A rating of 3.5 stars would be most accurate. But I rounded up since the saw did exceed what was rather low expectations on my part. Based on reviews, this seems to rather a lottery type purchase. There is roughly 75% chance you'll love the saw and a roughly 25% chance you'll regret the purchase. I don't regret the purchase.
Why? And why my low initial expectations?
It was going to cost $72 a day to rent a 20" gas chainsaw from Home Depot. With transportation and waiting I'd be out a couple of hours every time I rented one. So basically if this saw worked for two days I'd save both time and money. I've used the saw three days now. And day three was the best in terms of ease of starting. So....exceeds expectations.
Now a few things to go over
1) It can be finicky about starting. No surprise for small two stroke engines. It floods easily so the Choke IS NOT your friend. Ignore the instructions VEVOR sends on starting. Follow the internet advice. Cold it's switch on - (and "O" is the OFF position) choke out, pull twice, push choke in and pull till it starts (usually 2-4 times). If it doesn't start repeat the steps. It FLOODS EASY!!! Do not leave the choke out more than 2-3 pulls.
The advice for starting it if it has flooded is like the game of twister. You have to hold the throttle wide open while you crank it. But to start normally and safely you need a foot and both hands. Holding the throttle wide open needs a third hand. Get help.
Once it's been running a while it starts easy first pull. EXCEPT if you let it run out of gas. Then cross your fingers because it probably will take lots of pulls and sweating to get it going again. So I learned to use it for a while then turn it off and top off the tank.
2) As some other reviews have mentioned, the saw I got leaks bar oil when stored. Makes it a bit messy. I've put a plastic tray underneath it like people use pet food/water bowls. Saw lives in my yard barn which is messy anyway so not a horrid problem. But it is a defect and if you keep your yard tools inside a nice. clean shop or garage you might want to place it on something to catch any oil leaking until you know if you got one that does leak.
3) The saw does cut really well. I don't have enough experience with gas chainsaws to compare to the more expensive brands. It seems unlikely the much more expensive brands of chainsaws cut way better since this one does really seem to have plenty of power and cuts thick and hard wood quickly. It's way, WAY more powerful and faster cutting than my 14" electric (plug in) chainsaw.
4) Amazon won't let you return this if you get a defective one. Other - brick and mortar retailers with lots of locations - sell this same saw online at similar prices and it can be returned. Often online and always to a store. If it's gas powered Amazon say it's hazardous to ship back. Hmmm. They shipped it to me.... Anyway - keep this in mind and maybe it should be purchased somewhere else or maybe it's especially wise to purchase the warranty. Amazon doesn't want it back but the insurance will cover either fixing it or give $$ back.