Stihl BR 500 vs BR 350 - The Differences

Further down the page, you'll find some explanations regarding the key similarities and differences between the Stihl BR 350 and the Stihl BR 500.

But before checking out these explanations, here's a table that summarizes the main pros of each of these 2 leaf blowers:

Stihl BR 350	Stihl BR 500
Lighter Bigger fuel tank	Higher CFM Higher MPH Less noisy 4-Mix engine
Show Buying Options	Check availability on eBay

Feel, Fuel & Noise

Manufactured by Stihl, both the BR 350 and the BR 500 should uphold similar standards of quality and attention to detail.

• Handling: Manufactured as backpack blowers, these two products are equipped with large engines and spacious fuel tanks, offering comfortable carrying while you work. On both products, the throttle is situated on the blower tube, giving you the advantage of having your left hand available for other uses.
• Power Source: Both products are gas-powered blowers, providing a reliable power source that can be refilled in seconds, granting you the flexibility to navigate through expansive outdoor areas effortlessly.
• Weight:
  The Stihl BR 500, weighing 22.3 lbs, edges slightly above the 22 lbs of the Stihl BR 350, implying that while it's marginally heavier, you may notice a tad more comfort and ease in handling the latter.
• Noise: At 74 dB, the noise rating of the Stihl BR 350 surpasses that of the Stihl BR 500, which stands at 65 dB. Therefore, choosing the Stihl BR 500 could offer a quieter environment for both you and your neighbors.

CFM & MPH

• CFM:
  In contrast, the Stihl BR 500, with its CFM of 544, outperforms the 436 CFM of the Stihl BR 350, making it the preferred option for efficiently blowing leaves away.
• MPH: The Stihl BR 500 with an MPH of 207 slightly exceeds the 201 MPH of the Stihl BR 350, making it more effective at blowing leaves on grass or lifting wet debris (acorns, etc.).

Engine specs

• Fuel Tank: The Stihl BR 350 features a larger fuel tank, offering 57.5 fl.oz. compared to the 47.3 fl.oz. of the Stihl BR 500. As a result, you have the advantage of storing more fuel, potentially extending runtime, assuming similar fuel consumption rates for their engines.
• Engine: In comparison, the Stihl BR 350's engine displacement of 63.3cc is slightly surpassed by the 64.8cc of the Stihl BR 500. This indicates that the latter may consume marginally more fuel per stroke, potentially resulting in slightly greater power output. Each of these blowers requires a fuel/oil mix to operate, as the Stihl BR 350 features a 2-cycle engine, and the Stihl BR 500 is powered by the Stihl 4-Mix 4-stroke engine.

Other features

• Vacuum Ability: Neither the Stihl BR 350 nor the Stihl BR 500 has the ability to vacuum leaves. Thus, you will require another method of leaf collection.

TL;DR

Stihl BR 350	Stihl BR 500
Lighter Bigger fuel tank	Higher CFM Higher MPH Less noisy 4-Mix engine
Show Buying Options	Check availability on eBay