Which Stihl Kombi Motor Is The Best? Here's What Users Say

Major power tool brands are constantly innovating their products in ways that not just make them more powerful, but also more convenient and efficient for their users. For example, many tool brands now use proprietary power systems with interchangeable batteries and chargers, so you can spend more money on different tools and less on their power sources. Some brands are taking that efficiency even further by introducing modular tool systems that share a single motor and power head.

These systems, such as the Ryobi Expand-It attachment system, allow you to buy a single motor that's compatible with many tools. Instead of a tool shed filled with a chainsaw, hedge trimmer, and leaf blower, you can use a single power head with just the chainsaw bar, trimmer blade, and blower attachment, saving valuable space. The Stihl KombiSystem currently works with over a dozen compatible attachments. Most of this equipment is focused on landscaping and maintenance equipment, and includes a string trimmer, lawn edger, pole pruner, cultivator, power brush, and more.

There are several Stihl KombiSystem motors available, but you only need one to power the entire system. Which one you use will likely come down to whether you prefer gas- or battery-powered tools, though some models may be better than others. One way to determine which Stihl Kombi motor is the best option is by checking the user reviews of each product, as well as combing through tool forums such as those found on Reddit to see what people who've used them have to say. Here's a closer look at user feedback for Stihl's KombiSystem motors.

The general consensus is that the Stihl KM 131 R is your best bet for the KombiSystem, and for a very good reason — it's powerful. According to users, it can handle every single KombiSystem attachment. While Stihl's KombiSystem isn't likely to be powering behemoths like Stihl Zero-Turn Mowers — which are actually built by Briggs & Stratton – it does include some equipment that requires more power than a string trimmer.

You'll find redditors on r/Stihl describing it with terms like "beast" and "monster," such as the commenter who calls it "a ripper," adding, "I got in mainly for its ability to cut large weeds and run a brush blade. Two things it excels at for sure." A user on a different r/Stihl thread says that they are a "131 R owner that loves it! Definitely a workhorse and well worth the money." Some redditors put it very simply, saying things like "131 or none" and "131 without a doubt."

The Stihl KM 131 R is a 36.3 cc gas-powered motor with a 24 oz tank that can output 1.9 horsepower. Unlike many other brands, Stihl is not a part of a larger umbrella tool company or a house brand of a hardware retailer like Harbor Freight, and it's harder to find Stihl at places like Home Depot or Amazon than some other brands, but there are plenty of reviews on the company's own website, where nearly 550 customers have given the 131 a 4.6 out of 5 average user score, with its highest-scored attribute being its power.

Not all users find the Stihl KM 131 R to be perfect, and some say its weight is a big drawback. One redditor who calls the motor "a beast" says, "it's a tad heavy, and at 6'4" it gives my back a workout, so keep that in mind." In the same thread, a user who calls the 131 a "hotrod of a trimmer" notes that, "with the shoulder strap you don't notice the weight, which unless you're carrying it all day is negligible compared to the others."

In addition to being heavy, some say it's too powerful for some uses, with a commenter adding that they "think there is too much power at times for normal tasks but when brush cutting or string trimming anything tall or uncut, the power is welcome."

You can find similar sentiments from users who prefer other Stihl Kombi Motors, like the redditor on r/GardeningAustralia who wrote that they, "never needed more power than my 110. It runs the pole saw w/ extension, tiller, string trimmer, brush cutter, and blower just fine." On a r/Stihl thread, a user warns, "I wouldn't get the 131 if you're just trimming. The issue is, they have so much torque and not much throttle control. It's kinda no gas or all gas no brake. Can tear up flower beds and stuff real quick. I use my 91 R around beds and siding so I don't destroy anything. That 131 will cause some destruction if you aren't careful."