Description
Is the STIHL FSA 50 right for your garden?
The STIHL FSA 50 cordless grass trimmer is designed for homeowners who want a light, quiet and straightforward machine for maintaining lawn edges, borders and areas that a mower cannot reach.
It is particularly well suited to trimming around trees, fences, raised beds, paths, patios and garden furniture. The shaft and loop handle can be adjusted without tools, while the cutting head can be angled for awkward spaces or rotated through 90° for vertical lawn edging.
The FSA 50 is part of the STIHL AK System, allowing compatible batteries to be shared with other STIHL AK cordless garden tools.
Choose the FSA 50 when:
- You mainly need to trim maintained grass and tidy lawn edges.
- You have a small or medium home garden.
- Low weight, manoeuvrability and easy adjustment are priorities.
- You want cordless convenience without petrol, pull-starting or a trailing cable.
- You already own a compatible STIHL AK System battery and charger.
Choose a more powerful machine when:
- You regularly cut dense, coarse or neglected grass.
- You need to clear large areas rather than complete finishing work.
- You frequently encounter brambles, woody weeds or established scrub.
- You require a machine for prolonged professional use.
For more demanding domestic work, compare the STIHL FSA 60 R cordless strimmer or read our STIHL strimmer and brushcutter buying guide.
Choose your STIHL FSA 50 package
| Option | What is included? | Battery and charger | STIHL reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSA 50 tool only | FSA 50 grass trimmer with AutoCut C 3-2 mowing head | Not included | FA110115700 |
| FSA 50 complete kit | FSA 50 grass trimmer, AK 10 battery and AL 101 charger | Included | FA110115720 |
Select the tool-only option when you already own a compatible STIHL AK battery and charger. New STIHL cordless users will usually find the complete AK 10 and AL 101 kit the simplest way to get started.
You can also purchase the STIHL AK 10 battery and browse our STIHL battery chargers separately.
STIHL FSA 50 key features
90° lawn-edging position
The mowing head rotates through 90°, allowing the FSA 50 to be used vertically for creating tidy lawn edges beside paths, patios, beds and driveways.
Three adjustable cutting-head angles
The cutting head can be angled to suit different working positions. This makes it easier to trim beneath benches, around shrubs and across awkward or uneven areas.
Adjustable telescopic shaft and loop handle
The shaft length and soft-grip loop handle can be adjusted without tools, helping users of different heights find a more comfortable working position.
Variable-speed trigger
The variable-speed trigger lets you match the cutting speed to the task. Lower speeds provide greater control during detailed edging and can help make more efficient use of the battery.
AutoCut C 3-2 mowing head
The supplied STIHL AutoCut C 3-2 uses nylon mowing line for routine grass trimming. The line can be advanced by tapping the rotating mowing head against the ground, and the head can be refilled without specialist tools.
Compatible with the PolyCut 3-2
The FSA 50 can also be used with the optional STIHL PolyCut 3-2 mowing head and replaceable polymer blades. The PolyCut head is sold separately.
Flexible plant and obstacle spacer
The folding spacer helps keep the cutting attachment away from tree bark, plants, walls and garden objects, making detailed trimming easier to control.
Quiet cordless operation
The battery-powered motor eliminates petrol fumes, fuel mixing, pull-starting and trailing electrical cables. Its low-noise operation makes the FSA 50 particularly convenient for regular work in residential gardens.
STIHL FSA 50 battery runtime and charging
The compact STIHL AK 10 battery is the recommended battery for the FSA 50 and provides the best balance of low weight and useful domestic runtime.
| Battery | Maximum working time | Approximate area per charge |
|---|---|---|
| STIHL AK 10 | Up to 25 minutes | Up to approximately 125m² |
| STIHL AK 20 | Up to 50 minutes | Up to approximately 250m² |
| STIHL AK 30 S | Up to 60 minutes | Up to approximately 300m² |
Using the standard AL 101 charger, an AK 10 battery takes approximately 70 minutes to reach 80% charge and approximately 95 minutes to reach 100%.
Manufacturer working times and areas are maximum guide figures using the nylon mowing head. Actual performance varies with vegetation, cutting technique, battery condition, attachment and operating speed.
STIHL FSA 50 technical specifications
| Manufacturer | STIHL |
|---|---|
| Model | FSA 50 |
| Product type | Cordless grass trimmer and lawn edger |
| Battery system | STIHL AK System |
| Rated voltage | 36V |
| Maximum voltage | 40V |
| Mechanical power output | 0.30kW |
| Recommended battery | STIHL AK 10 |
| AK 10 capacity | 2.0Ah / 72Wh |
| Maximum runtime with AK 10 | Up to 25 minutes |
| Approximate area with AK 10 | Up to 125m² |
| Cutting width | 280mm |
| Standard mowing head | STIHL AutoCut C 3-2 |
| Optional mowing head | STIHL PolyCut 3-2, sold separately |
| Head adjustment | Three cutting angles and 90° edging position |
| Tool-only reference | FA110115700 |
| Complete-kit reference | FA110115720 |
STIHL FSA 50 vs STIHL FSA 60 R
| Feature | STIHL FSA 50 | STIHL FSA 60 R |
|---|---|---|
| Best suited to | Routine domestic trimming and precise lawn edging | More demanding domestic trimming and longer grass |
| Typical garden | Small to medium gardens | Medium gardens and more extensive boundaries |
| Handling priority | Low weight, adjustment and manoeuvrability | Greater cutting capacity and performance |
| Edging | Head rotates through 90° for vertical edging | Conventional loop-handle trimming layout |
| Recommended battery | AK 10 | AK 20 |
| Choose it when | You want a compact machine for maintained grass and finishing work | You regularly tackle longer grass or more demanding areas |
View the STIHL FSA 60 R cordless strimmer, browse all cordless strimmers or explore the complete STIHL strimmer and brushcutter range.
Why buy your STIHL FSA 50 from Masseys?
- Authorised STIHL dealer.
- Genuine STIHL machines, batteries, chargers and accessories.
- Practical help choosing between tool-only and complete-kit options.
- Advice on selecting the correct machine and battery for your garden.
- Established retail premises in Woodville, near Swadlincote.
- Local garden-machinery workshop and after-sales support.
Find out more about garden machinery servicing and repairs at Masseys.
STIHL FSA 50 frequently asked questions
Does the STIHL FSA 50 include a battery and charger?
It depends on the option selected. The tool-only FSA 50 does not include a battery or charger. The complete kit includes a STIHL AK 10 battery and AL 101 charger.
How long does the STIHL FSA 50 run for?
The recommended AK 10 battery provides up to 25 minutes of working time with the nylon mowing head. The AK 20 provides up to 50 minutes, while the AK 30 S provides up to 60 minutes. Actual runtime varies according to conditions and use.
Can the STIHL FSA 50 be used as a lawn edger?
Yes. The mowing head rotates through 90° so the machine can be used vertically beside paths, patios, driveways and flower beds.
Which cutting head is supplied?
The FSA 50 is supplied with the STIHL AutoCut C 3-2 nylon-line mowing head. It is also compatible with the optional PolyCut 3-2 polymer-blade head.
Is the STIHL FSA 50 suitable for brambles?
No. It is primarily intended for maintained grass, lawn edges and routine garden growth. Established brambles, woody vegetation and prolonged heavy clearance require a more powerful strimmer or brushcutter.
Can I use an existing STIHL battery?
You can use a compatible battery from the STIHL AK System. The compact AK 10 is recommended, but AK 20 and AK 30 S batteries can provide longer working times.
Is the STIHL FSA 50 suitable for a large garden?
It can be suitable where the actual trimming requirement is light. For extensive boundaries, longer grass or more demanding vegetation, the STIHL FSA 60 R or another higher-powered model will normally be more appropriate.
Related STIHL cordless garden machinery
- Browse the STIHL AK System range
- Browse STIHL cordless garden machinery
- Browse all cordless strimmers
- Browse STIHL strimmers and brushcutters
- Read the STIHL strimmer and brushcutter buying guide
Safe use
Read the supplied instruction manual before using the machine. Wear suitable eye protection, footwear and clothing, and inspect the working area for stones, wire and other objects that could be thrown by the cutting attachment. Check long grass and vegetation for hedgehogs and other wildlife before trimming.
