Saker Mini Chainsaw Review: A Yard's Best Friend

By Sheri Kaz

Updated on Oct. 21, 2024

No fatigue, no gas, no fumes, no problem!

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Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

Some mornings, especially after a day of yard work, I feel my age. I’m not as strong as I used to be, but then again, I was never very buff to begin with. Tools generally aren’t made for small hands and some tools require using force, like pruners, loppers and hand saws.

And I’ll admit it: I’ve never felt comfortable with power tools like chainsaws. The maintenance of weeding, trimming and removing sucker trees is quite taxing and makes me want to hire a landscape service to do my dirty work. I prefer planting flowers and harvesting vegetables.

There had to be an easier way instead of struggling with bulky power tools, I thought to myself. Luckily, I found my saving grace: The Saker Mini Chainsaw.

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Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

The Saker Mini Chainsaw is a powerful battery-operated chainsaw that easily cuts wood up to four inches thick. I found this awe-inspiring because the chainsaw is only 14 inches long and weighs less than 2 1/2 pounds.

But don’t let its small stature fool you. It slices through green wood like butter with 550 watts of horsepower. It’s effortless to handle and causes zero fatigue (for me, at least). With its sure grip handle, safety trigger and easy-on button, it’s simple to control.

And because the Saker is battery-operated, it requires little maintenance besides keeping the chain oiled and sharp. What could be easier?

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This Saker Mini Chainsaw is meant to last. It’s outfitted with a pure copper motor and is fast and efficient. The handle has a rubberized grip, and the button is easily reached with your thumb (unless you’re a lefty).

Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

In the past, I would never consider buying a chainsaw. To me, power tools are heavy, loud and intimidating. All of my yard tools are electric or battery-powered, so when I discovered that the Saker Chainsaw is suitable for seniors, I was in. When it arrived, I was delighted by the compact size and lightness.

Luckily, the Saker arrived a few days before a wandering tree trimmer left a mess for me to clean up. What a perfect opportunity to test my new toy!

The battery quickly charged, and I was ready to tackle the mess. I checked the chain tension, put a few drops of oil on it, and gave it a whirl. Wow, impressive, maybe I should be intimidated by this little powerhouse!

Safety first—goggles, gloves, ready, set, go for it. Honestly, this was so fun, and I didn’t mind that I had a huge pile of debris that needed to be cut into 4-foot lengths for the trashmen.

I was expecting a lot of vibration and noise, both of which were shockingly minimal. The machine felt stable and sturdy, and the cuts were clean. It was much easier to handle than my small corded hedge trimmer.

The little sticks were the most challenging because the Saker needs to grab a steady surface to avoid kickback. I found using two hands on the saw gave me the best control. Since the branches were already downed, I had a hard time stabilizing them (which is no fault of the Saker). Next time, I’ll have to rig up a sawhorse for leverage.

Within an hour, I had the curb lined with brush and had battery life to spare. In the past, I would have been out there all day using loppers.

I didn’t test if my battery was already partially charged when I took the chainsaw out of the box, but it took less than an hour before the red light turned green. After my first use, I recharged the battery and the light turned green in about 15 minutes. So my hour of intermittent use barely drained my power supply. In general, allow two hours for charging.

To sharpen your chainsaw, keep the chain on the tool and use a Dremel tool or metal file to sharpen the blade. To get a more comprehensive, step-by-step overview, follow our guide on how to sharpen a chainsaw.

Oil your chainsaw before each use. Luckily, the Saker Mini Chainsaw comes with a small bottle of oil. Since you only need to use a small amount, the bottle will last a while.

More than 8,000 Amazon customers gave the Saker Mini Chainsaw a glowing five-star rating.

Donna M. gives the Saker chainsaw five-stars saying, “I’m a senior citizen and have never used a chain saw so I was a little intimidated by the pruning saw and it took me a while to get up the nerve to try it. But, my daughter gave it a go and that inspired me to work on the project for which I purchased this item. It’s great, I cut down, delimbed and sectioned 4 small oak trees in just a couple of hours.”

“Better than I hoped!” exclaims the Artful Dodger. “This tiny chainsaw really gets the job done! I was shocked at how rugged this little fellow is, he eats wood like that’s what it was made for… I am very happy with this tool and when its time, I’ll buy again and again from this store. The battery’s lasted longer than I thought they would by far. We have a lot of trees and I used to haul out the 18″, fool with it until it started, make one or two cuts then haul it back until next time the wind hurt our trees.”

“What’s not to love,” writes M.B. Buffaloe. “Inexpensive, lightweight, long battery life, I love it! I rarely need to cut branches over 3” diameter and this tool cuts those with ease. I ordered 3 extra chains also.”

As a seasoned product tester, I review dozens of home and lifestyle products each month for Family Handyman, Reader’s Digest and Taste of Home. With more than 30 years of gardening experience, including starting a community garden and advising clients on exterior designs, I boast a deep understanding of gardening tools and equipment.

My passion for permaculture and eco-friendly practices, coupled with my role in promoting pollinator protection, reflects my commitment to sustainable living and informs my reviews. My expertise makes me well-suited to provide a comprehensive review of the battery-operated Saker Mini Chainsaw.

First, this mini chainsaw is adorable and powerful. It’s not one bit intimidating or hard to handle. I didn’t feel any fatigue using it, especially compared to cutting branches with a lopper or a hand saw.

I was immediately impressed by the sturdiness of this saw. It didn’t feel like a plastic toy that would disintegrate with pressure. It’s hard-working and smooth. The chainsaw trims my dwarf cherry tree and the unwanted tree growing next to my foundation.

If you have branches bigger than four inches but still like the idea of a battery-powered chainsaw, check out these options or consider the 6-inch Saker Mini Electric Chainsaw.

Finally, a compact tool that is comfortable to use right out of the box. Good things really do come in small packages!

Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

If you need a quick way to cut firewood into kindling, clean up after the storm or trim trees, the Saker Mini Chainsaw is fast, easy and efficient. Save money hiring yard help and feel confident with this user-friendly DIY tool.

Saker Chainsaws are available at Home Depot, Walmart and Amazon. Check out the bundled options for extra savings.

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