Pro petrol power or budget cordless trimming: which saw wins?

Display

Neither product has a display or screen, so this category doesn’t apply in the usual sense. If we translate this to usability feedback, the Stihl wins on straightforward, no-nonsense operation: choke, prime, pull, cut. The Supstable’s appeal is simpler still, with battery status and cordless convenience, but there’s no meaningful “screen quality” advantage here. Winner: tie, because neither is a display-led product.

Performance

This is where the gap is huge. The Stihl MS 170 is a petrol chainsaw with a 30 cm guide bar and a 1200 W engine output; that gives it the edge for sustained cutting, thicker branches, and small-to-medium timber. In real UK garden use, it’s the better option for felling small trees, cutting back storm-damaged limbs, and processing logs for a burner or fire pit. The Supstable is a brushless cordless mini saw with 8-inch and 6-inch bar options and two 4000 mAh batteries, so it’s built for pruning, light limbing, and fast, controlled cuts rather than serious timber work. It will be easier to handle overhead and in tight spaces, but it simply cannot match the Stihl for torque, chain speed under load, or continuous cutting. Winner: Stihl MS 170.

Build quality and design

Stihl has the stronger reputation for durability, parts support, and long-term serviceability. The MS 170 is a traditional petrol saw with a proven design, and that matters if you expect regular use through damp UK winters, spring pruning, and occasional heavier jobs. Supstable’s brushless motor is a plus for efficiency and lower maintenance, and the lightweight handheld format will feel less intimidating for casual users. However, mini saws in this category are usually more dependent on battery condition, plastics, and general fit-and-finish than a mainstream petrol brand like Stihl. Winner: Stihl MS 170 for build quality; Supstable wins only on lightweight convenience and reduced maintenance.

Battery life

The Stihl does not use a battery, so it avoids runtime anxiety entirely: refuel and keep going. That is a major advantage for bigger gardens, repeated cuts, or jobs where you do not want to stop halfway through a hedge line or log pile. The Supstable includes 2×4000 mAh batteries, which is good on paper for a cordless mini saw, and in practice should comfortably cover light pruning sessions and small branch work. But battery capacity alone does not equal productivity; once you start cutting denser hardwood or working continuously, cordless mini saws slow down or need swapping and recharging. Winner: Stihl MS 170, because petrol power is more dependable for sustained work.

Price and value for money

At £308, the Stihl costs £218.12 more than the Supstable at £89.88. That is a big premium, and it only makes sense if you need the extra capability, reliability, and service life. For a typical UK suburban garden, especially if you mainly trim apple trees, laurel, conifers, or light storm debris, the Supstable offers far better entry-level value. It is much cheaper, comes with two batteries, and is likely to be enough for most occasional domestic pruning tasks. But if you are buying once and want a saw that can do harder jobs without feeling underpowered, the Stihl’s higher upfront cost is easier to justify. Winner: Supstable for value; Stihl for long-term investment.

Game library/features

Chainsaws do not have a game library, so the equivalent comparison is feature set. The Supstable wins on convenience features: cordless operation, brushless motor efficiency, two bar sizes, and portability for one-handed or awkward-angle pruning. It is the more versatile “grab and go” tool for garden maintenance, especially where mains power is inconvenient and petrol fumes are undesirable. The Stihl’s feature set is more basic, but its real feature is capability: better cutting authority, proven brand support, and suitability for tougher work. Winner: Supstable for convenience features; Stihl for functional cutting features.

Overall user experience

For most homeowners, the Supstable will feel easier and less intimidating. It is lighter, quieter, cleaner, and better suited to quick jobs around the garden, especially in smaller UK plots, patios, and courtyards where you may only need to trim a few branches at a time. The Stihl MS 170 is the more serious tool: more noise, more maintenance, more vibration, and more effort to start and run, but also much more capable when the job gets tough. If you have regular heavy pruning, thicker timber, or want a saw that can grow with your needs, the Stihl delivers a more complete ownership experience. If you want the simplest, cheapest way to keep trees and shrubs tidy, the Supstable is easier to live with.

Overall summary: the Stihl MS 170 is the better chainsaw, full stop, for performance, durability, and demanding cutting. The Supstable is the better buy for most casual domestic users because it is dramatically cheaper and more convenient for light garden pruning. If your work is mostly small branches and occasional tidy-ups, buy the Supstable. If you need real cutting power and expect to use the saw regularly on thicker wood, buy the Stihl.