Stihl Vs Echo Vs Husqvarna Chainsaw - What’s the Best Brand?

Stihl Vs Echo Vs Husqvarna Chainsaw – What’s the Best Brand?

If you’re in the market for a chainsaw then you have surely come across Husqvarna, Stihl and Echo saws. Each brand has developed a very loyal following for very good yet very different reasons.

Making the right choice is very important because chances are, you rely on your chainsaw for a variety of important cutting tasks. So we’re going to help you choose between these three brands.

Quick Facts

	Husqvarna	Stihl	Echo
Country of Origin	Sweden	Germany	Japan
Founded	1689	1926	2008
Specialties	Commercial-grade farming and forestry equipment	Power equipment, forestry equipment	Outdoor machinery, industrial machinery, agricultural machinery

Echo CS-400 Vs Husqvarna 440 Vs Stihl MS 250

Echo CS-400

Selling Points:

Gas-powered
2-stroke
Filter pre-cleaner

Quick Facts:

2cc engine
1lbs
16-18” bar

Key Features

Adjustable Oiler – The oiler is automatic and can be adjusted to several different bar lengths and cutting conditions.
Air Filter Pre-Cleaner – The air filter system actually keeps larger debris from ever making it onto the filter’s surface area.
1-30 Starting System – A common feature in many Echo power tools, the 1-30 starting system reduces the amount of pulls you need to start the engine.

Who Should Buy it?

The Echo CS-400 is the perfect mid-size chainsaw for cutting firewood. While it can take a 21” bar without a problem, it still struggles with bigger logs so it’s not great for bucking or felling. However, it handles cross-cuts of small hardwood logs very well.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Easy starting
Powerful for its size
Great for firewood cutting

Cons:

Bogs down easily

Overall Score: 96/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Husqvarna 440

Selling Points:

Gas-powered
Lightweight design
Slim body

Quick Facts:

4 HP engine
7lbs
18” bar
.050 gauge chain

Key Features

Side-Mounted Chain Tensioner – To adjust the chain tension, just take a bar wrench and adjust it via the side-access tension port.
Chain Brake – The chain brake is activated by inertia so it will actually stop if you get strong kickback.
Three-Piece Crank Shaft – The crankshaft is made of forged steel and provides excellent durability.

Who Should Buy it?

The Husqvarna 440 is a powerful little saw that would be great for around the house use. It would be very useful for residential storm cleanup and it’s actually light enough for some light tree-trimming.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Strong chassis
Should last a long time
Works well with a full-chisel chain

Cons:

Hard to start

Overall Score: 96/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Stihl MS 250

Selling Points:

Gas-powered
Oilomatic chain
8oz chain oil capacity

Quick Facts:

4cc engine
0 HP
1lbs
18” bar

Key Features

Master Control Lever – A single lever allows you to control the choke, starting throttle and on/off switch.
Rear Hand Guard – For safety, but also to help you get leverage when you’re pulling the starter cord.
Air Filter Cover – the air filter is easily accessed and protected by a tooless cover.

Who Should Buy it?

Of the three chainsaws in this weight class, the Stihl MS 250 was by far the most powerful. It bucks small trees with limited kickback and you can use it to cut multiple cords of wood. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for the best power/weight ratio in this chainsaw size class.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Excellent power
Easy on the body
Cuts 10” logs quickly

Cons:

Chain adjuster issues

Overall Score: 98/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Overall Winner

Without question, the Stihl MS 250 was the most impressive chainsaw in its class. It is as easy to start as the Husqvarna and the Echo; but it delivers more power and better cutting capability.

Echo DCS 1600 Vs Husqvarna 540i Vs Stihl MSA 220CB

Echo DCS-1600

Selling Points:

Battery-powered
32-minute runtime
Low vibration

Quick Facts:

50v Lithium Ion 4AH battery
14” bar
1lbs
4 voltage

Key Features

No Emissions – As a battery-operated chainsaw the Echo DCS-1600 doesn’t produce any emissions.
Side Access Chain Tensioner – The chain tension is easy to adjust and the adjustment nuts don’t fall off.
Rechargeable Battery – The battery can be recharged and swapped out with other Stihl batteries.

Who Should Buy it?

The Echo DCS-1600 matches the power of a small, 21cc range gas-powered chainsaw but with less runtime at high RPMs. Therefore it would be a good choice for anyone who needs a chainsaw for light, quick cutting jobs like cutting firewood or delimbing small, felled trees.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

No gas to deal with
Cordless
Not too loud

Cons:

Sort runtime

Overall Score: 93/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Husqvarna 540i

Selling Points:

Equivalent power to a 40cc gas-powered chainsaw
Battery-powered
High chain speeds

Quick Facts:

Brushless motor
40v lithium ion battery
14-16” bar
3lbs
.043” chain gauge

Key Features

Weatherproof Design – This chainsaw meets IPX4 classification for rain resistance.
Automatic Shutdown – The Husqvarna 540i will shut itself down after 3 minutes of idling to conserve the battery.
Inertia-Activated Chain Break – The Husqvarna 540i will break the chain rotation when it senses enough inertia generated from kickback.

Who Should Buy it?

One thing we really liked about the Husqvarna 540i was that it was really rugged and could stand up to the rigors of inclement weather. So if you are out in the field a lot and need a chainsaw that can keep up with you, the Husqvarna 540i should fit the bill quite nicely.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Easy to switch out the battery
Pretty good overall runtime
Good for small cleanup jobs

Cons:

Limited runtime at high RPMs

Overall Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Stihl MSA-220CB

Selling Points:

Battery-powered
Interchangeable Stihl batteries
Felling markers

Quick Facts:

4lbs
16” bar
AP series battery
Oilomatic ⅜” chain

Key Features

Quickstop – The Quickstop feature brakes the chain rotation if there is significant kickback.
Ematic Lubrication – The Ematic lubrication system works with the oilomatic chain to deliver the optimal amount of oil to the chain at all times.
Rubberized Handle – The front handle has a rubberized overlaying to increase operator comfort.

Who Should Buy it?

The Stihl MSA 220 C-B would be a good choice for anyone looking for a reliable electric chainsaw. It keeps its RPMs even when you’re deep in a log. Just remember it has limitations. This is not a saw that can cut through thick logs of oak. It can handle about 8” oak rounds and all kinds of softwood species; but it’s not designed for the big stuff.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

You can use the battery with other Stihl power tools
It doesn’t bog down very easily
Good safety features

Cons:

Made with flimsy parts

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Overall Winner

The electric mid-grade class of chainsaws belongs to Husqvarna. The Husqvarna 540i is the most durable and the chainsaw that is best prepared for work in the field. And if you’re just using it around the house, it should last a very long time. The Echo model was too underpowered and had a disappointing runtime while the Stihl model seems like the parts will break before they should.

Echo 501p Vs Husqvarna 550xp Vs Stihl MS 261

Echo 501p

Selling Points:

Built to be light
Gas-powered
2-stroke engine

Quick Facts:

50cc engine
16, 18, 20” bar length
6lbs

Key Features

Digital Ignition System – The digital ignition system makes it much less likely to mis-fire and allows for easier startup.
Clutch-Driver Oiler – To help preserve chain oil, the automatic, clutch-driven oiler only operates when the chain is actually in motion.
Decompression Valve – Easily bleed compression out of the cylinder for easier startup with the decomp valve.

Who Should Buy it?

The Echo 501p is a solid mid-sized chainsaw for anyone who prefers an easy to start saw. The fact that it starts up with very minimal effort and very consistently is by far its best feature and biggest advantage.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Easy to start
Air filter lasts a long time
Good power to weight ratio

Cons:

Oiler doesn’t work well

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Husqvarna 550xp

Selling Points:

Advanced engine cooling system
Slim design
Gas-powered

Quick Facts:

50cc engine
4 HP
16-20” bar
.325” pitch chain
7lbs

Key Features

Air Injected Filter – Air injection helps keep larger debris from settling on the air filter.
Magnesium Crankcase – A sturdy crankcase that can hold up against continued, high RPM use.
AutoTune – The AutoTune system compensates for different cutting conditions without having to adjust the carb.

Who Should Buy it?

The Husqvarna 550xp is a perfect fit for the professional in the field. It is rugged enough for use in the field and powerful enough for felling trees and processing rounds of hardwood.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Three-piece crankshaft
Side-access chain tensioner
Adjustable oil pump

Cons:

Chain overheats easily

Overall Score: 96/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Stihl MS 261

Selling Points:

Low emissions
Gas-powered
Pre-separation air filter

Quick Facts:

8lbs
4 HP
2cc engine
.325” RM3 chain

Key Features

Adjustable Automatic Oiler – The oiler works very well and utilizes ramps within the guide rail to provide an optimum level of oil to the chain in all cutting conditions.
Intellicarb – The Intellicarb system pulls air from the clean side of the filter when it senses clogging.
Decompression Valve – You can easily vent compression from the cylinder with the decomp valve for easier startups.

Who Should Buy it?

The Stihl MS 261 is a great choice for anyone who needs power equivalent to the Husqvarna 550xp but who doesn’t want to spend so much money. It performs just as well as the 550xp and has similar features – just in a more affordable package.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Great for felling
Good for treecare crews
Minimal kickback

Cons:

Sensitive throttle

Overall Score: 97/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Overall Winner

The Stihl MS 261 narrowly edges out the Husqvarna 550xp because it is more affordable. It offers the same, same ease of use, same durability and similar features for a lower price so it’s the best overall option in the mid sized chainsaw class.

Price Comparison

Husqvarna tends to be the most expensive while Echo chainsaws tend to be the cheapest. Stihl usually occupies the middle-ground in terms of price; but even Stihl saws can rival and exceed the cost of Husqvarna chainsaws.

How Long do Their Batteries Last?

In our testing, Stihl had the longest-lasting batteries of all three battery-powered chainsaws. Keep in mind though that this also means that their batteries take the longest to charge.

Which is More Durable?

Stihl and Husqvarna make the most durable chainsaws. Echo uses some flimsy parts most of the time; however Stihl has been guilty of the same design flaws.

What is the Best for Home Use?

We would have to say Stihl chainsaws. Their lineup of mid-sized and light-duty chainsaws is budget-friendly and user-friendly enough to suit most home needs including cutting firewood, light storm cleanup, trimming and limbing. With a Stihl chainsaw, you are likely to get the power you need without having to overspend on power you are never going to use.

What is the Best for Trees?

If you are talking about felling trees, we would go with a Husqvarna chainsaw. If you are talking about topping, trimming or delimbing, we would go with either Husqvarna or Stihl.

What is the Best Professional Chainsaw?

We would have to give the honor of the best professional chainsaw to the Stihl MS 261. It can do pretty much everything in the field (save for felling large-diameter hardwood trees) and it sells for a reasonable price. Plus, it rivals the durability of the Husqvarna 550xp.

Final Assessment

So what’s the best brand of chainsaw? This is a tough one to call so we’re going to call it a tie between Husqvarna and Stihl. Echo is a good brand if you need a light-duty saw that is easy to use right out of the box.

But for serious cutting and durability, Stihl and Husqvarna are the better brands. For a professional-grade, mid-sized chainsaw check out the Stihl MS 261. But if you need a hearty electric chainsaw, be sure to pick up the Husqvarna 540i.