Two pro climbing saws dominate the talk in tree work: the Stihl MS 201 TC-M and the Husqvarna T540 XP Mark III. One is a long-time favorite on crews, the other keeps coming back stronger with each iteration. On paper, Husqvarna looks like the better buy. In the tree and on the bench, the story gets more interesting. This breakdown shows what matters most if you climb, prune, and cut all day.

Stihl’s MS 201 TC-M chainsaw is a legendary all-magnesium top-handle saw built for pro arborists. It is powerful, balanced, and widely trusted. Many crews call it the lead dog for a reason. It is compact, fast in the cut, and built to take daily abuse.

Husqvarna’s T540 XP has been the challenger for years. The Mark I and Mark II led to the current T540 XP Mark III, a more refined package with smarter controls and more power on paper. It is the saw everyone keeps comparing to the 201, and for good reason.

So why are so many buyers still choosing Stihl? There are plenty of videos and shop-floor tests where the Stihl out-cuts the Husqvarna by a second or two in similar wood. Some chalk it up to bar and chain performance. We pulled covers, checked hardware, weighed both with bars, and looked at design choices that save time in the real world.

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Everything below suggests Husqvarna takes the win before you even pull the rope:

• Warranty: Husqvarna 2 years, Stihl 90 days
• Price: Husqvarna $729, Stihl $919
• Engine size: Husqvarna 39.1 cc, Stihl 35.2 cc
• Horsepower: Husqvarna 2.6 hp, Stihl 2.41 hp

On pure specs, Husqvarna looks stronger and cheaper with far better warranty coverage. That is a serious draw for buyers.

Despite the data, you will still find head-to-head cuts where the Stihl noses ahead, especially in 6 inch stock. Some argue Stihl’s bar and chain combo clears chips and bites faster. This debate will continue, and it is worth hearing from people who own both.

Which one is faster for you in real wood, not a spreadsheet? Drop your take in the comments. Your feedback helps others make a confident choice.

We ran a fair weight check. Dry powerheads without bars are not how you use a saw, so we weighed both with their stock 14 inch bars and chains as you would run them.

• Husqvarna T540 XP III: 9.84 lb
• Stihl MS 201 TC-M: 9.66 lb

The Stihl is slightly lighter in a true working setup. Manufacturers sometimes publish stripped weights that remove service parts. That is like weighing yourself without organs. Functional weight tells you how a saw actually carries on your saddle or in your hand.

The Husqvarna’s scabbard feels basic. It can fall off unless you hold it, which is not great when climbing or tossing the saw in a truck bed. It was jokingly called the Timu of scabbards, and the nickname fits.

Stihl’s scabbard is built for arborist work. It has an indentation that locks into a pocket, plus mounting points you can tether. It stays put when you need it to, then pops off cleanly. That keeps you safer and protects the chain in transit. It is simply more secure and more practical.

Both saws use computer-controlled carbs. Stihl calls it M-Tronic and has run it since 2014. Husqvarna calls it AutoTune. These systems:

• Adjust the air-fuel ratio on their own
• Compensate for elevation changes and dirty air filters
• Reduce flooding, you set hot or cold start and it lights
• Behave like old-school jet tweaks without the screwdriver

It is not fuel injection. It is smart carb control that targets consistent power and easy starting.

Stihl’s 201 line hit a turning point when M-Tronic came in. Earlier versions felt soft. With M-Tronic, the throttle response sharpened up from idle to high revs in a blink, yet the saw limits free-revving when you are out of the cut. That protects the engine and focuses power where it matters, in the wood.

Husqvarna’s T540 XP Mark I and II had some reported reliability issues in the field. The Mark III steps up power and adds the latest AutoTune. It is better sorted than older versions, but Stihl’s long run still earns trust among crews that work at height.

Both saws lean on magnesium housings to keep weight down while staying tough. The Husqvarna looks a touch more compact, but it weighed more during our test with stock bars.

Country of origin matters to some buyers. Stihl is made in Germany. Husqvarna is made in Sweden.

You can see specs and current pricing for Stihl here: Stihl MS 201 TC-M at Main Street Mower.

Both sprocket covers use captured nuts. Stihl’s setup looks more robust, while Husqvarna’s uses little legs that feel easier to lose or replace.

Important warning: if you remove Husqvarna’s cover with the chain brake set, the brake band clamps and will not slip back over the drum. Resetting it off the saw is a pain. You may need to lever the handle without slipping. It is a common rookie mistake that ruins a day. Stihl avoids this headache.

Chain tensioner placement matters when you swap bars or chains. Husqvarna mounts the adjuster to the plastic cover, which can fight you on reassembly. Stihl mounts the adjuster on the saw body. You can lock the bar in place, then lay the chain in the groove. It is faster and cleaner.

• Oil flow control: on top for Stihl, on the bottom for Husqvarna
• Chain catch: both feel solid, with a large aluminum piece on the Stihl

Both saws run stainless mufflers with spark screens. The Stihl muffler has more depth, which can help avoid heat soak near the port. The Husqvarna’s is shallower. That might run hotter, but it may be a non-issue. In our shop experience, the Stihl screen rarely clogs.

• Clutch removal: Stihl is quick with a piston stopper and an impact. Husqvarna takes a flathead and a cylinder lock, which can be fussy in the field. Stihl shows three clutch springs. Husqvarna shows two. Spring count itself is not a performance decider.
• Lanyard ring: both are replaceable. Stihl’s runs through the back housing and feels stout.
• Spark plug access: Stihl’s plug is reachable from the rear after removing the top cover. On Husqvarna, you remove the air filter and then the rear cover to reach the plug. It uses a T20 Torx, which is not on every belt pouch. If you flood the saw and need to pull the plug, that extra step matters.

Spark plug access steps at a glance:

1. Stihl MS 201 TC-M: pop the top cover, pull the air filter, access plug from the back
2. Husqvarna T540 XP III: remove air filter, remove rear plate with T20, then access plug

Stihl’s filter presses on with a rubber gasket and seals well. It catches fine dust while still breathing. The summer or winter toggle is easy to reach under the cover and helps manage intake temps.

Husqvarna’s filter is similar in feel, though we did not see a clear summer or winter toggle on the sample. To reach the carb, the Husqvarna uses a plate behind the filter.

Carb brands:

• Stihl: Zama, held by two bolts and easy to loosen for service
• Husqvarna: Walbro, tucked behind a plate

Both fuel caps use a flip-up design that is easy to work with gloves. Husqvarna includes a primer bulb. That can make cold starts easier, but it adds a wear item and one more path for dirt. Stihl avoids primers on pro top-handles, outside of their easy-start systems.

Both saws include an ElastoStart style pull handle. The spring grip saves your fingers from kickback when compression builds. Under the rewind, both show robust pawls on the flywheel, with metal components that feel durable.

Each captures clean air into the starter housing, similar in spirit to the setup seen on larger pro models. The airflow design helps keep fine debris out and the top end cooler.

Both saws ride a split-crank magnesium case with a compact cylinder and jug. The Stihl’s transfer porting stands out visually and looks tidy and deliberate. Husqvarna hides more under a plate, which could be similar underneath, but is not as visible.

Dogs make a difference in control during plunge cuts. The tested Stihl had metal dogs installed. The tested Husqvarna had a spot for dogs, though none were mounted.

Overall impressions:

• Stihl feels simpler inside, with fewer parts that need to come off and on. It looks sorted after more than a decade in service.
• Husqvarna has closed the gap in many areas and costs $190 less. A few items, like the clutch and cover, look a bit cheaper. The saw still impresses on build for the price and spec.

We buttoned both saws up to see which one is faster to service. The Stihl came together quicker. Husqvarna took longer, mostly around the bar and chain setup and the cover-side adjuster. It is a small thing in a shop, but in the field, speed matters.

Here is where each saw shines:

• Husqvarna

  • Price: $729
  • Power: 2.6 hp on paper
  • Warranty: 2 years

• Stihl

  • Weight: slightly lighter with a working setup
  • Design and ergonomics: easier servicing and smarter scabbard
  • Dealer network and parts: strong availability
  • Reliability: proven with few real failures beyond impact damage

If the job involves climbing and cutting day after day, the pick leans Stihl for trust and simplicity, even with a shorter stated warranty. Stihl tends to be generous on claims, and we rarely see 201s in the shop for true mechanical failures.

The Husqvarna is still very appealing. It brings more power on paper, a longer warranty, and a better price. The Mark III is a big step forward from earlier versions. If you are cost-sensitive and want fresh tech, it is worth a look.

Both of these top-handles can earn a spot on a pro saddle. The Stihl MS 201 TC-M wins on simplicity, service speed, scabbard security, and long-term trust. The Husqvarna T540 XP III wins on price, stated power, and warranty. If you value proven reliability in dangerous work, Stihl is the safe bet. If you want value and the latest iteration of AutoTune in a compact package, Husqvarna deserves a test cut. Thanks for reading, and share your take on which one is faster for you. Your real-world feedback helps the whole crew make better choices.

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