Buy the used pro chainsaw.

Yes, if you know what you’re looking at. A used professional-grade chainsaw is almost always a better value than a new homeowner model — assuming it hasn’t been completely abused.

Pro saws are built to be rebuilt. The cylinders, pistons, and carburetors are serviceable parts, not throwaway plastic assemblies. A Stihl 261 or Husqvarna 562 XP with 100 hours of use still has years of life left. A new homeowner saw (like a Stihl MS 170 or Husky 440) will be disposable after the same amount of work. The difference in power, vibration damping, and av grip is night and day too.

But you have to inspect it. Check compression, look for scoring on the piston through the exhaust port, make sure the bar and chain aren’t worn out. If the saw has been run with dull chain or straight gas, walk away. If it looks clean and starts cold, you’re probably good.

Don’t buy a used pro saw if you don’t know how to tune a carburetor or replace a fuel line. But if you’re willing to learn, you’ll end up with a saw that outperforms anything at the big-box store for the same money.

A good used saw is a tool. A new homeowner saw is an appliance.