Real STIHL Chainsaw Prices: 8 Models Compared (2026)

The best all-around STIHL chainsaw for most homeowners is the STIHL MS 250 ($429.99 official MSRP) — it carries 2,844 reviews on STIHL’s own site, more than any other gas saw in the current lineup. But the bigger fact most "best price" pages skip: STIHL doesn’t sell through Amazon, Home Depot, or Lowe’s at all. Every model below is priced from STIHL’s official dealer-network MSRP, live-pulled from stihlusa.com’s full 52-model catalog this month — not from a marketplace listing. If you’re deciding between STIHL and another brand first, our cross-brand chainsaw price comparison covers that ground; this article is STIHL-only.

STIHL Chainsaw Comparison: 8 Real Models by Power-to-Weight and Price

STIHL currently sells 52 chainsaw models in the U.S., ranging from the $219.99 MS 162 to the $2,709.99 MS 881 R MAGNUM® — pulled live from STIHL’s own site this month. The eight below span every real use case, from occasional yard work to daily professional forestry. Power-to-weight (horsepower per pound of powerhead) is a computed column: we divided STIHL’s own published HP figure by STIHL’s own published powerhead weight for each saw, so you can see which engine actually delivers the most power for the least weight in your hands — a comparison STIHL’s own site doesn’t show you directly.

Model & Award	Tier	Engine	Power	Powerhead Weight	Bar Length	Power-to-Weight (computed)	Official MSRP	STIHL-Reported Rating	Verdict
1. STIHL MS 250 #1 Best Overall	Homeowner	2.8 cu-in (≈45.9 cc)	3.0 HP	10.1 lb	18″	0.297 HP/lb	$429.99	4.1/5 (2844 reviews)	The default pick for most homeowners — the review volume alone says this is the saw STIHL sells the most of at this tier.
2. STIHL MS 162 Best Value / Cheapest Current STIHL Chainsaw	Homeowner / Entry	1.8 cu-in (≈29.5 cc)	1.6 HP	9.9 lb	16″	0.162 HP/lb	$219.99	4.3/5 (166 reviews)	The honest entry point if the goal is simply ‘the cheapest way to own a real STIHL,’ not the cheapest way to get a chainsaw.
3. STIHL MSA 60 C-B Set Best Battery-Powered STIHL Chainsaw	Battery / Homeowner	0.7 kW battery motor	n/a	not published	not published	not computable — spec not published	$349.99	4.6/5 (39 reviews)	Best pick if the job is pruning, light yard cleanup, or you already own AK-platform STIHL batteries.
4. STIHL MS 271 FARM BOSS (20") Best STIHL Chainsaw for Firewood & Storm Cleanup	Farm & Ranch	3.1 cu-in (≈50.8 cc)	3.5 HP	12.4 lb	20″ (18″ version also sold at $529.99)	0.282 HP/lb	$539.99	3.5/5 (18 reviews)	The Farm Boss name is earned on bar length and fuel efficiency, but check current review sentiment yourself given the 3.5-star average.
5. STIHL MS 291 Best All-Purpose STIHL Chainsaw for Property Owners	Farm & Ranch	3.4 cu-in (≈55.7 cc)	3.8 HP	12.4 lb	18″	0.306 HP/lb	$609.99	4.4/5 (1056 reviews)	The pick if you want the most engine STIHL sells before crossing into the Professional Series price bracket.
6. STIHL MS 362 C-M Best Professional STIHL Chainsaw	Professional	3.6 cu-in (≈59.0 cc)	4.8 HP	12.3 lb	18″	0.390 HP/lb	$1109.99	4.6/5 (477 reviews)	Best pick once you’re cutting for a living, not just for the yard.
7. STIHL MS 201 T C-M Best STIHL Chainsaw for Arborists (Top-Handle)	Professional / Top-Handle	2.1 cu-in (≈34.4 cc)	2.4 HP	9.1 lb	not published for this specific T C-M variant	0.264 HP/lb	$949.99	4.1/5 (188 reviews)	The pick only if you’re doing in-tree climbing work — otherwise a rear-handle saw like the MS 291 or MS 362 is the right tool.
8. STIHL MS 500i Best High-End / Flagship STIHL Chainsaw	Professional Flagship	4.8 cu-in (≈78.7 cc)	6.8 HP	14.0 lb	18″	0.486 HP/lb	$1759.99	not published on STIHL’s site	The pick if you need maximum power-to-weight and are buying for daily professional forestry work, not yard maintenance.

Expand your knowledge about Chainsaw with this article. Poulan Chainsaw Fuel Ratio: The Proven, Best Mix

The 8 Best STIHL Chainsaws for the Money (2026)

1. STIHL MS 250 — #1 Best Overall

• Official MSRP: $429.99 (dealer price may vary — see the buying guide below)
• Engine/Motor: 2.8 cu-in (≈45.9 cc), 2.2 kW / 3.0 HP
• Powerhead weight: 10.1 lb
• Bar length: 18″
• Rating: 4.1/5 stars, 2844 reviews (STIHL’s own site)

See current specs and configurations on STIHL’s official product page →

Pros:

• Highest official review count of any current STIHL gas chainsaw (2,844 reviews on stihlusa.com) — the deepest real-world track record in the lineup
• Side-access chain tensioner and toolless fuel/oil caps make routine maintenance genuinely fast
• Anti-vibration mounts and a Master Control Lever keep it comfortable through a full afternoon of bucking firewood

Cons:

• 10.1 lb powerhead plus fuel and an 18" bar is noticeably heavier in the hand than the MS 162 or MS 172 C-E for the same basic homeowner job
• 3.0 HP is adequate for firewood and yard cleanup but underpowered for anything past 16–18" hardwood rounds

Main drawback: it’s priced $180–210 above the true entry-level saws (MS 162, MS 172 C-E) for a power gain that only matters once you’re regularly cutting rounds larger than about 14 inches.

Verdict: The default pick for most homeowners — the review volume alone says this is the saw STIHL sells the most of at this tier.

2. STIHL MS 162 — Best Value / Cheapest Current STIHL Chainsaw

• Official MSRP: $219.99 (dealer price may vary — see the buying guide below)
• Engine/Motor: 1.8 cu-in (≈29.5 cc), 1.2 kW / 1.6 HP
• Powerhead weight: 9.9 lb
• Bar length: 16″
• Rating: 4.3/5 stars, 166 reviews (STIHL’s own site)

See current specs and configurations on STIHL’s official product page →

Pros:

• The single cheapest chainsaw in STIHL’s entire current 52-model U.S. lineup at $219.99 official MSRP
• IntelliCarb compensating carburetor self-adjusts the air/fuel mix as the filter loads up — fewer trips back to the dealer for a tune
• 9.9 lb powerhead is light enough for occasional users who aren’t building arm strength on a saw every weekend

Cons:

• 1.60 HP is the lowest output in this entire comparison — the worst power-to-weight ratio of any pick here at 0.162 HP per pound
• 16" bar caps what you can buck in one pass; anything wider than about a 14" round needs two cuts

Main drawback: this is a light-duty saw wearing a big brand name — fine for pruning and small firewood, genuinely underpowered if you’re clearing storm damage or felling anything of size.

Verdict: The honest entry point if the goal is simply ‘the cheapest way to own a real STIHL,’ not the cheapest way to get a chainsaw.

Intrigued by Chainsaw? Here’s a related post to explore further. Battery vs Gas Chainsaw: The Proven Best Choice

3. STIHL MSA 60 C-B Set — Best Battery-Powered STIHL Chainsaw

• Official MSRP: $349.99 (dealer price may vary — see the buying guide below)
• Engine/Motor: 0.7 kW motor, AK 36V/40V battery platform
• Powerhead weight: not published by STIHL
• Bar length: not published
• Rating: 4.6/5 stars, 39 reviews (STIHL’s own site)

See current specs and configurations on STIHL’s official product page →

Pros:

• Highest star rating of any pick in this comparison (4.6/5, 39 reviews) on STIHL’s own site
• Runs on the 36V/40V AK battery platform shared across dozens of other STIHL cordless tools — one battery, multiple tools
• No mixed gas, no pull-start, no exhaust — genuinely the right call for noise-sensitive neighborhoods or an enclosed yard

Cons:

• STIHL’s own product page does not publish a powerhead weight or a bar-length spec for this listing — we’re not guessing, so that cell in the table below reads "not published"
• Rated 40 minutes of runtime on the included AK 20 battery, which is real work time, not all-day capacity — a second battery is a near-mandatory add-on for anything beyond quick yard tasks

Main drawback: the AK-series battery platform is STIHL’s smallest cordless system, built for light-duty trimming and grounds work, not for felling or heavy bucking.

Verdict: Best pick if the job is pruning, light yard cleanup, or you already own AK-platform STIHL batteries.

4. STIHL MS 271 FARM BOSS (20") — Best STIHL Chainsaw for Firewood & Storm Cleanup

• Official MSRP: $539.99 (dealer price may vary — see the buying guide below)
• Engine/Motor: 3.1 cu-in (≈50.8 cc), 2.6 kW / 3.5 HP
• Powerhead weight: 12.4 lb
• Bar length: 20″ (18″ version also sold at $529.99)
• Rating: 3.5/5 stars, 18 reviews (STIHL’s own site)

See current specs and configurations on STIHL’s official product page →

Pros:

• 20" bar handles full rounds most homeowner saws need two cuts for
• STIHL’s own copy claims 20% longer run time between refuels and roughly half the exhaust emissions versus the model it replaced
• Pre-separation air filtration is rated to extend filter life up to 5x — a real cost saver if you’re cutting a full cord or more a season

Explore more about Chainsaw with this related post. How to Oil a Chainsaw Bar

Cons:

• 3.5/5 is the lowest official star rating of any pick in this table, on a small sample (18 reviews) — worth reading the actual review text on STIHL’s site before buying, not just the number
• At 12.4 lb powerhead plus a 20" bar and full tank, this is a two-handed saw for an entire afternoon, not a quick in-and-out tool

Main drawback: the lowest review score in this lineup is a real data point, not noise on a saw this widely sold — read a handful of the actual STIHL-hosted reviews before you commit.

Verdict: The Farm Boss name is earned on bar length and fuel efficiency, but check current review sentiment yourself given the 3.5-star average.

5. STIHL MS 291 — Best All-Purpose STIHL Chainsaw for Property Owners

• Official MSRP: $609.99 (dealer price may vary — see the buying guide below)
• Engine/Motor: 3.4 cu-in (≈55.7 cc), 2.8 kW / 3.8 HP
• Powerhead weight: 12.4 lb
• Bar length: 18″
• Rating: 4.4/5 stars, 1056 reviews (STIHL’s own site)

See current specs and configurations on STIHL’s official product page →

Pros:

• 1,056 reviews at 4.4/5 — the second-deepest track record in this entire comparison after the MS 250
• 3.80 HP with the same 12.4 lb powerhead weight as the MS 271 means a genuinely better power-to-weight ratio (0.306 HP/lb vs. 0.282)
• "Made in America" per STIHL’s own product page, for buyers who weight that

Cons:

• At $609.99 it sits in an awkward gap — $70 more than the Farm Boss 20" for the same 18" bar length, though with more power
• Still a homeowner/farm-tier saw, not rated for daily all-day professional use

Main drawback: the extra $70–80 over the MS 271 buys more power and a better weight ratio, not a longer bar — know which one you’re actually paying for.

Verdict: The pick if you want the most engine STIHL sells before crossing into the Professional Series price bracket.

6. STIHL MS 362 C-M — Best Professional STIHL Chainsaw

• Official MSRP: $1109.99 (dealer price may vary — see the buying guide below)
• Engine/Motor: 3.6 cu-in (≈59.0 cc), 3.5 kW / 4.8 HP
• Powerhead weight: 12.3 lb
• Bar length: 18″
• Rating: 4.6/5 stars, 477 reviews (STIHL’s own site)

See current specs and configurations on STIHL’s official product page →

Interested in more about Chainsaw? Here's an article you might find helpful. How to Oil Your Chainsaw Chain the Right Way

Pros:

• 4.80 HP in a 12.3 lb powerhead — barely heavier than the homeowner-tier MS 271/MS 291, for 26–37% more power
• IntelliCarb compensating carburetor and EPA/CARB-compliant reduced-emission engine, built for daily commercial duty cycles
• 477 reviews at 4.6/5 on STIHL’s own site is a strong, deep track record for a Professional Series saw

Cons:

• $1,109.99 is roughly 2.6x the price of the homeowner-tier MS 291 for the same 18" bar length — the money buys duty cycle and torque, not cutting reach
• Professional Series saws are tuned and serviced expecting regular dealer maintenance, which is part of the real ownership cost

Main drawback: this is genuinely more saw than an occasional homeowner needs — the price premium over the MS 291 only pays for itself if you’re running it most days.

Verdict: Best pick once you’re cutting for a living, not just for the yard.

7. STIHL MS 201 T C-M — Best STIHL Chainsaw for Arborists (Top-Handle)

• Official MSRP: $949.99 (dealer price may vary — see the buying guide below)
• Engine/Motor: 2.1 cu-in (≈34.4 cc), 1.8 kW / 2.4 HP
• Powerhead weight: 9.1 lb
• Bar length: not published for this specific T C-M variant
• Rating: 4.1/5 stars, 188 reviews (STIHL’s own site)

See current specs and configurations on STIHL’s official product page →

Pros:

• STIHL’s own copy calls the MS 201 line "the lightest professional gas chainsaw from STIHL"
• M-Tronic engine management and Easy2Start are aimed specifically at one-handed, in-tree operation for climbing arborists
• 9.1 lb powerhead is lighter than every gas saw in this table except the MS 162

Cons:

• Top-handle saws are built for climbers using fall-protection gear, not ground-level homeowner use — the wrong pick if that’s not the job
• STIHL’s product page bundles several MS 201 variants (T C-M, C-EM, standard) on one listing; confirm the exact T C-M configuration with a dealer before ordering

Main drawback: top-handle saws are legally and practically restricted to trained climbers in most professional settings — this is a specialist’s tool, not a general recommendation.

Verdict: The pick only if you’re doing in-tree climbing work — otherwise a rear-handle saw like the MS 291 or MS 362 is the right tool.

Searching for more on Chainsaw? Take a look at this comprehensive post. How to Cut Wood With a Chainsaw Safely

8. STIHL MS 500i — Best High-End / Flagship STIHL Chainsaw

• Official MSRP: $1759.99 (dealer price may vary — see the buying guide below)
• Engine/Motor: 4.8 cu-in (≈78.7 cc), 5.0 kW / 6.8 HP
• Powerhead weight: 14.0 lb
• Bar length: 18″
• Rating: No aggregated rating published on STIHL’s site

See current specs and configurations on STIHL’s official product page →

Pros:

• The best power-to-weight ratio of any saw in this entire 8-model comparison: 0.486 HP per pound, well ahead of the MS 362 C-M’s 0.390
• First high-power chainsaw in the world with electronic fuel injection (STIHL calls it sensor-controlled fuel metering) — consistent power regardless of altitude or temperature, no manual carb tuning
• 5.0 kW / 6.80 HP is the most power of any saw in this comparison

Cons:

• $1,759.99 official MSRP — and that’s before a bar/chain upgrade many buyers pair with it for bigger timber
• STIHL’s own listing doesn’t display an aggregated star rating for this model, unlike every other pick here — we’re not fabricating one

Main drawback: this is a specialist’s saw at a specialist’s price — the EFI system is a genuine engineering advantage, but it’s solving a problem most homeowners never have.

Verdict: The pick if you need maximum power-to-weight and are buying for daily professional forestry work, not yard maintenance.

How We Priced These (and Why There’s No "Buy Now" Button)

We did not physically test these eight saws for this article — be upfront about that. Every price, spec, and star rating above was compared against STIHL’s own official product pages on stihlusa.com, live-pulled in August 2026, cross-checked model by model against STIHL’s full current 52-product chainsaw catalog to confirm each pick is still actively sold (not a discontinued model still floating around third-party listings — see below for exactly why that distinction matters).

We also checked, directly, whether STIHL chainsaws are actually sold on Amazon before writing a single "best price" claim. They are not — not by STIHL, and not by Amazon itself. STIHL distributes exclusively through a network of more than 10,000 authorized U.S. dealers. STIHL’s own site carries a standing warning about "fraudulent sellers attempting to pose as official STIHL Dealers and/or retailers," and STIHL’s published warranty policy applies only to purchases made through that authorized dealer network. Anything you find on Amazon carrying the STIHL name is a third-party marketplace listing — not an authorized sale, and not covered by STIHL’s warranty.

The Amazon Reality Check

To see what that actually costs a buyer, we pulled live third-party marketplace listings for STIHL chainsaws through Amazon’s own product API and compared them, model for model, against STIHL’s official dealer MSRP for the equivalent current saw:

Official STIHL Model & MSRP	What’s Actually Listed on Amazon	Markup Over MSRP	What We Found
STIHL MS 172 C-E (current homeowner-tier successor to the discontinued MS 170) Official MSRP: $249.99	“STIHL MS 170 Chainsaw”, seller KemetX, marketplace listing Live marketplace price: $600.00	+140.0%	MS 170 does not appear anywhere in STIHL’s current 52-model U.S. catalog — it has been discontinued and replaced by the MS 172 C-E at the same tier. A marketplace listing selling it as new in 2026 is itself a flag independent of the price.
STIHL MS 162 (official STIHL dealer MSRP) Official MSRP: $219.99	“STIHL MS 162 Chainsaw W/ 16" Bar & Chain”, seller D & K Enterprises, USA Inc. Live marketplace price: $274.00	+24.6%	Live buy-box price at time of research, third-party marketplace seller, not STIHL or Amazon.
STIHL MS 162 (official STIHL dealer MSRP) Official MSRP: $219.99	Same ASIN, "Amazon Resale — Like New, Used" condition Live marketplace price: $260.30	+18.3%	A used unit, sold as resale, still priced above a brand-new unit’s official MSRP.

The worst case we found was a listing claiming to sell a "new" STIHL MS 170 for $600 — a model that doesn’t exist anywhere in STIHL’s current catalog. It was discontinued and replaced by the MS 172 C-E, which STIHL’s own authorized dealers sell new for $249.99. That’s a 140% markup over the modern equivalent, on top of the separate question of what you’re actually being shipped. Even the least dramatic case we found — a current MS 162 — still ran 18–25% above official MSRP through a third-party seller. Every dollar figure and every product name in this article’s picks above comes from STIHL’s own dealer-network pricing, not from listings like these.

What to Consider When Buying a STIHL Chainsaw

Homeowner vs. Farm & Ranch vs. Professional Tier

STIHL splits its own lineup into these exact tiers, and the price gap between them is real, not marketing. Homeowner saws (MS 162, MS 172 C-E, MS 250) are built for occasional yard work and light firewood. Farm & Ranch saws (MS 271, MS 291) add bar length and engine displacement for regular firewood processing and storm cleanup. Professional Series saws (MS 362, MS 400, MS 462, MS 500i, MS 661, MS 881) are built for daily commercial duty cycles — and priced accordingly, from roughly $1,100 up to $2,700. Our broader chainsaw buying guide covers this same tier logic across every brand, not just STIHL.

Engine Displacement vs. Actual Cutting Power

Displacement (cc or cu-in) tells you the engine’s size, not directly how it cuts. Compare the published HP figure and, better, the power-to-weight ratio in the table above — the MS 500i’s 78.7cc engine produces nearly twice the MS 271’s 50.8cc engine’s power increase per pound of extra powerhead weight, per STIHL’s own published specs.

Bar Length: Match It to What You Actually Cut

A 16" bar (MS 162) handles most firewood rounds in one or two passes. An 18" bar (MS 250, MS 291, MS 362 C-M, MS 500i) is the most common all-purpose length in STIHL’s current catalog. A 20" bar (MS 271 Farm Boss) is worth the extra weight only if you’re regularly bucking rounds wider than about 16 inches.

Gas vs. Battery

STIHL’s AK-platform battery saws (MSA 60 C-B, MSA 70 C-B) trade raw power and bar length for zero exhaust, near-silent operation, and instant starts — genuinely the right call for noise-restricted neighborhoods, indoor-adjacent work, or anyone who already owns AK-platform STIHL batteries. Gas still wins on bar length, run time, and total power once you’re past light-duty trimming.

Weight and Fatigue

Powerhead weight alone understates real fatigue — add a full fuel tank, bar oil, and the guide bar/chain itself, and every saw in this table gains roughly 2–3 lb in the hand. If you’re cutting overhead or for more than 20–30 minutes at a stretch, the lighter homeowner and top-handle saws (MS 162, MS 201 T C-M) are a genuinely different physical experience than the Professional Series.

Where You Can Actually Buy One

STIHL products are sold exclusively through STIHL’s authorized dealer network — independent local dealers and a small number of authorized retail partners like Ace Hardware. There is no STIHL online checkout, no Amazon buy box, and no Home Depot or Lowe’s aisle. Use STIHL’s official dealer locator to find authorized sellers near you.

Warranty Coverage Depends Entirely on Where You Buy

STIHL’s published warranty policy covers purchases made through its authorized dealer network. A saw bought through an unauthorized third-party marketplace listing — including most "STIHL" listings on Amazon and eBay — typically isn’t eligible for that coverage, regardless of what the listing implies.

Maintenance and Parts Access

Every model above uses side-access chain tensioning and, on newer models, an IntelliCarb compensating carburetor that self-adjusts as the air filter loads — both reduce trips back to the dealer. But the dealer network cuts both ways: parts, chains, and warranty service for an authorized purchase all run through that same local dealer relationship, which is part of the real ownership cost most price comparisons leave out. Before you buy a replacement chain, double-check which way the chain should actually run — it’s a common installation mistake on any brand of saw. If you’re buying used, you’ll also want to know where to find the serial number on a STIHL chainsaw to confirm what you’re actually getting.

How to Actually Get the Best Price on a Real STIHL Chainsaw

1. Use STIHL’s official dealer locator to find every authorized dealer within driving range, not just the closest one.
2. Call or visit 2–3 of them — MSRP is set by STIHL, but individual dealers can differ on bundled extras, financing, and current promotions.
3. Ask specifically what’s included at the sticker price: an extra chain, a case, bar oil, or a first sharpening are common dealer-level bundles that don’t show up on STIHL’s own spec sheet.
4. Ask about seasonal timing — spring pre-season and post-storm cleanup periods are when local dealers are most likely to run real promotions.
5. Get the warranty terms in writing before you pay, and confirm the saw is being sold as new through STIHL’s authorized channel.
6. Cross off any "STIHL" listing on Amazon, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace advertising a below-MSRP new price — per the Amazon Reality Check above, the pattern runs the opposite direction: markups, not discounts, plus no warranty eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Amazon sell real STIHL chainsaws?

No. STIHL does not sell through Amazon, and Amazon does not stock STIHL chainsaws as an authorized retailer. Listings carrying the STIHL name on Amazon are third-party marketplace sellers, and our live check found them priced 18‑40% above STIHL’s own official dealer MSRP for the equivalent current model.

Why doesn’t STIHL sell chainsaws through Amazon or Home Depot?

STIHL distributes exclusively through a network of more than 10,000 authorized U.S. dealers so that every purchase comes with in-person expert advice, service, and STIHL’s own warranty coverage — none of which a marketplace listing or big-box shelf can guarantee. STIHL’s own site posts a standing warning about fraudulent sellers posing as official retailers.

What is the cheapest STIHL chainsaw you can buy in 2026?

The STIHL MS 162, at $219.99 official MSRP, is the least expensive model in STIHL’s current 52-product U.S. chainsaw catalog, live-checked on stihlusa.com this month.

How much does a STIHL chainsaw cost on average?

Across STIHL’s full current lineup, prices run from $219.99 (MS 162, homeowner tier) to $2,709.99 (MS 881 R MAGNUM, professional flagship). Most homeowner and farm-tier saws — the models most people actually buy — fall between $220 and $610.

Do STIHL chainsaw prices vary by dealer?

STIHL sets an official MSRP, but individual authorized dealers can differ on bundled extras, financing offers, and seasonal promotions. Calling 2‑3 dealers in your area before buying is the legitimate way to find the best real-world price — not searching online marketplaces.

Is it safe to buy a “STIHL” chainsaw on Amazon or eBay?

Treat it as a red flag. Our live check found current-model STIHL listings marked up 18‑25% over official MSRP through unauthorized third-party sellers, and one listing for a chainsaw model (MS 170) that STIHL discontinued and no longer sells at all. None of these purchases are eligible for STIHL’s own warranty coverage.

Which STIHL chainsaw is best for a homeowner versus a professional?

For most homeowners, the MS 250 ($429.99) or MS 162 ($219.99) cover yard work and firewood. Farm & Ranch buyers regularly processing wood should look at the MS 271 or MS 291 ($540‑610). Professionals cutting daily should be in the Professional Series — MS 362 C-M and up — starting around $1,110.

Final Thoughts

If you only take one thing from this comparison: the STIHL MS 250 is the pick most homeowners land on, backed by 2,844 of STIHL’s own hosted reviews — more than every other saw in this lineup combined. But the number that actually protects your wallet is the 140% markup we found on a discontinued model being resold as new through an unauthorized Amazon listing. STIHL chainsaws are priced by STIHL’s dealer network, not by any marketplace — check the official dealer locator, call a couple of local dealers, and use the table above as your baseline for what you should actually be paying. Still deciding between STIHL and another brand, or between a rear-handle and a handheld chainsaw in general? Our guide to choosing which STIHL chainsaw to buy walks through the same tier decision from a different angle.