Is the Stihl GTA 26 Still the Best Mini Chainsaw in 2025? We Tested It.

Our Top Pick: Stihl GTA 26 (Best Mini Chainsaw for Pruning, Yardwork, and Small DIY)

If you want a compact tool that cuts cleanly, stores easily, and doesn’t feel sketchy, the Stihl GTA 26 is the standout. It’s a battery-powered wood cutter with a 4-inch guide bar, excellent ergonomics, and safety features that inspire confidence. In our experience, it’s the easiest way to keep shrubs, fruit trees, and small firewood under control without hauling out a full-size chainsaw.

Why it wins:

• Clean, controlled cuts: Surprisingly strong for its size; ideal for branches up to ~4 in.
• Approachable and safe: Trigger lockout, retractable guard, limit stop, and low vibration.
• Kit value: The case, scabbard, charger, oil, and battery make it a complete grab-and-go setup.

Quick specs (from our testing):

• Type: Cordless (AS 2 battery)
• Guide bar: 4-inch light bar
• Weight: ~3.2 lbs (with battery)
• Runtime: About an hour of intermittent trimming

Where to buy:

• Amazon: Stihl GTA 26
• Stihl: Official product page

Read our full hands-on review for details, photos, and long-term notes: Stihl GTA 26 Wood Cutter Review

Close Runner-Up: Greenworks 40V 12" Chainsaw (Best for Those Wanting a Traditional Bar)

If you prefer a more traditional feel with a 12-inch bar, the Greenworks 40V 12" is a compact, lightweight chainsaw that’s great for storm cleanup, pruning thicker limbs, or camp/trail use. It’s not as pocketable as the GTA 26 and won’t match pro models for chain speed, but it’s quiet, easy to handle, and very approachable for homeowners.

Highlights from our testing:

• Great value: Frequently around the $149 mark with battery and charger.
• Comfortable to use: Ergonomic wrap-around handle and tool-less tensioning.
• Right-size power: Best for small-to-medium branches; it’ll work through 5–6 in logs with patience.

Considerations:

• The oil reservoir is small and can be messy—keep a funnel handy.
• Chain speed is slower than premium models; keep the chain sharp.

Where to buy:

• Amazon: Greenworks 40V 12" Chainsaw

Full review with photos and test notes: Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Review

Best Budget Pick (But Here’s Our Honest Take)

If you’re trying to minimize spend, the Makita 18V 10" Compact Chainsaw is our budget choice at about $176 USD. It’s on the smaller side, easy to handle, and fits into Makita’s massive 18V ecosystem—great if you already own Makita batteries. For light-duty pruning and quick yard tasks, it’s a solid buy.

That said, if you can stretch your budget, the Stihl GTA 26 simply feels better in the hand, cuts more cleanly, and is the tool you’ll reach for most. In our view, it’s worth it.

What We Don’t Recommend: Ultra-Cheap “Mini Chainsaws” on Amazon

We’ve trialed a handful of no-name mini/pruning saws. While they’re tempting, the downsides stack up quickly: unsteady chain quality, weak motors, poorly designed guards, inconsistent batteries, and flimsy tensioning systems. They may work briefly, but they rarely hold up in real yardwork. If you want something that lasts and stays safe, reputable brands like Stihl, Greenworks, DEWALT, or Makita are worth the investment.

How We Picked (and What Matters for Mini Chainsaws)

When we evaluate compact chainsaws and pruning tools, we focus on:

• Cutting performance: Does it maintain chain speed through hardwoods and thicker limbs?
• Control and safety: Guard design, trigger lockouts, kickback characteristics, and general approachability.
• Runtime and ecosystem: Battery availability, platform compatibility, and charge time.
• Maintenance: Tool-less tensioning, oiling system design, and part availability.
• Portability: Weight, balance, and packability for yard, RV, or trail use.

The Stihl GTA 26 wins because it balances power, control, and safety in a compact package that users actually enjoy grabbing. The Greenworks 40V 12" is excellent when you want a familiar bar/chain form factor and longer reach.

Buying Tips

• Get a spare battery if you plan to do continuous trimming.
• Keep the chain sharp and the bar oiled—performance and safety depend on it.
• For fruit trees and landscaping, prioritize control over raw speed.
• If you already own a brand’s battery platform, factor ecosystem compatibility into your choice.

Related Reviews and Guides

• In-depth review: Stihl GTA 26 Wood Cutter Review
• In-depth review: Greenworks 40V 12" Chainsaw Review
• Browse all chainsaw reviews: /reviews/all?category=chainsaws