Best Electric Corded Chainsaws of 2022 | Comparison & Reviews

A decade ago, there was no alternative to gas-powered chainsaws in terms of their power and performance.

If you had asked the seasoned chainsaw operator, which electric chainsaw is best for taking care of my little yard, they would have thrown you down the cliff with your stupid question before the last few years.

You see, it was a no-brainer to compare the beast of a tool, the gas-powered chainsaw, with those low battery and weaker performing electric chainsaws. For professionals of the last generation, these two words, “Best” and “Electric” never came in one sentence.

But today, that’s not the case. In the last few years, technological advancements have taken an enormous leap and made those electric chainsaws blemished with low battery life competitive enough, even to some of the gas-powered chainsaws in the market as well.

These new electric corded chainsaws are faster, safer, easy to start with a just push of a button, and gives a solid performance with the help of a powerful brushless motor. Besides those advantages, It doesn’t blow any toxic fumes into the environment and is lighter and cheaper.

With these advantages in mind, we prepared a list of best electric corded chainsaws that you might be looking for as a backup device, or for professional use, or more for casual use. Whatever your needs might be we got you covered.

Best Corded Chainsaw

1. Greenworks 20232 16-Inch Corded Electric Chainsaw

GreenWorks made a name for itself by providing the best in class outdoor tools.

This corded chainsaw is one of those quality products.

This tool of GreenWorks outshines all other corded chainsaws in its price range because of its 12 Amp powerful motor and the 16” long guide bar. Thanks to its long-chain guide bar which is capable of cutting any tree with a diameter up to 14”. That being said, the powerful motor is capable of cutting those stubborn timber trunks, and that too with ease.

The motor is large, which is advantageous for us. As soon as you start the motor, it is going to rotate the chain with 8,000 RPM, which will cut through any log of wood very fast and cleanly. And that long-chain will help you turn those rough logs into the firewood to burn in cold nights.

If we talk about the design aspects, then it isn’t much different from their other chainsaws. The body is made out of plastic, which is durable, but if the proper care is not taken, then there are chances of cracking. On its rear plastic handle, they have given it a rubberized and ergonomic finish for better grip and good user comfort.

If we go ahead with the design aspects, on the right side, it has a tool-less chain tensioning system, which is large and gives you easy control. It has a bumper spike at the front of the saw and a cap situated over the powerhead. You can fill the oil from there without any fuss.

Besides that, the handguard act as a chain brake when you push it towards the front.

To prevent damage and to maintain cutting performance the chain needs to be properly oiled, and that is done by the automatic oiling system by GreenWorks. The oil level can be checked with a semi-transparent reservoir window.

One thing to keep in mind is that oil is going to seep from it when it is not in use, so it is recommended that you empty the reservoir before storing it anywhere.

One thing I can say about the protection system is that it does a great job. The one thing that any chainsaw is going to subject is kickback. To keep it as low as possible, it has a reduced kickback bar and a low kickback chain. It reduces the likelihood and the severity of the kickback but will not eliminate it.

In the event of severe kickback, you rely on the automatic mechanical chain brake system, which is capable of stoping the chain in a fraction of seconds.

The safety lock it has needs to be engaged before starting the saw, which prevents the accidental startup of it.

The impressive thing about this corded chainsaw is that it has metal bumper spikes instead of plastic that holds the chainsaw’s position at one point while cutting the large log of wood.

In my opinion, this 16-inch chainsaw comes with a good deal of safety features and performance. It also outshines its other competitors that’s why It is possibly one of the best electric chainsaws available in the market for the price. If you are still not convinced, then this product is backed by a solid 4-years manufacturer warranty.

2. Sun Joe SWJ599E 14-inch Electric Handheld Chainsaw

In this fiercely competitive market of battery-powered chainsaws, this saw by SunJoe firmly stood at its position.
This electric corded chainsaw is able to perfectly cut through the thick woods and take down a large tree with just a push of a button.

Doing that is possible because of its 9 amp powerful motor. It easily slices through the branches and bushes of around 12″ thickness. The name it is given, The tree limb master, I think it is justified here.

If we go ahead and have a look at its bar and chain features, then the bar is 14” long and can cut the log of wood around 12” with ease. The chain features low-kickback and will diminish the kickbacks up to some extent.

The automatic oiling system lets you continuously work through the job without hampering a cutting of a tree. For convenience, the oil indicator window will let you know when you need to add the new oil.

It has bumper spikes of metal at the front, which will keep the chainsaw in its place when you are cutting through a thick piece of wood.

Besides that, for user safety and to prevent unusual happenings, it has a safety switch, a chain brake system if there is an intense kickback, and front as well as rear guards to protect your hands from the debris.

The durability and sturdiness of any machine depend on the type of material it is constructed from and let me assure you that the build of this machine is from high-grade plastic, so no worries about sturdiness.

This will be a great choice for maintaining your garden without having to deal with those toxic fumes from those gas chainsaw. Over that, it comes with a 2-year warranty from the manufacturer. Something’s not right, take it to the service center, and they will repair it, No questions asked.

3. Makita UC4051A 16-inch Electric Corded Chain Saw

This tool is a perfect choice for garden and fireplace owners. It turned out to be the first-class equipment from the Makita and can handle more demanding tasks like cutting a large number of wood logs.

One of the most highlighted features of this chainsaw is it’s 14.5 amp powerful motor. The power output of this motor is comparable with many smaller gas-powered chainsaws. It does its job very well by taking care of the task around the yard for which it was designed for.

The new and exciting feature about this corded chainsaw is its inbuilt current limiter. In an overload condition, it protects the motor from burning out by limiting the current to some extent. If you try to cut beyond its capabilities, it will slow down.

It is equipped with a 16-inch guide bar and a low kickback Oregon chain to limit the effect of the kickback. The low kickback chain is very good for the inexperienced chainsaw user.

For an electric chainsaw, it makes a 90.8 dB of noise, which is quite loud if you believe me, and after 30 to 40 minutes, it is likely to cause hearing impairment. So ear protection equipment is in line with your shopping list.

I really liked two things about this chainsaw; first thing, it has an automatic oiling system, so you don’t have to manually oil the bar and the chain. As soon as you start the saw, it will be oiled. The second thing about this chainsaw is a cherry on the top; they offer you control over the adjustment to the flow of the oil with the help of a screw.

The one standout feature of this chainsaw is its robust construction. There is a very less number of metal parts because they add weight to the saw, and the hard plastic material from which it is constructed makes it particularly robust and hard-wearing.

This electric chainsaw has some impressive and unique safety features. There is a chain brake that operates in the event of extreme kickback. The lockout switch prevents the accidental starting of the saw; a front and rear handguard for debris protection is there as well.

That unique feature that I mentioned is a chain catcher, which will protect the operator if the chain snaps or jumps off the bar.

Anyone who needs a chainsaw to manage the limbs and trees of up to 12” diameter, then this chainsaw is perfect for you. It really packs a punch with its great performance and ease of use and comfortable handling.

4. Oregon CS1400 Corded Electric Chainsaw

This is a best in class corded chainsaw for light to medium-duty jobs like cutting medium trees, logs, and branches. This saw is from the brand, which is known for its reliable products.

Talking about its performance, it comes with a powerful 15 amp motor and 16” low kickback bar that will do any work you throw at it. And that 16” chain is really capable of cutting hardwoods up to a diameter of 14”.

What to take notice of here is its build quality, which is quite good and mainly consists of hard plastic, making the chainsaw lightweight. If it is made out of plastic doesn’t mean it isn’t robust. If you store it properly, then it will last for many years to come. This lightweight design has made possible due to its plastic body and it has an advantage here; this will let you easily handle this tool.

What stands out about this electric chainsaw is that it vibrates less, produces low noise, and requires minimal maintenance.

You will be pleased to hear that it has a tool-less chain tensioning system. And it is easy to tighten the chain with the help of a large plastic knob. Besides this, it has an auto oiler system, so there is no need for manual oiling. Just fill the tank, and the saw is ready for the task. It is just you that you can’t control the flow of the oil.

It provides you the increased safety. This chainsaw comes with a chain brake system in case of a severe kickback. The guards are also there, which will prevent the hands from flying debris.

It is an ideal tool for entry-level cutters and some professional-level cutters too. This tool is really great for chopping off branches, firewood, and medium trees. Plus, it comes with a solid 3 years warranty from the manufacturer.

5. WEN 4017 16″ Electric Corded Chainsaw

Wen, This is the brand of the budget-minded people.

If you want an electric chainsaw to cut large trees and a lot of firewood, then this chainsaw is definitely not for you. Its build to do light-duty tasks.

If you are a homeowner and some casual tasks are waiting around for you to be taken care of, then this tool will be good for you. This will also be a good choice for you if you are DIYer or a hobbyist.

You will really appreciate its 12-amp motor, which is quite powerful and capable of delivering 2.2 Nm of torque, which is enough to cut through the reasonably hardwoods.

A summary, that it does every task very well, that it was designed to do.

For the long life of any chainsaw, lubrication is equally important, and for that, this saw features an automatic oiling system, so no manual oiling is needed to be done. What you will have to do is to make sure that the reservoir is full of oil, and the oil indicator will show you when to pour the new oil.

That being said, the guide bar is Oregon Double Guard 91, and it is lightweight and symmetrical. For its extended life, you can reverse it too. What is noticeable about this bar is that it has a small radius nose, which will prevent the kickback up to some extent, and the sprocket nose improves the cutting performance.

The build quality is quite good, it is made out of plastic, but it is robust. The plastic helps to keeps the weight of the tool low.

It has bumper spikes, a chain tensioning knob, two handles for handling, a front handguard, and a safety button, which does its job quite well.

This saw has many safety features for user protection. The chain with which it comes is perfectly capable of absorbing kickbacks.

There is a safety lock, which prevents accidental startup. To provide stability while cutting, it comes with bumper spikes, and to protect the hand from the flying debris, it has front and rear guards.

If you are light On a budget and looking for a chainsaw to do casual tasks, then the WEN 4017 is for you.

6. BLACK+DECKER CS1518 18-Inch Electric Chainsaw

Don’t be surprised when I say that this is the largest product in our reviews of best-corded chainsaws. This is not the chainsaw that is best in its category, but with its powerful motor and safety features, it really packs a punch. It is reliable, easy to use, and does everything it promised it would do.

It is designed for occasional use to do light and medium cutting duties. This is tool is from a well-respected brand, and it won’t be a wrong choice if you prefer to go ahead with this.

One of the biggest selling points of this motor is its powerful 15-amp motor, which is capable of delivering continuous power for demanding cuts. and this machine should be operated with a cable that has a proper gauge. The motor it features is really quiet, making it ideal for home use.

Press the lock-off button, and the chain will start spinning, and when you take the handoff, the chain will immediately come to a halt, making it very safe to operate for novice.

There is nothing new about operating it; if you have before operated any gas-powered chainsaw, this is well within your reach. Keep in mind that this is a corded product, so extra care would be needed while operating so you don’t slice through your cable.

It is a reasonably priced product, so in some areas, you are not going to get the best of it. The build quality is good, but the whole body is made up of plastic with a rubberized grip at the handles, which makes it lightweight, but it doesn’t feel that rich and robust.

This chainsaw is designed with an automatic oil flow system, which releases the oil as soon as the saw starts operating. You don’t have to do anything other than filling the tank with the oil. This oil flow is fixed and doesn’t have any manual regulation over it, so in hot weather, you might need less flow of oil, which might not be possible.

To keep an eye on the oil level, there is an oil level indicator window, so you know when it needs more oil.

Moving on, The safety features are well capable of preventing any potential accidents.

The accidental starting of the saw is prevented by the lock-off button. It is equipped with a reduced kickback bar and low kickback chain, which will not eliminate the danger but, it undoubtedly reduces the impact of any kickback.

If it so happens and there is a serious kickback, then it has a chain brake system, which will get activated and will stop the chain immediately.

This is a medium-duty chainsaw suitable for cutting large branches, running branches or limbs, cutting firewood, etc. It has excellent cutting power and can cut the 16 ” log of wood in a single pass. On top of that, it comes with a full to years home use warranty.

7. WORX WG3041 18-Inch 15.0-Amp Corded Chain Saw

People usually say that the perfect thing doesn’t exist. If we take it in the context of the chainsaws, then there isn’t any chainsaw that is affordable, easy to use, has low maintenance, and powerful altogether. But what if I say it does exist.

And that is a Worx AG304.1 chain saw.

It can tackle any kind of job you have in your yard with its 15 amp powerful motor while also being durable and user friendly.

Where this chain saw stands out from others is its 15-amp potent motor, and it is rated for 4-HP according to the manufacturer, which is quite impressive and is comparable to the gas-powered chainsaws.

One relaxing feature of this chainsaw is that it is quiet during the operation and doesn’t emit any fumes while it operates. You may even get admired by your neighbors for not running their weekend.

The build quality is durable, but there is a trade-off between price and quality of the material. Here, the material used to construct this corded chainsaw is plastic, which you may find a little flimsy if you may have used more expensive models before.

Besides that, this plastic construction helps it to keep the weight down, and be careful not to manhandle it, be gentle with it. A little care and attention will take it a long way. It has a rubberized rear handle that will provide plenty of grip and comfort during use.

The highlight of this tool is its 18” bar, which is more than other similar models and this extra length plays its part in cutting large trees. It makes the saw easier to handle, makes less vibration, and reduces the potential of slippage.

This chainsaw being electric, there aren’t any emissions of fumes from it. With increasingly strict environmental regulation, this is really beneficial.

For better stability of the chainsaw, while cutting through thick material, it has metal spikes at the front, which are more durable than plastic.

Keeping all those things aside, it has an automatic oiling system; you don’t have to manually do it. Just pour the oil into the reservoir, and you are good to go!

The one outstanding feature of this saw is that it has an auto chain tensioning system, which keeps the chain at the just-right tension and prevents over or under tensioning of the chain, which can shorten the lifespan of the chainsaw.

Talking about the safety features, it has a low kickback bar, which reduces the vibration, and makes this powerful saw manageable. There are always chances of accidents, so to be prepared beforehand and for enhanced protection against these potential accidents, it features a mechanical chain brake system.

This is the affordable corded chainsaw crawling its tentacles towards the gas-powered chainsaws in terms of its performance. It doesn’t emit any fumes and is less messy than the gas-powered one. It’s an ideal choice for those who are looking for a lightweight, affordable, and capable of doing light to medium duty work. Plus, it comes with a 3 years manufacturer’s warranty, which should also be taken into account.

Advantages of An Electric Chainsaw

We have gone through the list of the best corded electric chainsaws, but why choose the electric chainsaw and not the gas-powered one? I believe you already know the answer to that question.

So let’s list down the advantages of the electric chainsaw. the first thing that comes to most people’s minds is when they hear chainsaw is a howling of a gas engine and a big cloud of smoke blowing out of the exhaust pipe. But that’s not the case with the electric chain saw.

The benefits of a corded chainsaw are listed below.

• The main difference between the gas-powered and electric chainsaw is that the electric chainsaw uses the motor while the other one uses the gas engine. The motor makes the operation of the chainsaw much quieter, and it only makes noise if you pull the trigger. Which is good for you and your neighbors, don’t you think?
• There won’t be any smoke or harmful exhaust because it runs on electricity and not gas. That’s good for your health and the environment.
• It needs minimal maintenance, and that makes it the right choice if you don’t have enough time for maintenance.
• On a long term basis, an electrical corded chainsaw is economical with no fuel to buy and no battery to change. They will go easy on your budget.
• What’s good is, it has an infinite cutting time, which means as long as there is electricity in the outlet, it won’t stop, neither to pour fuel nor to recharge the batteries. It will keep going all day long without any complaints.
• These corded chainsaws are the lightest chainsaws available. They don’t have an engine or batteries; what they do have is a cord, and in my opinion, it is not so heavy.
• They are light to handle and easy to use. They are a great choice for beginners.

Disadvantages of The Electric Chainsaw

• Electric chainsaws are not the ideal saws. They too have disadvantages. But not as many as the gas-powered chainsaws, but they are there.
• The first one and the biggest one is the cord. It means it is not portable, that’s it; you will have to be near the electrical outlet for the constant power. That’s not a big deal, but you will have to continually manage the cord as you go along with the work and be careful not to get tangled in it. It needs some getting used to, but that’s something you will have to deal with continuously.
• Besides, you won’t be able to take it to cut the trees in a jungle with it.
• The other disadvantage it has is its power delivering capabilities because it is limited to the max of 15 amp of power supply from the household electrical outlet. This is the main hindrance for the homeowners who need faster cutting of the large trees, and that’s why most electric chainsaws are for light-duty work.

What to Look for When Buying Corded Chainsaw

Before ordering any corded chainsaw from the list that you might have just gone through, you need to look at this series of things that will vary for a chainsaw for different applications.

Types of Oiling

It doesn’t matter what kind of chainsaw you decide to buy, but there will always be a need for a bar and chain to be well lubricated, or in a matter of seconds, those parts will burn up.

The lubrication of the chain and bar is done with different methods in different chainsaws and which can be of 3 types, mainly.

Automatic oiling; in this, you can change the rate of the flow of the oil. For a corded chainsaw, automatic oiling with the adjustable flow is recommended. If that’s not possible, the very least you can do is buy one with automatic oiling with a fixed flow rate because the manual oiling will increase the complexity of the chainsaw, which you might find very difficult to work with.

In a manual oiler, you oil the chain and bar with a button; you control the amount of oil and its frequency. While in the automatic oiling system, the frequency is constant, and the amount of oil that to be supplied can be varied, or it is fixed. If it’s fixed, you have no control over it, and if it is variable, the amount of oil to be supplied can be varied.

Bar and Chain

The bar is a metal blade on which the chain spins. And for us, the length of this bar is important because it will determine the type of job it will be able to perform with convenience.

These chainsaws come in different sizes for taking care of different tasks like pruning, trimming, taking down trees, slicing up firewoods, etc.

For selecting a size of a chainsaw for different applications, follow the general rule of thumb that is it should satisfactorily cut through the log, which is 2” less in diameter than the size of the bar. It will give you a proper clearance to be safe from kickback injuries.

For light tasks like trimming and cutting down small bushes, the saw with a 6 to 12-inch long bar will do the job. If you want a chainsaw to cut down trees and a lot of firewood, then select between a 12 to 18-inch long bar chainsaw.

Noise level

The noise of an electric chainsaw is generally less than that of a gas-powered chainsaw. It can be an issue for the neighbors and might get complaints about it too. So go for the quietest chainsaw to meet your needs. Even more, if the chainsaw makes lees noise, you can work with it for a longer period and be free early.

Kickback

Kickback will always be there; it is inherent and will always be there while you operate the chainsaw. Kickbacks with high amplitude might result in losing control over the saw and might become the reason for the accident. So always chose the one with the minimum kickback. The kickback is reduced in chainsaws with the help of a specific design of the bar and a chain.

Safety Features

No amount of price drop should compel you to buy any chainsaw if it doesn’t satisfy the primary or standard safety features. A chain saw can turn out to be lethal and may create some serious incidents if you overlook the basic safety features. They should be your topmost priority while selecting any chainsaw.

The basic features the chainsaw must-have are a chain brake, a chain catcher and a low kickback bar, and a low kickback chain. What we recommend is that you compare different chainsaws and choose the safest one.

Build Quality

To get the most out of your electric chainsaw, it must last for a few years, and that won’t be possible if the material from which it is constructed is fragile. For a long-lasting life of a tool, it should be made out of strong and durable materials. So be sure about the build quality of the material before you make a purchase.

Weight

The electric chainsaw weighs less compared to those gas-powered and cordless chainsaws. If the weight is less, you get the freedom to cut at any angle you desire. Also, lightweight and small chainsaw needs less energy to operate and can be easily tackled. The less weight is generally the result of the plastic built, which reduces the cost as well.

FAQs

Q. Are electric chainsaws safer?

Electrical chainsaws are more comfortable to operate and maintain than gas chainsaws; that doesn’t mean it is always a safer tool. Its sharp teethed spinning chain is equally dangerous even if it is powered by a battery or an electrical outlet.

For the first-timers, it may be more dangerous because its compact and lightweight design will make it seem more like a toy than some harmful device. So always operate it with extreme caution, which you would be doing with the gas chainsaw.

Q. What should I look for when buying an electric chainsaw?

When buying an electric chainsaw, keep in mind the application for which you are going to use it. The important things are explained in the Buying guide, but let me briefly list down a few important points.

• Easier maintenance.
• Less kickback.
• No fuel is required.
• Quiet operation, etc.

Q. Why do loggers run upside-down bars?

If you would have observed a logger, you may have seen the chainsaw bar was equipped upside down. Was that a mistake ? or the operator wasn’t thinking straight?

The answer is it was intentional, and the reason might not be that surprising. Over a period of time, the parts of the bar which wear quickly are the parts that experience more pressure, though the oiling system is there to reduce this wear and tear. But the wearing happens. It is good to change the bar position when you change the chain.

Flipping the bar will extend its life by 50% and will give heavily used parts some relief.
It is a good thing to change the bar position when you change the chain.

Q. How often should you replace the chainsaw bar?

A general rule of thumb is that you should change the bar when you have changed the three chains and about put on the 4th chain; you can change the bar then.

Q. To what degree should you sharpen a chainsaw chain?

The standard to sharpen the chain for crosscutting is at a 30 degree. This can be estimated with the cutting profile, or you can match the angle if there is a witness mark. For cutting with the grain, you should sharpen it at 10 degrees angle.

Q. When is the right time to change the chainsaw chain?

These are the signs that your current chain is out of its depth and needs replacement.

• When positioned against the piece of wood, if you experience a bouncing and rattling, know that this is the time to say goodbye to that chain.
• When the chainsaw doesn’t draw itself in and has to apply pressure with a forceful hand, then that’s the time.
• If there is smoking, even if the chain is properly lubricated and tightened.
• When it gives you jagged and crooked cuts.
• When sharpening the chain, you find that some teeth are missing, know that this is the right time to change the chain.