Shredders turn twigs, brush and branches into mulch or valuable compost feedstock. But in Helicopter test by Stiftung Warentest Only 7 of the 18 tested devices are good. At least there are also cheap models available.
Three roller shredders failed the durability test. Some devices are annoying because they clog up quickly, others are too expensive, costing up to 500 euros. With our results, you will find a shredder that is fun to use – and affordable.
Why the Garden Shredder Test is Worth It for You
Test results
The table shows the test results of Stiftung Warentest for 18 electric shreddersincluding devices from Bosch, Obi, Einhell, Black & Decker and Stihl. Prices range from 113 euros to 500 euros, with ratings ranging from good to bad.
The best garden shredder for you
The tested garden shredders work with different cutting systems. One model uses a turbine, nine are roller shredders, eight are knife shredders, one of which is battery-powered. We have listed the advantages and disadvantages of the systems. You can filter the devices by price, ratings and features to determine your personal test winner.
Monitoring costs
In knife shredders, the blades must be replaced regularly. We assess the wear and tear of each shredder and quote prices for replacement blades, which can be up to 38 euros. These subsequent costs do not apply to roller models.
Journal article in PDF
After activation, you will receive the 8/24 test magazine article for download.
Test results for 18 garden shredders
unlock
Knife, Roller and Turbine Crushers Compared
The three cutting systems tested have different properties. Knife shredders cut the plants into very small pieces with rapidly rotating blades. Roller models tend to cut and crush the material by pressing it against a metal plate with teeth. They produce slightly coarser pieces. The Bosch turbine cutter is a cross between a knife and a roller shredder: the teeth of the roller are sharp, the shredded material is similar to that of the roller models.
When it comes to comfort, the different cutting systems revealed major differences. While some devices pull the cut branches independently, others require additional compression.
According to suppliers, the shredders tested should be able to process branches up to about 45 millimeters. Einhell cordless shredder is slightly weaker at 25 millimeters. The test revealed that some information was greatly exaggerated.
Tip: You can see which one before unlocking Chipper with which system it’s working.
Silent shredder for thick branches
The pure purchase price speaks more in favor of knife shredders: the cheapest model with a knife costs 113 euros, the cheapest with a roller costs 175 euros. But there are accompanying costs for knife shredders: the knives become dull and need to be replaced. For each device, we checked how long a set of blades lasts and how much it costs to replace them.
We also checked how loud the devices worked. From the meat grinder to the screamer, it was all there. Amazingly, the quietest model managed the thickest branches.
Chipper in the endurance test
We put a lot of pressure on the shredders in the test to check their quality. Summary of our most important tests:
- Long-term test: Each shredder had to shred 400 kg of cuttings. Three models failed prematurely with damage and are defective.
- Maximum Branch Thickness: Do shredders deliver the performance promised by the supplier? Most do not.
- Cutting performance: how many kilograms of plants per hour does the device manage? The weakest model weighs only 26 kilograms, the best 46 kilograms per hour.
- Quiet shredder: Which model makes the least noise? Some shredders are very quiet, but we rate one device as poor in terms of volume.
Tip: In our Topic page about garden tools and garden care you can find more tests for example in robotic lawnmowers or of Cordless Hedge Trimmer.