What is the Best Professional Chainsaw for You?

Whether you're tidying up after storm damage, maintaining properties, logging, or spending most of your time performing in-tree care, STIHL offers a wide range of chainsaws for virtually any woodcutting task. Not only is STIHL the number one selling brand of gas-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America*, STIHL is also an innovator in battery power—offering a wide selection of battery-powered chainsaws. Read on to find out how to find the best all-around professional chainsaw for your work.

*“Number one selling brand” is based on syndicated and commissioned surveys conducted by Irwin Broh Research among U.S. professional landscapers, as well as independent consumer research of 2009-2022 U.S. sales and market share data for the gas-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers and commercial landscapers.

How STIHL Pro Saws Deliver on Performance

Three things you’ll find with STIHL professional chainsaws are power, enhanced comfort, and safety features.

Powerful Pro Saws

STIHL chainsaws are built on a long history of cutting-edge engine technology. Created with durable components and robust engineering, you can count on the long-lasting power of STIHL professional chainsaws to get you through the workday.

Operator Comfort

With an ergonomic design and easy-to-start features, STIHL prioritizes operator comfort knowing that reduced user fatigue means improved focus and the ability to get the job done right.

Safety Features

Choosing the best professional chainsaw means checking for safety. Automatic stopping features like STIHL Quickstop® help reduce the risk of injury in some kickback situations, allowing operators to work with confidence.

Features of STIHL Gasoline-Powered Commercial Chainsaws

As a leading innovator in outdoor power tools, STIHL has developed and implemented a variety of professional chainsaw features to help with efficiency, quality, and safety. Look for the following features on many models of STIHL chainsaws.

Ematic™ Bar: Reservoir holds bar oil until it can be picked up by the passing chain, reducing oil usage by up to 50%.

Master Control Lever™: One lever that operates the choke, starting throttle lock, run, and on/off switch.

OILOMATIC® Saw Chain: Specially engineered grooves are designed to channel oil to critical wear areas.

STIHL Quickstop® Chain Brake System: Stops the chain within a fraction of a second to help reduce the risk of injury in some kickback situations.

Anti-Vibration System: Helps reduce operator fatigue.

Easy2Start™ System: Reduces the force needed to start the engine.

IntelliCarb™ Compensating Carburetor: Automatically adjusts the fuel/air ratio when the air filter clogs to maintain correct RPM.

STIHL M-Tronic™: Microprocessor-controlled engine management system that adjusts to compensate for changes in operating conditions.

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Battery and Gas Chainsaws

STIHL offers chainsaws in both gas and battery power. The AP Professional Battery System features interchangeable batteries with long run times and no drop-off in power as the charge depletes. The STIHL naming system designates gas-powered chainsaws with an MS and battery-powered chainsaws with an MSA.

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AP System Battery Chainsaws

STIHL is committed to providing environmentally responsible tools that deliver the powerful performance you need in a cleaner, more sustainable way. The MSA 161 T and MSA 220 TC-O battery chainsaws qualify for alternative fuel tax credits and are ideal for work zones with noise and emissions restrictions. Learn more about the STIHL Green Zone Credit program and how you can save on STIHL battery power.

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5-Star Reviews

MS 500i | Anything else is just a chainsaw

star rating The best chain I ever bought. Easy to start and light weight. Rugged and balanced well. Running a 36". Cut down 107 trees right out of the box at my house.

Anonymous

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MS 462 R C-M | Great saw!

star rating We replaced an older saw with this model and we are not regretting the purchase! All the power and then more and the rugged construction as well that it has endured so far has proven a well built tool. The local dealer was great to work with and delivered when no one else could!

RTFD

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MS 462 C-M | Solid performance

star rating Initially purchased as a stand-by saw to free my 066 should my 550i fail to start. It has quickly become my go to. Reliable and light with performance that exceeds expectation, this one is a homerun.

Aneatanga

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MS 400 C-M | Powerful Saw

star rating I bought this saw to upgrade my MS170. Very glad I did.

Razr927

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MSA 300 | Lots of power

star rating 16 in bar makes this a good choice for firewood needs

Frank S

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MSA 160 C-B | Very Reliable

star rating Great for topping and smaller trees. Runs strong well over an hour on one battery.

The Birdman

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Check out these reviews and others on the individual product pages.

The Right Chainsaw for the Job

Different outdoor professionals require different types of chainsaws. Whether you’re an arborist, logger, or landscape professional, STIHL has a saw for you.

storm cleanup and firewood cutting

The MSA 220 TC-O is for in-tree, professional use only.

Larger woodcutting jobs and firewood business

arborist and tree cutting services

Top-handle chainsaws (T) are for in-tree, professional use only.

MS 151 T C-E
 
MS 151 T C-E
★★★★★
★★★★★
(21)
Professional in-tree saw that improves efficiency and minimizes fatigue thanks to its lightweight and excellent maneuverability.
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MSA 161 T
 
MSA 161 T
★★★★★
★★★★★
(122)
Top-handled, battery-powered chainsaw for professional landscapers and arborists.
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MS 194 T
 
MS 194 T
★★★★★
★★★★★
(287)
A compact arborist chainsaw at an affordable price.
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MS 201 T C-M
 
MS 201 T C-M
★★★★★
★★★★★
(148)
Advanced arborist chainsaw with STIHL M-Tronic™ engine management.
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MS 462
 
MS 462
★★★★★
★★★★★
(15)
Lightweight, professional chainsaw featuring a standard adjustable carburetor.
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MS 462 R
 
MS 462 R
★★★★★
★★★★★
(5)
Lightweight, professional chainsaw with wrap handle featuring a standard adjustable carburetor.
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MS 462 C-M
 
MS 462 C-M
★★★★★
★★★★★
(135)
Optimum torque, power, and weight combined with the performance benefits of STIHL M-Tronic™.
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MS 462 R C-M
 
MS 462 R C-M
★★★★★
★★★★★
(43)
Optimum torque, power, and weight combined with the performance benefits of STIHL M-Tronic™ and a wrap handle.
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MS 500i
 
MS 500i
★★★★★
★★★★★
(168)
First STIHL chainsaw with electronically controlled fuel injection provides consistent power under changing conditions.
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MS 500i R
 
MS 500i R
★★★★★
★★★★★
(30)
First STIHL chainsaw with electronically controlled fuel injection provides consistent power under changing conditions and a wrap handle.
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MS 661 MAGNUM®
 
MS 661 MAGNUM®
★★★★★
★★★★★
(22)
The MS 661 MAGNUM® chainsaw delivers the professional power and rugged dependability you need to take on tough felling jobs.
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MS 661 R MAGNUM®
 
MS 661 R MAGNUM®
★★★★★
★★★★★
(7)
Wrap-handle chainsaw that delivers the professional power and rugged dependability you need to take on tough felling jobs.
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MS 661 C-M MAGNUM®
 
MS 661 C-M MAGNUM®
★★★★★
★★★★★
(166)
Fuel-efficient chainsaw for the demanding professional – suited for use with long guide bars.
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MS 661 R C-M MAGNUM®
 
MS 661 R C-M MAGNUM®
★★★★★
★★★★★
(47)
Fuel-efficient, wrap-handle chainsaw for the demanding professional – suited for use with long guide bars.
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MS 881 MAGNUM®
 
MS 881 MAGNUM®
★★★★★
★★★★★
(14)
Fuel-efficient heavy-duty chainsaw that offers maximum power and is suited for use with long guide bars.
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MS 881 R MAGNUM®
 
MS 881 R MAGNUM®
★★★★★
★★★★★
(4)
A fuel-efficient heavy-duty chainsaw with wrap handle that offers maximum power and is suited for use with long guide bars.
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