Stihl FS 55 vs Einhell GC-BC 25/1: premium or budget entry petrol?
Two entry petrol brush cutters with bike handles. The Stihl is lighter and more powerful; the Einhell is much cheaper and comes with a blade and harness.
In short:The Stihl FS 55 has a 27.2 cc, 0.75 kW two-stroke and a bike handle, weighing 4.4–4.9 kg per retailers; the FS 55 C-E version adds ErgoStart and comes with an AutoCut line head and a metal blade. The Einhell GC-BC 25/1 I AS has a 25.4 cc, 600 W two-stroke, a bike handle, a 42 cm line cut, a 23 cm 3-tooth blade and a harness, at about 6.4 kg. Stihl is lighter and dealer-supported; Einhell is the cheapest complete kit.
The Stihl FS 55 and Einhell GC-BC 25/1 are both entry petrol machines with bike handles. The trade-off is weight and support against price and kit.
At a glance
| Stihl FS 55 | Einhell GC-BC 25/1 I AS | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27.2 cc, 2-stroke | 25.4 cc, 2-stroke |
| Power | 0.75 kW | 600 W |
| Weight | 4.4–4.9 kg | About 6.4 kg |
| Easy start | ErgoStart (C-E version) | Quick-start system |
| Blade | Metal blade (C-E version) | 3-tooth, 23 cm |
| Harness | — | Included |
| Rating | 7.8 / 10 | 7.4 / 10 |
Stihl: lighter, supported
The FS 55 is about 1.5 kg lighter with slightly more power, and Stihl dealers assemble, set up and service it. The C-E version adds ErgoStart and a metal blade.
Einhell: complete and cheap
The GC-BC 25/1 comes with a blade, line head and harness at a budget price — a sensible first petrol machine for occasional use.
Which should you buy?
For regular use and long ownership, the Stihl FS 55 (ideally the C-E). For occasional jobs on a tight budget, the Einhell GC-BC 25/1.
Full specifications
| Stihl FS 55 | Einhell GC-BC 25/1 I AS | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine / power | 27.2 cc · 2-stroke | 25.4 cc · 2-stroke |
| Engine | 27.2 cc, 2-stroke | 25.4 cc, 2-stroke |
| Power | 0.75 kW | 600 W |
| Weight | 4.4–4.9 kg (retailers) | 6.4 kg (listing) |
| Cutting head | AutoCut line head | — |
| Handle | Bike handle (R versions: loop) | Bike handle, aluminium shaft |
| Cut | — | 42 cm line / 23 cm blade |
| Included | — | Line + 3-tooth blade + harness |
| Best for | Maintained lawns and light grass on small-to-medium plots, first petrol machine. | A budget first petrol machine for grass and light growth on a small-to-medium plot. |
| Our rating | 7.8 / 10 | 7.4 / 10 |
Strengths and drawbacks
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
Einhell GC-BC 25/1 I AS
- + Very affordable entry into petrol
- + Relatively light and beginner-friendly
- + Blade and harness included
- − Modest power for dense growth
- − Budget-grade build and refinement
- − 2-stroke fuel mixing required
Frequently asked questions
Which is lighter?
The Stihl FS 55, at 4.4–4.9 kg per retailers, against about 6.4 kg for the Einhell.
Do both come with a blade?
The Einhell does, with a 3-tooth blade and a harness. For the Stihl, choose the FS 55 C-E, which comes with an AutoCut head and a metal blade.
Where can I buy them?
The Stihl mainly from dealers; the Einhell from garden and DIY retailers. Neither had a buyable Amazon.co.uk listing when we checked in October 2026.