Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 391: 5 Honest Reasons

I took these two big saws to a job site last week. A storm knocked down some big oak trees. It was a mess. This was the perfect place to test the Echo CS-590 against the Stihl MS 391.

This is a tough fight. The Stihl has a bigger motor. But the Echo has a better build. I cut wood for three hours to see which one I liked best.

Here is the truth about what I found.

The Engine Size Gap

First, look at the numbers.

• The Stihl MS 391 has a 64.1 cc engine.
• The Echo CS-590 has a 59.8 cc engine.

The Stihl is bigger. It has more power on paper. It should win easily. But that is not the whole story.

My Time with the Stihl MS 391

I grabbed the Stihl first.

• The Weight: It is heavy. It weighs almost 14 pounds. You feel it right away. It feels like a block of cement with a handle.
• The Cut: I put it into a 24-inch log. It pulls hard. The extra power is real. It has a lot of grunt. It does not stop for anything.
• The Vibe: It shakes a bit more than pro saws. It feels like a brute force tool.

It is a monster. But after thirty minutes, my arms were burning. It is a lot of saw to carry.

My Time with the Echo CS-590

Then I picked up the Echo.

• The Build: This is the shocker. The Echo has a metal case. The big Stihl MS 391 uses a plastic body.
• The Cut: I went to the same big log. The Echo is smaller, but it is angry. It rips through the wood. It is not as strong as the 391, but it is close.
• The Feel: It is lighter. It weighs about 13.2 pounds. That difference feels huge when you are tired.

I felt like the Echo was a sharp tool. The Stihl felt like a heavy hammer.

The “Plastic” Problem

This is why I do not love the MS 391.

The Stihl MS 391 costs a lot of cash. But it is built like a cheap home saw. It has a plastic engine shell. It is hard to fix if it breaks.

The Echo CS-590 is cheaper. But it is built like a pro saw. It uses metal parts that handle heat better.

Details Comparison: Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 391

I took these two big saws to clear a large lot of land. The trees were thick oak and pine, which is a hard test. I used both tools all day to feel the real difference in my hands. One saw is pure muscle, but the other is much easier on your back.

Cutting Speed: Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 391

The Stihl cuts very fast because the motor is huge. It ripped through twenty-inch logs without slowing down at all. The Echo is fast too, but the Stihl has a bit more speed at the very end.

Rating: Echo CS-590 – 8/10 | Stihl MS 391 – 9/10

Blade Quality: Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 391

I love Stihl chains because they stay sharp for a long time. The bar on the Stihl is stiff and cuts very straight. The Echo bar is good, but the chain needed help sooner than the Stihl one did.

Rating: Echo CS-590 – 8/10 | Stihl MS 391 – 10/10

Motor Strength: Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 391

You feel the power of the Stihl right away. It keeps spinning even when the wood is hard and knotty. The Echo fights hard, but the Stihl just has more raw force to use in the cut.

Rating: Echo CS-590 – 9/10 | Stihl MS 391 – 10/10

Weight Balance: Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 391

The Stihl got very heavy after lunch time. It pulls down on your arms and hurts your back after a while. The Echo is lighter and sits better in your hands when you are tired.

Rating: Echo CS-590 – 9/10 | Stihl MS 391 – 6/10

Safety Features: Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 391

Both saws have a brake to stop the chain fast. The Stihl guard feels thick and clicks loud so you know it is on. The Echo is safe too, but the plastic part feels a bit thin to me.

Rating: Echo CS-590 – 8/10 | Stihl MS 391 – 9/10

FAQs – Echo CS-590 vs Stihl MS 391