Stihl Chainsaws Review & Guide
If you’ve ever wandered into a hardware store, or you’ve borrowed a tool from a neighbour, chances are you’ve laid eyes on a Stihl product. A heavyweight of the power tool market, German brand Stihl is often considered to be the godfather of chainsaw manufacturing, producing one of the first electric powered chainsaws in 1926. Today, Stihl is found the world over, with a wide range of power tools and lawncare products, with the chainsaw still its flagship product. If you’re looking for a new toy, or your garden is in dire need of a haircut, find out what chainsaws Stihl has on offer in this Canstar Blue article.
Stihl Chainsaws
Stihl offers a wide range of chainsaws, including both electric and petrol-powered models, in addition to pole pruners, arborist chainsaws and emergency services rescue models. Stihl further splits its range into the Homeowner and Landowner categories, helping you find a model that fits your needs and workload. Find a breakdown of each category below.
Stihl corded chainsaws
Stihl splits its electric chainsaw range into corded and battery models, with only a few corded models available to choose from.
- The MSE 141 weighs over 4kg and comes with a 1.4kW power output, along with a chain brake and overload protection for additional safety.
- The MSE 170 includes a 35cm blade length and power output of 1.7kW, in addition to Stihl’s Ematic-System providing chain lubrication for cut efficiency and unit protection.
Stihl corded chainsaw prices
Stihl’s corded chainsaw range includes:
- MSE 141 C (Skin only) – $199RRP
- MSE 170 C-B (Skin only) – $429RRP
Prices taken from brand website and accurate as of 18/08/2020.
Stihl battery chainsaw
The majority of Stihl’s electric range comes in the form of battery chainsaws, with a number of models available. Stihl’s entry level model – the MSA 120 C-B – is available on its own or in a kit, and features a 30cm blade length and 36V bolt battery, with the kit including an additional battery and charger. The MSA 140 is available in a kit, with the chainsaw featuring a control handle and EC motor for improved ease of use.
If you’re after something with a bit more grunt to it, the MS 220 may be a better fit for your needs, with the model available with a 14inch blade or a 16inch blade to help you tackle the garden. It also includes a 36V battery, quick chain tensioning and ergonomically shaped handles for comfortable use.
Stihl battery chainsaw prices
Stihl offers a number of battery-powered chainsaws, with their prices listed below:
- Stihl MSA 120 C-B (Skin only) – $369 RRP
- Stihl MSA 160 C-B (Skin only) – $429 RRP
- Stihl MSA 140 C-B (Skin only) – $449 RRP
- Stihl MSA 120 C-B (Kit) – $479 RRP
- Stihl MSA 200 C-B (Skin only) – $499 RRP
- Stihl MSA 220 C-B (Skin only) – $589 RRP
- Stihl MSA 140 C-B (Kit) – $599 RRP
Prices taken from brand website and accurate as of 18/08/2020.
Stihl petrol chainsaws
Petrol chainsaws make up the majority of Stihl’s line-up, with the line-up split into Homeowner and Landowner categories to suit your workload and budget. The Homeowner line-up starts with the MS 170 chainsaw, which includes a 1.3kW engine output and a single-lever master control for easy use, while the MS 211 features a 16inch blade length, 270ml tank, pre-separation air filtration system and anti-vibration system for user comfort and chain efficiency.
The Landowner range includes the MS 271 ‘WoodBoss’, which features a 500ml fuel tank, QuickStop Chain Brake for additional safety, along with a side-mounted chain tensioning for maintenance, making it an ideal option for those looking to chop wood for winter, or if you’ve got plenty of tree branches to tackle. Other Landowner models include the 311 and 391 ‘FarmBoss’ models, both of which weigh over 6kg and feature a 20inch blade and 600ml fuel tank, along with a decompression valve, Stihl’s advanced combustion technology, a controlled-delivery oil pump and a single-lever master control to assist with user safety and functionality.
Stihl petrol chainsaw prices
Stihl offers a number of petrol-powered chainsaws with the prices listed below:
- Stihl MS 170 – $249 RRP
- Stihl MS 180 – $299 RRP
- Stihl MS 171 – $429 RRP
- Stihl MS 181 – $449 RRP
- Stihl MS 181 C-BE – $549 RRP
- Stihl MS 211 – $599 RRP
- Stihl MS 211 C-BE – $699 RRP
- Stihl MS 231 – $749 RRP
- Stihl MS 251 – $799 RRP
- Stihl MS 231 C-BE – $849 RRP
- Stihl MS 251 C-BE – $899 RRP
- Stihl MS 271 – $999 RRP
- Stihl MS 291 – $1,099 RRP
- Stihl MS 291 C-Be – $1,199 RRP
- Stihl MS 311 FarmBoss – $1,299 RRP
- Stihl MS 391 FarmBoss – $1,399 RRP
Prices taken from brand website and accurate as of 18/08/2020.
Stihl professional & arborist chainsaws
In addition to a variety of models suitable to small jobs around the house, Stihl offers both its Professional and Arborist range for those who need something more powerful or agile. The arborist range includes a number of physically smaller models, including the MSA 161 T, which weighs just over 2kg and features a 36V battery and QuickStop functionality for improved safety while you’re up in the treetops.
If you’re staying on the ground, the Professional range may be the best fit for you, and includes a number of larger and more powerful models. Stihl’s entry level Professional model – the MS 261 – features a 500ml fuel tank, HD2 air filter, decompression valve for easy starts and an advanced combustion system for improved motor efficiency. If you’re looking for a step up, the 500i may be more of interest to you, including Stihl’s Injection Technology for rapid chain speed to cut through your workload, with a high power-to-weight ratio for easy use on the jobsite.
Stihl professional & arborist chainsaw prices
Stihl’s professional range of chainsaws are priced as follows:
- Stihl MSA 161 T (Skin only) – $649 RRP
- Stihl MS 193 T – $749 RRP
- Stihl MS 150 TC-E – $799 RRP
- Stihl MS 151 TC-E – $799 RRP
- Stihl MS 201 TC-M – $1,399 RRP
- Stihl MS 261 C-M – $1,499 RRP
- Stihl MS 362 C-M – $1,699 RRP
- Stihl MS 462 C-M – $1,999 RRP
- Stihl MS 500i – $2,099 RRP
- Stihl MS 661 C-M – $2,299 RRP
- Stihl MS 800 Magnum – $2,899 RRP
Prices taken from brand website and accurate as of 18/08/2020.
Stihl pole chainsaws
Categorised as ‘pole pruners’, Stihl’s range of pole chainsaws includes a number of models, including both electric and petrol models. Stihl’s electric range includes a battery model – the HTA 85 – as well as a corded model – the HTE 60, with both models weighing in at around 5kg. The HTA 85 includes a telescopic shaft that can extend up to almost 4m, along with a brushless motor for longer battery life and a side chain tensioner for easier maintenance. The HTE 60 includes a 1.45kW power output, along with an extendable shaft of over 3m to help you get to those hard to reach places.
Stihl’s petrol pole chainsaws include the HT 56, HT 103 and HT 133, with the HT 56 the cheapest in the line-up. The HT 56 features a 2.8m shaft, 340ml tank volume as well as a multi-function control handle for easy use, while the HT 103 includes an extendable shaft of up to 3.9m, in addition to a 710ml tank. The HT 133 features a similar shaft length and tank size, but includes an anti-vibration system and automatic decompression for user comfort and unit efficiency.
Stihl pole chainsaw prices
Stihl’s range of pole chainsaws are priced as follows:
- Stihl HT 56 C-E (Skin only) – $699 RRP
- Stihl HTE 60 (Skin only) – $699 RRP
- Stihl HTA 85 (Skin only) – $799 RRP
- Stihl HT 103 (Skin only) – $1,399 RRP
- Stihl HT 133 (Skin only) – $1,599 RRP
Prices taken from brand website and accurate as of 18/08/2020.
Stihl chainsaw accessories & PPE
In addition to the wide variety of chainsaws available, Stihl additionally offers a number of attachments and accessories to help get the job done, including guide bars, chains, sprockets, as well as lubricants to help keep your chainsaw functioning properly. Additional batteries can also be purchased, with Stihl also providing a number of personal protective equipment (PPE) to help keep you safe during your time on the tools.
Where can I buy Stihl chainsaws?
Stihl chainsaws are available for purchase at most power tool and hardware stores, as well as through Stihl stores directly, with those shopping online able to reserve and pick up a chainsaw in store.
Are Stihl chainsaws worth it?
As arguably one of the most well-known chainsaw brands available on the market, it can be hard to go past Stihl when it comes to adding a new power tool to the garden shed. But just because it’s one of the biggest brands doesn’t always guarantee that it will be the best fit for you, as you may find another brand gives you the same cut for a cheaper price, or that your workload doesn’t need all the bells and whistles. In saying that however, if you’re looking to tackle a big job, or need a professional grade chainsaw, then Stihl may be well worth checking out, not only helping you to get the job done, but potentially saving you hassle down the line.
Picture credits: Bogdanhoda/Shutterstock.com