REASONS TO BUY
Decent saw performance
Light for this type
Good oil tank cap location
Extremely affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Mediocre chain tensioning system
Slow wind-up time
Worx WG303.1 Review
If budget is your overall purchasing decision-making factor, this average saw will get the job done for cheap
Credit: Worx
RELATED: Best Chainsaws of 2024
Our Verdict
The Worx WG303.1 is very budget-friendly. Our team found that when the chain was properly tightened, this model did a commendable job of cutting. Unfortunately, the chain tensioning system took our seasoned chainsaw experts quite a bit of tinkering to get dialed, especially during the process of changing a chain. Once we got the chain to proper tension, we found that the chain tended to come loose at a somewhat alarming rate. When we put the WG303.1 on the scale, we found it to be lighter than several other saws in our review. It's also nice to have the oil tank on top of the saw body so that you don't need to rest it on its side to refill.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product Worx WG303.1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Chainsaw For Your Money | Best Affordable Corded Chainsaw |  Best For Smaller Projects and Tight Budgets | ||
| Price | $120 List | $399 List $385.00 at Amazon | $115 List $100.49 at Amazon | $70 List $49.98 at Amazon | $80 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This saw offers good cutting performance and a few nice features but falls short of the best models | One of the best values in a chainsaw, especially since there are so many other great EGO products that use the same battery | An easy-to-use corded electric model that will hardly dent your bank account | A great smaller saw at a great price | One of the better one-handed mini chainsaws we tested |
| Rating Categories | Worx WG303.1 | Ego Power+ CS1800 | Oregon CS1500 | SeeSii Mini Cordless | Tietoc Mini Cordless |
| Saw Performance (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
| Power Performance (25%) | |||||
| Noise (5%) | |||||
| Weight (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Worx WG303.1 | Ego Power+ CS1800 | Oregon CS1500 | SeeSii Mini Cordless | Tietoc Mini Cordless |
| Bar Length | 16 inches | 18 inches | 18 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches |
| Measured Average Cutting Time | 7.4 seconds | 5.9 seconds | 7.8 seconds | 39 seconds | 58.3 seconds |
| Recharge/Refuel Time | n/a | 90 minutes | n/a | 131 minutes | 140 minutes |
| Measured Weight | 10 lbs 13 oz | 14 lbs, 11 oz | 10 lbs, 10 oz | 2 lb 8 oz | 3lbs, 0 oz |
| Measured Battery Weight | n/a | 4 lbs, 13 oz | n/a | 11.4 oz | 11 oz |
| Measured Wind Up Time | 1 second | 1.25 seconds | .5 seconds | .1 seconds | .1 seconds |
| Measured Runtime | n/a | 60 minutes | n/a | 36 minutes | 32 minutes |
| Amps | 15 amp | 5 amp | 15 Amp | 2 amp | 2 amp |
| Motor Size | 15 Amp | 56V | 15 Amp | 21V | 21V |
| Measured Run Time Eco Mode | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Measured Decibel Reading at 48in | 99.1 dBa | 88.8 dBa | 86.6 dBa | 76.8 dBa | 78.1 dBa |
| Measured Body Dimesions | 17 x 12 x 6.5 inches | 16 x 9 x 8 inches | 17.5 x 12 x 6 inches | 10 x 4 x 3 inches | 11 x 5 x 4 inches |
| Chain Replacement and Tensioning Type | Tool free | Tool Free | Tool free | Included Tool | Included Tool |
| Metal Bucking Spikes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Oil Conservation Score | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 |
| Power Source | Corded electric | Battery | Corded electric | Battery | Battery |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
Worx is widely known for making super-affordable power tools that often cost a small fraction of the products manufactured by competing brands. However, more often than not, the lower cost correlates to an unimpressive performance. With their corded chainsaw, the WG303.1, this is precisely the case. The person we would recommend this saw to is someone who is shopping on an extremely tight budget and is willing to spend extra time tinkering with their chain and dragging extension cords around instead of making a larger investment.
Performance Comparison
The Worx WG303.1 is an ultra-affordable corded electric chainsaw that works well when it has proper chain tension, which is rare.
Credit: Ross Patton
Likes
The strongest suit for the Worx WG303.1 is its cutting performance. We tested all of our chainsaws head-to-head using the exact same dimensions and type of lumber. We timed how long it took each model to completely slice through our “fake log” consisting of four 4x4s several times, then calculated an average.
During this evaluation, the WG303.1 showed an impressive average time of 7.4 seconds, finishing ahead of the majority of the pack. Our power tool experts also found this model to have good balance and handling while cutting through logs at the test site.
The Worx WG303.1 does a great job on smaller logs.
Credit: Ross Patton
We like that the WG303.1 comes with metal bucking spikes, and we found the oil tank cap to be in a location that is very easy to use.
Dislikes
While we did find some features on the Worx WG303.1 that improve its overall ease of use, there is a flaw where the designers missed the mark. The tool-free chain tensioning system consists of one wheel that you turn in one direction to tension the chain and then the other direction to secure the bar. This seems to do an ok job once you have found the sweet spot where this functions properly. However, if you are completely removing the bar and replacing the chain there is quite a bit of trial & error involved to get the correct amount of revolutions on the knob to where it will tension the chain and also secure the bar.
The singular wheel tensioning system on this model does not work as well as tool-free systems that have two separate adjustments.
Credit: Ross Patton
We considered the pros and cons of having either a corded electric, battery-powered, or gas-powered motor. While some manufacturers claim that corded electric models have an unlimited runtime, we quickly discovered that this is not the case. All chainsaws require bar & chain oil and the levels must be checked often and filled up as needed. Also, motors such as the one used by the Worx WG303.1 are not designed to constantly run and are prone to overloading and overheating.
Corded electric models do not have an unlimited runtime. They require bar & chain oil and can quickly overheat.
Credit: Ross Patton
Although it is nice to forget about battery charge times or filling tanks up with gas, being limited to the length of an extension cord is far from ideal. In our experience, the vast majority of tasks that require a chainsaw are further than 100 feet from a power outlet. Considering that cordless and 2-cycle models are infinitely more mobile than corded versions, we'd say that those who are going to want to purchase this type of saw are in the minority.
Even with a 100-foot extension cord, the corded electric models couldn't quite reach to certain parts of our test site.
Credit: Ross Patton
Value
The Worx WG303.1 is extremely budget-friendly, but with a lackluster overall performance compared to other corded-electric models, we'd recommend spending more money for more performance.
Conclusion
If you're in a pinch and you need an affordable corded electric chainsaw, the Worx WG303.1 will probably suit your needs. It cuts well when the chain is at the perfect tension and it's lightweight. We like the top-fill style of the oil tank and we are always fans of metal bucking spikes. However, the chain tensioning system does not work very well. If you can spend a little extra money, we'd highly recommend going with a better model.
—
Ross Patton
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