Stihl BG 86C Vs Husqvarna 525BX Blowers. And The Winner is !! ( Part 2 ) 

Having used both I can say that the husky is definitely more powerful, lighter and less vibration. Also the fact that the blower tube is centered makes it so much better.

Not a fair comparison, you weren't swinging the stihl as much as the husqvarna. And I would by the stihl over the husqvarna any day of the week.

Just starting up a grass cutting business in the North East of England, I was about to buy the Stihl, your video has changed my mind. The best reviews on you tube. Thank you and I look forward to more good stuff coming from you.

Great vid ! Got a 525 already. 4 years of daily use. Still going strong & starts like a dream. Love Stihl gear too but thanks for pointing out the pull to the side on the BG. Was tempted by the price diff on the Sthil but will definitely go a 2nd Husky. Keep up the good work !

Thanks for your review, Went out and bought a Husqvarna 525BX today. Very pleased with it, plenty of power, not too heavy, no torque reaction twisting it in your hand, very little vibration and surprisingly quiet. Very nice machine that i am well pleased with!!

The husqvarna might have a little bit more power but it's a lot more expensive. The husqvarna equivalent of the bg 86 would be the 125BV not the 525BX. You did a great job keeping the test fair, but given the stihl held up ok against a much more expensive rival, I'm gonna go and buy the stihl.

Australian pricing Husky 525 bx $549 Stihl bg 86 $379

Calvin, this is a blindingly good test. As you noticed from my reply to your first video, I totally agree with you. Personally I've found the same thing with the back pack blowers, husqvarna have the advantage, more power, better on fuel and no recoil on the wrist. The stihl machines will do the work but once you try the husqvarna you realise that one does the job better. I think it's the other way around with brush cutters mind there is a stihl fs410 in my van not a husquvarna 545rx.

Do you realise you're swinging your left hand more? It would be better to do them separately using your dominant hand each time.

Thanks for the video... I was debating between these 2 and came across this review. 👍

Brilliant job Calvin, I fancied the husky anyway on price.

Thank you for taking the time to do this video. Run a gardening business and have had a husky, Honda and Stihl blowers. My stihl just packed in so I’m going back to husky. Thanks! 👍

Stihl will always hold value much better. I only buy Stihl so if and when I need to sell them on it’s always quick n easy. But that’s just my opinion :)

Hi mate, good side by side comparison thanks for sharing your thoughts. We use both in our business too and definitely agree with your findings here and always notice the Stihl trying to turn to the right in use especially after using the Husky. Great video 👍🏻

Excellent semi-quantitative review. I think both are quality tools so I’m not sure there is a wrong choice. I have both Husqvarna and Stihl products and would recommend both brands, in my mind it would come down to price and customer service.

I use a battery leaf blower for most of our blowing work. The battery kit is fantastic for doing the work a Petrol handheld would do. Another great video chap 👍🏻

Thanks for this - helped a lot

Brilliant video, I have the Chinese Parker handheld leaf blower and the stihl bg56c and although the stihl has less vibrations the parker is more powerful, parker only cost me £90 and stihl cost £125. Brilliant machines!

Stihl backpackers are the dogs but in my experience the handhelds are not convincing! Saying that, the 86 vac is outstanding!

Nice review Calvin, unfortunately I went for the stihl blower bought it the other week, I am still very pleased with it and is a decent bit of kit for my landscape business. But after seeing yr review I wish I waited and got the husqvarna. But will stick with what I have for now so still happy. Can always look at whats on offer next season.

Just bought the husqvarna after watching your video 👍

Nice video you went all the way with testing much appreciation. My lawn and garden business use both. We upgraded to the Stihl bg 86 because of build quality and reliability. Plus it revs lower and quieter which is good on some jobs and it uses less fuel then the husky. Maintenance is easier and cleaning filters is less and they last longer. Plus the bg86 has gutter attachements and vac with shredder. Tomorrow im going to look at the fan difference (turbine) and quality you never showed that. I like my husky, but love my stihl and im really trying not to support china as much as possible from now on. Damn china.

good one calvin that's why I have a husky

I think you are right, the Husqvarna looks like a better balanced machine.

Good review Calvin👍

For me it still the STIHL because I just love STIHLs I been buying them for 10 years now. My first one was a BR350 backpack blower I got in June of 2014. Then a year later in July of 2015 I got a FS56 RC trimmer. Then in August of 2019 I sold both of them to my buddy before my big move from IL to SC. Then in October of 2019 I got a STIHL BGA57 battery power blower. Then two years ago I got a STIHL RMA 510 V battery power mower. And a FSA 60 R battery trimmer for my sister house. Then 4 months ago I got a STIHL BG86C for Christmas. Because as much I did liked the BGA57 I wanted to upgrade to something more powerful. Because not only I blow my house. But I also blow one of my neighbors house because she is in her 80s and her husband died 2 years ago. So I been helping her out with blowing her driveway plus her driveway is bigger and longer then my driveway is. Plus my BGA57 was a little underpowered especially when it came to big leafs and tree sticks. Plus my sister needed a blower for her house so I did give her the BGA57. So I have a total of 4 STIHL equipment including the 3 that are at my sister house.

I love how that when he was done with the Stihl, he'd fire up the Husky with one pull.

Bought the Husky 525BX and it wins hands down!!

I prefer Stihl

WoW I’m very impressed with the Husqvarna Blower 👍

I really appreciate your review. However I decided to go with the Stihl. My best friend is a manager at an ace hardware store in NY. He said every timr somone brings a husky blower in for repair the technician groans and isnt too happy. However when a stihl blower comes in hes happy as apparently hey are much easier to repair.

Great review thank you very much. Husky it is then.

I decided on the 525BX and I don't regret it for one second! Being good on paper is one thing, but being good in the field is something else!

525bx is a beast mate, I've got the little 125b aswell as a backup was a fair few complaints about that and i cant see why mines into its 4th season and never missed a beat. Good content as always 👍

Very interesting and practical comparison! The last part that showed the tork of the machines was an eye opener for me. Makes perfect sense that it'd put stress on your wrist. I've got a Tanaka leaf blower now and I'm going to go give it your tork test. I'm looking at a Husqvarna 125BVX because I need the vacuum/mulcher. Excellent video. Thanks.

The build quality of stihl is unmatched

I had both of these and got tired of swinging them. I got smart and bought a Redmax EBZ8500 to replace them.

We already saw the quality and design advantages of the STIHL in Part 1. I find it interesting that it is essentially a draw, and the Husqvarna costs $100 / 36% more. Now let's compare the STIHL BR 430, within $20, with the Husqvarna 525BX. Or compare the STIHL BG 86 C-E with the Husqvarna 125B since they are the same price. Either way, the STIHLs are far and away better performance and quality values.

What about the leaf mulcher for the blower can you do a review on them please

*On my stihl bg85 I ported the head and swapped the muffler out with an expansion chamber pipe like the ones used on dirtbikes and now this blower is very powerful and revs so smooth and crisp. It's stronger than the bg86 and every other handheld blower I've used and I find myself not having to pull out my backpack blower as much since I did the work on my bg85.*

does the husky come with the flat end nozzle too? i imagine that would increase the velocity enormously for the stihl. because im pretty sure the stihl comes with the flat nozzle too

A picture speaks a thousand words

Thanks Calvin, i've watched your comparison between them both. Till today i was an owner of same stihl BG86C, unfortunately after 3,5 years of intensively gardening working the engine seized. But this time im going to make a switch and buy husqvarna. Your testing was very helpful to making the right decision.

And Calvin wiith husky blowers . The big end bearings always are the first to drop there guts first .My bg86c is getting tired the rings are showing wear .New rings chucked in and she will be like a cut snake again the bg86c is the better blower over time with abuse mate hope your good no Chinese flu God bless you Pete Australia 👍

not really a good comparison..its comparing a dodge dually to a Ford ranger

I have the Stihl SH86C-E, it's a great vac but a bit gutless as a blower! My Makita hand held is far superior, thinking about getting a 125BVX. For big jobs, nothing beats a 580 Bts!

Great video Calvin. My choice aswell 😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Thanks Calvin , buying a Husky , Andrew in Brecon 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Really enjoyed your 2 part review. I have the Husqvarna backpack blower, the 570BTS, and it's cracking, absolutely love it. However I also have the handheld one you review here, the 525BX, and it's honestly been the worst handheld blower i've had in 10 years of being a gardener. Nightmare to start, takes all day pretty much to be able to use on full power, loads of stuff gone wrong with it and I only got it in March 2019. Next season i'll be going back to the BG86 which was far superior in my own experience. Keep up the great videos 👍

Interesting that your BG86 sounds a lot lower pitch than mine. Yours sounds like the smaller BG56 whereas my one is a bit higher pitched. Maybe emissions stuff has messed with how many revs they can give em?

i would say dont do a review on two products if they are not done fairly

im not crazy about my stihl machines i bought a husky and i really like it a lot better

I've got bg86's and even with moderate use they're uncomfortable, hadn't realised why but you made it obvious👍. Stihl obviously isn't bothered. Normally hold then base with left hand to stop it. I bet a fair chunk of that Stihl is made in China as well if not all! Maybe Husqvarna for me next then, love their saws😉

On the can knock over test you held the H still and with the S you wiggled it back and forth.

Привет чувак! Спасибо

You would need to trade hands and repeat to eliminate your technique as a factor... Do it all over again..!!!!! lol

top

Thanks for a good video really appreciate it! Husky might well have more power. But honestly I have used that stihl blower for years on my firm. And it isnt exactly well looked after. It always works no matter the abuse. Ones been ran over another fell of the back of a tipper van. Stihl in my opinion cant be beaten on durability and toughness. It just keeps working. That husky Im pretty sure is of a cheaper build quality. I know they are equally good if it sensibly used and maintained but things do go wrong and honestly first hand experience the stihl will survive anything! You will just have a bad wrist and lower bank balance!! But its worth it. But if leaves are your game, your better of with a backpack blower. Hand helds better for clearing up grass or hedge trimmings etc.

you are fan Husqvarna !

Stihl

After a little under a year of use I really don't like my stihl. It runs like crap compared to my echo that started in 2 pulls for about 7 years of constant use never did anything wrong until the coil went out. I could've and should've fixed it. The stihl pulls hard to start and almost never restart with one pull. The performance is lacking and really just isn't that good of a blower besides the anti vibe that the echo didn't have.

you weren't swinging the stihl as much as the husqvarna

Clearly bias

its got more blow to it haha