Stihl Battery Tools! Should I go Stihl AK series or AP series?

#Stihl #CarlsMower #AP #AK
Sometimes it's hard to choose which tool to go with, that's why our resident expert Josh is here to tell you the differences between the Stihl AK series and the Stihl AP series of battery tools. 🧰⁠
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The Stihl AK and AP series are the battery powered products in the Stihl line up. But what is the difference between the consumer (AK Series) and the the pro (AP)? 🛠️⁠

[@Carlsmower]

Thanks for watching! We're big advocates of shopping and supporting local if you're watching from a different area here's the dealer locator so you can support a local business too. www.stihlusa.com/locator/search/

[@leewagner942]

The AK system is great for the home gardener, even if you were to run an ak20 flat twice a week, every week, you'd expect it to last at least 5yrs. That's a lot of home gardening lol. OK in my book 👍🏼

[@Elfin4]

Also depends on what other tools you wish to buy on the same platform. I was told in June 2024 that lots of the AP grassmowers will now be discontinued and only top-end machines available for professionals or consumers. This forces the consumer who wishes to buy a slightly more robust machine down the AK route as there are more choices available in the AK mower range. What Stihl really needs to do though is discontinue the standard battery as charges can take over 2 hours which is just insane.

[@stefannordmann1647]

Great video! Didn't know about the different cycles and variable throttle in the AP system. Thanks for explaining!

[@Carlsmower]

Glad it was helpful!

[@navithefairy]

The AP series is just for professionals who use them everyday, while AK is more for the home gardner or occasional use in large gardens. (small gardens can use AI system) Kinda lame AK doesn't get the variable throttle, that's just a stihl choice and has nothing to do with the battery system.

[@pagodad8079]

Nah dude, homeowner who wants the best goes ap. They are with the price.

[@TheMasterMoto]

Thank you for explaining this. Very easy to understand. Thank you

[@Carlsmower]

Happy to help

[@paulniezabytowski7170]

Great explanation! Thanks!

[@morejulo]

Great explanation, thank you !

[@RedHeadForester]

Not the video I was searching for, but thanks for the useful information!

[@Carlsmower]

Well that’s always a bonus

[@Haigolig1]

Very informative, thanks!

[@Carlsmower]

Glad we could help. What series do you own?

[@huawei69]

Fantastic review !

[@mikecottrell7765]

Great video. Great comparisons for what I was looking for. I'd like to see a mower comparison.

[@danielduda1074]

Good video, thanks.

[@BobSmith-dm3vp]

awsome review!

[@jamestastic70]

Great video . Have both kinds each good for there job..

[@iridemotorbikes]

Good info!! 😎👍🏼

[@vincentgravel9916]

Hey I have an AK 30 battery 4.8 Ah and I heard there are new updated design AK 30 batteries with more power? How much more runtime can we expect from that latest version?

[@markmall7142]

Helpful information

[@nani8422]

Good presentation

[@Sodomorrah]

Hi! I would like to add that the variable throttle is also on at least one AK battery product. I own the FSA60R and this has the variable throttle (reason why I bought this). Maybe there are more products with this throttle? Thanks for the great video! Maybe add this information on it, so people are aware of this?

[@Carlsmower]

The FSA60 currently is the only one with a variable throttle, it came out after this video. There is word of a new blower with variable throttle in spring on 2022.

[@jmljml5065]

@@Carlsmower Any more word on the AK blower with variable speed control?

[@Carlsmower]

@@jmljml5065 haven’t had our hands on it yet. We will post as soon as we do.

[@kalindatchev994]

Thank you; I'm about to buy a new battery-operated trimmer and I'll probably go for this model! Variable throttle is really useful in trimmers at times.

[@markwoodfield2375]

The SHA 56 CORDLESS VACUUM SHREDDER has variable throttle

[@user-uj1pz4xy5d]

Very dependable

[@williemaykit7940]

Informative. Thank you. I will probably look at the AP series now. What is the weight difference between the 2 trimmers in the video with battery installed?

[@Carlsmower]

8.2 for the HSA56 and 8.6 for the HSA66

[@williemaykit7940]

@@Carlsmower Thank you!

[@fireballxl-5748]

No where near your area but I think your video is excellent. Needs more info but still (lol) is a good video. I'd buy from you.

[@Carlsmower]

I continue to try to add more information as I get products available so you can fully be in the know on the Stihl battery powered stuff

[@teamclarktrackfield]

I use my AL 101 to charge my AP 300. The charge time is long AF, but it’s a nice and slow charge, which is ok with me😎

[@Carlsmower]

Gives you a break 🤣

[@tmaddrummer]

Thanks and Blessings!

[@Carlsmower]

Well thank you. What direction are you doing?

[@tmaddrummer]

@@Carlsmower I first started out with a gas blower several years ago. I later decided to try the AK for a blower and really like it’s light and sufficient performance. Then I went with a pole hedge trimmer and it’s saved me a lot from having to hire someone. I just got the AP hedge trimmer and I should be trying it out sometime this week I hope. I really like Stihl battery tools and a Toro mower. I’m just an old homeowner and my Sweetie of 51 years has a beautiful yard so we spend, she more than I, a lot of time outside. It doesn’t take much to wear me down after having had 6 spinal surgeries with fusion. As long as we’re above ground, on we go Praise GOD!

[@sergiofabianschneider360]

Thanks. What’s the difference between the AP300, the AP 300 redesigned and the AP300S?

[@Carlsmower]

About 20% more power.

[@kniefi]

The AP300 uses 30 cells which are rated 2100mAh each so at 3,6 nominal voltage it gives you the 227Wh capacity. The AP 300s uses 30x 2600mAh Cells which will give you around 80Wh of Capacity... Source - Backside Sticker of the battery. Only bad thing with these systems - seems there is not way to replace cells - I'd love to be abler to remove my AP 300's cells and exchange them for some high-end Sony cells which have 3100mAh capacity... But I read they have "smart communication BMSs" and thus will not work after a cell swap... just a crappy way from Stihl to cash in extra Dollars by not allowing anybody else to offer batteries...

[@sergiofabianschneider360]

Thanks. What’s the difference between AP300, AP300 Redesign and AP300S?

[@Carlsmower]

1.5ah more out of the 300S

[@naterod4515]

Do you think variable triggers will come to the blowers in the AK series since the release of the FSA 60 R?

[@Carlsmower]

There is something we will see soon

[@franciscorios3833]

The bga60 has variable throttle. Ak battery

[@jmljml5065]

Any update on a variable speed AK-powered leaf blower?

[@Carlsmower]

Stay tuned

[@bertraminc9412]

Can we order the RG-KM rotary trimmer head in the USA please? Thank you! Also, if you are going to be making more videos, have the shop buy a RODE wireless microphone setup so we can hear you better. They are industry leading for online video microphones. Thank you!

[@Carlsmower]

The RG-KM should be in stock at your local dealer. Thanks for the input on the microphone I continue to work on this

[@koruki]

I’m heavily invested in the AP batteries and kit already. Don’t know why they had to go pop out an AK lol I ain’t buying more batteries

[@carlsmowerandsaw]

You have the right stuff!!

[@koruki]

@@carlsmowerandsaw wasn’t bothered til recently I wanted a dethatcher and Stihl offered it in AK battery

[@carlsmowerandsaw]

@@koruki I hear ya. I got a hope they come up with an AP series one of those also.

[@lindsaybrown7357]

You would hope that as new battery technology evolves, higher capacity batteries can be made available for these products without Stihl "re-designing" the battery so it doesn't fit the older tool. Battery tool manufacturers are renown for this so that you are forced to upgrade. Obsolescence by design.

[@Carlsmower]

With the AP series we have had the same “platform” for over 10 years. The batteries have improved as well as the tools themselves, and the batteries fit in all the machines.

[@lindsaybrown7357]

@@Carlsmower Yes, they could incorporate better motor and control technology without redesigning the look of the product.

[@Carlsmower]

@@lindsaybrown7357 and that’s what they’ve been doing. Let’s hope it continues. 😀

[@YourDadsBoyfriend]

Ha

[@sprytnyryszard]

AK series doesn't have any both hand trimmer (I don't know how to name it, but I think You know what I mean). So I decided to buy AP trimmer plus AP lawn mower. And it's fine, it's work great. But... now I want to buy Stihl battery lawn scarifier, and it's avalible only at AK series. So I need to buy additional battery because you can't use it interchangeably. It's good that you can use one charger, but I really don't want to have next battery :\

[@Carlsmower]

Maybe rent one this year. I’m betting we will see an AP scarifier soon.

[@sprytnyryszard]

@@Carlsmower I came to the same conclusion! Renting is much cheaper, especially that scarifying is rare activity. But having your gear is more convenient, so I'm waiting for AP scarifier from Stihl :)

[@jarrod1687]

Petrol is still the way to go, battery just isn't up to the task yet

[@JohnBeegPapaGardener]

I don't know about all this prissyfooting!

[@mattjames8683]

Ha ha so funny. Yeah what is with all the stupid acronyms. It is just unecessary.

[@ply17410]

Good info but get a microphone next time. Audio was horrible.

[@roberthoovan4130]

What about the backpack

[@fraudsarentfriends4717]

Battery operated is for California Compliance, nothing else If you live anywhere else gas is the better option. Batteries are not for occasional use by a typical homeowner. you won't get much use out of batteries if they sit around not being used much. If you want to go electric you are better off with corded electric.

[@rocketdogticker]

Let's be clear. Stihl having 5 battery platforms will be the death of them in the battery game. EGO is the winner

[@LL-mt2nz]

Having a dealer network is one major advantage for Stihl. I don’t want to call toll free numbers to service my equipment

[@carlsmowerandsaw]

The AP series and AK series are the main lines.

[@rocketdogticker]

@@carlsmowerandsaw what? Ak is consumer/residential. Ap is professional/commercial. As2 is the small line of hand products. Ai is the dumb integrated batteries nobody wants. AP has 2 series with backpack batteries and normal battery. The vast majority of the same batteries in the same series are not interchangeable. Even the Ak20 &30 can work in each other's units but they are not designed to. I'm a Stihl dealer and service center.

[@rocketdogticker]

@@LL-mt2nz oh yes, nothing better than waiting for months to a year for your part to come in.

[@carlsmowerandsaw]

@@rocketdogticker you are correct 100% The AS fills a niche, the AI is lame we haven’t sold one in years! I was simply saying the main two lines are the AK and AP. I do wish the would have stuck with one platform like Husqvarna.

[@Baltihunter]

Pointless on the hedge trimmers and chainsaws

[@mesaber86]

You need a mic on you because you cant be heard.

[@Carlsmower]

We were having some technical difficulties that day, sorry you we having sound issues.

[@stevealber9779]

I can hear u perfectly

[@fireballxl-5748]

I had no problems hearing him and i'm hearing impaired. You may be living in denial about the quality of your hearing ability.

[@mesaber86]

@@fireballxl-5748 yea well i dont boost my gain like you as you are hearing impaired. 0 dB is my "max"

[@fireballxl-5748]

@@mesaber86 Well the whole world should adjust to you I guess.

[@unknownpresident]

Can I can't I pussie foot around and not buy a sthil , yes you sell huskqvana s yay .

[@Carlsmower]

Husqvarna has some pretty awesome battery products. If only we could get them in.

[@MrDavidelliottjr]

No body cates about charge cycles. We care about how long it will run before dead. Period

[@Carlsmower]

Runtime is definitely an important part of the equation, but it is also important to know the life of the battery I generally don’t want to be buying a new battery every year or two or three.

[@fireballxl-5748]

You're not too bright are you? Charge cycles are the most obvious determination of quality of battery. Better to have a battery that needs charged twice a mowing session (or replaced to charger while another is inserted and used) than have a long running battery that dies after six charges in a season.