WORX WG303.1 review

The WORX WG303.1 is an alternative to the highly-powered gas models which aren’t the best fit for everyone.

Image shows the Worx G303.1.
(Image: © Amazon.)

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

The Worx WG304.1 is a quiet electric chainsaw that effectively cuts through shrubs and fallen limbs in your yard. When it comes to corded models, there's nothing we encountered that should stop you from buying it.

Pros

  • +

    Lengthy 16-inch guide bar

  • +

    Low price

Cons

  • -

    Weaker than gas-powered chainsaw

  • -

    Cord keeps you on leash

Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

There's no point beating about the bush: when it comes to effectively sawing logs, the WORX WG303.1 is one of the best chainsaws we tested. 

It is best suited for the occasional chainsaw user who needs to clear brush or fallen limbs near the house. It's quiet and light, making it easy to complete simple jobs. It may not be as powerful as the gas chainsaws we tested, but this 120V saw managed to slice through our test lumber with satisfactory results.

Having a chainsaw around the house can be useful for odd jobs and DIY projects; however, highly-powered gas models aren’t the best fit for everyone. Electric models like the WORX WG303.1 provide much of the same utility of a gas model while reducing the maintenance and skill required to operate one. And costing less than $100, it is our best value pick for this category.

Danny Chadwick looks haunted
J.D. Chadwick

J.D. Chadwick has written for Top Ten Reviews for 15 years, with products under his belt including antivirus software, yard tools, video editing apps and, of course, chainsaws. The WORX WG303.1 is just one of several chainsaws tested by Chadwick, with identical tests used for each.

WORX WG303.1: Design

The WORX WG303.1 delivers 120V of power. At full speeds, the saw can reach 4 horsepower. It comes with essentials like a printed owner's manual, bar scabbard and engine oil. The life of the chain varies depending on what you use the saw for and what kind of wood you cut. This saw is available through most major retailers.

The WORX WG303.1 resting on a log.

(Image credit: Future)

The WORX WG303.1 has an 16-inch guide bar, which is one of the longest among all the chainsaws we compared. This allows you to take on more heavy-duty tasks than battery-powered models such as the Kobalt KCS 120-07 and Black & Decker LCS1020 which have 12- and 10-inch bars respectively.

The corded-power design of this chainsaw is useful or a deterrent, depending on what you intend to use the tool for. Gas-powered models deliver much more power, but these require you to buy and mix fuel to make them work. 

The blade of the WORX WG303.1

(Image credit: Future)

Additionally, gas-powered models are much harder to start and require much more maintenance. Corded models, like this one, are more convenient because all you do is plug it in and it’s ready to use. You won’t have to pull a rip cord over and over again to get it going. And its motor is far less complicated to maintain than an internal combustion engine. The only regular maintenance you’ll need to do is keep it clean, tightened and oiled.

WORX WG303.1: Performance

During our testing, we used this saw to help clear out an overgrown residential backyard. We found it to be easy to start, maneuver and cut with. It performed exceptionally well when cutting down wild, young trees that hadn’t developed thick, hard trunks yet. It was also good at removing dead branches from dying trees and cutting up already fallen wood into smaller pieces. It struggled a bit when it came to slicing through a hardened, dead cherry tree stump – tasks like that are better left to professionals and high-powered gas models.

The WORX WG303.1 being carried by a log.

(Image credit: Future)

We used each of the chainsaws we reviewed to cut a 6x6-inch piece of lumber. As we suspected, the gas models made the quickest, smoothest work of this task. They all took well under 10 seconds to make the cut. The WORX WG303.1 held its own – making the cut in about 14 seconds. This may seem exceptionally slow by comparison, but unless you require that kind of speed regularly, there’s no reason to spend $100 extra for a gas model.

The blade of the WORX WG303.1

(Image credit: Future)

This electric chainsaw starts easily and safely. To begin cutting, you must hold the safety and press the trigger to start the saw. This safety feature makes it hard to start the saw without a sturdy grip on the handle. This isn't the best chainsaw for forestry or ranching jobs; unless you have an impressive extension cord, the corded design of this model will keep you on a leash.

J.D. Chadwick
Contributor

J.D. Chadwick started writing articles for Top Ten Reviews 2008 and, after filling the role of Multimedia Editor, the keen video creator and expert in software was one of the most prolific members of the TTR team, authoring articles on things like antivirus software, video editing apps, and more.