Stihl
MS 271 Farm Boss
$529.99Cheaper
Best Chainsaws · head-to-head
MS 271 Farm Boss vs 455 Rancher
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. MS 271 Farm Boss is cheaper at $529.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Husqvarna
455 Rancher
$589.99
Which is better: the MS 271 Farm Boss or 455 Rancher?
The MS 271 Farm Boss wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The MS 271 Farm Boss is the cheaper at $529.99. The MS 271 Farm Boss both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | MS 271 Farm Boss | 455 Rancher |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $529.99 | $589.99 |
| Brand | Stihl | Husqvarna |
| 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 — MS 271 Farm Boss: stihlusa.com (verified 2026-06-19). 455 Rancher: husqvarna.com (verified 2026-06-19).
What's the difference between the MS 271 Farm Boss and 455 Rancher?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Bar length (in): MS 271 Farm Boss 18 vs 455 Rancher 20
- Engine cc or voltage: MS 271 Farm Boss 50.2 cc vs 455 Rancher 55.5 cc
- Weight (lb): MS 271 Farm Boss 12.3 vs 455 Rancher 13.2
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
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.
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.