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
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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 |  Best Chainsaw For Your Money | Great Value in a Smaller Saw | Best Affordable Corded Chainsaw |  Best For Smaller Projects and Tight Budgets | |
| Price | $215 List | $399 List $399.00 at Amazon | $250 List $269.00 at Amazon | $115 List $97.74 at Amazon | $55 List $39.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | An overpriced gasoline saw that doesn't run well and is lacking key elements | One of the best values in a chainsaw, especially since there are so many other great EGO products that use the same battery | It's hard to imagine more power in a smaller package | An easy-to-use corded electric model that will hardly dent your bank account | A great smaller saw at a great price |
| Rating Categories | Poulan Pro PR4218 | Ego Power+ CS1800 | Ego Power+ CS1201 | Oregon CS1500 | SeeSii Mini Cordless |
| Saw Performance (40%) | |||||
| Cut Capacity (25%) | |||||
| Weight/Cutting Small Limbs (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (10%) | |||||
| Noise (5%) | |||||
| Specifications | Poulan Pro PR4218 | Ego Power+ CS1800 | Ego Power+ CS1201 | Oregon CS1500 | SeeSii Mini Cordless |
| Bar Length | 18 inches | 18 inches | 12 inches | 18 inches | 6 inches |
| Measured Average Cutting Time | 10.1 seconds | 5.9 seconds | 8 seconds | 7.8 seconds | 39 seconds |
| 9 inch trees per minute | 5.1 | 7.4 | 5.1 | 6.2 | 1.2 |
| Measured Weight | 14 lbs, 6 oz | 14 lbs, 11 oz | 8 lb 13 oz | 10 lbs, 10 oz | 2 lb 8 oz |
| Measured Battery Weight | n/a | 4 lbs, 13 oz | 2 lbs, 14 oz | n/a | 11.4 oz |
| Measured Wind Up Time | .5 seconds | 1.25 seconds | 1.25 seconds | .5 seconds | .1 seconds |
| Recharge/Refuel Time | 1 minute | 90 minutes | 40 minutes | n/a | 131 minutes |
| Motor Size | 42cc 2-Cycle | 56V | 56V | 15 Amp | 21V |
| Measured Decibel Reading at 48in | 105.1 dBa | 88.8 dBa | 81.2dBA | 86.6 dBa | 76.8 dBa |
| Chain Replacement and Tensioning Type | Included Tool | Tool Free | Tool free | Tool free | Included Tool |
| Metal Bucking Spikes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Power Source | Gasoline | Battery | Battery | Corded electric | Battery |
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.
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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