanically inclined homeowner can fix.

All-in-all:

It is powerful, cuts well, is pleasant and comfortable to use and provides great value for money. A really good 40cc chainsaw.

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MY RATING: 89%

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#5 Tanaka TCS40EA18

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BEST FOR…
Those wanting a fantastic warranty.

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There are very few mechanical products that come with a better warranty than the Tanaka TCS40EA18. But there is more to this chainsaw than an amazing seven year warranty.

Let’s get this show on the road.

This has a 39.6 cc engine and an 18 inch bar. It weighs 9.9lbs (not including the cutting equipment) and comes with a 7 year warranty. The chain pitch is 0.325 inches.

Bottom line:

The seven year consumer warranty is incredible. It is the best on the market, the world’s best even.

On top of that Tanaka is owned by Hitachi and they design and manufacture quality equipment – for instance it was they who pioneered the stratified charge two-stroke engine. Generally from my experience their tools are top quality. Their confidence of this is reflected in the warranty.

There is also much more:

• I love the Tanaka Pure Fire Engine! It is powerful, gives out little in the way of emissions and always starts.
• The five point anti-vibration system works really well and definitely limits user fatigue
• This isn’t the lightest saw in the list, but it is incredibly well balanced and you get a fantastic power to weight ratio.
• Some nice little features such as a decompression valve to make it easy to start and an adjustable oiler and primer bulb and a nice side access chain tensioner that makes it easy to adjust the chain.
• The Oregon sprocket nose bar and chain really reduces the kickback – and makes the saw ultra comfortable to use.

But:

The carb to gas tank return line is pretty short, and if you aren’t careful it can pop out of the gas tank and you might inadvertently find it leaking.

Due to the catalytic exhaust this does get pretty hot if you use it for an extended period of time – be aware.

It all adds up to this:

Quality build, reliable starting, comfortable to use and on top of that the best warranty around – this is a little pricey, but when you use it you can understand why.

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MY RATING: 88%

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#6 Husqvarna 435

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BEST FOR…
Those looking for something very user friendly

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Husqvarna are renowned for producing quality chainsaws that are well made and dependable and the Husqvarna 435 is no exception, carrying all the hallmarks of a quality 40cc chainsaw.

So let’s get down to business:

The Husqvarna 435 is part of the popular Husqvarna 400 series of chainsaws. It has a 16-inch bar, although it can accommodate a bar up to 18 inches in total.

It weighs 11.9lbs in total, has a 40.9cc engine and comes with a two-year warranty

To begin with:

Whilst this chainsaw excels in a number of areas, one area it outshines many of its competitors is through its sheer ease of use.

There are several build factors that contribute to this, They may appear quite simple on the face of it, but when all are taken into consideration together they make a huge difference to user experience.

For example I love the flip up handles on the gas and oil caps. They make them exceptionally easy to open and tighten, and save time and frustration.

What else:

• This has a side mounted tensioning system that works really well and makes it easy to adjust the chain tensioning whilst you work.
• This is pretty light and maneuverable and the patented LowVib® anti-vibration system genuinely does reduce vibration levels so this is comfortable to use.
• This has a genuinely effective and efficient chain brake that really helps the saw start and stop quickly.
• A nice visible fuel indicator, which makes it easy to check the fuel level.
• As with most Huskys it is easy to start.

Note:

The throttle trigger is made of plastic and feels a little cheap compared to the rest of this Husq, which is well made. Also this has a tendency to leak bar oil as well.

In a nutshell:

This is a great 40cc chainsaw for limbing or more moderate jobs. It will deal with 18 to 24 inch trees and is light, efficient and ergonomic. Another triumph from Husqvarna.

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MY RATING: 87%

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I hope you have found this rundown of some of the best 40cc chainsaws of use. If you aren’t concerned about getting a gas model and just want a good chainsaw there are some fantastic models on the market.

If you do have any questions or are uncertain about anything please feel free to drop me an email and I will do my best to help you.

I have also included below the links to some websites that may be of use to you. Don’t forget you can also check out my Reviews Section for individual product reviews.

Enjoy!

Useful Resources

What Size Chainsaw Do I Need? – Homeguides
Chainsaw Buying Guide – The Procutter
The Differences In Chain Saw Power – Do It Yourself.com
How Does A Chainsaw Work – Explain That Stuff.com