Best Stihl Chainsaw Ever Made in 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide

Why need a best stihl chainsaw ever made?

Having a chainsaw is an advantage when you don’t have much time to lose. Using an axe can be difficult and dangerous, especially when the tree trunk is too wide. With a chainsaw you would finish in minutes what with an axe or a handsaw would take hours.

However, not all chainsaws on the market have enough power to easily penetrate a log. Some tend to get stuck in the middle of a cut, making removal from the tree almost impossible.

Stihl chainsaws use advanced technology to obtain maximum power with minimum fuel consumption. They’re manufactured in Germany and preferred by the European public. If you’ve never tried one of these, we encourage you to do so.

To help you make the best decision, here we show you the 7 best Stihl chainsaws ever created and a step-by-step guide on how to buy the most suitable one.

Top 7 Best Stihl Chainsaw Ever Made Reviews

Here are 7 top stihl chainsaw we have selected after research. So if you are really interested to buy a stihl chainsaw, you can check anyone from the below list.

01. Stihl MS 170

The most popular compact model of the brand. Stihl chainsaw MS170 can cut small trees with ease. It’s also friendly to the environment and very cheap.

If you’re looking for a chainsaw for minor jobs, this is the best one for you. Its 12-inch bar is ideal for small and medium trees. If you live in a cold area, it’s the best Stihl chainsaw for firewood.

Its engine saves up to 20% fuel and reduces the emission of toxic gases. Also, the design of its bar reduces the consumption of lubricant in the chain up to 50%. It’s easy to handle and all the main functions are on the same lever.

With only 9 pounds in weight, it’s one of the lightest chainsaws on the market.

02. Stihl MS 180

Efficient and stable. Stihl MS 180 gives you more power for more complicated work, without a considerable increase in volume and weight.

The length of the guide bar can vary between 12-14 inches. Its side-mounted tensioning system allows an easy and safe chain adjustment.

Stihl MS 180 optimizes fuel consumption with four different overflow channels. Its design prevents the transfer of vibrations to the operator’s hands during use. It also reduces toxic gas emissions up to 70% compared to similar models.

Although its power is greater, it maintains the same 9 pounds of weight of inferior models.

03. Stihl MS 180 C-BE

It offers the same features and performance as the MS 180 model, but adds slight differences. Stihl MS 180 C-BE is perfect for those seeking comfort and maximum control during work.

Essentially, it’s a faithful copy of the MS 180 model. It uses a bar with 12-14 inches in length. It also includes a comfortable chain tensioning system. You won’t have to spend too much time trying to adjust the chain, as with other models.

It also implements four overflow channels for greater air intake and lower fuel consumption. All device operations are controlled from a single lever.

In contrast to the MS 180 model, Stihl MS 180 C-BE implements the patented ErgoStart system. This eliminates the need to excessively pull the cord to start the chainsaw. That means it starts faster and with less effort than similar models.

04. Stihl MS 181

Only 0.45 pounds of weight separate it from the MS180 model. Although the difference in weight is imperceptible, the difference in power is noticeable. Stihl MS 181 is another tool that you can’t stop trying.

With only 9.5 pounds in weight, this wonder can generate 1.5 kW of power. Using a 12-14 inch bar, it can cut small trees like butter. Like other Stihl models, this one reduces fuel consumption up to 20%.

In contrast to similar models, Stihl MS 181 has an advanced air filtration system. First, the air swirls, ejecting the large particles. Then, it passes through a conventional filtering system.

It also reduces the transfer of vibration to the operator’s hands. With a single lever, you can control all the basic functions of the chainsaw.

05. Stihl MS 211

Ideal for work during the winter. Stihl MS 211 continues operating at the lowest temperatures, using an advanced air heating system.

At very low temperatures, carburetors in combustion engines tend to freeze. Obviously, with a frozen carburetor, no engine can start. The same can happen when you use your chainsaw during the winter.

Stihl MS 211 eliminates this risk with an advanced heating system. Using a screwdriver, you can vary between two modes: summer operation and winter operation.

When winter operation mode is active, the intake air is pre-heated. Hot air prevents the carburetor from freezing despite low temperatures.

Stihl MS 211 also includes all the main features of inferior models, including:

It only weighs 9.5 pounds and can generate 1.7 KW of power.

06. Stihl MSE 250 CQ

With more power and weight. Stihl MSE 250 CQ allows cutting with longer guide bars for wider tree trunks.

Works well with 12-18 inch long guide bars. It weighs 10 pounds and generates 2.3 kW of power. You can control all the main functions of the machine on the same lever. However, this model includes an additional feature.

Near the lever, there’s a QuickStop brake, which stops the saw chain in seconds. Very useful to prevent accidents when someone crosses your way or the chain is about to break.

It also implements an air heating system to prevent carburetor from freezing. The chain adjusts easily and needs 50% less lubrication thanks to its guide bar design.

Its design reduces the transfer of vibration to the operator during work. Thanks to its compensation system, the amount of fuel delivered to the carburetor varies depending on the amount of air that passes through the filter.

07. Stihl MS 251

The most powerful chainsaw from Stihl for property maintenance. MS 251 model can cut hardwood trees without problems.

Suitable for hard duties. Very useful for timber construction projects, where the hardwood is more resistant than usual. Fortunately that isn’t an obstacle to the 2.2 kW of power generated by this beast.

It Increases power and maintains the same 10 pounds of similar models. In addition, it brings together all the characteristics of the best Stihl chainsaw models in a single product, including:

It also controls the fuel consumption through an advanced compensation system. The amount of fuel delivered to the carburetor varies depending on the amount of air that passes through the air filter.

The more air passes, the less fuel it consumes. In addition, its air filters last longer to give the best performance.

Stihl Chainsaw Ever Made Buying Guide

All chainsaws have certain characteristics that make them the most appropriate for certain uses and inappropriate for others. The power and length of the guide bar are two features that will tell you how efficient a chainsaw is for cutting a piece of hardwood.

If you adapt a guide bar that is too large with a low power chainsaw, it will surely get stuck all the time. Therefore, follow this simple rule to choose the perfect machine: “A bigger guide bar requires more power.”

The cost of fuel is expensive. Those old and noisy models, although powerful, tend to consume too much fuel. If you’re a frequent user, at the end of each month you’ll end up spending a small fortune.

Buying the newest Stihl models will help you save all that money. Stihl chainsaws are friendly to the environment and produce less noise than similar models.

They’re also much cheaper and need very little maintenance. Therefore, if money is your biggest problem, you should have one of these.

If you’re already tempted to buy your own Stihl chainsaw, you need to know some essential tips to choose the right model. If you pay close attention, you’ll surely make the right decision.

Fuel Consumption

First of all, make sure the chainsaw has a 2-MIX engine for maximum performance and lower fuel consumption.

Most old models need constant fuel refill in a day to ensure continuous operation. Stihl models reduce fuel consumption up to 20%.

With up to 70% reduction in toxic gas emissions, Stihl chainsaws are the cleanest and most environmentally friendly.

With excessive use, the chainsaw air filters get clogged. This decreases the air flow through the carburetor. The less air it enters, the more fuel the carburetor consumes to achieve combustion.

In contrast to models from other brands, Stihl engines have a carburetor compensator. This guarantees a fair dosage of fuel depending on the amount of entering air. That way, the machine keeps saving fuel regardless of the state of the filters.

For better combustion, models superior to MS 181 implement 4 overflow chambers in their design. There, the fuel and air mix evenly before entering the carburetor. This also saves fuel.

As you can see, only Stihl chainsaws have so many fuel saving functions in the same engine. Another valid reason to prefer this brand over others.

Power

Each model works better with a certain guide bar length. For example, models with output power up to 1.3 kW, can only work with 12-inch bars. Models with output power up to 2 kW can work well with both 12-inch and 14-inch guide bars.

Models with output power greater than 2kW can work with bars between 12-16 inches without problems.

The greater the length of the guide bar, the greater the length of the cut. While the tree is larger, it’s advisable to gradually increase the length of the guide bar for greater efficiency.

In addition, the more power the chainsaw has, the less chance it has of getting stuck during work.

Air Heating System

Using a chainsaw during winter is a real pain. Most models tend to turn off all the time in the presence of very low temperatures. This happens because the cold air that enters freezes the carburetor.

If you live in a very cold area, such as Alaska, you’ll have to buy a chainsaw with an air heating system to be able to cut some firewood. Fortunately, all Stihl models above MS 210 have their own air heating systems.

Advanced Air Filtration System

Dirty air filters decrease machine performance. When this happens, less air passes through the carburetor and combustion isn’t optimal. The result is a considerable loss of power.

Therefore, to keep a chainsaw running at full capacity, it’s necessary to clean the filters constantly. However, some Stihl models eliminate frequent preventive maintenance through an advanced air filtering system.

The machine suction system swirls the air and ejects the largest particles. The result is a much cleaner and less polluted air. That way, the filters get less dirty.

Easy Chain Adjustment

Another advantage offered by Stihl models is the easy adjustment of their chain. Some models implement a side-mounted chain tensioning system that allows quick and easy adjustment. You just need the help of a key for screw to get the job done.

Retrofitted models implement a more advanced system. Through a Quick Chain Tensioning System, you can adjust the chain by turning an adjusting wheel. It’s also a very safe system, because you don’t need to touch the saw chain.

Check All the Features

It’s always good to visit the official Stihl website to know all the features of the product. Maybe you’re just looking for something powerful enough to cut a piece of hardwood. However, there are also some special features that may interest you from other models.

For example, some models consume less fuel than others. Not all models have the same chain adjustment system. Some use a different start mechanism. Others don’t have an emergency brake for saw chain.

Make sure the model you’re going to buy has everything you need. If you don’t check all the features of the product before, you could suffer a terrible disappointment after the first use.

Reviews

Before making the final decision, you should take a look at the best Stihl chainsaw reviews. Some brands are very honest with their customers, posting both good and bad reviews on their official websites. However, others prefer not to.

It’s also true that some haters only post bad reviews to ruin the reputation of a particular seller. That’s why it’s good to pay attention to both parties.

Contrasting the number of good vs. bad reviews will help you convince yourself if it’s really worth buying a certain product. If there are more pros than cons, you’re ready to make the decisions.

Price

Finding a cheap chainsaw these days is very difficult, but not impossible. If you manage to find a good model for less than $400, it would be a true miracle. However, you don’t need to invest the entire salary for a month to acquire the best 70cc chainsaw.

On the Internet you can find great offers. If you investigate well, you could find the MS 170 for just over $200. That’s an excellent price for a chainsaw with so many features.

If you want to find the best prices for these tools, it’s convenient to visit several shopping websites and compare. Usually, prices in hardware stores are far greater than on the Internet.

Why? Because most physical stores acquire their merchandise through the Internet and then sell them at higher prices to gain profit. Simple logic. Starting your search in the right place is the best way to find offers.

Why Stihl Brand is Best

There are plenty of reasons to declare Stihl as the best chainsaws brand in the world. All their products provide optimum performance and control.

All Stihl products are from Germany. They follow the highest quality standards. For that reason, Stihl is a leading brand throughout Europe.

Here are some reasons why you can be sure a Stihl chainsaw is the best:

Stihl Chainsaw Ever Made FAQs

If you’re still not convinced that Stihl is the best brand, maybe these FAQs help you clarify your doubts.

Q1. How to know which guide bar works best for a certain model?

Answer: Visit Stihl official website and search for the technical features of the product.

Q2. Gas powered or electric? Which is the best Stihl professional chainsaw?

Answer: Depends on the circumstances. Electric chainsaws are less noisy and don’t pollute. However, they need to plug to a nearby outlet to work.

Instead, you can use a gas powered chainsaw regardless of whether there’s a power source nearby.

Q3. Does Chainsaws only serve to cut hardwood?

Answer: They’re suitable for this purpose. To cut harder materials such as steel and concrete, it’s better to use another type of tool.

Q4. Which is the best Stihl chainsaw for home use?

Answer: Stihl MS 170.

Q5. Can I use a Stihl chainsaw in freezing temperatures?

Answer: Only if the chainsaw has an air heating system.

Q6. Does any Stihl chainsaw serve to cut a tree?

Answer: It all depends on the dimensions of the tree. The bigger the tree, you’ll need more power and a bigger guide bar.

Q7. What to do if the saw chain doesn’t fit in the guide bar?

Answer: Make sure it’s the saw chain that corresponds to your guide bar. If not, you’ll have to replace it with the correct one.

Q8. Do all Stihl chainsaws include a chainsaw case?

Answer: Chainsaw cases aren’t included.

Q9. Do all models include QuickStop brake?

Answer: Not all. Visit Stihl official website and verify which models implement this system.

Q10. Do all Stihl models have fuel saving system?

Answer: Yes. All Stihl chainsaws obtain maximum power with lower fuel consumption.

Conclusion

As you can see, Stihl offers advantages and additional features that you won’t find in other chainsaws. If you’re looking for a durable and maintenance-free product, Stihl is your only option.

Always remember to keep the air filters clean for maximum performance. Before start, clean and adjust the saw chain. Following these simple tips, your Stihl chainsaw will continue to work forever.

If you are looking to buy a best saw for cutting 2×4, you can check here.