A 20-inch chainsaw sits in the sweet spot between a light yard saw and a huge logging machine. It can reach through thick firewood rounds, fallen trunks, and broad branch bases without feeling like a ship anchor. Yet bar length alone does not make a saw good. The engine must have enough strength to pull a long chain through dense wood.
The STIHL MS 261 C-M is the best STIHL chainsaw with a 20-inch bar for most serious buyers. Its 4.1-horsepower engine sits in a powerhead that weighs only 10.9 pounds. That mix gives it faster cuts and easier handling than heavier farm saws. Homeowners who want a lower price should choose the STIHL MS 271 FARM BOSS with a 20-inch bar.
Best 20-Inch STIHL Chainsaws at a Glance
| Chainsaw | Best Use | Power | Powerhead Weight | Listed Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STIHL MS 261 C-M | Best overall | 4.1 HP | 10.9 lb | From about $759.99 |
| STIHL MS 271 FARM BOSS | Best value | 3.5 HP | 12.4 lb | About $539.99 with 20-inch bar |
| STIHL MS 291 | Frequent firewood | 3.8 HP | 12.4 lb | From about $609.99 |
| STIHL MS 311 | Farm and ranch work | 4.2 HP | 13.8 lb | From about $759.99 |
| STIHL MS 362 | Professional all-day cutting | 4.8 HP | 12.3 lb | From about $1,109.99 |
| STIHL MS 400 C-M | Best high-power pick | 5.4 HP | 12.7 lb | About $1,259.99 |
| STIHL MSA 300 C-O | Best battery pick | 2.5 kW mechanical output | Depends on battery and bar | About $859.99 bare |
Dealer prices may change by location, bar package, chain type, and local stock.
Why the STIHL MS 261 C-M Is the Best 20-Inch STIHL Chainsaw
A 20-inch bar asks more from an engine than a 16-inch bar. The longer chain adds weight and drag. When the full bar enters hardwood, a weak engine loses chain speed and starts to feel sleepy. The MS 261 C-M has enough strength to keep the chain moving without carrying the bulk of a larger farm saw.
Its 4.1-horsepower engine is paired with a 10.9-pound powerhead. The MS 271 weighs 12.4 pounds but makes only 3.5 horsepower. The MS 311 makes slightly more power than the MS 261, yet its powerhead weighs 13.8 pounds. Those extra pounds feel small on paper and much larger after an hour beside a woodpile.
The MS 261 C-M also uses STIHL M-Tronic engine control. The saw adjusts fuel delivery as air temperature, elevation, fuel quality, and filter condition change. You do not need to stop and make small carburetor changes when conditions shift.
An adjustable oiler lets the owner send more bar oil to the chain when long cuts create extra heat. This is useful with a 20-inch bar. The longer rail and chain have more contact area than a shorter cutting setup.
The saw also has a decompression valve, anti-vibration mounts, bumper spikes, and a long-life air filter. These parts help during repeated felling and bucking work. The slim body feels quick when moving from one side of a trunk to the other.
Who Should Buy the MS 261 C-M?
The MS 261 C-M suits serious firewood cutters, farmers, large-property owners, forestry crews, and tree workers. It makes sense when the saw leaves the garage every month rather than twice each year.
It is a strong match for logs from about 10 to 20 inches across. It can cut larger trunks from both sides when the wood position allows safe access. Its low powerhead weight also makes it pleasant for removing thick limbs after a tree is down.
The purchase price is high for light household use. A person who cuts one fallen branch each spring may never gain much from its professional build. The MS 271 costs less and handles occasional firewood without trouble.
STIHL MS 271 FARM BOSS: Best 20-Inch Saw for the Money
The STIHL MS 271 FARM BOSS is the sensible choice for a homeowner who wants a ready-made 20-inch package. STIHL lists the 20-inch version at about $539.99. It has a 3.5-horsepower engine and a 12.4-pound powerhead.
This saw fits firewood, storm cleanup, farm chores, and fallen trees. The engine has enough pull for a 20-inch chain when the cutters are sharp. It will not cut as quickly as the MS 261 C-M, but it costs far less.
The FARM BOSS name has been popular with rural buyers for years. The current MS 271 has pre-separation air filtration, side chain tensioning, anti-vibration mounts, and tool-free fuel and oil caps. Its fuel-saving engine also gives longer work periods between tank fills than older saws in the same family.
The main drawback is weight. The MS 271 carries 1.5 pounds more powerhead weight than the MS 261 C-M. It also makes less engine power. During a few firewood cuts, that gap may pass unnoticed. During a full day, your shoulders will know.
Buy the MS 271 when cost matters and cutting happens on weekends. Buy the MS 261 C-M when speed, low weight, and frequent use justify the higher bill.
STIHL MS 291: Better for Frequent Home Firewood
The STIHL MS 291 sits one step above the MS 271. It produces 3.8 horsepower and weighs the same 12.4 pounds without fuel, bar, or chain. That means you gain 0.3 horsepower without adding powerhead weight.
This extra pull helps when the full 20-inch bar enters dry oak, hickory, locust, or maple. The MS 291 does not leap through hardwood like the MS 400 C-M, but it feels less strained than the MS 271.
The listed starting price is about $609.99, though a 20-inch dealer package may cost more than the shown base version. Ask the dealer which bar, chain pitch, drive-link count, and gauge are included.
The MS 291 is a good middle choice for buyers who cut several loads of firewood each season. Its price stays below the professional MS 261 C-M, yet its engine gives more pull than the FARM BOSS.
STIHL MS 311: Best for Farm and Ranch Work
The STIHL MS 311 produces 4.2 horsepower. That is slightly more than the MS 261 C-M. Its 13.8-pound powerhead tells the other half of the story.
This is a broad, sturdy saw with large fuel and oil tanks. It suits long work sessions on farms, ranches, and wooded acreage. It can buck thick trunks, prepare fence posts, clear storm damage, and feed a large wood stove.
The heavier body feels planted during straight cuts through a log. It feels less friendly during limbing or work on uneven ground. The weight can become a sack of bricks after dozens of cuts.
The MS 311 costs about the same as the base MS 261. The MS 261 gives lower weight and professional handling. The MS 311 gives a larger body, bigger tanks, and a simple farm-work character.
STIHL MS 362: Best for Professional Daily Work
The STIHL MS 362 makes 4.8 horsepower from a 12.3-pound powerhead. It has enough engine strength to pull a 20-inch 3/8-inch chain through hardwood at a fast pace.
This saw suits tree crews, land-clearing work, forestry jobs, and people who cut wood for income. It is stronger than the MS 261, yet it stays lighter than the MS 311 and MS 391.
The MS 362 has a decompression valve, anti-vibration mounts, pre-separation filtration, and captive bar nuts on current versions. Captive nuts stay attached to the sprocket cover, so they are harder to lose in leaves or snow.
The price climbs above $1,000. That makes little sense for casual firewood. It makes far more sense when saved minutes add up across hundreds of cuts.
STIHL MS 400 C-M: Best High-Power Saw With a 20-Inch Bar
The STIHL MS 400 C-M is the top gas pick for buyers who want speed without jumping to a huge powerhead. It makes 5.4 horsepower and weighs about 12.7 pounds.
That power-to-weight mix is excellent for a 20-inch bar. The saw reaches chain speed quickly and holds it in thick wood. It feels like a strong engine placed in a body one class smaller.
The magnesium piston helps keep weight down. STIHL M-Tronic manages the engine settings. An adjustable oiler gives the 20-inch chain the oil flow it needs during long cuts.
This saw costs about $1,259.99. It is made for people who cut often and care about speed. A homeowner may love using it, but the MS 271 can finish the same weekend jobs for less than half the price.
STIHL MSA 300 C-O: Best Battery Chainsaw With a 20-Inch Bar
The STIHL MSA 300 C-O is the cordless answer for professional work. It can use a 20-inch bar and produces 2.5 kW of mechanical output. The motor reaches speed at once, so each cut begins with a sharp bite.
The saw has three operating modes, a low-oil sensor, a magnesium motor housing, captive bar nuts, and splash-water protection. It works well near homes, schools, hospitals, and other places where gas-engine noise can be a problem.
The $859.99 price covers the saw only. A suitable AP battery and charger add a large amount to the checkout total. A second battery may be needed for a full workday.
Battery power removes fuel mixing, exhaust, carburetor care, and pull-cord starts. The tradeoff is run time and package cost. Buyers who already own AP batteries will get more from this saw than someone starting from zero.
People shopping for a used MSA 300 C-O should check the serial number against STIHL recall notices. Early units below the named serial cutoff were called back for a brake repair. A STIHL dealer can confirm whether the repair was completed.
Is a 20-Inch Bar Too Long for Home Use?
A 20-inch bar is not too long when the owner regularly cuts logs above 12 inches. It gives more reach and lets you stand slightly straighter during bucking. It can also cut through broad trunks from one side when the usable bar length covers the wood.
The longer bar is less pleasant in crowded branches. It adds nose weight and places the kickback area farther from your hands. A 16-inch or 18-inch saw feels quicker during pruning and light storm cleanup.
Buy a 20-inch model for medium and large trunks. Buy a shorter saw when most cuts are below eight inches.
How Much Power Does a 20-Inch Chainsaw Need?
Three and a half horsepower is a reasonable floor for normal 20-inch gas use. The MS 271 meets that mark. It can pull the chain through softwood and moderate hardwood when the cutters are sharp.
A 4-horsepower saw feels better in dense wood. The MS 261 C-M and MS 311 sit in this range. They lose less chain speed when the bar is buried.
Five horsepower or more gives fast professional cuts. The MS 400 C-M can make short work of thick rounds. That power also asks for firmer control and greater respect from the operator.
Which Chain Should You Use on a 20-Inch STIHL?
The right chain depends on the saw, bar tail, pitch, gauge, and drive-link count. Do not buy a chain based on bar length alone. Two 20-inch STIHL bars can use different chains.
The MS 261, MS 271, and MS 291 may use a .325-inch chain with 81 drive links in common 20-inch packages. The MS 311, MS 362, MS 391, and MS 400 commonly use a 3/8-inch chain in their 20-inch setup. Check the marks stamped on the bar before ordering.
A low-kickback chain is the safer choice for many home users. A full-chisel chain cuts quickly in clean wood, but it dulls faster in dirty bark and can have a stronger kickback response.
Amazon Gear for a 20-Inch Chainsaw
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20-Inch Chainsaw Safety
A longer bar carries a larger moving chain and a wider kickback zone. Keep both hands on the handles while the chain moves. Stand with your body slightly to the side of the cutting path rather than directly behind the bar.
Wear chainsaw chaps or cut-resistant pants, eye guards, hearing guards, gloves, a helmet, and sturdy boots. Check the chain brake before each work session.
Keep the bar nose away from nearby limbs, logs, fences, and the ground. Contact near the upper tip can throw the saw back toward the operator.
Call a trained tree crew for trunks near power lines, buildings, roads, or neighboring land. Storm-damaged trees may split, roll, or drop hanging wood without warning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best STIHL chainsaw with a 20-inch bar?
The STIHL MS 261 C-M is the best overall pick. It produces 4.1 horsepower while its powerhead weighs only 10.9 pounds. It offers a strong mix of speed, control, and low weight.
What is the cheapest STIHL chainsaw with a 20-inch bar?
The MS 271 FARM BOSS is the lowest-priced current ready-made 20-inch package in this group. STIHL lists it near $539.99.
Is the MS 271 strong enough for a 20-inch bar?
Yes. Its 3.5-horsepower engine can pull a 20-inch chain through firewood and fallen trunks. Keep the chain sharp and avoid forcing the full bar through dirty hardwood.
Is the MS 261 better than the MS 271?
The MS 261 is lighter, stronger, and faster. The MS 271 costs less and is well suited to weekend property work. Frequent cutters will gain more from the MS 261.
Which 20-inch STIHL is best for large hardwood?
The MS 400 C-M is the strongest balanced pick in this group. Its 5.4 horsepower gives it fast cutting speed in oak, maple, hickory, and other dense wood.
Does STIHL make a battery chainsaw with a 20-inch bar?
Yes. The MSA 300 C-O can use a 20-inch bar. It is a professional AP battery saw sold without the battery and charger.
The Verdict
The STIHL MS 261 C-M is the best STIHL chainsaw with a 20-inch bar. Its 4.1-horsepower engine gives the long chain enough pull, while the 10.9-pound powerhead keeps the saw easy to control. It fits serious firewood cutting, tree work, farm jobs, and large-property care.
Choose the MS 271 FARM BOSS when you want the best price. Pick the MS 291 for more homeowner power. Move to the MS 362 or MS 400 C-M for daily professional cutting. Cordless buyers should look at the MSA 300 C-O.
A 20-inch bar gives you reach, but the engine behind it decides how the saw feels. For the cleanest balance of muscle and weight, the MS 261 C-M is the one to buy.