Battery vs. Petrol Chainsaws: Which is Best for You? — Balmers GM
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One of the largest, dedicated garden and groundcare machinery dealers in the UK and still a family run business since 1979!
One of the largest, dedicated garden and groundcare machinery dealers in the UK and still a family run business since 1979!

Find the Perfect STIHL Chainsaw for Your Needs

Explore the key differences between STIHL's battery & petrol chainsaw range.

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Choosing between a battery-powered or petrol chainsaw depends on your priorities. Let’s break it down.

Battery Chainsaws

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Quiet, lightweight, and emission-free, battery chainsaws are perfect for smaller jobs around the home. They start easily, require minimal maintenance, and are ideal for noise-sensitive areas. However, they may lack the power and runtime needed for bigger jobs.

Shop Stihl Battery Chainsaws

Performance & Power

Great for lighter, shorter tasks. Typically lower in raw power but easy to handle.

Running Costs and Maintenance

Higher initial cost for batteries but low ongoing expenses. Little maintenance is needed.

Environmental Impact

No emissions and quieter, making them both eco-friendly and neighbourhood-friendly.
Shop battery chainsaws below:

Stihl MSA 60 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 60 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 60 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 60 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 60 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 60 C-B Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 60 C-B Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 70 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 70 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 70 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 70 C-B Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 70 C-B Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 160 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 160 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 160 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 160 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 160 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 160 C-B Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 160 C-B Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 200 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 200 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 200 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 200 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 200 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 200 C-B Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 200 C-B Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 161 T Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 161 T Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 161 T Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 161 T Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 161 T Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 161 T Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 161 T Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 220 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 220 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 220 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 220 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 220 C-B Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 220 C-B Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 220 C-B Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 220 T Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 220 T Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 220 T Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 220 T Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 220 T Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 220 T Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 220 T Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 300 Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 300 Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 300 Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 300 Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 300 Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 300 Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 300 Battery Chainsaw
Stihl MSA 300 Battery Chainsaw

Stihl MSA 300 Battery Chainsaw

Petrol Chainsaws

For heavy-duty tasks, petrol chainsaws offer unmatched power and runtime. They’re built for tough environments but are noisier and require more maintenance, including fuel and oil mixing.

Shop Stihl Petrol Chainsaws
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Performance & Power

Higher power and stamina for demanding jobs like felling trees and large-scale cutting.

Running Costs and Maintenance

Lower upfront cost but ongoing fuel costs and regular maintenance (spark plugs, filters).

Environmental Impact

More powerful, but they release emissions and are noisier.
Shop petrol chainsaws below:

Stihl MS 162 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 162 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 162 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 162 Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 162 Petrol Chainsaw

£149.00
Stihl MS 172 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 172 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 172 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 172 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 172 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 172 Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 172 Petrol Chainsaw

£239.00
Stihl MS 182 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 182 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 182 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 182 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 182 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 182 Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 182 Petrol Chainsaw

£287.00
Stihl MS 211 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 211 Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 211 Petrol Chainsaw

£315.00
Stihl MS 212 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 212 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 212 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 212 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 212 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 212 Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 212 Petrol Chainsaw

£335.00
Stihl MS 151 C-E Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 151 C-E Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 151 C-E Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 151 C-E Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 151 C-E Petrol Chainsaw

£447.00
Stihl MS 231 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 231 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 231 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 231 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 231 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 231 Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 231 Petrol Chainsaw

£459.00
Stihl MS 151 TC-E Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 151 TC-E Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 151 TC-E Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 151 TC-E Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 151 TC-E Petrol Chainsaw

£487.00
Stihl MS 251 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 251 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 251 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 251 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 251 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 251 Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 251 Petrol Chainsaw

£532.00
Stihl MS 194 T Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 194 T Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 194 T Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 194 T Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 194 T Petrol Chainsaw

£539.00
Stihl MS 271 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 271 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 271 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 271 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 271 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 271 Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 271 Petrol Chainsaw

£611.00
Stihl MS 291 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 291 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 291 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 291 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 291 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 291 Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 291 Petrol Chainsaw

£643.00
Stihl MS 241 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 241 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 241 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 241 C-M Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 241 C-M Petrol Chainsaw

£703.00
Stihl MS 201 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 201 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 201 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 201 C-M Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 201 C-M Petrol Chainsaw

£755.00
Stihl MS 201 TC-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 201 TC-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 201 TC-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 201 TC-M Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 201 TC-M Petrol Chainsaw

£759.00
Stihl MS 391 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 391 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 391 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 391 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 391 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 391 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 391 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 391 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 391 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 391 Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 391 Petrol Chainsaw

£767.00
Stihl MS 261 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 261 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 261 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 261 C-M Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 261 C-M Petrol Chainsaw

£775.00
Stihl MS 261 C-M VW Petrol Chainsaw with Heated Handles
Stihl MS 261 C-M VW Petrol Chainsaw with Heated Handles

Stihl MS 261 C-M VW Petrol Chainsaw with Heated Handles

£855.00
Stihl MS 362 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 362 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 362 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 362 C-M Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 362 C-M Petrol Chainsaw

£919.00
Stihl MS 400 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 400 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 400 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 400 C-M Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 400 C-M Petrol Chainsaw

£1,043.00
Stihl MS 462 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 462 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 462 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 462 C-M Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 462 C-M Petrol Chainsaw

£1,151.00
Stihl MS 500i Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 500i Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 500i Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 500i Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 500i Petrol Chainsaw

£1,359.00
Stihl MS 661 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 661 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 661 C-M Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 661 C-M Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 661 C-M Petrol Chainsaw

£1,403.00
Stihl MS 500i W Petrol Chainsaw with Heated Handles
Stihl MS 500i W Petrol Chainsaw with Heated Handles
Stihl MS 500i W Petrol Chainsaw with Heated Handles
Stihl MS 500i W Petrol Chainsaw with Heated Handles

Stihl MS 500i W Petrol Chainsaw with Heated Handles

£1,419.00
Stihl MS 462 C-M R Petrol Rescue Chainsaw
Stihl MS 462 C-M R Petrol Rescue Chainsaw
Stihl MS 462 C-M R Petrol Rescue Chainsaw
Stihl MS 462 C-M R Petrol Rescue Chainsaw

Stihl MS 462 C-M R Petrol Rescue Chainsaw

£1,459.00
Stihl MS 881 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 881 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 881 Petrol Chainsaw
Stihl MS 881 Petrol Chainsaw

Stihl MS 881 Petrol Chainsaw

£1,631.00

What’s Right for You?

For smaller, quick jobs around the house, battery-powered chainsaws offer convenience and simplicity. But if you need the endurance and power to tackle tough or extended tasks, a petrol chainsaw is your best bet. It all comes down to the scope of your work and how much power you need to get it done.