Are you on the hunt for a new chainsaw? Odds are, that’s why you’re reading a Blue Max chainsaw review in the first place!
True, Blue Max might not be a chainsaw brand you instantly recognize. But countless homeowners keep one of these handy tools in their garage or shed. Why? Because Blue Max offers one of the most affordable chainsaws on the market today.
On the other hand, we all know you get what you pay for more often than not. So can Blue Max really compare to some of the more expensive brands on the market? Or does it fall short of user expectations?
Don’t worry. Our Blue Max chainsaw review is here to answer all of your most pressing questions!
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Our Blue Max Chainsaw Review: Everything You Need to Know
The Blue Max chainsaw is a gas-powered chainsaw that’s very sturdy and affordable. This chainsaw has an 18-inch bar and chain. It also uses a 45 cc pro-grade, single-cylinder, two-stroke engine.
It maintains an idle speed of 2,700 to 3,400 rpm and a maximum cutting speed of 10,500 rpm. This tool is also EPA-approved for eco-friendly performance.
So what does all that mean for the average homeowner?
It means this chainsaw has a ton of power. It might not have the brand recognition of Black & Decker or Husqvarna, but many say it measures up to those brands in terms of raw strength.
Of course, you aren’t reading this Blue Max chainsaw review for just the basic information. Here are some more helpful facts about this chainsaw:
What are its main features?
The Blue Max chainsaw has a few things that make it stand out from the competition.
One of these is an anti-vibration handle that helps reduce fatigue during use. It also features a pro-grade chain with 30 percent more teeth than the average chainsaw. When it comes to big jobs, these extra teeth can cut down (get it?) your working time significantly.
Another useful feature is the easy-access chain tensioner. This feature allows you to make quick adjustments to the chain, even out in the field.
As far as convenience goes, there’s also an auto-oiler that keeps the bar lubricated. And for a bit of added safety, this chainsaw features a low-range kickback brake that stops the chainsaw in case of kickback.
Is it dependable?
Unfortunately, several people have reported issues with this chainsaw and its dependability. More specifically, multiple customers have trouble starting their Blue Max chainsaws.
While this isn’t the case for every owner, it’s a common theme in more than one Blue Max chainsaw review. Some people also had trouble with the chain coming loose.
That being said, these issues probably won’t affect the average Blue Max chainsaw owner.
If you’re a homeowner or a weekend warrior that needs to clean up after a storm, this chainsaw can definitely get the job done. But if you’re looking for something that will get frequent, heavy use, you might want to focus your search elsewhere.
Is it difficult to assemble?
If you’ve ever assembled a chainsaw before, you probably won’t have any issue with assembling the Blue Max model. Most experienced chainsaw users found it to be a fairly simple process:
However, if this is your first time, you might run into some trouble. The instruction manual is rather unclear and leaves a lot to be desired.
Several customers said it took them hours to assemble this chainsaw. That’s unfortunate as the assembly would be a lot more straightforward if the instructions were more clear.
When you look at the big picture of chainsaw ownership, this is a small complaint. But it was found in more than one Blue Max chainsaw review.
What do customers think?
Despite the complaints mentioned above, most customers were relatively satisfied with this chainsaw.
Many customer reviews claim it’s powerful enough to rival much more expensive brands. In fact, almost every Blue Max chainsaw review we researched mentioned the sheer power of this tool. The weight also felt good in the user’s hands, and they were able to use it for hours at a time.
Customers also appreciated the wide range of features listed above. And of course, they loved the price tag.
But our Blue Max chainsaw review wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging the issues.
Again, the biggest problem with this chainsaw is that it’s not very reliable. A lot of people have trouble starting it, and it has other technical issues as well. And again, it can be difficult to assemble for inexperienced chainsaw users.
For the most part, casual users were perfectly happy with this chainsaw. Overall, it has a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars from Amazon customers.
How We Reviewed
When combing through the competition for our Blue Max chainsaw review, we used Amazon and the products’ official websites as our main sources. We also referenced the Home Depot website for some models.
Of course, we didn’t rely on manufacturer and retail opinions alone. Our final thoughts were largely informed by Amazon customer reviews.
When reviewing these products, we chose to focus on a few key aspects. These included main features, power, reliability, and ease of use. Price was also a major factor in these reviews since it’s such a big selling point for the Blue Max chainsaw.
How Does It Compare to Other Chainsaws?
Of course, this wouldn’t be a real Blue Max chainsaw review without mentioning the competition. Let’s see how this chainsaw measures up to similar products on the market:
20V Power Share 10″ Cordless Chainsaw with Auto-Tension
The Worx 20V Power Share 10″ Cordless Chainsaw with Auto-Tension is a quality chainsaw that actually competes with the Blue Max price tag. This chainsaw has a 10-inch bar and chain. It also uses a 20V battery that’s compatible with other WORX 20V products.
One of its major features is the automatic, tool-free tension system. Like the Blue Max chainsaw, this model also has an automatic chain lubrication feature.
Customer reviews for this WORX chainsaw are overall quite positive. Many people loved the lightweight and easy to use design, and they said it was great for taking care of small jobs. Some reviews also mentioned the long battery life.
Unfortunately, this chainsaw is really only appropriate for small jobs. Several people complained that it doesn’t have the power to handle anything else. Also, a few customers had trouble with the chain coming off.
This WORX chainsaw is about as affordable as the Blue Max chainsaw. Depending on where you buy it, it might even be cheaper.
However, this chainsaw doesn’t have the size or the power of a Blue Max. It’s worth considering if you just need to take care of some light work. Otherwise, you’re better off sticking with a Blue Max chainsaw. This chainsaw has 4.3 out of 5 stars from Amazon customers.
Poulan Pro 20 in. 50cc Gas Chainsaw
The Poulan Pro 20 in. 50cc Gas Chainsaw is a good choice if you need something a little more heavy duty. It has a 20-inch bar and a 50 cc two-cycle engine.
It also features a super clean air filtration system that reduces the need for maintenance.
Another notable feature is the double-acting chain brake for added safety. Other features include an effortless pull starting system, reduced vibration handle, and automatic chain-oiler that keeps the chain lubricated.
Many customer reviews praise this chainsaw. In terms of raw power, many people said it compares to the top chainsaw brands on the market. They also said it’s tough, sturdy, and lasts a long time.
That said, there were numerous complaints about how difficult it is to start this chainsaw. That was a constant point of frustration for many people.
While this Poulan Pro chainsaw is cheaper than some high-end brands, it’s still quite a bit more expensive than the Blue Max chainsaw. And, honestly, it’s not much more dependable.
In short, this is one of the rare cases where you might be better off spending less money. This Poulan Pro chainsaw model has a rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars from Amazon customers.
Husqvarna 460 Rancher
The Husqvarna 460 Rancher is among the most popular chainsaws on the market today. It has a 24-inch bar and X-Torq engine, the latter of which offers low fuel consumption and reduced exhaust emissions.
With these features, the Husqvarna 460 Rancher is one of the most eco-friendly chainsaws available right now.
It also features a centrifugal air cleaning system that reduces air filter maintenance and a LowVib system that reduces fatigue for the user. Plus, there’s an adjustable oil pump that helps you control the oil flow.
Customer reviews rave about this chainsaw and its features. They describe it as incredibly powerful and durable. They also said it starts easily and requires very little maintenance in general.
Complaints were few and far between. Of the reviews we referenced, some users did complain about the heavy design of the model. Overall, though, it is a very reliable chainsaw.
But the main downside to this chainsaw is the price. With a long list of features and popular brand name, it should come as no surprise that this is the most expensive chainsaw featured in our Blue Max chainsaw review.
It might be worth the extra money if you need a powerful chainsaw that will last many years. But if you just need to take care of some small work around the yard, the Blue Max will get the job done. The Husqvarna 460 Rancher has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from Amazon customers.
Makita 18V X2 (36V) LXT Lithium‑Ion Brushless Cordless 14″ Chainsaw
Finally, we have the Makita 18V X2 (36V) LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 14″ Chainsaw. This chainsaw has a 14-inch bar and is powered by two 18V lithium-ion batteries. It features both toolless chain adjustment and an automatic chain lubrication system.
It also has a variable speed trigger, so you can control how fast your chain turns. Additionally, there’s an LED on/off switch that makes it easy to start.
Most customers enjoyed using this chainsaw. Many of them were pleasantly surprised by how powerful it is for its size. The batteries last a long time, and since it’s battery-powered, it’s also much quieter than a gas-powered model.
The most common complaint about this chainsaw was its on/off switch. Several people simply found it to be more of a hassle than it’s worth. You have to press the switch every single time you want to use this chainsaw. Otherwise, it’ll shut off within a few seconds.
Like the Husqvarna model, this tool is quite a bit more expensive than a Blue Max.
Some people might prefer using a battery-powered chainsaw. Aside from that, it doesn’t outperform a Blue Max in any significant way. With that in mind, you’re probably better off saving yourself some money. This Makita chainsaw has 4.4 out of 5 stars from Amazon customers.
Blue Max Chainsaw Review: The Pros and Cons
After reading this Blue Max chainsaw review, you should feel a bit more confident in your next chainsaw purchase.
When it comes to the Blue Max chainsaw, its biggest perk is easily its price. It’s much more affordable than many of the more popular chainsaws on the market.
It’s also powerful enough to hold its own against these products. It’s relatively light and can keep going for hours at a time. Plus, it has a wide range of features that make it convenient and easy to use.
On the other hand, many people have trouble starting it, and the chain tends to come loose. Although it shouldn’t be hard to assemble, the vague instruction manual makes the whole process a bit of a hassle.
Here are our final pros and cons for the Blue Max chainsaw:
Pros
- It’s very affordable
- It offers a lot of power
- There are lots of convenient features
- It’s lightweight
Cons
- It’s difficult to start at times
- The chain has a habit of coming loose
- The instruction manual is very unclear
Should You Invest in This Chainsaw?
Whether you’re looking for a daily chainsaw or just something to have in an emergency, you should have an idea of what to expect now that you’ve read this Blue Max chainsaw review.
On the one hand, this is a surprisingly powerful tool that doesn’t cost a lot of money. Again, many people said it’s comparable to much more expensive chainsaws.
If you have some light cutting to do around your property, but not much else, this chainsaw will definitely get the job done.
On the other, it just doesn’t offer the same performance as some of the other chainsaws. Before you buy it, you really have to consider what you need.
If you’re a professional that needs something you can use daily, this might not be the chainsaw for you. But if you’re a DIYer that just needs to take care of some simple yard work, the Blue Max chainsaw will suit you just fine.
Have you owned or used any of the models listed in our Blue Max chainsaw review? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
I began my writing career writing for various content firms, but it was under the tutelage of the editors here at SavantMag.com that I grew as a writer and editor. I love the content we write here and bringing solid reviews to consumers is rewarding beyond what I can even describe.
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