Worx WG303.1 14.5-Amp 16-inch Corded Electric Chainsaw Review


Worx WG303.1 is one of the least expensive chainsaws on sale today. It’s electric corded chainsaw so you will need power outlet nearby to use it. Worx WG303.1 is fitted with Oregon 16-inch bar and chain. It has 14.5-Amp motor with power output of 3.5 horsepower that allows chain to move at 32 feet per second. Chain has 57 links, pitch of 3/8” and gauge of 0.05”.

So can one of the cheapest chainsaws tackle any job decently well?


Cutting performance

For the money cutting performance is good. Worx WG303.1 obviously isn’t the chainsaw for heavy duty jobs but it excels at light ones like cutting wood that’s few inches thick – taking down small trees or cutting small stumps, limbs and pines.

It can also cut reasonably well through thicker stuff like most woods of up to 12 inches other than the very hard ones but it obviously does it slower than more powerful and expensive chainsaws. If you have to take 10-12 inch trees occasionally then Worx WG303.1 will be up to task most of the time, but if you have to do that regularly this is not the chainsaw for you.


Worx WG303.1 vs WG304.2 vs WG305.1 vs Oregon CS1500

So how does Worx WG303.1 compare to other corded chainsaws? Within Worx model lineup everything is as expected – it cuts better than less expensive WG305.1 but not as good as more expensive WG304.2.

How does it compare to best selling corded chainsaw – Oregon CS1500? Not well. Oregon CS1500 is only slightly more expensive yet it cuts significantly better.

Let’s compare chain speed at no-load between these corded chainsaws. Cutting performance depends on multitude factors and just because one chainsaw can move its chain faster than the other at no-load doesn’t necessarily mean it will cut better/faster, but it’s one of the factors nonetheless.

It this case we can see chain speed correlation to cutting performance. Oregon CS1500 who cuts the best has fastest chain speed, WG304.2 who cuts second best has second fastest chain speed and so on.

We can also compared Worx WG303.1 to battery powered and gas chainsaws:

Worx WG303.1 is significantly less expensive than all of those chainsaws. It does have faster chain speed at no load than DEWALT DCCS620P1 but when compared to best battery powered chainsaws like Greenworks GCS80420, DEWALT DCCS670X1 and Makita XCU03Z 18V X2 (36V) it falls behind significantly.

It also falls significantly behind Husqvarna 455 Rancher which is one of the best selling gas chainsaw – however comparing them is not fair, price difference between them is massive making this comparison absurd. However it does give you some idea about the difference between very inexpensive electric chainsaw and proper gas powered one.


Features

Worx WG303.1 features tool-less tensioning system, chain brake, rubberized rear handle, metal spike bumper and automatic oiler.

Automatic oiler works well if you use lower viscosity oil than usual (winter grade). It doesn’t oil the bar and chain quite well enough with regular oil. Another thing is that it uses more oil than usual.


Ease of use

Worx WG303.1 is easy to handle. It’s well balanced and quite light (~11 lbs with chain and bar). Only negative thing ergonomics wise is that cord might get in your way at times but it’s not a big deal.

─── Related Article: Best Electric Chainsaws (click here to read) ───


Cord

Worx WG303.1 is a cord powered chainsaw and it doesn’t come with one so unless you already own appropriate cord you will have to buy one separately.

You can’t use just any cord, you need one with gauge (AWG) rating of 14 or better (the lower the number the better so AWG rating should be 14 or lower number).


Conclusions

Worx WG303.1 leaves mixed impression – for the money it performs well however Oregon CS1500 which is a bit more expensive cuts heaps better.




Worx WG303.1 Details/Specifications:

  • Type: Electric (Corded)
  • Bar Length: 16 inches
  • Chain type: Oregon 91VG057X
  • Bar type: Oregon 160SCEA041
  • Voltage: 120 VAC ~60 Hz
  • Amperage: 14.5-Amps
  • Horsepower: 3.5 hp
  • No-load chain speed: 32 ft/s (9.7 m/s)
  • Chain pitch: 3/8”
  • Chain gauge: 0.050”
  • Number of chain links: 57
  • Oil tank capacity: 200 mL (~6.7 oz)
  • Weight: ~11 lbs (with bar and chain)

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