The Stihl MS 251 and MS 250 have the same power, the same 18-inch bar and chain, and about the same price. What the newer MS 251 C adds, what the lighter MS 250 keeps, and why I run the MS 251 C.
Is Stihl a Good Chainsaw Brand? Why I Run It on 10 Acres
Updated November 2026 · By L. DuPont
Is Stihl a good brand? For a landowner, yes. I run two Stihl chainsaws on our 10 acres in East Texas, an MS 251 C-BE every day and an older MS 230 as my backup, and I find them seriously rugged, easy to maintain, and easy to get parts for. The catch is that you buy a Stihl saw from a dealer, and that is also the best part.
Not sure what size saw you need? My gas chainsaw buying guide sizes a saw by the trees you actually cut, not by how many acres you own.
From my land
My saws grew with my land. An 18-inch Husqvarna on 1 acre, a Stihl MS 230 on 3 acres of tall trees, and now Stihl for everything outdoors on 10. I picked the MS 251 C-BE for the easy pull, because I'm not getting any younger. And the big trees near the house still go to a pro. Leave it to them. Don't kill your house.
My Stihl comparisons
I own the MS 251 C-BE and the MS 230. I do not own an MS 250, so that side of the comparison comes from Stihl's own pages.
- Stihl MS 251 vs MS 250: same 3 bhp and 18-inch bar at about the same price. What the newer MS 251 C adds and what the lighter MS 250 keeps.
Stihl guides from my land
- Stihl chainsaw fuel mix: the 50:1 ratio for every Stihl I own, and my one marked can.
- Stihl bar oil: which one I use all year, and why saws leak.
- Stihl chainsaw won't start: how I start my MS 251 and what I check.
- Stihl MS 251 chain size: read your bar first.
- Stihl MS 251 maintenance: the parts I replace myself and when.
- How to sharpen a Stihl chainsaw chain: Stihl's steps, even though my dealer does mine.
Is Stihl a good chainsaw brand?
Yes. Here is what I would weigh if I were buying for a few acres.
It has been at this a long time. Stihl says Andreas Stihl founded the company in 1926, that it is still a family business, and that it is "the world's best-selling chainsaw brand." That last line is Stihl's claim about itself, so weigh it like one.
You buy it from a dealer, and the warranty depends on it. Stihl's 2026 warranty says coverage "applies only to STIHL products that are purchased from authorized STIHL dealers." That is why every Stihl saw on this site points to the Stihl dealer locator, never to Amazon. My two dealers here in East Texas are always helpful, usually have parts in stock, and sharpen my chains on a machine.
The warranty is shorter than you might think. Stihl's 2026 warranty lists 1 year for MS chainsaws in consumer use. Stihl's Double Warranty program doubles that if you buy a 6-pack of Stihl HP Ultra oil or at least a gallon of MotoMix with the saw and record it when you register. I run HP Ultra anyway, so that one is easy. Ask your dealer to ring them up together.
The easy pull is real. Stihl's Easy2Start models carry an "E" in the name, and Stihl says the rope "can be pulled approximately two-thirds slower." If pull-starting is what wears you out, look for that letter. It is why my everyday saw has it.
The hard part: you have to buy from a dealer. If there is no Stihl dealer within reach, the warranty and service advantage mostly goes away. Then a Husqvarna homeowner saw is a fair pick; my Husqvarna chainsaw reviews cover four of them.
Stihl chainsaw FAQ
Is Stihl better than Husqvarna?
Neither one wins across the board. Both make solid homeowner saws. For most landowners the deciding thing is which brand has a dealer near you, because that is where warranty work, parts and sharpening happen. I run Stihl because my dealer is close.
Can you buy a Stihl chainsaw on Amazon?
Stihl's 2026 warranty covers only products bought from authorized Stihl dealers in the United States and its territories. Buy the saw from a dealer. Bar oil, chains and filters are fine to buy online.
How long is the Stihl chainsaw warranty?
Stihl's 2026 warranty lists 1 year for MS chainsaws in consumer use. The Double Warranty program doubles it when you buy a 6-pack of HP Ultra oil or a gallon of MotoMix with the saw and record it at registration.
Who owns Stihl?
Stihl describes itself as a family business. Andreas Stihl founded it in 1926. It is a separate company from Husqvarna.
Is Stihl made in America?
Many of them are. Stihl's US product pages say a majority of STIHL products sold in America are made in America. Check the box or ask your dealer about a specific model.
Sources
Every source below was opened and checked on 28 October 2026.
- About the company: founded 1926, family business, best-selling chainsaw brand claim (STIHL)
- Handheld gas-powered products limited warranty, effective 1 January 2026 (Stihl USA, PDF)
- Additional limited warranty policies: Double Warranty Coverage Program (Stihl USA, PDF)
- Easy2Start: the letter E and the slower pull (Stihl USA)
- MS 251 Gasoline Chainsaw: made in America note (Stihl USA)
- Find a Stihl dealer (Stihl USA)
Stihl MS 251 Maintenance: The Parts I Replace and When
Stihl’s maintenance schedule for the MS 251, how to clean the air filter and change the spark plug, and the four parts I replace myself.
How to Sharpen a Stihl Chainsaw Chain: Stihl’s Steps, File Sizes and Angles
Stihl’s own steps for sharpening a chainsaw chain: the 30-degree angle, file and depth gauge sizes by pitch, the 2-in-1 file, and when to let the dealer do it.
Stihl Chainsaw Won’t Start? How I Start My MS 251 and What I Check
Flooded or old gas? How to start a Stihl MS 251 cold or warm, how to clear a flood, and the checklist I work through when my saw won’t start.
Stihl Bar Oil: Which One to Use, How Much, and Why Saws Leak
Which Stihl bar oil to use, Stihl’s 50°F summer/winter rule, how much a saw uses, how to tell it’s oiling, and what Stihl says about leaks.