Which Chainsaw Should I Buy? Best Chainsaw for Homeowners, Landowners, & Firewood STIHL & HUSQVARNA

Today we’re talking about the question: Which chainsaw should I buy? Whether you are a homeowner, landowner, heating with firewood, or selling firewood, we’ve got a recommendation for the best chainsaw for you. Tune in to see which Stihl chainsaws and Husqvarna chainsaws may be right for your situation.

When considering purchasing a chainsaw, there are always a few factors you'll want to consider:
1. Dealer Support - Does the brand you plan to purchase have available dealer support near you in case something goes wrong with your chainsaw?
2. Weight - Are you able to handle the weight of the chainsaw you are considering for the time that you will need to use it for the job you want it to do?
3. Personal Preference - Of course personal preference always comes in to play in things like whether you prefer a lightweight saw with a shorter bar or a heavy chainsaw that can run a long bar so that you don't have to bend over so much.

Now, on to the recommendations.

HOMEOWNERS
For homeowners who may need to use a chainsaw occasionally for cutting limbs or small firewood, an entry-level chainsaw will often do the job.
*STIHL: Check out the Stihl MS 170 or Stihl MS 180. These are great for limbing and small firewood. If you are cutting firewood a little more often, you might want to check out the MS250.
*HUSQVARNA: Check out the Husqvarna 235.

HOMEOWNERS WHO HEAT WITH FIREWOOD
If you are a homeowner who heats the house primarily with firewood, I recommend having at least two chainsaws, a smaller homeowner's chainsaw, and a 50cc farm/ranch chainsaw.
*STIHL: Try pairing the Stihl MS 180 with a Stihl MS 271 or Stihl MS 291.
*HUSQVARNA: Try the smaller Husqvarna 235 with a Husqvarna 450, 455, or 460 Rancher.

LANDOWNERS
If you are a landowner, I recommend having 3 chainsaws: a 30cc, 50cc, and 70cc chainsaw to take care of everything you would need to do on your property. But if you just want to have one chainsaw, go for the Stihl MS261 or Husqvarna 550.
*STIHL: Stihl MS 180 + Stihl MS 261 (or a 50cc farm/ranch chainsaw) + Stihl MS 462
*HUSQVARNA: Husqvarna 235 / Husqvarna240 + Husqvarna 550 (or 450/455/460 Rancher) + 372/572

FIREWOOD BUSINESS
If you are wanting to sell firewood, I recommend at least two chainsaws: a 50cc + 70cc. You may also want to consider a 90cc saw if you are cutting a lot of large diameter (in excess of 24”) wood.
*STIHL: Stihl MS 261 + Stihl MS 462
*HUSQVARNA: Husqvarna 550 + Husqvarna 372/572

MY FAVORITE FIREWOOD TOOLS

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[HometownAcres]

I’ve got a 42cc, a 55cc and a 72cc saw. Falling right into your landowner chainsaw plan you discussed. Great info and a lot of people will find this helpful

[glennvernes]

A modern battery saw could be a workable alternative to a small gas saw. And if you're selling firewood go with a pro level saw like a Stihl MS621 and something larger.

[simmonsdevin]

I have an echo 490 chainsaw with a muffler mod. Easy to do. It’s powerful, good weight, priced right, and cuts well.

[twbishop]

for pruning (versus cutting) trees for landscaping or timber purposes, a pole saw can be a useful tool for one's collection. pole saws can also be used for cutting branches that are dangerously under tension after a tree has fallen from a distance.

stihl makes a 36.3 cc gasoline powered pole pruner (HT 131) with a 14 inch bar. echo and husqvarna have even smaller models exist with ~20cc engines and ~10 inch bars.

[irajackson]

455 rancher 24 inch bar 3/8 chain
435 Husqavarna 16 inch bar .325chain
Stihl farm boss 290 16” bar .325 chain
Stihl 180 14” bar

I use the stihl sharpening system with a vice for hand filing (the best system)

I live in Texas and have family farm land and a network of local farmers who give me permission to clear mesquite from fencing - I also find the occasional pecan and oak tree in town . I cut for my myself and also stock pile 15-20 cords a year to sell as a side hustle . I use a fiskar pikaroon along with a fiskar x36 splitting axe and a home built 30 ton hydraulic splitter - great video keep them coming

[danielchambers]

I have a MS180C and just purchased a used MS362C with 25 inch bar.

[matthewdonoghue]

I have never really though about my chainsaw plan before, but what I have is a 30 70 plan. A MS170 for small jobs and a Husky 372XP for big jobs. I have never felt the need for a 50 as the 70cc will do everything a 50cc will but it does it a lot faster. Time is money. I also do have a 3rd chainsaw which is a small cheap 6" handheld electric... just for taking off small branches around the house. Great video.

[perseusgeorgiadis]

I'm 16. I have a CS test on Wednesday. I don't even know why I'm here. I can't even do anything with a chainsaw

[davediesel]

I started off with a stihl ms 390, now ive got a ms171, 261, 461 for the farm and for fun; echo 280e, McCullough promac 555 and resurrected my fathers echo cs60s from 1967.

[MyGFIsMaria]

I used to operate a 50 cc chainsaw for everything before, primarily the Jonsered 2253 (the same as the first version of Husqvarna 550). But now I mostly use the Stihl ms 500i, and for thinning tasks, I use either the Stihl ms 201 or the Husqvarna 242. Since I collect chainsaws, I have a variety to choose from, but for my needs, these saws work excellently.

[billbill]

I've got a 460 rancher and a couple other smaller saws. The 460 is the only one I use. It handles everything from limbing (although a bit on the heavy side for that) to felling, bucking, and even milling. I have my back up saws but obviously I have picked my favorite.

[josephhester]

Have a Stihl MS 250. Really good all around saw. Will cover home owners needs well. Its not large, but not heavy and is willing to take on 10-14 inch stuff easy.

[paulmccallum]

My only thought would be that unless my saw is making me think I would just combine all of them and buy one 60cc saw(562XP/ will struggle a bit in big wood, be a bit heavier than a 50 in small I'll keep a $1000 in my pocket.

[larsvegas]

I started with a cheap 50cc chinese saw.. but thing had no power.. then bought a secondhand 036.. I use this next to my 201c wich i bought new around that time.. for clearing out brush and limbing.. I dont have much big wood left so the 036 only gets used a few times per year. The 201 is just a joy to use.. plenty of power/weight, def worth 2 times the price of a ms182.

[striderwolf]

Just picked up a Husky 450 Rancher as it was $100 off at Lowe’s after watching this. Great recommendations!

[thomasknox]

Yes i do have 170 180 250 271 and a 311 and the 170 is a tough saw with a sharp chain you can do alot I have had been using it for over 8 years

[kimmower]

I'm 70 years young and I use a 550 xp a 135 and an old 028 stihl thanks

[theghostofGeorgehalas]

As a poor landowner I have a 271 and an axe. Collected a chord with just an axe while saving up for the saw this summer. I’m going to call July saw appreciation month.

[TacticalPlumber]

Stihl 500i 15” & 26” bar job done 1 saw good to go

[twilightzone]

I’m just starting out thank you for the information on chainsaw, I think I will go with MS261 that will be good for my work, thanks again… from John, near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania ☕️😊👍👍