Stihl MS 250 vs MS 251: My Honest Test in the Yard

I stood in my yard last Saturday with a big job to do. A storm had knocked down a large oak branch. It was humid and I knew I was going to sweat. I had two saws on the tailgate of my truck. One was my old Stihl MS 250. The other was a new Stihl MS 251 I borrowed from a friend.

I spent the whole day switching between them. I wanted to see which one was better.

If you are like me, you just want a tool that works. You don’t want a lecture on motors. You just want to cut wood. Here is what I learned about the Stihl MS 250 vs MS 251.

Is Stihl MS 250 Good?

This saw is a classic for a reason. It feels like a little hot rod in your hands. I spent the morning cutting limbs and small logs, and it never missed a beat.

It is loud and fast, which makes it fun to use. The Stihl MS 250 cuts with a lot of speed. It feels very light when you are reaching up to cut a branch. It is a simple, strong tool that just works.

What I Like

These are the best parts I noticed while the sawdust was flying.

Fast Throttle : The engine revs up instantly when you touch the trigger. It does not wait around. This snappy feel makes it great for limbing branches quickly. You can move from cut to cut very fast.

Light Feel : It feels very light in the hands. I carried it through brush for two hours and did not feel tired. It is easy to toss around. This helps when you are working in tight spots.

Simple Caps : I really like the gas and oil caps on this saw. They are standard screw caps. You can open them with a tool if they get stuck. They are simple and they do not break easily.

What Could Be Better

There are a few things that felt a bit old during the job.

Hand Buzz : You will feel the engine shake in the handles. It uses rubber buffers that are a bit stiff. After a long time, my fingers felt a slight tingle. It is not bad for short jobs, but you notice it.

Thirsty Engine : This saw loves to drink gas. I had to stop and fill the tank more often than I expected. It burns fuel fast to make that high power. Keep a gas can close by if you have a lot to cut.

Dirty Filter : I checked the air filter when I stopped for water. It was covered in fine dust. The filter sits right on the carb and gets dirty quick. You have to clean it often to keep the saw running well.

Recommendation

If you need a saw for storm cleanup or cutting firewood once in a while, buy the Stihl MS 250. It is perfect for homeowners who want a light, fast saw. It is very popular in the USA, so parts are easy to find at any local shop.

Is Stihl MS 251 Good?

This saw feels very modern compared to older models. It runs smooth and quiet. I noticed right away that my hands were not shaking while I cut.

The Stihl MS 251 is built for comfort. It dug into the hard oak wood without bogging down. It felt steady and strong the whole time. It is a great tool if you have a long day of work ahead of you.

What I Like

Here are the features that made my day easier in the yard.

Smooth Ride : The springs on this saw work wonders. I cut wood for hours and my hands felt fine. The anti-vibration system soaks up the bumps. It makes the work feel much less like a chore.

Clean Air : I looked at the air filter at the end of the day. It was almost clean. The saw spins the dust away before it hits the filter. This is a huge plus because I hate stopping to clean parts.

Sips Gas : The engine is very good on gas. I cut a huge pile of wood on just one tank. It seems to run for a long time without needing a refill. This saves money and time.

What Could Be Better

Even though it is smooth, a few things could be improved.

Tricky Caps : The gas and oil caps have a flip-up tab. They can be hard to close if you are wearing thick gloves. I fumbled with them a few times. You have to line them up just right.

A Bit Heavy : It feels a little heavier than the older saws. It is not heavy, but you can feel the extra ounces. If you are limbing high branches all day, your arms might feel it.

Cold Start : It took a few extra pulls to get it going in the morning. The engine is tight and needs a good strong pull. Once it is warm, it starts on the first pull every time.

Recommendation

I would tell any serious homeowner to get the Stihl MS 251. It is the best choice if you heat your home with wood. It is gentle on your body and very clean. It handles the hard woods we have here in the states, like oak and maple, with no trouble.

Details Comparison Stihl MS 250 vs MS 251

I took both saws to the back lot to clear storm damage. The air was wet and I had pine and oak to cut. I wanted to see if the old MS 250 could keep up with the new MS 251.

The difference was clear when I cut thick logs. The MS 250 felt raw and fast. The MS 251 felt smooth and steady. It comes down to if you want a light saw or a smooth ride.

Cutting Speed: Stihl MS 250 vs MS 251

The MS 250 has a fast throttle. It feels instant when you pull the trigger. I used it to cut branches and it sliced them fast. It feels wild and ready to cut right away.

The MS 251 feels different. It has power for hard wood. It does not spin as fast but it pulls strong. It cuts thick oak logs without a stop.

Rating: Stihl MS 250 – 9/10 | Stihl MS 251 – 9/10

Blade Quality: Stihl MS 250 vs MS 251

Both saws use a strong Stihl chain. It stays sharp for a long time. I cut dirty bark for an hour and the edge held up. It is easy to find new chains at the shop.

The oiler on the MS 251 works better to save oil. The MS 250 used oil fast and made a mess. The 251 puts oil where you need it. It is clean and exact.

Rating: Stihl MS 250 – 8/10 | Stihl MS 251 – 9/10

Motor Strength: Stihl MS 250 vs MS 251

The engine on the MS 250 is loud and raw. It shakes a lot and makes smoke. It smells like hard work. It burns gas very fast.

The MS 251 is modern and quiet. It runs clean and smooth. I cut for a long time on one tank. It does not smell bad at all.

Rating: Stihl MS 250 – 8/10 | Stihl MS 251 – 10/10

Weight Balance: Stihl MS 250 vs MS 251

The MS 250 is the best if you want a light saw. I carried it all day and my arms felt fine. It is easy to lift high. It helps when you cut limbs.

The MS 251 is a bit heavy. You feel the weight after a while. But it sits flat on the wood. It feels solid in big cuts.

Rating: Stihl MS 250 – 10/10 | Stihl MS 251 – 8/10

READ MORE: Stihl MS 182 vs 180

Safety Features: Stihl MS 250 vs MS 251

The springs on the MS 251 are great for safety. They stop the shaking so my hands stay strong. Less tired hands mean you are safe. You have better control of the saw.

The MS 250 uses rubber mounts. The shakes reach your hands fast. My grip felt numb after a short time. This can be risky on long jobs.

Rating: Stihl MS 250 – 7/10 | Stihl MS 251 – 10/10

FAQs – Stihl MS 250 vs MS 251