Best Chainsaws · head-to-head

Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss vs Husqvarna 455 Rancher

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss is cheaper at $529.99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss or Husqvarna 455 Rancher?

The Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss is the cheaper at $529.99. The Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss Husqvarna 455 Rancher
US price $529.99 $589.99
BrandStihlHusqvarna
Released
Power source gas gas
Bar length (in) 18 20
Engine cc or voltage 50.2 cc 55.5 cc
Weight (lb) 12.3 13.2
Anti vibration Yes Yes
Tool less chain tensioning Yes Yes
Automatic oiler Yes Yes
Release

Sources — Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss: stihlusa.com (verified 2026-06-19). Husqvarna 455 Rancher: husqvarna.com (verified 2026-09-21).

What's the difference between the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss and Husqvarna 455 Rancher?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Bar length (in): Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss 18 vs Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20
  • Engine cc or voltage: Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss 50.2 cc vs Husqvarna 455 Rancher 55.5 cc
  • Weight (lb): Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss 12.3 vs Husqvarna 455 Rancher 13.2

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss

One whitelisted tester covers this exact model: Pro Tool Reviews names the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss its Best for Firewood Stihl pick in a July 2024 buying guide. It is a qualitative recommendation praising the workhorse value and improved air filtration, with no independent lab measurements reported for this model. (1 sourced review.)

Praised: Value workhorse firewood saw at just over $500 with a 20-inch bar; Improved pre-separation air filtration and half the emissions versus the older MS 270.

Flagged: Not the most powerful option; step up to a bigger saw if you need more power.

Husqvarna 455 Rancher

Only one whitelisted tester, Pro Tool Reviews (Jan 2024), covered the exact 455 Rancher; it names the saw its best professional pick for cutting firewood, praising a low-vibration 55cc engine that 'cuts through firewood like butter,' toolless air-filter access and single-screw chain tensioning. No lab-measured numbers were reported. (1 sourced review.)

Praised: Low-vibration 55cc engine cuts firewood easily; Strong value and performance at around $500; Toolless air-filter access and quick single-screw chain tensioning.

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