What Stihl Chainsaw Should I Buy? MS 170 vs 251 vs 271
For most homeowners, the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss (50.2cc, 16-20 inch bar) is the right buy — it handles pruning through firewood without being overpowered. The MS 170 (30.1cc) is tempting on price, but it’s a pruning-only saw that bogs down on firewood-sized rounds. This guide breaks down which model actually fits your workload, real prices, and one safety item every buyer needs regardless of the saw.
Match the Saw to Your Actual Workload, Not the Smallest Job
Best Chainsaw Safety Chaps Pick
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FORESTER Apron-Style Chainsaw Chaps – $53.99 Stihl doesn’t sell full-size gas saws on Amazon, but this is exactly the safety gear this guide says every buyer needs regardless of which model you pick.
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The single biggest buying mistake is sizing a Stihl chainsaw to the smallest task instead of the biggest one you’ll realistically face. A saw that’s fine for pruning branches will bog down, overheat, or wear out fast if you occasionally need it for a fallen tree or a winter’s worth of firewood.
| Model | Engine | Bar Length | Best For | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS 170 | 30.1cc gas | 12-16″ | Light pruning and branches only | $180-$220 |
| MS 251 | 45.6cc gas | 16-18″ | Occasional felling, moderate firewood | $350-$420 |
| MS 271 Farm Boss | 50.2cc gas | 16-20″ | Firewood, storm cleanup, most homeowners | $430-$500 |
| MSA 120 C-B (battery) | 36V battery | 12-14″ | Quiet, occasional light-duty cutting | $200-$280 (bare tool) |
Why the MS 170 Isn’t the Budget Answer It Looks Like
The MS 170 is Stihl’s cheapest gas saw, and it’s genuinely good at what it’s built for: pruning, small branches, and light yard cleanup. The problem is its 30.1cc engine and short bar aren’t sized for firewood or felling — push it into that role regularly and you’ll bog the engine on cuts a 50cc saw handles without slowing down. If firewood or storm cleanup is even an occasional possibility, the MS 251 or MS 271 is the better buy up front rather than replacing an undersized saw a year later.
The MS 271 Farm Boss: Why It’s the Default Homeowner Pick
At 50.2cc with a 16-20 inch bar, the MS 271 Farm Boss covers pruning, firewood processing, and occasional felling of small-to-medium trees without being the heaviest or most expensive saw on the lot. It’s the model most Stihl dealers point homeowners toward specifically because it doesn’t force a compromise between “light enough to prune with” and “strong enough for a real firewood season.”
Gas, Battery, or Electric: Which Power Source Fits You?
Gas remains the choice for anything beyond light-duty cutting — more sustained power, no runtime limit beyond a fuel tank, and easy refueling mid-job. Stihl’s MSA battery line trades some of that power and runtime for near-silent operation, no mixed fuel, and less maintenance, which suits pruning and occasional cutting well but runs short on a long firewood session unless you carry a spare battery. Corded electric saws exist but are the least practical option for anyone not working within extension-cord range of an outlet.
“The return we see most often isn’t a bad saw — it’s an MS 170 bought for ‘just in case’ firewood duty that couldn’t keep up, traded in a season later for exactly the MS 271 it should have been from the start.”
Safety Gear and Where to Actually Buy
Stihl sells its full-size gas chainsaws exclusively through authorized dealers in the US, not through big-box retailers or Amazon — that’s also where you get setup, warranty registration, and service access, which matters more on a gas saw than on most other tools. Whatever model you land on, budget for real safety gear alongside it: cut-resistant gloves, eye and ear protection, and chainsaw chaps rated to stop a moving chain are not optional extras.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Different Types of Stihl Chainsaws Available?
Stihl splits its lineup into pruning saws (MS 170/171), mid-range farm saws (MS 251, MS 271 Farm Boss), and professional saws (MS 362, MS 462 C-M) plus a growing battery MSA line. Each tier is sized for a different real workload, not just a different price point.
How Do I Choose the Right Stihl Chainsaw for My Needs?
Match the saw to the biggest job you’ll realistically do, not the smallest. If you’ll ever cut firewood or fell a downed tree, skip the MS 170 — its 30.1cc engine and short bar aren’t built for it. The MS 271 Farm Boss (50.2cc) covers pruning through firewood without being overpowered for a homeowner.
Is the Stihl MS 170 Good Enough for Firewood?
No. The MS 170 is a pruning and light-branch saw — Stihl itself and most dealers steer firewood cutters toward the MS 251 or MS 271 instead. Using an MS 170 regularly on firewood-sized rounds will bog the engine and wear it out faster than its intended light-duty use.
Are Stihl Battery Chainsaws Worth It for Homeowners?
Yes, for pruning and occasional yard work. The MSA battery line starts quieter and lower-maintenance than gas, with enough power for branches and small trees, but shorter continuous runtime — plan on a spare battery if you’re doing more than an hour of cutting.
Where Should I Buy a Stihl Chainsaw?
Through an authorized Stihl dealer. Stihl sells its full-size gas chainsaws exclusively through dealer networks in the US, not big-box retailers or Amazon, which also means you get in-person setup, warranty registration, and service access that a big-box purchase wouldn’t.
Conclusion
Buy for the biggest job you’ll realistically face, not the smallest. The MS 170 is a genuinely good pruning saw but the wrong choice the moment firewood enters the picture — the MS 271 Farm Boss is the safer default for most homeowners, with the MS 251 as a lighter middle option and the MSA battery line for quiet, occasional cutting. Whichever you choose, buy through an authorized dealer and pair it with real safety gear from day one.
