Disposing of large quantities of garden waste can be a headache. But if you invest in a shredder, those issues suddenly become a lot more manageable.
Shredded waste takes up less space. That means easier transportation to the local tip, and lower charges for council collections. Even better, you can reuse it in your composter.
Shredders can, though, be expensive – so make sure you choose the right one! We’re going to review 10 of the best garden shredders on the market right now. And our buying guide will help you focus on the features that matter most.
The Best Garden Shredder on the UK Market
1. Bosch AXT Rapid 2200 Garden Shredder
The AXT Rapid 2200 from Bosch is a mid-priced garden shredder with a 2,200-watt motor. And it packs a punch when it comes to performance.
It’s not so big that you’ll need heaps of storage space. It measures about 75 centimetres tall, and it weighs 11.5 kilos. It also has a stand with two wheels. When you want to move it, just tip it up and take it on its way.
The hopper has a decent capacity, with enough room to make feeding it straightforward. But you will find you need to remove side branches to fit in large cuttings. Keep a pair of loppers handy as you work.
The good thing about the limited width is that you won’t be tempted to shred more material than the blade can handle. That blade is laser-cut from hardened steel and has a twin edge, so it’s reversible for a longer life.
It will make short work of most garden waste you feed it – especially if it’s woody. Dry branches up to about 4 centimetres in diameter will be shredded with ease. It will even cope with a bit of moisture.
It won’t be quite so effective with greener waste, although it will still reduce the size of grass cuttings. Very green waste will be more likely to be crushed than shredded. But if you’re able to mix dead plants with woodier waste before feeding it in, it will work much better.
The PowerDrive motor makes shredding fairly fast too. This machine will chomp its way through up to 90 kilos of garden waste in an hour. And it comes with a plastic plunger to help you feed material into the hopper.
All in all, this is an effective, fairly fast and very easy-to-use shredder. You won’t need too much space to store it, and it can be moved around your garden with ease.
Pros:
- Nicely portable
- The twin-edge blade is strong and long-lasting
- The powerful motor gives a throughput of up to 90 kilos an hour
Cons:
- The hopper isn’t enormous, so you’ll need to trim side shoots before feeding them in
- Not so effective with green waste.
2. Einhell GC-KS 2540 Einhell Electric Garden Shredder (Our Top Pick)
The GC-KS 2540 from Einhell looks quite similar to the AXT Rapid, but it’s half the price. So what do you get for your money?
Well, this is a similar size and shape, with a stand kitted out with two wheels. There’s an integrated handle too. That makes it easy to move it wherever you need it, avoiding the need to carry branches across your garden.
It weighs slightly less than the Bosch, at 9.8 kg. The motor here has a power output of 2,500 watts. And it’s designed to cope with tree branches up to 4 centimetres in diameter.
The cutting is done by two reversible blades, made of tempered steel.
This is another shredder where you’ll get better results with woody waste. It will happily munch through piles of sticks and twigs with ease. And you’ll get neatly shredded particles that you can add to your composter or use as mulch.
The funnel is a good size, but you will need to lop off side shoots to fit your branches inside. A handy “prodder” is included in the package, to help you feed the machine. During operation, the shredder will produce a volume of 106 decibels.
The debris bag is removable, so it’s easy to empty. And it’s quick to reattach too, simply sitting on a hook.
All this sounds pretty good – so does the low price tag mean any compromises in performance?
Well, when this works, it’s very effective. But we have heard of some issues where the shredder has ground to a halt. The problem appears to be with the mounting of the cutting wheel. That can become distorted, causing the blades to hit the casing.
But we’ve heard good reports of customer service from Einhell. Where things have gone wrong, customers have usually found that they’ve put them right.
Like most shredders, this will work better with drier, woodier waste. And note that the debris bag isn’t huge. If you’ve got lots of cuttings to shred, you may need to empty it several times.
But for the money, it’s hard to knock this. Just treat it with care, make sure you feed your branches in straight, and it will do the job.
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Reversible twin blades for longer cutting life
- Lightweight and portable
Cons:
- We’ve heard of some quality assurance issues with the cutting wheel mount
- The debris bag isn’t the largest out there.
3. TACKLIFE PWS01A Garden Shredder
Tacklife’s PWS01A comes in at roughly the same price point as the Bosch AXT Rapid.
Its hard polypropylene shell gives it an altogether more rugged appearance. It’s much heavier too, weighing in at a hefty 28 kilos. But this is another design that features wheels to help move it around your garden.
This has eight blades, and they’re all completely reversible.
It’s powered by a 2,500-watt brushless induction motor, enabling it to shred waste fast. The brushless technology means the motor will last longer than most versions using brushes. And it’s pretty quiet too, producing about 90 decibels.
You can adjust the blade distance for optimal performance, and if anything gets stuck, you can reverse it. The shredder will handle branches up to about 4 centimetres across. And it pulls them in as it goes. If you need to give it a helping hand, there’s a robust plastic paddle to help.
This is great for more substantial woody cuttings. But even adjusting the blade distance, you may find that thinner material passes through relatively unscathed.
A plastic debris container sits beneath the blades to collect the shredded material. Like the rest of the machine, it’s nice and sturdy. And it has a larger capacity than the debris bags you’ll find on many other models.
You will need to do a bit of assembly with this one, and it’s not entirely straightforward. Make yourself a cuppa, and read through all the instructions before you get started. As long as you take your time, you’ll get there in the end.
You will need a bit more room to store this than some shredders we’ve found. If you’re short of space in your garage or shed, it won’t be the best option.
That said, if you’ve got the space, this is a brilliant shedder for the price. It’s tough and rugged, and will keep chewing up that woody waste for ages.
Pros:
- Robust construction
- 8 adjustable blades
- Brushless induction motor for power and long life
Cons:
- Heavy, and requires more space for storage than some
- Assembly takes some time and effort.
4. Makita UD2500/2 Electric Garden Shredder
The UD2500/2 from Makita is the second most expensive shredder on our list. It’s half the price again as models like the Bosch AXT Rapid and Tacklife’s PWS01A. So is it worth it?
Well, this is a robust machine. It has a solid sided debris container, and a long funnel at the top to help feed in your branches. The control panel is very simple, with a switch to turn the blades forward and back. And there’s an automatic system to help prevent blockages.
This is another shredder with two wheels to make it nicely portable. They’re particularly good ones too – large, with rubberized rims, so they’ll handle rough or uneven terrain. And on each side, you’ll find handholds to help you get a good grip.
But it’s still nearly 28 kilos. If you need to pull it up steps, it won’t be the best choice.
There’s a generous container for the shredded waste, which holds up to 67 litres. And there are cut-outs at the sides, so you can easily see when it’s getting full.
One niggle is that the firm sides mean the waste quickly collects in a pyramid shape inside. That means you’ll need to stop shredding, slide out the container, and flatten it out to maximise the capacity.
The 2,500-watt motor offers a cutting speed of up to 40 revolutions per minute. And this will handle slightly bigger branches than most – up to 4.5 centimetres in diameter. It’s also pretty good with green waste, as well as woodier stuff.
All in all, this is a great shredder if you’re prepared to spend the money. You’ll get good results on most kinds of garden waste. And it will handle chunkier branches than your average shredder. Just note that it’s heavy, so you won’t want to pull it up hills or steps.
Pros:
- Will shred branches up to 4.5 centimetres in diameter
- Copes well with green as well as woody waste
- Generous 67-liter capacity debris container
Cons:
- At 28 kilos, you won’t want to have to pull this up hills or steps
- Be prepared to flatten out the debris pyramid every so often to get the most from the container.
5. VonHaus 3 in 1 Leaf Blower
If you’re looking for a lighter weight option, consider this clever 3-in-1 option from VonHaus. This handheld gizmo combines a leaf blower, vacuum and mulcher. And it’s less than half the price of the next cheapest shredder on our list.
The motor offers 3,000 watts of power, so it works fast. A simple dial allows you to select your chosen function.
The collection bag will hold up to 35 litres – surprisingly roomy for a handheld machine. And it will shred your leaves down to one tenth of their original size.
It comes with a 10-metre power cable, so you’ll have plenty of room to roam. And it weighs just 3.5 kilos.
There’s no need to worry about your arm getting tired if you’re working for long periods. The shredder also comes with a shoulder strap, plus wheels at the base of the nozzle. The clever design gives you the option of rolling it along the ground as you work.
This won’t be the machine to choose if you want to shred long branches or off-cuts from your shrubs. But if you want to get rid of leaves, it’s a brilliant option. You’ll be able to turn them directly into nutritious mulch to protect and feed your plants.
One thing to note, though, is that if you’re vacuuming wet leaves, you may find they clog up the machine. This is a job best left for a dry day. Alternatively, be prepared to keep removing the bag to clean out blockages.
Pros:
- Great option if you just want to shred fallen leaves
- Incorporates a leaf blower and vacuum too
- Shoulder strap and wheels make it comfortable to use, even over longer periods
Cons:
- Won’t be suitable if you need to shred branches or off-cuts of shrubs
- Best used on a dry day – wet leaves will clog it up.
6. Ryobi RSH3045U Silent Impact Garden Shredder
The Ryobi is another mid-priced shredder, and it offers plenty of power for your money. This one has a 3,000-watt motor to help it turn your garden waste into a fine mulch. And it will run and run without overheating.
Two blades made of tempered steel do all the work. They’re both reversible, so they’ll last longer. And they’ll take care of thicker branches too. Anything up to 4.5 centimetres will be chomped up without difficulty – especially if it’s straight, dry and brittle.
Tree branches with leaves attached will be fine. But greener, moister stems and leaves will be more of a challenge. They can get caught in the blades and wind themselves around the mechanism.
This is a perennial problem with domestic shredders. If you can, leave sappier waste to dry out a bit before shredding it, and the process will go more smoothly.
The funnel here is rectangular shaped, rather than conical. That limits how easy it is to feed in larger cuttings. But it does mean you’re less likely to overload the shredder.
Although this is a large machine, it’s surprisingly quiet. You’ll certainly be able to operate it without requiring ear defenders.
And it’s portable too. This is another design that utilises two wheels at the base to help you move it around. The wheels are a good size, and there’s an integrated handle.
This weighs 24 kilos, so while it’s not the heaviest on our list, it’s still pretty weighty. Bear that in mind if you’re going to need to take it up steep slopes or steps.
The 55-litre collecting box is generous, though not as big as the Makita’s. Expect that to be enough to give you about 20 minutes of shredding before needing to empty it out.
Pros:
- The 3,000-watt motor will keep going for hours without overheating
- Will handle branches up to 4.5 centimetres thick
- Pretty quiet
Cons:
- Weighs 24 kilos, so take note if you’re going to need to lift it up any steps
- The rectangular funnel isn’t quite as easy to feed through branches as conical versions.
7. Bosch AXT 25 D Quiet Garden Shredder
The AXT 25 D is the second shredder from Bosch to make our list – and it’s also the most expensive machine we’ve reviewed. But if you don’t mind spending the money, it offers some excellent features.
Many of the design elements here will be familiar from the other shredders we’ve seen. There’s the same stand with two wheels for portability. And there’s a hard-sided collection box with a capacity of up to 53 litres.
The induction motor has a power output of 2,500 watts. The branches and cuttings feed automatically through the hopper. And there’s a paddle to help them on their way if needed.
This is very fast, processing up to 175 kilos of garden waste in an hour. If you prefer, you can remove the hopper and feed the machine yourself by hand.
The shredder will handle woody and green waste up to 4 centimetres in diameter. But as ever, the woody stuff will be chopped up more effectively than the green. If you want to reach maximum shredding speed, you’ll need to be feeding it dry, brittle matter.
That’s particularly worth noting because of the design of the funnel. This is ribbed inside, which means that it has a tendency to strip the leaves from branches as they’re fed through.
That can leave you with a pile of leaves after all the wood has gone. And that will in turn mean that all that greenery is more likely to be crushed than shredded.
This is the heaviest shredder on our list, weighing 31.5 kilos. That means that, even with the wheels, it’s not the easiest to pull uphill. And the power cable is only 4 metres long.
One other thing to note is the position of those wheels. They’re tucked under the body of the shredder, which looks nice and neat. But that does mean they don’t give such good balance, especially on rougher surfaces.
On the other hand, there are some clever design features that minimise the storage space requirements. The removable hopper means it takes up 30 per cent less room than equivalents with fixed hoppers.
Pros:
- Very fast on hard, woody material – it will shred up to 175 kilos an hour
- Removeable hopper allows for automatic or manual feed
- The removeable hopper also minimises the storage space required
Cons:
- Less effective at shredding leaves
- Not as stable as it could be when being pulled over uneven ground.
Buying Guide
If you’ve read our reviews but still aren’t sure which is the right shredder for you, read on! Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you make your final choice.
What Will You Be Shredding?
The first thing to consider is the kind of garden materials you’ll be shredding.
If all you need is a machine to shred autumn leaves, a multi-purpose option like the VonHaus could be perfect. It will suck them up and turn them into mulch in one simple process. Look for models that have shoulder straps to allow you to work in comfort for longer periods.
But if you need something heavier duty, a standalone shredder is by far the better option. Most will work better with woody than sappy material. But some will handle green waste better than others.
If you need to shred greener material, look for options with a reverse action. That will allow you to get started again quickly if green stems wind themselves around the blades.
And if you want to shred larger branches, check the maximum capacity of the shredder. Most of the standalone versions on our list will handle branches up to 4 or 4.5 centimetres thick.
Where Will You Be Working?
Next, consider the characteristics of your garden. Consider how far you’ll be working from a power point. Some models on our list come with 4 metre cables, others with as much as 10 metres.
And think about the environment too. Will you need to move your shredder from place to place? If so, look for models with wheels and handles.
And if you’re going to need to take your shredder up steps or steep slopes, check the weight. You won’t want to have to lug around anything that’s very heavy.
What Features Will Make Your Life Easier?
Finally, consider what features you’d like in your shredder. Do you want something that’s quiet? What about an automatic feed?
It’s also a good idea to check the capacity of the debris bag or container. That will determine how long you’ll be able to work before needing to empty it. If you’ve got a larger garden, a model with a smaller bag could prove very frustrating.
Last but not least, think about where you’ll be storing your shredder. The space requirements can vary significantly, so make sure there’s room for it in your garage, shed or outhouse.
Ready to Choose?
We hope you’ve enjoyed our round-up of seven of the best garden shredders out there! There are some great options at all price points. Just take your time to consider the way you’ll use it, and you’re sure to make the right choice.
Our top pick is the Einhill GC-KS 2540. It offers a good balance between capacity and portability, and will make short work of woodier materials. If that’s what you need to shred, it offers unbeatable value for money.
But whichever option is right for you, we hope your new shredder is soon helping you tidy your garden. Happy shredding!
