A brand can't earn consumer trust by manufacturing inferior products. Word spreads quickly on social media when a company doesn't deliver. Echo and Stihl are respected brands for a reason: both produce quality chainsaws.
However, that doesn't mean they’re interchangeable. The advanced engine performance features on Stihl models, such as emission reduction and fuel efficiency, are appealing, but the lighter weight of Echo chainsaws and the focus on vibration reduction offer highly desirable practicality, meaning you can work longer before fatiguing.
While Stihl is the more recognizable brand, we believe homeowners can't go wrong with either brand, as long as the model you choose is suitable for the task. For instance, the Stihl MSA 60 C-B provides power and maneuverability for light-duty work, such as pruning, trimming and small cuts. For heavy-duty jobs like felling a tree, we like the Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf. It's a true powerhouse that has outperformed comparable models from Stihl.
Both Echo and Stihl chainsaws are quality products. Each brand has a list of benefits it offers consumers.
Even though both brands manufacture high-quality products, it doesn't mean either is perfect. There are a couple of areas where both Echo and Stihl could improve.
For a quick snapshot of Echo's line, we chose two homeowner-friendly chainsaws: the Echo eForce DCS-2500T, a lightweight, battery-powered option, and the Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf, an impressive professional-level gas-powered tool.
Product specifications
Power Source: Battery | Run Time: Up to 60 cuts | Bar Length: 12” | Weight: 7.3 lb | Automatic Chain Oiler: Yes
The Echo eForce DCS-2500T is a 12-inch battery-powered chainsaw with a long-lasting brushless motor. It features a lightweight design for maximum maneuverability and a quick-draw harness ring for convenience. This chainsaw also has a built-in lanyard hook for increased safety and a metal bumper spike for better leverage and control.
The company's MaxOut technology ensures maximum power output while the internal debris screen protects the motor from wood chips. The tool delivers up to 60 cuts on a single charge with a 38-minute recharge time if you use the rapid charger (75 minutes with a standard charger). This chainsaw comes with a five-year tool warranty for consumer use (not commercial use) and a two-year battery warranty for consumer and commercial use.
Product specifications
Power Source: Gasoline | Fuel Capacity: 21.8 fl oz | Bar Length: 20” | Weight: 13.2 lb | Automatic Chain Oiler: Yes
The Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf is a professional-grade machine with a two-stroke engine. It has a heavy-duty air filter for optimum performance and an automatic, adjustable, clutch-driven oiler for ease of maintenance. We like that this model has a translucent fuel tank that can be checked at a glance.
This chainsaw performs exceptionally well, making even the toughest tasks less of a chore. It’s lightweight, but it still cuts smoothly and evenly with impressive speed. The decompression valve makes starting easier, while the dual-post chain brake helps ensure safe operation. The chainsaw comes with a five-year tool warranty (for consumer use).
The two top models we chose from Stihl are comparable in many ways to our Echo choices. The Stihl MSA 60 C-B is a lightweight battery-powered model for general yard maintenance, and the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss is a mighty, fuel-efficient beast that can chew through the toughest tasks.
Product specifications
Power Source: Battery | Run Time: Up to 40 min | Bar Length: 12” | Weight: 9 lb | Automatic Chain Oiler: Yes
The Stihl MSA 60 C-B is the lightest chainsaw in the company's line. It’s a highly maneuverable 12-inch, battery-powered model that can handle general yard maintenance tasks. The battery lasts up to 40 minutes per charge, and the soft-grip handle ensures the product is comfortable to hold.
When it comes to safety, this model features Stihl's QuickStop chain brake that can be activated by inertia from a kickback to stop the chain rotation in less than a second. The variable-speed trigger gives the user precision control, and the consumer warranty is good for two years.
Product specifications
Power Source: Gasoline | Fuel Capacity: 16.9 fl oz | Bar Length: 18” | Weight: 12.3 lb | Automatic Chain Oiler: Yes
The Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss is made for the homeowner tackling storm cleanup, tree felling or regular firewood cutting. This 18-inch chainsaw is fuel efficient with reduced emissions. The advanced IntelliCarb system keeps the engine running at the proper revolutions per minute while the side-access chain tensioner offers convenience.
The pre-separation air filtration system is efficient enough to make the air filter last longer than the average. We like that Stihl has incorporated technology that minimizes the vibration levels on this model to reduce user fatigue while increasing comfort. This chainsaw comes with a two-year warranty (for consumer use) to provide peace of mind.
Echo's eForce DCS-2500T and Stihl's MSA 60 C-B are very similar in design. Both are lighter-duty models that run off a battery. If you need to climb trees, the Echo wins out for its slightly lighter weight and drop-prevention lanyard hook. However, if you’re staying on the ground doing general yard maintenance and budget is a factor, Stihl is the brand to choose in this instance.
We picked the Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf and the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss because both models are highly capable powerhouses that can tackle the toughest jobs a homeowner might encounter. While the two chainsaws have comparable power, the Farm Boss has advanced engine features that make it a more fuel-efficient machine. However, the Timber Wolf is more affordable and has a longer bar, which could easily make it the top choice between the two. In short, you honestly can't go wrong with either option.
When it comes to making a final decision on which model is best for you, the answer is often found in the details. That’s why it’s important to take a closer look at some of the critical features.
Looking just at the Echo and Stihl chainsaw engines, it's hard to draw any conclusion other than the Stihl has the better design. The advanced features that monitor the carburetor and ensure that clean air is all that enters the combustion chamber not only help make the engine run more efficiently but also reduce emissions, making it a better option for the environment.
That said, the balance, chain and power of the Echo chainsaws shouldn't be overlooked. In fact, many Echo models have a larger engine and offer more power, but they just don't run as efficiently. That means an Echo may get the job done more quickly than a Stihl but at the cost of greater fuel consumption and emissions.
Chainsaw weight is important because the heavier the tool, the more quickly the user fatigues and the more dangerous the operation becomes. Generally, Echo chainsaws tend to weigh less than comparable Stihl models, which makes them easier to control for longer periods of time. The trade-off is that many users don't like the "feel" of the Echo compared to the Stihl because it doesn't seem as rugged. To allay those concerns, all the consumer needs to do is check the warranty: Stihl comes with a two-year warranty while Echo comes with a five-year warranty. This would suggest the Echo has more faith in the longevity of its products than Stihl.
In general, all chainsaws have a chain brake and most have an anti-vibration system, or at least a soft grip, to make operation safer. As a consumer, it’s your responsibility to do the research to make sure you’re getting what you need. For instance, some Stihl models have an inertia-triggered chain brake that activates during a kickback to ensure the fastest chain stop, while many Echo models have more aggressive anti-fatigue technology. If you’ll be climbing, some Echo chainsaws have features to prevent drops. Before purchasing either an Echo or a Stihl, make sure it has the safety feature you need.
The price of chainsaws varies depending on size, type of power (gas or electric), level of power and other factors.
Stihl has a broad range of chainsaws that cover several price points, from homeowner to professional. At the low end, you can get affordable models, such as the MS 162, which is an entry-level gasoline-powered chainsaw with a 16-inch chain, for $200. At the other end of the price scale, you can get the MS 881 R Magnum, Stihl's largest and most powerful chainsaw. This 41-inch option retails for $2,280. Between the two extremes, there are dozens of options, so you can get precisely what you need at a price that fits your budget.
Echo's line of chainsaws isn't as extensive as Stihl's, but the broad price range still gives customers the option to choose a $200 entry-level model, such as the Echo eForce DCS-5000, or an Echo X CS-7310PW, the company's top-of-the-line model, which can go for as much as $1,210.
In conclusion, Stihl is a respected brand. It has been around for nearly 100 years, so it has roughly a 40-year head start on Echo. If you purchase strictly on name recognition, you’ll get a reliable machine with impressive power and an efficient engine. Echo is more geared to the homeowner who wants a lightweight chainsaw with a little more cutting power than comparable Stihl models. Echo chainsaws cost a little less, too. The most important thing is to choose the model that checks all the right boxes for your needs, such as appropriate size and necessary safety features. If you do that, you’ll be happy whether you buy an Echo chainsaw or a Stihl chainsaw.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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