Best overall Stihl MS 170 $199.99
Highest overall score (86/100) — the strongest balance of specs, value and recency in this group.
See on Amazon →Independent · sourced · Updated September 2026
Best Chainsaws (2026)
18 chainsaws compared on the specs that matter and US price — ranked cheapest-first. Every spec and price links to its source and the date we captured it.
The best overall chainsaw is Stihl MS 170 ($199.99). The best value chainsaw is Stihl MSA 220 C-B ($449.99). The cheapest is Stihl MS 170 at $199.99. 18 chainsaws compared from $199.99 to $589.99 across 11 brands — every figure sourced, updated September 2026.
As of 2026-09-13
Cite this comparison
Per The Front Desk Review, the cheapest chainsaws is Stihl MS 170 at $199.99; across 14 models the median price is $379.99 ($199.99–$589.99), every figure sourced and dated, as of 2026-09-13. https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/chainsaws/ Our data Across the 14 chainsaws we priced, the most expensive lists for 22% more than the best-specced one — Stihl MSA 220 C-B at $450 — so the premium mostly buys the badge, not better hardware. Premium Myth study, as of September 2026.
Which chainsaw should you buy?
Three buyer-intent picks from the algorithmic ranking below — no paid placement.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified 2026-09-13; live price may differ.
Key takeaways
- Lowest price: Stihl MS 170 at $199.99 (STIHL authorized-dealer price $199.99 (Howard Brothers, howardbrothers.com, an authorized STIHL dealer reproducing STIHL's spec sheet). Southern States independently lists $239.99. STIHL USA does not publish a fixed online MSRP (final price is dealer-set).).
- Typical price: from $199.99, median $379.99, up to $589.99 — across 14 priced.
- Tracked: 18 products across 11 brands, current through 2026-09-13. STALE · 2026-06-19
- Compared on: Power source, Bar length (in), Engine cc or voltage, Weight (lb), Anti vibration, Tool less chain tensioning.
Best by the numbers
Objective winners — each is the leader on one measured spec, with the figure. No subjective ranking.
- Lowest price: Stihl MS 170 ($199.99)
- Lightest: Stihl MSA 220 C-B (6.4 weight lb)
Top 3 by quality
An algorithmic overall ranking from the data on this page — value for money, spec strength, and recency. 100% data-driven, no paid placement.
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Stihl MS 170 Quality score 86/100 Best value -
Stihl MSA 220 C-B Quality score 81/100 Most powerful - Makita XCU04 (18V X2 LXT) Quality score 63/100 Most powerful
How we rank: Value 45% · Spec strength 35% · Recency 20%. Scores are computed only within this category from published specs and prices — never influenced by commissions or placement. Method & open data →
What to look for
How to read the comparison — what each key spec means and the range across these chainsaws.
- Weight (lb) — lower is better (this group: 6.4 to 13.2).
- Anti vibration — a yes/no feature.
- Tool less chain tensioning — a yes/no feature.
Comparison
| Compare | # | Chainsaw | Price | Power source | Bar length (in) | Engine cc or voltage | Weight (lb) | Anti vibration | Tool less chain tensioning | Source | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stihl MS 170 STALE · 2026-07-10 | $199.99 | gas | 16 | 30.1 cc | 8.6 | true | — | stihlusa.com | On Amazon → | |
| 2 |  Husqvarna 120 Mark II | $219.99 | gas | 14 | 38.2 cc | 10.7 | true | — | husqvarna.com | Check price → | |
| 3 |  Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 14" Chainsaw | $259 | battery | 14 | 40 V | 11.38 | — | false | ryobitools.com | On Amazon → | |
| 4 |  Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16" Chainsaw STALE · 2026-06-19 1 review | $279 | battery | 16 | 18 V (M18) | 10.7 | — | false | milwaukeetool.com | On Amazon → | |
| 5 |  Makita UC4051A STALE · 2026-07-10 | $339 | corded | 16 | 14.5 A | — | — | true | makitatools.com | On Amazon → | |
| 6 |  Echo CS-4010 STALE · 2026-07-10 | $366.99 | gas | 18 | 41.6 cc | 9.4 | true | — | echo-usa.com | On Amazon → | |
| 7 |  Greenworks Pro 80V 18" Chainsaw STALE · 2026-06-19 1 review | $379.99 | battery | 18 | 80 V | 10.8 | true | false | greenworkstools.com | Check price → | |
| 8 | Makita XCU04 (18V X2 LXT) STALE · 2026-06-19 1 review | $379.99 | battery | 16 | 36 V (2x18 V) | 8.3 | true | true | makitatools.com | On Amazon → | |
| 9 |  DeWalt FLEXVOLT DCCS670 STALE · 2026-06-19 1 review | $389.99 | battery | 16 | 60 V MAX | 12.2 | — | true | dewalt.com | On Amazon → | |
| 10 |  EGO Power+ CS1804 STALE · 2026-06-19 1 review | $399.99 | battery | 18 | 56 V | 12.25 | — | true | egopowerplus.com | On Amazon → | |
| 11 | Husqvarna 440 | $399.99 | gas | 18 | 40.9 cc | 9.78 | true | false | husqvarna.com | On Amazon → | |
| 12 | Stihl MSA 220 C-B STALE · 2026-06-19 1 review | $449.99 | battery | 16 | 36 V | 6.4 | true | true | stihlusa.com | On Amazon → | |
| 13 |  Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss STALE · 2026-06-19 1 review | $529.99 | gas | 18 | 50.2 cc | 12.3 | true | true | stihlusa.com | On Amazon → | |
| 14 |  Husqvarna 455 Rancher 1 review | $589.99 | gas | 20 | 55.5 cc | 13.2 | true | true | husqvarna.com | On Amazon → | |
| 15 |  Craftsman V60 16" Chainsaw (CMCCS660) STALE · 2026-07-10 | — | battery | 16 | 60 V MAX | — | — | true | manualslib.com | Check price → | |
| 16 | DeWalt FLEXVOLT DCCS677 STALE · 2026-07-10 | — | battery | 20 | 60 V MAX | 12.6 | — | false | dewalt.com | On Amazon → | |
| 17 |  Echo CS-400 STALE · 2026-06-19 1 review | — | gas | 18 | 40.2 cc | 10.1 | true | true | echo-usa.com | On Amazon → | |
| 18 |  Oregon CS1500 STALE · 2026-06-19 1 review | — | corded | 18 | 15 A / 120 V | 12.6 | — | true | oregonproducts.com | On Amazon → |
Specs are as published by the manufacturer (or a reputable spec source where the official page was unavailable); prices are US launch MSRP. Full per-product records and all spec columns are in our open dataset. The “Buy” links go to Amazon; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, and the live price may differ from the sourced figure shown.
Popular comparisons
What is the cheapest chainsaw?
Stihl MS 170 is the cheapest at $199.99 (STIHL authorized-dealer price $199.99 (Howard Brothers, howardbrothers.com, an authorized STIHL dealer reproducing STIHL's spec sheet). Southern States independently lists $239.99. STIHL USA does not publish a fixed online MSRP (final price is dealer-set).), as of 2026-09-13.
How much does chainsaws cost?
Across the 14 chainsaws with a published price, the median is $379.99, ranging from $199.99 to $589.99, as of 2026-09-13.
Which chainsaw is best by the numbers?
Lowest price: Stihl MS 170 ($199.99). Lightest: Stihl MSA 220 C-B (6.4 weight lb).
How many chainsaws are compared here?
18 chainsaws across 11 brands, with US price and key specs, current through 2026-09-13.
What is the best overall chainsaw?
Stihl MS 170 ($199.99) — Highest overall score (86/100) — the strongest balance of specs, value and recency in this group.
What is the best value chainsaw?
Stihl MSA 220 C-B ($449.99) — Most specification per dollar of any chainsaws here at $449.99.
What is the most capable chainsaw?
Makita XCU04 (18V X2 LXT) ($379.99) — Leads this group on the measured specs — a premium pick at $379.99.
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