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Verdict: The WEN 4017 is a corded 16-inch chainsaw with a 12-amp motor and convenient auto-oiling and tool-free chain changes. Those features make it a plausible option for occasional yard cleanup near an outlet, but the available evidence is product documentation—not hands-on testing—so it does not establish real-world cutting performance, durability, or a safe maximum cut size. Check the model before buying: WEN also sells a distinct cordless 16-inch saw, the 40417.
Which WEN chainsaw is this review about?
“WEN chainsaw” is not a single model. This review focuses on the WEN 4017, a corded electric saw. WEN’s separate 40417 is cordless, uses a 40V Max battery system, and includes a battery and charger. Their shared 16-inch bar length does not make their specifications or replacement parts interchangeable.
WEN’s 4017 page describes a 12A motor, a 16-inch bar, chain speed up to 44 feet per second, auto-oiling, and tool-free chain changes. Home Depot independently lists the 4017 as a 16-inch, 12A corded saw and also notes tool-free tensioning and auto-oiling. Neither listing provides independent cutting tests or a quantified safe cutting limit.
What can the WEN 4017 do—and what is not established?
What the specifications suggest
The corded design avoids battery runtime limits, but it requires a suitable power outlet and keeps the saw tethered to an extension cord or the outlet location. Auto-oiling and tool-free chain adjustment are practical maintenance conveniences. WEN positions the saw for yard work involving trees, bushes, and branches, but its product information does not specify a safe maximum diameter or establish which jobs it can handle reliably.
#1 Best Overall
- 12-amp electric motor rotates the included chain up to 41 feet per second
- Lightweight design limits fatigue during operation
- Auto-oiling system lubricates itself to elongate the saw’s lifespan
- Requires no gasoline for emission-free operation
- Includes a protective sheath, a 16-inch chain, a kickback brake, tool-free chain tensioning, a cable strain relief notch, and a two-year warranty
What this review cannot verify
No hands-on test results are available here for cutting speed, cut diameter, ease of handling under load, reliability, or long-term durability. Chain-speed figures from product pages are manufacturer specifications, not proof of field performance. Consumer Reports has a page for the different 40417 model, but its expert score is member-gated; it is not an independent performance result for the 4017.
WEN 4017 specifications and manual compatibility
WEN’s current 4017 product page lists the headline specifications below. A separate WEN CP1216 manual supplies more detailed electrical and chain measurements, but the available documentation does not establish that every CP1216 manual figure applies to every saw labeled 4017. Confirm the model identification on the saw and consult its matching manual before using those detailed measurements for service or parts.
Rank #2
- 15-amp electric motor rotates the included chain up to 41 feet per second
- Lightweight design limits fatigue during operation
- Auto-oiling system helps elongate the saw’s lifespan
- Requires no gasoline for emission-free operation
- Includes a protective sheath, an 18-inch chain, a kickback brake, tool-free chain tensioning, a cable strain relief notch, and a two-year warranty
| Item | WEN 4017 product-page information | WEN CP1216 manual information |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 12A corded electric | 120V, 60Hz, 12A |
| Bar length | 16 inches | 16 inches |
| Chain speed | Up to 44 ft/s (WEN product page) | Maximum 41 ft/s (CP1216 manual) |
| Motor speed | Not stated on the WEN 4017 product page | 6,500 RPM no-load speed (CP1216 manual) |
| Chain details | Not stated on the WEN 4017 product page | 3/8-inch pitch, 0.050-inch gauge, 57 cutting links (CP1216 manual) |
| Oil | Auto-oiling | Standard bar-and-chain oil; 5.75 fl oz (170 mL) capacity (CP1216 manual) |
| Weight | Not stated on the WEN 4017 product page | 10.8 lb (CP1216 manual) |
| Warranty | Two years (WEN product page) | Not stated in the CP1216 manual specifications cited here |
The difference between WEN’s 44 ft/s product-page claim and the CP1216 manual’s 41 ft/s maximum is a reason not to treat the manual as a verified 4017 specification sheet. Check the exact model’s documentation rather than combining figures across model names.
How does the cordless WEN 40417 differ?
The 40417 is a separate product, not a cordless version of the 4017 with identical parts. Its battery power removes the cord constraint, while actual runtime under load is not established by the available sources.
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Rank #3
- Product 1: Telescoping pole adjusts anywhere from 5.3 feet to 7.3 feet for up to 12 feet of overhead reach
- Product 1: 6-Amp motor rotates the chain up to 36 ft per second
- Product 1: Weighs in at a mere 6.7 pounds to limit user fatigue during operation
- Product 1: Design allows for tool-free chain adjustments and emission-free operation
- Product 2: 12A motor rotates the chain at up to 44 feet per second
| Feature | WEN 4017 | WEN 40417 |
|---|---|---|
| Power source | Corded electric; 12A | 40V Max cordless brushless system |
| Bar/chain length | 16-inch bar | 16-inch chain |
| Published chain speed | Up to 44 ft/s (WEN product page) | Up to 49 ft/s (WEN product page) |
| Battery and charger | Not applicable | One 4Ah battery and charger included; WEN says these work with its 40V Max series |
| Weight | 10.8 lb in CP1216 manual; confirm manual applies to exact unit | 12 lb with battery in WEN manual; Consumer Reports lists 11.69 lb, with measurement convention not reconciled |
| Chain identification | CP1216 manual: 3/8-inch pitch, 0.050-inch gauge, 57 links; verify 4017 fit | WEN manual: Oregon chain 91PJ056X and guide bar 160SDEA041 |
| Warranty | Two years (WEN product page) | Two years (WEN product page) |
The differing published weights for the 40417 are source-specific: its manual gives 12 lb with battery, while Consumer Reports lists 11.69 lb. The available information does not explain the discrepancy. Specifications alone also cannot establish which model cuts better.
Which replacement chain fits a WEN chainsaw?
Bar length alone is not enough to identify a compatible chain. Pitch, gauge, and the number of drive links must match the saw and bar. The WEN CP1216 manual specifies a 3/8-inch pitch, 0.050-inch gauge, and 57 cutting links. Use that specification only after confirming the saw is covered by the CP1216 manual; verify the model label and manual before ordering.
Rank #4
- 12-amp electric motor rotates the included chain up to 41 feet per second
- Lightweight design limits fatigue during operation
- Auto-oiling system helps elongate the saw’s lifespan
- Requires no gasoline for emission-free operation
- Includes a protective sheath, a 16-inch chain, a kickback brake, tool-free chain tensioning, a cable strain relief notch, and a two-year warranty
For the 40417, WEN’s manual identifies an Oregon 16-inch chain, model 91PJ056X, and guide bar model 160SDEA041. Confirm the exact model and current manual before purchasing a replacement. Do not assume the CP1216 chain dimensions apply to the 40417.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What oil does the WEN 4017 use?
The CP1216 manual calls for standard bar-and-chain oil and gives a tank capacity of 5.75 fl oz (170 mL). Check that the manual matches your saw before relying on this capacity. Follow the saw’s manual for filling and maintenance; auto-oiling means the saw feeds oil to the bar and chain, not that the reservoir can be ignored.
Best Value
- 16 Inch Chain Replacement for WEN 4017, 40417, 40417BT / Husqvarna 135, 240, 120 Mark II 16-in Chainsaw.
- 16" Chainsaw Replacement Chain for Greenworks 20022, 20232, 2002802, CS60L00, CS60L02, CS60L210, CS60L212, CS80L2512, CS80L211, CS80L01 Chain Saw.
- 16" Replacement Chain for Oregon CS1400 / Black+Decker CS1216, LH1600 / Poulan PL1416, PL3816, PL914, PR3816, PR4016, PR4218, PLN3516F.
- 16 Inch Chain Replacement for RYOBI RY3716, RY40550, RY40505, RY40505BTL, RY43155 / Sun Joe ION16CS Cordless Chain Saw / Remington RM1645.
- 16 Inch Chainsaw Chain Replacement for Makita UC4051A / Craftsman S165 , CMECS600 / Earthwise CS30116 CS33016 Electric Chainsaw.
Warranty, service, and availability
WEN lists a two-year warranty for the 4017, a nationwide technician network, and a customer phone line. Read the current warranty terms and confirm support details with WEN before relying on coverage for a particular purchase. At the time the WEN product page was checked for this article, it showed the 4017 as sold out; stock changes, so check the official product page or a retailer for current availability. Home Depot also lists the 4017, but retailer stock and pricing can change.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
