Stihl MS 162 Chainsaw W/ 16" Bar & Chain
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Best Stihl
Amazon rating
Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score
Based on 1 trusted source
Current price
$314.89
Updated Jun 27, 2026 · 1 min read
Sources behind this verdict
10 reviewers weighted by source trust
The consensus
What reviewers found
Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.
Across the reviewers we read, the Stihl MS 162 is the brand's budget homeowner gas saw, and the consensus is honestly mixed. Stihl's own site summary acknowledges 'mixed reviews,' and high-trust r/Chainsaw owners say it 'works good' for the price but note 'bogging down and the lesser power compared to my older 170.' Verified-purchase reviewers land at 4.3 across 341 ratings. The most consistent criticism is power under load.
What reviewers liked
- Light and maneuverable for limbing and cleanup per community reviewers
- Solid verified-purchase volume (4.3 across 341 reviews)
- Backed by Stihl's dealer network and parts support
- Reasonable price for the Stihl badge
Where it falls short
- Multiple high-trust threads report bogging and lack of power under load
- An r/stihl owner flagged the bar-retaining bolt working loose
- Several reviewers preferred the Husqvarna 120 head-to-head
- Stihl's own listing concedes 'mixed reviews'
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Across the reviewers we read, the Stihl MS 162 is the brand's budget homeowner gas saw, and the consensus is honestly mixed. Stihl's own site summary acknowledges 'mixed reviews,' and high-trust r/Chainsaw owners say it 'works good' for the price but note 'bogging down and the lesser power compared to my older 170.' Verified-purchase reviewers land at 4.3 across 341 ratings.
The most consistent criticism is power under load. A high-trust community post warned that 'give it any real wood and it just wants to slow cut and bog up,' and an r/stihl thread described it as 'underpowered... really only going to be feasible for light limbing and cleanup.' A separate r/stihl owner flagged a safety-relevant issue, the bar-retaining bolt repeatedly working loose. Several reviewers directly preferred the Husqvarna 120 in comparison.
The synthesis: the MS 162 earns its place as the best-sourced Stihl gas option here and is a light, maneuverable saw for limbing and cleanup, but reviewers are clear it is the weakest performer under real load and buyers wanting more grunt are repeatedly pointed elsewhere.
- Stihl MS 162 chainsaw 30 cm
- CHAIN SAW
- Stihl
It works good. I do notice the bogging down and the lesser power compared to my older 170. But for the price can't complain. It got the job done ...
The 162 is a little underpowered however, really only going to be feasible for light limbing and cleanup. It will cut wood but. Still a good ...
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“Stihl MS162 Chainsaw Review” · YouTube
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