Husqvarna 440 vs Stihl MS 251: The Best Choice for 2026

I spent last October getting ready for winter. My wood pile was low. I had a mix of pine logs and some tough oak branches to cut.

I had the chance to use two very popular saws for this job: the Husqvarna 440 and the Stihl MS 251.

If you are looking for a new saw, you probably see these two everywhere. They cost about the same. They look similar. But after running tanks of gas through both, I found they act very differently.

Here is what I learned in my backyard.

The Specs at a Glance

I made a quick chart to show the numbers that actually mattered to me while I was working.

1. How They Feel in Your Hands

I picked up the Husqvarna 440 first. It felt light. The body is slim. It was easy to swing around. I liked the grip. It felt balanced.

Then I grabbed the Stihl MS 251. You notice the extra weight right away. It is not heavy, but it feels “blocky.” It feels wider. It reminded me of the bigger pro saws I have used in the past. It feels dense and tough.

My Take:

• For trimming branches high up? Husqvarna 440.
• For cutting logs on the ground? Stihl MS 251.

2. The Cold Start Test

This is where I have a strong opinion.

The Husqvarna 440: It has a purge bulb. This is a little clear button. You press it to push fuel into the engine. I pressed it three times. I pulled the choke cord. The saw “popped” on the second pull. It started fully on the third pull. It was very easy.

The Stihl MS 251: The standard model I used has no purge bulb. You have to rely on the choke. On a cold morning (about 40°F), I had to pull the cord five or six times just to get it to “pop.” Then two more pulls to run. It takes more arm strength.

Note: Stihl does sell a “C-BE” version with a helper spring, but it costs more. I tested the basic one.

3. Cutting Power and Torque

This is the most important part. I tested both saws on a 14-inch red oak log.

Stihl MS 251 Performance: This saw has torque. Torque is the turning force. When I pushed the bar hard into the wood, the chain kept moving. The engine did not stop. It felt strong. It pulls large wood chips. It felt like a small tractor.

Husqvarna 440 Performance: The Husky is fast. It revs very high. In soft pine wood, it cut like a laser. But in the hard oak, I had to be careful. If I pushed too hard, the chain slowed down. You have to let the saw do the work. You cannot force it.

4. Maintenance and Little Details

I looked under the hood of both saws.

Air Filters: The Husqvarna stays cleaner. It has a system that spins dust away before it hits the filter. After two hours of cutting, the filter looked new. The Stihl filter had more sawdust on it. I had to clean the Stihl filter sooner.

Gas and Oil Caps:

• Stihl: Uses “flippy caps.” You flip a tab up and twist. They are fast. But sometimes they are hard to line up. I spilled oil once because I was in a rush.
• Husqvarna: Uses screw caps with a flip-up handle. They are simple. They work every time. I prefer these.

Chain Tensioner: Both saws have the screw on the side. This is good. You don’t have to put your tool near the sharp chain to tighten it.

My Final Verdict

So, which one did I keep?

I kept the Stihl MS 251.

Why? Because I cut a lot of firewood. I need that extra power for the thick logs. The extra weight does not bother me when I am bucking logs on the ground.

But…

If I was just cleaning up storm damage or pruning trees, I would buy the Husqvarna 440. It is lighter. It starts faster. It is easier to use for short jobs.

FAQs – Husqvarna 440 vs. Stihl MS 251