2024 Update – Husqvarna 350BT Review vs 360BT / New Blowers

Welcome to our Husqvarna 350BT Review, and comparison with other gas leaf blowers from leading brands. The 350BT has been one of the bestselling gas leaf blowers for years; and for good reason. It’s unapologetic at what does — blowing leaves, dust and other yard debris, quickly and efficiently. And yes, it’s loud, but generating 180 mph winds in the palm of your hand requires a lot of mechanical energy. Hearing protection is a must.

The market has changed over the past year with competitive brands offering excellent alternatives to entice Husqvarna die-hard. In addition, battery-powered leaf blowers have evolved, with powerful new models that might surprise you. We explore the current state of the market in 2023.

Love ’em or Hate ’em, We Need Backpack Blowers / 2024

As I’ve alluded to already, they are deafening and quite annoying because of the constant high pitched whine that makes you want to rip your hair out, even from a distance. But despite what most people think, leaf blowers weren’t invented as a form of sonic warfare or to annoy your neighbors. They are probably the quintessential gardening and lawn care tool, going hand in hand with hedge trimmers. You thin down your hedges and shrubs with the hedge trimmer, then you blow all the fallen leaves and twigs into a large pile with the leaf blower.

Best Value Gas Backpack Leaf Blower

Red Max EBZ8550RH / Ultra-Powerful & Affordable — 75.6cc / 206 MPH / 1077 CFM

And if you have more than a few trees in your yard, you’ll quickly discover that manually clearing the fallen leaves with a rake is way too time consuming and extremely stressful on your body. Especially if you have joint problems or recently had a surgery on your back. Besides, leaf blowers are pretty much the only realistic choice you have if you need to maintain a property that is larger than one quarter of an acre. Blowers are multifunctional too, capable of doing tasks that are impossible with rakes. For instance, you can use your leaf blower to clean up rocky hardscapes and gutters, or even to dry your car faster after a wash.

Excellent Value: ECHO Backpack Blower / 9010-T— 220 mph

So if you don’t want to waste 2 hours every weekend painstakingly raking leaves off the driveway and patio, we recommend you invest in a nice leaf blower. They come in 3 styles- handheld, backpack, and wheeled. As for the power source, leaf blowers can be corded electric, cordless electric, or gas powered.

Which one should you go for? And how much power is right for you? Do you want to focus on the CFM or MPH when purchasing a leaf blower? And is it worth getting a model which also has a vacuum + mulch mode? We answer all these questions and much more in our article, so stick around till the end.

We are going to start things off with the Husqvarna 350BT review, followed by a brief overview of the more powerful 360BT to help you compare the two of them and decide which one is more suited to your needs. Backpack leaf blowers offer the perfect balance of power and comfort. They pack larger impellers and engines compared to handheld models but are also easier to work with if you have large properties.

Despite their heavier weight compared to handheld blowers, backpack units put most of the weight on your back and shoulders where you don’t feel it as much even after an hour of walking around. The ventilated harness and integrated chest straps do a fine job of keeping you comfortable.

Husqvarna 350BT — How does it differ from the 150BT?

Husqvarna 350BT vs 150BT (Read our indepth comparison)

An entry level commercial grade backpack style leaf blower with the power to clear leaves and twigs from up to one acre of property within an hour. It bears many similarities to the Husqvarna 150BT, in fact many people would argue that this is simply a rebranded 150BT. And if you take a look at the official spec sheets for both blowers, you would probably agree.

Both have the same engine type, displacement, power rating, weight, fuel tank size, and feature set. However, the 350BT is a different machine intended to provide higher CFM for when you have a larger area to cover as opposed to the 150BT which has superior air speed for blowing heavier debris like wet leaves and thick twigs. It also comes with several quality of life improvements which we discuss below —

Husqvarna 150BT — Best Light-Duty Backpack Blower

Not as ergonomic or powerful as the Husqvarna 350BT

The engine and impeller are the exact same between the two, but the main area where they differ is the tube — the 350BT lacks an extra section in the pipe which constricts the nozzle size in the 150BT. Due to its larger round shaped nozzle the 350BT blows a higher volume of air but at a lower velocity. So it can move more substance in a larger area but doesn’t have the focused air pressure of the 150BT. The 150BT is probably better for clearing out stubborn debris stuck in between the tiles of your driveway while the 350BT does a better job of blowing away light grass clippings and dry leaves from a large, somewhat open and obstacle free lawn.

EGO / Best Cordless Backpack Blower (30x Quieter)

EGO Power+ LB6000 / 56V – Powerful design

Feature Highlights:

OVERVIEW / EGO 56V Backpack Blower

Battery-powered backpack blowers are growing up fast, with some models able to be more effective than gas blowers. For starters, they’re significantly quieter, with this EGO being up to 30x quieter. This is key difference and you’ll win over your neighbors if you decide to go this route.

The obvious drawback is the limited battery life. Unlike gas backpack blowers which can run all day if necessary, with this 56V EGO, you’ll be out of battery within about 45 minutes, depending on what amperage battery you get. If you get the 12Ah battery you’ll have close to two hours of run-time. Unfortunately, batteries are expensive.

This is not the right option for everyone, but if you have a small yard, and don’t require heavy-duty air speed, this might be a good alternative to consider. The difference is not that big with the 350BT able to reach air speeds up to 180 mph, whereas the EGO 56V can blow air at 145 mph. That’s pretty darn good.

Husqvarna 350BT Review

Best in class (and value) backpack leaf blower. You won’t find a better equipped blower for the money.

Overall, this is a very good buy. Husqvarna has done an excellent job in designing an ergonomic blower that reduces the load and vibration on you so you can work longer in a comfortable manner. Ultimately, you benefit from their technology. If you spend a lot of time using a leaf blower of any type then I recommend spending the extra money on well-equipped model designed to protect you while you work. The Makita EB7660TH is another great option; with a 4-stroke engine, which has many benefits.

Features :

• X-Torq engine design reduces harmful exhaust emissions by up to 60% and increases fuel efficiency by up to 20%.
• Air Purge : Removes air from carburetor and fuel system for easy starting.
• Utilize full blow force with minimal arm strain : The offset handle makes the blow forces easier to control by preventing the arm from being pulled downwards
• Adjustable handles for superior comfort.
• Anti-Vibration : Dampeners between the engine and chassis effectively reduce vibrations.
• Ergonomic harness system : Padded harness and hip-belt is shaped to fit the contours of the operator
• Cruise control : Fan speed can be set for easier handling.
• High blowing capacity : The powerful and easy to start X-Torq engine in combination with efficient fan design delivers high air speed and air flow.
• Ergonomic handle : The handle can be adjusted to fit the operator and has rubber inserts for a comfortable grip.

✓ View or download the MANUAL for the Husqvarna 350BT.

The X-Torq Engine:

Husqvarna introduced a new type of stratified scavenging system in the form of their brand new X-Torq series of small 2 stroke motors. The goal was to match 4-stroke levels of efficiency and emissions while maintaining the compact and lightweight nature of a 2 stroke engine. X- Torq uses a secondary butterfly valve in the carburetor along with modified intake ports to squeeze in a charge of fresh air right at the end of the power stroke as the burnt fuel air mix is leaving and the fresh mix is entering from the crankcase.

This charge of fresh air increases scavenging efficiency by preventing fresh fuel air vapors from escaping alongside the outgoing gases. It also introduces a blast of oxygen which helps unburnt fuel particles combust before they exit outside through the muffler. This improves emissions ratings and helps save the environment. X-Torq engines are more fuel efficient so your blower will run longer on the same tank of fuel, and they also produce more torque at lower RPMs which increases the effective power band of the engine for superior airflow performance and better throttle response.

Offset adjustable handles

This is a feature introduced in the 350BT which was absent from the 150BT. It takes the handle away from the top of the tube, and places it to the right side with the mounting point slightly underneath the tube so you get a better grip and your hand doesn’t have to work as hard to steer the direction of the airflow. You can also adjust the angle of the handle by loosening a screw on the bottom, based on your preferred grip style.

If you’re a left-handed operator, check out the Husqvarna 350BF which is basically a 350BT with a frame mounted throttle (on the backpack instead of the tube). So the controls are located on the left side, which makes it easier for you to operate as a left-handed person. The 350BF requires additional linkage to attach the throttle control with the blower tube, which results in an increased weight of 22.91 lbs. vs 22.5lbs for the 350BT.

VIDEO | Features Overview of the 350BT blower

LowVib shock dampening

Also known as ‘anti-vibration’ system. LowVib is Husqvarna’s proprietary technology & name.

Husqvarna’s vibration dampening system uses a combination of springs and rubber mounts around the engine to attenuate vibrations before they reach the frame. And on top of that, there is cushioning between the frame and your back which further helps with preventing vibration transfer. The equivalent vibration level for the 350BT is just 2.2m/s² which is completely within specified limits. The maximum exposure after which you need to take immediate protective actions is 5m/s² over an average work period of 8hrs daily.

Weight and maneuverability

The 350BT scores really high in this category, with a combination of its excellent harness design and relatively low dry weight of just 22.5 lbs. The harness consists of 2 shoulder straps and a belt which can all be adjusted based on your physique and personal preferences. The straps are adequately cushioned and made from breathable material to guarantee proper ventilation when you’re out working under the sun. The elbow and blower tube are extremely easy to control thanks to the offset handle. And you have a cruise control switch, so you don’t have to constantly keep your finger on the throttle. This comes in handy while blowing leaves on large properties (0.5 acres and above).

Noise and fuel consumption

It is no secret that leaf blowers are some of the noisiest power tools in existence, almost as noisy as chainsaws. But many people find the noise from a leaf blower more annoying than even a chainsaw, mainly because noise as perceived by the human ear can be more or less irritating based on the frequencies of sound it contains. Leaf blowers in particular produce a shrill, high pitched whine which is very painful to your ears even from a distance of 20 feet or more.

Normally the sound level calculations are done from 2 spots — at the operator’s ear, or from a distance of 50 feet. This method is somewhat standardized across the industry.  The 360BT produces a whopping 97 dB of sound pressure at the operator’s ear, while the 360BF is slightly quieter at 94 dB. For reference, 90 dB is the sound made by a food blender at a distance of 3 feet and 80 dB is the sound made by a diesel truck doing 50 mph almost 50 ft. away from you. A jet flying 1000 ft. above you makes 110 dB of noise, similar to front row at a rock concert. Constant exposure to noise levels above 75 decibels is extremely annoying, and 8+ hrs. of exposure to more than 85 decibels of noise at close range may hurt your ears. Always wear hearing protection, gloves, boots, and goggles while operating a leaf blower.

Fuel consumption for the Husqvarna 350BT is much lower than competing gas models in the 50cc range from other companies, thanks to the X-Torq engine. Couple that with the generously sized 42.27 fluid oz. (or 1.25 liter) gas tank, and you have a leaf blower which can blow leaves off the driveway, patio, and hedgerow before you have to refuel it. We calculated the fuel efficiency in liters per hour using the following method :

• The 350BT has a fuel consumption rate of 455g/kWh or 0.455kg/ kWh
• Density of gasoline is around 0.77kg/L, so 1 kg of gasoline should have a volume of 1/0.77= 1.298liters/kg
• The 350BT engine generates 2.1 hp which translates to 1.565kW

Multiplying it all, 0.455kg/kWh x 1.298 liters/kg x 1.565kW = 0.924 liters consumed per hour of operation. So you should easily get an hour of use from the 1.25 liter gas tank. This is an approximation as in real life you mix oil with gas in a 50:1 ratio and you aren’t constantly going full blast on the throttle.

How the Husqvarna 350BT performs?

Despite the slightly lower air speed of 180mph at the nozzle compared to 215mph for the 150BT, the superior CFM (air volume) rating of the 350BT allows it to clear huge areas of leaves in less time. It has a great starter system and coupled with the excellent carburetor and primer bulb you will be able to get this blower started within 2 pulls of the cord, even in winter. It can easily blow giant piles of thick oak leaves, couple inches of dry snow, caked up dirt and other heavier debris, twigs, etc.

You can conveniently blow out sand and dirt from the cracks in your pavement, and it has no trouble whatsoever with wet leaves. This is an all season machine, built to last and extremely easy to maintain. Just make sure that the air filter isn’t clogged, and there are no leaves blocking the intake net. Use Husqvarna 2-stroke engine oil specially designed for air cooled motors; it should say “FD” certified on the bottle. Mix in a 50:1 ratio, or 2.6 ounces of oil per gallon of gas. They come in 2.6 ounce bottles, so you don’t need measuring tools. Don’t use 2- stroke oil intended for liquid cooled engines or 4- stroke oil, as you will damage the engine and carburetor.

VIDEO | How to Operate A Husqvarna Backpack Blower

Is it easy to assemble?

Yep, it is pretty much like assembling a vacuum cleaner but with metal clamps that you screw in instead of twist locking pipes. First you take the blower body and connect the elbow or flexible part of the hose to it using clamps. Then you attach the control pipe to the elbow, securing it with a clamp. They will be a little snug fitting so you might want to use oil for lubricating the joints, so they slide in easier. Next, you attach the handle holder and cabling to the control pipe. Finally, you connect the straight pipe and pipe end or nozzle. Turn these last sections of the pipe so they lock, you don’t need clamps. Check out this instructional video for a demonstration of the process.

If you want to cover a larger area with each sweep of the nozzle, get the flat tip which has a widened but narrower opening for a wide broom like effect. Part no. for the flat tip nozzle is 502 44 40-01. This attachment is purchased separately and is better when there is a thin layer of light debris scattered over a large area (high area but low density of debris).

Our overall opinion on the Husqvarna 350BT leaf blower

It is not truly professional grade since it uses the same engine and air filter from their entry level 150BT blower, but Husqvarna has created a machine that is powerful and reliable for everyday cleanup tasks around the house and even some light duty commercial jobs. You can purchase a couple of these blowers if you just started a new landscaping business and need something that provides plenty of bang for the buck. It can blow wet leaves and twigs, along with sand and even small pieces of gravel.

The extra CFM is what makes this blower incredible for larger properties (0.25 to 0.5 acres and above), and it is actually quite fuel efficient for a 2-stroke blower. The controls are very intuitive, the harness is comfortable, it is light and easy to start even in cold weather after sitting for months in the garage. Buy the 350BT if you want a powerful blower that can handle all your lawn maintenance needs for several years, it delivers more than what the average homeowner needs.

Husqvarna 360BT Review

Professional grade performance for a fraction of the price. Rugged and commercial-grade backpack blower.

Features:

• High blowing capacity : The powerful and easy to start X-Torq® engine in combination with efficient fan design delivers high air speed and air flow.
• Load-reducing harness : Comfortable, ventilated and load-reducing harness with wide shoulder straps.
• Utilize full blow force with minimal arm strain : The offset handle makes the blow forces easier to control by preventing the arm from being pulled downwards
• Air Purge : Removes air from carburetor and fuel system for easy starting.
• Adjustable handles for superior comfort.
• Comfortable, wide shoulder straps
• Weight : 23.2 lbs
• Cylinder displacement : 65.6 cc
• Power output : 3.81 hp
• Maximum power speed : 8100 rpm
• Fuel tank volume : 74.4 fl oz
• Idling speed : 2000 rpm
• Air flow in housing : 890 cfm
• Air flow in pipe : 631 cfm
• Air speed : 232 mph
• Air speed (round nozzle) : 104 mph
• Blowing Force : 30 Newton

✓ View or download the MANUAL for the Husqvarna 360BT

Overview

Want to step up from the 350BT, but don’t quite have the cash for a top of the line model like the Husqvarna 580BTS? Well, the 360BT provides a happy compromise between affordability and professional grade power. In terms of pricing, it is positioned just below the 65.6cc 560BTS which is a fully fledged pro- grade leaf blower with a heavy duty air filter and long lasting engine. The 360BT is essentially a 560BTS without the heavy duty air filter, so you get the same airflow and airspeed at a slightly lower price. The Husqvarna 360BT is loaded with all of the features you would expect from a premium backpack leaf blower- cruise control, adjustable handle, padded harness, etc.

But Husqvarna leaf blowers are different from the rest, they are so easy to start and maintain that pretty much anyone can pick up one of these and immediately start cleaning their lawns during fall season. You will never feel like you’re operating something that has the word professional associated with it, because the throttle controls are so conveniently placed, and the weight is super low at just 23.2 pounds. Think about that for a second, 3.81hp engine in a 23.2lb backpack blower is insanely good.

For comparison, the 350BT features a 2.1hp engine in a 22.5 lb. package. That is a whopping 76.3% more horsepower per pound, which is a tremendous boost in power for the amount of weight on your shoulders. The true measure of a professional power tool isn’t just how much more powerful it is than the consumer models, but how much better its power to weight ratio is. And the 360BT definitely hits it out of the park with this one.

A Husqvarna 360BT is rated for 0.422g/kWh of fuel consumption, which means it is also more efficient than the 350BT. This is looking even better, since not only is it far more powerful more a minimal increase in weight but also more conservative with gas consumption. Of course, we don’t know if these figures represent fuel consumption at 50 percent throttle, 100 percent throttle, or the average consumption over a period of varying throttle input.

Assuming the same testing methodology is used by Husqvarna across their entire product lineup, the 360BT is a brilliant choice if you have an acre or more of lawn to maintain since you will save so much money in fuel costs over the long run compared to other 2 stroke gas powered backpack leaf blowers. It also has a 74.4 fl. Oz gas tank vs the 42.27 fl. Oz tank of the 350BT so you can expect at least 76 percent more runtime per tank of fuel. Air speed with the round nozzle is just 104 mph but look at the volume of air being pushed — 631CFM.

✓ To learn more, read our dedicated review of the more powerful, Husqvarna 360BT backpack blower.

Makita EB5300TH — Best 4-Stroke Backpack Blower

Excellent backpack leaf blower thanks to its 4-stroke engine. Quiet, powerful and highly efficient.

Features :

• Mechanical automatic engine decompression for quick and easy starts
• Shoulder straps engineered with multiple adjustments for improved fit
• Tool-less handle adjustment for quick positioning of handle
• Powerful fuel efficient 52.5 cc (2.5 HP) MM4 commercial duty engine
• Large capacity air filter is replaceable and easily accessible
• Padded back panel is ventilated for improved operator comfort
• Heavy duty anti-vibration mounts between frame and engine for improved operator comfort
• Adjustable tube easily adjusts to desired length
• Large grip positioned at optimum center of gravity for easier transport
• Large capacity muffler ensures quieter operation (70 dBA)
• Padded shoulder straps retain their shape for easier re-shouldering

Overview—

Perfect for commercial applications where you need high air volume coupled with good air velocity. The Makita EB5300TH beats the Husqvarna 350BT in both performance metrics (air volume and air speed) with 516CFM and 184MPH respectively. But numbers don’t tell the full story, and you must be wondering why the EB5300TH costs more with these minimal performance gains. Well, Makita is no stranger to developing power tools that are on the cutting edge of technology and this backpack leaf blower isn’t just any ordinary blower- it is powered by a 4 stroke engine. What does that mean? More efficiency, better noise characteristics, easier starting, and less vibrations.

VIDEO | A Closer Look at the Makita EB5300TH

Chainsaws cannot use 4- stroke motors because of the way these engines are lubricated, once you flip them over or turn them sideways oil will leak into the combustion chamber from the crankcase. Two stroke engines don’t suffer from the same weakness and can be used straight up, sideways, upside down- it doesn’t matter how you orient them; they will keep firing. But 2- stroke engines have a number of issues that stem from their simplistic design-

• Poor fuel efficiency
• Somewhat limited power band (they don’t make much torque at the lower rpms)
• Extremely noisy
• Poor emission ratings since fresh fuel and air mix is often ejected alongside the exhaust gases because 2- stroke engines have no valves, cams, springs, etc.

The EB300TH is powered by an air cooled 4 cycle single cylinder engine with a displacement of 52.5cc. It maxes out at 6400rpm, quite a bit lower than its 2- stroke counterparts from the Husqvarna family, but that is just the nature of small 2 stroke engines- they tend to rev higher. Which means they also break down faster, since they are running faster and have an inferior lubrication mechanism. Surprisingly, the Makita doesn’t weigh all that much despite using a more complicated engine platform. Its dry weight is just 22.2lbs, which is actually less than the 2- stroke Husqvarna 360BT.

Far quieter (70 dB) than 2-stroke blower. Well worth the money.

And Makita didn’t cut corners with build quality or features. They have packed a very robust vibration dampening system which uses 4 strategically positioned springs to dampen both horizontal and vertical vibrations from the engine. There is an ingenious “winter” mode for the choke which extracts heat from the exhaust system to prevent the carburetor from freezing over. And the throttle handle has a cruise control feature which allows you to lock in the trigger at your desired engine speed, and it will stay put without your finger over it so you can comfortably sweep leaves off driveways, parking lots, gravel hardscapes, etc. without having to keep the trigger squeezed constantly.

Perhaps the most significant improvement of all is the reduction in noise levels. We appreciate the fact that Makita states what type of testing methodology was used to obtain the 70 dB(A) sound pressure level. They have adhered to ANSI B175.2 standards which involves taking 8 separate sound readings from a distance of 50 feet while rotating in 45° increments for a full 360° sweep. The average of these 8 readings will give you the sound level. Comparing the Makita EB5300TH with a 2- stroke blower is like comparing an inverter generator with a conventional generator. Yeah, you pay more. But you get superior performance, an engine which lasts longer, better fuel efficiency, less noise, and you can operate your blower in all 50 states since it adheres to EPA and CARB emissions regulations.

Tech Specs :

• Engine Displacement (cc) : 52.5 cc
• Engine (HP) : 2.5 HP
• Max. Air Volume : 516 CFM
• Max. Air Velocity : 184 MPH
• Fuel Type : Unleaded gas
• Fuel Tank Capacity : 60.9 oz.
• Crank Case Capacity : 4.7 oz.
• Sound Pressure (per Ansi B175.2 standard) : 70 dB(A)
• Dry Weight : 19.7 lbs.
• Blower Type : Backpack
• Power Type : 4-stroke gas
• User Type : Professional and Farm/Ranch
• Shipping Weight : 26.5 lbs

MPH vs CFM? How much power do you need?

Normally, manufacturers will mention CFM at the housing or air speed at the nozzle. Both numbers are incredibly deceiving and don’t provide a representation of how the blower will perform in real life. Attach a smaller nozzle to the tube and your air pressure will increase at the tip, resulting in higher speed. But the CFM will drop as a result.

Conversely, measuring CFM at the fan housing makes no sense since the pressure is incredibly low at that point and it cannot be used for actual cleaning purposes. Try to look for blowing force in Newtons, one Newton is the amount of force needed to accelerate 1kg of mass at a rate of 1m/s in the direction of the applied force. Newton is used to indicate “blowing force” in leaf blowers, i.e. a combination of the air speed and volume to give you a more realistic performance metric.

CFM or cubic feet of air per minute is what increases your cleaning speed. MPH or miles per hour decides how much “grunt” the blower has and is maximized by fitting smaller nozzles. CFM decides how much area you can cover, so more CFM means faster cleaning. Neither can be taken as an absolute measure of cleaning capacity, for example — you wouldn’t want to clean your yard of leaves with an air compressor, would you? Similarly, you wouldn’t be able to inflate your truck tires with a leaf blower since the pressure is so low compared to an air compressor.

VIDEO | Leaf Blower Buying Guide