Stihl brush cutters
The professional petrol benchmark
Stihl is the petrol brush cutter benchmark, sold through UK dealers. We review the FS 55, FS 70 C-E and FS 131, our best overall brush cutter.
In short:Stihl, founded in Germany in 1926, sells its brush cutters mainly through authorised dealers rather than Amazon. We review three petrol FS models: the entry FS 55 (27.2 cc, 0.75 kW, 4.4–4.9 kg), the FS 70 C-E (27.2 cc, 0.9 kW, ErgoStart, 5.4 kg without fuel and cutting tool; blade sold separately) and the FS 131 (36.3 cc 4-MIX, 1.4 kW, 5.8 kg without guard or cutting tool), our best overall brush cutter for brambles and heavy clearing.
Stihl (founded in Germany in 1926) is the name many people mean when they say “brush cutter”. Its FS range covers everything from light homeowner trimmers to forestry clearing saws, and it sells mainly through a network of authorised dealers, who assemble, start and service the machine.
The Stihl machines we review
The FS 55 is Stihl’s entry petrol brush cutter: a 27.2 cc two-stroke producing 0.75 kW, with a bike handle and a weight of 4.4–4.9 kg depending on version. The FS 55 C-E adds ErgoStart easy starting and comes with both an AutoCut line head and a metal blade; the R versions have a loop handle.
The FS 70 C-E keeps the 27.2 cc size but produces 0.9 kW, 20% more than the FS 55, with ErgoStart and a bike handle. Retailers list it with an AutoCut 25-2 line head, a shoulder strap and eye protection, at 5.4 kg without fuel and cutting tool. A metal blade is an extra, not in the box.
The FS 131 is a semi-professional machine with a 36.3 cc 4-MIX engine — a four-stroke design that runs on two-stroke mix — producing 1.4 kW. It has Easy Start with automatic decompression, a bike handle and a 420 mm cut with line, and weighs 5.8 kg without guard or cutting attachment. It is our best brush cutter overall.
What Stihl does well
Power-to-weight and durability. The FS 131 delivers 1.4 kW for 5.8 kg without guard or cutting tool, and dealer setup and service are part of the price.
The catch: price and buying
Stihl prices are set by dealers and are rarely the lowest, and you will not usually find new Stihl machines on Amazon.co.uk. Stihl also sells cordless trimmers, which we do not review yet.
Who should buy Stihl
Anyone with demanding land who values durability and local service over the lowest price. See the best Stihl brush cutters, Stihl vs Husqvarna and Honda vs Stihl.
Our Stihl reviews
STIHL · 36.3 cc · 4-MIX
Stihl FS 131
For tough land and heavy use: a 36.3 cc, 1.4 kW 4-MIX brush cutter with a bike handle, 5.8 kg and a 420 mm cut — Stihl's semi-pro petrol benchmark.
Read the review
STIHL · 27.2 cc · ErgoStart
Stihl FS 70 C-E
20% more power than the FS 55 (0.9 kW vs 0.75 kW), effortless ErgoStart and an AutoCut 25-2 head — the best Stihl compromise for homeowners.
Read the review
STIHL · 27.2 cc · 2-stroke
Stihl FS 55
Stihl's most affordable petrol brush cutter: 27.2 cc, 0.75 kW and a bike handle, light at around 4.4–4.9 kg — ideal for maintained land and first-time buyers.
Read the review