REASONS TO BUY
Decent runtime
Quick refills
Includes carrying case
Extra chain
And onboard tool storage
REASONS TO AVOID
Hard to start
Doesn't like to idle
Terribly loud
Lacks bucking spikes
Poulan Pro PR4218 Review
A 2-cycle gas-powered chainsaw that falls behind the competition in nearly every way
Credit: Poulan
RELATED: Best Chainsaws of 2023
Our Verdict
When the Poulan Pro PR4218 is warmed up and idling, it makes some relatively fast cuts. This model comes with several included extras such as a carrying case, a gallon's worth of 2-cycle oil, and an extra chain. It's always nice when the models that require the use of a tool for chain tensioning and other adjustments have a spot to store the tool on the machine. Sadly, despite the bits of praise, this model plain old doesn't run well. It's hard to start and, once it's running, it's hard to keep running. Considering its price and overall performance, we'd recommend going with a different model.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Poulan Pro PR4218 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $215 List $149.00 at Amazon | $279 List | $290 List $289.99 at Amazon | $120 List $99.99 at Amazon | $130 List $126.64 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Decent runtime, quick refills, includes carrying case, extra chain, and onboard tool storage | Great cutting performance, cord stopper, intuitive tensioning system, oil flow is adjustable | Spectacular battery life, two chain speed settings, barely consumes bar and chain oil | Decent saw performance, light for this type, good oil tank cap location, extremely affordable | Compact, light, quiet, affordable |
| Cons | Hard to start, doesn't like to idle, terribly loud, lacks bucking spikes | Oil tank location is not ideal, cord placement could be better, limitations of corded tools | Not the strongest cutting power, plastic chain tensioning system, electronic controls slow down sawing | Mediocre chain tensioning system, slow wind-up time | Mediocre battery life, slow at making cuts |
| Bottom Line | A 2-cycle gas-powered chainsaw that falls behind the competition in nearly every way | A corded model that quickly slices through wood and has an easy-to-use tensioning system | A good degree of performance and an exceptional battery life at a reasonable price | If budget is your overall purchasing decision-making factor, this average saw will get the job done for cheap | This cordless electric chainsaw is our favorite 20V model for small, quick projects around the yard |
| Rating Categories | Poulan Pro PR4218 | Makita UC4051A | Husqvarna 120i | Worx WG303.1 | Worx WG322 |
| Saw Performance (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
| Power Performance (25%) | |||||
| Noise (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Poulan Pro PR4218 | Makita UC4051A | Husqvarna 120i | Worx WG303.1 | Worx WG322 |
| Model Number | PR4218 | UC4051A | 120i | WG303.1 | WG322 |
| Bar Length | 18 inches | 16 inches | 14 inches | 16 inches | 10 inches |
| Power Source | Gasoline | Corded Electric | Battery | Corded Electric | Battery |
| Measured Weight | 14 lbs, 6 oz | 12 lbs, 6 oz | 10 lbs, 11 oz | 10 lbs 13 oz | 6 lbs, 10 oz |
| Measured Battery Weight | n/a | n/a | 2 lbs, 12 oz | n/a | 1 lbs, 10 oz |
| Amps | n/a | 15 A | 4.2 A | 15 A | 2 A |
| Motor Size | 42cc 2-Cycle | 15 Amp | 36V | 15 Amp | 20V |
| Measured Runtime | 28 minutes | n/a | 40 minutes | n/a | 22 minutes |
| Measured Run Time Eco Mode | n/a | n/a | 54 mins | n/a | n/a |
| Recharge/Refuel Time | 1 min | n/a | 120 min | n/a | 180 min |
| Measured Average Cutting Time | 10.1 seconds | 5.7 seconds | 13.5 seconds | 7.4 seconds | 38.4 seconds |
| Measured Wind Up Time | 0.5 seconds | 0.5 seconds | 0.5 seconds | 1 second | 2 seconds |
| Measured Decibel Reading at 48in | 105.1 dBa | 94.1 dBa | 85.9 dBa | 99.1 dBa | 80.0 dBa |
| Control Type | Thumb safety w/ chain brake | Side safety w/ chain brake | Electronic button, side safety and brake | Side safety w/ chain brake | Thumb safety |
| Chain Replacement and Tensioning Type | Included Tool | Tool free | Tool free | Tool free | Tool free |
| Metal Bucking Spikes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Oil Conservation | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Bar & Chain Tank Location and Type | Side | Top | Side, flip-up | Top | Top |
| Measured Body Dimesions | 16 x 8 x 7.5 inches | 19 x 6 x 6 inches | 19 x 7 x 7 inches | 17 x 12 x 6.5 inches | 13 x 8 x 7.5 inches |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
If you're shopping for a gas-powered model, it's easy to find chainsaws that outperform the Poulan Pro PR4218 for a similar price. Unless you find a ridiculous deal or huge sale on this saw, it would be wise to shop around before buying this one.
Performance Comparison
The Poulan Pro PR4218 does a so-so job of making cuts when it's warmed up and idling.
Credit: Ross Patton
Likes
To create a true head-to-head analysis for these wood cutting machines and their sawing performance, we built a sawbuck and used dimensional lumber in order to create a repeatable controlled test. By using lumber rather than logs for our tests, we know that each saw is cutting through the same amount of wood and the same type of wood.
The Poulan Pro PR4218 showed some reasonable solid results during our wood cutting assessment.
Credit: Ross Patton
During this evaluation, we found that when the Poulan Pro PR4218 was warmed up and idling properly, this model made fairly quick work of our "fake log." After several cuts, we calculated an average cutting time of 10.1 seconds. While this time is more than double the time of the top-tier models, it's still nearly four times the speed of the slowest model.
When we used the Poulan Pro PR4218 on larger logs around our test site, we found that the 42cc engine with the 18-inch bar did a fairly good job.
This model handles larger logs reasonably well.
Credit: Ross Patton
When we measured runtime by securing the saws to a stand and running them at full throttle, we found that the Poulan Pro PR4218 did a fairly decent job. 28 minutes is right about in the middle of the pack.
We appreciate that this model comes with several extras. With your purchase, the Poulan Pro PR4218 includes a carrying case, enough 2-cycle oil to mix a gallon of gas, and an extra chain.
It's nice to store any required tools on the device that requires them. The Poulan stores its wrench/screwdriver combo tool in the bottom of the handle.
The Poulan Pro does an ok job of cutting, but bucking spikes would certainly help.
Credit: Ross Patton
Dislikes
The main problem we have with the Poulan Pro PR4218 is that it is hard to start. The pull cord is unusually difficult to pull, and it takes many more tugs to get it going than the other 2-cycle models that we've tested. Once it's started, it doesn't like to idle on its own so you are constantly feathering the trigger in between cuts. Often while doing tree work or bucking logs, you need that other hand to drag a branch or throw a round out of the way for your next cut, so keeping it on the throttle can really hinder workflow.
Not only is the Poulan Pro PR4218 lacking bucking spikes, but it also doesn't even have plastic ones. Metal bucking spikes are an absolute industry standard for 2-cycle chainsaws, especially one with this size of an engine and bar.
This model is also brutally loud. In general, the loudest saws often offer the highest performance. Unfortunately, with the Poulan Pro PR421888, this is not the case.
Value
Considering that we've tested 2-cycle chainsaws that outperform the Poulan Pro PR4218 but have a similar price tag, it's hard to see the value offered by this model.
Conclusion
The Poulan Pro PR4218 includes several attractive extras including 2-cycle oil, a case, and an extra chain. It does a commendable job of making cuts when it is running well. As with other gas-powered models, it's great that it's so quick and easy to fuel up once it's out of gas. Unfortunately, it does not like to idle, and it is difficult to start. This model is also extremely loud. Despite the things we like about this machine, your money is likely better spent elsewhere.
—
Ross Patton
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