Stihl FS 70 C-E Review
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.
In short:The Stihl FS 70 C-E is a 27.2 cc two-stroke petrol brush cutter producing 0.9 kW — 20% more than the FS 55's 0.75 kW — with Stihl's ErgoStart easy-start system and a bike handle. Retailers list it with an AutoCut 25-2 line head, a shoulder strap and eye protection, and a weight of 5.4 kg without fuel and cutting tool; a metal blade is an extra. It suits grass and occasional tougher growth for homeowners.
You'll be sent to the official STIHL website for your country — STIHL isn't sold on Amazon.
Pros
- ErgoStart makes cold starts almost effortless
- Bike handle ready for a blade when you need one
- 0.9 kW — 20% more than the FS 55
Cons
- Heavier than the FS 55
- Metal blade is an extra
- Still 2-stroke fuel mixing
- Overkill if you only ever cut a small lawn
The Stihl FS 70 C-E is, for most homeowners, the sweet spot of Stihl’s petrol line-up. You get 0.9 kW — 20% more power than the FS 55’s 0.75 kW — the effortless ErgoStart system and a bike handle that’s ready for a blade. That combination turns it into a true all-rounder.
What retailers specify
Retailers list the FS 70 C-E with a 27.2 cc engine producing 0.9 kW, a weight of 5.4 kg without fuel and cutting tool, an AutoCut 25-2 line head, a shoulder strap and eye protection. A metal blade isn’t listed as standard. Stihl’s loop-handle version, the FS 70 RC-E, weighs 4.8 kg. We found no current Amazon.co.uk listing, so buy through a Stihl dealer.
Who it’s for
Anyone who wants a single machine that mows regular grass with the line head and switches to the blade for tougher, taller growth and light scrub. If you don’t know exactly what you’ll face on your land, this is the safe, versatile choice.
Verdict
Our top Stihl pick for homeowners. The added power and easy starting justify the premium over the FS 55 for most people — budget for a blade if you’ll cut scrub.
Our top Stihl pick for homeowners — the extra power and effortless ErgoStart make it a genuine do-everything machine once you add a blade for scrub.
Stihl FS 70 C-E — frequently asked questions
What does ErgoStart do?
ErgoStart is Stihl's easy-start system: a spring between the cord and the crankshaft stores the energy of a gentle pull and releases it to turn the engine over, so cold starts take far less effort than a conventional recoil starter.
Does the FS 70 C-E come with a blade?
Retailers list it with an AutoCut 25-2 line head, a shoulder strap and eye protection; a metal blade isn't listed as standard. Add a grass blade or a 3-tooth scrub blade with the matching guard for tougher growth — see the best brush cutter blades.
Should I buy the FS 55 or the FS 70 C-E?
The FS 70 C-E is worth the premium for most people: 0.9 kW against 0.75 kW, and ErgoStart as standard. The FS 55 is lighter and cheaper, and its C-E version comes with a metal blade, so it suits people who mainly cut grass.
Our score
8.4/ 10
Our top Stihl pick for homeowners — the extra power and effortless ErgoStart make it a genuine do-everything machine once you add a blade for scrub.
Who this one is for
Homeowners who want one machine for grass AND occasional tougher growth.
Guides that feature it
Price and availability
Details checked on October 26, 2026.
Sources
Specifications: manufacturer sheet and Amazon product page. Prices and availability: Keepa. No product on this site has been physically tested.
Compare with other petrol brush cutters
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
HONDA · 35 cc · GX35 4-stroke
Honda UMK 435 UE
A bigger, tougher Honda 4-stroke: the 35 cc GX35 gives 1.0 kW for bramble clearing on a bike handle with a double harness, still without mixing fuel.
Read the review
MAKITA · 43 cc · 4-stroke MM4
Makita EM4351UH
A professional 43 cc MM4 four-stroke petrol brush cutter, 1.5 kW, with handle vibration of 2.1–2.2 m/s² — mix-free power for long working days.
Read the review