Product Reviews

Echo CS 400 Review – The Best Affordable Chainsaw By Echo!

This Echo chainsaw is the one to start with if you’re a beginner. Because you’ll be just starting up with the use of chainsaws, you wouldn’t need a big expensive chainsaw to get your hands used to. Even if you aren’t a beginner, but still haven’t gotten your hands on just the right saw for your household, this chainsaw is going to be the best you’ll own. 

Echo CS-400 chainsaw is a mid-range saw that boasts a 40.2 CC Power Boost Vortex engine to provide strength and high performance, a G-Force Engine Air Pre-cleaner to extend motor life, a smart ignition system, and the i-30TM technology to reduce starting efforts by 30%. 

Moreover, the chainsaw is highly rated by chainsaw users because it has a powerful engine, a simple start-up system, and a lightweight design.

This article contains our detailed review of the saw, including its features, specifications, and pros and cons as well. 

Is Echo a Good Chainsaw Brand?

We would personally recommend Echo to anyone and everyone. Out of all the chainsaw brands that exist, there is no doubt that Husqvarna and Stihl are the best chainsaw brands in the world. 

However, not everybody can afford them, and my personal opinion is that you don’t really need them unless you’re a professional logger whose job is to deal with the biggest trees for which he’ll be needing a heavy-duty saw. 

And so, for the people who just need to carry out their around-the-house cutting tasks in the backyards or gardens, there isn’t a need to own a highly expensive and super powerful saw. After Husqvarna and Stihl, Echo is one of the top chainsaw brands and its products are highly reliable and durable as well. 

Echo CS-400 – What Separates it From its Competitors?

In my option, because CS-400 is a mid-range saw, it suits the needs and preferences of most users. It isn’t an entirely small saw nor is it a huge heavy-duty saw. It just proves to be the perfect saw for light-duty tasks such as cutting, trimming, and pruning branches or even cutting small trees.

Also, if maintained properly, the chainsaw goes a long way. It’s a highly durable saw that you can totally rely on for your work. But above all, I think it’s the price factor that makes it a winner at the end of the day. You won’t really find such good chainsaws in this price range and so, it makes itself a standout among its competitors.

SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions 21 inches x 12 inches x 10 inches
Weight 12 lbs
Bar and Chain 16 or 18-inch
Engine Power 40.2 CC
Speed 2650 – 3600 RPM
Horsepower 2.7 hp
Torque 2.3 ft-lbs.
Fuel Capacity 13.9 fluid ounces

Key Features

Before we get into the details of the Echo CS-400’s features, let’s highlight a few of its key features. 

  • An ignition system that uses digital technology ensures a smooth start-up.
  • A fast idle/choke feature, as well as a purge bulb, are integrated into the startup process to assist with it.
  • Easy and faster start with trigger release.
  • Automatic chain oiler to save you from the hustle of manual oiling.
  • Toolless chain tensioning for easy tensioning.
  • Oil is automatically adjusted on its professional-grade 2-stroke engine.
  • Chains and bars in 16 and 18 inches.
  • Air cleaning system to ensure the air inside is clean.
  • i-30 starting system.
  • Filter with a precleaned and easy-access cover designed after automotive-style filters.
  • The G-Force Engine Air Pre-Cleaner reduces the need to change air filters.

TECHNICAL FEATURES OF ECHO CS-400

We’ve been using this saw for a couple of months now and we’ve surely loved everything about it. Here are its features. 

  • Strong Build
  • Design and Appearance
  • Easy Starting
  • Variable Speed Adjustments
  • Quiet Operation
  • Minimized Kickbacks
  • Eco-Friendly
  • Best Saw in Terms of Affordance

Design and Appearance

The Echo CS-400 chainsaw has a sleek and modern design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The chainsaw’s body is a vibrant orange color, which makes it easy to spot and locate in a garage or tool shed. The chainsaw’s design is focused on ergonomics and user comfort. 

It features a cushioned handle that provides a comfortable grip and reduces fatigue during use. The handle is also designed to reduce vibration, ensuring a smooth and comfortable cutting experience. Its design is both rugged and refined, making it an excellent choice for homeowners who want a chainsaw that is both functional and visually appealing.

Design and Appearance

Strong Build

First of all, the saw is very strongly built. It isn’t a very big saw, but the build is pretty much sturdy. Although it isn’t very heavy in weight, it is nicely weighted and balanced, perfect for backyard duties. 

The chainsaw’s body is made of high-quality materials that make it resistant to wear and tear, ensuring longevity and reliability. The chainsaw’s handle is designed for comfort and control, providing a firm grip for safe operation. The engine is built to withstand heavy use and has a professional-grade 2-stroke design that ensures high performance.

Easy Starting

The Echo CS-400 chainsaw features an innovative i-30TM starting system, which reduces the effort required to start the engine by up to 30%. This system uses digital ignition technology and a fast idle/choke feature, as well as a purge bulb, to assist with the starting process.

In addition, the chainsaw also has a trigger release that makes starting the engine faster and easier. This system ensures that the chainsaw starts up quickly and reliably, saving you time and effort.

Related Post: Why a Chainsaw won’t start sometimes?

Variable Speed Adjustments

The Echo CS-400 chainsaw has variable speed adjustments that allow you to adjust the cutting speed to suit your needs. The chainsaw features a throttle control that enables you to adjust the speed of the engine, allowing you to cut through different types of wood with ease. 

This feature is especially useful when cutting through thick or dense wood, as you can increase the cutting speed to make the job faster and more efficient. The variable speed adjustments also help to reduce kickbacks, making the chainsaw safer to use.

Variable Speed Adjustments

Quiet Operation

One of the notable features of the Echo CS-400 chainsaw is its relatively quiet operation compared to other chainsaws in its class. This is due to its sound-reducing technology, which helps to minimize the noise produced during operation. 

The chainsaw’s engine is designed to run smoothly and efficiently, producing less noise while still providing powerful cutting performance. The reduced noise level makes the Echo CS-400 ideal for use in residential areas where noise regulations may be in place, as it is less likely to disturb your neighbors.

Minimized Kickbacks

The Echo CS-400 chainsaw is designed with an anti-vibration system and a reduced kickback bar and chain, which helps to minimize the risk of kickbacks during use. The anti-vibration system reduces the amount of vibration transferred to the user’s hands and arms, making it more comfortable to use for extended periods of time and reducing the risk of fatigue and injury. 

The chainsaw also features a reduced kickback bar and chain, which helps to prevent the chainsaw from jumping back toward the user in the event of a kickback.

Eco-Friendly

The Echo CS-400 chainsaw is designed to be eco-friendly by incorporating a two-stroke engine that is compliant with EPA Phase 2 and CARB Tier 3 emissions regulations. This means that the chainsaw produces fewer emissions than many other chainsaws on the market, making it a more environmentally conscious choice. 

Additionally, the chainsaw is designed to be fuel-efficient, which reduces the amount of fuel consumed and minimizes the number of emissions produced during use. The automatic oiler system also helps to reduce emissions by ensuring that the chainsaw is properly lubricated without requiring excess oil.

Eco-Friendly

You might want to know: How much does a chainsaw cost?

Best Saw in Terms of Affordance

The Echo CS-400 chainsaw typically costs around $320, which makes it an affordable option for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts who need a reliable and durable chainsaw for their projects. While there may be cheaper chainsaws on the market, the Echo CS-400 offers a balance of power, performance, and features that make it a good value for its price. 

Additionally, investing in a quality chainsaw like the Echo CS-400 can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for repairs and replacements, and by making your cutting tasks faster and more efficient.

Pros
  • Powerful and reliable 40.2 CC Power Boost Vortex engine.
  • Lightweight design.
  • Easy to start with i-30TM technology and digital ignition system.
  • Automatic chain oiler and toolless chain tensioning for convenience.
  • Durable and long-lasting with proper maintenance.
  • Affordable price compared to high-end brands.
Cons
  • May not be suitable for heavy-duty tasks
  • Oil leakage issues reported by some users
  • Some users reported difficulty in adjusting the chain tension

 

 

Echo CS 400 Review – FAQs

What kind of fuel does an echo CS-400 take?
Echo CS-400 uses mid-grade 89 Octane or Premium 93 Octane fuel in a ratio of 50:1. The oil must be ISO-L-EGD and JASO M345 FD certified. One gallon of gasoline and 2.6 ounces of two-stroke oil make up this mixture.
Can I put a 20-inch bar on an Echo CS-400?
No. Echo CS-400 is a small chainsaw, and it only takes 16-inch and 18-inch bars. 20-inch bar and chain cannot be used with this model.
How much does Echo CS-400 weigh?
It weighs around 12 lbs. only. It’s a nicely weighed chainsaw; neither too heavy nor too light. Just the rightly weighed for the household cutting tasks.
How big of a bar can you put on an Echo CS-400?
You can either use a 16-inch or an 18-inch bar with an Echo CS-400 chainsaw.
What chain does a CS-400 use?
Echo CS-400 uses S62T AdvanceCut 18-Inch chainsaw chain. In case the replacement is required, we recommend using an 18-inch Single Rivet Bar and an 18-inch Semi Chisel Chain Combo.

 

Our Verdict

Echo CS-400 is a great saw if you’re looking for an affordable, mid-ranged, not-so-big chainsaw for carrying out household cutting tasks. You can use the 16-inch or the 18-inch bar and chain with this model, just whatever suits your needs.

Overall, it’s one of the Echo’s best chainsaws among all those of its competition and has a high user rating because of its amazing features, durability, specifications, and reliability!

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