A chainsaw is, without doubt, the best option when it comes to cutting wood, and if you’re someone that spends time researching, you’ll know that there are arguably only two huge brands: Stihl and Husqvarna. Now each of these brands has its histories, features, and unique specifications. To many, it may seem as though both brands offer the same result—to cut wood. However, if you dig deeper into the specifications, you’ll realize that it goes beyond this. If you can’t seem to make up your mind between Stihl vs. Husqvarna chainsaws, and you need help getting started, then you’re at the right place.
Stihl vs Husqvarna Chainsaw: Which Is Better?
Considering the two brands as well as their respective features boils down to personal preference. Both have a similar lineup with gas and electric chainsaws and professional models. Feature wise they are also comparable, even do they use different marketing terms. Stihl chainsaws are generally a little bit cheaper, but Husqvarna chainsaws often have a larger fuel tank.
It is important to know that not all chainsaws are the same in the way they appeal to the users, especially with the range of features. Do you want to know which brand is better between Stihl chainsaw vs. Husqvarna? Don’t look too far. In the rest of this article, we’ll be looking at both brands, weighing in on their relative strengths and weaknesses, and finally helping you decide on which brand is better.
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Stihl vs. Husqvarna Chainsaw: Feature Comparison
When you consider their desires, you’ll find the obvious difference between the two brands. STIHL chainsaws feature a fuel injection system while Husqvarna features an air injection system that helps to remove sawdust and dust from the engine’s filter system. For an easier starting, the STIHL chainsaw features an ErgoStart system. On the other hand, Husqvarna chainsaws feature a quick-start system which allows the user to start the machine easier and faster. Here are the features of each brand.
● Stihl Chainsaw Features:
- Stihl 2-Mix Engine: For the gas-powered versions, the Stihl 2-Mix features a two-stroke engine that saves up to 20% fuel and reduces emission by 70% compared to other gas chainsaws.
- Compensator: for cleaner fuel combustion, the controller in the Stihl carburetor prevents the fuel-air mixture from getting clogged. It also maintains the proper fuel/air ratio to achieve a cleaner and efficient combustion.
- Anti-vibration system: The buffer zone in the STIHL chainsaw reduces the vibration on the chainsaw handle. This helps to reduce fatigue and allows the user to work for a longer time.
- Stihl Ematic system: This helps to reduce the consumption of chain lubrication oil by 50%.
- Quick stop chain break: This is often seen in cordless chainsaws, and is an additional braking system. This feature allows the chain to stop immediately you let go of the rear handle.
- Control handle: The soft-cushioned control handle provides a secure grip when handling the chainsaw.
● Husqvarna Chain saw Features:
- X-Torq: This feature helps improve the fuel efficiency of the chainsaw. It also reduces fuel consumption and exhaust emission level.
- Autotune: The autotune feature in this brand ensures an optimal engine performance throughout the automatic engine settings. Hence, you won’t need to manually adjust the carburetor before you get the best performance from your chainsaw engine.
- Smart Start feature: it is an “easy to start” feature that makes it effortless to start and stop the chainsaw engine.
- Air injection: The centrifugal air cleaning system helps to reduce the wear on the engine and allows for a longer operating time between filter cleaning.
For someone new to this, it may be hard to come to a decision between Husqvarna vs Stihl as both brands have unique features, some of which are not available in the other. However, Stihl has several standard features, and the same functionality is automatic in the Husqvarna. One feature that gives the Husqvarna an edge over Stihl is the auto-adjusting feature as it reduces the time spent on fine-tuning the settings.
Stihl vs Husqvarna Chainsaw: Which Is Better?
Considering the two brands as well as their respective features and history often boils down to preference. Eventually, it’s about the products we love to use, and regardless of the industrious style of the brand and its history, one question remains: how do Husqvarna chainsaws compare to their Stihl counterparts? Making a final decision about the brand that manufactures the best chainsaws will require a quick STIHL vs Husqvarna chainsaws comparison. Once you’ve successively considered the features, decision making becomes easier.
● Cutting Power and Speed
Generalizing the cutting power and speed of both brands can be quite difficult. Normally, both companies produce different chainsaws of varying sizes and types, including the electric and battery-powered chainsaws, however, if we are to compare, there is little that separates them. A lot of people believe that Husqvarna can cut through wood faster while others think that Stihl comes out on top. It all depends on the model as well as the chainsaw chain you are using. We think that both brands are more or less even in this aspect.
● Price
Generally, STIHL chainsaws are cheaper than Husqvarna chainsaws. Of course, this isn’t because they aren’t as good but because they have smaller bars, fuel tank, and a plastic crankcase. To many, this feature makes STIHL a great alternative.
● Handling
Husqvarna chainsaws often have larger fuel tanks, and this means that they are heavier and probably harder to handle than the Stihl models. So if you prefer something lighter and easier to handle, Stihl is probably your best pick.
● Fuel Capacity
Husqvarna chainsaws usually have a larger fuel tank, allowing them to run for a longer period without having to stop to refuel. On the other hand, STIHL chainsaws have smaller fuel tanks which makes them lighter and more easy and comfortable to work with. However, the con of this is that since Stihl chainsaws carry less gas, they will need to be refueled more often. Now if you want a chainsaw that runs for longer periods without stopping, then Husqvarna will be an ideal option.
● Safety
Both Stihl and Husqvarna chainsaws are designed to have several safety features. As you already know, safety is an essential feature in all machines as it potentially reduces the risk of injury to the user. Both brands of chainsaw come with several important safety features such as chain brakes and low kickback chains- although depending on the user’s preference, the chains on both can be changed to more aggressive chains with a higher risk of kickback.
When you consider the safety features between the Stihl vs. Husqvarna, the difference is quite obvious as Husqvarna comes with more safety features than the Stihl. The Husqvarna brand has an upper hand here because of the natural safety design as well as the basic and more advanced safety features in their chainsaw design. This does not mean that Stihl chainsaws are unsafe or cannot be used. Stihl also has its unique safety advantages that are not present in the Husqvarna saw. However, if you’re dedicated to finding the safer option, then Husqvarna will give you more comfort in that aspect for a wide range of use.
● Anti-Vibration Feature
Vibration can cause a range of conditions to the user such as fatigue and vibration white finger. This is the reduction in the flow of blood to the hands due to excessive shaking/vibration. Husqvarna chainsaws feature LowVib technology that reduces vibration, while Stihl chainsaws feature handles that effectively reduces vibration. In this category, the two brands are evenly matched and are more or less the same. STIHL’s anti-vibration system located on the handle is perfect for accessing tight areas easily and for completing delicate cutting adjustments. This makes it suitable for cutting tasks around the home or property. Husqvarna’s LowVib feature, on the other hand, minimizes fatigue and allows the user to work for longer periods, making Husqvarna chainsaws ideal options for jobs that require longer cutting periods.
● Fuel Efficiency
A lot of Husqvarna chainsaws feature the company’s X-Torq engine that is specifically designed to minimize harmful emissions while increasing engine efficiency. This means that Husqvarna chainsaws would be less polluting to the environment and would consume less gas than their counterpart, making Husqvarna the best option in this category.
● Maintenance
All gas-powered tools regardless of what they’re used for, require regular maintenance, and chainsaws are not left out. Many people would agree that Husqvarna chainsaws require more maintenance than Stihl chainsaws, and this makes Stihl the better option in this category especially if you need to spend less time servicing your tool.
● Availability
This feature can be a deal-breaker for some people. However, an important difference between Husqvarna and Stihl is the availability of the brands. While Husqvarna chainsaws can be purchased from online stores like different other products, Stihl machines simply cannot. Stihl chainsaws can only be purchased from an authorized Stihl dealer, and if you are not lucky enough to have one around where you stay, it might be a better option to order a Husqvarna online.
This same feature applies to the servicing of Stihl chainsaws. The brand does not encourage its users to tamper with their chainsaws themselves. Most times, to get more than just basic service done, you may have to take the chainsaw to a licensed dealer. The main reason why Stihl does this is to ensure that the company can always guarantee the perfect quality of their products. However, this reason might be far less practical to some people, and this makes Husqvarna a better option instead.
Final remarks
As always, we hope that this article has been helpful in aiding your decision. Good luck!