I will need it for clearing large tree limbs and small trees, mostly for storm cleanup in a medium sized yard surrounded by mature, healthy trees.
I am looking for recommendations for safety and convenience features, as well as advice on how to choose the amperage/HP rating and bar length - and also how to tell a reliable model apart from a problem-prone one. Consumer Reports recommends a Poulan Pro 400, but that model seems to no longer be available.
There are many options for electric chainsaws. I have owned a handful over the years and all have underperformed, but that is to be expected with the exceedingly low prices on the units.
Safety: Chain brake- Required in my mind. Kickback/pull-in teeth- These are the aggressive steal teeth below the bar that are more important than they seem, provide leverage and runaway protection.
Function: Chain tensioner- must be metal of somekind, and must interact with the chain bar itself.
That being said I have seen only a few electrics with these options checked, and those are on the very expensive side.
I can recommend the Remington and MTD saws ,but I am only recommending them because they are extremely cheap and their replacement is not as difficult.
There is a Stihl MSE 140 C-BQ electric saw that is what you are looking for, but the price will most likely be a barrier, at somewhere over $300.
