Best Stihl Chainsaws You Can Get – Picks from Bob Vila

If you’ve ever stood in front of a wall of orange-and-white Stihl chainsaws, squinting at model numbers like MS 170 or MSA 140 and wondering which one won’t yeet you into the next county, you’re in the right place. Stihl is the top name in chainsaws for many homeowners, landowners, and prosbut “top name” also means tons of models to choose from.

To make things easier, we’re leaning on a trusted source: Bob Vila’s picks for the best Stihl chainsaws, then layering in insights from testing-based reviews, buying guides, and real-world user experiences. You’ll get clear recommendations, simple explanations of who each saw is for, and practical tips so you don’t overbuy (or worse, underbuy) your next chainsaw.

Whether you’re cleaning up after storms, cutting firewood every winter, or managing acres of woodland, there’s a Stihl that fits the joband your comfort level.

Why Stihl Chainsaws Stand Out

Stihl chainsaws have a reputation that borders on legendary. The brand has been a market leader in chainsaw sales worldwide for years, thanks to a mix of durability, performance, and smart design details that make life easier for both pros and casual users.

• Reliability: Stihl saws are built to take abusecold starts, dirty conditions, long cutting sessionsand keep running with basic maintenance.
• Innovative tech: Features like Easy2Start (easier pull starting), anti-vibration systems, and quick-adjust chain tensioners mean you spend more time cutting and less time fighting the tool.
• Broad lineup: From compact 12-inch battery saws to big 18–20 inch farm and ranch models, Stihl covers everything from backyard limbs to serious logging.
• Dealer support: In the U.S., Stihl is sold primarily through authorized dealers who can help you choose, assemble, and service the saw properly.

All that is greatuntil you have to pick one. That’s where Bob Vila’s curated list of standout models becomes super helpful.

Quick Picks: Best Stihl Chainsaws by Category

Based on Bob Vila’s recommendations and cross-checked with other expert testing and user feedback, here are the key Stihl models to know:

• Best Overall: Stihl MS 250 gas chainsaw (18" bar)
• Best Bang for the Buck: Stihl MS 170 gas chainsaw (16" bar)
• Best for Home Use: Stihl MS 180 C-BE gas chainsaw (16" bar, Easy2Start)
• Best Farm/Ranch: Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss gas chainsaw (18" bar)
• Best Electric/Battery: Stihl MSA 140 C-B battery chainsaw (12" bar)

Let’s break down what each one does best, who it’s for, and what you should know before heading to the dealer.

Best Overall: Stihl MS 250 Gas Chainsaw

Why the MS 250 is a standout

The Stihl MS 250 hits a sweet spot that’s surprisingly hard to find: enough power and bar length to handle real work, but still light and manageable for many homeowners. With an 18-inch bar and a 45.4 cc engine, it’s capable of felling small to medium trees, bucking firewood, and handling big storm cleanups without feeling like an overkill pro saw.

Bob Vila names the MS 250 as a best overall pick because it balances performance and ease of use. The anti-vibration system and streamlined design make it more comfortable to run for longer sessions. It also includes user-friendly features like:

• Side-access chain tensioner for easier adjustments
• Automatic chain lubrication to keep cutting smooth
• Easy-start ignition system that reduces the “pull, swear, pull again” cycle

Who should buy the MS 250?

The MS 250 is ideal if:

• You own a wooded property, cabin, or rural home.
• You cut several cords of firewood per year.
• You want one saw that can do almost everything except heavy professional forestry.

If you’re a brand-new, nervous chainsaw user, the MS 250 might feel like a lot at firstbut it’s a saw you can grow into instead of outgrowing in a season.

Best Value: Stihl MS 170 Gas Chainsaw

Affordable, compact, and surprisingly capable

The Stihl MS 170 is one of the most popular entry-level gas chainsaws on the market for a reason. With a 16-inch bar, 30.1 cc engine, and a weight under 9 pounds, it’s built for homeowners who mostly need to:

• Prune medium branches
• Cut small trees and saplings
• Slice up downed limbs after a storm

Bob Vila calls the MS 170 a “best bang for the buck” pick, and many reviewers agreeit delivers more power than most cordless saws at a price that’s accessible to casual users. Anti-vibration features and automatic bar oiling help keep it comfortable and easy to maintain.

Where the MS 170 shines (and where it doesn’t)

This is a great choice if you have a suburban lot or modest rural property and don’t routinely tackle big hardwood trunks. Its smaller gas tank means more frequent refueling on large jobs, and it’s not the best choice if you’re regularly cutting logs 16 inches and up. For that, stepping up to the MS 250 or MS 271 makes more sense.

Best for Home Use: Stihl MS 180 C-BE Gas Chainsaw

All the “homeowner friendly” features in one package

If you like the compact feel of the MS 170 but want starting and maintenance to be as painless as possible, the Stihl MS 180 C-BE is a very appealing upgrade. It keeps the handy 16-inch bar length but adds two key Stihl technologies:

• Easy2Start: Reduced-effort starting so you don’t have to yank the cord like you’re starting a race kart.
• Quick Chain Adjuster (tool-free): You can tension the chain with a dial instead of digging for a scrench.

Bob Vila highlights this model as the best choice for home use because it’s built specifically for occasional operators who still want a capable tool. It can manage small-tree felling, firewood cutting, and major pruning without being overwhelming or overly heavy.

Who should buy the MS 180 C-BE?

Pick this saw if you:

• Don’t run a chainsaw every week and want something forgiving.
• Hate hard starts and fiddly chain adjustments.
• Primarily cut branches, small trees, and firewood in the 12–14 inch range.

For many homeowners, the MS 180 C-BE is the “just right” optionmore refined and convenient than the MS 170, but not as heavy-duty as the MS 250 or Farm Boss.

Best Farm/Ranch Saw: Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss

A workhorse for bigger properties

For farms, ranches, and large wooded lots, the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss is the tool you turn to when things get serious. With an 18-inch bar and a 50.2 cc engine, this saw is designed to handle:

• Felling medium to larger trees
• Regular firewood production
• Clearing fence lines and downed timber

Bob Vila’s team calls out its long bar, generous power, and rugged build as reasons it stands out in the Stihl lineup. It includes Stihl’s anti-vibration system, an ergonomic front handle, a high-efficiency engine for better fuel economy, and easy-access service points like a removable air filter cover and side-access chain tensioner.

Who is the MS 271 for?

This is a great choice if you:

• Own several acres or manage rural land.
• Cut hardwood logs regularly, not just once or twice a year.
• Are comfortable with more powerful gas saws and basic maintenance.

It’s overkill for occasional backyard pruningbut for serious cutting tasks, it’s a dependable mid-range workhorse that stops short of full-on pro saw extremes.

Best Electric/Battery Option: Stihl MSA 140 C-B

Quiet, clean, and incredibly convenient

Not everyone wants gas. If your cutting tasks are light to moderate and you value low noise, easy starting, and zero exhaust, the Stihl MSA 140 C-B battery chainsaw is worth a close look. With a 12-inch bar and a lightweight design (around 8.6 pounds with the battery), it’s built for pruning, yard cleanup, and small log cutting.

The big selling points of the MSA 140 C-B include:

• Push-button start: No pull cordsjust squeeze the trigger.
• No exhaust fumes: Better for garages, enclosed spaces, and your lungs.
• Lower noise: Neighbor-friendly and less intimidating for new users.
• Chain brake and good ergonomics: Adds safety and control.

On a fully charged battery, it can handle typical pruning and limb-cutting sessions for many homeowners. It’s not meant to replace a big farm saw like the MS 271, but it’s excellent for lighter, more frequent tasks.

How to Choose the Right Stihl Chainsaw for You

1. Start with the job, not the model number

Before you fall in love with a specific model, be honest about what you’ll actually cut:

• Light-duty: Limbs, brush, firewood under 12–14 inches → MS 170, MS 180 C-BE, or MSA 140.
• General-purpose: Mixed firewood, occasional tree felling, storm cleanup → MS 250.
• Heavier work: Regular logging or farm tasks → MS 271 Farm Boss or larger pro models.

2. Understand Stihl’s naming system (MS vs. MSA vs. MSE)

Stihl model names usually start with:

• MS: Gas-powered chainsaws (“Motorsäge” in German).
• MSA: Battery-powered chainsaws.
• MSE: Corded electric chainsaws.

The numbers that follow roughly indicate where the saw sits in the lineup. Lower numbers are generally lighter-duty homeowner saws; higher numbers trend toward farm, ranch, and professional tools.

3. Choose the right bar length

Bar length determines how large a tree or log you can safely cut in one pass:

• 12–14 inches: Pruning and small trees.
• 16–18 inches: General-purpose cutting for most homeowners and landowners.
• 20+ inches: Heavy-duty and pro-level forestry work.

It’s often smarter (and safer) to buy a saw that’s big enough for your common tasks and rent a larger saw for the rare oversized tree.

4. Gas vs. battery: which power source fits your life?

Gas chainsaws like the MS 170, MS 180, MS 250, and MS 271 offer more raw power, longer run time with refueling, and better performance in thick hardwood or all-day cutting. They do require more maintenancefuel mix, spark plugs, filters, etc.and can be louder and harder to start.

Battery chainsaws like the MSA 140 are quieter, cleaner, and easier to start. The trade-offs are shorter run time per battery and less power for big hardwood logs. For many homeowners who mostly prune and do light cutting, a battery saw may be more than enoughand a lot more pleasant to use.

Safety and Maintenance: Non-Negotiables

Essential safety gear

No matter which Stihl you buy, never skip safety equipment. At a minimum, use:

• Chainsaw-rated chaps or pants
• Helmet with face shield or safety glasses and hearing protection
• Cut-resistant gloves
• Sturdy boots with good traction (steel toe is ideal)

Even an “entry-level” MS 170 can do serious damage in a fraction of a second. Protection matters.

Basic maintenance that keeps any Stihl happy

Stihl builds durable tools, but they still need a little love. Make it a habit to:

• Keep the chain sharpdull chains cause kickback and fatigue.
• Clean or replace the air filter regularly.
• Use fresh fuel mix for gas saws; don’t let old fuel sit for months.
• Check bar oil every time you fill the fuel or battery.
• Inspect bar, chain, and sprocket for wear and damage.

Done consistently, these simple steps dramatically extend the life of your saw and keep it cutting efficiently.

Real-World Experiences with Stihl Chainsaws

Specs and buying guides are helpful, but it’s often the real-life stories that make things click. Here are some experience-based insights that can help you decide which Stihl is “your” saw.

The homeowner who almost overbought

It’s common for new buyers to walk into a dealership thinking they “need” the biggest bar in the room. One homeowner with a one-acre lot and a few mature oaks was ready to walk out with a large farm-class saw. After talking through the actual taskspruning, cutting the occasional dead limb, and bucking a little firewoodthe dealer steered them toward an MS 180 C-BE instead of an MS 271.

The result? A saw that was easy to start, light enough to use safely, and powerful enough for all realistic tasks on that property. The owner later admitted that a heavier saw would have been intimidating and would probably have spent more time in the shed than in the field.

Discovering the limits of a “small” saw

On the flip side, another landowner tried to do everything with an MS 170clearing storm-downed trees, cutting large hardwood trunks, and tackling dense, old growth. While the saw technically could do many of those cuts with careful technique, it was slow, fatiguing, and hard on both the user and the tool.

Upgrading to an MS 250 made a remarkable difference. With a longer bar and more power, jobs that once took an afternoon now took an hour. The lesson: if you regularly cut large logs, don’t be afraid to size up. You want enough power that the saw is working with you, not against you.

When battery is secretly the best option

Plenty of people assume that “real” chainsaws must be gas-powered. But try asking someone who owns a compact battery saw like the MSA 140 what they reach for first when there’s a branch down in the driveway, or when they want to prune a few limbs before dinner.

In many cases, the battery saw wins simply because it’s so easy: grab the saw, check the battery, and start cutting. No fuel mixing, no warm-up, no loud roar waking the entire neighborhood. For homeowners who mainly deal with light to medium yardwork, a battery Stihl isn’t a compromiseit’s an upgrade in convenience and comfort.

Why serious cutters still love the Farm Boss

For farmers and serious firewood collectors, the MS 271 Farm Boss has earned its “workhorse” reputation. Users often praise its balance and durability: it’s powerful enough for thick logs and regular use, but not so heavy that it can’t be used for a full day with reasonable breaks.

Many owners pair it with a smaller saw (like an MS 170 or MSA 140) for lighter trimming and ladder work. The big saw does the felling and bucking; the smaller one handles the delicate stuff. This two-saw setup is common on rural properties and offers flexibility without stepping all the way into ultra-expensive professional gear.

Final thoughts: match the saw to your reality, not your ego

The best Stihl chainsaw isn’t the most expensive one on the wall or the model with the longest bar. It’s the one that fits your tasks, experience level, and willingness to maintain it. Bob Vila’s picks offer a very practical roadmap:

• Pick the MS 170 or MS 180 C-BE for typical homeowners.
• Step up to the MS 250 if you want a do-it-all gas saw.
• Choose the MS 271 Farm Boss if you manage serious acreage or cut lots of firewood.
• Go with the MSA 140 if you value convenience and quiet above raw power.

Get the size and power right, respect safety, and maintain your saw, and any of these Stihl models can be a long-term, reliable partner in keeping your property under control.