Stihl FS 131 vs Honda UMK 425: semi-pro clearer or mix-free trimmer?
Two four-stroke designs at different sizes. The Stihl is a semi-pro brush cutter on two-stroke mix; the Honda a light loop-handle machine on unmixed petrol.
In short:The Stihl FS 131 has a 36.3 cc 4-MIX engine — a four-stroke that runs on two-stroke mix — producing 1.4 kW, Easy Start, a bike handle, a 420 mm line cut and 5.8 kg without guard or cutting tool. The Honda UMK 425 LE has a 25 cc GX25 four-stroke (0.81 kW) on unmixed petrol, a D-loop handle with barrier bar, a 5.9 kg dry weight, and comes with a nylon head and a 3-tooth blade. Stihl for brambles and heavy clearing; Honda for grass and light growth.
The Stihl FS 131 and Honda UMK 425 weigh almost the same, but one has nearly twice the power.
At a glance
| Stihl FS 131 | Honda UMK 425 LE | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 36.3 cc 4-MIX | 25 cc GX25 4-stroke |
| Power | 1.4 kW | 0.81 kW |
| Fuel | Two-stroke mix | Unmixed petrol |
| Handle | Bike | D-loop with barrier bar |
| Weight | 5.8 kg (no guard, no tool) | 5.9 kg dry |
| Supplied | Dealer set-up | Nylon head + 3-tooth blade |
| Rating | 8.7 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
Different jobs
The FS 131 is a semi-professional brush cutter: bike handle, strong low-speed torque and a 0.71 L tank for long sessions in brambles and scrub. The UMK 425 is a nimble, mix-free trimmer for grass and light growth around a garden.
Which should you buy?
For regular heavy clearing, the Stihl FS 131. For easy, mix-free garden upkeep, the Honda UMK 425. Both are sold mainly through dealers.
Full specifications
| Stihl FS 131 | Honda UMK 425 LE | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine / power | 36.3 cc · 4-MIX | 25 cc · GX25 4-stroke |
| Engine | 36.3 cc, 4-MIX (4-stroke that runs on 2-stroke mix) | Honda GX25, 25 cc, 4-stroke |
| Power | 1.4 kW | 0.81 kW (1.0 hp) at 7,000 rpm |
| Weight | 5.8 kg (without guard and cutting tool) | 5.9 kg dry |
| Fuel tank | 0.71 L | — |
| Cutting width | 420 mm (line) | — |
| Handle | Bike handle | D-loop with barrier bar |
| Starting | Easy Start, automatic decompression | — |
| Tanks | — | 0.55 L fuel / 0.08 L oil |
| Noise / vibration | — | 110 dB(A) / 3.1–8.9 m/s² |
| Included | — | Nylon spool head + 3-tooth blade |
| Best for | Large plots, brambles, scrub and regular heavy clearing — semi-pro use. | Homeowners who want a quiet, clean, ultra-reliable petrol machine for regular maintenance. |
| Our rating | 8.7 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
Strengths and drawbacks
Stihl FS 131
- + 4-MIX engine: strong low-speed torque for blades
- + Handles thick brambles and scrub with the right blade
- + Semi-pro durability for regular heavy sessions
- − Price is a real step up
- − Heavier and more machine than a small lawn needs
- − Bike handle and power demand a bit more technique
Honda UMK 425 LE
- + Honda GX25 mini four-stroke, built for durability
- + No fuel mixing — runs on unleaded petrol
- + Blade and nylon head both supplied
- − Modest 25 cc power for heavy brush
- − Premium price for the displacement
- − Loop handle, not a bike handle, for blade work
Frequently asked questions
Do both avoid fuel mixing?
No. Honda's GX25 runs on unmixed petrol with oil in a sump. Stihl's 4-MIX is a four-stroke design that's lubricated by two-stroke mix, so it needs mixed fuel but no oil changes.
Which is more powerful?
The Stihl FS 131: 1.4 kW against 0.81 kW. It's built for thick brambles and scrub; the Honda for grass and light growth.
Which is lighter?
They're similar: 5.8 kg without guard or tool for the Stihl, 5.9 kg dry for the Honda.