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When it comes to chainsaw manufacturers people can’t help but compare, with one of the most common comparison being Echo vs Husqvarna chainsaws. This is for good reason both are responsible for some of the best chainsaws over the past few years. This automatically makes people want to compare them so that they get the best chainsaw for their money.
I believe it is important to compare chainsaws that are on a similar playing field, otherwise it’s not a true comparison. So I won’t compare a professional level saw against a mid range chainsaw for example. I also wont be reviewing the professional level chainsaws because I feel that if you’re dealing with professional levels chainsaws you most likely have the experience behind you already. So I will be sticking with Husqvarnas and Echo mid range chainsaws that are suitable for the common household owners.
Buyers Guide For Echo Vs Husqvarna Chainsaws
No matter what way you go with these chainsaws, you’re sure to end up with a quality tool. But I know not everyone has hours to spend reading thousands of words for a review. So I made a table of the best of the best, to help save you time. If you’re interested you can read the full reviews below.
| Engine | Bar Size | Our Rating | Check Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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40.2cc | 18 Inches | 9.5 | Check Price On Amazon |
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40.9cc | 18 Inches | 9.5 | Check Price On Amazon |
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50.2cc | 20 Inches | 9.7 | Check Price On Amazon |
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59.8cc | 20 Inches | 9.9 | Check Price On Amazon |
Husqvarna Versus Echo
Since both Echo and Husqvarna have so many chainsaws in their respective catalogue, I wanted to narrow it down to 2 chainsaws from each brand. On the Husqvarna side I went with the Husqvarna 440 and the 450 Rancher model. Then with Echo I decided that the Echo cs 400 and the cs 590 respectively, were the best to compare. They were what I consider to be the more similar chainsaws in my opinion, especially when it comes to work output.
Where Are Echo Products Made?
This is a question that took a bit of research to get an actual answer to, since they manufacture in a few different countries. With certain products being made in China, and others in the USA, or Japan. With Echo grass trimmers and brush cutters being made in China, I was concerned that there saws would be as well.
Up until 2007 Echos chainsaw line was made in the US, afterwards there was a company merger. With their chainsaw line now being Made In Japan, which in my eyes is a really good thing. The Japanese make some of the finest products out there. Which has been proven to translate into their chainsaws as well.
Where Are Husqvarna Chainsaws Manufactured?
I really thought this was going to be a simple answer saying that they are manufactured in Sweden. While this is the case for some of their chainsaws, it isn’t for all. Some are also made in the US, which came as a bit of a surprise to me. But not a bad thing the US and Sweden do know a thing or two about chainsaws. So this does remove the worry of being made in China.
What About The Parts Inside?
This is more of a brief statement, that there aren’t many products that don’t have some part that is made in China in it. So if you’re worried about such things, you will never buy any product. I believe Echo, Husqvarna, and even Stihl have one or two parts that are made in China. The important part is where they’re manufactured. Since the US and Japan, have much higher standards in there manufacturing plants. Which is what matters most.
Echo CS 400 Vs Husqvarna 440
The Echo CS 400 and Husqvarna 440 are very similar chainsaws that don’t have a great deal separating them. With mostly it being the balance and overall feel of the chainsaw that is the biggest difference in my opinion.
This makes them excellent to compare since they’re so similar, with maybe just one thing being the deciding factor. With that in mind let’s get into the reviews which I will go over both individually, then will make my final opinion on the two chainsaws Echo CS 400 Vs Husqvarna 440, which one is the best?.
How Good Is The Echo CS 400
Echo CS 400 Chainsaw Review
The one thing about Echo is they know how to make a great chainsaw, and the CS 400 is a prime example of that. This particular model comes with a 40.2cc gas powered engine which provides plenty of power. This gives the 18 inch bar plenty of power to work with, and will help you get through quite a lot. Just as long as you remember what this chainsaw is designed for, and maintain it well. You will have a great tool for many years.
I do like that this chainsaws oiler is automatic which helps keep the chain lubricated. This is also adjustable so if you feel it’s not putting enough oil on, it can adjust it for me. While not the biggest feature, it’s something that I appreciate greatly. The chain it takes is a 3/8 chain which is pretty standard on most home owner chainsaws. Which does make it easy to replace when you need a new one.
How Easy Is The Echo CS 400 Chainsaw To Start
As most people know, starting a gas chainsaw can be difficult at times. No matter the chainsaw, this will happen and is to be expected. But I will say with the Echo CS 400 I only really had trouble starting it on the first start after assembling it. Tho they do mention this in the manufacturers guide that comes with it. Which even if you have 20 years experience with chainsaws, you should always read before operating a power tool like a chainsaw.
What I Like About The Echo Cs 400
- I really like the power of this thing, with just a bit of patience I was able to get through some hardwood oaks that were 25 inches in diameter. This is something I wouldn’t recommend all the time, but if you have a chain designed for that, it’s not as bad.
- Not having to worry about oiling the chain manually is a small pleasure in life, but it still makes cutting that bit easier which I will take any day.
- Apart from the initial difficult start, it has started easily almost every time afterwards. This is something my shoulder is thankful!
- It’s quite a light chainsaw weighing only around 12 or so pounds, so it is easy to carry and doesn’t cause much user fatigue. Because of it’s lightweight the Echo is a popular chainsaw for Women.
How Does The Husqvarna 440 Compare
Husqvarna 440 Chainsaw Review
I won’t lie I have always had a soft spot for Husqvarna chainsaws, however I’m not blind to their faults. I just like their balance and feel and that is what I got with the Husqvarna 440.
While the Husqvarna 440 chainsaw does weigh a bit more then the Echo Cs 400 above, it’s still considerably lightweight at 12.5 lbs. I found this didn’t make much difference while operating the 440. Especially when it came to user fatigue, I didn’t find myself any more fatigued even after cutting for a few hours.
Most Powerful Engine? Echo Or Husqvarna?
It does have a very slightly more powerful gas engine, coming in at 40.9cc. Which is only a little bit more power then the Echo, and makes only the tiniest of differences that’s barely noticeable. This model comes with an 18 inch bar, which is about right for this amount of power. Tho if you wanted you could swap it for a 20 inch bar and still be okay. So it does give you options if you want to customize it a bit.
One thing that I really like about this saw is that it does a bit by itself to help keep it clean. Then in turn making its engine last longer. This is due to the way Husqvarna designed it to keep the larger dust and debris away from the air filter.
They call it their Air Injection Centrifugal air cleaning system. This is really helpful when it comes to cleaning your saw after use, which you should always do.
A quick side note is that Husqvarna have made a slightly more updated 440, with the 440e. Which is very similar, but if you want to check it out you can find it on amazon here.
What I Like About The Husqvarna 440
- At first I wasn’t expecting a lot from the AIC air cleaning system, but it does make a difference when it comes time to clean your saw. This did end up saving me time when it came to cleaning, which impressed me greatly.
- When you combine that feature above, with their quick release air filter. It really does help speed up the maintenance on this chainsaw. Which is one of the least enjoyable parts about being a responsible chainsaw owner.
- This is another very easy to start chainsaw, it didn’t seem to matter if it was a hot or cold start, it started up very easily.
Which Is Better The Echo CS 400 Or Husqvarna 440
After using both of these chainsaws this became a much more difficult question to answer. I really like how easy it is to clean the Husqvarna, but I found the Echo started easier after the first start. They both cut through the same things, with the Husqvarna being just a fraction quicker.
For me it came down to the balance and feel of the chainsaw, and for me personally. It was the Husqvarna 440, that is really my personal preference. But in the end you can’t really go wrong with either of the two.
Husqvarna 450 Rancher vs Echo cs 590
These two chainsaws seem to get compared quite a bit, so I had to compare the two myself to find out which is truly king. I will say that the 450 Rancher is getting harder to find now, and Husqvarna have upgraded it to the 450e Rancher which is very similar. Which is what I decided was a slightly better comparison between the two. As with above I will first review the individual saws first, then come in with my final thoughts.
Is The Husqvarna 450E Rancher Any Good
There is a lot to like about the the 450e Rancher, it is perfect for people who own a fair bit of land. Who need to do a lot of cutting, and take down trees when they need to. Which is generally what the Rancher series is aimed at, and thankfully this model keeps with this trend. In this review I will be comparing the Husqvarna 450 Rancher Vs Echo CS 590 chainsaws.
The Rancher 450e Review
The Rancher 450e is quite a powerful gas chainsaw thanks to its powerful 50.2cc engine. This will allow it to handle almost anything the average home owner throws at it. It could also be a back up for a professional saw if absolutely needed.
With more powerful chainsaws, user fatigue starts to occur more frequently. Thankfully Husqvarna worked their magic when it came to this design. Which does actually help reduce the vibration while using the saw, which helps immensely with fatigue. If you’re use to lighter saws, it may take some getting use it. Since this does weigh around 14.5lbs when everything is attached.
Like the 440 above Husqvarna, the Rancher 450e has a lot of the same designs when it comes to help maintain this chainsaw. I’m becoming a fan of there AIC air cleaning system, anything that reduces maintenance is a blessing in my eyes. One thing I did notice with this chainsaw is that it didn’t seem to burn through as much gas compared to the Echo, as I would expect from a lot of other 50cc chainsaws. It does say that is what the X-torque engine does, and it does certainly make a difference.
What I Like About The 450E Rancher
- It’s low amount of vibration really makes using this chainsaw a much more enjoyable experience. I thought with the added weight it might make me more fatigued quicker, but the lower vibration does seem to help combat that.
- I feel the 20 inch bar that came with my model, is the perfect size for this chainsaw. You could put a 24 inch bar on, but you would lose some power overall. So I recommend keeping the 20 inch bar on it.
- It is a lot more fuel efficient then a lot of other similar powered chainsaws. Which is a plus if you have to cut for longer periods of time, since you use less gas. So less stopping, which means quicker cutting overall.
Echo CS 590 Versus The Husqvarna Rancher
Echo CS 590 Chainsaw Review
The Echo CS 590 is an incredible chainsaw, it’s the most powerful chainsaw on this list. This is thanks to its 59.8cc gas engine which easily dominates everything else in this Echo Vs Husqvarna comparison.
If you’ve got a ripping chain you could even mill with this chainsaw. If you know anything about milling, you will know it’s the toughest thing you can put your chainsaw through. With the CS 590 you can do that, so I hope that gives you a bit of an idea how tough this chainsaw is.
Comparing The Chainsaw Vibration
I was expecting there to be some serious user fatigue with this chainsaw, but to my surprise there really wasn’t. Echo have tried to minimize the vibration of this chainsaw and they have succeeded about as much as they possibly could.
Tho I will say this is a much heavier saw, but that is to be expected due to the powerful 59.8cc engine. Coming in closer to the 17 lbs mark when everything is attached, so this could be an issue for some. So you should keep that in mind.
One thing I did notice with this chainsaw is that it was harder to start when cold. Not with every pull, but it did happen enough to make it noticeable. However after the initial cold start there was no issues tho. In the warmth of the day it easily started up again. While this isn’t the biggest issue, it’s worth noting for all the early morning winter people. Since I know a lot of people prefer to have an easier starting chainsaw during the colder months.
What I Like About The Echo CS 590
- The power of this chainsaw is great, which does let you cut with peace of mind. Knowing that most likely you have enough power to cut what ever you throw at it. As I said this chainsaw can mill with a ripping chain!
- One of the bigger surprises to me was how quick it would cut through things. It out cut a Stihl MS 311 which is an amazing chainsaw itself. The bonus is the Echo is usually cheaper.
- Normally I wouldn’t recommend such a big saw to a beginner. But Echo has designed this chainsaw very intelligently, that it is easy to use. With the combination of the manufacturers guide and some common sense, I would happily let a beginner use this chainsaw provided they thoroughly read the user manual.
Which Is Truly Better Between The 450E Rancher And The Echo CS 590?
In my opinion I feel this is a bit of an unfair comparison. The Husqvarna 450E Rancher is a good chainsaw, but up against possible one of Echos best chainsaws it didn’t really stand a chance. The Echo CS 590 is just such an incredible chainsaw, that I couldn’t not recommend it.
I really like the balance and feel of the Husqvarna, but even there I feel the CS 590 is slightly better. So If you don’t mind spending that bit extra, I would recommend the Echo for sure!
What About The Other Chainsaw Options?
Husqvarana and Echo have so many different chainsaws on the market, that trying to compare them all is difficult. And not every chainsaw has a similar counterpart, which is something that also makes it difficult. But in my opinion I find it hard to go wrong with either of the two. Echo and Husqvarna are responsible for some of the finest saws on the market.
So if you do decide on getting a chainsaw, you can’t go wrong with either in my opinion. The more important question is if you have the right chainsaw for your jobs. There isn’t a lot of point in getting a 60cc, 24 inch beast of a chainsaw if your job is some light trimming. This is why it’s more important to work out. What you need to cut first, then research what chainsaw you need.
This is why I like these two particular brands, they have a lot of chainsaws designed to handle most jobs. This is something that I think Husqvarna edges Echo out on. Husqvarna have a lot more chainsaws on the market, and I’d be surprised if they don’t have a type of chainsaw you will need. Husqvarna have a larger resource pool, so it’s not the most unexpected result in my opinion.
Why Go With A Husqvarna
There are a lot of chainsaws on the market that are worthy of some of your hard earned. So why does Husqvarna deserve more then the others? There are a lot of great reasons to go with Husqvarna compared to other saws on the market. Especially the the amount of cheap Chinese chainsaws that are flooding the market at the moment.
Quality
This is easily one of the best reasons to go with a Husqvarna chainsaw. They’re made with some of the highest quality components on the market. Which will help in keeping your chainsaw alive.Tho this won’t fully stop it from having an issue, but that comes with any tool. No matter if it’s a Husky or a Stihl, a tool breaking down is going to happen.
Wide Range
With smaller companies, they can generally only offer a few products. Which won’t cover a wide audience. This won’t happen with Husqvarna, they have a wide variety of chainsaws to suit any need. Which is good for the casual user, to the most professional users. Some people can see this as a downside, but not me, I think this is a positive.
There is something to be said about a company that focuses on a few specific types of saws. Which is something I will go over for Echo.
Reliabilty
Starting a gas chainsaw can be a serious problem for some people, which is why I like reliability in my saws. Which I’ve found Husky saws to start a lot easier then a lot of other saws on the market. This is a big plus for a lot of people, especially for people who have shoulder issues. Not only do they start easier in my opinion, I find that they cut more reliable, and have far less issues then a lot of saws.
Why Go With Echo
Echo are an amazing company that make without a doubt some of the best chainsaws on the market. To me they run side by side with Husqvarna and Stihl, in my opinion. Which is why so many people do ask the question about Echo vs Husqvarna, and why I made this buyers guide.
Professional Quality
While Echo don’t have the wide variety like Stihl and Husqvarna, they make up for it with specialist level quality of tools. Since they’re not spread so wide, it gives Echo the chance to really specialize in what they make. Meaning they make some really excellent equipment, that’s hard to match.
Which I feel the reason that Husqvarna and Stihl can make the quality they do, is because of there resource pool. If it wasn’t for that resource pool, I’d wager that Echo would most likely be the market leaders.
Where They Are Manufactured
This is one of the biggest selling points for me, where something is manufactured is important to me. As I mentioned earlier Echo is made in Japan, who have a much higher standard of quality then most places. Which makes most of Echos chainsaws better then most of the competition.
Where To Buy These Chainsaws
Where you buy a chainsaw can be a difficult thing, there are a lot of options now days. Like a lot of people I use to go to big box stores and dealerships, which worked for a long time. Before the internet became such a big thing. Now it feels like the person there doesn’t know a thing about a chainsaw.
Now with the information so easily available a your finger tips. With plenty of other options out there now days, I really now prefer to buy online. Not to mention you can get it delivered, which makes life easier. So I like to shop online at Amazon, or the Home Depot.
My Final Thoughts On Echo Vs Husqvarna Chainsaws
Honestly they are both incredible chainsaws, but I feel Echo really went hard when they designed the CS 590. It’s easily one of the best chainsaws I have used recently, and is something I highly recommend to almost anyone. Especially if you need some tougher work done, such as milling.
But this doesn’t take away from Husqvarnas on this list, they are both great saws. If you want to see some other Husqvarnas click here and you can also find more Echo chainsaws on amazon.
At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either of these manufacturers. So I recommend to not be so narrow in brand loyalty, and try something different if you are up for the task.
