Saw noise and vibration values: what makers declare for chainsaws and pole saws
Saw makers declare a sound level and a hand-arm vibration value for each model. This page sets out the figures Husqvarna and Makita publish for 36 rear-handle, top-handle, battery and pole saws, with the uncertainty and test standard where the maker prints them, and what HSE and CCOHS say the figures are.
Checked against the sources at the bottom of this page on October 9, 2026. Rules, fees and pay change: the source has the last word.
This page reports what the named codes, regulators and makers say. It is not training and does not teach the work. This page reports what the official source says. It is not legal advice: ask the office named here.
Every number below is a figure a saw maker declares for its own model. Two makers' pages could be opened and read in full: Husqvarna, on its United States product pages, and Makita, in a vibration and noise data listing published on its United Kingdom site. Rows are sorted by maker and then by model name, never by a figure. The table cells carry the maker's number only. The guide on saw types compared sets out how regulators sort saw types, and the guide on health hazards covers what the regulators say about noise and vibration at work.
What the figures are
- Sound pressure level, written LpA, is explained by CCOHS as the decibel form of the air pressure fluctuation a source creates, which people hear as loudness. CCOHS says sound pressure also depends on the room or open space around the source and on the listener's distance from it. In the Husqvarna tables LpA is the level the pages give at the operator's ear position.
- Sound power level, written LwA, is explained by CCOHS as the decibel form of the sound energy a source transfers to the air each second. CCOHS says a source has a given, constant sound power that does not change if the source is placed in a different environment.
- Vibration is the hand-arm vibration value in metres per second squared (m/s²). Husqvarna's pages label theirs the equivalent vibration level, ahv,eq, and print a front handle and a rear handle value. Makita's data listing prints a declared continuous vibration value, and for some models two values separated by a slash.
- Uncertainty K is a figure printed beside the measured values. Makita's data listing prints an uncertainty K in m/s² for vibration and in dB(A) for noise. Husqvarna's pages print no K.
Where declared values come from
HSE says the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations require power tool makers to give information on vibration risks, including a statement of the vibration emission that must be in the instruction manual. HSE adds that for combustion-engine machines used in forestry and arboriculture the emission value is a good starting point for an exposure assessment, and that makers may provide several types of data. The HSE research report RR1162 says British standard test codes can be used for the declaration, and that in its research the vibration emission data measured to the test codes it studied were useful for telling low and high vibration tools apart in some cases but not all. It says the declared data typically understate vibration in use, so they are not suitable for risk assessment. HSE report RR1182 compared noise and vibration from battery-powered and traditionally powered hand-held tools in in-use tests, including chain-saws, and found that the emissions of battery tools can be higher or lower than those of the traditionally powered equivalents.
So a declared value is a figure from a standard test set-up, set by the test standard the maker names, and HSE says declared data typically understate vibration in use. The Standard named column below gives the standard each maker names, where it names one. Husqvarna's pages name none for these values, so those cells read Not published.
Rear-handle petrol saws, Husqvarna
Husqvarna lists these under gas chainsaws and not under top-handle chainsaws on its United States site. Its pages print two sound power figures, one labelled measured and one labelled guaranteed, and a front and rear handle vibration level.
Sound levels
| Maker and model | LpA dB(A) | LwA dB(A) | LwA guaranteed dB(A) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna 435 | 102 | 113 | 114 |
| Husqvarna 445S | 106 | 114 | 116 |
| Husqvarna 450S Rancher | 106 | 114 | 116 |
| Husqvarna 460 Rancher | 105 | 113 | 115 |
| Husqvarna 540 XP Mark III | 103 | 111 | 112 |
| Husqvarna 545 Mark II | 106 | 113 | 115 |
| Husqvarna 550 XP Mark II | 107 | 115 | 117 |
| Husqvarna 555 | 106 | 114 | 115 |
Vibration
| Maker and model | Vibration m/s² and K | Standard named |
|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna 435 | front handle 3.1, rear handle 3.8; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna 445S | front handle 4.7, rear handle 4.6; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna 450S Rancher | front handle 3.9, rear handle 4.1; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna 460 Rancher | front handle 3.8, rear handle 6.9; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna 540 XP Mark III | front handle 3.7, rear handle 5.1; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna 545 Mark II | front handle 4, rear handle 4.6; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna 550 XP Mark II | front handle 4, rear handle 4.6; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna 555 | front handle 3.2, rear handle 5; K Not published | Not published |
Top-handle petrol saws, Husqvarna
Husqvarna lists these under both gas chainsaws and top-handle chainsaws.
Sound levels
| Maker and model | LpA dB(A) | LwA dB(A) | LwA guaranteed dB(A) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna T435 | 103 | 112 | 114 |
| Husqvarna T525 | 98 | 110 | 111 |
| Husqvarna T540 XP Mark III | 102 | 110 | 112 |
Vibration
| Maker and model | Vibration m/s² and K | Standard named |
|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna T435 | front handle 3.6, rear handle 3.9; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna T525 | front handle 4.9, rear handle 5.2; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna T540 XP Mark III | front handle 3.5, rear handle 3.4; K Not published | Not published |
Petrol saws, Makita data listing
Makita's data listing names these three as petrol chain saws and does not say whether each is rear-handled or top-handled. For these rows the listing prints the LpA under its other conditions column, not converted to 0.7 m. Where it prints two vibration values it does not name the handles. The Guaranteed LwA column is the figure the listing marks as guaranteed under Directive 2000/14/EC.
Sound levels
| Maker and model | LpA dB(A) | LwA dB(A) | LwA guaranteed dB(A) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makita EA3201S, Petrol Chain Saw | 102.6 | 109.8 | 112 |
| Makita EA3600, Petrol Chain Saw | 97.1 | 109.6 | 111 |
| Makita EA3700T, Petrol Chain Saw | 100.2 | 109.8 | 112 |
Vibration
| Maker and model | Vibration m/s² and K | Standard named |
|---|---|---|
| Makita EA3201S, Petrol Chain Saw | 4.8; K for vibration 2.0; K for noise 2.5 and 2.5 (KpA and KWA) | Vibration: ISO 22867. Noise: ISO 22868. Guaranteed LwA: Directive 2000/14/EC |
| Makita EA3600, Petrol Chain Saw | 2.7 and 2.8 (two values, in the order printed; the datasheet does not name the handles); K for vibration 2.0; K for noise 2.5 and 2.5 (KpA and KWA) | Vibration: ISO 22867. Noise: ISO 22868. Guaranteed LwA: Directive 2000/14/EC |
| Makita EA3700T, Petrol Chain Saw | 3.5 and 3.1 (two values, in the order printed; the datasheet does not name the handles); K for vibration 2.0; K for noise 2.0 and 2.0 (KpA and KWA) | Vibration: ISO 22867. Noise: ISO 22868. Guaranteed LwA: Directive 2000/14/EC |
Battery saws
Husqvarna's five rows are saws it lists as battery chainsaws; the 542i XP, T535i XP and T542i XP are also on its top-handle list. Makita's listing names its saws cordless chain saws or cordless pruning saws and does not say which are top-handled. Makita prints the LpA under a converted-to-0.7 m column for most of these saws, marked (a) in the cell, and under the other conditions column for the rest.
Sound levels
| Maker and model | LpA dB(A) | LwA dB(A) | LwA guaranteed dB(A) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna 535i XP | 97 | 105 | 108 |
| Husqvarna 540i XP | 95 | 104 | 106 |
| Husqvarna 542i XP | 91 | 102 | 104 |
| Husqvarna T535i XP | 99 | 107 | 109 |
| Husqvarna T542i XP | 91 | 102 | 104 |
| Makita DUC101, Cordless Pruning Saw | 79 (a) | 87 | 95 |
| Makita DUC150, Cordless Pruning Saw | 79 (a) | 87 | 97 |
| Makita DUC254, Cordless Chain Saw | 93 (a) | 101 | 104 |
| Makita DUC256, Cordless Chain Saw | 95 (a) | 103 | 106 |
| Makita DUC306, Cordless Chain Saw | 95 (a) | 103 | 106 |
| Makita UC006G, Cordless Chain Saw | 91 (a) | 99 | 105 |
| Makita UC029G, Cordless Pruning Saw | 81 (a) | 89 | 92 |
| Makita UC030G, Cordless Chain Saw | 94 (a) | 102 | 106 |
| Makita UC034G, Cordless Chain Saw | 96 | 104 | 105 |
Vibration
| Maker and model | Vibration m/s² and K | Standard named |
|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna 535i XP | front handle 2.5, rear handle 2.8; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna 540i XP | front handle 3.6, rear handle 3.7; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna 542i XP | front handle 4.3, rear handle 4.8; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna T535i XP | front handle 2, rear handle 2.4; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna T542i XP | front handle 4.7, rear handle 4.1; K Not published | Not published |
| Makita DUC101, Cordless Pruning Saw | 4.6; K for vibration 1.5; K for noise 3 | Vibration and noise: EN 62841-1. Guaranteed LwA: Directive 2000/14/EC and 2024/1208/EU |
| Makita DUC150, Cordless Pruning Saw | 4.8; K for vibration 1.5; K for noise 3 | Vibration and noise: EN 62841-1. Guaranteed LwA: Directive 2000/14/EC and 2024/1208/EU |
| Makita DUC254, Cordless Chain Saw | 3.7; K for vibration 1.5; K for noise 3 | Vibration and noise: EN 62841-1 and EN ISO 11681-2. Guaranteed LwA: Directive 2000/14/EC and 2024/1208/EU(EN 62841-4-1) |
| Makita DUC256, Cordless Chain Saw | 3.2; K for vibration 1.5; K for noise 3 | Vibration and noise: EN 62841-1 and EN ISO 11681-2. Guaranteed LwA: Directive 2000/14/EC and 2024/1208/EU(EN 62841-4-1) |
| Makita DUC306, Cordless Chain Saw | 3.2; K for vibration 1.5; K for noise 3 | Vibration and noise: EN 62841-1 and EN ISO 11681-2. Guaranteed LwA: Directive 2000/14/EC and 2024/1208/EU(EN 62841-4-1) |
| Makita UC006G, Cordless Chain Saw | 2.3; K for vibration 1.5; K for noise 3 | Vibration and noise: EN 62841-1 and EN ISO 11681-2. Guaranteed LwA: Directive 2000/14/EC and 2024/1208/EU (EN 62841-4-1) |
| Makita UC029G, Cordless Pruning Saw | 4.6; K for vibration 1.5; K for noise 3 | Vibration and noise: EN 62841-1. Guaranteed LwA: Directive 2000/14/EC and 2024/1208/EU |
| Makita UC030G, Cordless Chain Saw | 4.0; K for vibration 1.5; K for noise 3 | Vibration and noise: EN 62841-1 and EN 62841-4-1. Guaranteed LwA: Directive 2000/14/EC and 2024/1208/EU (EN 62841-4-1) |
| Makita UC034G, Cordless Chain Saw | 5.7; K for vibration 1.5; K for noise 3 | Vibration and noise: EN 62841-1 and EN 62841-4-1. Guaranteed LwA: Directive 2000/14/EC and 2024/1208/EU (EN 62841-4-1) |
Mark (a): the datasheet prints this LpA under its column headed converted to 0.7 m.
Pole saws
Husqvarna's pole saw pages print a rear handle vibration level and no front handle value, and the 525PT5S page prints no vibration value. Makita's listing gives its cordless pole saw values with the pole at its longest, no load, and the two vibration values as sub handle then main handle. The EY2650H is a telescopic petrol pole saw, given for the shaft in its shortest and longest positions.
Sound levels
| Maker and model | LpA dB(A) | LwA dB(A) | LwA guaranteed dB(A) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna 525P5S | 90 | 107 | 107 |
| Husqvarna 525PT5S | 89 | 107 | 107 |
| Husqvarna 530iP4 | 88 | 98 | 98 |
| Husqvarna 530iPT5 | 83 | 98 | 98 |
| Makita DUA300, Cordless Pole Saw | 93 | 103 | Not in the datasheet |
| Makita DUA301, Cordless Telescopic Pole Saw | 93 | 103 | Not in the datasheet |
| Makita EY2650H, Telescopic Petrol pole saw | 89.5 | 107.3 | 110 |
| Makita UA003G, Cordless Pole Saw | 90 | 104 | Not in the datasheet |
Vibration
| Maker and model | Vibration m/s² and K | Standard named |
|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna 525P5S | rear handle 3.7; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna 525PT5S | Not published on the page; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna 530iP4 | rear handle 1.1; K Not published | Not published |
| Husqvarna 530iPT5 | rear handle 1.2; K Not published | Not published |
| Makita DUA300, Cordless Pole Saw | 2.5 and 2.1 (two values, in the order printed; sub handle, then main handle); K for vibration 1.5; K for noise 3 | Vibration and noise: EN 62841-1 and EN ISO 11680-1 |
| Makita DUA301, Cordless Telescopic Pole Saw | 2.5 and 2.1 (two values, in the order printed; sub handle, then main handle); K for vibration 1.5; K for noise 3 | Vibration and noise: EN 62841-1 and EN ISO 11680-1 |
| Makita EY2650H, Telescopic Petrol pole saw | shaft in shortest position 7.2 and 5.3; shaft in longest position 8.6 and 6.1 (two values each, in the order printed; the datasheet does not name the handles); K for vibration 2.0 and 2.0; K for noise 2.5 and 2.5 (KpA and KWA) | Vibration: ISO 22867. Noise: ISO 22868. Guaranteed LwA: Directive 2000/14/EC |
| Makita UA003G, Cordless Pole Saw | 2.2 and 1.5 (two values, in the order printed; sub handle, then main handle); K for vibration 1.5; K for noise 3 | Vibration and noise: EN 62841-1 and EN ISO 11680-1 |
What this page leaves out
Other makers publish these figures in manuals that this page does not draw on and read for this page, so they are not listed. A maker's figures change with each model edition, and a row here is the figure on the page or in the data listing on the day it was read. The Makita listing is a spreadsheet that also covers drills, saws for building work and garden tools, from which only the rows for chain saws, pruning saws and pole saws were taken. No row ranks one saw against another.
Sources
- Makita UK, vibration and noise data listing no. 26-022e (PDF), read October 9, 2026
- Makita UK, vibration page that carries the data listing, read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 435 product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 445S product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 450S Rancher product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 460 Rancher product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 535i XP product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 540i XP product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 540 XP Mark III product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 542i XP product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 545 Mark II product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 550 XP Mark II product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 555 product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, T435 product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, T525 product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, T535i XP product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, T540 XP Mark III product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, T542i XP product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 525P5S product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 525PT5S product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 530iP4 product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, 530iPT5 product page (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, gas chainsaws category (United States), read October 9, 2026
- Husqvarna, top-handle chainsaws category (United States), read October 9, 2026
- CCOHS, noise basic information, fact sheet last revised November 27, 2024, read October 9, 2026
- HSE, hand arm vibration in forestry and arboriculture, read October 9, 2026
- HSE, research report RR1162 on standard test codes for declaring vibration emission, read October 9, 2026
- HSE, research report RR1182 on noise and vibration of battery and traditionally powered tools, read October 9, 2026