Stihl MS 170 Chainsaw Review: Damped Motor Oscillations for Smoother Control

MS 170 Overview

Stihl MS 170 Chainsaw cuts with 30 cm bar length for you if you need a compact saw for light pruning and small firewood.

With a 30 cm cutting length, this chainsaw is aimed at jobs where you want enough span for pruning and small firewood, not a longer bar for bigger trunks.

Stihl MS 170 matches that outcome with a 30 cm bar length, which is the number that decides how much wood the bar can physically span. The listing also states automatic oiler support, and the price sits around $274.94.

We screened 95 Chainsaws and selected 15 for full review. Full reviews go to the most-rated products that pass screening, at most 2 per brand. This one has 1,670 buyer ratings, the 14th most of the 95 screened, and this page is for you if you want a shorter bar over extra reach.

If you are considering a different brand, see our full review of the CS1500.

The Short Answer on the MS 170

Best for: you need a compact chainsaw for light pruning and small property cleanup.

Choose the MS 170 if you want a 30 cm bar in a $274.94 saw.

• Pro: The 30 cm bar gives you the reach needed for light pruning and smaller limbs.
• Pro: It states an automatic oiler, which helps keep the bar and chain lubricated during use.
• Pro: The 4.7 average from 1,670 buyer ratings gives you a large sample of buyer feedback to review.
• Con: The 30 cm bar rules out the longer reach you would want for bigger limbs and faster bucking.
• Con: The $274.94 price puts it out of the low-cost range for a basic homeowner saw.

Don’t buy this if: you need a 16 in or 18 in bar for larger limbs or faster bucking.

Price assessment: Around $274.94 is fair for a compact saw with a 30 cm bar and an automatic oiler.

Many beginners benefit from our guide to the best lightweight chainsaw for women.

Full Specifications for Bar Length and Damped Oscillations

Bar length is the deciding spec here. It measures the usable cutting reach of the saw bar and the maximum log diameter it can physically span.

What These Specifications Let You Do

How Anti-Vibration Support Reduces Fatigue During Yard Cuts

MS 170’s anti-vibration system supports longer yard cuts with less fatigue from the saw’s motion. That matters when you are working through branches and small logs, because the 30 cm bar is sized for the light pruning and storm-cleanup range rather than bigger timber.

Machine motor oscillations are damped, which helps keep the saw manageable during repeat cuts around the yard. The shorter bar length also keeps the reach focused, so you are not carrying extra cutting length you do not need for limbing or small firewood.

How the Automatic Oiler Keeps Chain Lubrication Going

MS 170’s automatic oiler keeps chain lubrication in place during cutting, so you do not have to stop as often just to add oil by hand. That is useful for routine yard work, where the cut count matters more than long run stretches.

The chain lubrication system supports steadier cutting through repeated branches and small logs, and it also reduces the chance that the chain runs dry during a longer session. Sixty of the 95 screened listings state an automatic oiler, so this is a common feature, not a rare one.

How the Zoom Compensator Supports More Controlled Running

MS 170’s zoom compensator is the unusual detail here, and most buyers will not expect that on a 30 cm homeowner saw. It supports more controlled running as conditions change, which can matter if you want steadier cutting across a mixed yard workload.

That tuning is useful when you want one saw for pruning, limbing, and light firewood, because the 1200 W motor and 30 cm bar point to a compact cutting setup rather than a larger felling tool. If your work stays in that range, the bar length is enough for typical yard cuts; if you need larger trunks, you should move up to a longer bar length instead.

The MS 170 Against Similar Chainsaws

The MS 170’s clearest edge is price and size together: it sits around $274.94 and uses a 30 cm bar. That shorter bar keeps it in the light-duty end of the chainsaw range, where compact reach matters more than cutting larger logs.

• Against the Worx 40V Chainsaw, the MS 170 is $12.05 cheaper. If you are weighing purchase cost first, that gap is real and immediate.
• That gives the Stihl more usable reach for larger cuts.
• Against the BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX Cordless Chainsaw, the MS 170 is the only gas saw in this comparison. That matters if you want to avoid a battery platform and its charger pairing.
• Against the Greenworks 20322 40V 16-Inch Chainsaw, the MS 170 is lighter on the wallet by $24.06. The Greenworks model, though, gives you a 16-inch bar for more span on bigger wood.
• Against the Greenworks 82V Chainsaw, the MS 170 ranks higher on buyer rating, with 4.7 from 1,670 ratings versus 4.4 from 2,035. That is the only rating gap in this set.

If you want a cordless saw for larger limbs, pick the Greenworks 20322 40V 16-Inch Chainsaw instead. Its 16-inch bar gives you more reach than the MS 170’s 30 cm bar, and that matters more than the price gap for bigger cuts.

For a battery-powered alternative, view the WEN 40417 spec breakdown.

You might also consider looking at how the Poulan Pro PR4016 performs.

Setting Up This Chain Saw, and What Support Covers

What you need before the MS 170 can cut

You need bar and chain oil, because the MS 170 states an automatic oiler and a chain lubrication system.

1. Unpack the MS 170 and confirm the 30 cm bar length before you fit any replacement chain.
2. Fill the oil system with bar and chain oil so the chain lubrication system can feed the cutting end during use.
3. Fit a replacement chain that matches the 30 cm bar length, since the wrong match will not work correctly.
4. Check the chain pitch in the 3/8 in low-profile format and the bar groove width in .050 in before first use.

Warranty and support: what to check

Cover differs by seller and country.

• Confirm the chain match for a 30 cm bar, because the wrong replacement chain will not fit the saw correctly.
• Confirm whether bar and chain oil is included, because the lubrication system depends on it for use.
• Confirm the return process for the saw body and cutting parts, because the bar and chain setup is specific to this model.
• Confirm whether the charger and spare battery are included if you expect a cordless setup, because none are stated for this MS 170.

On the day it arrives, check the 30 cm bar and the chain fit first while a return is still possible.

If you prefer a battery system, see the best cordless chainsaw for homeowners.

Chainsaw Buying Questions Answered

How long is the MS 170 bar?

MS 170 uses a 30 cm bar. That length suits light pruning and small cutting jobs more than larger limb work, which is where 16 in and 18 in bars usually become more useful.

Does the MS 170 have an automatic oiler?

Yes, the MS 170 states an automatic oiler. That matters because chain lubrication is handled without a separate manual step, and 60 of the 95 screened listings state that feature.

Is the MS 170 a good choice for a first chainsaw?

If you want a smaller saw for light yard work, the MS 170 is built around a 30 cm bar and a 1,200 W motor. The $274.94 price and 4.7 average from 1,670 ratings give you a clear cost and buyer-response snapshot.

What does the anti-vibration system mean on the MS 170?

The MS 170 lists an anti-vibration system and says its motor oscillations are damped.

What chain setup should I expect with the MS 170?

The MS 170 belongs in the consumer chain-saw group that commonly uses 3/8 in low-profile chain and .050 in gauge.

Make sure to research how to choose the correct chain pitch for your saw.

Is the MS 170 Right for You?

Who the MS 170 suits and the jobs it is the wrong choice for, listed below with the reason for each.

Where to Buy This Chainsaw

The MS 170 sat at $274.94 in the listing data from November 2026; the price you see at checkout can differ.

Chainsaws are sold by the retailers below – we do not track which of them has the MS 170 in stock, so check availability and the current price with the retailer before making a trip.

• Acme Tools (online only) — tool-focused assortment with trade and business account options
• Home Depot (online and physical stores) — broad assortment and easy in-store returns
• Lowe’s (online and physical stores) — broad assortment and convenient physical-store pickup
• Amazon (online only) — wide marketplace selection across many brands and configurations
• Walmart (online and physical stores) — broad mass-market selection and easy local returns
• Ace Hardware (online and physical stores) — neighborhood-store convenience and knowledgeable staff
• Northern Tool + Equipment (online and physical stores) — specialist-oriented selection for outdoor power equipment

New users should first learn the different types of chainsaws available.

Final Verdict on the MS 170

You need a compact chainsaw for light pruning or storm cleanup, and the 30 cm bar makes that use case straightforward. The MS 170 is around $274.94.

The strongest data point here is the 30 cm bar length. That size keeps the saw in the light-duty range, where reach matters more than bigger cutting capacity.

Skip it if: you need a longer bar for larger limbs, or you want a saw with a stated bar length closer to 16 in or 18 in for broader cutting jobs.