A $400 limit may sound tight when shopping for a STIHL chainsaw, but it still leaves room for several capable machines. You can buy a dependable gas saw for firewood and storm cleanup, or spend nearly the full amount on a battery set that starts with one squeeze of the trigger.
The STIHL MS 182 is the best STIHL chainsaw under $400 for most buyers. It costs $269.99, carries a 16-inch bar, produces 2.2 horsepower, and weighs 10 pounds without fuel, bar, or chain. It has enough bite for household firewood, fallen limbs, saplings, and light property care. The STIHL MSA 70 C-B Set is the best battery choice at $399.99.
Top STIHL Chainsaws Under $400
| Model | Best Match | Bar Length | Power | Listed US Price in July 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STIHL MS 182 | Best overall | 16 inches | 2.2 HP | $269.99 |
| STIHL MSA 70 C-B Set | Best complete battery set | 12 inches | 0.90 kW | $399.99 |
| STIHL MS 172 C-E | Best easy-start gas saw | 16 inches | 1.9 HP | $249.99 |
| STIHL MS 162 | Best low-cost gas saw | 16 inches | 1.6 HP | $219.99 |
| STIHL MSA 60 C-B | Best light battery powerhead | 12 inches | 0.70 kW | $329.99 without battery or charger |
Dealer prices can differ by region. Confirm the bar package and everything included before paying. A battery saw sold without a battery and charger may cost more than $400 once those parts are added.
Best Overall: STIHL MS 182
The MS 182 gives buyers the strongest mix of engine power, weight, bar length, and price in this group. It sits far below the $400 ceiling, yet it does not feel like a machine bought only because it was cheap.
Its 2.2-cubic-inch gas engine produces 2.2 horsepower. The bare powerhead weighs 10 pounds. That combination makes the saw easy enough to carry across a yard while still giving it enough force for logs that would test a tiny pruning saw.
The 16-inch bar is a good match for residential work. It reaches through medium firewood rounds and fallen branches without becoming awkward inside brush. A longer bar can feel like a fishing pole with a steel chain at the end. The shorter setup turns more easily and places less weight in front of the operator.
The MS 182 also has an anti-vibration system. Rubber mounts reduce the buzz that reaches the handles. This does not make the saw silent or still, but it can leave your hands less tired after a stack of logs.
Side chain tensioning places the adjustment screw near the bar cover. The operator can reach it without working beside the sharp chain teeth. Caps on the fuel and oil tanks open without a separate wrench. A translucent fuel tank also lets the owner check the remaining fuel before starting work.
The $269.99 price leaves about $130 in the original budget. That money can cover chaps, hearing protection, bar oil, fuel mix, files, or a spare chain. A saw without the right protective clothing is only half a purchase.
What Can the MS 182 Cut?
The MS 182 works well for fallen limbs, small trees, brush with thick stems, fence-line growth, and household firewood. It can cut logs close to the full length of its bar when the chain is sharp and the wood is clean.
Hardwood makes every saw work harder. Dry oak and hickory resist the cutters far more than pine or poplar. The MS 182 can still cut them, but it will not race through a wide oak round like a farm-class saw.
This model is best for occasional or seasonal use. It can handle a Saturday firewood pile. It is not meant to spend each weekday buried in large timber.
Best Battery Pick: STIHL MSA 70 C-B Set
The MSA 70 C-B Set sits one cent below the $400 ceiling. The package includes an AK 30 battery and an AL 101 charger, which makes the price easier to judge. You do not need to discover another large expense after bringing the saw home.
The saw runs on STIHL’s 36-volt AK battery family and produces 0.90 kW of mechanical output. Its 12-inch bar fits branch cleanup, pruning wood that is already on the ground, saplings, and small firewood rounds.
Battery power changes the whole starting routine. There is no fuel to mix, choke to set, or starter rope to pull. Fit the charged battery, add bar oil, release the chain brake, and press the trigger lock before starting the chain.
The MSA 70 has a variable-speed trigger. Light pressure gives slower chain speed for careful placement. Full pressure sends the chain to its maximum pace. This control is useful when trimming smaller branches or starting a cut on smooth bark.
A side dial changes chain tension without a bar wrench. New chains often loosen during their first work sessions. A quick adjustment method makes those checks less annoying.
STIHL states that the MSA 70 can run for up to 45 minutes with the included AK 30 battery. Actual time depends on branch width, wood hardness, chain condition, outdoor temperature, and trigger use. Forty-five minutes of trigger time can cover a surprising amount of yard cleanup because the motor stops whenever the trigger is released.
Who Should Buy the MSA 70?
The MSA 70 is well suited to a suburban home, small rural lot, or noise-sensitive neighborhood. It is also a good pick for an owner who dislikes gas care or has trouble pulling a starter cord.
The battery set works best for short jobs. A branch falls after a storm, a sapling blocks a path, or several small logs need trimming. The saw can be ready within moments.
It is not the best match for large firewood piles or thick hardwood trunks. A second battery can extend the work session, but it also raises the total cost far beyond the original limit.
Best Easy-Start Gas Pick: STIHL MS 172 C-E
The MS 172 C-E costs $249.99 and uses STIHL Easy2Start. This starter design reduces the hard snap often felt when pulling the rope on a gas engine. A smooth pull winds an internal spring, and the spring turns the engine over.
This feature can help owners with limited hand, shoulder, or arm strength. It also makes cold starts less frustrating when the saw has been stored for several weeks.
The MS 172 C-E produces 1.9 horsepower and weighs 10.4 pounds without fuel, bar, or chain. It comes with a 16-inch Light 01 guide bar. The saw can handle limb cleanup, small firewood, and trees that stay within its modest power range.
A manual fuel pump moves fuel toward the carburetor before starting. The side-mounted chain tensioner also keeps chain adjustments within easy reach. An access cover makes air-filter care less of a chore.
The MS 172 C-E costs only $30 more than the MS 162. That small jump buys easier starting and a little more engine power. It is a sensible middle pick for an owner who wants comfort but does not need the stronger MS 182.
Best Low-Cost Pick: STIHL MS 162
The MS 162 is the least expensive saw in this comparison. Its listed price is $219.99. The gas engine produces 1.6 horsepower, and the bare powerhead weighs 9.9 pounds.
This saw is made for occasional household work. It can cut fallen branches, small logs, woody shrubs, and saplings. Its 16-inch bar gives useful reach, though the engine does not have the same reserve as the MS 182.
The lower power becomes noticeable in wide hardwood. The chain may slow when the bar is buried. Pushing harder will not fix that problem. Heavy pressure creates heat and can wear the bar, clutch, and chain faster. Let the cutters work at their own pace.
The MS 162 has an anti-vibration system, side chain tensioning, a translucent fuel tank, and STIHL Quickstop chain braking. It also uses a low-kickback chain suited to household cutting.
Buy the MS 162 when most jobs stay small and the saw may sit for long periods between uses. Spend the extra $50 on the MS 182 when firewood or medium logs appear often. That extra power is easy to feel once the wood grows thick.
Is the MSA 60 C-B Really Under $400?
The MSA 60 C-B powerhead carries a listed price of $329.99, so the saw itself falls below the limit. The catch is that this selected package does not include a battery or charger.
A buyer who already owns a STIHL AK battery and charger may get a good deal. The MSA 60 uses the same battery family as several STIHL trimmers, blowers, hedge cutters, and mowers.
A first-time battery buyer needs to count every required part. Adding a compatible battery and charger can push the purchase beyond $400. In that case, the MSA 70 set gives a cleaner deal because the $399.99 package includes both pieces.
The MSA 60 produces 0.70 kW and can run for up to 40 minutes with an AK 20 battery under suitable conditions. It works best for small branches, pruning debris, and light firewood. Buyers who already own the battery family may prefer its lower output and easy handling.
Gas or Battery Below $400?
Gas delivers more cutting strength for each dollar in this price class. The MS 182 costs much less than the complete MSA 70 set and has more ability in medium logs. Refilling a gas tank also takes less time than charging a battery.
Battery saws win on noise, starting, and routine care. They create no exhaust at the cut and do not need mixed fuel. A battery saw can sit for a month and wake up with the squeeze of a trigger, provided the battery holds a charge.
Gas makes sense for firewood, large lots, and longer work sessions. Battery fits branch cleanup, close neighbors, small yards, and brief jobs.
Storage also matters. Old gasoline can cause starting trouble. Use fresh fuel mixed at the ratio given by STIHL. Store batteries within the temperature range in the owner’s manual and keep them away from direct heat.
Why the MS 182 Beats the MS 172 and MS 162
The MS 182 costs $20 more than the MS 172 C-E and $50 more than the MS 162. Those gaps are small within a $400 budget.
The MS 182 produces 2.2 horsepower. The MS 172 C-E produces 1.9 horsepower, while the MS 162 produces 1.6 horsepower. The stronger engine gives the MS 182 more pull when the bar enters a thick log.
The MS 182 also weighs slightly less than the MS 172 C-E. The difference is only 0.4 pound, but the stronger saw is not asking the buyer to carry extra mass for its added power.
The MS 172 still earns a place for its easier starter. Some buyers will gladly trade a little engine output for a gentler pull. The MS 162 remains the right answer when the lowest purchase price matters most.
Should You Break the Budget for the MS 250?
The STIHL MS 250 sits just above this price class at $429.99. It produces 3 horsepower and carries an 18-inch bar. The added strength is useful for frequent firewood and wider logs.
Do not cross the budget simply because a dealer has a larger saw on the shelf. The MS 182 handles common homeowner work and leaves money for protective clothing. A faster powerhead has little worth when the buyer cannot afford chaps, hearing protection, or a spare chain.
The MS 250 makes sense when firewood is a major household fuel or when the property has many mature trees. For ordinary yard cleanup, the MS 182 remains lighter on the wallet and better matched to the work.
What Bar Length Works Best?
A 12-inch bar fits pruning debris, saplings, and small limbs. It turns easily in crowded brush and keeps nose weight low. The MSA 70 uses this size well.
A 16-inch bar is the better all-purpose match. It can cut medium firewood and fallen branches while remaining manageable. The MS 162, MS 172 C-E, and MS 182 all come with a 16-inch setup in their current US packages.
Bar length does not equal cutting power. A weak engine with a long bar may struggle more than a stronger engine with a shorter bar. More chain also creates added drag.
Keep the approved chain pitch, gauge, and drive-link count matched to the saw. Ask a STIHL dealer before changing the original bar size.
Count the Full Cost of Ownership
A $269.99 chainsaw does not create a complete cutting kit. A gas owner also needs mixed fuel, bar oil, files, a spare chain, hearing protection, eye protection, gloves, boots, and chainsaw chaps.
Battery owners need bar oil and the same protective clothing. They may also need another battery when work sessions run longer than one charge.
A spare chain can save a weekend. One touch against soil, stone, wire, or dirty bark can dull the cutters within seconds. Swapping chains is often faster than filing beside a log.
A rigid case keeps oil residue away from vehicle carpet and shields the chain during transport. It also gives the scabbard, files, wrench, and spare chain one place to live.
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Care That Keeps a Budget Saw Cutting Well
Check chain tension before each work session. The chain should sit against the lower bar rail without hanging loose. It should still move around the bar by hand when the engine is off and gloves are worn.
Fill the bar-oil tank before work. Battery chainsaws need bar oil just as gas models do. A dry chain creates heat and can damage the bar rails, drive links, and sprocket.
Watch the material leaving the cut. A sharp chain throws clear chips and pulls into the wood with light hand pressure. Fine dust, smoke, or a crooked cut often signals dull or uneven cutters.
Clean packed sawdust from the sprocket cover and bar groove. Turn the guide bar from time to time so both rails wear at a similar rate. Replace a chain with cracked links, damaged rivets, or badly worn teeth.
When to Call a Tree Crew
A chainsaw under $400 can cut through wood, but it cannot make a dangerous tree safe. Hire an insured tree crew when a standing tree could reach a house, power line, road, vehicle, fence, or neighboring property.
Professional help is also wise for trunks with heavy lean, hollow sections, cracks, loose roots, dead tops, or storm damage. A tree can carry stored force like a bent steel spring.
Never stand on a ladder with a chainsaw. A shifting branch can knock the operator off balance before there is time to react. Use a proper pole saw from the ground or call a tree crew.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best STIHL chainsaw under $400?
The STIHL MS 182 is the best overall pick. It costs $269.99, has a 16-inch bar, produces 2.2 horsepower, and weighs 10 pounds without its cutting attachment or fuel.
What is the best battery STIHL chainsaw under $400?
The MSA 70 C-B Set is the best complete battery package. Its $399.99 price includes an AK 30 battery and AL 101 charger.
What is the cheapest STIHL gas chainsaw?
The MS 162 is the lowest-priced current gas model in this group at $219.99. It has a 16-inch bar and produces 1.6 horsepower.
Is the MS 182 good for firewood?
Yes. The MS 182 works well for occasional household firewood and medium rounds. Buyers who cut many cords each year may want a larger model.
Can a STIHL chainsaw under $400 cut down a tree?
These saws can cut small trees within their bar and power limits. Safe felling also depends on lean, wind, decay, branch weight, nearby property, and operator skill. Hire a tree crew when a wrong fall could cause damage or injury.
Final Verdict
The STIHL MS 182 is the best STIHL chainsaw under $400. It gives buyers more engine power than the MS 162 and MS 172 C-E without adding much cost. Its 16-inch bar fits homeowner firewood, storm cleanup, fallen limbs, and small trees.
Choose the MSA 70 C-B Set when battery power and a complete package matter most. Pick the MS 172 C-E when easy starting is the main concern. Buy the MS 162 when the goal is to spend as little as possible on a new STIHL gas saw.
A good budget saw should feel ready rather than restricted. The MS 182 meets that mark. It cuts with enough force for real household work and leaves room in the budget for the gear that belongs beside it.