Best Corded Electric Chain Saw Reviews
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Product Name:
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Price:
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Rating:
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Makita UC4051A
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$$$
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WORX WG303.1
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$$
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GreenWorks 20222
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$
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Earthwise CS30116
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$
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Zombi ZCS12017
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$$
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Makita UC4051A
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$$$
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WORX WG303.1
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$$
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GreenWorks 20222
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$
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Earthwise CS30116
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$
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Zombi ZCS12017
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$$
Good for
Corded chainsaws are quite a versatile tool. You can trim, prune, cut, and do almost anything as long as you purchase the right one. There are plenty of variations available on the market, and not all of them are suitable for every individual. When it comes to characteristic applications, electric chainsaws can cope even with some larger projects if the particular model is foreseen for such tasks. On the other hand, they produce significantly less noise than some other types meaning they are suitable for people that live in a highly populated neighborhood.
In comparison to some other types, these saws don’t require as much maintenance. However, they do need to be cleaned and maintained in good condition in order to perform at an optimal level. If you’re an occasional user, take a moment and consider investing in an electric unit.
Not recommended for
The main downside of electric chainsaws is their lack of portability. In other words, you always have to think about bringing an extension cord with you, wherever you go. Therefore, if you’re planning on going to the woods to cut some trees, an electric unit isn’t your safest bet. Furthermore, many of these machines aren’t foreseen for demanding projects such as cutting dense and large wood due to the lack of power in comparison to, for example, gas-powered models.
Furthermore, this type doesn’t do well under rough weather conditions. That means you shouldn’t be using an electric device that’s either wet, humid, or affected by outside factors in any way. Even though most electric models are cheaper than gas-powered ones, they aren’t always the best option due to certain limitations. As we said, the lack of power and mobility may cause some issues along the way if you ever opt to tackle a demanding project.
Top Rated Electric Chainsaws
Makita UC4051A
Makita is a well-known brand, and they have been producing excellent power tools for years now. Needless to say, this particular model isn’t an exception either. It features a 14.5amp motor with a chain speed of 2900 RPM. A built-in current regulator prevents the motor from getting burned out and overloaded. As you can tell, it’s a great power tool for occasional users.
One of the things that make this model a worthy investment is the automatic chain oiler. It may not sound particularly impressive, but you can rest assured that it alleviates the hassle of lubrication by a lot. In other words, you don’t have to worry about oil overflow or accidental leaks. The large oil reservoir has a view window that allows you to check on the oil level without opening the tank. The model also features tool-less blade and chain adjustments meaning you can fine-tune the machine according to your personal preferences on the go without having to use any additional tools.
As far as the safety goes, the engineers working for Makita have covered it all. Low-kickback and the lock-off button are the two main safety elements of the UC4051A. Also, the cord hook prevents accidental power disconnection. While it may sound irrelevant, sudden loss of power may cause severe consequences both for you and the machine. The design is pretty good, although there’s nothing special about it. The hand grip is rubberized meaning it significantly decreases the amount of vibrations. One can’t say that it doesn’t produce any vibrations whatsoever, but it’s a bearable and tolerable amount, especially when you’re wearing safety gloves.
As far as the noise production goes, it is okay, but it could have been a bit better. It isn’t a particularly loud machine per se, but it’s definitely not the quietest one on the market.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
WORX WG303.1
This 14.5amp electric chainsaw offers consistent performance and a good deal of sheer power. Even though it might not be the most powerful saw on our list, it does pack quite a bit of torque and power. It also weighs only about 11 pounds meaning you don’t have to worry about fatigue and exhaustion due to prolonged use.
The design is pretty conventional. It’s a well-designed unit packed into a compact chassis which makes it one of the easiest to use from our list. The beginner-friendly design also allows you to control and adjust the machine on the go instead of having to disassemble a particular part of the casing in order to reach a particular part. The automatic oil lubrication is also a neat addition to an already versatile machine. It features a small oil window that allows you to check the levels without any issues.
The safety features are good, but not above average. The unit features a low-kickback and a built-in chain brake. Naturally, it doesn’t perform well under rough weather conditions, but you shouldn’t even be using it in the wet environment because it’s an electric tool, and we all know that electricity doesn’t mix well with humidity. Make sure you read the user manual before using the machine for the first time to make sure everything is set up properly. Even if you’re an experienced user, don’t skip reading the manual.
The main advantage of this model is its affordable price. These tools tend to cost quite a bit and finding an affordable one is definitely a rarity. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any; it means they aren’t worth looking into due to certain limitations. This model, on the other hand, is a great solution for occasional users that are on a tight budget.
WORX WG303.1
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
GreenWorks 20222
GreenWorks had its ups and downs throughout the years, but this model is quite good and one of our recommended for inexperienced individuals. It features a 9amp motor which has one of the best starting mechanisms on our list. In fact, one of the main advantages of the 20222 model is its supreme starting capabilities. No matter where you are – you can rest assured that the unit will turn on every time within a few seconds.
The other great advantage is the ease of use. As we said, this is one of our top-recommended models for beginners, and it’s for a good reason. Apart from being pretty simple, it’s also reliable and trustworthy. Many other models usually have reliability problems, and that’s what separates them from this unit. This model isn’t foreseen for demanding projects, but it’s definitely a go-to unit for cleanups, trimming, pruning, and more. The 14-inch bar allows you to cut through wood without investing any effort whatsoever.
However, there are a couple of downsides. The general one is the lack of portability. Even though you can bring it with you wherever you go, you also have to think about bringing an extension cord along. On top of that, you cannot use any extension cord, but the one that’s capable of withstanding a particular amount of amperage – in this case, 9 amperes. Needless to say, it’s recommended that you get a cord that can cope with at least 12 amperes for safety reasons.
The safety features are okay, but there isn’t anything particularly special about them. This unit features low-kickback, tool-less chain tensioning, and rubberized hand grips. Speaking of hand grips, we would have liked to see a better design, to say the least. Even though they are cushioned, the reduction of vibrations isn’t at an impressive level. In other words, it does tend to vibrate more than usual.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Earthwise CS30116
In the sea of versatile chainsaws, this one stands out as one of the safer bets for people who are looking for light weight, decent power, and ease of use. The CS30116 model features a 12amp motor which is capable of cutting through most of the things you put in front of it. On the other hand, being a corded saw, you cannot expect it to cut through a massive pine tree like a hot knife through butter because it’s not going to happen due to certain limitations. However, occasional cleanups, trimming, and pruning is a piece of cake for this machine.
Design-wise it’s pretty good. The handle is long enough to ensure a firm grip, but it’s not particularly comfortable. While it is cushioned, it doesn’t reduce the vibrations as well as some other models on our list. However, a pair of work gloves will solve the issue in an instant. The cord retention hook is a neat addition, especially if you’re used to carrying your power tool around in your car. Instead of taking half of your trunk, it will fit in any corner and won’t be in the way.
The tool-less chain tensioner is great both for beginners and experienced individuals. It allows you to adjust and fine-tune the chain without having to use additional or proprietary tools. The automatic oiling system ensures a constant flow of lubricant, and the oil level window allows you to check on the oil level without breaking a sweat.
This model is great for homeowners who want to find a worthy substitute for their old chainsaw. It does come with a few disadvantages, but it’s nothing you can’t overcome within a few uses. The affordable price is probably the strongest selling point of this particular model.
Earthwise CS30116
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Zombi ZCS12017
The people who are looking for an aesthetically pleasing chainsaw will definitely love this model. It features a 13-amp motor that’s capable of cutting through many types of wood. The 16-inch Oregon bar allows you to cut through with ease. As far as the ergonomics and comfort go, it’s one of the best around, especially if you like lightweight models.
The concept is pretty similar to most other corded saws, but the design is unique. Instead of having a tedious chassis, it features a pretty peculiar art style as you can see in the pictures. Although that doesn’t affect its performance whatsoever, it’s certainly a thing worth pointing out. What does affect the performance is the tool-less chain tensioner. As the name suggests, you don’t need any additional tools in order to adjust or fine-tune the unit. The safety features are great. The rubberized handle is comfortable and serrated which prevents slipping and reduces the amount of vibrations.
The oil tank is easily accessible, and it features a gauge window so that you can read the levels without having to disassemble anything. The chain speed is comparable to some gas-powered units, which is a rare occurrence. Therefore, you can even tackle a demanding project and expect a decent performance. Bear in mind, being a corded model, it’s not foreseen to cut massive logs, but it can cope with them from time to time, although it’s not recommended to overwhelm the unit with consistent pressure.
The main advantage of this model is the balance between power, light weight, and affordability. In other words, you’ll get a pretty good power-to-weight ratio at a decent price. If you’re looking for an all-around corded chainsaw, take a moment and check this one out.
- Design
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Quick Product Comparison
| POWER | BAR LENGTH | WEIGHT | PRICE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Makita UC4051A |
15 amps | 16 inches | 12 pounds | $$$ | Check Price |
|
WORX WG303.1 |
14.5 amps | 16 inches | 11 pounds | $$ | Check Price |
|
GreenWorks 20222 |
9 amps | 14 inches | 8 pounds | $ | Check Price |
|
Earthwise CS30116 |
12 amps | 16 inches | 10 pounds | $ | Check Price |
|
Zombi ZCS12017 |
13 amps | 16 inches | 12 pounds | $$ | Check Price |
Before You Buy: How a Corded Electric Chainsaw Works?
Motor
The motor inside a corded chainsaw works on the same principle as any other electric motor. The amount of power is usually addressed either with wattage or amperage. When it comes to average values, most corded units feature around 10-16 amps of power. One thing you should always think about when these units are in question is the quality of your extension cord. Needless to say, you will always have to pack at least a couple of dozen feet of extension cord if you want to tackle a project without having too much downtime. Make sure you purchase an appropriate extension cord with enough resistance and capability to assure a constant flow of consistent voltage. The maintenance is significantly less stressful with these motors in comparison to gas-powered ones, but it comes with a price. Once an electric motor dies, there are far fewer chances for repair than with gasoline engines.
Oil
A vast majority of these models feature an automatic oiling system. It’s a great thing, especially for beginners, because you don’t have to think about having to do it manually. Lubrication is extremely important, and you should always check the level of oil before starting the machine.
Ease of use
The most important element of these saws is their ease of use. Many people choose these over gas-powered ones even though they are far less powerful due to their simplicity and straightforwardness. If you’re a beginner, there’s no better solution than investing in a corded tool. It causes less trouble than other types and is much more affordable.
Best Corded Electric Chainsaw – Buyer’s Guide
Tool-less system
Always aim for the models that feature a tool-less system. It’s usually a standard feature, but you would be surprised by the amount of chainsaws that don’t have this particular feature. As far as the advantages go, it’s all about the convenience. The tool-less concept includes a built-in regulator which can be used on the go, without any additional tools. For example, you can expect a lot of chain loosening along the way. Now, if you own a tool-less unit, the re-adjusting of the chain is a piece of cake, and it takes only a minute or two. On the other hand, without this feature, you would have to bring and use additional or proprietary tools which significantly increase downtime.
Power
It’s widely known that corded models have significantly less power than their gas-powered competitors. It’s usually declared either in watts or amperes. The general average amperage is anywhere between 9 and 16 amps. Needless to say, we wouldn’t recommend going under nine amps as it can be considered subpar and weak.
An important thing you should also think about is the extension cord. You should never utilize a cord that’s more than 100 feet long due to certain limitations and sudden power drops. The fluctuation in voltage can both damage your machine and cause subpar performance.
Ergonomics
Because you’ll probably use your new power tool for hours at a time, comfort is definitely something you should think about. Now, most people ignore this step because they think that work gloves solve every issue. Needless to say, that’s a completely wrong assumption, and a lot of people suffer because of it. In case you can hold the machine in person and see if it fits you – do it. On the other hand, if you’re shopping online, there are some things that can help you to determine whether or not a model is sufficiently comfortable.
The first thing you should check is the cushioning on the hand grips. If it’s made of plastic, you can expect a certain dose of vibrations and discomfort. However, if they are made of rubber, you can rest assured that it’s designed to feel as ergonomic as possible. On top of that, the length of these grips also affects the overall experience. Stay away from particularly short grips as they aren’t as comfortable and can be a safety hazard in some cases.
Oiling
You should aim for automatic oiling systems. The biggest advantage of these is the included convenience. In simpler words, you don’t have to worry about lubrication if you purchase a model with an automatic oiling mechanism. Bear in mind, due to the constant metal-to-metal friction, the bar requires constant lubrication, and it’s one of the crucial factors for optimal performance. Instead of having to think about whether it’s time for greasing, you only need to keep the level of oil at a certain level which is readable from the included gauge in most cases.
Weight
While a difference of two pounds doesn’t sound like a lot, you can rest assured that it is, especially in case of prolonged use of these machines. Therefore, you should always consider your physical condition and readiness before buying. The reason is pretty simple – if you buy a model that’s too heavy for your taste, you will have a lot of downtime and problems with fatigue and exhaustion. On the other hand, lighter models usually tend to vibrate more than heavier ones. It all comes down to your personal preferences – but choose wisely.
The conclusion
As you can tell, there are plenty of models available on the market, but only a few dozens of them are worth looking into. We have made a list of a few that we consider sufficiently powerful and trustworthy. Take a moment and check them out, you might find something of interest. On the other hand, if you’re not satisfied with our list, make sure to check out the other types we’ve covered. As far as your investments go, make sure you purchase a model that fulfills your expectations and needs. Don’t get the first thing you stumble upon because it’s more than likely going to be a mistake and a nuisance. Instead, conduct thorough research and find out which one is designed to your standards.
If you’re unsure about what to look for and which things to avoid, check out our buyer’s guide and you’ll get more than enough insight into the matter. Don’t forget that safety comes first and you should always use the required safety equipment and read the user manual before turning your new machine on for the first time.
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