Husqvarna 440 vs Husqvarna 440E: Which One’s Best?

Review Summary

The Husqvarna 440 series is intended for light to medium chainsawing. Although the line is not supposed to be the brand’s most impressive chainsaw, many people find them helpful for around the yard due to their lightweight, power, and ease of use.

The two chainsaws within this series are the 440 and 440E. At first glance, they look identical, and they are in many ways. They offer the same chainsaw power and specs and even cost the same on most retailer sites.

However, one notable difference between the two is that the 440E includes an on-board toolless tensioning system. In contrast, the 440 has a tensioning system that requires a T-wrench. This is the only difference between the two, meaning that the 440E is a replacement for the 440.

The 440E is easier to use because of it. You don’t have to worry about keeping up with or using the T-wrench when you choose the 440E over the 440. For that reason, the 440E is the better of the two. Since they cost the same and have the same power, there is no reason not to go with the 440E.

At a Glance

Let’s look at the key points of each product.

Overview of the Husqvarna 440:

The Husqvarna 440 is an affordable, efficient, and lightweight chainsaw. It is 18 inches long and features a 2.4 horsepower X-Torq. It uses less energy and reduces emissions, which is better for the environment and your budget. At the same time, it is powerful enough for light to medium sawing.

In addition to the power and energy savings, the 440 includes a LowVib antivibration system. This system reduces the vibration from the machine. As a result, you should be able to wield the chainsaw for longer periods without fatigue.

To make the 440 even easier to use, it also includes an Air Injection Centrifugal air system. This removes large debris before it touches the filter. The system elongates the filter’s life, and you don’t have to change it as often. Similarly, it includes a snap-lock cylinder cover, which makes changing spark plugs and cleaning easy.

Even the chain tensioner is easier to access than on other chainsaws. However, you will need to use the T-wrench provided to fix the tensioning system.

Overview of the Husqvarna 440E:

If you take a quick glance at the Husqvarna 440E, you probably will think that there is no difference between it and the 440. The only difference between the 440 and 440E is access to the tensioning system. The system on the 440E includes an onboard toolless chain tension. You don’t need the T-wrench or any other tool like you do with the 440.

Although this may seem minor, it makes the chain more accessible. Besides the toolless chain tensions, the 440E is exactly like the 440. It is nearly identical in terms of weight, performance, and abilities. All of the features mentioned in our overview of the 440 apply to the 440E, with the exception of the T-wrench.

Overall, the 440E is an exact replacement for the 440 with one minor update. However, the update makes the 440E slightly more expensive on certain websites than the 440 (though it is the same price on many websites). The difference in cost is almost nonexistent.

What are the differences between them?

Since the 440 and 440E are so similar, they are difficult to compare; they have nearly identical specifications. We will look at both chainsaws’ key factors, nonetheless, so you get a better feel of the Husqvarna 440 and 440E.

Performance

Edge: No Edge

Performance-wise, both chainsaws perform well under light to medium sawing loads. Since the saws are so light, they are unsuitable for heavy-duty or professional use. The Husqvarnas are great for everyday, personal use, however.

Durability

Edge: No Edge

Since there is no difference between the 440 and 440E, both models have the same design, materials, and features, all of which affect durability.

Overall, the 440 series is not meant to be Husqvarna’s most heavy-duty chainsaw. The 440E and 440 are made with durable materials that come with a 2-year warranty. This warranty will come in handy if something should happen, though that isn’t often the case for the 440 series.

Convenience

Edge: 440E

The only area where there is an edge is convenience. Since the 440E comes with a toolless tensioning system, it does not require tools to add tension. The 440, on the other hand, requires a T-wrench to tighten the tensioning system. Even though it isn’t the most difficult thing in the world, it can be irritating if you lose the T-wrench.

Price

Edge: No Edge

Amazingly, the 440 and 440E cost nearly the same. I say “nearly” because the exact price depends on the retailer, and some slight variations exist. Most retailers sell them for the exact same price, however. With the 440 and 440E costing the same amount, there’s no reason not to choose the 440E.

What the Users Say

Knowing what other people are saying about a product matters greatly. We looked online for product reviews to find out how our reviews compare to others’ experiences. This is what we found:

Husqvarna 440

Almost all of the reviews of the 440 were positive. Many users claimed that it worked like a charm around their yards and was easy to use, clean, store, etc. Several customers noted they were new to chainsaws and found the model incredibly lightweight and manageable. The power provided by the lightweight model was also a favorite among online reviewers.

Of course, some reviewers were not as pleased with its performance. The fact that it can’t withstand anything above light use was cited against it more than once. With this in mind, don’t buy this saw if you need it for more intense purposes. Some reviewers also noted that it frequently dies.

Husqvarna 440E

The 440E had more positive reviews than the 440. Online reviewers liked the power the small saw offers and said it’s great for personal use. As we expected, more people were excited about the toolless tensioning system, claiming that it was a small touch that was nice.

Several customers mentioned that the saw idles out of the box frequently, which they found to be caused by a loose idle screw. Unfortunately, we did not find any reviewers who explained WHY they chose the 440E over the 440.

Conclusion

Though the 440 and 440E seem to be sister tools, the 440E is just a replacement for the 440. It provides all the same performance capabilities and features as the 440. Still, it is easier to use due to the toolless tensioning system. For that reason, the 440E is better than the 440.

You can go with the 440 if you want, but there’s no need to. Since they cost the same, you will get a better, newer product for the same price by going with the 440E. You won’t go wrong with it if you use it for light sawing purposes.

See also:

• HUSQVARNA ST227P SNOW BLOWER REVIEW
• HUSQVARNA 360BT BACKPACK BLOWER REVIEW
• HUSQVARNA ST224P SNOW BLOWER REVIEW: PROS & CONS
• HUSQVARNA ST224 SNOW BLOWER REVIEW: PROS & CONS