The power of a chainsaw’s engine is measured using displacement (CC) and/or horsepower. Using these numbers as our benchmark, we can get a clear answer to the question “what is the most powerful chainsaw in the world?”

The most powerful commercially sold chainsaw in the world is the Stihl MS 880 Magnum, which is rated at 121.6 CC displacement and 8.6 horsepower. The close runner-up, is the Husqvarna 3120 XP, with a displacement of 118.8 CC and 8.31 horsepower.

Although the Stihl MS 880 takes the top spot, the real-world performance of these two chainsaws is very comparable. Keep reading to see a side-by-side comparison of these two impressive machines.

Stihl MS 880 vs Husqvarna 3120XP

Below you’ll find an at-a-glance view of the key details for Stihl and Husqvarna’s biggest and most powerful chainsaws, including their (very expensive) starting prices.

#1: Stihl MS 880 Magnum

The MS 880 Magnum is Stihl’s biggest, and most powerful chainsaw. It’s also the most powerful chainsaw on the market.

Starting Price

$1,909.95

• Displacement: 121.6 CC
• Horsepower: 8.6 
• Max. Bar Size: 56 inches
•  Powerhead weight: 22.3 lbs

#2: Husqvarna 3120XP

The 3120XP is Husqvarna’s biggest and most powerful chainsaw. Stihl’s MS 880 is more powerful, but the two chainsaws are very comparable In real-world performance.

Starting Price $1,799.95

• Displacement: 118.8 CC
• Horsepower: 8.31
• Max. Bar Size: 42 inches
• Base Weight: 22.9 Pounds

Although it’s not a perfectly scientific test, you may also find this video to be a helpful comparison. It’s a short clip (about 52 seconds), and you’ll be able to see the Stihl MS 880 (on the left), and the Husqvarna 3120 XP (on the right), being run side-by-side. Check it out!

Next, let’s dig a little deeper into each of these two chainsaws individually. We’ll mention additional specs as well as some unique features.

This is probably a good place to mention, that MOST chainsaw users don’t need a chainsaw with anywhere near this much power. You could literally kill yourself if you had an accident with a machine like this. So, if you are not an experienced and knowledgeable chainsaw user DO NOT even attempt to use the MS 880 or Husqvarna 3120XP chainsaw. 

With that said, let’s dig deeper into the MS 880 Magnum.

Most Powerful Stihl Chainsaw: MS 880 Magnum

The Stihl MS 880 Magnum is Stihl’s most powerful chainsaw by far. For reference, Stihl’s second most powerful model is the MS 661, which has an engine displacement of 91.1 CC, and 7.2 horsepower. This is about 30 CC and 1.4 horsepower less than the MS 880 Magnum. 

To be fair to the MS 661, it’s also a bit lighter, and can take a smaller bar. In other words, it will handle more easily, which can be an even more important factor depending on the project. But let’s get back to the MS 880.

Specs: 

Here’s a quick snapshot of the spec sheet for the Stihl MS 880 Magnum:

• Displacement: 121.6 CC
• Horsepower: 8.6
• Powerhead Weight: 22.3 lbs. 
• Bar Length Range: 17 – 59 inches
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 44 OZ
• Lubricant Capacity: 23.7 OZ
• Fuel Types: Gasoline

Unique Features: 

All Stihl and Husqvarna chainsaws come with a standard set of essential functional and safety features that are present in all chainsaws. 

However, there are also a few unique features that you’ll find on Stihl’s MS 880 Magnum chainsaw. Here’s a brief summary:

IntelliCarb

This is a clever engineering tweak that Stihl incorporated into the carburetor. All chainsaws have an air filter, and a common maintenance issue is for the air filter to get clogged with sawdust. 

To solve this problem, Stihl designed their carburetors to automatically adjust the air-to-fuel ratio, to accommodate for the reduced air flow. This allows the engine to maintain the appropriate RPM, despite the air filter issue.

Obviously you should still clean and maintain the chainsaw’s air filter, but this is an interesting feature that can help the engine keep running smoothly in tough and dirty conditions. 

Side Access Chain Tensioner

To me, this is a clear advantage of Stihl over Husqvarna’s chainsaw. Stihl chainsaw’s allow you to adjust the chain tension on the side of the machine. It’s super easy to get to.

On the other hand, Husqvarna places their chainsaw tensioning screw on the front of the chainsaw (on the inside of the bar). I honestly don’t know why they put them there, because it seems like a way more annoying place to maneuver compared to the side. 

Stihl ElastoStart: 

Stihl also claims that their starter handle takes a lower toll on your arms and joints when you jerk the pull cord, by incorporating a shock-absorber. This feature is called “ElastoStart”. For such a powerful machine, it’s going to take a bit of effort to get the engine turning, so a feature like this is a good thing.

However, if we’re comparing with Husqvarna, it’s important to point out that Husqvarna engines tend to be a little easier to start. So, if you have to yank the pull cord fewer times (on average), that is probably a better solution overall. 

Now that we’ve had a look at the key specs and unique features of Stihl’s most powerful chainsaw, let’s turn our attention to Husqvarna.

Most Powerful Husqvarna Chainsaw: 3120XP

Husqvarna’s most powerful chainsaw is the Husqvarna 3120XP. This chainsaw is also the biggest and most expensive chainsaw on Husqvarna’s product line, and is the second most powerful chainsaw in the world.

One step down on the product line for Husqvarna, is the 395XP. I know, the model number is way smaller, but the chainsaw still has some serious guts. The 395XP has a displacement of 94 CC, and 7.1 horsepower, which is about 25 CC and 1.2 horsepower less than the 3120XP.

Now let’s take a look at the key specs and a few unique features of the 3120XP.

Specs: 

Here’s a quick snapshot of the spec sheet for the Husqvarna 3120XP:

• Displacement: 118.8 CC
• Horsepower: 8.31
• Powerhead Weight: 22.9 lbs. 
• Bar Length Range: 24 – 42 inches
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 42.24 OZ
• Lubricant Capacity: 23.68 OZ
• Fuel Types: Gasoline

Unique Features: 

All Husqvarna chainsaws (and Stihl chainsaw) come with a standard set of essential functional and safety features. But here, we’re going to focus on a few unique features that they put inside the Husqvarna 3120XP chainsaw.

Adjustable oil pump:

I think this is a really interesting add-on that Husqvarna has incorporated. This feature consists of a small dial, which allows you to adjust the amount of bar and chain oil (lubricant) that is released from the tank. 

This is something you won’t find in every chainsaw, and it gives you the flexibility to adjust the flow of oil based on the temperature, weather, and other conditions. For professional chainsaw users, this adds an additional layer of control over the operation of the chainsaw. 

Felling marks

This is a small tweak to the outer casing of the chainsaw, which can serve as a helpful reference. If you are planning to fell a tree, one of the most important elements to direct the fall of the tree, are the angles of your cuts. 

So, this feature is simply a set of dark lines, which an experienced chainsaw user will be able to use to aim the direction of a tree they are felling. Sometimes even the smallest changes can serve a helpful function. 

Husqvarna Smart Start

If you’ve only ever used one type of chainsaw you may not know this, but Husqvarna and Stihl actually have different steps for starting their chainsaw engines. And Husqvarna chainsaws have a bit of a reputation for being easier to get started. 

Husqvarna uses this in their marketing materials, and calls it their “Smart Start” feature. This can be a great benefit, but you also have to keep in mind that if you already use Stihl chainsaws more frequently, it might be easier for you to start a Stihl due to your own muscle memory. 

Now that we’ve had a look at the key specs and unique features for the Husqvarna 3120XP, let’s turn our focus to a comparison of leading chainsaw brands.

Best Chainsaw Brands

At this stage, let’s take a moment to touch on the best chainsaw brands. Having seen the above comparison of the biggest Stihl and Husqvarna chainsaws, you may be wondering a couple things.

Such as, “are Stihl and Husqvarna the best all-around brands?”, or “does any other brand come close for most powerful chainsaw?”

The answer to these questions are yes and no, respectively. 

Stihl and Husqvarna are the indisputable leaders of the chainsaw market. Ask any forester, arborist, or professional logger what the best chainsaw brand is, and they will always tell you it’s either Stihl or Husqvarna.

Stihl and Husqvarna have at least 2 chainsaws (each), that are more powerful than the closest model from another brand. Let’s name a few names. 

Echo is a well-known Japanese brand of chainsaws. Overall, they are well respected, and are sometimes compared with Stihl and Husqvarna. But, no matter how much Echo wants to be on the same level as Stihl and Husqvarna, they just aren’t on the same tier.

This is especially true if we’re only considering power. If you look through Echo’s full product line, you’ll find that their most powerful offering has a 80.7CC engine. Which is just worlds below the MS 880 Magnum and 3120 XP.

Another well-known brand for chainsws is Makita. Again, Makita has a good reputation, but they just don’t have the same power cap as Stihl and Husqvarna. Their top-of-the-line chainsaw only has a 79 CC engine. 

Lastly, I’ll mention a couple chainsaw brands that are made primarily for home users. You may have heard of Homelite or Remington, or you may have seen them in a home improvement store. They don’t really compete with Stihl and Husqvarna on the professional chainsaw market. Both Homelite and Remington have engine powers that top out around 40-50CC.

Don’t get me wrong here, it’s possible to get a good quality chainsaw from these other brands. They might have a tool that is exactly what you need, and will last you decades. But, if we’re focusing solely on a chainsaw’s power, nobody else can even compete with Stihl and Husqvarna.

The History of Stihl vs. Husqvarna

If you’re a history buff, or if you like the idea of a long-running rivalry, then this is the section for you. Both Stihl and Husqvarna have been manufacturing chainsaws for over 50 years.

Both are headquartered in Europe. Stihl in Germany, and Huqvarna in Sweden. And these two have long been the market leaders in chainsaw manufacturing. 

Here’s a brief history of each:

Stihl: a Brief History

Stihl was founded by Andreas Stihl, who invented the first chainsaw in 1926. This first chainsaw was electric powered, bulky, and impractical at the time.However, with better designs, more resources, and changing markets, Stihl’s chainsaw eventually evolved into an essential tool.

Over the years, Stihl has expanded their product line to include other tools, but their name and reputation is firmly-tied to their chainsaws. And Stihl holds the distinction of being the best selling chainsaw brand in the world.

Today, Stihl is still a privately held company. It has over 14,000 employees globally and is owned by the direct descendants of Andreas Stihl.

Husqvarna: a Brief History

Husqvarna began as a state-owned manufacturing operation, which initially produced rifles in the late 1600s. During the 1800s, Husqvarna shifted it’s product focus several times to adjust to changing markets and consumer demands. 

They produced bicycles, sewing machines, and more, before finally landing on the product they are most known for: chainsaws. In 1959, Husqvarna made their first chainsaw. By this time, Stihl was already in the market, but Husqvarna became their primary competitor.

For decades now, the performance of the two brands has been a popular topic of debate among loggers, firewood collectors, and home users. Husqvarna is now a publicly traded company, listed on the Stockholm stock exchange. They have over 13,000 employees globally.

Related Questions

Where are Stihl Chainsaws Made?

Stihl produces many of their gas powered chainsaws in Virginia (USA), and their electric and battery-powered chainsaws are built in Austria and Germany (where they are headquartered). However, Stihl also uses components that are imported from other countries. 

Where are Husqvarna Chainsaws Made?

Husqvarna does most of their chainsaw manufacturing in Sweden, especially for their more expensive premium and professional products. But they also use facilities in other European countries, the USA, and China.  Given the international supply chain that Husqvarna uses, it’s difficult to know exactly where each specific chainsaw was built.

Are Electric Chainsaws as Good as Gas?

Gas chainsaws are more powerful than both corded and battery-powered electric chainsaws. For professional work, or particularly big jobs, there is no substitute for a gas chainsaw. However, electric chainsaws can be great for home use. Electric chainsaws have the advantage of being cheaper, easier to start, and lighter than gas chainsaws.