Stihl FS 55 vs FS 70 C-E: which is the better buy?

The Stihl FS 55 and Stihl FS 70 C-E sit right next to each other in Stihl’s homeowner petrol range, and on paper they look similar — both run a 27.2 cc engine and both suit gardens rather than professional clearing. But the FS 70 C-E is more than a badge upgrade, and the gap between them decides which jobs each can actually handle.

At a glance

	Stihl FS 55	Stihl FS 70 C-E
Engine	27.2 cc 2-stroke	27.2 cc 2-stroke
Power (approx.)	~0.75 kW	~0.9 kW (+20%)
Starting	Conventional recoil	ErgoStart (easy pull)
Blade-ready	No (grass trimmer setup)	Yes, ships blade-capable
Best for	Maintained grass, edges	Long grass, light brambles, scrub
Weight class	Light (~5 kg)	Slightly heavier
Price position	Entry Stihl petrol	Mid Stihl petrol

Power and what it means on the ground

Both machines share the same displacement, so the headline number looks identical. The difference is in tuning: the FS 70 C-E delivers roughly 20% more usable power. In maintained grass you won’t notice it, but the moment you push into long, wet growth or thumb-thick stems, the FS 55 starts to bog while the FS 70 C-E keeps its revs. That extra headroom is also what makes the FS 70 C-E a credible blade machine.

Starting: ErgoStart is the quiet win

The “C-E” in FS 70 C-E denotes Stihl’s ErgoStart system, which places a spring between the starter cord and the crankshaft. You pull slowly and the spring winds and releases, so there’s no sharp yank. For anyone with less arm strength — or anyone who hates fighting a recoil on a cold morning — this alone can justify the FS 70 C-E. The FS 55 uses a standard recoil that needs a committed pull.

Blade capability

This is the deciding feature for a lot of buyers. The FS 55 is set up as a grass trimmer: line head, lighter guard, and it isn’t intended to run a metal blade. The FS 70 C-E is sold blade-ready with the correct deflector and hardware, so you can fit a grass-cutting or brush blade for brambles and woody stems.

Safety note. Only ever fit a blade to a machine set up for it, with the matching guard and a bike (double) handle where specified. Fitting a blade to a trimmer-only setup is dangerous.

If you know you’ll only ever trim grass and tidy edges, the FS 55’s line-only setup is no loss. If there’s any chance you’ll tackle scrub, the FS 70 C-E saves you from buying up later.

Weight and handling

The FS 55 is the lighter machine and very manageable for quick jobs around a tidy garden. The FS 70 C-E is a little heavier, but it stays well balanced, and with the loop handle it’s still easy to swing for a homeowner. Over a long session the FS 70 C-E’s easier start and stronger pull actually make it less tiring despite the extra grams.

Price and value

The FS 55 is the more affordable way into a genuine Stihl, and for maintained grass it’s all the machine many people need. The FS 70 C-E costs more, but you’re paying for real capability — more power, ErgoStart, and blade readiness — not just a nameplate. Because Stihl sells through dealers rather than Amazon, check current pricing on Stihl’s own site for your country (our Stihl links take you there).

Which should you buy?

Buy the Stihl FS 55 if: you cut maintained grass and edges, you want the lightest, cheapest genuine Stihl, and you’ll never need a blade.

Buy the Stihl FS 70 C-E if: you face long or wet grass, light brambles or scrub, you want the effortless ErgoStart, or you want the option to fit a blade. For most homeowners with mixed ground, the FS 70 C-E is the more future-proof buy — and the one you’re less likely to outgrow.

If your ground is genuinely tough — thick brambles, regular heavy clearing — look one step further up the range to the semi-pro Stihl FS 131 instead.