Echo CS-310-14 Chainsaw review

The Echo CS-310-14 is a midsize chainsaw that's ideal for moderate jobs

The Echo CS-310-14 chainsaw
(Image: © Future)

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

The Echo CS-310-14 is light and starts quickly, making it a suitable chainsaw for professionals, power tool lovers and rural homeowners. It’s easy to start, handles well, provides the power to cut through thick wood and it’s easy to find service centers for regular maintenance.

Pros

  • +

    Light

  • +

    Well balanced

  • +

    Provides clean cut

Cons

  • -

    Overkill for home users

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Echo-CS-310-14: Specs

Power Type: Gas powered
Bar length: 14in
Chain size: 14in
Max cut diameter: 25in
Chain pitch: 3/8in
Weight: 10.3lb 
Handle type: Rear handle
Noise: Up to 90 dB

The Echo CS-310-14 is a powerful standard gas-powered saw, and it's one of the best chainsaws that we've tested. The 14-inch bar is strong enough to fell trees, but the tool is small enough to store in a garage. 

The 30.5 cc two-cycle engine on the CS-310-14 is light, but it has enough muscle to rip through your wood, while also maintaining fuel efficiency so you won't need to stop every few minutes.

This chainsaw isn't for everybody though, as casual users may find it too much for your household needs.

Danny Chadwick looks haunted
J.D. Chadwick

Having tested plenty of chainsaws for TopTenReviews, J.D. Chadwick is the resident expert on chopping wood. The Echo CS-310-14 was put through the same battery of tests as all the other chainsaws we test.

Echo CS-310-14: Features

(Image credit: Future)

When we tested this saw, our lab team had several things to say about it. One tester appreciated the placement of the primer bulb, “More convenient primer location than on Husqvarna.” Another tester had a different comment, “ It’s more convenient for you, because you don't have to hold the trigger to prime it.”

They also commented on the cutting power it produces, “Doesn't seem as powerful as the previous two,” one said, referring to the 30.5 cc Sthil MS170 and the 38.2cc Husqvarna 240, compared to this model’s 30.1cc engine. But that wasn’t enough to sour them, “Not a bad saw, though.”

Echo uses an i30 starting system for quick ignition. We started each chainsaw for the first time out of the box. We noted how long it took each one to start with just one pull of the cord – the Echo took four attempts. This is good, but not the fastest we saw in our test – Husqvarna only took three attempts while the Poulan Pro took seven.

Echo CS-310-14: Performance

The Echo CS-310-14 chainsaw

(Image credit: Future)

The Echo chainsaw cut through our test log at high speeds, averaging just under five seconds per cut. However, its noise level reached around 90 decibels. That being said, you should always wear hearing protection when operating any chainsaw. The chainsaw’s plastic and aluminum body weighs only 8 pounds. These materials may bend if strained, but they keep the saw light and easy to handle.

We used the chainsaw to clear out an overgrown yard with half dead bushes, dead trees, stumps and more. We were impressed at how well the Echo cut through everything in its path with relative ease, even on a hard, dried cherry tree stump – which several of our corded models struggled mightily with.

The final verdict for this chainsaw from the testing crew was, as one tester put it “these are more pro models, not for use around the house.” Professionals, enthusiasts and frequent users will appreciate all the aspects of Echo, but it’s overkill for the occasional user who wants to remove a bush in his yard.

Echo CS-310-14: User Reviews

The Echo CS-310-14 has a 62% five star rating on Amazon. Users consistently praised the Echo for its small, light frame which made it perfect for small jobs around the garden such as tree limb cleanup. One user specifically noted that they had used it for “brush clearing and trimming and pruning trees with trunks up to 10 to 12 inches thick without any problem.”

Some users did note that while it’s perfect for small and medium jobs, the Echo CS-310-14 doesn’t have enough power for really heavy duty work. Another user noted issues with claiming against the warranty when the saw broke down, so be mindful of this.

Echo CS-310-14: Extras

(Image credit: Future)

Parts and repairs are available for the Echo saw from large home improvement stores and licensed dealers alike. This provides the option to visit a specialty store or a large chain, depending on the services available in your area. Some chainsaw brands require licensed professionals to perform maintenance, which increases the chances of your chainsaw being repaired correctly the first time versus making multiple trips to the home improvement store for new parts. Luckily, this saw is under warranty for five years.

This specialty service is part of why this Echo model doesn’t come with many accessories. Rather than including items like a chain or sharpening tools, you must visit these specialists to find exactly what the model needs. In the box, there are essentials like an owner's manual, scrench, bar scabbard and engine oil. Although there is no carrying case included with this model, Echo dealerships provide cases, files and other accessories you may need.

Ian Stokes

Ian Stokes is the Tech Editor here at Top Ten Reviews. He has extensive experience in tech and games journalism, with work published on IGN, Kotaku UK, Waypoint, GamesRadar, Trusted Reviews, and many more. You'll find him covering everything from smartphones and home computers to 3D printers and headphones. He's also our resident cocktail expert.