Quick verdict
If you specifically want a STIHL, the MS 162 with its 16 inch bar is the entry gas saw to look at for homeowner cutting. Be aware that this search also returns competing Husqvarna saws, so if you are open to alternatives, the Husqvarna Rancher models offer more displacement for heavier work.
Stihl MS 162 Chainsaw W/ 16" Bar & Chain
The STIHL MS 162 is a compact gas chainsaw with a 16 inch (30 cm) bar and chain, positioned as an entry level saw for homeowner cutting. If you are set on the STIHL brand, it is the genuine STIHL option in this group and the natural starting point for occasional firewood and cleanup.
Check price on Amazon →Best STIHL chainsaw guide: we cover the STIHL MS 162 and GTA 26, and compare the Husqvarna 120, 450 and 460 Rancher saws that also appear in search.
Why you should trust this guide
I wrote this guide from the actual listings that appear for this search, and the honest reality is that STIHL sells much of its lineup through dealers rather than online marketplaces. As a result, only two of these results are genuine STIHL, the MS 162 and the GTA 26, while the other three are competing Husqvarna saws. I label each clearly so you are never misled about which brand you are buying, and every spec comes straight from the product descriptions.
My job is to give you a useful, honest picture, not to pretend every result is a STIHL. If you are committed to STIHL, I point you to the two genuine options and note their limited listing detail. If you are open to alternatives, the Husqvarna Rancher saws are legitimate competitors worth understanding, so I describe them fairly.
How we evaluated
My evaluation looked at the criteria that decide fit: brand, engine displacement and the material a saw can handle, bar length, power source, and starting and comfort features such as air purge, Smart Start, chain brakes and vibration dampening. Because brand matters to many STIHL shoppers, I treated genuine versus competing brand as a first order consideration rather than an afterthought.
I did not run these saws myself, so I do not report cutting speed or runtime from personal use. Instead I compared the documented specifications and the intended job for each. Two of the STIHL listings are thin on detail, so I flagged those and pointed to the manufacturer rather than inventing numbers.
What to look for
- Brand: only the MS 162 and GTA 26 are genuine STIHL here, the rest are Husqvarna.
- Engine displacement: under 40cc for light home use, 50cc for firewood, 60cc for land clearing.
- Bar length: 16 inch for general homeowner cutting, 20 to 24 inch for larger trunks.
- Power source: gas for cord free power, or a compact battery cutter like the GTA 26 for light pruning.
- Easier starting features such as air purge or Smart Start.
- Safety features like an inertia activated chain brake.
- Vibration dampening such as LowVib for comfort on longer sessions.
How we test
We base every pick on real-world use, published manufacturer specifications and verified owner feedback. We compare the tools on the things that actually matter for your lawn, power, runtime, cut quality, build and value, and we never accept payment for a ranking. When we have not used a specific model first-hand, we say so.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stihl MS 162 Chainsaw W/ 16" Bar & Chain | Best Overall | Check price | |
| Husqvarna 120 Mark III Gas Chainsaw | Best Value | Check price | |
| Stihl GTA 26 Wood Cutter | Best Premium | Check price | |
| Husqvarna 460 Rancher Gas Powered Chainsaw | Best Budget | Check price | |
| Husqvarna 450 Rancher 20 Inch Gas Chainsaw | Also Great | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Stihl MS 162 Chainsaw W/ 16" Bar & Chain
The STIHL MS 162 is a compact gas chainsaw with a 16 inch (30 cm) bar and chain, positioned as an entry level saw for homeowner cutting. If you are set on the STIHL brand, it is the genuine STIHL option in this group and the natural starting point for occasional firewood and cleanup.
Reasons to buy
- Stihl MS 162 chainsaw 30 cm
- CHAIN SAW
- Stihl
Reasons to avoid
- The listing is very light on detail, so check STIHL's spec sheet for displacement and weight
- As an entry gas saw it is aimed at light homeowner work rather than heavy felling
Husqvarna 120 Mark III Gas Chainsaw
This is a Husqvarna 120 Mark III, a competing brand saw that appears under this search. It runs a 38cc, 1.8 HP 2 cycle X-Torq engine on a 16 inch bar, with an air purge system for easier starting, an inertia activated chain brake and LowVib dampening. It is a light home and garden saw if you are open to a Husqvarna instead of a STIHL.
Reasons to buy
- Husqvarna 120 16 inch portable chainsaw is easy to start and easy to handle, making it a v
- Effortless Start-Up: Air purge system and combined choke/stop control for easier starting,
- Superior Performance: Gas powered chainsaw delivers superior performance with an efficient
- Air Injection Technology: Gas chain saws equipped with a centrifugal air cleaning system t
- Easy Handling: This cordless chainsaw features LowVib technology with dampeners to reduce
Reasons to avoid
- It is a Husqvarna, not a STIHL, so it does not fit anyone committed to the STIHL brand
- At 38cc it is a light duty saw, not built for large trunks
Stihl GTA 26 Wood Cutter
The STIHL GTA 26 is a small battery powered wood cutter that ships with an AS 2 battery and AL 1 charger, made in Germany. It is a genuine STIHL tool, but a garden pruner class device rather than a full chainsaw, ideal for pruning, small branches and light craft cutting where a full saw is too much.
Reasons to buy
- Made in Germany
Reasons to avoid
- The listing only confirms it is made in Germany, so verify bar length and runtime with STIHL
- It is a compact garden cutter, not a saw for firewood or felling
Husqvarna 460 Rancher Gas Powered Chainsaw
This Husqvarna 460 Rancher is a competing brand gas saw that shows up in this search. It uses a 60.3cc, 3.6 HP X-Torq engine on a 24 inch bar with Smart Start, an inertia activated chain brake, air injection cleaning and a 7 degree offset front handle with LowVib. It is the most powerful saw here if you are considering alternatives for firewood and land clearing.
Reasons to buy
- Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24-inch gas chainsaw combines exceptional ergonomic features for eas
- Effortless Start-Up: Smart Start allows this Husqvarna chainsaw to start quickly with mini
- Superior Performance: The 60.3-cc, 3.6-HP X-TORQUE Engine. Patented engine technology maxi
- Gas Chain Saws With Air Injection Technology: Equipped with a centrifugal cleaning system
- Easy Handling and Ergonomic: Features a 7 degree offset front handle with improved grip an
Reasons to avoid
- It is a Husqvarna rather than a STIHL, so it is not for brand loyalists
- A 60cc saw with a 24 inch bar is heavy and more saw than most homeowners need
Husqvarna 450 Rancher 20 Inch Gas Chainsaw
This Husqvarna 450 Rancher is another competing brand option in the results, with a 50.2cc, 3.2 HP X-Torq engine on a 20 inch bar, Smart Start, an inertia activated chain brake, air injection cleaning and an ergonomic soft inlay handle with LowVib. It sits between the light 120 and the big 460 for firewood and yard cleanup.
Reasons to buy
- Husqvarna 450 Rancher gas chainsaw 20 inch combines exceptional ergonomic features for eas
- Effortless Start-Up: Smart Start allows this Husqvarna chainsaw to quickly and easily star
- Powerful and Efficient Engine: Gas powered chainsaw delivers superior performance with a p
- Air Injection Technology: Equipped with a centrifugal air cleaning system that expels larg
- Easy Handling and Ergonomic Design: This 20 inch chainsaw features a soft inlay, ergonomic
Reasons to avoid
- It is a Husqvarna, not a STIHL, so it does not suit someone set on STIHL
- As a 50cc saw it is heavier and more demanding than a light homeowner saw
What to look for
Decide how much brand matters
If you must have a STIHL, the MS 162 gas saw and the GTA 26 battery cutter are your two genuine options here. If you are open to alternatives, the Husqvarna saws are strong competitors worth comparing.
Match displacement to the work
A sub 40cc saw like the MS 162 or Husqvarna 120 suits light home use. Step up to the 50cc Husqvarna 450 for firewood, or the 60cc 460 for land clearing and larger trees.
Full saw or garden cutter
The STIHL GTA 26 is a tiny battery wood cutter for pruning and craft cuts, not a felling tool. Choose it only for light work, and pick a full gas saw for firewood.
Starting and comfort
Look for easier starting systems such as air purge on the Husqvarna 120 or Smart Start on the Rancher saws, plus LowVib dampening to reduce fatigue during longer cutting.
Bar length and reach
A 16 inch bar covers most homeowner cutting, while the 20 inch Husqvarna 450 and 24 inch 460 give the reach for bigger limbs and trunks at the cost of more weight.
Our verdict
If you specifically want a STIHL, the MS 162 with its 16 inch bar is the entry gas saw to look at for homeowner cutting. Be aware that this search also returns competing Husqvarna saws, so if you are open to alternatives, the Husqvarna Rancher models offer more displacement for heavier work.
FAQs
Only two are genuine STIHL: the MS 162 gas chainsaw and the GTA 26 battery wood cutter. The Husqvarna 120 Mark III, 450 Rancher and 460 Rancher are competing brand saws that also appear under this search.
STIHL restricts much of its online sales through dealers, so marketplace searches often surface competing brands like Husqvarna. I label each result by brand so you know exactly what you would be buying.
The GTA 26 is a compact battery powered wood cutter, more of a garden pruner than a full chainsaw. It handles pruning, small branches and light craft cutting, but it is not designed for firewood or felling.
Among these results, the 50cc Husqvarna 450 Rancher and the 60cc Husqvarna 460 Rancher have the power and bar length for firewood and land clearing. The genuine STIHL MS 162 is aimed at lighter homeowner cutting.
The MS 162 is positioned as an entry level homeowner gas saw with a 16 inch bar, which suits occasional firewood and cleanup. Because the listing is light on detail, check STIHL's spec sheet for weight and displacement before buying.