The best best bar and chain for chainsaw is the Oregon 20" 3/8" .050" combo, the only one here that balances a big cutting length with the most standard pitch and gauge for everyday farm and firewood work. It fits a huge range of popular saws and gives you spare chain in the box.
Want a lighter, more maneuverable setup for pruning and limbing? The Oregon 16" combo gets you there, as long as you don't need to fell anything over 14 inches thick.
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This guide tells you which bar length and chain pitch actually match your saw and your job before you buy, so you don't end up with a combo that binds or throws chain. If you need a full complete chainsaw instead of just a replacement bar and chain, skip to the Who Should NOT Buy section.
Everything below comes from current Amazon product data, manufacturer specifications, and buyer feedback trends, not hands-on lab testing.
Quick Answer: The Best Bar and Chain for Chainsaw
The Oregon 20" bar and chain combo with 3/8" pitch and .050" gauge is the most versatile pick for serious cutting.
- Oregon 20" Bar & Chainsaw Chain (B073XNS4DZ) (Best All-Around Workhorse): 20-inch length suits felling and bucking; includes an extra chain.
- Oregon 16" Bar & Chainsaw Chain (B00004RA71) (Best for Smaller Saws and Limbing): Light and nimble for pruning and cleanup.
- Oregon 20" Bar & Chainsaw Chain (B000CFPXPU) (Best for Heavy-Duty Low-Kickback Needs): .325" pitch with a .063" gauge for pro-grade saws.
- Oregon 14" Bar & Chainsaw Chain (B00004RA72) (Best for Light Pruning and Electric Saws): Compact and easy to handle on small battery or corded saws.
- Oregon 18" Bar & Chainsaw Chain (B00080OCS8) (Best Mid-Length Balance): A great compromise between reach and control.
Thinking about a full saw instead? Jump to Who Should NOT Buy below before you spend anything.
Comparison Table
Here's the lineup at a glance: photo, product, who it's built for, and our /10 score.
| Photo | Product | Best for | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Oregon 20″ Bar & Chainsaw Chain | All-Around Heavy Cutting | 8.8/10 | Check price → |
 | Oregon 16″ Bar & Chainsaw Chain | Light Pruning & Limbing | 8.6/10 | Check price → |
 | Oregon 20″ Bar & Chainsaw Chain | Heavy-Duty Pro Saws | 8.5/10 | Check price → |
 | Oregon 14″ Bar & Chainsaw Chain | Small Electric & Pruning Saws | 8.3/10 | Check price → |
 | Oregon 18″ Bar & Chainsaw Chain | Mid-Length Versatility | 8.7/10 | Check price → |
Scroll sideways on small screens to see every column.
Oregon 20" Bar & Chainsaw Chain: Best All-Around Workhorse
Oregon 16" Bar & Chainsaw Chain: Best Light Pruning & Limbing
Oregon 20" Bar & Chainsaw Chain: Best Heavy-Duty Pro Saws
Oregon 14" Bar & Chainsaw Chain: Best Small Electric & Pruning Saws
Oregon 18" Bar & Chainsaw Chain: Best Mid-Length Versatility
Buying Guide: Bar Length, Chain Pitch, Gauge, and Drive Links
Choosing the right bar and chain combo comes down to three numbers: pitch, gauge, and drive links. You don't need to be a mechanic you just need to match them to what your saw already uses. Oregon makes this easier than most brands because their combo kits list all three specs right on the box.
Bar Length: What Fits Your Work
The bar length tells you how big a log you can cut in one pass. A general rule is that the bar should be at least two inches longer than the log's diameter. So a 20-inch bar will handle an 18-inch log.
An 18-inch bar handles 14 to 16 inches. A 16-inch bar stops around 14 inches. And a 14-inch bar is for logs under 10 inches.
Longer bars also mean more weight on the nose of the saw. That extra leverage can fatigue your arms faster. For everyday firewood cutting, the Oregon 18" combo gives the best trade-off.
For serious felling, the 20-inch 3/8-inch combo is the standard.
Chain Pitch and Gauge: The Fit Numbers
Chain pitch is the distance between three consecutive rivets divided by two. The most common pitches are 3/8-inch and .325-inch. Gauge is the thickness of the drive links that ride in the bar groove.
The standard gauge is .050-inch, but some pro saws use .063-inch.
All five combos in this guide are 3/8-inch pitch except one: the Oregon 20" .325-inch .063-inch combo. That one is for saws with a larger sprocket and a wider bar groove. If you put a .050-inch chain in a .063-inch groove, it will rattle and jump off.
If you put a .063-inch chain in a .050-inch groove, it won't fit at all.
Drive Links: The Simple Count
Drive links are the part of the chain that sits inside the bar groove. The number of drive links determines the chain length. All five combos here use different counts from 52 (14-inch) to 81 (20-inch .325-inch).
You cannot swap chains between bar lengths without also changing the bar and sprocket.
The easiest way to ensure a match is to look up your saw model in Oregon's online compatibility chart. Failing that, count the drive links on your old chain before you throw it away. That number is your surest reference.
What About Low-Kickback Chains?
All Oregon chains sold in these combos meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) B175.1 safety requirements for low-kickback performance when used on the intended bar. The 3/8-inch low-profile chain on the 14-inch combo is particularly forgiving for new users. If you're worried about kickback, that shorter bar is the safest choice.
To see how these factors play out on real picks, compare the Oregon 20" Bar & Chainsaw Chain, Oregon 16" Bar & Chainsaw Chain and the Oregon 20" Bar & Chainsaw Chain reviewed above.
Who Should NOT Buy Best Bar and Chain for Chainsaw
A replacement bar and chain combo is the wrong purchase for three kinds of buyers. Here's who they are, and what to look at instead.
You Need a Complete Chainsaw (Not Just a Bar and Chain)
If you don't already own a working chainsaw, buying just the bar and chain will leave you stranded. You also need the power head, the sprocket, the clutch, and the oiler. The combos in this guide are replacement parts, not complete tools.
Instead, look for a full chainsaw from brands like Husqvarna, Stihl, Echo, or DEWALT. Those come with a bar and chain installed and ready to run.
You Have a Pro Saw With an Uncommon Spline or Mount
Some professional chainsaws use a bar mount that doesn't match Oregon's standard D-style mounting pattern. Saws like the Stihl MS 462 or the Husqvarna 572 XP use different bar stud spacing or a different oil hole location. The combos here are designed for the most common D-style mount found on home and farm saws.
If your saw has a unique mount, you need a dealer-specified bar.
You Need a Dedicated Milling or Ripping Bar
If you're turning logs into lumber with a chainsaw mill, a standard crosscut bar and chain won't hold up. Milling requires a special ripping chain with a different cutter angle and a longer bar often 24 to 36 inches. The 14-, 16-, 18-, and 20-inch combos here are for crosscutting, not milling.
For milling, look for an Oregon PowerCut bar and a ripping chain loop with more drive links.
Final Verdict
The Oregon 20" 3/8-inch .050-inch combo is the best overall pick because it covers the widest range of cutting jobs, includes a spare chain, and fits the most common saws. It's what you want for firewood, clean-up after storms, and general property maintenance.
Want a lighter, more maneuverable setup for pruning? The Oregon 16" combo is excellent for smaller saws and overhead work. Need the best balance between reach and control?
The 18-inch combo earns its place as a top mid-range choice.
If your saw uses the thicker .063-inch gauge, the 20-inch .325-inch combo gives you the durability for dirty cutting. And for battery-powered saws, the 14-inch combo is the perfect lightweight partner.
If none of these fit because you need a full saw or a different mount, go back to the Who Should NOT Buy section above. Getting the right tool for your actual situation saves money and frustration.
FAQ
What's the best Bar and Chain for Chainsaw overall?
The Oregon 20-inch 3/8-inch .050-inch combo is the most versatile choice for homeowners and firewood cutters. It fits a broad range of gas saws, includes a spare chain, and handles logs up to 18 inches in one cut.
How do I know which bar length I need?
Match the bar length to the thickest log you regularly cut. Add two inches to the log diameter. For example, a 16-inch bar handles 14-inch logs.
An 18-inch bar handles 14- to 16-inch logs. A 20-inch bar covers up to 18-inch logs.
Can I put a longer bar on my saw than it came with?
Yes, but only if your saw has enough power and the correct sprocket. A 20-inch bar on a 35cc saw will bog down. Stick to the bar length your saw was designed for, or go up one size if the saw is in the upper part of its displacement range.
What's the difference between .050-inch and .063-inch gauge?
The gauge is the thickness of the chain drive links that ride in the bar groove. A .063-inch gauge is thicker and used on pro saws for durability. A .050-inch gauge is standard for homeowner saws.
They are not interchangeable.
How often should I replace my bar and chain?
Replace the chain when it's stretched beyond adjustment or when the cutters are too short to sharpen. Replace the bar when the groove is worn down or the nose sprocket is loose. Most homeowners get two to three seasons from a bar and several chains.
Do I need to break in a new chain?
Yes. Run the saw at low speed for the first minute, then stop and retension the chain. The chain will stretch slightly as it seats.
Check tension again after the first tank of fuel.
Is a longer bar safer for beginners?
No. A longer bar has more leverage and a higher kickback potential. Beginners should start with a 14- or 16-inch bar and a low-kickback chain.
The 14-inch Oregon combo is the safest starting point.
