Quick verdict
For most homeowners the Stihl MS 162 with a 16-inch bar is the pick here. It is the genuine Stihl gas saw in this lineup, and its compact size suits firewood, storm cleanup, and general property work without the bulk of a pro-grade saw.
Stihl MS 162 Chainsaw W/ 16" Bar & Chain
This is the genuine Stihl gas saw in our lineup, listed with a 16-inch (30 cm) bar and chain. That bar length is a sensible match for firewood, limbing, and general property cutting, which is where Stihl's home-owner class saws are aimed.
Check price on Amazon →The best Stihl gas chainsaw picks for homeowners, with the MS 162 for everyday cutting plus honest gas alternatives for firewood, pruning, and felling.
Why you should trust this guide
My goal with this guide is simple: help you decide whether a Stihl gas chainsaw is the right buy, and which model in the current online lineup makes sense for the work you actually do. I did not physically run these saws side by side. Instead, I compared the real manufacturer listings, spec sheets, and stated features for every saw shown here, and I flagged where a result is a genuine Stihl versus a comparable saw from another brand.
That distinction matters because searching for the best Stihl gas chainsaw often surfaces competing brands like Husqvarna alongside the real thing. I have kept those in the roundup because they are honest alternatives worth knowing about, but I label them clearly so you are never confused about what you are buying.
How we evaluated
I focused on the criteria that separate a saw you will still like in three years from one you will resent. Bar length and engine displacement tell you what a saw can cut and how hard you can push it. Starting systems, chain brakes, and anti-vibration features tell you how tiring and how safe day-to-day use will be. I also weighed brand support, because dealer networks and parts availability are a real part of gas-saw ownership.
Where a listing gave thin detail, I said so rather than guessing. I did not invent horsepower figures, cut counts, or weights that the manufacturer did not publish. Every strength and limitation below traces back to a stated spec or a reasonable read of the saw’s class.
What to look for
- Bar length: 14 to 16 inches suits firewood and limbing, while 18 to 20 inches is for felling and larger trunks.
- Engine displacement: Roughly 35 to 40cc handles homeowner work, while 50cc and up is built for heavier, repeated cutting.
- Starting system: Features like air purge, decompression, or a spring-assist starter reduce pull-start effort noticeably.
- Chain brake: An inertia-activated brake is a baseline safety feature you should not skip.
- Anti-vibration: Dampening systems reduce hand fatigue on longer cutting sessions.
- Automatic oiler: Keeps the bar and chain lubricated and extends their life; an adjustable oiler is a bonus.
- Brand and parts support: A saw is only as good as your ability to service it, so weigh dealer access for a name like Stihl against a generic import.
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 | |
| Husqvarna 455 Rancher Gas Chainsaw | Best Premium | Check price | |
| SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc Gas Chainsaw 20 Inch Gas Powered Chainsaws | Best Budget | Check price | |
| VEVOR 20inch 62CC Gas Powered Chainsaw | Also Great | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Stihl MS 162 Chainsaw W/ 16" Bar & Chain
This is the genuine Stihl gas saw in our lineup, listed with a 16-inch (30 cm) bar and chain. That bar length is a sensible match for firewood, limbing, and general property cutting, which is where Stihl's home-owner class saws are aimed.
Reasons to buy
- Stihl MS 162 chainsaw 30 cm
- CHAIN SAW
- Stihl
Reasons to avoid
- The Amazon listing carries very little published spec detail, so confirm engine size and included accessories before buying
- A 16-inch bar limits you on large-diameter trunks
Husqvarna 120 Mark III Gas Chainsaw
The Husqvarna 120 Mark III is the closest direct alternative to a light Stihl, pairing a 38cc, 1.8-HP X-Torq engine with a 16-inch bar. Husqvarna lists an air purge and combined choke/stop control for easier starting, plus an inertia-activated chain brake and LowVib dampeners to cut fatigue.
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 is only relevant if you are cross-shopping brands
- At 38cc it is built for lighter tasks, not repeated large-log felling
Husqvarna 455 Rancher Gas Chainsaw
The Husqvarna 455 Rancher is the step-up gas saw here, with a 55cc, 3.5-HP X-Torq engine and a 20-inch bar rated for bars from 13 to 24 inches. Husqvarna lists Smart Start for easier pull-starts and a 7-degree offset front handle, which points it at felling, tree trimming, and land clearing.
Reasons to buy
- Husqvarna 455 Rancher handheld chainsaw gas powered product with a 20 inch bar combines er
- Effortless Start-Up: Smart Start allows this Husqvarna gas powered chainsaw to quickly and
- Powerful and Efficient Engine: Gas-powered chainsaws deliver superior performance with a p
- Air Injection Technology: Equipped with a centrifugal air cleaning system that expels larg
- Easy Handling and Ergonomic Design: 7 degree offset front handle with an improved grip and
Reasons to avoid
- Again this is a Husqvarna alternative rather than a Stihl
- The larger engine and 20-inch bar add weight and fuel use you do not need for small jobs
SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc Gas Chainsaw 20 Inch Gas Powered Chainsaws
The SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc is a budget gas saw with a 20-inch bar and a low-kickback chain, described for cutting larger logs and branches. It is pitched at both home garden and heavier trimming, with a quick-stop chain brake and a safety switch called out in the listing.
Reasons to buy
- Powerful 62cc 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw: SUPMIXTOOLS gasoline chain saws are powered by a 62cc
- 20-Inch Guide Bar: SUPMIXTOOLS gas chainsaw with a 20-inch bar and low-kickback chain for
- Ergonomic Design: With a well-balanced and ergonomic design, SUPMIXTOOLS chain saw gas pow
- Reliable and Safe Quality: SUPMIXTOOLS gas powered chainsaw is designed with a safety swit
- Wide Application: SUPMIXTOOLS chainsaw is not only for the home garden but also for profes
Reasons to avoid
- This is an off-brand saw, not Stihl, so parts and dealer support are far less established
- Budget 62cc saws in this class often need break-in tuning and careful fuel mixing
VEVOR 20inch 62CC Gas Powered Chainsaw
The VEVOR 20-inch 62cc lists a 3.8-HP engine, a 12,000 rpm max speed, and dual fuel and oil tanks (550 ml fuel, 260 ml chain oil), with a cutting capacity up to 18 inches. It also lists cold and hot start options and an emergency stop lever, making it a large-bar budget alternative.
Reasons to buy
- Powerful Performance: This 62cc gas chainsaw features a 3.8 HP (2.8 kW) engine with a 12,0
- Easy Start Function: Our 62cc chainsaw offers cold and hot start options, adapting to diff
- Emergency Stop for Security: The gas chain saw features an emergency stop function. Just p
- Adaptable to Outdoor Conditions: The PA6+30%GP composite body provides excellent impact-re
- Thoughtful Design Features: The chainsaw has a 550 ml (0.14 gal) fuel tank and 260 ml (0.0
Reasons to avoid
- It is a generic-brand saw rather than a Stihl, with the reliability variability that implies
- VEVOR's own listing flags potential startup issues, so expect a learning curve on the choke and pull routine
What to look for
Match the bar to your trees
A 16-inch bar like the Stihl MS 162's covers most homeowner firewood and cleanup. Only move up to a 20-inch saw such as the Husqvarna 455 Rancher if you routinely fell or buck larger trunks, since the extra bar and engine add real weight.
Displacement drives real workload
A 38cc saw is comfortable for occasional cutting, but repeated hardwood felling wants 50cc or more. Buying too small means the saw bogs down under load, while buying too big means you haul weight you rarely use.
Genuine Stihl versus alternatives
Only the MS 162 here is an actual Stihl. If Stihl's dealer service and parts network are why you want the brand, stick with it. If you just want capable gas power, the Husqvarna options and budget 62cc saws are legitimate cross-shopping candidates.
Starting and vibration comfort
Easy-start systems and anti-vibration handles are not luxuries. They decide whether a cold-morning start frustrates you and whether your hands ache after an hour, so weigh those stated features heavily for a saw you will use often.
Ongoing fuel and maintenance
Every gas saw here needs mixed two-stroke fuel, chain oil, and periodic filter and chain care. Budget imports can demand more break-in tuning, so factor your tolerance for that into the price you pay.
Our verdict
For most homeowners the Stihl MS 162 with a 16-inch bar is the pick here. It is the genuine Stihl gas saw in this lineup, and its compact size suits firewood, storm cleanup, and general property work without the bulk of a pro-grade saw.
FAQs
For a typical homeowner cutting seasonal firewood, limbing, and clearing storm damage, a 16-inch homeowner-class Stihl is a reasonable match. If you are regularly bucking large-diameter hardwood logs, you would be better served by a larger saw with an 18 to 20-inch bar and more displacement.
Searches for the best Stihl gas chainsaw commonly surface competing brands, and Husqvarna is Stihl's closest rival. I kept the Husqvarna 120 Mark III and 455 Rancher because they are honest alternatives at the light-duty and mid-duty tiers, but I label them clearly so you know they are not Stihl.
The SUPMIXTOOLS and VEVOR 62cc saws offer a large 20-inch bar at a low price, which can appeal for occasional use. The trade-off is off-brand reliability, thinner support, and often more finicky starting and tuning, so they suit light or backup use more than daily work.
For most first-time buyers, a 14 to 16-inch bar is the sweet spot. It is easier to control, lighter to hold, and handles the majority of yard and firewood tasks. You can always step up to a longer bar once you know your workload.
Yes on the chain brake, which is a core safety feature that stops the chain during kickback. Anti-vibration is not strictly required but strongly recommended if you cut for more than a few minutes at a time, since it meaningfully reduces hand and arm fatigue.