Best Chainsaw Chain for Hardwood [2024 Review]

Cutting through hardwood is about more than just a good chainsaw – you also need the right chainsaw chain. Harder woods will stop poor chains mid-cut, leaving you with problems. The right chain, paired with a good chainsaw, will make short work of cutting through hard, dense woods.

We’ve put together a simple guide for the best chainsaw chain for hardwood. I sorted through the hundreds of chains on the market to try to narrow it down for you. Take a look at what I found.

Hardwood Chainsaw Chain Reviews

Whether you’re learning to carve with a chainsaw or just need to be able to cut up some wood, you need your chainsaw to deliver results. This often starts with the type and quality of the chain that you use. The type matters but the quality and durability of the chain are really where the details are most important.

Check out these comprehensive reviews for the best chainsaw chains for hardwood.

Oregon S56 Advance Cut Chainsaw Chain

If you want one of the best chainsaws on the market, I highly recommend these Oregon S56 chains. They are great for hardwood materials and are designed to really make challenging cuts much easier. This particular chain can be purchased in a 1, 2, or 3-pack. You can also purchase the chain with oil if you need some extra lubrication.

Oregon is a popular chain brand. They are known for making some really great chains. The Advance Cut model is powerful, which is why it’s a good choice for hardwood. They pair together with a semi-chisel design with reduced vibration details, so you get the best of both worlds. It can be really hard to reduce vibrations on hardwood, so this is a great addition to have.

We appreciate the semi-chisel tooth design as well. This is one of the best styles for hardwood. The reason is that you have rounded corners on the teeth but each tooth bites the wood. It gives you the edge and it gives you movement to get through the hardwood without leaving a messy cutting surface behind.

Highlights:

• Chain Type: Semi-Chisel
• Chain Length: 16 inches
• Pitch: 3/8 LP
• Teeth: 56
• Gauge: .050 inches

These chains are made with quality in mind. The quality is what allows you to really be able to cut through hardwood more easily. The Oregon Advanced Cut chain is heat-treated. It’s not going to get hot while you’re cutting or wear down in the middle of a single cut either. It’s going to push on through.

These chains are made with hard chrome. The rivets are all hardened as well so you shouldn’t have to worry about stretching issues when you’re cutting hardwood. You can enhance your cutting with some additional lubrication. Even with a self-oiling chainsaw, this can be helpful when working on the hardwood.

What I Like:

• The chain produces little to no vibration
• A high-quality chain is a leading choice in the industry
• Semi-chisel design works hardwood with ease
• You can purchase with oil or in a multi-pack
• Cuts smoothly and efficiently every time

What I Don’t Like:

• The brand compatibility is limited with this chain and it may not work for all chainsaws

Husqvarna High-Performance Chainsaw Blade

If you use a Husqvarna, you should definitely check out this Husqvarna high-performance blade. With the most teeth of any chain blade on my list (72), this is a great option for larger chainsaws.

This option is designed for an 18-inch chainsaw, but you can find the exact blade in other sizes as well if you need to. They sell this blade in a single package as well as 2 and 4 packs if you want to purchase more than one.

This blade is a little bit more expensive, but it definitely has superior quality compared to some choices out there. The high-performance design allows you to enjoy the power of the chain paired with low kickback and low vibration during operation.

This chain was designed with the concept of boosting lightweight chainsaws, which is a helpful concept.

Husqvarna stretches this chain during manufacturing. The intent behind that is to avoid having a chain that stretches while you’re working. It’s already stretched. You don’t have to mess around with trying to stretch it out or worry about it stretching while you’re cutting and causing you major problems when it comes loose.

Highlights:

• Chain Type: Powersports
• Chain Length: 18 inches
• Pitch: .325 inches
• Teeth: 72
• Gauge: .050 inches

This chain was made for performance sports, which means that it cuts hard and fast. This is great for hardwood because it will get you through the challenging material with ease. It’s great in terms of overall performance and reliability. It can also make bore cuts, so it adds again just a bit more versatility.

The chain is durable and while it is a tad more expensive, it’s definitely worth the money. The value is very clear, particularly if you’re working with hardwoods.

We really appreciate the low vibration feature because it just gives you more control over your work and makes the cut far more comfortable to work through too. Accuracy is a big deal with hardwood and these elements help tremendously.

What I Like:

• Potentially compatible with other brands
• Designed for sports use and high performance
• The pitch handles hardwood and firewood well
• Pre-stretched to avoid stretching issues
• A top choice for commercial use

What I Don’t Like:

• The price is high compared to similar options

Poulan Pro Replacement Chain 051338

If you’re looking for something simple and reliable, the Poulan Pro chain isn’t overly fancy but it’s definitely reliable. This is another 18-inch chain, but you can find other sizes from the same brand if you really like this chain.

The great thing about Poulan is they have a color matching system for the blades. If you match the color, it will fit the bar perfectly every single time.

These are certainly designed for Poulan Pro chainsaws, but they are also compatible with a few other brands like Craftsman, Husqvarna, and a few more. Just be sure yours is compatible and your color matches so you don’t end up with a bad fit.

The overall design of this chain is perfect for durability and those challenging cuts like hardwood. It’s a semi-chisel design so the pitch and the gauge work together to work heartily through.

It’s also made with heat-treated metal so you have the lasting quality that you would expect for hardwood.

With 72 teeth on its blade, the Poulan matches the Husqvarna chain blade in terms of the number of teeth.

Highlights:

• Chain Type: Semi-chisel
• Chain Length: 18 inches
• Pitch: 3/8 inches
• Teeth: 72
• Gauge: .050 inches

This chain is all about durability and precision. It’s not a terrible price, although you do pay a bit more for the brand. You can definitely depend on quality performance because of the twin corners on your cutters. It stands out and cuts deep and harsh without leaving behind extensively rough surfaces.

The chain will run smoothly, and it’s built to reduce vibrations. It’s not considered a high-performance chain, but it gets the job done reliably every time.

You may need to work to sharpen the teeth with a chainsaw file consistently for the best results. But I like the simple capability and the low-kickback design.

What I Like:

• Simple and reliable
• Smooth operation with low vibration and kickback
• Compatible with several models
• Highly durable material that lasts
• Easy to install and use

What I Don’t Like:

• The price is a bit high for the overall performance

Stihl 26RS68 Chainsaw Chain

If you just like something simple, take a look at this Stihl chainsaw chain. It’s best for smaller projects with hardwood but it will work fine for hardwood needs. This chain is 18 inches, but the brand does have smaller and larger sizes if that is your preference.

This is a more expensive chain, but the quality is certainly there, and it stands out with some differences compared to the others here.

The chain is relatively easy to install, which is sometimes the worst part of choosing a chain. Stihl is a high-quality brand and is typically well worth the cost.

This chainsaw blade is a micro-chisel blade so it performs really well but will be slightly more limited than some, which is why it’s best for smaller hardwood projects.

The reason that this micro chain design still works for those needs is because of the rapid micro design from Stihl. It moves with speed and efficiency so those micro capabilities push through hardwood, as long as you don’t try to give it more than it can really handle.

The chain has a tall profile, so it makes it pretty versatile overall.

Highlights:

• Chain Type: Rapid Micro Chisel
• Chain Length: 18 inches
• Pitch: .325 inches
• Teeth: 68
• Gauge: .063 inches

This chain is made for reduced kickback. You’re working with hardwood, so no kickback is really a better option but again, this works great if you understand the limitations and that working with small hardwood projects is where it really delivers optimization.

This chain is nice and thick and that really helps with the motion and effectiveness of the chain. It’s what makes it more capable for hardwood cutting.

The nice thing is that it won’t dull easily either, so you won’t have to sharpen it every single time you need to make a cut and that is sometimes well worth spending a little more.

What I Like:

• Micro design makes rapid movement
• Works quickly and effectively on small projects
• The chain is lightweight and durable
• You can rely on sharpness for longer
• Reduced vibration and kickback

What I Don’t Like:

• This chain is not self-lubricating so be prepared with oil

Sungator 18-Inch Chainsaw Chain

Finally, I have this 3-pack of Sungator chainsaw chains . This one is strong and sturdy. You will find it’s designed similarly to the Stihl chain but it’s quite a bit more affordable. What I also really like about the Sungator chain is that it has a lot of compatibilities. Some chains only work with 2 or 3 brands, but this is compatible with Craftsman, Echo, McCulloch, Remington, and more.

The chain pieces are imported from Germany, which speaks a little bit about the durability of the chain. It’s reliable and built for heavy-duty use like cutting hardwood. It’s incredibly strong and sturdy so it’s going to hold up and it’s going to cut with ease too.

Sungator made this chain using industrial hard chrome plating on every single cutter of the chain. This is why it can support the need for hardwood cutting. This is a pack of 3 chains that are 18 inches so you’re getting 3 chains at a pretty low price, especially when you figure out the price per chain.

Highlights:

• Chain Type: Semi-chisel
• Chain Length: 18 inches
• Pitch: 3/8 inches
• Teeth: 62
• Gauge: .050 inches

This chain is another semi-chisel chain. The cutters define the overall quality. You can even put the chain on small chainsaws and operate effectively with ease. This chainsaw chain is even great for beginners that aren’t highly experienced with chainsaws. It’s easy to put on and adjust.

Installing and maintenance are simple, but you will need to be prepared to add lubrication to really enjoy the skill of the chain. There is very low vibration and no kickback on the chain, which tremendously helps maintain control while you are cutting. It delivers in all the right areas.

What I Like:

• The cutters stay sharp and reliable long-term
• Designed with low vibration for control
• A versatile chain that works easily on hardwood
• Easy to adjust and maintain
• Budget-friendly option

What I Don’t Like:

• Be prepared to lubricate quite a bit for the best cut on hardwood

Factors to Consider When Buying a Chainsaw Chain for Hardwood

When you work with harder woods that can be more challenging to cut, you need a high-quality chain. It’s a good idea to adjust your chain based on the cutting that you are doing.

For example, hardwood like mahogany can be very hard to cut through. Chainsaws are extremely powerful tools. If you have a great chainsaw, you should be able to make it. You just need a good chain to do it.

It’s not just about the quality of the chain but also about the type of chain you use. Most professionals recommend a semi-chisel style of chain, but you will find that other chains can sometimes still be effective. You need something incredibly strong and sturdy.

Before you just jump in and purchase a chain, there are some things to consider. When it comes to cutting hardwood, the truth is really in the details. You’ve got to make sure your chain is compatible with your chainsaw and the task you need to fulfill.

Peek at these quick tips before you buy.

Chain Size

One of the most important elements is the size of the chain. You should plan for this by measuring the size of your chainsaw. The chain needs to fit securely on your chainsaw bar so your chain length should be compatible with your bar length.

Smaller chainsaws will often have a 12″ chain, and these saws are not very good for cutting through hardwood. They are just too small.

That’s why the chains on my reviews start at 16″. To cut through dense wood, you need a larger chainsaw and a larger blade.

16″ and 18″ are the most common sizes for this type of project, but you can use a larger 20″ chainsaw as well.

The best chainsaw for hardwood will probably be gas-powered and 16-18″.

Teeth

The teeth on your chainsaw chain will make a difference too. Not only in terms of the total number of teeth, but the style that the teeth are in.

For hardwood, I typically prefer a semi-chisel or sport style chain. These are some of the highest performing chains and the semi-chisel helps to really break through hardwood.

With that being said, you can find other teeth styles that still cut hardwood. Just like the micro-chisel that I shared above. It had rapid technology, so the speedy movement of the chain made the micro-chisel design work well for small projects.

For hardwood, you could also use a full chisel chain. Full chisels are designed for the most challenging materials. They handle things like oak without flinching. Semi-chisel has a unique design that typically can still handle most hardwood and it’s versatile for other uses.

Chainsaw Compatibility

Don’t forget to take a look at what the chainsaw chain is compatible with. While many blades are compatible with several different chainsaws, there is no guarantee it will automatically conform to your saw.

Don’t just assume that purchasing the specific length of your chainsaw bar will automatically make it work.

You need to do a little bit of checking on the chain first and see if it will work with your chainsaw brand and model. You certainly don’t want to spend money on a chain that isn’t even going to fit or stay one because it’s not a compatible option.

Wrap Up

When cutting hardwood, you need strength and durability. You also need a reliably sharp blade. Hardwood can be a challenge, so your chainsaw needs to be up to the task. However, you will find it’s often the blade that prepares the saw.

Always check for compatibility but otherwise, look for details that handle hardwood well. This includes the tooth style, the pitch, and the chain performance standards as well. What wood do you plan to cut first?