If you are a homeowner with a small yard, several acres of land, or a landscaper and yard maintenance man, you can find one of the best weedeaters possible from Stihl. Stihl has a full line of weedeaters for everyone's needs, no matter how big or small, to get the job done quickly and look fantastic in the process as well.
Stihl has been a household name in the handheld power equipment market for many years. They have a very loyal customer base and a huge market share in string trimmers, chainsaws, and other outdoor power equipment.
Stihl Weed Eater Comparison Chart
| Specs | FS 56 RC-E | FS91R | FSE60 | FSA 90R | FS111R | FS240R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27.2 CC Two-stroke | 28.4 cc four-stroke | 5.3 amp electric | 36-volt Lithium-Ion | 31 CC Four-stroke | 37.7 CC Four-stroke |
| Cutting Swath | 16.5 in | 16.5 in | 14.0 in. | 15.0 in. | 16.5 in. | 16.5 in. |
| Shaft Type | Straight | Straight | Curved | Straight | Straight | Straight |
| Fuel Capacity | 11.5 oz | 24 oz. | n/a | 30-minute runtime | 24 oz. | 25.4 oz. |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs | 12.1 lbs | 8.8 lbs | 9.9 lbs | 12.1 lbs | 14.6 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
FS56RC-E – Best Homeowner Stihl Weed Eater
The FS 56 RC-E model of Stihl weed eater is a straight shaft gasoline-powered trimmer with a high fuel-efficient engine. It also includes the patented STIHL Easy2Start technology for starting it with practically no effort on your part to start it on one easy pull, that requires no large amount of strength or pulling the starting cord several times to get the engine's compression going.
Engine
The FS 56 RC-E has a gasoline engine with 1.07 bhp (input braking horsepower) with a fuel capacity of 11.5 oz. The fuel tank is a little small compared to other models, but should be plenty for the average homeowner with a decent size yard.
The engine power is also very good for an entry-level commercial or homeowner string trimmer. It will have no probably cutting any kind of grass. The only place I've seen this trimmer slow down is in some heavy brush.
Handling
The handling includes an adjustable front handle for comfort, no matter how tall you are. It includes a multifunction control handle so you never have to move your hands for convenient and quick work. Overall, this handle is very comfortable and durable.
Weight
This model of weed trimmer weighs 10.6 pounds and is lightweight for almost any operator. This is a huge positive. The FS56 RC-E is a very light trimmer and not hard to use for a long time. It does have a little more vibration than some of the larger string trimmers though.
Cutting Diameter
The cutting diameter is 16.5 inches to get your job done quickly in fewer passes over tough weeds and debris. This is fairly typical of all Stihl trimmers.
FS91R – Best Straight Shaft Stihl Weed Eater
The FS 91 R Model of Stihl weed eater is chosen as the best straight shaft weed eater. It includes a simplified starting procedure with a low emission engine and a gas tank holding more gas in it for longer hard-working times until you need to fill it.
This model gives you an amazing 30% longer running time between filling the gas tank to save you valuable time. The loop handle is rubberized to give you the best grip and maneuverability to go around objects without striking them.
Engine
The engine on the FS 91 R model of Stihl weed eater is gasoline-powered at 1.27 bhp with a fuel capacity of 24.0 oz in an easy-to-see fuel tank, so you know how much fuel you have before you start trimming.
This string trimmer has plenty of power and torque for nearly every situation. It is the best value and has a pretty good weight-to-power ratio. The only other trimmer you may look at is the Stihl FS94R.
Handling
It includes an adjustable front handle, so no matter what height a person is, it can be moved to its most comfortable position to cause less tiring while in use.
Weight
This model weighs in at 12.1 pounds to be easy to use and maneuver around objects. This is good considering the amount of power the trimmer has.
Cutting Diameter
The cutting diameter is 16.5 inches to make less time for your largest jobs.
FSE60 – Best Electric Stihl Weed Eater
The FSE 60 is a lightweight trimmer that is also much quieter to work with. This means less stress on your body while using it than a gasoline engine model and it also has no exhaust emissions to release into the atmosphere. This trimmer is designed for small to moderate-sized lawns with preciseness.
It includes the TapAction AutoCUt feature from Stihl in which you only need to tap the cutting head on the ground to quickly refill the double nylon line for cutting. It also has a built-in cord retainer to prevent automatic disconnects from your extension cord or cords.
This is definitely a homeowner model string trimmer. If you have minimum trimming to do and want a reliable trimmer that is easy to use, this may be a good option. Personally, if you're able to spend a little more I would go with a battery powered trimmer like the one below or the Stihl FSA57 (a little closer in price.)
Engine
The Stihl high-quality electric weed trimmer has an electric and corded power supply for the 5.3 amp output engine that operates at 120 volts. For an electric trimmer, it has a pretty good amount of power. It is perfect for regular weekly trimming.
Handling
Handling is superior due to the lack of the weight of a gas tank and gasoline engine and the included power cord storage system that keeps you from becoming unplugged from the extension cord while you work.
While the weight is a great plus, the handle is a little uncomfortable. The curved shafted design is also a little uncomfortable to me. This isn't really something specific to Stihl but all curve shafted string trimmers.
Weight
Electric trimmers all come with a much lighter weight to enable easier functioning. This model weighs a mere 8.8 lbs.
Cuttign Diameter
The cutting diameter is large considering this is an electric weed trimmer and it is 14.0 inches. This isn't as large as other gas powered trimmers, however still plenty for an electric weed eater.
FSA90R – Best Battery Powered Stihl Weed Eater
The FSA 90 R is a professional-grade straight shaft weed trimmer with a strong 36-volt Lithium-Ion battery to give you all the power you need. The lower noise of a battery powered trimmer or a gasoline engine trimmer is good for commercial work in neighborhoods or around schools and businesses to be less of a distraction to people inside buildings.
It has a slim profile perfect for transporting it and the ECOSPEED Stihl soft stop trigger to extend the amount of work time on a single battery charge. It starts and stops easily with just a squeeze of a trigger to power through your commercial or large home jobs quickly and quietly.
Engine
The FSA 90 R has a battery powered engine with AP series rechargeable batteries and a run time of about 30 minutes on a full charge. This is obviously the downfall of most “commercial” battery operated string trimmers.
The limited run time is a real challenge that requires having a lot of batteries and/or a charging station on your truck or trailer. Either way, this is a limiting factor for actually using a string trimmer like this one in a commercial lawn care setting.
Handling
Handling and maneuverability are very good due to the lighter weight of the product. It truly does feel and operate like the gas powered equivalents. It is truly a great battery operated string trimmer.
Weight
This model of weed trimmer weighs only 9.9 lbs with the battery attached to it. This makes it one of the best power-to-weight ratios.
Cutting Diameter
The cutting diameter is excellent for a battery-powered trimmer and it cuts a swath of 15.0 inches.
FS111R – Best Commercial Stihl Weed Eater
The Stihl FS 111 R model of weed trimmer is powerful enough for the toughest of jobs and also very fuel-efficient in order to save you money on fuel costs for your job. It also meets the emission requirements, so it is low conscious.
This model also gives you an extra 30% longer running time than the previous one with all the power you need. It includes the 3 steps easy start system to save you time and a pleated exhaust filter that is easily changed in a flash.
Engine
The engine is gasoline-powered at 1.4 bhp and has a fuel capacity of 24 oz. This trimmer is a step up from the FS91R trimmer and offers a bit more power. It can handle nearly any application with ease.
Handling
This model handles well for hours on end as a commercial weed eater as it has padded handholds to reduce stress and vibration while in use.
Weight
Even with such a mighty engine, Stihl has managed to keep the weight down for all-day use. This model weighs in at 12.1 lbs and this may well be your best Stihl weed eater of all. This may be a downside for some since it weighs a little more than other models, but in certain situations, it is a great tradeoff for the additional power.
Cutting Diameter
The wide cutting diameter of 16.5 inches allows you to make quick work on any size of commercial weed trimming job with ease.
FS240R – Best Heavy-Duty Commercial Stihl Weed Eater
The Stihl FS 240 R is a weed trimmer with a loop handle for the best control in the toughest cutting conditions you will ever encounter. It has a heavy-duty design that can stand up to any tough situations and is versatile enough to handle any cutting situation you may encounter.
This model has a very large fuel tank to waste less time refueling and more time making money while working. It's heavy-duty enough to cut commercial areas around ponds, canals, in ditches on the sides of the road, and even in heavily wooded thickets.
The head of this trimmer can also be changed to a brushcutter if needed. This is probably the biggest advantage of having this string trimmer. In most cases, this trimmer will be overkill and unnecessarily heavy.
Engine
This gasoline-powered engine is very heavy duty with 2.3 bhp and a displacement of 2.3 cubic inches. It's the most powerful string trimmer for commercial jobs on the market today.
Handling
Even with the beefy engine, this model of weed eater is easy to handle and adjust to being comfortable for a person of any height to work hard all day long.
Weight
This big boy weighs in at only 14.6 pounds, which is pretty amazing for all of the power you get from it for the toughest of jobs. This is easily the best Stihl weed eater in the heavy-duty market.
Cutting Diameter
The FS 240R boasts a cutting diameter of 16.5 inches to get you through your commercial jobs quickly–because time is money in this business.
Gas vs. Electric vs. Battery-Powered
The best Stihl weed eater is the one you are more comfortable with that will get the job done in the time period you have for it. Gas-powered engines can be used anywhere and they are usually the best trimmers for commercial jobs when you are on the road. Electric-powered trimmers work very well, but they will not run all day long on a charge.
You can get an extra Stihl battery pack and charge one battery up when one dies to save time though. Electric corded trimmers do have some limitations because you need an extension cord and electricity near your work area to use them.
How to Choose the Right Weed Eater?
As a rule of thumb for smaller to moderate-sized lots for a homeowner, an electric corded trimmer will work fine. For moderate to larger lots at home, a battery-powered trimmer will work for you, but for commercial jobs, you should consider a gasoline weed trimmer so you can refill the tank and work many hours a day.
FAQ
All Stihl products are made to last, no matter which type you choose. They are also quite lightweight and easy to maneuver in all the different types of engines. You can always adjust the front handle to your preference and the rear handles are comfortable for your hands even for several hours on end. It's the Stihl difference.
Who Are Stihl Trimmers Best Suited For?
Stihl trimmers are best suited for any homeowner or person to use for home usage or for commercial applications as well. These products are all built tough to last a long time and need few repairs as they are very reliable.
What to Look For in A Stihl Weed Eater?
The best features of a Stihl weed trimmer are the easy start options to save you time. The larger fuel tanks that are translucent allow you to see exactly how much gas is in the tank before you start to work, so you can fill it as needed and it operates longer on a full tank of gas. The bump and go heads to get more string and easy-to-fill string canisters are also great time-saving items to have on your trimmer.
Are Battery-Powered Trimmers Better Than Fuel Trimmers?
Battery-powered trimmers are much quieter than a fuel trimmers. However, they do have their limitations in run times, being only as long as the battery supports it. Gas trimmers have no limit on run time, you merely refill the gas tank when it's needed.
Echo Vs. Stihl?
Echo trimmers are lighter in weight than Stihl trimmers by a bit, but Stihl compensates for this by adding a strap clip to help you carry it for hours without any fatigue. The reason Stihl trimmers weigh more is because of the larger engines with more power in them and they also last longer even with heavy usage.
Best weed eater string for Stihl?
There are two things two consider when choosing your weed eater string… the string size and brand/material. For Stihl trimmers, most of the commercial trimmers will use .095 or .105 inch string.
Personally, I usually use .095 in since it is a bit lighter so it spins a little faster and I'm not cutting anything large that may require a larger string. It really comes down to personal preference for these two sizes.
For string brand, of course, I would recommend Stihl's string trimmer, but there are a few others I really like too. below is a list of my favorite.
Oregon Gatorline Heavy-Duty Magnum
Maxpower Residential Grade String
Wrapping It Up
What are your thoughts on the Stihl weed eaters? Which model is the best Stihl weed eater for you? Let us know in the comments below!
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All images are from Stihl.
