Best Chainsaw Tachometer [2024 Review]

In order to use your chainsaw safely, you need to invest in the best chainsaw tachometers. This is a small tool that measures the rotation speed and operational speed of the chainsaw’s engine to guarantee that it’s working the way it should. Keep on reading to learn more about my best chainsaw tachometers.

My Top Chainsaw Tachometer reviews

I’ve searched the market to suggest the best chainsaw tachometers you can use to observe your chainsaw’s performance. Even the best chainsaws designed to cut the hardest of woods will have issues over time, and the best chainsaw tachometer will give you a tool to diagnose it with.

Best Overall: Searon Digital Tach Meter Chainsaw Tachometer

Monitoring the performance of any engine will be easy if you’re using the Searon Digital Tach Meter Chainsaw Tachometer. This digital tachometer reads the RPM up to 25,000, and when the engine is off, the total run time remains visible.

Regardless of the engine you have, the Searon tachometer will work for you because it works with all types of 2-stroke gas engines and 4-stroke gas engines, making this inductive tachometer a great addition to the arsenal of any DIY lover. The Searon inductive tachometer operate by reading the max RPM rating for service purposes and keeps track of the accumulated total hours up to 99,999 hours.

Product Specs

• Type: wired digital chainsaw tachometer
• Dimensions: 2.95 X 1.5 X 0.8 inches
• Weight: 0.14 pounds

The hours can’t be reset, which means that you can tell when your Searon chainsaw tachometer needs maintenance. However, you can reset the job time, which refers to the time recorded since the machine has started working. The Searon chainsaw tachometer is pretty accurate with a 10 RPM and 0.1-hour margin.

One of the most impressive features of this digital chainsaw tachometer is the internal CR2450 Lithium battery which lasts up to 10 years, but it’s not a replaceable battery. The installation is straightforward, as the Searon digital chainsaw tachometer comes with a 6.2-foot wire, a little longer than what you get with other wired models.

The ABS body guarantees that this induction tachometer will last for a long period, even if you drop it. Furthermore, since the Searon digital chainsaw tachometer has an IP67 rating, you’ll be able to use this digital tachometer in the most challenging situations.

However, one of the things that you need to pay attention with this Searon digital hour tachometer to is that the RPM capacity depends on the engine’s type and firing pattern.

Pros

• Versatile chainsaw tachometer that can be used with multiple gas engines
• Sturdy ABS body for challenging job conditions
• Higher RPM range to work with most chainsaws and other power tools
• Easy installation with a long wire

Cons

• The RPM range or RPM capacity depends on the engine’s firing pattern
• No programmable RPM alert

Best Value: Hardline HR-8061-2 Meter

The Hardline HR-8061-2 Meter is designed to work with any 2-cycle engine and can read an engine’s RPM up to 16,000 RPM with a 10 RPM margin of error for increased accuracy.

It’s adjustable for all types of ignition, including single and dual spark systems, and features a digital display that displays total hours accumulated and RPM when your chainsaw is running.

There are three adjustable inputs that you can change using a touch button, and you can even set the idle speed for your machine. It’s one of the most accessible tools to install with no power delivery system, and it comes with a wire that measures 1.16 feet long.

Product Specs

• Type: wired
• Dimensions: 1 X 5 X 8 inches
• Weight: 0.11 pounds

Luckily, the internal battery will last up to 10 years for improved performance, and the accumulated hours can’t be erased to help you determine when to maintain your chainsaw.

The tachometer’s epoxy body has an IP68 rating, so it’s weather and dust-resistant. It’s one of the most versatile and most durable models on the market, and it’s also compatible with some of the older oil, small engines and gas engines that can’t be paired with other chainsaw tachometers.

Despite all these amazing features, this one doesn’t come without flaws. The most significant one is that the internal battery is sealed so it’s not a replaceable battery. Although the manufacturer promises that it’ll last for ten years, the internal battery will still die out even if you store this machine in the garage for a couple of years. Still, this chainsaw tachometer is one of my top choices, thanks to its design and builds.

Pros

• Versatile chainsaw tachometer that measures up to 16,000 RPM
• Accuracy margin of 10 RPM
• Easy to install and use with no power access
• Sturdy body with an IP68 rating

Cons

• The internal battery can’t be replaced

Best Budget: Runleader Small Engine Meter

Using the Runleader Small Engine Meter will help you maintain your chainsaw and any other power tool by providing accurate RPM readings that you can use for future reference.

It’s a 3-in-1 tool as it’s a chainsaw tachometer to measure the safe operating RPM range of the engine and a service timer that will help you keep your chainsaw running for a long time. It shows all the RPM readings on a bright LCD display that you can easily read.

The chainsaw tachometer is highly accurate as it can be programmed for different ignition styles. The hours’ meter and the maintenance reminder help you plan your service, so your machine doesn’t break down all of a sudden.

The meter shows the total run time even when the engine is off, with a 0.1 hours accuracy, while the tracking service timer counts down until it’s maintenance time, and the warning icon flashes as a reminder.

Product Specs

• Type: wired
• Dimensions: 2.89 X 1.85 X 0.79 inches
• Weight: 0.11 pounds

You don’t have to worry about the bad weather because this tachometer has a waterproof IP65 rating, so it’ll stay functional in the most challenging conditions. It’s also quite easy to install and comes with a 5.74-foot wire, which is longer than other models.

Compared to other chainsaw tachometers, this one is really sturdy as it’s made of ABS. This is why I recommend it if you want a device that won’t show any signs of damage even if you accidentally drop it.

What I really love is how reliable this tachometer is. After the operation button is turned off, the data is retained, and the internal, replaceable CR2450 battery can last for years. This tachometer is also more affordable than other models, which makes it an excellent choice if you’re on a budget. However, the instructions manual can be a little confusing.

Pros

• 3-in-1 device to measure RPM, working hours, and set a reminder for maintenance
• Accurate RPM reading with a clear LCD display
• Retains data after being shut off

Cons

• The user manual is confusing

Best Wireless: CyberTech 3 in 1 Tachometer

Forget about using a wire to measure how much RPM of your motor, as the CyberTech 3 in 1 digital photo laser tachometer is a wireless tachometer with a 5-digit bright LCD display that you can see in all light conditions and an accuracy percentage of about +/- 0.05%.

It uses a laser beam to measure the rotational speed from 2.5 to 99,999 RPM, and when connected, the RPM perception from 0.5 to 19,999. This digital photo laser tachometer stores the minimum, maximum, and last readings for easy reference and allows for auto-zero adjustments for more accuracy.

Using this digital photo laser tachometer, you’ll be able to store any values you want, as this optical tachometer also records the linear speed in meters per minute.

Product Specs

• Type: Wireless
• RPM capacity: 99,999 RPM
• Dimensions: 4 X 1.5 X 3 inches
• Weight: 0.19 pounds

Compared to other chainsaw tachometers, this one definitely works for more chainsaws and other power tools, thanks to its bigger RPM range. In addition, it’s wireless, so you don’t have to worry about installation, and it comes with four attachments for maximum versatility.

However, because it runs on 4 AAA batteries that tend to run out of charge fast, you’ll always have to keep some extra batteries for emergencies. However, getting extra AAA batteries shouldn’t be an issue.

Also, it’s a little bit heavier than other devices on my list. Nevertheless, thanks to its wireless operation, it’s a great choice for most DIY lovers and professionals.

Pros

• Bright LCD that you can read anywhere and at anytime
• Accurate readings with a wide range
• Measures linear speed
• Wireless operation for maximum versatility

Cons

• The batteries need to be replaced often

Best for Slower Engines: Timorn Tachometer for Small Engine

The Timorn Tachometer for Small Engine is one of the light chainsaw tachometers that you can use with your chainsaw or any other power tool.

It has an RPM capacity of 99,999 RPM, which is quite an impressive RPM capacity for such a small and affordable device, and it’s operated using 2 CR2 batteries that claim to last for up to 35,000 hours. They’re also replaceable, so you can use your device for a long time.

It’s compatible with any 2 or 4-stroke engine, so it will work for multiple purposes. It can definitely work with your chainsaw or any other machine you have, so you can detect any issues before they get any worse. Once you’ve reached the recommended reading for maintenance, it will flash a warning icon.

Product Specs

• Type: Wired
• RPM capacity: 99,999 RPM
• Dimensions: 2.05 X 1.81 X 0.79 inches
• Weight: 0.039 pounds

If you’re using a tachometer for the first time, you won’t struggle to install this one. All you have to do is insert the wire, and it will start working. It comes with a wire that measures 6.2 feet, which is longer than what you can get with other devices.

In addition to being a versatile and easy-to-use tachometer, it offers other features like recording the operation hours for maintenance. The body is waterproof, so it can be used in all different weather conditions with accurate and reliable results every time.

However, this tachometer takes time until it records the RPM accurately compared to other devices on my list. It performs better with a slower engine but will also be a decent choice for a faster one, as long as you’re going to give it some time.

According to the user manual, it’s recommended to wrap the wire at least 5 times to connect it to the spark plug of your engine. However, you might need to wrap it more for an accurate reading.

Pros

• Affordable tachometer with a waterproof construction
• Records RPM and hours of operation

Cons

• Takes time until it gets the correct reading
• You might need to wrap the wire more to make sure that it’s working the way it should

Chainsaw Tachometer Features to Consider

In order to buy a reliable tachometer, there are a few features that you need to take into consideration.

Type

There are two types of chainsaw tachometers, contact or wired and contactless or wireless, mechanical tachometers or with digital RPM gauges.

• Wired chainsaw tachometers are easy to operate, thanks to a free-moving wheel that records readings.
• Wireless chainsaw tachometers don’t have to be in contact with the engine. They work by aiming at a laser beam and measuring the reflected signals to record the rotating speed.

A wired choice is usually more affordable, but if you’re looking for a portable solution, then a wireless one should be your first choice.

Nevertheless, you need to make sure that the battery is charged, or you have extra lithium batteries to keep your tachometer operational.

RPM Range

As you can see, several tachometers offer an RPM range up to 99,999 RPM. But you don’t really need that much if you’re using it to measure the RPM of a chainsaw. Most chainsaws run between 8,000 and 15,000 RPMs, so as long as your tachometer measure more than 8,000, it’ll be fine.

You need a higher RPM range if you’re using the tachometer to measure the speed of a faster power tool like a drill. Other than that, you don’t really need to worry much about the highest limit of the RPM.

Hours Meter

The hours meter is a reliable feature because it can help you determine how much battery life you have left, the time you spent on a specific job, and the number of operation hours left before it’s time to maintain your chainsaw or any other power tool.

In some cases, you might be able to erase the recorded hours, but when it’s not erasable, you’ll be able to determine the service date accurately. You might also have a reminder that you can set to remind you that it’s time to service your chainsaw. In this case, there will be a countdown until the service date has arrived.

Build Quality

You definitely need a reliable tachometer that lasts for long. This means that it should be made of a durable material and comes with all the required accessories to help you use it properly.

Plastic tachometers are good, but they’re not the most durable. If you need something rugged, it’ll be a good idea to pick an ABS device. You should also consider buying a tachometer with waterproof and dustproof housing to guarantee that it’ll work for long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Having the best chainsaw tachometers will help you decide if your chainsaw is performing well. It will also record the operating hours to plan your service time in advance for the best performance.