Which STIHL Battery Range is Best For You?

At STIHL, there are battery-powered tools for every task, so whether you’re a home gardener or a professional user, you’ll be sure to find the right tool for the job. We offer three different ranges of cordless power tools, but how do you know which range is the one for you? You don’t want to buy a domestic machine for a professional application! Take a look at our guide to make sure you invest in the right STIHL tools for you.

The AS System tools are compact, light and easy to handle. They are designed for quick and efficient garden maintenance at home.

We're always adding new tools to this range and there are some great products for garden challenges: 

• The GTA 26 garden pruner
• The ASA 20 powered secateurs
• The STIHL HSA 26 shrub and grass shears
• The HSA 30 and HSA 40 hedge trimmers
• The FSA 30 grass trimmer
• The SEA 20 vacuum
• The KOA 20 air compressor
• The RCA 20 handheld pressure washer
• The BGA 30 leaf blower

These products are powered by a replaceable AS 2 battery. This battery is charged using the AL 1 charger or ALS 31 fast charger. AS System tools have a slot for inserting the battery directly into the machine.

The AK System tools are impressive machines with a flexible range of applications for medium-sized and larger gardens. From mowing the lawn to cutting firewood, they are ideal if you want to tackle almost any type of job in your garden.

This range is expanding all the time and there are a wide range of cordless tools in this system:

• The MSA 60 C-B,  MSA 70 C-B and MSA 80 C-B chainsaws
• The KMA 80 R KombiEngine
• The HTA 50 pole pruner
• The BGA 50 and BGA 60 leaf blowers
• The SHA 56 leaf blower and vacuum shredder
• The FSA 50, FSA 60 R, FSA 70 R, FSA 80 and FSA 80 R battery-powered grass trimmers
• The HSA 50 and HSA 60 hedge trimmer and HLA 56 long-reach hedge trimmer
• Eleven different cordless lawn mowers with different features depending on what you need
• The RLA 240 lawn scarifier
• REA 60 and RCA 50 cordless pressure washers
• SEA 50 and SEA 60 cordless vacuum cleaner

These products are powered by one of three interchangeable AK batteries, either the AK 10, AK 20 or AK 30 S, which slot directly into the machines. The batteries are all the same size so are interchangeable in the machines although, with certain tools, we do recommend the higher capacity batteries in the range to get the full power. For example, you should always use the STIHL AK 30 S battery with the MSA 80 C-B chainsaw otherwise the performance will be reduced.

Some of our AK System machines are sold as a set with the battery and charger. In this case, buying the tools as a set is slightly cheaper than buying the items separately.  This is also true for our AK starter sets which include an AK 10, AK 20 or AK 30 S battery and an AL 101 standard charger, and are designed for first-time buyers of AK tools that do not come as a set.

When you buy any AK tool, it should always be clear whether they are being sold with a battery and charger, but if you aren’t sure, just ask. If you already have an AK battery and charger, you may just want to buy the tool only, and all of the tools in the range can be bought on their own.

Formerly known as the AP System, ALLPRO System tools are powerful battery-powered machines with long working times, outstanding handling and useful comfort features. This extensive system has a wide range of products with interchangeable batteries.

The STIHL ALLPRO System is the new generation of STIHL's established AP System. While the batteries have evolved to utilise the latest technology and deliver enhanced performance, the platform remains fully compatible, with AP and ALLPRO batteries working interchangeably across more than 80 cordless tools in the system.

ALLPRO System tools are suitable for professional users but are also useful if you have a large garden that you want to maintain yourself. If you are using STIHL ALLPRO System tools for professional work, you’ll receive 2 year’s professional warranty on your machine as well (subject to product registration and annual servicing).

These products are powered by interchangeable STIHL AP, ALLPRO or AR L backpack batteries. Compared to the previous generation of AP batteries, ALLPRO performance batteries offer more power, faster charging, and a longer service life, thanks to STIHL's innovative tabless cell technology.

The backpack batteries are designed to give the longest run times for professional use. All three types of batteries can be charged using the AL 301 or AL 501 fast chargers. And, for even faster charging, ALLPRO performance batteries can be charged to 80% in as little as 9 minutes when used with the STIHL AL 1802 MO high-speed charger.

ALLPRO System tools either have a slot for inserting the battery directly into the machine or a socket for a connecting cable that can be connected to an AP or ALLPRO battery in a battery belt, or to a backpack battery, which takes the battery's weight out of the tool.

ALLPRO System tools are sold without a battery or charger. These must be purchased separately. Each ALLPRO System tool has a recommended battery and charger which provides the best balance in the tool, but larger capacity batteries can still be used with them for longer working times.

We are continuously developing our battery technology and are launching both new battery tools and more intelligent batteries regularly. If you are thinking of investing in a battery system, you can be sure that STIHL battery tools can be relied on for years to come. For more advice on picking the right battery system, just speak to your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer.

Explore the ALLPRO System range