Beauty is not a quality often ascribed to a leaf blower, but Husqvarna’s 356BTX is a genuinely elegant piece of design. There’s also a practical reason that this outstanding machine looks unlike almost any other backpack blower you’ve seen before though, as Husqvarna’s itch for innovation has once again led them to scratch out a revolutionary new concept in the world of high power landscaping tools. As well as looking pleasingly sleek and compact, the 356BTX’s effective noise-cancelling fan housing means that this is Husqvarna’s only 50cc class leaf blower developed specifically for use in urban and residential areas.

The clever design and efficient insulation of the 356BTX means that it boasts a noise level of only 64dB(A) at a range of 15m, which is genuinely quieter than some electric blowers. This, frankly, shouldn’t be possible, but we should thank the clever people at Husqvarna nonetheless because we can now enjoy the sheer power of a petrol blower without the troublesome noise which this has traditionally entailed. The smart construction of the fan housing, moreover, means that no sacrifice has been made in terms of convenience, with the primer bulb and recoil starter both easily accessible and a snap-lock cover providing quick access to the engine and fan to facilitate routine maintenance.

The 356BTX’s hardworking 51.7cc E-Tech^® II two-stroke petrol engine, meanwhile, is just as impressive and features a groundbreaking design which reduces harmful emissions without any loss in power. For even greater convenience the E-Tech^® system also ensures great fuel efficiency, so the 356BTX can achieve up to 80 minutes of run time on a single fill of its high capacity 1.5 litre fuel tank. This means that even heavier workloads can be handled without the hassle of having to stop and refuel, while a maximum in-pipe airflow of up to 13.4m³/?min at speeds of 79.13m/s provides more than enough pushing power to tackle challenging clearance work with ease.

Supplied as standard with both a flat and a round blower tube nozzle for fantastic versatility, the 356BTX is also a brilliantly user-friendly machine. This is most obviously evident in its ergonomically designed harness, featuring a load-reducing hip belt and wide shoulder straps to ensure complete comfort at all times. Similarly, Husqvarna’s LowVib^® anti-vibration system helps prevent the onset of operator fatigue, while an adjustable soft-grip handle and cruise control each make the 356BTX pleasingly easy to use. The control, support and manoeuvrability these features combine to offer mean that this impressive blower can even be used for extended periods on rough or uneven ground, producing consistently excellent results regardless of the rigors of the job at hand.

On top of all of this the 356BTX also boasts the exceptional toughness and reliability that you have come to expect from a Husqvarna machine, so for a truly brilliant leaf blower which is quiet enough to use in built-up areas there really is very little competition.

Undecided on what to buy? Be sure to read our free advice article about choosing the best leaf blowers and vacuums for clearing-up in the garden.