Our Garden Shredder Buying Guide (Including Top 10 Shredders)

Buying a garden shredder or wood chipper is a fantastic way to make the most of your green waste. That’s because wood chippers and shredders are the perfect garden machines for converting shrub and tree cuttings into compost and mulch, which, of course, are both essential ingredients for creating a healthy garden.

So, not only do garden chippers help tidy up your outdoor area, be kinder to the environment and save you unnecessary trips to the recycling centre, but they can also save you lots of money on compost and mulch.

In short, buying a wood chipper shredder is a real win-win scenario.

Is There a Difference Between Wood Chippers and Shredders?

In the past, chippers and shredders were seen as completely different machines. As the name suggests, wood chippers described tools that broke down branches into smaller, more manageable chips of wood, while shredders reduced foliage and other softer organic matter.

That said, in recent years, the difference between these two garden machines has become a little blurred because most leading manufacturers produce models that perform both functions. What’s more, the names they give their products often contain the words ‘chipper’ AND ‘shredder’, which most people now consider as interchangeable terms.

So, How Do I Choose the Right Garden Shredder?

If chippers and shredders amount to pretty much the same thing, how do you choose the one that’s right for you? The first way is to appreciate the difference between roller and impact models, the second is to consider how they’re powered.

Roller and Impact Shredders

Roller shredders use a rigid roller to crush and cut up garden waste. They tend to work best on harder, larger debris, like branches, arguably making them the natural successor to the old-fashioned chipper.

Impact shredders, on the other hand, have exceptionally sharp blades, which slice up garden debris into very fine pieces. They are best at dealing with leaves and smaller branches, making them very much like traditional shredders.

Petrol, Electric and Battery Shredders

As with most other garden machinery, you also have a choice between petrol, electric and battery-powered models.

Petrol Shredders

Petrol shredders tend to be the most expensive models because they’re usually the most powerful. They also give you complete shredding freedom, as you’re not dependent on an outside power supply. On the downside, this type of garden shredder incurs the highest running costs and is the least environmentally friendly.

Electric Shredders

In contrast, electric shredders are, pound for pound, the cheapest type of shredders. They are quiet when working and emission free too, so, if you have an outdoor electrical socket and are happy to work with a corded tool, they could well be the right shredder for you. Electric shredders might not always be as powerful as the best petrol machines, but they make an excellent choice for most householders, especially if they’re looking for an entry-level model.

Battery/ Cordless Shredders

The final option is battery shredders, which combine the freedom of petrol-powered models with the green credentials of electric. Usually referred to as ‘cordless’ shredders, they aren’t as readily available as petrol and electric models right now but, as this is a growing area of the market, we’re confident that you’re going to see a lot more of them in the months and years to come.

Our Top 10 Garden Shredders  

When choosing our best garden shredders for sale, we’ve juggled a number of factors, including shredding capability, reliability, user-friendly features, noise levels and price. We’ve also sought to include shredders suitable for various combinations of commercial and/ or domestic work, so you can find a shredder chipper that meets your own shredding requirements.

So, without further ado, and in reverse order, let’s review garden shredders right now…

10. Lawnflite PGS 45-SSE Petrol Chipper

Lawnflite PGS 45-SSE Petrol Chipper

If you’re a householder, looking for the best petrol garden shredder to match a tight budget, the Lawnflite PGS 45-SSE is an excellent choice.

This petrol shredder is powered by a 196 cc Loncin engine and features HSS blades, which are expertly designed to quickly and reliably shred branches, with or without leaves.

Thanks to the freedom of petrol, sturdy 10-inch wheels and a generous 45-litre collection bag, Lawnflite’s best garden mulcher can be used to shred leaves in the furthest corners of your garden, with minimal fuss.

Discover more about this really good wood chipper here.

9. STIGA Bio Silent 2500 Electric Shredder

STIGA Bio Silent 2500 Electric Shredder

Powered by a 2500 w motor, this electric shredder includes an 8-toothed rotary roller cutting system, which is able to shred branches, up to 40mm in diameter, with ease.

An exceptionally reliable and quiet chipper, it also features a reverse function and adjustable shredding size, so is perfectly suited to shredding all manner of garden debris.

A plastic plunger and spacious 60-litre container are included as standard too, to help get your hedge clippings and leaves efficiently reduced and transferred straight to the composter.

View further details about one of our best electric garden shredders now.

8. STIHL GH 370 Chipper

STIHL GH 370 Chipper

STIHL is amongst the world’s oldest and most-trusted manufacturers of handheld power equipment, so it’s a go-to brand for the best rated wood chippers.

Capable of shredding branches up to 45mm in diameter, along with woody hedge clippings, this is one of their best petrol garden shredders.

A soundproofed feed chute, which includes integral splash guard, will help you get your shredding done quickly, safely and quietly, while the machine’s wide chassis and sturdy wheels make it easy to manoeuvre around the garden, to wherever there’s shredding to be done.

Find out more about this top-rated wood chipper here.

7. Billy Goat TKV601SP Petrol Leaf & Litter Vacuum and Chipper

Billy Goat TKV601SP Petrol Leaf & Litter Vacuum and Chipper

This versatile machine will shred a wide range of garden waste, from leaves to branches, and everything in between. It is also particularly adept at operating on hilly terrain.

Powered by an impressive Briggs and Stratton 850 Pro Series 190 cc engine, this petrol shredder comes with a 5-blade serrated impeller, which reduces waste by a ratio of 12:1. And with a 30-inch clearing path and 27-inch-diameter intake, it’ll have your garden cleared up in no time at all.

The Billy Goat TKV601SP is supplied with an extra-large 151-litre collection bag included in the price. This uses sturdy fasteners, rather than a zip, for a longer life, and also includes an integral dust skirt to keep you clean.

Learn more about Billy Goat’s best wood chipper now.

6. Camon Chipper C50I (HONDA GX200)

Camon Chipper C50I

Robust, durable and powerful, Camon’s C50I is a highly effective chipper at reducing branches, brushwood and hedge cuttings into compost and mulch. It is suitable for both commercial and heavy-duty domestic use.

Backed by a superb 5-year domestic (or 2-year commercial) warranty, this petrol shredder features a top-quality Honda GX200 engine with a power output of 4.1 kW (5.5 hp). The chipper’s steeply angled feed chute makes it simple to shred all manner of garden debris, including long branches.

And thanks to the removable feed chute, retractable discharge chute and sturdy handles, this top-rated wood chipper is easy to transport between jobs and store too.

Buy this premium petrol wood chipper here.

5. Cobra QS2500 Shredder

Cobra QS2500 Shredder

Right up there with the very best budget garden shredders, the Cobra QS2500 is powered by a quiet, efficient 2500 w motor and can shred branches up to 40mm in diameter.

Designed to make your shredding as easy as possible, this ergonomic wood chipper features simple controls and a practical plunger, so you can give any larger loads a helping hand. It includes a 10-metre-long cable too, giving you plenty of scope where to position the machine in your garden.

This electric shredder is also supplied with a spacious 50-litre collection box. As a clever safety feature, the engine automatically cuts out if the box is removed.

Discover more about one of our cheapest garden shredders now.

4. Eliet NEO 2 Garden Shredder

Eliet NEO 2 Garden Shredder

A top electric chipper with an insatiable appetite for shredding, the NEO 2 boasts 12 cutting blades, as well as the world’s first transparent cutting chamber! Far from being just for show, this clever feature allows you to monitor the shredding process and anticipate blockages, so you’re always one step ahead of the game.

Despite being a powerful machine, the Eliet NEO 2 is remarkably quiet and easy to use. The chamber’s composite plastic build, reinforced with glass fibre, keeps noise levels low, while rubber silencers absorb vibrations before they reach the housing.

Other notable features include a calibrating sieve to produce uniformly small chips; a 50-litre collecting bag; large, sturdy wheels; and a series of smart safety features.

View more of the Eliet NEO 2 Garden Shredder’s great features here.

3. Eliet Maestro Country Battery Shredder (Shell Only)

Eliet Maestro Country Battery Shredder

The second of our Eliet shredders, the Maestro Country is the only battery-powered model to make our list of the best garden chippers.

This cordless chipper features Eliet’s patented Chopping Principle™, whereby the shredder’s 12 blades mimic the action of axes and exploit the natural weakness of the wood by cutting with its grain. Making an incredible 36,000 cuts per minute, they convert large amounts of waste into small, uniformly sized chips, for much quicker composting.

Thanks to this revolutionary process, the Eliet Maestro Country needs far less power and generates much lower noise levels than most of the other best shredders.

Including a premium steel shredding chamber and vibration absorbers as well, this top-rated wood chipper is equally effective at shredding thick branches and soft green waste.

Up there with the very best garden shredder chippers, find out more about the Eliet Maestro Country now.

2. STIHL GHE250 Electric Shredder

STIHL GHE250 Electric Shredder

Our best electric garden shredder for home use, the STIHL GHE 250 strikes the perfect balance between high performance and superb value for money. A versatile machine, it is intelligently designed, very simple to operate, and extremely effective at shredding all manner of garden debris.

Powered by a 2000 w motor and featuring a sandwich-style blade unit with Multi-Cut 250 cutting attachment, it reduces garden waste by up to 75%, quickly and smoothly.

This GHE250’s soundproofed feed chute dramatically lowers this wood chipper’s noise levels, while its integrated splash guard keeps you safe from flying debris as it’s being shredded.

And with a robust set of wheels and 9-metre cable included as standard too, this STIHL chipper can easily be moved around the garden to wherever there’s shredding to be done.

Learn more about our best garden shredder for composting at home, here.

1. Eliet Prof 6 On Wheels Shredder/Chipper

Eliet Prof 6 On Wheels Shredder

Our best petrol shredder, the Eliet Prof 6 is powered by a 14 hp Vanguard 400 engine, has a chopping speed of 48,000 cuts per minute, and shredding capacity of 475 kg (1,050 lbs) per hour. Boasting a premium 3mm steel chassis, 24 Eliet Resist™ blades and electric start too, it is expertly engineered for demanding commercial use and can continuously be operated for a full working day.

Thanks to Eliet’s 4 SEASON shredder™ technology, the Prof 6’s multi-bladed shredding chamber reduces branches and all types of green waste in just one go, while the Turbo Discharge function makes clogging the system virtually impossible.

Using the company’s famed Chopping Principle™ (detailed earlier), the Prof 6 will reduce your garden waste into what Eliet calls Biotech™ chips, which contain just the right amount of air and moisture to improve compost.

Other key features include Eliet’s Anti-Block Motor system, which regulates the feed speed; robust, agricultural-grade tyres; and a user-friendly rotating handle to control speed and direction.

Buy the best heavy-duty garden shredder on the market now.

Chippers & Shredders for Sale

We stock an incredible range of chippers and shredders for sale. This includes battery, electric and petrol shredders, all made by the world’s leading manufacturers of garden machinery.

What’s more, we absolutely hate being beaten on price!

So, whether you’re shopping for the best garden shredder for hedge trimmings at home, or a heavy-duty model for commercial use, you’ll find the perfect shredder for you, at unbeatable value for money, here, at Garden Machinery Direct.

And if you need advice relating to anything that we stock, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly, UK-based Garden Machinery Experts, who will be delighted to help, in any way they can.