Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM: My Hands-On Comparison

It was a cold Tuesday in late October. The air smelled like wet leaves and gas mix. I stood in front of a huge oak tree. The storm had blown it down. My back was already stiff from work the day before.

I had two saws on the back of my truck. On the left was the Stihl MS 400 C-M. On the right was the Stihl MS 462 C-M.

They look the same. They weigh almost the same. But trust me, they are very different. Choosing one is hard. I spent hours with both, and here is what I found.

Running the Stihl MS 400 C-M

I started with the MS 400. I wanted to see if the new piston was as good as they say.

The Feel: The first thing I felt was the gas pedal. It is fast. I mean, really fast. You hit the gas, and it screams right away. It feels like a dirt bike. The parts inside are light, so it spins up quick.

The Cut: I cut the limbs off the top first. This is where the MS 400 is great. I moved the saw up, down, and sideways. It felt light in my hands. It did not fight me. The saw did not feel heavy when the chain spun fast.

I used a 20-inch bar. It cut through branches like butter. My arms felt good. I thought, “I love this saw.”

Switching to the Stihl MS 462 C-M

Then I got to the main trunk. The wood was thick. It was 25 inches of solid oak. I put the 400 down. I grabbed the MS 462 C-M.

The Feel: It feels a tiny bit bigger. It is not heavy, just solid. You can feel the power sitting there.

The Cut: I pushed the bar into the wood. The sound was different. It was a deep growl. I leaned on the saw hard. It did not care. It just kept pulling.

The MS 400 is fast, but the MS 462 is strong. When the wood pinched, the 462 powered through it. I felt more shake in my hands, but the cut was faster.

Details Comparison Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM

I spent a week cleaning up the yard with these saws. I cut small limbs and big trunks. It was a lot of work.

The main difference is simple. The MS 400 is built for speed. The MS 462 is built for muscle. The Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM choice comes down to one thing. Do you want to move fast, or pull hard?

Cutting Speed: Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM

I pulled the trigger on the MS 400. It shocked me. It revs up so fast. The light piston makes it spin right now. This is perfect for cutting limbs quickly.

The MS 462 is fast too. But it cuts with a deep, strong pull. In the Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM speed test, the 400 wins on small stuff. The 462 wins in big logs.

Rating: Stihl MS 400 C-M – 9.5/10 | Stihl MS 462 C-M – 9/10

Motor Strength: Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM

The MS 462 feels like it has endless power. I buried the bar in hard oak. I pushed down hard. The engine kept pulling. It did not slow down.

The MS 400 is strong for its size. But it can slow down if you push it too hard. When comparing Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM, the 462 is the boss for heavy loads.

Rating: Stihl MS 400 C-M – 8.5/10 | Stihl MS 462 C-M – 10/10

Weight Balance: Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM

I carried the MS 400 for four hours. My back felt okay. It sits perfect with a 20-inch bar. It feels easy to toss around.

The MS 462 is just a bit heavier. But you feel that extra weight after a long day. In the Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM weight fight, the 400 feels much smaller in your hands.

Rating: Stihl MS 400 C-M – 10/10 | Stihl MS 462 C-M – 8.5/10

Vibration Control: Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM

I ran the MS 400 for a full tank of gas. My hands did not feel numb. The springs on this saw are soft. They soak up the shake very well.

The MS 462 is smooth for a big saw. But it shakes you more than the 400 does. When looking at Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM for comfort, the 400 is the clear winner.

Rating: Stihl MS 400 C-M – 10/10 | Stihl MS 462 C-M – 8/10

Start & Reliability: Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM

Both saws use a smart computer chip. They start easy. You do not need to mess with a choke. I pulled the cord on a cold day. They both ran smooth in seconds.

I never had an issue with either saw. They ran great even when dirty. The Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM match is a tie here. Stihl builds them both to last.

Rating: Stihl MS 400 C-M – 10/10 | Stihl MS 462 C-M – 10/10

Final Verdict: Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM

I cleared that storm mess. I learned there is no single winner. It comes down to what you cut. It depends on how your body feels after work.

Do you cut firewood or climb trees? Get the MS 400. It is light and fast. It is fun to use. It saves your energy for the next day.

Do you drop big trees? Do you cut big logs on the ground? The MS 462 is the king. It has the muscle you need. It pulls a long bar without stopping.

Overall Winner: Tie (It depends on the job!)

FAQs – Stihl MS 400 vs Stihl MS 462 CM