Best Chainsaw for Cutting Firewood 2026: MS 291 Z Wins

Cutting firewood puts more strain on a chainsaw than any other homeowner task — long bar runs, hardwood density, and repeated bucking cycles wear out underpowered saws fast. The best chainsaw for cutting firewood in 2026 balances bar length, engine displacement, and weight against how much wood you actually process each season.

TL;DR

STIHL MS 291 Z (20-inch, 55.5cc) is the best chainsaw for cutting firewood overall in 2026.
STIHL MS 162 Z at $219.99 is the budget pick for occasional weekend cutting.
STIHL MS 500i suits professionals processing multiple cords a week.
Battery saws like the STIHL MSA 300 C-O now handle real firewood volume, not just yard cleanup.

Key specs across the lineup

55.5cc

Engine size, MS 291 Z

20 inch

Bar length, top firewood saws

$619.99

Starting price, MS 291 Z

Why this matters

A chainsaw sized for trimming branches will bog down or overheat halfway through a cord of oak. Firewood cutting in 2026 means repeated plunge cuts, bar contact with dirt and grit, and hours of continuous run time — conditions that expose a weak engine or a bar that's too short within the first afternoon.

Metuchen Mower stocks and services the full STIHL chainsaw lineup, and the saws below are grouped by how much wood you're actually cutting, not just by price. If you're outfitting for storm cleanup or a full cord-splitting season, Metuchen Mower can walk you through bar length and chain pitch before you buy.

What makes the best chainsaw for cutting firewood

Bar length matched to log diameter — an 18 to 20-inch bar handles most firewood-diameter logs without over-buying weight.
Engine displacement (cc) for gas saws — 45cc and up keeps chain speed consistent through hardwood.
Anti-vibration handling for multi-hour cutting sessions.
Weight-to-power ratio — a saw that's too heavy tires out the operator before the wood does.
Chain and bar oiling system reliability under sustained cutting.
Starting price and parts availability, since firewood saws see real wear-and-tear seasonally.

Chainsaws for firewood cutting at a glance

Chainsaw	Best for	Standout feature	Starting price	Key limitation
STIHL MS 291 Z	Best overall firewood cutting	20-inch bar, 55.5cc gas engine	$619.99	Heavier than homeowner-class saws
STIHL MS 271 FARM BOSS	Farm and large-property owners	High-torque engine tuned for continuous cutting	$539.99	Bulkier build, less suited to one-hand tasks
STIHL MS 250	Occasional homeowner firewood cutting	45.4cc engine in a lighter frame	$429.99	Shorter 18-inch bar caps larger log diameters
STIHL MSA 300 C-O	Battery-powered firewood cutting	20-inch bar with no gas mixing or emissions	$879.99	Runtime depends on battery capacity, not included
STIHL MS 162 Z	Budget firewood cutting	Lightweight, easy-start gas engine	$219.99	Not built for daily heavy cutting
STIHL MS 500i	Professional, high-volume processing	Injected fuel system for consistent power	Contact dealer for current pricing	Priced and built for daily professional use, not weekend cutting

1. STIHL MS 291 Z: best chainsaw for cutting firewood overall

The STIHL MS 291 Z pairs a 55.5cc engine with a 20-inch bar, giving it enough chain speed to buck hardwood logs without stalling mid-cut. It's built as a landowner saw first, which is exactly the profile most firewood cutters need in 2026 — enough power for a full afternoon, not so much that it's overkill for a homeowner lot.

STIHL MS 291 Z pros:

Handles hardwood logs up to 20 inches in diameter without bogging down
Balanced weight makes multi-hour sessions manageable
Widely stocked parts and chains at Metuchen Mower

STIHL MS 291 Z cons:

Heavier than an 18-inch homeowner saw
Gas-powered, so mixing fuel and running maintenance is required

STIHL MS 291 Z pricing: starts at $619.99.

Best for: property owners cutting one to three cords a season. Verdict: Buy.

2. STIHL MS 271 FARM BOSS: best chainsaw for farm and large-property cutting

The STIHL MS 271 FARM BOSS is tuned for continuous, high-torque cutting rather than short bursts, which matters if you're clearing downed trees or processing wood across acreage rather than a backyard woodpile.

STIHL MS 271 FARM BOSS pros:

Torque holds up through repeated plunge cuts
Durable build intended for daily farm use
20-inch bar covers most farm-cut log diameters

STIHL MS 271 FARM BOSS cons:

Bulkier than the MS 291 Z for one-handed limbing
Overkill for a single homeowner cutting a half-cord a year

STIHL MS 271 FARM BOSS pricing: starts at $539.99.

Best for: farm operations and multi-acre property owners. Verdict: Buy.

3. STIHL MS 250: best chainsaw for occasional homeowner firewood cutting

The STIHL MS 250 runs a 45.4cc engine in a lighter frame than the 291 Z, aimed at homeowners who cut firewood a few weekends a year rather than continuously through the season.

STIHL MS 250 pros:

Lighter than farm-class saws, easier for less-experienced users
Enough power for seasoned hardwood at moderate diameters
Lower cost entry into a gas-powered STIHL saw

STIHL MS 250 cons:

18-inch bar limits larger-diameter logs
Not rated for daily commercial-style use

STIHL MS 250 pricing: starts at $429.99.

Best for: homeowners cutting firewood a handful of weekends per year. Verdict: Buy.

4. STIHL MSA 300 C-O: best battery-powered chainsaw for firewood

The STIHL MSA 300 C-O is the most powerful battery-powered saw in the STIHL lineup, built to compete with gas-class cutting performance without fuel mixing, exhaust, or pull-start hassle — a real option for firewood cutting in 2026 as battery tech has closed the gap on cutting speed.

STIHL MSA 300 C-O pros:

No gas mixing, no emissions, quieter operation
20-inch bar matches gas-class cutting capacity
Instant start, no pull-cord fatigue

STIHL MSA 300 C-O cons:

Battery and charger sold separately in most configurations
Runtime per charge depends on battery capacity chosen

STIHL MSA 300 C-O pricing: unit starts at $879.99, battery not included.

Best for: cutters who want gas-level power without gas maintenance. Verdict: Buy if battery cost fits your budget.

5. STIHL MS 162 Z: best budget chainsaw for cutting firewood

The STIHL MS 162 Z is a compact, easy-start gas saw designed for occasional cutting tasks, not sustained firewood processing — but at its price point it's the entry point for anyone who just needs to buck a downed limb or two per season.

STIHL MS 162 Z pros:

Lowest price point in the gas lineup
Lightweight and easy to start
Fine for light, infrequent cutting

STIHL MS 162 Z cons:

Not built for daily or heavy firewood cutting
Shorter 16-inch bar limits log diameter

STIHL MS 162 Z pricing: starts at $219.99.

Best for: light, occasional cutting on a tight budget. Verdict: Buy for occasional use, Skip if you're processing multiple cords.

6. STIHL MS 500i: best chainsaw for professional firewood processing

The STIHL MS 500i uses an injected fuel system to hold consistent power output through hours of daily cutting, built for professionals who process wood as a business rather than a seasonal chore.

STIHL MS 500i pros:

Consistent power delivery under sustained, all-day cutting
Built for professional-grade daily use
Available through Metuchen Mower

STIHL MS 500i cons:

Priced and built for professional use, not casual weekend cutting
More saw than a homeowner cutting a cord or two needs

Best for: firewood processors and tree service crews cutting daily. Verdict: Buy for professional volume, Wait if you're a seasonal homeowner.

Firewood-ready STIHL chainsaws

STIHL® MS 291-Z – 20in Chainsaw | 55.5cc STIHL® Gas Engine

Powerful, fuel-efficient gas saw built for firewood cutting and storm cleanup.

$619.99

STIHL® MS 271 FARM BOSS® Chainsaw with 20 inch Bar and Chain

High-torque farm saw built for continuous cutting.

$539.99

STIHL® MS 250 – 18in Chainsaw | 45.4cc STIHL® Gas Engine

Powerful, dependable gas chainsaw for homeowners.

$429.99

STIHL® MS 162 Z – 16in Chainsaw | STIHL® Gas Engine

Lightweight gas saw for occasional cutting tasks.

$219.99

How this ranking was built

Each saw was weighed against the criteria above — bar length matched to typical firewood diameter, engine displacement for gas models, weight-to-power balance, and starting price. The ranking splits by use case rather than stacking every saw against the same buyer, since a farm operation and a weekend homeowner in 2026 need different tools entirely.

Which chainsaw should you choose?

If you're not sure where you land, default to the STIHL MS 291 Z — its 20-inch bar and 55.5cc engine cover the widest range of firewood-cutting scenarios without tipping into professional-grade weight or price. Cutting daily for work, move up to the STIHL MS 500i. Cutting a few weekends a year, the STIHL MS 250 or MS 162 Z covers it without overspending.

“A saw sized for branches will bog down halfway through a cord of oak.”

FAQ

What is the best chainsaw for cutting firewood in 2026?

The STIHL MS 291 Z is the best chainsaw for cutting firewood in 2026 for most property owners, thanks to its 20-inch bar and 55.5cc engine. Farm operations and daily professionals should size up to the MS 271 FARM BOSS or MS 500i instead.

What size bar do I need for cutting firewood?

An 18 to 20-inch bar covers most firewood-diameter logs. Go shorter only if you're cutting mostly small-diameter branches, and longer only for larger felling and bucking work.

Is a battery chainsaw good enough for firewood?

Yes, in 2026 saws like the STIHL MSA 300 C-O match gas-class cutting capacity with a 20-inch bar. Runtime depends on the battery you pair with it, since the unit is often sold separately.

How much does a firewood-capable chainsaw cost?

Firewood-capable STIHL gas chainsaws range from $219.99 for a light-duty saw like the MS 162 Z up to $619.99 for the MS 291 Z. Professional-grade saws like the MS 500i are priced separately for daily commercial use.

Is the STIHL MS 291 Z better than the MS 250 for firewood?

The STIHL MS 291 Z outperforms the MS 250 on larger-diameter hardwood due to its larger 20-inch bar and higher displacement engine. The MS 250 is lighter and better suited to occasional, smaller-diameter cutting.

What engine size do I need to cut firewood without stalling?

Look for 45cc or higher for consistent chain speed through hardwood. Saws below that displacement work fine for light branches but bog down on repeated hardwood plunge cuts.

Do professional chainsaws make sense for home firewood cutting?

Only if you're processing multiple cords weekly. A saw like the STIHL MS 500i is built and priced for daily commercial cutting, and it's more saw than most homeowners need for seasonal firewood.

One last thing

Bar length gets most of the attention, but chain sharpness matters more for hardwood firewood than most buyers assume — a dull chain on a 55.5cc saw cuts slower than a sharp chain on a smaller engine. Keep spare chains and a file gauge on hand before your first cutting session of the season, not after the saw starts smoking through cuts.