10 Best Garden Shredders [Buyer Guide]
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Buying a garden shredder is an excellent investment, especially if you have a larger garden and don’t want to pay the expense of having a regular gardener or landscaper come and look after your outdoor haven. Garden shredders are excellent because they work to keep your garden clean, fresh and looking beautiful at all times. Garden shredders are often an overlooked piece of kit, as they’re more about the aesthetics of your garden rather than a “necessity” – however for those who have green fingers and love to spend time in the garden, it’s an accessory/tool that we’d highly recommend. No one likes wet or rotting leaves/debris on their rattan cube furniture, so having a garden shredder can help you to keep on top of the mess as well as keeping your garden furniture fresh. The whole process of using a garden shredder can feel quite therapeutic, especially if you opt for one which is a little bit quieter. Buying a garden shredder may feel daunting, especially if you’ve never handled one before or seen the value in one before. There are a number of things that you’ll need to look out for before you make your first purchase, so here at Konservatory, we’ve listed these things for you so you know exactly what to look out for. We’ve created an in-depth buyer guide that highlights 10 top products that we’ve reviewed, as well as a in-depth buyer guide and FAQ to answer any questions that you may still have even after reading all of the product reviews, pros and cons. So, whether you’re a professional gardener looking for an upgrade, or a newbie looking to buy their first garden shredder – we’ve got you covered. Without further ado, here are the 10 best garden shredders that you need to know about!
Bosch Shredder AXT Rapid 2200
The Bosch Shredder AXT Rapid 2200 is a sturdy and powerful lawn shredder which is fitted with 2200 W Bosch PowerDrive motor and has a built-in plunger for increased space and suction when using it. It’s designed to be ideal for green, soft material and woody garden debris. The powerful laser-cut steel blade made from steel is designed to chop through and mulch even some of the toughest twigs, and is great for those who are looking for comfortable handling, high cutting capacity and something that is easy to use.
Key Features:
Powerful steel cutters
Easy to use design
Made to mulch soft green material and smaller twigs/debris
Specification:
Brand
Bosch
Weight
12 kg
Wattage
2200
Colour
Green/Black
Batteries included?
No
Batteries required?
No
Pros
Great for those who want to specifically tackle green waste and smaller twigs in their garden
Cons
Not ideal for larger pieces of wood, tree or bark
Einhell Electric Shredder GC-KS 2540
The Einhell Electric Shredder GC-KS 2540) is a robust and reversible shredder with strong metal blades, optimum power and a large debris bag which is perfect for larger gardens. With a safety interlock on the funnel, and a large funnel opening – this allows you to work with large amounts of brown and green matter from your garden, mulching it in seconds. It has two weeks and a sturdy stand meaning that you can work quickly and efficiently across your whole garden without having to “stop and start” too much.
Key Features:
Powerful garden shredder with metal blades
Built-in large debris bag
Robust and sturdy design
Specification:
Brand
Einhell
Weight
9.8 kg
Batteries required?
No
Colour
Red and black
Pros
Easy to use due to design and built-in debris bag
Cons
Size may not be big enough for some
TACKLIFE Electric Garden Shredder
The TACKLIFE Electric Garden Shredder is a robust and sturdy grass shredder which has interchangeable blades, great for green waste as well as smaller twigs and pieces of bamboo. The design is made to be used by those who have no professional gardening experience, and the compact nature of the product makes it great to store away and use only when you need it. It’s lightweight, not clunky and overall a pleasure to use.
Key Features:
Easy installation and operation
Interchangeable blades
Compact design
Specification:
Brand
Tacklife
Colour
Black and red
Material
Steel
Cutting diameter
40 mm
Pros
Interchangeable blades are great for those who need blade variety based on what they're shredding/mulching
Cons
Design and size may not be suitable for some
Bosch AXT 25 D Quiet Shredder
The Bosch AXT 25 D Quiet Shredder is a beautifully engineered garden shredder, which has been built to be as quiet as possible, ensuring that you don’t bother your neighbours or wildlife when using this. The product works with powerful metal blades, as well as 53 litre capacity for everything that you’ve mulched. It’s designed for convenience and safety, giving you peace of mind when using it that you aren’t going to injure yourself (especially if you aren’t a professional using this product). It’s easy to put together, and the compact and minimalistic nature of the design means that you can store it with ease, even if you have a small garage/storage room.
Key Features:
Robust and powerful garden shredder with large mulching capacity
Easy to use design
Simplistic design makes it easy to store
Strong steel blades
Specification:
Brand
Bosch
Colour
Green/Black
Weight
31.3 kg
Wattage
2500
Voltage
240
Batteries required?
No
Pros
Large mulching capacity is great for those with larger gardens
Ultra-quiet mechanism is great for those in quiet neighborhoods
Cons
Style may not be to everyone's taste
Draper 3000W 3 in 1 Garden Vacuum, Leaf Blower and Shredder Mulcher
The Draper 3000W 3 in 1 Garden Vacuum, Leaf Blower and Shredder Mulcher is a robust but compact three in one product. It comes with a vacuum, leaf blowing capacity as well as a shredder/mulcher. This is great for those with smaller gardens who don’t need a large garden shredder, as well as for those who have limited storage space for such accessories. This is also ideal for those who prefer something handheld rather than dragging something across their garden.
Key Features:
Easy to use design
three in one capacity
Lightweight and compact
Specification:
Brand
Draper
Colour
Green/Black
Weight
4.14 kg
Pros
Lightweight nature is great for those who don't want something big and clunky
Cons
Capacity may not be big enough for some
Makita UD2500/2 Electric Shredder
The Makita UD2500/2 Electric Shredder is a sturdy and practical garden shredder which has a robust base, as well as larger wheels for easier access across your garden. The control panel is easy to use, and the container fill level is also visible which is great for those who want to know when they’ve reached the point to which they need to empty the container. This is ideal for mulching green waste as well as smaller twigs and bamboo, and glides across your garden meaning you can get the job done quickly.
Key Features:
Compact and robust design
Easy to use control panel
Visibility of container
Specification:
Brand
Makita
Colour
Black and green
Material
Metal, plastic
Weight
27.6 kg
Pros
Ideal for those who want more visibility on how much space they have left for efficiency
Cons
Sizing may be too big for some
Marko 3 in 1 Leaf Blower, Electric Garden & Vacuum Hoover
The Marko 3 in 1 Leaf Blower, Electric Garden & Vacuum Hoover is a well designed product and has similar features to the Draper product, too. Handheld, with a visible sack for the mulched materials, you can carry and use this lightweight product around your garden and get everything done quickly and efficiently. It has wheel aided steering, and with a 3 in 1 option, you’re getting excellent value for money with this product, too.
Key Features:
Handheld product which can also be used on the floor with wheels for guidance
Bag container to store mulch
Easy to use design
Robust and long-lasting
Specification:
Brand
Marko Gardening
Colour
Green/black
Wattage
3000
Material
Metal, plastic
Pros
Handheld element is great for those who don't want something too heavy
Cons
Size may not be to everyone's taste
Garden Gear 3 in 1 Leaf Shredder, Vacuum & Blower
The Garden Gear 3 in 1 Leaf Shredder, Vacuum & Blower has similarities to a lawnmower, however with a modern take. It’s a three in one grass vacuum, blower and leaf shredder – which is perfect if you’re looking for versatility. For a lot of people, having multiple tools and accessories sometimes isn’t possible, either due to storage, or due to budget. This product helps eliminate those concerns. It’s powerful, and does the job you expect it to do. It also has a 45 litre collection bag so can work on larger gardens.
Key Features:
High wattage
Three in one product
Easy to use design
Affordable and practical
Specification:
Brand
Garden Gear
Colour
Black/Green
Material
Metal
Weight
8 kg
Wattage 1600
Pros
Three in one is practical for those with less space or lower budgets
Cons
Lawnmower style may not be to everyone's taste
Challenge 2400W Impact Garden Shredder
The Challenge 2400W Impact Garden Shredder is a fast and powerful garden shredder which has a robust infrastructure and a powerful 2400 watts of power so you can have optimum performance. The larger wheels and metal stand give you complete control and peace of mind, without over-exerting yourself in the process. The machinery in itself is powerful and can mulch green waste, small twigs and bamboo in moments. This is ideal for medium to large gardens and for uneven surfaces.
Key Features:
Robust and sturdy base
Large wheels for access
Metal blades for optimum mulching
Specification:
Brand
Challenge
Colour
Yellow
Wattage
2400
Material
Metal
Pros
Great for those with larger gardens which may be uneven, as the large wheels help to combat this
Cons
Sizing may not be to everyone's taste
T-Mech 15HP Petrol Wood Chipper
The T-Mech 15HP Petrol Wood Chipper is a robust garden shredder which also works as a wood chipper. The strong metal blades and overall infrastructure make it strong enough to even withstand larger pieces of wood, and of course, green waste will also take seconds to be mulched in this machine. It’s ideal for professional gardeners or landscapers, however if you have a large garden and enjoy gardening yourself, then this is perfect if you have the space and the time to make the most out of it.
Key Features:
Robust and sturdy design
Ideal for professional gardeners and landscapers
Specification:
Brand
T-Mech
Colour
Blue
Material
Metal
Power
420 cc
Pros
Great for those with large gardens or professional gardening experience
Cons
May be too big for some
Summary
As you can see, there are a ton of garden shredders to choose from. Whether you want an industrial/professional size shredder, a three in one, or something that is handheld – there’s something out there for everybody. They are particularly useful for individuals who have large gardens, or a lot of garden furniture such as rattan garden benches, cascading water features and hammock stands/hammocks to name a few. With outdoor furniture, it’s more prone to wear and tear from outdoor debris such as wet leaves, or twigs and sticks that naturally come with the wind or off trees in your garden (or even your neighbours’ garden).
Overall, we understand that picking the right garden shredder can feel daunting, so if you’re reading this feeling unsure, we’ve listed a few things for you to consider below as well as a detailed FAQ to answer any burning questions that you may have about them.
Size
Garden shredders come in different sizes, and this could be something as simple as their width and height, to more complex sizing such as the overall weight. Both you need to consider, as the weight of the product will ultimately impact how you can use it. If you’re someone who is older, or potentially weaker, we recommend opting for one that is lighter in weight, and smaller in size. Hand-held garden shredders are usually the best as they can also be used on wheels on the floor, but the weight between 4-6kg is a lot more comfortable for those who aren’t as strong.
Larger garden shredders that are upwards of 20kg may be great if you have a lot of strength or a professional gardener, but more often than not you may find that this a) takes up a lot of space in your garage/storage room and b) as time progresses you may find it really strenuous to drag this across your garden, Ultimately, it is down to personal preference, but weight and size should absolutely be considered for health and safety reasons, as well as for your storage overall.
Material
Most garden shredders will be built with robust materials, however, the actual “storage” where the mulch goes can differ depending on the size and model that you go for. Handheld/smaller models will have a bag that is fabric and lined with a plastic/synthetic material, whereas larger models will be either completely metal or made from acrylic on the inside. Material is important to consider due to where you’re going to store the product when you aren’t using it. Although the fabric is strong on these models, they are more prone to wear and tear and ripping as they’re exposed. It’s important to think about these factors before you make a purchase.
FAQ
What is the best garden shredder to buy?
We’d be biased if we told you the perfect garden shredder, as we do believe that it’s completely subjective depending on what your needs are. In our opinion, the best garden shredder will be comfortable for you to use, will work with the size of the garden that you have, and shouldn’t break the bank. Garden shredders aren’t considered a necessity for every single person, so you want to ensure that it’s within your budget and that you are going to use it, thus making the most out of it. Just like rattan coffee tables and expensive furniture, make sure you buy the best quality that will fit with your lifestyle.
Is it worth buying a garden shredder?
If you’re someone who enjoys gardening, then this is definitely worth it. Similarly, if you have a large garden and don’t want to pay a professional gardener to look after it, a garden shredder is a worthwhile investment which will make the whole experience of gardening easier and taking care of the upkeep of your law, for example. Just like a lawn aerator, it helps you to look after what you have rather than throwing money at professional services that you may not even need.
What can you shred in a garden shredder?
All garden shredders will be perfect for green waste such as leaves, grass, soft soil and soft debris. Some other garden shredders will also allow for thin twigs, bamboo and wood chips to go through. Always check before making your purchase, as you don’t want to break it. Industrial/professional models will have more features that will allow you to shred larger chunks of wood, however, these do come at a larger price point.
Are garden shredders safe?
They’re as safe as a 3 seater garden swing! All jokes aside, garden shredders are built to be safe because the majority of them will have guards or safety buttons in place so you don’t run the risk of injuring yourself. As always, read the manual and follow the instructions when using it, as the safety guards and rules are there for a reason. If you are mulching wood or debris that is likely to splinter or spit out pieces, make sure you wear safety goggles and a dust mask just in case. However, if you are only mulching soft green matter, then you should be absolutely fine – aside from the odd grass stain.
Is there a specific time of year that is best for garden shredders?
Similar to lawn aerating, we recommend autumn as this is usually when the most debris is thrown onto your garden, however, you can do it as much or as little as you like. Think of a garden shredder as an outdoor hoover – it depends how much debris builds up, as this will determine how often you use the garden shredder. The most common time of year that you get wet leaves is from October-November, so we recommend doing it a couple of times a month once the leaves start to fall. By December, the number of leaves will subside. In January/February, you may be prone to icy weather, and this is the only time of year we wouldn’t recommend using a garden shredder. This is because ice and snow can severely damage your blades if used incorrectly.
How do I clean my garden shredder?
Maintaining and looking after your garden shredder is important, especially if you want to extend its life. With the majority of leaves, they are often a little bit damp and have moisture in, and when you mulch that the moisture is expelled into the bag/drum. Emptying the bag and drum every time after you use it prevents rot and bad smells, and from there we recommend first unplugging your machine, and gently cleaning the interior with a cloth and some warm water, and leaving it to air dry. This will stop mould and grime, and will extend the life of your product. You may also need to regularly check the blades and in some cases, oil them to prevent rust. Most products will come with an instructions manual so you won’t need to second guess what you need to clean.
What is the difference between a garden shredder and a chipper?
A garden shredder works on green matter and smaller twigs and debris, whereas a chipper is often larger, with bigger blades and is designed to cut through and mulch thicker, more durable wood. This could be parts of a tree that you’ve chopped town, branches that are thick and can’t be snapped in half with your hands, as well as larger tree trunks and even fences. Although chippers are a lot stronger, more often than not they aren’t needed for the average garden as it’s very unlikely you’ll be looking to break down trees on a regular basis. Instead, chippers are used more by professional landscapers, gardeners and builders on large landscaping projects, or if they work as a professional gardener.
Do you need a garden shredder?
Before investing in a garden shredder, watch the below video to know if it’s right for you:
Further Reading
For more garden shredder tips, click here.