Top handle chainsaws are specialist tools for trained professionals working at height, offering compact size, balance and precise control. Rear handle chainsaws are a safer, easier-to-use option for ground-based cutting, from firewood to tree felling. Choosing the right type improves safety and efficiency, with expert advice available from Garden Machinery Direct.
Rear Handle vs Top Handle Chainsaws: Differences and Usage
Choosing the right chainsaw is about far more than engine size or brand preference. One of the most important decisions you’ll make is whether you need a top handle chainsaw or a rear handle chainsaw. While both are designed to cut timber efficiently, they are built for very different working environments and levels of expertise.
Using the wrong type of chainsaw for the job can reduce productivity, increase fatigue, and—most importantly—compromise safety. In this guide, we’ll explore the key differences between top handle and rear handle chainsaws, explain when each should be used, and highlight real-world examples to help you choose your tool with confidence.
Understanding Chainsaw Handle Design
At a glance, the difference between these two types of chainsaw might appear minor. In practice, handle position fundamentally changes how the saw behaves, how it’s controlled, and where it should be used.
The debate around top handle vs rear handle chainsaw use isn’t about which is better overall, but which is better suited to a specific task.
What Is a Top Handle Chainsaw?
A top handle saw—often referred to as a climbing saw—is designed specifically for aerial work. Instead of having a rear grip behind the engine, the primary handle sits directly on top of the machine. This compact layout creates a short, well-balanced tool that can be manoeuvred easily in confined or elevated spaces.
Top handle chainsaws are widely used by professional arborists and tree surgeons who spend much of their time working from ropes, harnesses, ladders, or mobile elevated work platforms. Their design prioritises balance, agility, and control over raw cutting power.
Because of their specialist nature, top handle saws are not intended for general ground-based cutting and should only be used by trained operators.
When Should You Use a Top Handle Chainsaw?
A top handle chainsaw is the correct tool if you:
- Carry out pruning or dismantling work at height
- Need maximum manoeuvrability in tight spaces
- Regularly work within a tree canopy
- Require a lightweight saw to reduce fatigue aloft
- Hold the appropriate certification to operate one safely*
Many professionals now choose a top handle battery chainsaw for quieter operation and reduced vibrations, particularly in residential or other noise-sensitive environments.
Benefits of Top Handle Chainsaws
Top handle chainsaws are purpose-built for professional tree care, offering several clear advantages.
Lightweight and Compact
Their smaller size and reduced weight make them easier to carry into trees and less tiring to use during prolonged aerial work.
Excellent Balance
With the handle positioned over the engine, the saw feels more neutral in the hand, especially when working above shoulder height.
Precise Control
Top handle designs allow for careful, controlled cuts where accuracy matters more than brute force.
Designed for Specialist Use
Regardless of whether it’s a petrol or cordless electric top handle chainsaw, these machines are expertly engineered for experienced users who understand aerial cutting dynamics.
Limitations of Top Handle Chainsaws
Despite their strengths, top handle chainsaws are not a universal solution.
They are not suitable for ground-level tasks, where leverage and two-handed stability are essential. Used incorrectly, they can increase the risk of kickback. They also tend to have shorter guide bars and less overall cutting capacity than rear handle alternatives.
For these reasons, they are best viewed as specialist tools rather than general-purpose machines.
Examples of Top Handle Chainsaws
If you’re thinking of buying a top handle chainsaw, here are two of the most highly regarded models that we sell:
ECHO CS-2511TES Petrol Top Handle Chainsaw
The ECHO CS-2511TES is widely considered to be one of the best top handle chainsaws for professionals who prioritise low weight and sharp response. This top handle ECHO chainsaw combines an ultra-lightweight design with impressive cutting performance for its size. Its compact build makes it ideal for detailed pruning, crown reduction, and dismantling work at height.
Ideal for arborists who value manoeuvrability and control, ECHO top handle chainsaws have earned a strong reputation across the industry, so it’s no surprise that this is one of our most popular petrol climbing saws for sale.
STIHL MSA 220 TC-O Cordless Chainsaw
If you’re looking to move away from petrol, the MSA 220 TC-O STIHL top handle chainsaw showcases the cutting edge of cordless climbing saws. As a premium STIHL battery top handle chainsaw, it delivers exceptional chain speed and instant torque with zero exhaust emissions.
This top handle electric chainsaw features advanced electronic management, a clear status display, and robust magnesium housing. Up there with the best STIHL tophandles, it’s a great example of how modern battery tools can meet the demands of professional arborists seeking quieter, cleaner performance. There are no two ways about it, the MSA 220 TC-O STIHL top handle battery chainsaw is a powerful solution for precision aerial work.
What Is a Rear Handle Chainsaw?
A rear handle chainsaw is the most common and versatile type of chainsaw. It features a front handle for guidance and a rear handle positioned behind the engine, allowing for a stable, two-handed grip.
This design provides excellent leverage, balance, and control, making it ideal for ground-based tasks. Rear handle chainsaws are used by everyone from homeowners cutting firewood to professionals felling trees in forestry environments.
When people refer to long handle chainsaws, they are often describing larger rear handle models with extended guide bars designed for heavier cutting.
When Should You Use a Rear Handle Chainsaw?
A rear handle chainsaw is the right choice if you:
- Carry out work on the ground
- Cut firewood or fallen timber
- Fell small to medium trees
- Need a versatile, all-round saw
- Want a safer option for non-aerial work
For most users, a rear handle chainsaw will be more practical, comfortable, and forgiving to operate than a top handle model.
Benefits of Rear Handle Chainsaws
Chainsaws with a rear handle are the most popular style of saw for a number of reasons.
Greater Stability
The two-handed grip improves balance and reduces the risk of loss of control.
More Buying Options
Rear handle models are available with a wider range of engine sizes and bar lengths, making them suitable for heavier workloads.
Better Ergonomics for Long Sessions
These machines are designed to be used at waist height or below, reducing strain on the body during extended cutting tasks.
Ideal for Mixed Use
From garden maintenance tasks to professional forestry, rear handle chainsaws are true all-rounders.
Rear Handle Chainsaws for Sale
As mentioned, rear handle saws come in a broad range of styles and sizes. Let’s take a look at two very different, but equally impressive, models right now…
Husqvarna 120 II Petrol Chainsaw
The Husqvarna 120 II is an extremely popular entry-level rear handle chainsaw designed for domestic users and general property maintenance. Lightweight and easy to operate, it’s well suited to cutting firewood, trimming branches, and other tasks around the garden.
With its efficient engine and user-friendly features, this machine demonstrates why rear handle chainsaws remain the go-to choice for safe, ground-based cutting.
EGO CS2005E Cordless Chainsaw
If you want to enjoy the many benefits of battery power without sacrificing cutting performance, the EGO CS2005E is a really smart choice. This powerful rear handle cordless chainsaw features a long guide bar and high chain speed, making it capable of tackling larger logs and demanding jobs.
In terms of performance, it is comparable to traditional petrol long handle chainsaws, but offers reduced noise, lower maintenance, and zero direct emissions—ideal for modern garden and estate work.
Top Handle vs Rear Handle Chainsaw: Which to Use?
The choice between a top handle and rear handle chainsaw comes down to how and where you work.
Top handle chainsaws are specialist tools, built for trained professionals operating at height. Rear handle chainsaws are more versatile, safer for ground use, and suitable for a much wider range of users.
In simple terms:
- Top handle chainsaws are for aerial, professional tree work
- Rear handle chainsaws are for ground-based cutting and general use
- Choosing correctly improves safety, efficiency, and results
Buy All Chainsaws at GMD
At Garden Machinery Direct, we sell an unbeatable range of chainsaws to suit every type of user, including professional top handle chainsaws* and versatile rear handle chainsaws—all from leading brands.
Whether you’re comparing petrol and battery options, looking for the best Husqvarna top handle chainsaw for pros, or choosing your first rear handle saw for around the garden, our friendly and knowledgeable team is always on hand to offer expert advice.
Explore our full range of chainsaws or get in touch with us now—we’re here to help you find the right chainsaw for the job, every time.
(*Please note that as part of our duty of care, we require certified proof that you are trained to use a top handle chainsaw prior to dispatch.)
