10 Best Stihl Whipper Snippers and Brush Cutters | 2023 Buyer’s Guide

1. STIHL FS 45 C-E Grass Trimmer with Easy2Start

This is a good, everyday all-rounder for a homeowner who is looking for a simple, reliable whipper snipper. It has a fair amount of power, making it good for trimming tougher weed and grass growth in small/medium gardens.

It has the Easy2Start system for effortless starting, and the comfortable multifunction loop handle puts controls right in your hands.

It’s well-priced for the features it offers and runs at around 107 decibels.

2. STIHL FSE 52 Electric Grass Trimmer

This corded electric whipper snipper is light, quiet while running, and powerful, making it a great choice for everyday garden use.

The shaft is fully adjustable for different heights, it has a spacer bracket for reducing wear on the cutting line, and the loop handle keeps it comfortable and manoeuvrable.

It’s maintenance free, lightweight at 2.2kgs and has a convenient 20cm cutting diameter.

3. STIHL FS 260 C-E Professional Brush Cutter

If you are a landowner, running a commercial landscaping business, or have to clear land of heavy bush growth, this model is the best you can buy from Stihl.

It’s the most rugged brush cutter in the range and is designed for heavy-duty use like freeway maintenance and clearing fire breaks.

The adjustable bike handle helps keep things steady and smooth as you work, and the 41.6cc 2-MIX engine helps save up to 20% of your fuel to produce less emissions. It’s lightweight at 7.9kgs for a heavy-duty item of equipment.

4. STIHL FSE 41 Electric Grass Line Trimmer

If you want to keep your carbon footprint lower with an electric brushcutter then the Stihl FSE 41 is probably the tool for you. It’s easily affordable and gives a reliably good finish to most lawns.

The only real downside is that corded electric strimmers have one major safety flaw; the cord. 

If you decide to go budget, just make sure to stay safe when using your brushcutter, and keep the cords way out behind you, or over your shoulder to avoid accidentally cutting the line.

5. STIHL FS 55 R-CE Easy2Start Petrol Grass Line Trimmer

If you’re going to buy a Stihl line trimmer then it’s worth getting one with as much Stihl tech installed as possible. The Stihl FS 55 is ideal for domestic use, with an Easy2Start engine and a well-balanced, lightweight design that helps to keep lawn care comfortable.

As with all strimmers in this price range, there are some compromises against their more expensive rivals, such as the narrow safety guard which does allow grass to fly back at you, and doesn’t protect the user particularly well from flying stones or debris.

6. STIHL FS 240 CE Professional Brush Cutter

This is a great machine for tough landscaping work like clearing land, cutting through thick bush, and heavy weed growth. As one of the most powerful and rugged brush cutters in the range, it also has a 17% larger fuel tank for longer work periods.

Despite the larger 37.7cc 2-MIX engine, this model is still lightweight at 6.6kgs. It is simple to start, has an anti-vibration system and loop handle for comfort, and the handle has all the controls built in for ease of use.

7. STIHL FSA 57 Kit Battery-Powered Whipper Snipper

This eco-friendly and quiet cordless whipper snipper is a good option for homeowners in residential areas. It’s ideal for light trimming work, like edging lawns and paving, and it moves easily around obstacles. 

The kit includes a battery and charger, although it is recommended that you get an additional battery if you have a larger garden, as the runtime is about 20 minutes.

It has an easy bump line feed system, an adjustable shaft for different heights, and a soft grip handle with a control lever. It’s best-suited to everyday garden maintenance in smaller gardens

8. STIHL FS 130 Professional Easy2Start 4-Stroke Petrol Brushcutter

If you’re after comfort, and comfortable handling heavy tools, then the Stihl FS 130 could be the best brushcutter for you. Its ergonomic bike handles have a comfortable harness attached, giving you full control of this brushcutter.

On top of that, it’s got the Stihl anti-vibration system installed which makes it even more comfortable to use. The wide, and sturdy, safety guard helps protect you from flying debris too, making this one of the most comfortable Stihl brushcutters you can buy.

9. STIHL FS 38 Grass Trimmer

For a cheap and cheerful but still powerful and well-built whipper snipper, this is your best bet. It’s got all the benefits of Stihl technology and engineering in a lightweight, affordable package.

It’s petrol-powered for performance with a 27.2cc 2-stroke engine, and you have access to the controls right on the multifunction loop handle. It makes it quick and easy to do everyday gardening maintenance, and it will last for years to come.

10. STIHL FSE 71 Electric Grass Trimmer

This inexpensive corded electric whipper snipper offers power and performance for everyday gardening and offers a very affordable alternative to petrol models.

It cuts through thick weed and grass growth with ease and is lightweight at 4kgs. It has a practical 35cm cutting diameter, and the cable strain relief system helps to prevent the cord from accidentally unplugging. 

With a comfortable loop handle and soft ergonomic grip, this whipper snipper is quiet, easy to work with, and manoeuvrable. It also features a guard to protect against damaging tree bark and shrubs while working close against obstacles.

With its Easy2Start functionality, good price and great value, the STIHL FS 45 C-E Grass Trimmer with Easy2Start is our pick as the best Stihl whipper snipper for 2023!

Despite being petrol powered, it’s designed for low emissions and fuel efficiency. It weighs just 4.3 kgs and provides 27.2cc of cutting power, making it easy to manoeuvre and work with for longer periods of time.

It also has a convenient line bump feed, and you can control everything else right from the multifunction handle.

The STIHL FSE 52 Electric Grass Trimmer is our top pick as the best value Stihl whipper snipper for 2023! It’s exceptionally affordable, but that doesn’t mean you get less quality for your money.

In fact, this whipper snipper has ergonomic controls, adjustable handles and shaft, and a pivoting trimming head. It’s comfortable, quiet, easy to use, and very lightweight.

When power is a premium, this STIHL FS 260 C-E Professional Brush Cutter delivers! It’s a beast of a brush cutter and can be used for all kinds of exceptionally heavy-duty work, from clearing roadsides and bush to making firebreaks and tackling heavy undergrowth.

It’s rugged but has comfort features too, including adjustable bike-style handles, good balance, and anti-vibration technology. The engine is designed to be as fuel-efficient as possible too, using 20% less fuel and producing less emissions than competitors.

Stihl Whipper Snipper Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a line trimmer and a whipper snipper?

There’s no difference between a line trimmer and a whipper snipper. The only difference is the name. Whipper snippers are the common name for line trimmers and brushcutters in Australia and Canada.

Is a Stihl whipper snipper 2-stroke?

Stihl produces both 2-stroke and 4-stroke whipper snippers, and depending on your needs, each will have its advantages, but the majority of Stihl whipper snippers are usually produced as 2-stroke whipper snippers.

What can I put in a 2-stroke whipper snipper?

Stihl 2-stroke whipper snippers should be filled up with a mix of Stihl 2-stroke oil and unleaded petrol. The ideal mix is 50:1, so 1 litre of petrol to 20 ml of Stihl 2-stroke oil.

Is a 4-stroke whipper snipper better than a 2-stroke?

4-stroke whipper snippers have more torque, and more power than 2-stroke whipper snippers, but 2-stroke whipper snippers are faster and lighter, making them more efficient for most gardens, and more comfortable to use.

What does FS stand for in Stihl?

FS is short for ‘Freischneider’, which translates from German as ‘Line Trimmer’. All of the coding on Stihl products is from German translations.

What brand is comparable to Stihl?

Stihl is the world’s most famous garden power and cutting tool brand, but Husqvarna is a reputable alternative, with excellent attention to manufacturing detail and quality.

Both brands produce excellent tools which are often produced to similar specifications.

Do 2-stroke engines last longer than 4-stroke?

4-stroke engines tend to last longer than 2-stroke engines as they are less likely to suffer against tough obstacles. In whipper snippers, this can mean anything from stones and soil to long wet grass. 

Check out our guide to whipper snippering to learn how to use a whipper snipper correctly. 

What does the R mean in Stihl?

Stihl uses the code ‘R’ to label its products as ‘Rapid’. They have fast engines, but low torque, so are better for typically homes and gardens. Rapid Stihl products tend to be 2-Stroke engines.

What does C stand for in Stihl?

On all Stihl products, the ‘C’ refers to comfort, and will usually indicate anti-vibration features, or ergonomic handles for better balance. In whipper snippers, it can also refer to the handlebar type.

What does E stand for on Stihl products?

‘E’ is used by Stihl to indicate ‘Easy2Start, a trademarked feature of most of their modern engines, which start with spring pulls, or simple key and button motors.

What do Americans call a whipper snipper?

Americans call whipper snippers string trimmers or line trimmers or weed whackers. The tools are identical and often just rebranded versions of what we buy in Australia.

What handles are most comfortable on Stihl whipper snippers?

Bull horn handles or bike handles are the most comfortable handles for any whipper snipper, especially if you’re using them for prolonged periods. Stihl whipper snippers come with all sorts of handles, but the balance and control of their bike handle whipper snippers are second to none.