The Husqvarna 320iB is a streamlined 40V cordless leaf blower designed for homeowners. The advantages of buying a high-quality battery powered leaf blower are worth the cost. Let’s be honest, gas blowers, although powerful, are noisy, polluting and require a lot of maintenance.
On the other hand, the Husqvarna 320iB and other battery blowers are quiet, lightweight and require no maintenance. In this article we review the Husqvarna 320iB (5.7 lbs) alongside other cordless blowers, and in the latter part of the article we discuss many important uses and facts that we think you’ll find useful.
Video | Husqvarna 320iB Blower | Battery Series by Husqvarna
If you’re still using a rake to clean up the leaves inside your garden it’s time to change. A simple rake might have served its purpose when there was a lack of alternatives, but now they’re wasting hours and hours of your life you’ll never get back.
Technology is taking over and leaf blowers like the Husqvarna 320iB are growing in popularity every year. It won’t be long until we forget what it was like to use old school gardening tools. Here are two huge reasons a rake can’t compete with leaf blowers.
Perfect for Homeowners : Husqvarna 320iB
Relatively quiet for a leaf blower, which means you can work anytime of day in a noise sensitive areas. Many cities and towns have noise restrictions and the quieter your leaf blower the better. The last thing you want it to have your neighbors annoyed by your early morning yard cleaning. The battery powered Husqvarna 320iB might even make your neighbors jealous. They might even want to borrow it. Who knows!
Battery-Powered vs Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers
Gas = More Power, but there are drawbacks — SENIX-BL4QL-L
You might be tempted to buy a gas-powered leaf blower because they do have their own unique benefits. For example, at this moment in time you’ll always find a more powerful leaf blower that runs on gasoline. We’re going to look at a few battery-powered models in a while, so first let’s look at why they reign supreme:
- You’ll Be Able To Hold The Leaf Blower For Longer
- It Won’t Damage The Environment Or Your Health
- They’ll Make Less Noise Than Gas-Powered Models
- You Won’t Have To Play Around With Gasoline
- It Will Be Ten Times Easier To Get Them Going
You’ll Be Able To Hold The Leaf Blower For Longer
If you want to work for an extended period of time it’s imperative you’re comfortable. You’ll want to give up the moment your leaf blower feels too heavy. It’s much more likely to happen when you own a gas-powered leaf blower.
They’re a lot heavier than their battery-powered competitors, which hardly weigh anything depending on the model. Something like the Husqvarna 320iB could be held all day and your arms wouldn’t start to get sore.
It Won’t Damage The Environment Or Your Health
When you’re running a gas-powered leaf blower it’s going to release toxic emissions. They’re going to end up in a couple of different places. Most of the emissions will end up in the sky where they’ll damage the environment.
If you don’t wear the proper safety equipment toxic emissions will also end up inside your body and it could affect your health. Thankfully battery-powered leaf blowers won’t give off any emissions because they run on electricity.
They’ll Make Less Noise Than Gas-Powered Models
Any power tool you buy should always be as quiet as possible. Leaf blowers that run on electricity will have a lower decibel rating than their gas-powered counterparts. Your ears will definitely thank you over the years.
Even when you’re wearing ear defenders you want it to be quiet as it will protect your hearing in the long run. When your leaf blower makes a lot less noise it will open up the places and times you’ll be able to use it too.
You Won’t Have To Play Around With Gasoline
Once you buy a gas-powered leaf blower you’ll need to ensure it’s always filled with gasoline. This will mean stopping in the middle of jobs to fill up the tank, which can easily get messy if you’re not careful.
You’ll need to keep the oil topped up too. Not only will you be required to top up your tanks, but you’ll also have to store the gasoline and oil. It’s a lot less hassle when you just need to charge a battery.
Gas blowers are powerful but loud & heavy | Husqvarna 125B
It Will Be Ten Times Easier To Get Them Going
When you use a leaf blower like the Husqvarna 320iB you won’t need to yank on a pull cord. Battery-powered models will start up when you press a button, which is a lot quicker and less stressful on your body.
Due to the fact cordless leaf blowers don’t release harmful emissions you can start them indoors too, which is ideal in winter when it’s cold outside. If you have a spare battery on charge it’s also easier to get them going again when they run out of power.
Husqvarna 320iB | 40V Leaf Blower
The Husqvarna Group is one of the biggest in the industry and some say they produce the best power tools in the world. The Husqvarna 320iB has been causing a storm lately, so we’re going to look at some of the features that make it so special.
Note: Includes a 40V battery and charger.
Features:
- Efficient brushless motor uses an innovative axial fan design that maximizes on air output and run time
- Up to 412 CFM of air volume at 103 MPH to clear heavy debris
- Slim design, low weight and ergonomic design gives a comfortable work experience
- Cruise control allows user to easily set the blower at the optimum RPM for each specific task
- Low noise levels enable longer working hours and the possibility to work in noise sensitive and restricted areas
- Battery fits all Husqvarna 40V handheld machines, which allows you to quickly switch the same battery between a trimmer, blower, chainsaw and hedge trimmer so you can keep working and is designed for demanding, long lasting use
- Ideal for confined spaces or noise restricted areas
- Air Speed : 120 mph
- Volume of Air Moved : 410 CFM
- Weight (lbs.) : 5.7
- 2-Year Warranty
If you intend on working for long periods of time then I recommend investing in an extra battery so one battery can charge while you work, allowing you to work as long as you want. The replacement battery is the Husqvarna BLi20 (40V battery); which fits all Husqvarna 100 Series cordless tools :
- Husqvarna 120i chainsaw (read our review)
- Husqvarna Dual-Blade Hedge Trimmer (115iHD55)
- Husqvarna 115iL String Trimmer
✓ View or download the MANUAL or the PARTS LIST for the Husqvarna 320iB leaf blower.
Overview | Husqvarna 320iB
It Has Enough Power To Clear Up Heavy Debris
The power of a leaf blower like the Husqvarna 320iB is based on two individual things. You’ve got a top speed of 103 MPH, which is where the air leaves the nozzle. It’s more than powerful enough to clean up heavy debris, as it’s the same wind speed as a category 2 hurricane (based on the Saffir-Simpson scale).
Even though the MPH (miles per hour) rating is extremely important, it’s the CFM (cubic feet per minute) that will benefit you the most. It relates to how much cubic feet of air volume leaves the nozzle per minute and on this model it sits at 412 CFM.
It’s Ergonomic In More Ways Than You Think
First of all, the biggest thing you’ll notice when you pick up the Husqvarna 320iB leaf blower is the weight. It’s only 5.7 pounds and it will feel like you’re holding nothing in your hands. You’ll be able to hold it non-stop without the need to take a break.
It’s also very thin and its handle is positioned perfectly to allow you to use it with either hand. The large trigger will let you control the flow of air easily even if you’re wearing gloves, plus the start/stop button can be reached without any problems.
Brushless Motor Has An Innovative Fan Design
Everything about the brushless motor inside the leaf blower delivers unbeatable value. Especially the innovative Husqvarna axial fan design, which aims to extend the runtime of the battery while increasing the power output at the same time. It’s also got more under the hood.
The high torque to weight ratio will offer you things like increased reliability in all conditions. It’s not just going to offer you reliability in the short term. The motor has been designed to last years and will give you more lifetime value than other models.
The Cruise Control Will Make Everything Simple
We’ve already mentioned the large trigger on the Husqvarna 320iB, but thanks to wonderful technology you won’t be using it all the time. That is because you’ll be able to switch on cruise control to make things a hundred times easier when carrying out certain tasks.
As soon as you know how much power you’ll need you can lock it into position and the leaf blower will do everything for you. This feature can stop you from blowing any objects away accidentally and it will extend the time you’ll be able to use the tool before switching batteries.
Can Be Used In Lots Of Different Environments
The decibel level at your ears will be 80 dB, which is about the same noise as a vacuum cleaner. It’s not the quietest power tool in the world, but it will still let you use it in sensitive residential environments. You’ll also be able to use it indoors at work on construction sites.
A huge part of the reason this is possible also has to do with the fact the Husqvarna 320iB is a cordless model with zero emissions. Even though the decibel level is quieter than gas-powered models, you’ll still have to wear ear protection at all times when it’s switched on.
It’s An Extremely Low Maintenance Power Tool
Once you start using your leaf blower the most you’ll need to think about is when to recharge the battery, which should be easy because they have an indicator on them. It has very few parts and none you would have to continuously fill up like on a gas-powered leaf blower.
It has an electronically controlled drive system, so it will last a long time before anything brakes down. Thanks to its cordless design the operating costs are next to nothing. If something does go wrong you get a 2-year warranty to fix any problems straight away.
Battery Will Work With Husqvarna 40V Max Tools
When you buy your first Husqvarna power tool you’ll eventually want to start stocking up on them. You will find tools that will deal with anything and they’ll change your life. Under normal circumstances, buying a collection of new power tools is usually expensive.
Husqvarna have tried their best to bring down the price by designing the 40V Max battery so it works with every tool in the lineup. You will only need a couple of batteries and once you’ve got them you can buy the rest of the tools separately on a case by case basis.
Learn more about Husqvarna leaf blowers by visiting the Husqvarna site.
More Options : Cordless Leaf blowers
The Husqvarna 320iB might be one of the best options out there, but it’s certainly not the only leaf blower available. That is why we’re going to look at a few features you’ll find in other fantastic models on offer from competing brands.
Please Note: Once again we’re only going to discuss a few key features, so click on the links if you want a lot more information about each model.
- BLACK+DECKER LSW60C | 60V Power Boost Leaf Blower
- DEWALT DCBL770X1 | 60V Battery Leaf Blower
- GreenWorks Pro GBL80300 | 80V Cordless Leaf Blower
BLACK+DECKER LSW60C | Cordless Leaf blower
60V Max Power Boost Leaf Blower
Features:
- Clear heavy debris with POWERBOOST – More Power with Push of a Button
- Powerful performance with an axial fan design delivers up to 400CFM
- Ergonomic handle design keeps you comfortable while you work
- Use the metal scraper to loosen stubborn debris, so nothing gets left behind
- Built-in state of charge indicator shows you how much battery power you have left at all times
- Air Speed : 100 mph
- Air Volume (cubic feet per minute) : 400 CFM
- System : 60V MAX*
- Weight : 9.7 lbs
Overview | BLACK+DECKER LSW60C
Charger Indicator To Help Speed Things Up
You Will Get An Extra Boost Of Power – The LSW60C leaf blower is already very powerful. It has a top speed of over 100 miles per hour, plus the axial fan is able to deliver 400 CFM to ensure it can handle heavy debris.
There might be times when you’re working and the power at your fingertips isn’t enough, which is why BLACK+DECKER came up with the Powerboost button. It works exactly like it sounds and one touch will give you more power instantly.
Video | See the BLACK+DECKER LSW60C in Action
It Comes With A Built-In Metal Scraper
When we were talking about cleaning up your garden it might have surprised you to find out a rake would still be required. After all, there is only so much you can do no matter how much air you throw at it when something doesn’t want to move.
When you start using this battery-powered leaf blower you will be able to keep the rake in your shed. The nozzle has a built-in metal scraper, which will ensure you can scrape up any tough leaves that don’t want to go anywhere.
Premium Micro Texture Soft Grip Handle
Your comfort level is paramount when you’re holding a leaf blower because it takes more than 10 minutes to clean up a garden. The premium micro texture soft grip handle will feel amazing sitting in either hand.
It will also give you extra grip in case it’s not 100 percent dry outside. The shape of the BLACK+DECKER LSW60C is designed to be as ergonomic as possible, plus the weight of the tool comes in at 9.7 pounds.
Charger Indicator To Help Speed Things Up
The 60V Max battery on this leaf blower is going to last a long time, but it will eventually run out. You don’t want it to die if you’re not close to home or you don’t have a spare battery in the charger ready to go.
The charger indicator on your battery will always remind you how long you’ve got left. It’s rather noticeable and you won’t be able to miss it. Although this feature seems simple it will save you lots of time.
DEWALT DCBL770X1 FlexVolt | 60V Leaf Blower
Features:
- Powers through debris at up to 423 CFM of air volume at 129 MPH
- Flat concentrator nozzle increases air speeds to 175 MPH to power through stubborn debris
- High-efficiency brushless motor maximizes run time and motor life
- Variable speed trigger and speed lock for total power control
- Lightweight and ergonomic design maximizes control and minimizes stress on your arm
- Designed to withstand everyday heavy-duty usage
Overview | DEWALT DCBL770X1 FLEXVOLT
It Won’t Make A Lot Of Noise When Operational – The last time we looked at the noise of a leaf blower the Husqvarna 320iB was 80 decibels, but the DEWALT DCBL770X1 is only 69 decibels which is a huge difference.
If you know the way decibel ratings work it’s less than half as loud. To put it into perspective, 69 dB is about the same as general city traffic. You should still always wear your ear defenders to safeguard your hearing.
Video | DEWALT DCBL770X1 FLEXVOLT
Uses A Flat Concentrator Nozzle For Extra Speed – When you look at this DEWALT cordless leaf blower it’s already the most powerful one so far. It has the ability to produce 423 CFM of air volume at 129 miles per hour.
Thanks to the flat concentrator nozzle on the end of the leaf blower you can bump the top speed up to a category 5 hurricane. It’s hard to imagine stubborn debris staying still when the air is flowing at 175 MPH.
The Variable Speed Trigger Helps Out A Lot – Holding your finger over a trigger to ensure a steady flow of air isn’t fun. It’s probably why DEWALT added a variable speed trigger, which makes things a lot simpler.
As soon as you’ve found the right amount of power you need it’s possible to lock it into position. You never know when the task your working on will change, but the speed lock will let you flick between options in seconds.
It Is Designed To Withstand Heavy-Duty Usage – DEWALT is also one of the biggest power tool manufacturers in the world. It’s the reason you’ll find their tools on worksites wherever you go, which means they need a little extra.
When DEWALT sells a power tool you know it’s built for heavy-duty usage. This will extend the life of your DCBL770X1 leaf blower if you only use it at home, because it’s designed to take a lot of bumps over the years.
Tech Specs (DEWALT DCBL770X1 FLEXVOLT):
- Air Speed (Flat Concentrator) : 175 mph
- Air Speed (Round Nozzle): 129 mph
- Air Volume (Flat Concentrator) : 287 CFM
- Air Volume (Round Nozzle) : 423 CFM
- Noise Rating : 67 dB
- Weight : 9.8 lbs
GreenWorks Pro GBL80300 | 80V Leaf Blower
Features:
- Up to 70 minutes runtime on low speed with fully charged 2Ah battery
- Equivalent to 32cc gas engine blower
- Digital controlled brushless motor for more torque, longer run-time, quiet operation, and longer life
- Up to 500 CFM of air flow makes blowing through dry/wet leaves and debris a breeze
- 3-speed selection with a variable speed trigger delivers on-demand power for up to 125 MPH of wind speed
- Air Speed : 125 mph
- Air Volume : 500 CFM
- Trigger Speed : 3 Speed
- Cruise Control
- Turbo Button : Yes
✓ View or download the MANUAL for the GreenWorks Pro GBL80300.
Two Models:
- Model 1 : GreenWorks Pro GBL80300 : Includes battery and charger
- Model 2 : GreenWorks Pro GBL80320 : Blower only
Overview | GreenWorks Pro GBL80300 80V Blower
Over An Hour Of Runtime On One Charge – Nearly every battery-powered leaf blower will always have one particular drawback. It’s the length of time you’ll be able to operate it before it’s time to switch batteries.
That won’t be much of a problem if you make sure your battery is fully charged before you turn it on. A full battery will allow you to use this GreenWorks Pro leaf blower for around 70 minutes until it runs out of steam.
An Enormous Amount Of Power Available – When you see the numbers this leaf blower puts out it will blow you away. It has a max of 500 CFM and 125 MPH, which are numbers you’ll not often see in cordless models.
Video | GreenWorks Pro GBL80300 Leaf Blower
In fact, the company claim their leaf blower is capable of producing as much power as a 32cc gas-powered engine. Whether or not it’s 100 percent accurate is debatable, but there is no denying its power.
It’s Quieter Than All The Other Models – We’ve already mentioned how lowering the decibel level from 80 dB to 69 dB halves the noise. We can do it again because the GreenWorks Pro GBL80300 measures only 60 decibels.
60 dB is the noise level you’d expect to hear when you are having a conversation, so can you imagine how quiet the leaf blower must be? There is absolutely no way your neighbors will be able to complain when you’re clearing up the garden.
It Has Lots Of Very Convenient Features – The GreenWorks Pro GBL80300 has a bundle of convenient features you want in a leaf blower. It only weighs 8.2 pounds, which is less than a gallon of milk.
The tool is always ready for action in seconds because it will turn on at the touch of a button. You don’t need to mess around with things like oil, plus it’s so convenient you don’t need to carry out any maintenance on it.
Two Reasons Why You’ll Need A Leaf Blower
Reaching Into Very Tight Spaces
We’ll begin by talking about tight spaces because rakes absolutely useless. When leaves fall from the trees they’re definitely not going to land in a neat pile in the middle of your garden. Half of them might get stuck behind shrubs and flowers.
It’s not exactly the kind of place where your rake can go, so you’ll have to deal with these leaves by hand. If you have a leaf blower like the Husqvarna 320iB it’s a completely different story. You’ll be able to blow all of the leaves out in seconds without damaging anything.
Gathering The Bulk Of Your Leaves
This is where most people will enjoy using their Husqvarna 320iB or other leaf blower, because it’s the biggest job you’ll face every year. If you take advantage of technology you’ll be able to finish the task quicker, plus it also won’t resemble tough manual work in any way whatsoever.
All you’ll need to do is stand with a leaf blower in your hand and the air will do everything for you. It will take you a few tries to learn how to do everything properly, but you’ll get the hang of it soon enough. Let’s look at a few tips that you’ll find invaluable.
Another Great Cordless Leaf Blower | Oregon BL300 (40V)
Key Tips When Gathering Up The Fallen Leaves:
- Focusing On A Specific Area Of Your Garden
- Don’t Pay Attention To The Small Details
- Always Ask For Help Moving The Tarp Around
- Plan In Advance What To Do With The Leaves
- Aim To Finish In The Middle Of Your Garden
Focusing On A Specific Area Of Your Garden
Before you get started you’ll need a tarp in order to collect the leaves, but you’ve also got to know where to put it. If you start attacking all areas of your garden it will turn into a nightmare. The easiest thing to do is focus on one corner at a time.
Once you’ve taken care of a corner you can move onto the next one. If you’re doing everything right it shouldn’t take you long to make your way around. You might want to use a less complicated method if you only have a small garden, but hitting the corners first works.
Don’t Pay Attention To The Small Details
Remember why you’re using a battery-powered leaf blower like the Husqvarna 320iB in the first place. It’s so you can save hours of your time, which doesn’t always work out that way for everyone. The main reason they shoot themselves in the foot is because of perfectionism.
When you’re blowing a huge pile of loose leaves onto a tarp you can’t concern yourself with a few you’ve missed. If you keep doing it non-stop you’ll end up doubling your hours. You’ll still be able to get all those leaves you miss at the very end even if you need to use a rake.
Always Ask For Help Moving The Tarp Around
You can clean the leaves in your garden on your own, but ask for help when it’s time to move the tarp. This also includes those times when it’s not full and you’re moving it to another corner of your garden. You should only ignore this advice when it’s obviously extremely light.
It’s guaranteed you’ll be surprised by how heavy the tarp can get when there are lots of leaves lying on top of it. This is especially true when the leaves are anything other than bone dry. It’s not worth damaging your back and being unable to function properly for weeks.
Plan In Advance What To Do With The Leaves
If you do any kind of gardening you’ll want to toss the leaves into a compost heap. After you’ve finished an area of your garden drag the tarp over to your compost heap and work your magic. You can also dump them in an area close by so you can deal with everything later in the day.
Even those who don’t have a compost heap might realize now is a good time to build one, but there are other things you can do with the leaves too. Maybe you just want to bag and dump them, which means you should have the necessary bags on standby.
Turn your leaves into mulch | Tazz K33
Aim To Finish In The Middle Of Your Garden
Like we said earlier on, if you have a large garden you should always start at a corner and work your way around. Your main aim should be to finish with the tarp in the middle of your garden before you call it quits. It will ensure you get rid of as many leaves as possible.
Once it’s sitting in position you’ll be able to walk around taking care of all those leaves you missed. One quick sweep around the garden and you’ll be ready to call it a day. You might need to finish the last few touches with a rake, but your garden will be spotless.
Other Uses For Your Leaf Blower
So far we’ve only concentrated on leaves, but you can still use a leaf blower like the Husqvarna 320iB for other jobs around your home. It’s important to know what they are in case you don’t want to spend money on a power tool that will only allow you to do one thing.
Common leaf blower tasks :
- Safeguarding The Cleanliness Of Your Driveway
- Stopping Your Car Paint From Chipping Away
- Getting Rid Of Light Layers Of Snow In Winter
- Preventing Your Windshield From Streaking
- Tackling All The Dust Stuck In Your Air Vents
- Clearing Out Debris Stuck In Your Guttering
Safeguarding The Cleanliness Of Your Driveway
What happens when you have grass clippings on your driveway and dirt on your patio? It won’t take long until you start walking on top of them and staining the surfaces, which will be hard to scrub clean in the long run.
You could prevent that from happening in the first place if you owned a Husqvarna 320iB leaf blower. Grab it from your garage and quickly blow the grass and dirt away so there is nothing to squish into the ground.
Stopping Your Car Paint From Chipping Away
This problem is similar to the last one we talked about, but it’s going to cost you a lot more money to fix. Instead of hiring a power washer for a day you’ll need to take your car into the garage to be touched up.
Small stones will eventually settle on your driveway and you’ll begin to kick them against your car without even thinking about it. If you want an easier way to clear them away than a brush you should use a leaf blower.
Getting Rid Of Light Layers Of Snow In Winter
If you want to get rid of snow property in winter you’ll need a snow blower, but it doesn’t mean something like the Husqvarna 320iB won’t be able to help out a little. Any power tool that blows air with enough force will clear snow.
You’ll just be limited to tackling light snow in a few areas of your garden where it could become dangerous. You will be able to clear it from your windshield too, so it’s another job you won’t have to do manually.
Preventing Your Windshield From Streaking
We’ve just talked about blowing the snow off your car windshield, but the air pressure will be able to rid the glass of water too. Also, you’ll be able to walk around your home blasting the water away from windows should you want to do so.
When you don’t clean up any fresh water straight away your windows will end up streaked and you’ll have a hard time seeing out of them. The streaks won’t take long to clean up, but it’s sometimes worth avoiding them to begin with.
Tackling All The Dust Stuck In Your Air Vents
Have you ever used the cans that allow you to spray air into a computer keyboard to clean out the dust? A leaf blower is too powerful for small jobs, but it will let you blast away the dust from bigger air vents around your home.
If you don’t remove the dust on a regular basis it’s going to bite you in the wallet. For example, it will take more energy than usual to heat your house if the air isn’t allowed to flow freely because everything will need to work harder.
Clearing Out Debris Stuck In Your Guttering
There is a possibility there will be leaves in your gutters, but there will be a lot of other debris too. Anything that falls into the guttering increases the likelihood of a blockage which will prevent water from draining away.
This is something you want to avoid at all costs if you live anywhere it’s going to get cold. When the water freezes they’ll collapse because they’re so heavy, but the Husqvarna 320iB will help you remove blockages.
Husqvarna 320iB | Cordless Leaf Blower
You’ll be blown away the first time you take your Husqvarna 320iB out to tackle your garden leaves. It will change the way you think about battery-powered tools. They’ll make life a lot easier for you, which is what we all really want.
If you need more convincing you should read the reviews on Amazon from past customers. They’re unbiased and will help you figure out which leaf blower is right for you, because they’re all special in their own unique way.
