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Although Echo offers several larger chainsaws for professionals, the bulk of its chainsaws are targeted toward homeowners. Echo chainsaw models range from affordable 14-inch and 16-inch options suitable for pruning or even cutting down small trees up to large 20-inch models powerful enough for lots of woodcutting. Echo chainsaws come with features that make them user-friendly, including automatic chain oilers, vibration-reduction technology, and digital starters. Keep reading to learn more about what this brand of chainsaw has to offer and don’t miss the list of some of the best Echo chainsaws on the market.
- BEST OVERALL: Echo 16 in. 40.2 cc Gas Chainsaw
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Echo 16 in. 34.4 cc Gas Chainsaw
- BEST FOR SMALL YARDS: Echo 14 in. 30.5 cc Gas Chainsaw
- BEST FOR LARGE YARDS: Echo 18 in. 40.2 cc Gas Chainsaw
- BEST EASE OF USE: Echo eFORCE 18 in. 56V Cordless Battery Chainsaw
- BEST FOR FARMS: Echo 20 in. 50.2 cc Gas Chainsaw
- BEST HEAVY DUTY: Echo 20 in. 59.8 cc Gas Chainsaw
Before You Buy an Echo Chainsaw
When selecting a chainsaw, it’s crucial to not only consider which size bar is suitable for the job but also the user’s ability. Chainsaws are inherently dangerous. A bigger motor and longer bar create a greater risk of injury. Inexperienced chainsaw users should consider chainsaws with 14- to 16-inch bars, which chainsaws are lighter and use smaller engines, making them easier to maneuver and less likely to kick back.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Echo Chainsaw
Matching the chainsaw to the size and type of property is critical when shopping for an Echo chainsaw. Keep reading to learn how to determine the correct bar length and engine size for most users’ needs.
Purpose
Echo chainsaws come in a variety of engine sizes and bar lengths to suit different needs. Smaller 14- to 16-inch chainsaws are suitable for light-duty yard work such as pruning branches or even cutting down small trees. Those with more trees on their property to manage or larger yards may want to consider an 18-inch chainsaw. Cutting down large trees or managing a lot of acreage, such as a farm or ranch, requires a chainsaw with a bar that measures 20 inches or longer.
Power
Echo sells both gas engine and battery-powered chainsaws. While gas engines are more powerful, battery-powered chainsaws require less maintenance and start at the push of a button. Echo gas engine chainsaws are powered by engines that vary in size from 30 cubic centimeters (cc) to 60 cubic centimeters or more. Longer chainsaws require more engine power to pull the chain around the bar. Chainsaws with more powerful engines create more chain speed, allowing them to cut more quickly through a tree trunk or branch.
Bar Length
Bar length determines the thickness of a branch or tree that the chainsaw can cut. A chainsaw can cut trees up to twice the length of the chainsaw bar in diameter minus 4 inches, which it can complete by making two passes with the blade, one from each side. Therefore, a 20-inch chainsaw can cut up to 18 inches in a single pass or up to 36 inches in two passes. Echo chainsaws range in bar length from 14 inches to 24 inches. Shorter chainsaws are suitable for light-duty use, such as pruning trees, while 20-inch models are better for large properties such as farms and ranches.
Handle and Weight
Echo chainsaws come in both top- and rear-handle models. Rear-handle chainsaws are better equipped for sawing logs on the ground or chopping up firewood, while top-handle chainsaws are better suited for cutting off the ground. Echo chainsaws also feature a second wraparound handle that allows the operator to guide the blade with their other hand. This handle’s wraparound design allows the operator to achieve different cutting angles while still maintaining a secure grip on it.
The chainsaw’s weight also factors in the user’s ability to handle and maneuver the tool. The heavier the chainsaw, the harder it is to use over long periods. Echo’s lightest chainsaws weigh about 10 pounds, while the heaviest may weigh up to 16 pounds.
Additional Features and Accessories
Echo chainsaws come with features designed to make them easier and more comfortable to use while also minimizing maintenance. Anti-vibration technology reduces the shuddering created by the motor, making the chainsaw more comfortable to use for long periods. Many Echo chainsaws have features that make maintaining them easier, including automatic oilers, which eliminate the need to manually lubricate the chain, and tool-free chain tension adjusters.
Safety Features
Echo includes the same safety features as found on most chainsaws. A chain brake guard sits on the front of the wraparound handle, which is designed to protect against dangerous kickbacks. Kickbacks can occur when the tip of the chain comes into contact with solid material and causes the chain bar to jerk upward suddenly. When this happens, the chain brake can come into contact with the operator’s hand, flipping forward and disengaging the chain. Other safety features include a pressure-sensitive trigger that automatically disengages the chain in the event the operator loses grip on the chainsaw.
Our Top Picks
This list includes a broad range of Echo chainsaws to serve a variety of needs. They range from small 16-inch models for occasional pruning and trimming to large 20-inch chainsaws for managing wooded properties.
Best Overall
Echo 16 in. 40.2 cc Gas Chainsaw
With an 16-inch bar that’s suitable for cutting through branches or trees up to 30 inches in diameter, this Echo gas chainsaw might be the best all-around option the brand offers. Its 40.2-cc engine puts it on par with some of the 16-inch premium chainsaws on the market.
Less-experienced chainsaw users may appreciate Echo’s i30 starting system, which reduces the effort needed to get the engine up and running by 30 percent. Its anti-vibration technology makes using the chainsaw more comfortable over long periods. Echo’s 16-inch chainsaw has some time-saving maintenance features, including tool-less access to the air filter, an automatic chain oiler, and a side-access chain tensioner for on-the-fly adjustments.
Product Specs
- Engine Size: 40.2 cc (gas)
- Weight: 12.1 pounds
- Bar Length: 16 inches
Pros
- Automatic oiler
- Echo’s easy-start technology
- Side-access chain adjuster
Cons
- Premium price for a 16-inch chainsaw
Get the Echo 16-inch 40.2 cc chainsaw at The Home Depot.
Best Bang for the Buck
Echo 16 in. 34.4 cc Gas Chainsaw
With a 16-inch bar that can prune large branches or even fell small trees, this affordable Echo chainsaw delivers the power of a high-end chainsaw at a budget-friendly price. The bar is powered by a 34.4-cc gas engine, which puts it in the same ballpark in terms of power as higher-end chainsaw brands.
Echo’s 16-inch model comes equipped with the same technology as on its higher-priced chainsaws, including Echo’s i-30 easy-start system and a three-point spring vibration-reduction system. An automatic oiler and side-chain adjuster make maintenance faster and easier. At under 10 pounds, it’s not only one of Echo’s lighter chainsaws, but also one of the lightest 16-inch gas models on the market.
Product Specs
- Engine Size: 34.4 cc (gas)
- Weight: 9.8 pounds
- Bar Length: 16 inches
Pros
- Side-mounted chainsaw adjuster and automatic oiler
- Easy-start and vibration-reduction technologies
- Lighter than most 16-inch gas chainsaws
Cons
- Not quite as powerful as some 16-inch chainsaws
Get the Echo 16-in. 34.4 cc chainsaw at The Home Depot.
Best for Small Yards
Echo 14 in. 30.5 cc Gas Chainsaw
With its shorter bar length, this compact 14-inch Echo gas chainsaw is suitable for handling lighter-duty pruning around an average-size yard. Its 30.5-cc engine, though smaller than the engines on other 14-inch gas chainsaws, provides adequate torque for trimming branches and even taking down small trees.
Even though it’s Echo’s smallest and least-expensive chainsaw, it includes many of the same technical features on the brand’s higher-end models. It’s equipped with the i30 starter that makes it easier to get up and running and vibration-reduction technology that inexperienced chainsaw users may appreciate. Echo’s 14-inch chainsaw includes an automatic oiler and side-access chain tensioner that makes it easier to maintain in the field.
Product Specs
- Engine Size: 30.5 cc (gas)
- Weight: 10.3 pounds
- Bar Length: 14 inches
Pros
- Easy-start technology
- Vibration technology
- Automatic oiler and side-mounted chain tensioner
Cons
- Smaller engine than other 14-inch gas chainsaws
Get the Echo 14-in. chainsaw at The Home Depot or Amazon.
Best for Large Yards
Echo 18 in. 40.2 cc Gas Chainsaw
With Echo maintenance and user-friendly technology, this 18-inch chainsaw helps users maintain the trees on larger properties. The 18-inch bar is long enough to take down trees up to 32 inches in diameter. And though its 40.2-cc engine is smaller than those on other 18-inch chainsaws, the Echo 18-inch chainsaw also is more affordable.
Echo equips its 18-inch chainsaw with easy start and vibration reduction, making it easier for the longer time required to maintain larger properties. Other useful additional features include an automatic oiler, tool-less air filter access, and a side-mounted chain adjuster.
Product Specs
- Engine Size: 40.2 cc (gas)
- Weight: 12.1 pounds
- Bar Length: 18 inches
Pros
- Affordable 18-inch chainsaw
- User-friendly vibration-reduction and easy-start technologies
- Low-maintenance design
Cons
- Lacks engine size of higher-end 18-inch chainsaws.
Get the Echo 18-in. gas chainsaw at The Home Depot or Amazon.
Best Ease of Use
Echo eFORCE 18 in. 56V Cordless Battery Chainsaw
Echo is one of a handful of power tool companies that offers an 18-inch battery-powered chainsaw; most companies offer either 14- or 16-inch models. The extra width makes this chainsaw able to cut trees and branches up to 32 inches in diameter. Of the handful of companies that offer an 18-inch battery-powered chainsaw, Echo’s is one of the most powerful, thanks to its brushless motor that’s powered by a 5-amp-hour 56-volt battery. Though it makes the chainsaw notably heavy at nearly 15 pounds, it’s enough juice to deliver up to 200 cuts on a single charge.
The eForce chainsaw also comes with some useful additional features, including an easy-to-read battery status indicator that shows remaining runtime and an automatic chain oiler.
Product Specs
- Engine Size: N/A (battery-powered)
- Weight: 14.6 pounds
- Bar Length: 18 inches
Pros
- Large 18-inch cutting bar
- Powerful 56-volt battery
- Automatic chain oiler
Cons
- Heavy at nearly 15 pounds
Get the Echo eForce 18-in. battery-powered chainsaw at The Home Depot
Best for Farms
Echo 20 in. 50.2 cc Gas Chainsaw
With its 50.2-cc engine and many user-friendly features, Echo’s 20-inch chainsaw is among the top models in its class. Besides its powerful engine, it comes with a plethora of additional features, including a spring starter that makes it easy to start. An automatic oiler and a side-mounted chain-tensioning system are other helpful features that reduce the amount of maintenance required.
At 13.5 pounds, this chainsaw is heavier than other 20-inch chainsaws, but it has an ergonomic wraparound handle that makes it easier to maneuver as well as a design that reduces vibration.
Product Specs
- Engine Size: 50.2 cc
- Weight: 13.5 pounds
- Bar Length: 20 inches
Pros
- Larger engine improves cutting power
- Low-maintenance design
- Spring starter for easier starting
Cons
- One of the heavier 20-inch gas chainsaws on the market
Get the Echo 20-in. 50.2 cc chainsaw at The Home Depot.
Best Heavy Duty
Echo 20 in. 59.8 cc Gas Chainsaw
While some of Echo’s chainsaws may lag behind the competition in engine size, that’s not true for Echo’s larger chainsaws. The Echo 20 in. Gas Chainsaw comes equipped with a monster 59.8-cc engine, which blows past even the premium 20-inch chainsaws on the market. That powerful engine makes it an ideal choice for cutting firewood or taking down larger trees.
Although the engine makes this Echo chainsaw powerful, it also makes it cumbersome. At a hair over 16 pounds, it’s one of the heaviest 20-inch chainsaws on the market. Echo’s 20-inch chainsaw also includes a digital-ignition system for easy starting, a vibration-reduction system, and a chain tensioner that’s adjustable from the handle.
Product Specs
- Engine Size: 59.8 cc
- Weight: 16.1 pounds
- Bar Length: 18 inches
Pros
- Large 59.8-cc engine
- Easy-start and vibration-reduction technology
- Easy-to-use chain tensioning system
Cons
- Heavy
Get the Echo 20-in. 59.8 cc chainsaw at The Home Depot
Our Verdict
With its large 40.2-cc motor and a bar length that’s long enough to handle most yard work, the Echo 16 in. 40.2 cc chainsaw is a good choice for most homeowners. Those looking for a more affordable option that doesn’t sacrifice cutting ability may want to consider the Echo 16 in. 34.4 cc chainsaw.
How We Chose the Best Echo Chainsaws
In creating our list of the top Echo chainsaws, we included models that suit a broad range of needs. For the average yard, we chose 14- and 16-inch chainsaws that can handle pruning and taking out the occasional small tree. For larger yards, we include Echo’s 18-inch chainsaws. For those with wooded properties or more acreage, we included chainsaws with cutting bars of 20 inches and above. For those in search of a low-maintenance, easy-to-start chainsaw, we also included one of Echo’s battery-powered models.
Maintenance Tips for an Echo Chainsaw
Chainsaws can be notoriously finicky, failing to start in cold weather or stalling while cutting. To make sure your Echo gas chainsaw stays in top working order, follow a few maintenance guidelines. Clean the air filter regularly as it can fill up with dirt, which can hurt performance or even damage the engine. To extend the life of the cutting bar, rotate the bar on each use. Also, inspect the chain lubrication hole to make sure it isn’t clogged, and periodically clean the bar groove. Check regularly for proper chain tension and tighten if necessary. Finally, chainsaws create a lot of vibration that can loosen bolts. Check all bolts and tighten any if necessary.
- Clean the air filter regularly
- Inspect the lubrication hole for clogs
- Clean the bar groove
- Check for proper chain tension
- Tighten any loose bolts
FAQs
Keep reading to find out the best way to start and maintain your new Echo chainsaw and to find out more about the brand’s product line.
Q. Are Echo chainsaws professional grade?
Some, but not all, Echo chainsaws are professional grade. The company’s professional-grade chainsaws include its CS-680 chainsaw and CS-590 Timber Wolf chainsaw.
Q. What is Echo’s biggest chainsaw?
Echo’s largest chainsaw is its CS-680, which boasts a powerful 66.8-cc motor and 27-inch bar length.
Q. What kind of gas does an Echo chainsaw use?
Echo chainsaws use unleaded 89-octane plus gasoline.
Q. Do Echo chainsaws use mixed gas?
Since Echo chainsaws are equipped with a two-stroke engine, they use a 50:1 ratio of unleaded gas to oil.
Q. How do I start an Echo chainsaw?
To start your Echo chainsaw, first flip the ignition switch at the rear of the motor to the “run” position. Next, squeeze the soft pump bulb about six times. Place the chainsaw on the ground. Put one hand on the handle and pin the chainsaw to the ground; then pull the starter cord to start the motor. Allow it to idle, lift the chainsaw, and squeeze the trigger to use the chainsaw.
Q. How do I put gas in my Echo chainsaw?
First, mix the fuel in a gas can with a 50:1 ratio of 89-octane unleaded gas to two-stroke engine oil. The easiest way to create this mix is to dump 2.6 fluid ounces of oil into 1 gallon of gas. Unscrew the Echo chainsaw gas tank and pour in the fuel mixture.