Stihl MS 170 vs Husqvarna 120 Mark III

Stihl MS 170

Stihl / Gas

Stihl MS 170

30cc class

~$220

4.5/5 Ace Hardware

Husqvarna 120 Mark III

Husqvarna / Gas

Husqvarna 120 Mark III

30cc class

~$219

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The Husqvarna 120 Mark III costs about $1 less; the Husqvarna 120 Mark III has more engine (38.2cc); the Stihl MS 170 swings a longer bar (16 in); the Stihl MS 170 is lighter at 8.6 lb on the same basis.

SpecStihl MS 170Husqvarna 120 Mark III
Approx. price~$220with 16" bar and chain~$219with 16" bar and chain
Engine class30cc classby displacement30cc classby displacement
Power typeGasGas
Use caseHomeownerHomeowner
Engine30.1 cc38.2 cc
Rated power1.3 kW1.4 kW
Bar length16 in14 in
Single-pass cutabout 14 inabout 12 in
Bar range12-16 in14-18 in
Chain3/8" Picco pitch / .043" gauge (61 PMM3)3/8" mini pitch / .050" gauge
Weight8.6 lbpowerhead only10.7 lbpowerhead only
Warranty2-year consumer (1-year commercial)2-year consumer (extendable to 4 with fuel registration)

Tinted cells mark the better figure on that row alone: more engine, longer bar, lighter, cheaper. A lighter weight is only a win on the same basis.

What owners like and complain about

Stihl MS 170

  • Real Stihl build and dealer network at a $219.99 price that undercuts most big-box homeowner saws
  • 8.6 lb powerhead is light enough for overhead limbing and long cleanup sessions without fatigue
  • 3/8" Picco low-profile chain is cheap to replace and easy to sharpen for beginners
  • IntelliCarb compensating carburetor keeps it running as the air filter dirties
  • Massive verified track record — 4.5 stars over 4,401 Ace Hardware reviews
  • Sips fuel; a tank goes a long way in yard-duty use
  • Underpowered for firewood — owners report it bogs and slogs in logs over ~12 inches
  • No side-access chain tensioner; adjusting the chain means loosening bar nuts the old way
  • Anti-vibration system is minimal compared to the MS 250 and up, so hands buzz on longer cuts
  • Clamshell engine and plastic-heavy construction aren't built for rebuilds or hard hours
  • Newer MS 172 successor is already on stihlusa.com, so the 170's days look numbered

Husqvarna 120 Mark III

  • One of the cheapest routes into a dealer-supported gas saw
  • Light and neutral-balanced — comfortable for limbing sessions
  • X-Torq engine sips fuel compared to older small saws
  • Sold and serviced everywhere: Lowe's, Tractor Supply, and dealers
  • Mark III revision now runs bars up to 18 inches
  • Cold-start pull count is the recurring owner complaint
  • Plasticky build next to Husqvarna's own 435 II
  • Tool-required chain tensioning feels dated at this price
  • Shares value-tier internals with Poulan — the badge is the upgrade
  • Underpowered for regular bucking of hardwood
Stihl MS 170 in fullHusqvarna 120 Mark III in fullMore matchups