I have always been a Stihl guy. My shed is full of orange tools. I trust them. So, when I needed a new saw, I looked at the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss. It seemed like the right pick.
But then, a friend handed me his Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf. He told me to just try it. I was not sure. I thought I knew what I wanted.
I took both saws to the woods. I had to clear some oak trees after a storm. It was cold. My hands were stiff. I just wanted to finish the job.
That day changed my mind. Here is what I learned.
The Unfair Fight
I saw one big difference fast. It was not the color. It was the engine size.
I was comparing two different classes of tools.
That might just look like math. But in the woods, it is huge. The Echo has a much bigger motor. Yet, the price was lower than the smaller Stihl.
That made me stop. Why pay more for a smaller engine?
My Time with the Stihl MS 271
I used the Stihl first. It felt like an old friend.
- The Feel: It is smooth. The body is thin. It sits close to you.
- The Weight: It weighs about 12 pounds. It felt light.
- The Cut: I cut some small limbs first. The Stihl purred. It cut fast and clean.
I liked it. It is great for yard work. If you cut wood on weekends, you will love it. It starts easy.
Then I hit the big logs.
I tried to cut a thick oak trunk. I pushed on the saw. The engine slowed down. It struggled a bit. I had to lift up. I had to let it speed up again. It worked, but it took time.
My Time with the Echo CS-590
Then I grabbed the Timber Wolf.
- The Feel: This thing is big. It feels wide. It is not as sleek as the Stihl.
- The Weight: It is heavier. You can feel it in your arms.
- The Cut: I went back to that same big oak log.
I pulled the cord. It roared to life. I put the bar into the wood.
This is where I was shocked. I pushed down hard. The saw did not stop. It just ate the wood. The chips flew. I was done with the cut very fast.
The extra power was clear. It felt like driving a truck, not a car.
Detailed Comparison: Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 271
I spent last weekend in the yard cutting up old oak logs to clear some space. I used both of these saws back to back to see how they handled the heavy work. It was clear right away that one saw is built for raw power while the other is made for comfort.
Power & Engine Class: Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 271
You can feel a huge difference in power as soon as the chain touches the wood. The Echo has a big motor that pulls through hard knots without slowing down at all. The Stihl runs smooth but it starts to struggle a bit when the wood gets really thick.
| Feature | Echo CS-590 | Stihl MS 271 |
| Engine Size | 59.8 cc | 50.2 cc |
| Torque | Very High | Medium |
| Best Use | Big Trees | Yard Work |
Rating: Echo CS-590 – 9/10 | Stihl MS 271 – 7/10
Build Quality: Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 271
I took a close look at the body of each saw while I was cleaning them off on my bench. The Echo uses a metal case that feels cold and tough like a pro tool. The Stihl uses a plastic body that keeps it light but does not feel as strong in your hands.
| Feature | Echo CS-590 | Stihl MS 271 |
| Case Material | Magnesium | Plastic |
| Feel | Heavy Duty | Standard |
| Pro Grade | Yes | No |
Rating: Echo CS-590 – 9/10 | Stihl MS 271 – 6/10
Weight & Handling: Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 271
My arms felt tired much faster when I was lifting the heavy Echo saw. It feels wide and boxy which makes it a little harder to carry around for a long time. The Stihl is slim and fits close to your body so it is easier to hold all day.
| Feature | Echo CS-590 | Stihl MS 271 |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs | 12.3 lbs |
| Shape | Wide | Slim |
| Comfort | Low | High |
Rating: Echo CS-590 – 6/10 | Stihl MS 271 – 9/10
Starting & Reliability: Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 271
Both saws started up fast even though the air was cold that morning. The Stihl feels very smooth when you pull the cord and it wants to run right away. The Echo has a button you push to make the pull easier since the engine is so big.
| Feature | Echo CS-590 | Stihl MS 271 |
| Easy Start | Yes (Valve) | Yes (Smooth) |
| Pulls Needed | 3 to 4 | 3 to 4 |
| Idle | Good | Very Smooth |
Rating: Echo CS-590 – 8/10 | Stihl MS 271 – 9/10
Bar & Chain Options: Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 271
I put a long twenty-inch bar on both saws to see if they could handle the reach. The Echo balanced well and had plenty of power to spin the long chain. The Stihl felt front heavy and it worked much better when I swapped to a shorter bar.
| Feature | Echo CS-590 | Stihl MS 271 |
| Best Bar | 20 inches | 16 to 18 inches |
| Chain Type | 3/8 inch | .325 inch |
| Cut Speed | Fast | Medium |
Rating: Echo CS-590 – 9/10 | Stihl MS 271 – 7/10
Value for Money: Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 271
The Echo gives you a lot of saw for the price you pay at the store. It feels like you are getting a pro tool for a home price. The Stihl costs more money for less power but you pay for the name and resale value.
| Feature | Echo CS-590 | Stihl MS 271 |
| Price | Better Deal | High |
| Warranty | 5 Years | 1 Year |
| Resell | Okay | Great |
Rating: Echo CS-590 – 10/10 | Stihl MS 271 – 7/10
FAQs – Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 271
Can I put a 20-inch bar on the Stihl MS 271?
You can, but the Stihl MS 271 works best with an 18-inch bar. The Echo CS-590 handles a 20-inch bar well. It has the power to pull a long chain through wood.
Is the Echo CS-590 too heavy for home use?
The Echo CS-590 is a bit heavier. It weighs about one pound more. The Stihl MS 271 is lighter. It is easier to hold if you have to work for a very long time.
Is the Stihl MS 271 good for firewood?
The Stihl MS 271 is great for your yard. It is light and very smooth. The Echo CS-590 is better for big wood. It has more power if you need to cut trees often.
Which saw will last longer?
The Echo CS-590 is built like a pro tool. It uses a tough metal case. The Stihl MS 271 uses plastic parts. The Echo is made to last for many years of hard use.
Which chainsaw has more power?
The Echo CS-590 is much stronger. It has a big 60cc motor. The Stihl MS 271 is smaller. The Echo cuts hard wood very fast. It is a great choice for big logs.