Are you on the hunt for a new chain saw? Then you have probably seen at least one Echo model!
Our lawn care experts took a look at the most popular Echo Chain saws and did a full breakdown and review of each model to help you find the right model for you!
Echo builds a number of chain saws which can make it hard to choose the right model!
Choosing the right chainsaw might seem easy but there are many options and features to consider when making your decision. All of Echo’s chain saws are well built but it is important to have all the information on the differences between a heavy duty commercial chainsaw and one designed for light residential use!
This guide is here to help break down the pro’s and con’s of all the top Echo chainsaw models. We took an in-depth look at the chains, motor, pricing and extra features and picked out a few of our favorites to help you decide!
ECHO Chainsaw Comparison Chart
| Echo CS-590 | Echo CS-271T | Echo CS-303T | Echo CS-400 | Echo CS-490 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
|
| Type | Gas powered | Gas powered | Gas powered | Gas powered | Gas powered |
| Power Source | 59.8 cc, 2 stroke engine | 26.9 cc, 2 stroke engine | 30.1 cc engine | 40.2 cc, 2 stroke engine | 50.2 cc, 2 stroke engine |
| Weight | 17 lbs | 11 lbs | 12.6 lbs | 10.1 lbs | 18.7 lbs |
| Size | 38.8 x 12 x 10.8 inches | 12.2 x 10.2 x 9.9 inches | 14.1 x 11.3 x 10.2 inches | 32 x 11 x 12 inches | 37 x 10.4 x 13.2 inches |
| Length | 20" | 12" | 14" | 18" | 20" |
| Warranty | Manufacturers Warranty | Manufacturers Warranty | Manufacturers Warranty | Manufacturers Warranty | Manufacturers Warranty |
| Price | $398.99 | $299.99 | $369.14 | $325.00 | $338.68 |
| CHECK ON AMAZON | CHECK ON AMAZON | CHECK ON AMAZON | CHECK ON AMAZON | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Best Echo Chainsaws
In order to build the best guide possible we took a look at almost every model of Echo Chain Saws available online and in stores.
If you don’t feel like reading the full guide don’t worry, we created a shorter section highlighting only the best Chain Saws that are currently available from Echo!
Want to skip to the Best Echo section, click here to jump down the page!
Below is a quick list of the Best Echo Chain Saws. We build this table after reviewing each product, it includes an overall score, what is can be best used for, price, power and extra features!
| Chainsaw | Score | Best For | Price | Type | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echo CS-400 | 98% | Around the house | $325.00 | Gas chainsaw |
|
| Echo CS-590 | 90% | Light commercial | $398.99 | Gas chainsaw |
|
| Echo CS-271T | 92% | Residential | $299.99 | Gas chainsaw |
|
| Echo CS-303T | 95% | Thick branches | $369.14 | Gas chainsaw |
|
| Echo CS-490 | 96% | Commercial | $338.68 | Gas chainsaw |
|
| Echo CS-370 | 93% | For Women | $321.53 | Gas chainsaw |
|
Best Overall Echo - Echo CS-400
Our pick for the Best Overall Echo Chain Saw is the Echo CS-400! It has more than enough power to handle even the toughest trees while still being easy to use thanks to its i-30 starting system and super light weight (about 10 pounds) and affordable!. If you are looking for the best chain saw for your money you won’t find a better Echo model.
What We Like
- 18" Cutting chain. The 18" long chain is just the right length for trimming trees and bushes in one cut.
- A powerful engine. With a 40.2 cc, 2 stroke engine the CS-400 has more than enough power to cut hard and soft wood without missing a beat
- Perfect Ratio. Some chain saws are too long or too heavy. This chain saw has the perfect bar length to weight ratio so you will never feel off balance
- Easy Starter. Nothing is more frustrating that a tool that won't start. The i-30 Easy starter allows start up every pull, even after long periods of unuse!
What We Don't Like
- Chain may come loose if not maintained
What We Don't Like
- Some customers report problems starting and with the ignition system.
Best for Residential - Echo CS-271T
If you own a home or condo you probably do not need a super powerful chain saw with all the extra features since you will likely only use it a few times a year. If this souds like you then we recommend the Echo CS-271T!
What We Like
- Anti vibration handle.
- Automatic oiler.
- Shorter chain length.
- Compact and reliable.
What We Don't Like
- Finishing large project may take awhile due to the smaller chain and less powerful engine.
Best Lightweight Chain Saw - Echo CS-303T
Need a middle of the road chain saw for occasional use that is still light weight? We recommend the Echo CS-303T, it won’t break your back and does not sacrifice power!
What We Like
- 2 bar lengths. Choose between 12" and 14" cutting bars
- Throttle lock. The throttle lock allows for steady power and consistent cuts
- Auto oiler. The automatic oiling system allows for less downtime and more time spend cutting
What We Don't Like
- Vibration can be hard to control after long periods of use for smaller adults
Best for Hard Wood - Echo CS-490
Need to cut hard wood? Check out the Echo CS-490! It has a powerful 50.2 cc engine that can cut right through tough woods like Ash, Beech, Birch and Oak! Stop struggling and getting your chain stuck with a less powerful motor.
What We Like
- Large cutting bar 20" bar allows you to cut logs up to 40" thick
- Top of the line engine 50.2 cc, 2 stroke engine with digital starting system
- Extra chrome protection. Interior cylinder is plated with chrome for extra engine life
What We Don't Like
- Occasional problems have been reported with the starter
Best for Women - Echo CS-370
Not everyone needs chainsaw designed for clearing a forest. If you are on the hunt for a chain saw that is easy for ladies to safely operate then we recommend the Echo CS-370. It is adjustable, lightweight and it’s engine is not overpowering!
What We Like
- 3 adjustable bar lengths. Switch between 14", 16" and 18"
- Easy to use. The 36.3 cc, 2 stroke engine provides enough power to cut without overpowering
- Easy starter. The i-30 digital starting systems allows you to get right to work instead of trying to start your saw
What We Don't Like
- Some problems have been reported with starting after periods sitting in storage. If you only occasionally use your chain saw make sure to add fuel stabilizer
Best Commercial Chain Saw
Our team of experts knows what it takes to get commercial jobs on time and on budget! We know that requirements are different and sub par tools are unacceptable on the work site! If you have a team on site they need to have the right tools for the job!
Remember, every minute of down time is costing your business money! The fast your team can down trees, trim bushes and clear land the more jobs you can schedule every week! Don’t let your business fall apart because your tools break down! For commercial work we recommend the Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf.
Best for Commercial - Echo CS-590
Run a commercial landscaping or tree trimming company and need a chain saw you can trust for every day use? We recommend the Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf to get the job done right the first time!
What We Like
- Powerful 2 stroke engine.
- 20" bar
- Easy pull start system.
- Vibration dampening system.
- Weight to Power.
Other Great Commercial Picks
The Timber Wolf may have been our favorite, but the competition was close! Echo makes a number of saws that are excellent for every day commercial use. When looking for a new commercial chain saw it is important to pick something with enough power to cut through any material you might find on the job site without sacrificing usability!
CS-501P
Need something with a little more juice than the Timber Wolf? The CS-501P is a great choice if you need a new chain saw for every day use. Weather it is trimming trees or cutting fire wood you can’t go wrong here!
CS-800P
Need to take down big trees, trim branches or even cutting pallets? The CS-800P has a 80.77, 2 stroke engine and Performance Cutting System™ that let’s you cut right through even the thickest logs! This model is perfect for bucking, milling lumber and removing stumps.
Echo Chainsaws Compared
All of Echo’s chain saws are great tools, but it is important to pick the right one for your use case. Some models like the CS-590 are large and powerful which can make them difficult to use while others like the CS-370 are designed for smaller jobs.
Prices for Echo chain saws depend on the model but are very affordable and compare well against other top name brands. With 18 different models of chain saws currently on the market you are sure to find one that you love!
All of the Echo chain saws have the same orange outer body coloring with the Echo logo on the cutting bar. Each body varies slightly depending on features and functionality!
Reviewing the Reviews
Echo Chain Saws have pretty good reviews across the web but we did notice a few reoccurring issues.
Consumer Reports
One of the first places we check for reviews in Consumer Reports. Echo Chain Saws are very highly rated on Consumer Reports and we only found 2 1 star reviews.
Their report on the best chain saws is still being written but we are confident that Echo will see a few top rankings, especially for the CS-590 Timber Wolf.
Amazon.Com
Amazon is one the best best places to buy an Echo Chain Saw online (especially if you are a prime member). Echo has great ratings on Amazon.com – you can see a full list of reviews for the most popular chain saws here.
Better Business Bureau
Echo has has a few complaints to the Better Business Bureau but maintains an overall A- rating! When we checked out their complaints we noticed many customer incorrectly mixing gas and oil! Ready more on their full BBB profile!
Echo-USA.com
Echo’s products have great reviews on their website. The lowest rating we can find at the time of writing this review was a 3.4 with most models being above 4.5!
The CS-590 Timber Wolf has 558 reviews and a 4.8 out of 5 rating!
Ratings
- 5 Stars – 482
- 4 Stars – 48
- 3 Stars – 10
- 2 stars – 4
- 1 star – 14
Which Model is Right for Me?
At the end of the day all of the Echo chain saws are well built tools that will last for many years. If you are in the market for a powerful chain saw for commercial tree felling or something light for seasonal use around the house Echo has the perfect option for you!
In order to pick the best chain saw you need to know what you are looking for. We recommend asking yourself these 3 questions before starting your search:
- What is your budget? Knowing how much you can spend can quickly eliminate items outside your price range
- What extra features do you need? The more features the higher the price. If you don’t need all the bells and whistles you can save some $$$
- What is my max weight? Some models are considerably heavier than others. Make sure you know how much you can carry!
Frequently Asked Questions
Echo models run on a blend of unleaded gas. For best results use a gas to oil mixtures of 50 to 1. Make sure to always use the right blend or your may void your warranty!
Echo makes great chain saw, if your not sure check their reviews! Double check all the specs and make sure to get a model designed for you!
Parts for Echo chain saws come from a few different places. The Yamabiko Corporation owns the brand out of Japan but the parts are manufactured in Yokosuka, Morioka, Shenzhen and Lake Zurich!
Most Echo models start the same way. First, make sure there is gas in the engine. Second, prime the pump a few times. Finally, pull the starter and you should be ready to go!
Echo chain saws need a gas to oil ratio of 50 to 1. Always make sure to blend your gas or you risk damaging the starter and voiding your warranty.
You can buy an Echo chain saw online at Amazon.com or at any of your local hardware stores.
From time to time you will need to replace your chain. Start by removing the side panel and releasing the chain tension. Second, carefully slide the old chain off the bar. It should be easy with lots of slack. Third, loosen your tension screw (located near the base of the bar). Finally, attach your new chain and reassemble your chain saw!