Do you need a lot of torque? Less vibration? Long bar? Short bar? Sturdy? Lightweight? Cheaper upfront cost? Longer life? Better warranty? There are obviously pros and cons to both, but which is better suited for your own home/homestead situation? Show
Let’s dive into the specifics of Stihl vs Husqvarna chainsaws.  Disclosure: It is important you understand that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. All opinions are our own we pride ourselves on keeping our articles fair and balanced. For more info see our disclosure statement. StihlWhile some version of the chainsaw has existed since 1830 (being either steam-powered or kinetic in nature), Andreas Stihl built the first gas-powered chainsaw in 1929, and then in 1950 built the first single-operator chainsaw. He is rightly considered the father of the modern chainsaw, and his company/factory in Germany was the first to mass-produce chainsaws, being at one time as synonymous with the word “chainsaw” as Xerox is to photocopy or Google is to search engine. Since the 1970s onward, Stihl have expanded to leaf blowers, line trimmers, mowers, edgers, etc. and built new factories in the USA, Brazil, and (as of 2008) China. They also have something of a monopoly on the professional chainsaw market as they have been and still are the industry standard for all commercial-grade loggers and arborists. Pros
Cons
Shop for Stihl Now HusqvarnaHusqvarna began in 1689 as a state-owned rifle factory in Huskvarna, Sweden. Towards the end of the 19th century, they began diversifying, producing sewing machines, cast iron cookware, and bicycles, and were frontrunners in the production of motorcycles after Peugeot. They began producing chainsaws in 1959 and later expanded to a full home and garden range. They are headquartered in Sweden and have factories in Sweden, the USA, Brazil, and (as of 2008) China. Pros
Cons
Ironically, on a lot of side-by-side tests of Stihl vs Husqvarna chainsaws, most independent reviewers find the Husqvarna outperforms the Stihl on several key factors and yet they almost always prefer the Stihl personally. Shop for Husqvarna Now Stihl vs Husqvarna: Face-To-FaceHere’s how the brands compare on a broad feature-by-feature basis. Many of these features will be a little different model-to-model. For instance, comparing a smaller $400 Stihl with an $800 ranch-grade Husky isn’t going to be fair, as they aren’t comparable models. We’ve taken all of that into account in our face-to-face comparison. Check out the summary table below and keep reading for more detail. CategoryOur PickCountry of ManufactureStihlPowerStihlHandlingHusqvarnaDurability/WarrantyHusqvarnaReputationStihlMaintenanceHusqvarnaAnti-Vibration SystemHusqvarnaSafetyHusqvarnaValueHusqvarna Country of ManufactureAlthough both manufacturers have factories in the USA, Brazil, and China, Stihl is still headquartered in Germany, and Husqvarna in Sweden. Our pick for this category: Stihl. German manufacturing has a name for itself because it speaks to quality design and performance. Many users online in fact have attributed their preference for Stihl directly to the German engineering. PowerTo use two comparably-sized and -weighted models (both weighing 12.3lbs with 59cc engines) as a stock example, the Stihl MS 362 delivers up to 4.69 horsepower and supports a bar of up to 25 inches, whereas the Husqvarna 555 delivers only 4.3 horsepower and only supports a 20-inch bar. Our pick for this category: Stihl. Although both brands are fairly comparable, Stihl has greater low-end torque and makes easier work of tougher old logs, knots, etc. HandlingObviously, the only way to know how a chainsaw handles is to handle it yourself. However, broader online feedback patterns from users indicate that Stihl saws generally come with better dogs (bumper spikes) for felling and, as we mentioned above, have more low-end torque for tackling those trickier jobs. On the other hand, Husqvarna reportedly has better anti-vibration, larger gas tanks for longer use between refueling, and better self-lubrication, making for a smoother, cleaner cut when slicing through logs, etc. Our pick for this category: Husqvarna. You can replace your own bumper spikes quite easily and cheaply, so the cumulative ease of daily use really puts handling in Husqvarna’s corner. Durability/WarrantyAs mentioned above, Stihl have that German manufacturing, and will reportedly last longer over the years if well-maintained. However, Stihl only have a 1-2-year warranty across all their models. Husqvarna, on the other hand, if you exclusively use their brand of oil, will extend their warranty up to 4 or 5 years (depending on the model and where you buy it). Our pick for this category: Husqvarna. The simple fact of the matter is that many regular home/land owners who buy a chainsaw aren’t going to care for it with a professional (daily-use) level of detail. If your chainsaw breaks after 3 years, the Husky will most likely still be under warranty, whereas the Stihl will cost you to repair or replace. Given that Husqvarna saws are cheaper to begin with, the math really starts to fall in their favor over the long term. ReputationIf you’ve never bought a chainsaw before, you’re likely to think that Husqvarna has a better reputation because they’re more diverse in their product range. You know they make quality motorcycles and mowers. You may have never even heard of a Stihl. All actual customer polls from chainsaw users, however, show a 66-80% preference for Stihl. Our pick for this category: Stihl. Although the tide may turn in the future given actual comparative stats and the internet, Stihl still has the reputation among professionals as the brand to buy. HistoryAs we touched on earlier, Stihl literally invented the modern chainsaw, whereas Husqvarna, a little newer in the chainsaw business, have a centuries-old tradition of quality manufacturing. Our pick for this category: Stihl. Both brands have a long-established history of chainsaw production, but Stihl, as the initial creators have bigger sway in this duel. MaintenanceA quality chainsaw requires routine maintenance to keep it at peak performance. Chainsaw users say the Husqvarna requires more maintenance time than the Stihl, however, the Husqvarna has a much better warranty. Our pick for this category: Husqvarna. Given the much longer warranty and initial price difference between comparable models, the maintenance time and costs actually work out in favor of the Husky over varied levels of upkeep. Anti-Vibration SystemBoth brands have invested great time and money into developing anti-vibration technologies allowing for extended use. The Stihl has a shock-resistant handle feature, whereas the Husqvarna has patented Low-Vib technology incorporated into their saws. Our pick for this category: Husqvarna. User reviews indicate while both brands are capable of extended use, the Low-Vib technology in the Husky makes for smoother use. SafetyBoth brands have gone a long way in developing safety features for the chainsaw. Both have chainbreak systems that will cut off the saw instantly in the event of a significant kickback situation. Both have all-in-one switches, however, the Husqvarna manual shut-off is an easy thumb down motion, whereas the Stihl requires pushing the thumb counter-intuitively upward for shut-off, making it less of an organic movement. Our pick for this category: Husqvarna. The down-vs-up killswitch here makes all the difference. The extra kinetic effort required wastes precious fractions of a second, which when we’re dealing with 9,000 RPM (or 150 revolutions per second!) can be a lot of potential damage in a dangerous situation. ValueThis one’s a bit tricky because of the way private and professional grade saws are priced. Our pick for this category: Husqvarna. Unless you want the cheapest, smallest saw Stihl has to offer, you’ll find something comparable, cheaper, and with more professional features from Husqvarna. Shop for Stihl Now Shop for Husqvarna Now Standout FeaturesThese are the specially marketed features from each brand they want to convince you is unique and superior. But are they? StihlMaster Control LeverThis Stihl feature is basically identical on the Husqvarna, though oriented differently. In fact, users tend to find the Husqvarna control switch superior. STIHL OILOMATIC® Saw ChainStihl have a whole range of branded saw chains that focus on various features, like reduced vibration and reduced kickback. However, they appear to be mutually exclusive features. STIHL Quickstop® Chain Brake SystemThis one is a little bit of a bogus feature. All Stihl and Husqvarna models (and basically all other chainsaws now) have a chain brake kickback safety feature. It’s a stock-standard feature. The Quickstop® Plus (Q) feature on selected models, however, also stops the chain within a second of removing your back hand from the saw. Ematic™ Bar Lubrication SystemThe specialized bar is meant to work in conjunction with the specialized saw chain to provide superior lubrication with less oil. While it no doubt does this to some extent, the reality is, however, that users find the Husqvarna self-lubrication superior. There are also a number of other select specialized features on advanced arborist models, which also contribute to the price difference. Shop for Stihl Now HusqvarnaX-TORQ®X-TORQ® is a specially patented engine design found across all Husqvarna 2-stroke engines which reduces fuel consumption by 20% and emissions by up to 60%. Air InjectionThe air injection feature in Husqvarna chainsaws has actually converted a number of Stihl users over to Husqvarna, and it’s one area that significantly reduces personal maintenance time and costs as filters will last for 12 months at a time. Smart StartWhile select Stihl models have Smart Start capabilities (ie. the professional-grade models), all Husqvarna chainsaws come with Smart Start features. Side-by-side comparisons show them starting quicker the same or quicker every time. AutoTuneAutoTune features allow a degree of automatic self-adjustment based on temperature and weather conditions. This means less time spent manually tinkering with the saw for optimum performance. Users seem to love the feature and indicate that Husqvarna’s AutoTune feature is far superior to the similar M-Tronic feature on select Stihl machines. Shop for Husqvarna Now Stihl Vs Husqvarna Chainsaw Comparison TableBrandModelEngine Size (cc)Bar LengthMax bar lengthWeight (excl. cutting equipment)Other FeaturesHusqvarna120 Mark II38.2 cc14"18"10.7lbs
ConclusionThere are obviously some huge pros and a few cons to both brands. Stihl fathered the chainsaw. They have more options to choose from at more price points, superior low-end torque for greater horsepower at a smaller size, and are generally constructed of superior materials. Husqvarna are the up-and-coming contender for the heavyweight title. They have superior professional-grade features on all their saws, more affordable pricing, and are easier to obtain online without dealing with a salesman face-to-face. You can even buy their saws on Amazon. Ultimately, it’s up to the needs of the individual, job, and property. But you don’t need to buy some off-label brand. You can get a top-quality piece of machinery for an affordable price. What is the Stihl equivalent to Husqvarna 455 Rancher?The battle between Stihl MS 291 vs Husqvarna 455 Rancher doesn't truly have a winner. They're both awesome chainsaws, built tough and built to last. I mean, just look at the Stihl ms291 vs Husqvarna 455 specs. They have the same displacement, similar HP, and they're comparable in weight.
Is MS 250 A professional saw?The MS 250 is a mid-sized chain saw that will deliver great power to get through those bigger cutting jobs.
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Step up from the MS 230 with an excellent power-to-weight ratio.. Why is Husqvarna better than Stihl?Fuel Efficiency and Emissions
A benefit that Husqvarna chainsaws have over most Stihl chainsaws is that they tend to have better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, making Husqvarna saws a better choice for environmentally conscious users.
Is Stihl or Husqvarna more reliable?While buyers tend to prefer Stihl's chainsaws for personal use, Husqvarna is preferred by professionals. Husqvarna chainsaws cut faster and have better warranties but cost more. Stihl's products are cheaper and easier to maintain. Both Stihl and Husqvarna chainsaws utilize modern safety switches.
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Stihl MS 250 vs Husqvarna 455
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