Best Chainsaw Chains in 2027

The KAKEI 18 in 3-pack leads our ranking. Each chain is 3/8 in LP pitch, .050 in gauge with 62 drive links, one of the most common sizes for homeowner chainsaws with an 18 in bar. KAKEI says the chain met the kickback performance requirements of ANSI B175.1-2012, so it is a low-kickback design suited to occasional users.

It uses semi-chisel cutters, which have rounded corners. They cut a little slower than full chisel cutters but stay sharp longer in dirty or frozen wood and are easier to file by hand. The steel is German, with heat treatment for toughness, and the rivets are hardened and quenched to resist wear and stretching.

Japanese chrome-plating protects the cutters, which are ground and cold-headed for sharpness. A 3-pack means you can swap to a fresh chain in the field and sharpen the dull ones later. Before ordering, check your bar stamp for pitch, gauge and drive link count; KAKEI explains exactly where to find them. For most 18 in saws, it is the best all-round choice here.

Second in our ranking, the SawWorks 3-pack fits larger saws with a 20 in bar. Each chain is .325 in pitch, .058 in gauge, the thickest gauge here, with 76 drive links, the most on this page. That size is common on mid-size gas saws used for firewood and felling.

It uses full chisel cutters with square corners, which cut faster and more aggressively in clean wood than semi-chisel. SawWorks warns that this chain may be capable of kickback, so it suits experienced users who know how to handle a saw. The steel is German with heat treatment, and the rivets are hardened.

Japanese chrome-plating gives the cutters hardness and wear resistance, and each cutter is precision ground. The listing names Vevor, Supmix, Neotec and other gas saws as compatible. Because full chisel chains dull faster in dirty wood, keep a file handy. For cutting firewood quickly on a 20 in saw, it offers speed and three chains for the job.

The GSSHBR 5-pack ranks third and gives you the most chains per pack for 18 in saws, tied with the JINFFR pack. Each chain is 18 in, 3/8 in LP pitch, .050 in gauge with 62 drive links, the same size as the KAKEI chains.

GSSHBR describes them as low kickback and low vibration, which helps reduce fatigue during long cutting sessions. An industrial hard chrome outer layer reduces wear and chain adjustments, and hardened rivets give a stronger connection between links.

The listing names Echo, Homelite, Kobalt, McCulloch, Poulan, Remington, Greenworks and Ryobi saws as compatible, but always check your bar's drive link count. Cutter type is not listed in our data. Five chains go a long way if you prefer to swap rather than sharpen, making this the best value pack for 18 in owners who cut a lot.

Fourth in our ranking, the Fifchall 4-pack suits small electric and gas saws with a 14 in bar. Each chain is 3/8 in LP pitch, .050 in gauge with 52 drive links, a common size on homeowner saws for pruning and storm cleanup.

They are low-kickback chains and ANSI certified in our data, which is a good fit for occasional users. Fifchall says they are deeply quenched for smooth cutting, wear resistance and long service life. Hardened rivets help them stay tight.

The listing names compatible saws from Craftsman, Echo, Ryobi, Poulan, Homelite, Husqvarna, Remington, Earthwise and Makita, including the Craftsman S145 and Echo CS310, plus several Greenworks electric models. Four chains in a pack means plenty of spares for a season of yard work. Cutter type is not listed. Keep the chain tensioned and oiled for the smoothest cuts.

The JINFFR 5-pack completes our top five. Each chain is 10 in, 3/8 in LP pitch, .050 in gauge with 40 drive links, a size used on small electric saws, battery pruners and some pole saws.

These are semi-chisel, low-kickback chains that meet ANSI standards according to JINFFR, made from German steel with Japanese chrome-plating for hardness. Semi-chisel cutters suit the small, often dirty branches that light saws cut.

The listing names replacements for Remington RM1015SP and other Remington models, Craftsman, Husqvarna 525PT5S, Makita XAU02ZB, Poulan and Earthwise saws. Five chains is generous for a small saw, so you will rarely need to sharpen in the middle of a job. Check the drive link count on your bar before buying. Keep the bar oiled and the chain tensioned correctly, since small saws heat up quickly when a chain runs dry or loose.