Stihl MS 271 vs Husqvarna 450: My Honest Review

Picking a new chainsaw is tough. You stand in the shop. You look at the orange saws. You look at the white saws. They both look good.

I have been there. It is hard to choose.

I have owned both the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss and the Husqvarna 450 Rancher. I use them to cut firewood. I use them to clean up after big storms. They are both great tools for a homeowner.

But they are very different. Here is what I learned after using them for years.

The Stihl MS 271: The Strong Workhorse

The first time I held the Stihl MS 271, I felt safe. It feels tough. It feels like a tank.

I took it out last fall. I had to cut up a big oak tree. Oak wood is very hard. This is where the Stihl is great. It has a lot of low-end power. We call this “torque.”

I pushed the bar deep into the wood. The saw did not stop. It just kept cutting. It felt strong.

What I liked:

• The Power: It pulls hard through thick wood.
• The Feel: It feels solid. I am not afraid to work it hard.

What I did not like:

• The Caps: The caps for gas and oil are tricky. One cold day, my hands were numb. I did not line up the oil cap right. I spilled oil all over my boot. It was a mess.

The Husqvarna 450: Fast and Light

Then I picked up the Husqvarna 450. It was a big change.

The first thing I felt was the weight. It is lighter than the Stihl. It is only lighter by one pound. But that pound matters.

I used it to cut branches off a fallen pine tree. Pine is soft. The Husqvarna cuts it fast. The chain spins very quickly. It felt zippy. It was fun to use.

What I liked:

• The Weight: It is easy to carry. My arms were not tired at the end of the day.
• The Gas View: You can see the gas level on the side. I did not have to open the cap to check. That is a smart design.

What I did not like:

• The Plastic: It cuts well, but it feels a bit thin. It does not feel as tough as the Stihl.

Details Comparison (Stihl MS 271 vs Husqvarna 450)

I have used both of these saws to cut wood for my stove. The choice between the Stihl MS 271 vs Husqvarna 450 depends on the job you do most often. The Stihl feels like a strong tractor, while the Husqvarna feels like a fast race car.

It is fun to see how they work on different trees. I used the Stihl on hard oak logs, and it pulled right through without stopping. Later, I used the Husqvarna on soft pine, and it was very fast and easy to hold.

Cutting Speed: Stihl MS 271 vs Husqvarna 450

The speed of the cut changes based on the wood you are cutting. The Husqvarna 450 is great for soft wood because the chain moves very fast. In the Stihl MS 271 vs Husqvarna 450 race, the Husky wins on small branches.

But the Stihl keeps its speed up when the wood gets hard. If you push the bar deep into a thick log, the Stihl keeps cutting strong. It does not slow down as much as other saws when the work gets tough.

Rating: Stihl MS 271 – 8/10 | Husqvarna 450 – 9/10

Blade Quality: Stihl MS 271 vs Husqvarna 450

The bar and chain are key parts of how well a saw works. Stihl makes their own bars, and they feel very stiff and tough. When you look at the Stihl MS 271 vs Husqvarna 450, the Stihl bar seems to last longer.

Husqvarna uses a chain that stays sharp for a long time. The bar is lighter, which makes the saw easier to hold, but the paint comes off fast. Both saws keep the chain wet with oil, so they run smooth and cool.

Rating: Stihl MS 271 – 9/10 | Husqvarna 450 – 8/10

Motor Strength: Stihl MS 271 vs Husqvarna 450

The power of the motor feels different in each saw. The Stihl has a lot of grunt, so it pulls hard even when the wood pinches the bar. In the Stihl MS 271 vs Husqvarna 450 test, the Stihl is the winner for heavy loads.

The Husqvarna motor likes to run at high speed. It screams while it cuts and feels very zippy in your hands. But if you push it too hard into the wood, it can bog down sooner than the Stihl.

Rating: Stihl MS 271 – 9/10 | Husqvarna 450 – 7/10

Weight Balance: Stihl MS 271 vs Husqvarna 450

Weight is a big deal if you work in the yard all day. The Husqvarna is lighter and has a slim body that fits well in your hands. Comparing the Stihl MS 271 vs Husqvarna 450, the Stihl feels a bit boxy and heavy.

I felt the difference when I had to reach up high to cut a branch. The Husqvarna is easy to lift and move, while the Stihl can make your arms tired. If you want comfort, the lighter saw is the way to go.

Rating: Stihl MS 271 – 7/10 | Husqvarna 450 – 10/10

Safety Features: Stihl MS 271 vs Husqvarna 450

Both saws are safe, but they handle the shaking differently. Husqvarna uses steel springs that soak up the vibration very well. In the Stihl MS 271 vs Husqvarna 450 mix, the Husky is much smoother to hold.

The chain brake stops the chain fast on both saws if they kick back. The Stihl brake is a bit stiff to pull back, but the Husky clicks easily. Both have guards to protect your hands, but the smooth feel of the Husky helps you stay in control.

Rating: Stihl MS 271 – 8/10 | Husqvarna 450 – 9/10

FAQs – Stihl MS 271 vs Husqvarna 450