Stihl vs Husqvarna Chainsaws (2026): Every Matchup, Spec for Spec From Both Makers

Most Stihl-versus-Husqvarna arguments are about loyalty. This one is about numbers - but only the numbers each company publishes on its own US website, checked in late September 2026. Where the two brands measure things differently, we say so.

The Biggest Difference: Where You Buy

Stihl's own FAQ states that genuine Stihl products, parts, and accessories are sold only through authorized local Stihl dealers, many of which offer online ordering with in-store pickup or delivery. When we checked Amazon, the Stihl saw listing we looked at came from a reseller priced above Stihl's own list price.

Husqvarna sells its homeowner saws through retailers including Amazon, and when we checked, every Husqvarna gas saw on this page was sold and shipped by Amazon itself. If you specifically want to buy through Amazon, that settles it. If you want a dealer who sells, sets up, and services the saw in one place, Stihl's model is built for that.

Matchups by Size Class

Stihl lists displacement in cubic inches; we have converted to cc (rounded, marked "about"). Weights are each maker's powerhead figure without bar and chain. Power is as each company lists it - Stihl in bhp, Husqvarna as output shaft power in hp - so treat small gaps as close to equal.

MS 271 vs 450S: The Matchup Everyone Asks About

These are the two saws most buyers end up choosing between. Per the makers: the MS 271 Farm Boss is 3.1 cubic inches (about 51cc), 3.5 bhp, and 12.4 pounds with 18- or 20-inch bar options, and Stihl says its engine gives 20 percent longer run times than the previous model and its pre-separation air filter lasts up to five times longer. The 450S Rancher is 50.2cc, 3.2 hp, and 11 pounds with a 20-inch bar, and Husqvarna claims 20 percent faster cutting than the 450 it replaced, plus a patented hybrid crankcase.

On paper: the Stihl lists a little more power, the Husqvarna weighs about a pound and a half less. Both claims of improvement are measured against each brand's own previous model, not against each other. If you want the Husqvarna with easier starting, the 450X uses the same engine at 3.4 hp with AutoTune, and Husqvarna claims 40 percent easier starting. Our 450 vs 450S vs 450X comparison covers that family in detail.

Features Each Brand Highlights

Stihl: the Master Control Lever (choke, throttle lock, and on-off on one lever) on the homeowner saws we checked; Easy2Start and ErgoStart on the MS 172 C-E; pre-separation air filtration on the MS 271, 291, and 391; and the IntelliCarb compensating carburetor on the MS 391. Stihl also states that a majority of Stihl products sold in America are made in America of U.S. and global materials.

Husqvarna: the X-TORQ engine on the 120, 435, 440, 450S, 455, and 460; Smart Start and air purge on the 435 and 440; LowVib on the 120, 455, and 460; AutoTune on the 450X; and the hybrid crankcase on the 450S.

We have not found head-to-head testing from either company, so we are not declaring a winner on vibration or starting - each brand's claims compare its saws to its own older models.

Chain Pitch: Plan Your Files and Chains

The two brands do not always use the same chain. Stihl's MS 162, 172, and 182 run 3/8-inch P chain, the MS 250 through MS 291 run .325-inch, and the MS 311 and 391 run 3/8-inch, per Stihl. Husqvarna specifies its chains by type - H30 on the 435 and 440, SP33G on the 445S and 450S, S83G on the 455 and 460. Check the chain on the saw you buy before ordering files or replacement loops; our sharpening guide covers matching the file.

Battery: MSA 220 C-B vs 435i

Per the makers: Stihl's MSA 220 C-B is a 36-volt saw on Stihl's AP/ALLPRO system, 2.3 bhp, 6.9 pounds without battery, with 14- to 18-inch bar options. Husqvarna's 435i is a 40-volt saw with 2.4 hp, a 16-inch bar, 5.95 pounds without battery or cutting equipment, and an IPX4 weather rating. Batteries are brand-specific, so if you already own either brand's battery tools, that usually decides it. Milwaukee owners should also see our Milwaukee M18 chainsaw guide.

Which Should You Buy?

• You want to order through Amazon: Husqvarna. The 450S Rancher is the default pick; see our Husqvarna lineup guide.
• You want a local dealer to set up and service it: Stihl. The MS 271 Farm Boss is the equivalent; see our Stihl lineup guide and use Stihl's dealer locator.
• You want the lightest gas saw on this page: the Husqvarna 435 and 440 at 9.78 pounds per Husqvarna, against 9.9 pounds for the Stihl MS 162.
• You cut big wood: Stihl's MS 391 lists 4.4 bhp with bars to 25 inches; Husqvarna's 460 Rancher ships with a 24-inch bar.

Whichever you buy, wear chaps and a helmet, and once the wood is down, a log splitter is the next tool.

Common Questions

Is Stihl or Husqvarna better?

On published specs they are close class for class - the MS 271 and 450S are both about 50cc, for example, with the Stihl listing slightly more power and the Husqvarna slightly less weight. The practical difference is buying: Stihl sells through authorized dealers only, while Husqvarna's homeowner saws are sold on Amazon.

What is the Husqvarna equivalent of the Stihl MS 271?

The 450S Rancher. Both are about 50cc; per the makers, the MS 271 lists 3.5 bhp at 12.4 pounds and the 450S lists 3.2 hp at 11 pounds.

Can you buy Stihl chainsaws on Amazon?

Stihl says genuine Stihl products are sold only through authorized Stihl dealers, many of which offer online ordering. Husqvarna's homeowner saws, by contrast, are sold by Amazon directly.

Is the Stihl MS 170 still sold?

It is not in Stihl's current US chainsaw catalog as of September 2026. The MS 162 is Stihl's entry gas saw now, and the Husqvarna 120 is its closest counterpart.

Which is lighter, Stihl or Husqvarna?

It depends on the class. In the 50cc class, the Husqvarna 450S (11 lb) is lighter than the Stihl MS 271 (12.4 lb). In the big-wood class, the Husqvarna 460 Rancher (13.2 lb) is lighter than the Stihl MS 391 (13.8 lb). Figures are each maker's, without bar and chain.