With a garden shredder, also known as a garden shredder, you chop up bulky wood and hedge clippings and can then compost them more easily or use them as mulch. In our buying guide we present current devices and give tips on which criteria are particularly important when buying.
A small garden shredder helps to break down garden clippings into compostable small parts
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Bosch shredder AXT 25 TC (2500 W, collection box 53 liters, cutting capacity: Ø 45 mm, in a box)
498.00 EUR To the product| Type | turbine |
|---|---|
| power | 2500 watts |
| cutting thickness | up to 45 millimeters |
| Dimensions | 70.7 x 96.5 x 38.8 centimeters |
In 2022, Stiftung Warentest tested various garden shredders, of which the Bosch AXT 25 TC was by far the best with an overall rating of 1.5. According to the testers, this model shredded branches and twigs best and was also able to shred fresh garden waste. It was also the model that clogged the least frequently of all the devices tested. The only drawback was the volume and the 30 kilogram weight. On Amazon, the turbine shredder - incidentally the only model on the market with this drive - is still one of the most popular today, which is reflected in the very numerous, mostly positive customer reviews.
our recommendation
Bosch AXT 25 D shredder + collection box 53 l + stuffer (2,500 W, max. Ø 40 mm cutting capacity, approx. 175 kg/h material throughput)
308.00 EUR To the product| Type | roller |
|---|---|
| power | 2500 watts |
| cutting thickness | up to 40 millimeters |
| Dimensions | 76 x 68 x 40 centimeters |
Among the garden shredders with roller drive, a model from Bosch was once again the favorite of the testers: With an overall rating of 1.6, the Bosch AXT 25 D performed almost as well as the model with turbine drive presented earlier. The advantage of this garden shredder, especially in comparison to the shredders with blade drive, is the low noise level. This is also highlighted positively by many Amazon customers in their reviews. The good rating of the Bosch AXT 25 D is mainly due to the powerful chopping performance that the device achieves thanks to the optimized milling drum cutting system. With up to 190 kilograms per hour, this delivers an enormous material throughput for branches and twigs up to four centimeters thick.
our recommendation
Bosch shredder AXT Rapid 2200 (2200 watts, material throughput 90 kg/h, max. cutting capacity Ø 40 mm, in a box)
188.00 EUR To the product| Type | knife |
|---|---|
| power | 2200 watts |
| cutting thickness | up to 40 millimeters |
| Dimensions | 76 x 44.5 x 36.5 centimeters |
A Bosch garden shredder even came third in the Stiftung Warentest test, which also achieved a very good grade of 1.6. The AXT Rapid 2200 model is a garden shredder with blade drive, which is one of the bestsellers in its segment on Amazon. Despite its handy appearance and the very low weight of only 12 kilograms, the Bosch knife shredder shows a high material throughput with up to 80 kilograms per hour. Overload protection protects the device from overloading, so that it can be used for a long time. The chopped material can be easily filled in through the special hopper.
Purchase Criteria
functionality
turbine shredder: So far, the only model with a turbine drive is the one presented by Bosch. Turbine shredders shred all garden waste, whether dry or fresh. The chopped material is shredded by a turbine with cutting edges, which rotates next to the pressure plate.
roller chopper: Strictly speaking, garden shredders with rollers do not chop, but crush. These shredders (€199.99) tend to deliver coarser chopped material, but work much more quietly than the blade shredders, for example.
knife shredder: The finest chopped material is provided by knife shredders, which are also very noisy and work rather slowly. Sharp knives are attached to a rotating disc, which cut the chopped material evenly.
drive
The garden shredders presented here all run on electric motors, which usually have an output of around 2000 watts and more. If this performance and/or the cutting power is not enough for you, for example because you want to shred thick branches or even trees up to a diameter of ten centimetres, you should choose a shredder with a petrol engine. However, petrol shredders are considerably more expensive than those with an electric drive. our recommendation
DENQBAR garden shredder/shredder with 11 kW (15 HP) petrol engine
1,049.95 EUR To the productFurnishing
An important purchase criterion concerns the equipment of the garden shredder. The size of the funnel is important, for example, and it must be wide enough for larger branches or branches with many twigs. In addition, a collection container or bag should be supplied with the device, which collects the shredded material immediately. This is not always the case, especially with cheap models. If you choose a knife shredder, you should check whether replacement blades are available for the product you have chosen. The knives on these shredders have to be replaced regularly, which can be quite expensive.
cutting capacity
If you want the chopped material to be as fine as possible, you should choose a knife shredder. Garden shredders with knives cut as finely as no other. However, if you want to chop up thicker branches, the selected model should have a cutting thickness of at least four centimeters. In principle, petrol shredders are better suited for large clippings than models with an electric drive.
volume
Basically, garden shredders are known to be very loud. If in doubt, this is not only good for your ears (and nerves), but also annoys the neighbors. Therefore, you should choose a shredder with a volume below 90 decibels. As a rule, manufacturers indicate the volume of their products. Alternatively, you can switch to a so-called quiet chopper, which is mostly a roller chopper. Always work with hearing protection!
youtubefrequently asked Questions
What is a garden shredder?
A garden shredder or shredder is an electric or petrol powered device used to shred garden waste. Hedge, shrub and wood clippings in particular are shredded, which is why the shredder must be able to handle both dry (i.e. wood) and fresh (e.g. leaves) materials. So, with a chipper, you are essentially making wood chips.
Where do I dispose of the shredded material?
The shredded material is far too valuable to just throw away. Instead, you can compost it and get valuable, nutrient-rich compost. Alternatively, you can also use the chaff as mulch, for example to mulch ornamental beds with it. The fine clippings keep the soil from drying out (so you don't have to water as much) and also provide additional nutrients for your plants through rotting, thus contributing to a healthy soil.
Which is better, roller or knife shredder?
Which is better depends entirely on what you want to create yourself. If you are looking for good mulch (€239.00) for hedges and beds, then you should use a knife shredder. This produces a smooth, very fine cut. Roller shredders, on the other hand, shred the clippings coarser, but are more powerful, faster and usually quieter.
How much does a good garden shredder cost?
How much you spend on your new garden shredder depends entirely on the brand and whether it is a roller or blade shredder. Roller shredders are usually cheaper to buy, although you have to plan around 150 to 250 euros for a high-quality model. Good knife shredders are usually a bit more expensive, plus the costs for the replacement knives. By far the most expensive are petrol shredders, which start at around 800 euros.
Which manufacturers offer high-quality garden shredders?
High-quality garden shredders are available from all well-known manufacturers of electrical appliances, with brand manufacturers in particular offering recommended models. These include Bosch, Güde, Einhell, Makita, Gardebruk and Hecht. On the other hand, you should be careful with cheap models from the hardware store: the testers from Stiftung Warentest have already noticed that their quality and chopping performance often leaves a lot to be desired.
equipment
garden cart
our recommendation
Kreher garden trolley HELPY with 60 liters usable volume, loadable up to max. 65 kg. Wheels on metal axle. In gray or green (grey)
31.89 EUR To the productWith a garden cart or a garden trolley, you can easily transport shrub and hedge clippings to the shredder and then the chopped material to the compost heap or to the bed. The advantage of such a vehicle is that it is easier to move than a wheelbarrow and can also be pulled or pushed over uneven terrain.
composter
our recommendation
Composter 800L 135 x 72 x 83cm weather-resistant foldable lid garden composter thermal composter quick composter
EUR 59.95 To the productThen put the chopped material on the compost heap or in the quick or thermal compost bin, so that you have gained valuable humus from the garden waste after just a few weeks. It is advisable to choose a composter with at least two compartments: the material composts in one, while you gradually fill the other.