Stihl MS 500i vs Husqvarna 572 XP
Quick take: The Husqvarna 572 XP costs $431 less; the Stihl MS 500i has more engine (79.2cc); the Stihl MS 500i swings a longer bar (25"); the Stihl MS 500i is lighter at 13.9 lb.
| Spec | Stihl MS 500i | Husqvarna 572 XP |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,780 | $1,349 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Power Type | Gas | Gas |
| Use Case | Professional | Professional |
| Engine | 79.2 cc | 70.6 cc |
| Rated Power | 5 kW | 4.3 kW |
| Voltage | — | — |
| Kit Battery | — | — |
| Bar Length | 25" | 24" |
| Bar Range | 16-36" | 15-28" |
| Chain | 3/8" pitch / .050" gauge (33 RS3) | 3/8" pitch / .058" gauge (X-Cut C85) |
| Weight | 13.9 lb (powerhead only) | 14.5 lb (powerhead only) |
| Warranty | 1-year professional (2-year consumer) | 2-year consumer / 1-year commercial |
Pros & cons
Stihl MS 500i
- ✓Electronic fuel injection — no carburetor at all; starts in 2-3 pulls and auto-adapts to altitude and temperature
- ✓5.0 kW from a 13.9 lb powerhead — Stihl claims the best power-to-weight ratio on the market
- ✓Instant throttle response owners say no carbureted saw can match
- ✓Runs bars from 16" to 36", covering everything from bucking to serious felling
- ✓Owner threads report multi-year reliability — 'always starts, never let me down' is the common refrain
- ✓Strong resale value; used 500is barely depreciate
- ✗Heavy fuel consumption is the most repeated owner complaint — plan on carrying extra mix
- ✗Documented gripe about fine dust entering around the plastic air-filter attachment point
- ✗Price has climbed roughly $500 since launch to ~$1,780, prompting even fans to hesitate
- ✗Some high-hour owners report warm-start stalling quirks after several years
- ✗Injection system is dealer-only territory — no backyard carb fixes if the electronics act up
Husqvarna 572 XP
- ✓4.3 kW output pulls 24-28 inch bars through hardwood without bogging
- ✓AutoTune eliminates carb fiddling across altitude and fuel changes
- ✓Best-in-class cooling and filtration for sustained full-load work
- ✓Low vibration for a 70cc saw — full-shift usable
- ✓Flat torque curve deep in the cut, the X-Torq signature
- ✓Pro-grade magnesium construction built for years of rebuilds
- ✗$1,349 list and dealer-only — a working tool's price tag
- ✗Half a pound heavier than the Stihl MS 462 it battles
- ✗Early-production cylinder issues still color forum sentiment despite the fix
- ✗AutoTune diagnostics require a dealer visit
- ✗Vastly more saw than any homeowner workload justifies