Quick verdict
Same airflow class, different noise and support. The Ryobi Whisper is far quieter and sold everywhere; the Husqvarna has a dealer and pro-brand chainsaws on the same pack. In a neighborhood that notices noise, the Ryobi. For a Husqvarna yard with a dealer nearby, the 350iB.
Ryobi 40V HP Whisper Series 730 CFM Blower
The Ryobi 40V HP Whisper Series 730 CFM blower is rated at 730 CFM and 190 MPH with a brushless motor, variable speed, turbo and a noise rating Ryobi puts at about 59 dB from fifty feet, sold with a 40V pack in most kits. It runs on Ryobi 40V packs shared with mowers and trimmers.
Ryobi 40V HP Whisper 730 CFM blower versus Husqvarna 350iB Leaf Blaster: airflow, noise, boost, batteries, dealer support and platform compared from published specifications.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score /100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryobi 40V HP Whisper Series 730 CFM Blower | Best Quiet 730 CFM Blower | 8.8 | Check price |
| Husqvarna Leaf Blaster 350iB Battery Blower | Best With a Dealer Behind It | 8.7 | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Ryobi 40V HP Whisper Series 730 CFM Blower
The Ryobi 40V HP Whisper Series 730 CFM blower is rated at 730 CFM and 190 MPH with a brushless motor, variable speed, turbo and a noise rating Ryobi puts at about 59 dB from fifty feet, sold with a 40V pack in most kits. It runs on Ryobi 40V packs shared with mowers and trimmers.
Reasons to buy
- 730 CFM and 190 MPH
- Whisper Series noise rating
- Big-box availability
- Kit includes a pack
Reasons to avoid
- Plastic build
- No dealer network
- Ryobi 40V packs cost more
Husqvarna Leaf Blaster 350iB Battery Blower
The 350iB is the Husqvarna Leaf Blaster, a 40V brushless handheld in the 700 CFM class with variable speed, boost and cruise control, sold with a pack through Husqvarna dealers and online. It shares packs with Husqvarna battery chainsaws and trimmers.
Reasons to buy
- 700 CFM class with boost
- Dealer service
- Comfortable handle and cruise control
- Husqvarna 40V runs chainsaws
Reasons to avoid
- Louder than the Whisper
- Costs more
- Smaller platform in the US
Where these two differ
Both are 700 CFM class 40V handhelds on packs that do not interchange. The Ryobi 40V HP Whisper 730 is rated at 190 MPH and about 59 dB at fifty feet, far quieter than the class, sold at big-box stores. The Husqvarna 350iB is a pro-brand blower with boost and cruise control sold through dealers. Airflow ties; noise, support and platform decide.
This comparison is based on the published specifications and manuals for both blowers and on recurring owner feedback. We have not run either blower ourselves.
| Specification | Ryobi 40V 730 | 350iB |
|---|---|---|
| Airflow | 730 CFM | 700 CFM class |
| Air speed | 190 MPH | Per Husqvarna |
| Noise | About 59 dB at 50 ft | Standard |
| Battery | Ryobi 40V | Husqvarna 40V |
| Where sold | Big box | Dealers |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
Moving leaves
Both clear wet matted leaves, gravel beds and the fence-line pile in one pass. Both have a boost setting. Neither leaves a homeowner wanting.
Noise
The Ryobi Whisper impeller and housing are tuned for low noise at high airflow and owners describe it as the first big blower that does not announce itself to the street. The Husqvarna is normal for its class.
Weight and handling
Both are heavier than they look with a kit pack. The Husqvarna handle and cruise control are praised; the Ryobi balances well with a lock-on.
Batteries and runtime
Both kit packs last a normal yard on medium and drain fast on boost. Ryobi 40V packs run mowers, trimmers, chainsaws and snow blowers at big-box stores. Husqvarna 40V packs run pro-brand chainsaws, trimmers and a mower through dealers.
Support
A Husqvarna dealer handles warranty and repair in person. Ryobi handles it through Home Depot and by phone.
Yard jobs this decides
A quiet neighborhood or early mornings: the Ryobi. A Husqvarna chainsaw in the shed or a dealer down the road: the Husqvarna. The leaves do not separate them.
Warranty and support
On the Ryobi 40V, Ryobi covers ONE+ tools and batteries with a three-year limited warranty. On the Husqvarna Leaf, Husqvarna covers consumer battery tools with a two-year warranty. Both makers run service networks in the US and both honor the warranty only with proof of purchase, so keep the receipt with the manual. Registration takes a few minutes online and is worth doing the day the tool arrives.
Care and storage
Both are brushless battery tools and both last longest with the same habits: hose or brush debris off after each use, store packs indoors at partial charge through the winter rather than empty or full, and keep the machine out of direct sun in a shed. Neither needs oil changes, spark plugs or fuel stabilizer. A pack left at zero through a cold winter is the most common cause of a dead tool in spring on either platform.
Common owner complaints
Ryobi owners mention plastic build. Husqvarna owners mention pack cost and dealer pricing. Both are reliable.
Which one should you buy
Buy the Ryobi 40V Whisper 730 for quiet airflow at a big-box price. Buy the 350iB for dealer support and a Husqvarna yard.
Our verdict
The Ryobi 40V HP Whisper 730 CFM edges this comparison on noise and price. The Husqvarna 350iB is the better-supported blower.
How we research
This comparison is built from the published specifications, manuals and warranty terms of both products and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run either product ourselves; where the makers do not publish a figure we say so rather than guess.
What to look for
Noise
The Ryobi Whisper is markedly quieter.
Support
Husqvarna dealers service in person.
Platform
Ryobi 40V or Husqvarna 40V packs decide; they do not interchange.
Airflow
Close; both move wet leaves.
Our verdict
Same airflow class, different noise and support. The Ryobi Whisper is far quieter and sold everywhere; the Husqvarna has a dealer and pro-brand chainsaws on the same pack. In a neighborhood that notices noise, the Ryobi. For a Husqvarna yard with a dealer nearby, the 350iB.
FAQs
The Ryobi by a clear margin.
No; both say 40V but the packs are different systems.
Close; both are in the 700 CFM class.
The Ryobi, usually.
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