Husqvarna 525bx vs Stihl bg86 – What’s The Better Leaf Blower

Specific Leaf Blowers have been designed to accommodate different jobs in any respective garden.

The Husqvarna 525bx and Stihl bg86 leaf blowers are both excellent brands, but their differences may leave you wondering which one is best for you.

In this comparison, we’ll guide you through the similarities and differences between the Husqvarna 525bx and Stihl bg86 leaf blowers so that you can make an informed decision on which one to buy.

Overview of the Husqvarna 525bx and the Stihl bg86

The Husqvarna 525bx is a reputably reliable leaf blower used by private garden owners as well as garden professionals.

Maintenance of this leaf blower is easy, and using it makes for speedy clearing of leaves and garden debris.

Stihl’s reputation for garden appliances has always been a positive one. The Stihl bg86 has a powerful blowing output and has been trusted by garden service professionals for years.

Let’s look together at the overall pros and cons of each of these leaf blowers.

Quick Facts Comparison Table

SPECS	Husqvarna 525bx	Stihl bg86
Weight	9.48lbs	9.7lbs
Noise Output	91dB	70dB
Fuel Capacity	15.22 fl.oz.	14.9 fl.oz.
Engine	25.4cc	27.2cc
CFM & MPH	459 CFM & 192 MPH	444 CFM & 190 MPH
Vacuum Capacity	Cannot vacuum	Cannot vacuum

Main Differences Between the Husqvarna 525bx and the Stihl bg86

One of the main differences you will notice between the Husqvarna 525bx and Stihl bg86 is that the Stihl bg86 is quieter than the Husqvarna 525bx.

Despite being slightly heavier and having a large engine, many may prefer the Stihl bg86 due to its quieter operation.

Another difference is the fuel tank size. Although his difference is small, the Husqvarna 525bx is likely to run for longer, since its engine is smaller, but its fuel tank is larger.

Upon review of these two leaf blowers, it appears that the Stihl bg86 is slightly more fuel efficient, although both brands have attempted to minimize harmful gas emissions.

Key Selling Points for Each Leaf Blower

A key selling point for the Husqvarna 525bx is that it is lighter, and marginally easier to carry.

If you’re an average gardener, this may be the one to go for since it’s more suitable for lighter blowing.

If you happen to use your Husqvarna 525bx very regularly, you may have to replace the sparkplugs and air filter once a year.

For slightly heavier leaf & debris blowing, the Stihl bg86 may suit you better. A key selling point of this leaf blower is definitely the fact that it is quieter than other leaf blowers of the same power.

According to Watching Grass Grow, this leaf blower requires very little maintenance unless it is being used in a professional garden service setting.

Which Leaf Blower is Cheaper and Why?

The price difference between the Husqvarna 525bx and Stihl bg86 is marginal. But it should be mentioned that the Husqvarna 525bx is slightly cheaper.

Since these two leaf blowers are so similar in their specs, purchase choice will most probably come down to brand preference and research.

Ease of Use: Weight and Handling of the Husqvarna 525bx and the Stihl bg86

Since the Husqvarna 525bx is a lighter leaf blower, it may be a better option for private garden owners who want to keep their gardens tidy.

Both the Husqvarna 525bx and Stihl bg86 come with a throttle lock for easier handheld leaf blowing.

But many garden professionals will opt for the Stihl bg86, simply because it’s a popular brand and has a reputation for quality and endurance.

Using a leaf blower that isn’t as noisy as the Husqvarna 525bx is also a reason it handles better, but overall we preferred the Stihl’s heavy duty rubber handle and throttle lock.

A Power Comparison: CMH & MPH

The Husqvarna 525bx is marginally more powerful. With an airflow CFM of 459 and an MPH of 192, we had to beg the question: why is the power output higher if the engine is smaller?

Husqvarna have made a point of ensuring a lower gas emission on this leaf blower, without compromising on the power.

The Stihl bg86 leaf blower has a CFM of 444 and an MPH of 190. With a larger engine and smaller fuel tank, we’re impressed by the fact that it emits less noise than the Husqvarna 525bx.

What Power Sources do these Leaf Blowers Utilize?

Both the Husqvarna 525bx and the Stihl bg86 are gas powered leaf blowers. Handheld leaf blowers that don’t need to be plugged in are in high demand due to better convenience—especially among garden service professionals.

Attachment Guide for the Husqvarna 525bx and the Stihl bg86

Depending on your preference, it’s worth noting the attachment nozzle differences between the Husqvarna 525bx and Stihl bg86 leaf blowers.

The Husqvarna 525bx has a slightly wider nozzle for marginally wider blowing, while the Stihl bg86 is better at concentrating power on a narrower area.

Pros and Cons of the Husqvarna 525bx and the Stihl bg86

Husqvarna 525bx Pros and Cons:

PROS	CONS
More power	Noisier
Wider nozzle attachment	No vacuum capability
Smaller engine capacity
Lighter weight

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Stihl bg86 Pros and Cons:

PROS	CONS
Less noise	Slightly less power
Larger fuel tank	Heavier
Larger engine capacity	More expensive
Less maintenance requirements

Overall Score: 96/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Which One Should You Buy?

It goes without saying that your choice between the Husqvarna 525bx and Stihl bg86 depends on whether you want a leaf blower for private or professional use. It also depends on the size of your garden.

A Large Garden and Professional Garden Services

For a larger garden and regular use, we’d recommend the Stihl bg86. It requires very little regular maintenance, and will handle large areas without any fuss.

A Smaller Garden and Private Use

For small gardens and individual home use, the Husqvarna 525bx is a sure winner. As a gardener researching the best leaf blower for your home, we’d recommend that you opt for this leaf blower.

3 Similar Leaf Blowers to Consider

If you’re looking for similar products to the Husqvarna 525bx and Stihl bg86 leaf blowers, check out these three.

Let’s Compare:

Talon Backpack Gas Blower: A great option because of its backpack application, making it easier to carry around. While slightly cheaper than our two mentioned above, it’s a keen preference for those who dislike handheld leaf blowers.
Karcher Leaf Blower LBL 4 Battery Set: A slightly more expensive option, this leaf blower operates on battery power for those who prefer a cleaner energy leaf blower.
Husqvarna 320iB Mark II Battery Blower: Also battery operated, this leaf blower from Husqvarna has a near identical price to the Husqvarna 525bx.

Our Recommendation

When trying out these two leaf blower options, we found that the Stihl bg86 gave us a slightly better feel.

Although both the Husqvarna 525bx and Stihl bg86 come highly recommended, we liked the design, noise suppression and handling ability of the Stihl bg86.

Final Thoughts

Feel free to use the information on this comparison to find the best leaf blower for your particular needs.

Read some of the linked articles and watch the videos we’ve provided here to make the most educated choice for yourself.

Happy gardening!