I thought I'd need an expensive arborist, but this $39 cordless mini chainsaw is the smart way to handle tough tree pruning jobs this fall

I’ve used my fair share of pruning tools over the years. Everything from long-handled loppers for hazel coppicing to pole pruners to keep an unruly dark green yew in check. I’ve balanced on ladders, fought with thick stems and tried a whole range of tools in different gardens where I have worked.

When it comes to thicker branch pruning in summer – for example, fruit trees that need thinning out in August, or boundary hedges and shrubs that have gone a bit feral – I’ve often wished for something that sits between a hand saw and a full-size electric or gas chainsaw. That’s where this little tool comes in. The Saker mini chainsaw is available now at $39 via Amazon (a decent 23% off), is turning heads this summer, and after reading the reviews, I can see why.

Not only is this essential pruning tool easy to use, it’s compact and cordless, making it far more manageable than anything I’ve used before for quick, clean cuts on limbs up to around four inches thick. For gardeners who want to sort that rambling rose that hasn't seen a saw in many a year, or that butterfly bush that urgently needs some attention, this tool is the perfect addition for your shed.

What are people saying about the Saker mini chainsaw?

With over 15,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.5 stars, the Saker mini chainsaw has certainly earned a little fanbase in recent years.

More than 75% of reviewers give this essential gardening tool five stars, often highlighting its portability and ease of use, especially for those who might struggle with the weight of larger, more traditional models.

One five-star reviewer from May 2025 wrote: 'It cuts smaller branches rapidly and with ease since it has good power and cutting speed. Just today, we had a very large branch come down due to age and wind. It was clearly large enough to require professional removal by an arborist... I decided to see if this saw could handle this section for me, and it did so with ease.'

Another user in July 2025 said: 'This little machine will go through a four-inch tree with no kick-back and it's powerful. I love it!! Easy to use! A must-have for anyone with a property with vegetation.'

The reviewer went on to say that buying bigger is not always better, and sometimes is actually a hindrance: 'I bought a bigger saw at first because I thought I needed "bigger" to be "better", but the chain kept falling off every time I tried going through anything three inches or more. Major pain! So then I bought this smaller one, and it blows me away with the workability!'

Of course, it’s not perfect. A few left-handed users have mentioned the safety button being awkward to operate, and one reviewer noted it may overheat with constant, heavy use, writing: 'I feel it would overheat for anything but light duty, occasional use of branches three to four inches thick.'

However, for most day-to-day pruning jobs that are part of your summer gardening checklist, including plants to prune in August, it seems to hit the sweet spot, and is compact, capable and kind on the wrists.

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How to use mini chainsaw

This is a tool designed for ease and speed when tree pruning and coppicing. It weighs just over 1kg (including the battery) and is operated with one hand, making it ideal for quick jobs or those awkward angles where loppers just won’t do.

It comes with a 20V rechargeable lithium battery, and users report solid runtime for light pruning tasks. I’d suggest fully charging it before first use (the indicator light will turn green when it’s ready) and storing it fully charged if it’s going back in the shed for a while.

It's a simple push button mechanism, but with a safety lock to prevent accidental activation, plus a protective guard and hand shield, which give added peace of mind when working through thickets or undergrowth. And the best bit? It comes with everything you need, including a charger, an oil bottle, a screwdriver, and a wrench.

It also comes with a 12-month warranty, and if there is a problem or issue within the first year, you get a direct replacement without having to return the faulty one.

If you’re tackling tree pruning, taming unruly hedges, or even just tidying the far corner of the garden, this mini chainsaw could make the job faster and far less tiring.

As someone who’s spent too long sawing through gnarly branches while wobbling on a ladder, I wish I’d had this years ago.

For more information on maintaining your pruning equipment, see our guide on how to clean garden tools.