As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
When it’s time to give your chainsaw a new bar because it hasn’t been acting to your standards lately, things can get tricky.
If you’re unsure which is the best chainsaw bar to invest in, I’d be glad to help. In this article, I’ll review the top five bars on the market and help you pick one.
Contents
Top 5 Chainsaw Bar Reviews
In this section, I’ll list my favorite chainsaw bars so that you can find what you’re looking for without spending hours browsing the internet.
Best Overall: Husqvarna 531300440 Chainsaw Bar
For my top pick, I can’t recommend any higher than the Husqvarna chainsaw bar, and the reasons behind this are too many to count. Let’s give you an idea of what to expect when you use this bar.
The first thing a lot of people admired about this chainsaw bar is how it perfectly combines a length of 20 inches with a 0.375-inch pitch. This means that the bar can handle more serious tree-cutting jobs than your average 0.325-inch bar.
Product Specs
- Length: 20 inches
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Pitch: 0.375 inches
- Gauge: 0.05 inches
Feature Highlights
- Offers a good balance of length and pitch for high-performance wood-cutting
- A great choice for professional, heavy-duty work
Second off, this bar is compatible with most Husqvarna chainsaws, such as the 55Rancher, 257, 261, 262XP, 357XP, 359, and 455Rancher.
Last but not least, the unique design of this beauty helps limit the vibrations of the chain. Therefore, this bar is one of the safest choices to buy as it keeps injuries to a minimum.
However, one downside to this bar is that its paint tends to come off really easily, but a lot of users didn’t think this was a deal-breaker.
Pros
- Can keep up with demanding tree-cutting work due to its 20-inch length and 0.375-inch pitch
- Produces minimal vibrations to boost your safety
- Compatible with a variety of Husqvarna chain models
- Mid-tier price
Cons
- The coating wears off quickly
Best Value: Oregon 105671 Chainsaw Bar and Chain Combo
There’s no wonder why the Oregon 105671 chainsaw bar is so popular; it’s simply thanks to its magnificent value for the price. Why don’t you take a look at its features and see for yourself how it may be a nice option for you?
Just like the previous chainsaw bar, the Oregon has a length of 20 inches to help you cut your trees down quickly and efficiently. However, the pitch here is a bit thinner at 0.325 inches. So, the Oregon bar can be more suitable for casual tree-cutting instead of everyday heavy-duty work.
Don’t forget that one of this bar’s best qualities is that it can replace many Stihl chainsaw bars. These models include, but aren’t limited to, 024, 026, 028, 029, 030, 031, 032, 034, and 036.
Product Specs
- Length: 20 inches
- Weight: 3.38 pounds
- Pitch: 0.325 inches
- Gauge: 0.063 inches
Feature Highlights
- Great replacement for countless Stihl models
- A high-value bar and chain combo
Another cool thing about this bar is that it keeps up with ANSI standards for low kickback performance. For that reason, it can be a wonderful choice for a beginner to try.
Yet, because nothing is perfect, the Oregon bar is one of the heaviest you might come across. It weighs up to 3.38 pounds, which is higher than anything else on this list.
Pros
- A decent choice for light-duty work
- Great value for the price since it’s also available with a chain
- Its 20-inch length can help you cut trees with large diameters
- Works to prevent many kickback-related injuries
Cons
- Weighs around 3.38 pounds, which is heavier than most chainsaw bars out there
Best Budget: Oregon 105667 Bar and AdvanceCut S50 Chain Combo
Looking for an affordable and slim chainsaw bar to help you cut thin trees in a manner of minutes? Well, the Oregon 105667 bar and chain combo might just fit your criteria.
The first thing you should know about this buddy is that it’s only 14 inches long, which is a lot shorter than the previous two picks. While a professional can’t use it to cut large trees, this bar can be an awesome choice for homeowners who want to prune tree branches or do other light work.
Thanks to the bar’s size, it can be a breeze to maneuver between branches even if you’re not very experienced at tree-cutting. Also, it weighs a little over a pound and a half, which, again, helps its maneuverability.
Product Specs
- Length: 14 inches
- Weight: 1.55 pounds
- Pitch: 0.375 inches
- Gauge: 0.05 inches
Feature Highlights
- A lightweight body and small radius for quick, occasional work
- Available with a chain at a budget-friendly price
- Compatible with a huge variety of chainsaw models
What I like best about this bar is how it fits many chainsaw models like a jigsaw puzzle piece. Besides many Stihl models, this Oregon bar can also replace different Echo, Craftsman, and Poulan chainsaws. That’s definitely more than the previous Oregon bar can pull off!
Lastly, it’s always a relief to know that this chainsaw bar is budget-friendly, especially if you’re trying to save some cash.
Pros
- Easy to use for homeowners and inexperienced people for its small size
- Low kickback and vibration help minimize injuries
- Comes with the Lubritec oiling system that reduces friction and boosts longevity
- Affordable price
Cons
- Not for tough tree cutting jobs
Best Lightweight Pick: Husqvarna 531300438 Chainsaw Bar
If you want a lightweight bar to keep up with your tree and limb cutting, the Husqvarna 531300438 bar might be the one.
What’s really impressive about this monster is that it doesn’t look like one! It weighs one pound and seems harmless, but it boasts a length of 18 inches that should easily go through trees with big diameters.
For women looking for a lightweight chainsaw setup, this Husqvarna option is perfect.
Still, due to its 0.325-inch pitch and slightly shorter length, it won’t be able to handle aggressive work like the first Husqvarna bar on my list. It’s a good option for a professional, nevertheless, and its performance is a favorite of many users everywhere.
Product Specs
- Length: 18 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
- Pitch: 0.325 inches
- Gauge: 0.05 inches
Feature Highlights
- The lightest chainsaw bar on my list, weighing only a single pound
- Medium-length bar suits a variety of uses
If you’re worried about downsides, you’d be glad that there aren’t many here. Aside from the quick-to-come-off paint problem that’s also associated with my top pick, this bar can be tiresome to grease.
Pros
- A notch easier to use and maneuver than 20-inch chainsaw bars
- Low-vibration design to reduce the chances of injuries
- Takes care of most tree cutting work
- Midrange price
Cons
- The paint doesn’t last long with continuous friction
- No grease hole
Best Compatibility: Neo-Tec Chainsaw Bar and Chain Combo
This Neo-Tec bar and chain combo is one of the coolest products I discovered. Not only are its length and pitch values convenient for demanding tree cutting scenarios, but it also fits a wide range of chainsaw models.
You can easily use this buddy with different Husqvarna, Chicago, Craftsman, Oregon, Echo, Solo, and Dayton models as well as a dozen more. In terms of versatility, the Neo-Tec bar outshines all the products on this list!
Product Specs
- Length: 16 inches
- Weight: 1.9 pounds
- Pitch: 0.375 inches
- Gauge: 0.05 inches
Feature Highlights
- Fits a huge variety of chainsaw models
- Available with a chain at a reasonable price
The price here isn’t that expensive either, so it should be suitable for the majority of users. When compared to other chainsaw bars that also work with various chainsaw models, the Neo-Tec surely wins the best value for the price!
Pros
- Works as a replacement for several Husqvarna, Echo, Oregon, and Dayton, and more models
- Available with a 16-inch length and 0.375-inch pitch to handle tough cutting tasks
- Weighs less than two pounds
- Mid-tier price
Cons
- Doesn’t fit Stihl chainsaws
Features to Consider Before Buying a Chainsaw Bar
With five products to choose from, it’s time to make up your mind about the best option for your needs.
However, it might not be an easy decision for some people, which is why I’ll discuss several features to think about to help you settle on the right product.
Bar Length
The most important thing you’ll need to put into consideration is how long the bar should be. On the market, the most common lengths are 14, 16, 18, and 20 inch chainsaws. So, which one to go for?
Well, it’s all based on the size and requirements of your chainsaw. All you’ll have to do is refer to the saw’s user’s manual to know the effective cutting length of the chainsaw. Then, you can buy the bar according to what you find.
The most common chainsaws have a 50cc motor and a 16″ bar, generally speaking.
Remember that going for a longer bar might tire the engine while choosing a shorter bar won’t deliver effective results.
Bar Compatibility
Next up, always ensure that the replacement you’re buying can fit seamlessly into your chainsaw setup. No one wants to end up with unaligned holes!
Again, a good way to know if the bar will match your chainsaw is to take a quick look at the list of models that the bar can be used with. You’ll usually find this list in the product description of the chainsaw bar.
Weight
Weight is also a major factor to consider before buying a chainsaw bar. The lighter it is, the more you’ll be able to hold it for hours while breaking less sweat than when working with a heavier alternative.
If you want something that falls into this category, set your sight on bars that weigh one to two pounds.
On the other hand, heavier bars, say more than three pounds, can endure tougher work. They’ll require you to take more breaks, though.
After all, your decision should be based on your preferences and what you’re ready to deal with.
Added Features
Most of the chainsaws on my list come with a chain, which makes it a lot easier to get started. Chainsaw chains are relatively easy to change out, and starting off with one is more convenient.
Make sure that the chain provided is good enough to do the job. You don’t want a cheap chainsaw blade, which won’t cut very well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Change the Bar on a Chainsaw?
You should change the bar on your chainsaw after you have used three chains. In practical terms, this means that when you are changing the chain out for the third time, you should also replace the chainsaw chain.
How Can I Tell If I Need a New Chainsaw Bar?
Because chainsaw bars tend to wear down quickly no matter how much you take care of them, it can be confusing to know the exact point when you should get a replacement.
Here are a few telltale signs that you should get a new chainsaw bar:
● Ground down bar rails
● Too shallow rail grooves
● A narrowed-down bar heel
● A lot of give to the chain when you try to wiggle it back and forth
What Are the Most Popular Chainsaw Bar Brands on the Market?
The top chainsaw bar manufacturers include Stihl, Husqvarna, Oregon, and Sugihara. These brands have been producing chainsaws and chainsaw accessories for decades and have a fantastic performance record.
Conclusion
Choosing the best chainsaw bar can sound like a struggle, especially if you don’t know where to start your search. Hopefully, after going through my buying guide, you should have your answers!
I highly recommend the Husqvarna chainsaw bar because it’s 20 inches of awesomeness. It can keep up with the majority of demanding tree cutting tasks and look good while doing so.
Want a more affordable option? The Oregon 105667 bar and chain combo is here at your service with its lighter weight and extra maneuverability.
