The Worx saw is another 20V machine with a small but capable five-inch bar. It’s compact enough to be operated with one hand. It doesn’t have a kickback guard but employs a type of hand guard that looks like something you see over a circular saw blade on a table saw.

It has an onboard chain tensioning tool, and the saw cover can be removed without a tool to get to the chain. The saw is super lightweight, and I could carry it around with one hand without tiring. It shipped with a small container to put the oil in, but no chain oil came with the device.  Getting the bar and chain oil into the small container proved to be challenging, but once completed, it was a done deal. Instead of using an automatic bar chain oiler, you run the bar chain oil along the chain using the oil “squirt” bottle, like you might oil a bicycle chain.

Once I had the chain oiled, I was off and running. Since I could easily hold the saw with one hand, it worked great for getting into the nooks and crannies of fruit trees to trim small branches. Despite the small bar size, I was still able to go through three-inch diameter limbs with ease.

The Milwaukee mini chainsaw is unique in this lineup in that it utilizes an 18V battery. You won’t see a big power difference from the 20V saws, but you will immediately notice the long run-time (thanks to a 5amp hour battery) coupled with the large eight-inch blade. The only downside to this long-running battery is its size, which adds some weight to the equipment.

The Milwaukee brand means that you can use this battery with a multitude of the manufacturer’s hand tools like drills and drivers. It has clip to attach to a tool belt and an automatic oiler. It has no kickback guard, but does have a hand guard for protection.

I used the traditional onboard tool to open the case, tension the chain and test the saw. It ripped through small branches and easily felled a dead fruit tree with about a six-inch diameter. After making a boatload of cuts to pare down pine branches, the battery still had a full charge.

The Saker mini chainsaw comes out of the box with oil, an oil container, and a tool to adjust the chain tension. It’s the smallest and lightest of the mini chain saws we tested and even has a lanyard you can wrap around your wrist.

It ships with a 20V 1.5 amp-hour battery, which might not sound like much, but is a perfect match for the size of this saw and its intended uses. After an hour of intermittent use, the battery still had 75% power. The 20V of power was of course enough to handle any sawing job.

The saw ran quietly and sliced through both green and dead wood. There was minimal vibration and mind you, all this sawing was done one-handed using the cushioned grip. There was virtually no fatigue after paring down a large pile of branches and it excelled at getting into the tight spots due to it’s diminutive size.

What to Look for When Buying a Mini Chainsaw 

You have several things to consider when purchasing a mini chainsaw. First and foremost, if you already own a battery-powered tool with an interchangeable battery, then you may want to start your search within the brand to avoid having more chargers. If you don’t already have a suitable battery pack or you don’t see a mini chainsaw made by the manufacturer that meets your needs or budget, then consider the following:

Ask yourself how often you plan on using the mini chainsaw. You may want to use it just for pruning once or twice a year and to clean up debris after wind, rain, and snow storms. If that’s the case, then you may want a tool that has an extended run time, so you can complete large tasks in one swoop.

It’s pertinent to try to imagine the largest diameter limb you may need to trim. If you don’t have a larger saw capable of cutting large branches, then you’ll want to consider getting the longest bar you can manage and afford.

Speaking of managing the mini chainsaw, your ability to handle the tool is another factor to consider. Some of the tools are lighter and smaller, and therefore easier to use for extended periods. The larger saws offer two-handed holds, which offer stability but require a little extra effort.

Additionally, consider your comfort level with a mini chainsaw. Heavier and larger saws may pose more risk. However, many of the saws come with safety precautions such as anti-kickback guards and hand protectors.

Why You Should Trust Us

The testers and product reviewers at Family Handyman have been hard at work developing standardized testing procedures for products in order to ensure that we deliver consistent and accurate product reviews.

I personally developed the testing procedures for both full-sized gasoline powered chainsaws as well as battery-powered mini chainsaws. Having owned a landscaping company as well as having decades of experience managing my personal, heavily tree-laden properties, I’ve had my hands on a multitude of saws and know what to look for.

As a professional tester of all things that one can test (products, software, and maybe even patience), I take my role seriously and aim to deliver honest, thoughtful, and conscientious reviews.