I have both of those saws. If the money is the same my vote is on the Stihl. My 026 is a 1990 and still runs good, never had to even adjust carb. The Echo is a good saw but cheaper built IMO. The Echo is two years old and I don't think it will make it as far as the Stihl.

Funny isn't it

Had a Stihl once and was never able to get it to run.Spent more on servicing the damn thing trying to get it to run than it cost. Finally ended up taking it all apart in frustration , dropping the pieces in a box and taking it to the dump.

Bought a Husqvarna and been happier than a kid in a candy shop with it. Based on those experiences I wouldn't recommend a Stihl let alone buy another one.

All recommendations you're gonna get are going to be based on personal experiences. It's simply a case of "you pays you money and takes your chances" though it's definitely worth getting other opinions to see which way the majority swing.

-1 for Stihl

Personally, I have Stihl everything. Saw, trimmer, and blower. I think they're all very well built, and my dealer took very good care of me on my purchases by going over the starting procedure on each and throwing in extra accessories and consumables with all my purchases. I haven't had to go back to him yet on anything. Went with one of the pro level straight shaft trimmer models. I read a lot of personal experiences with different brands on another commercial lawn care site and Stihl was a top contender in all categories. I will say there is a proper starting protocol with each and now and then I have to refer back to the manual to get it right or starting can be frustrating.

Out of those two, I'd go with the Stihl. Stihl is generally considered the best, with Husqvarna a close second, but Husqvarna models are often better than comparable Stihl ones. Echo is a lesser brand. I have a Husq 455 Rancher and it's a beast, very easy to start and use, minimal maintenance, and in five years of regular use on everything from cutting firewood to hewing beams with a Hud-son boardmaster attachment (cutting up to 16' at a time without letting off the throttle). Every time I walk away thinking, "Wow, that's a heck of a chainsaw." I've used a Stihl MS280 and wasn't impressed; wished I'd brought my 455.

I'am with larso 1, I also have nothing but Sthil tools, and i found you can't beat them. I have a 034 that i've hade for almost 20 years and still runs great. I burn wood so i use it all the time and it has'nt let me down. My father has a 026 that he bougth new several years ago and is still running strong. For my money, you can't beat Sthil

Interesting Thoughts and Personal Opinions . Having currently both Stihl and Husky Saws and having repaired and serviced numerous other saw Brands over 35+ yrs including Echo here's my 2 cents . The Stihl 026 is a Pro 50 cc Class Saw (actually just under 50 cc) probably late 90s or early 2000 vintage . The Echo is a 36 cc Prosumer Class Saw of much newer Vintage . Both Saws are quality units however depending on the usage ( Heavy Hardwood Cutting) the Stihl would be a better long term saw if in reasonable condition. The Echo will fell , limb and buck smaller hardwood and Birch , Cedar..etc very well . However it will not last as long under severe service conditions. Common sense dictates this . If you are not mechanically inclined with saw repair knowledge then go with the Echo , especially if your cutting will be homeowner limits only .

Note: Marine Guy , have owned previously a Rancher 450 and currently just bought a New 460 from a Buddy Dealer of mine for give away price for Xmas. Love the Saw even if it is only a Prosumer or Landowner Unit , and was surprised with the additional torgue within the incremental cc increase . You really cannot compare the 460 with the Smaller MS-280 Stihl not in the same league Performance Wise as you have indicated . My MS-361 is another Story and Class of Saw lol .

I rented an Echo chainsaw from Home Depot a few years ago and was not impressed. It didn't seem to have the power to cut through black walnut. I ended up getting a Stihl and it seems to work a lot better and more power. My father-in-law believes in Husq. He's had one for years now that is still running great.

sboric: All depends on the Echo vs Stihl Models . Have to ensure your comparing apples to Apples Bro lol .