Stihl MS 362 C-M vs Husqvarna 550 XP Mark II
Quick take: The Husqvarna 550 XP Mark II costs $371 less; the Stihl MS 362 C-M has more engine (59cc); the Stihl MS 362 C-M swings a longer bar (20"); the Husqvarna 550 XP Mark II is lighter at 11.7 lb.
| Spec | Stihl MS 362 C-M | Husqvarna 550 XP Mark II |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,120 | $749 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Power Type | Gas | Gas |
| Use Case | Professional | Professional |
| Engine | 59 cc | 50.1 cc |
| Rated Power | 3.5 kW | 3 kW |
| Voltage | — | — |
| Kit Battery | — | — |
| Bar Length | 20" | 18" |
| Bar Range | 16-25" | 13-20" |
| Chain | 3/8" pitch / .050" gauge (33 RS3) | .325" pitch / .050" gauge (X-Cut SP33G) |
| Weight | 12.3 lb (powerhead only) | 11.7 lb (powerhead only) |
| Warranty | 1-year professional (2-year consumer) | 2-year consumer / 1-year commercial |
Pros & cons
Stihl MS 362 C-M
- ✓Pro magnesium construction that's fully rebuildable — a keep-for-decades saw, unlike the clamshell farm models
- ✓M-Tronic auto-tunes for altitude, temperature, and fuel quality with no carburetor adjustments
- ✓3.5 kW from a 12.3 lb powerhead — same carry weight as an MS 271 with roughly 35% more power
- ✓Repeatedly praised on forums as the ideal size for all-day firewood cutting
- ✓HD2 filtration and spring AV system built for professional daily hours
- ✓Runs 16"-25" bars, covering everything from limbing to moderate felling
- ✗Owners report it feels underpowered with a 20" bar buried in large hardwood — the 462 gap is real
- ✗Price has climbed past $1,100, double a Farm Boss and within sight of the MS 400/462
- ✗No meaningful online retailer review aggregate — pro saws sell through dealers, so ratings are thin
- ✗Professional use carries only a 1-year warranty
- ✗At 12.3 lbs it's no lighter than the farm saws, so the upgrade is all in power and durability, not carry weight
Husqvarna 550 XP Mark II
- ✓Class-leading power-to-weight — 3.0 kW in an 11.7 lb package
- ✓Mark II revision genuinely fixed the original's air-leak reputation
- ✓AutoTune self-adjusts for altitude, fuel, and filter condition
- ✓Factory X-Cut SP33G chain is sharp and smooth out of the box
- ✓Magnesium crankcase built for rebuild-and-run-again pro life
- ✓Superb anti-vibe — all-day comfort at full output
- ✗Dealer-only pricing runs $660-760 — double a big-box 50cc saw
- ✗Wants to be run at full throttle; feels flat when lugged
- ✗AutoTune requires a dealer with diagnostic gear for deep service
- ✗Overkill money for occasional weekend cutting
- ✗20-inch bar is its ceiling — big-wood buyers need the 562/572