Corded saws are the value play nobody talks about: $60-$120 buys unlimited runtime, zero engine maintenance, instant trigger starts, and enough power to run a 16-18 inch bar through serious firewood — as long as the work stays within 100 feet of an outlet. They're the right answer for suburban yards, shop work, and cutting stacked logs at the woodpile, and the wrong answer anywhere a cord can't follow you.
11 corded electric chainsaws from 7 brands, about $79 to $570. The highest retailer-rated is the Craftsman 12A 16" Corded Chainsaw at 4.3/5 on Lowe's; the least expensive is the Greenworks 12A 16" Corded Chainsaw at about $79. The lightest is the Stihl MSE 170 C-B at 8.4 lb (powerhead only, without cord, bar or chain).
