Husqvarna 122C vs Stihl FS 55: entry petrol compared

The Husqvarna 122C and Stihl FS 55 are both entry petrol machines from premium brands, but they’re built differently: a curved-shaft trimmer against a straight-shaft brush cutter with a bike handle.

At a glance

	Husqvarna 122C	Stihl FS 55
Engine	21.7 cc, 2-stroke	27.2 cc, 2-stroke
Power	0.6 kW	0.75 kW
Shaft	Curved	Straight
Handle	Loop	Bike (R versions: loop)
Line	43 cm, Tap ‘n’ Go	AutoCut head
Blade	No	Yes — supplied with FS 55 C-E
Weight	4.4 kg (no cutting gear)	4.4–4.9 kg (retailers)
Easy start	Smart Start, air purge bulb	ErgoStart on C-E version
Rating	7.8 / 10	7.9 / 10

Engine and capability

The FS 55’s 27.2 cc engine has more reserve for tall or dense grass, and its bike handle and straight shaft let it run a metal blade for nettles and light brambles. The 122C’s 21.7 cc engine is plenty for edges and tidy lawns, but it stays a line trimmer.

Handling

The 122C’s curved shaft and loop handle make it nimble around beds and fences, and Husqvarna’s Smart Start with an air purge bulb makes pulls easy. The FS 55’s bike handle suits wide sweeps over open grass; the FS 55 C-E adds Stihl’s ErgoStart spring-assisted start. Weights are similar.

Choose the Husqvarna 122C if…

• Your job is mostly edges, borders and light tidying
• You want a nimble loop-handle trimmer

Choose the Stihl FS 55 if…

• You cut long grass or want the option of a blade
• You prefer a bike handle for open areas

Which should you buy?

For tidy gardens, the 122C is light and easy. For more mixed growth, the FS 55 — ideally the C-E with a blade in the box. Both need two-stroke mix (fuel ratio chart).

Full specifications

	Husqvarna 122C	Stihl FS 55
Type	Petrol	Petrol
Engine / power	21.7 cc · 2-stroke	27.2 cc · 2-stroke
Type	Petrol curved-shaft grass trimmer	—
Engine	21.7 cc, 2-stroke, 0.6 kW	27.2 cc, 2-stroke
Cutting width	43 cm (Tap 'n' Go twin line)	—
Weight	4.4 kg excl. cutting equipment	4.4–4.9 kg (retailers)
Fuel tank	0.36 L	—
Shaft	Curved, fixed	—
Handle	Loop handle	Bike handle (R versions: loop)
Cutting attachment	Line only, no blade capability	—
Fuel	Petrol/oil 2-stroke mix	—
Power	—	0.75 kW
Cutting head	—	AutoCut line head
Best for	Light garden trimming and grass edges, not overgrown or woody areas	Maintained lawns and light grass on small-to-medium plots, first petrol machine.
Our rating	7.8 / 10	7.8 / 10

Strengths and drawbacks

Husqvarna 122C

• + Light at 4.4 kg without cutting equipment (Husqvarna UK)
• + Curved shaft and loop handle suit quick trimming jobs
• + Smart Start and air purge for easier starting
• + Compact size is easy to store and transport
• − Line only — no blade attachment for brush or scrub
• − 21.7 cc is on the small side for tall or dense grass
• − 2-stroke fuel mixing needed

Stihl FS 55

• + Genuine Stihl build quality at the lowest petrol price point
• + Light and easy to handle for beginners
• + Huge dealer network for parts and service
• − Not for thick brambles, even with a blade
• − No anti-vibration refinements of pricier models
• − 2-stroke means mixing fuel and oil