5 things to know if you're buying a garden shredder

Garden shredders don't come cheap, but they're extremely handy tools for quick and efficient clearing of your hedge trimmings or other prunings.

Keep reading to find out what you should consider in order to find the perfect model for you.

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1. Type of garden shredder suitable to your needs

There are two main types of garden shredders - impact and roller. Each has types of material that it excels at, so consider what you'll mostly be using it for. You should also think about what you what to do with the chippings once you're done, and how much noise can you put up with.

Impact garden shredders

• Slice up garden material into very fine pieces, which can be used as mulch
• More suited to chopping up leaves and lighter garden foliage rather than big chunks of wood 
• Generally the cheapest type of garden shredder
• Don't block as often
• Can be very noisy

Roller garden shredders

• Use a ridged roller system to crush and cut garden waste
• Suitable for breaking down woody stems (up to 50mm in diameter)
• Can be very expensive
• More likely to get blocked
• Tend to be quieter than impact type

Turbine shredders are the combination of the two, so they're also with considering if you needs a more versatile tool.

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2. Portability and your storage space

Garden shredders tend to be large and bulky, so if you're looking to buy one, you'll have to make sure you have enough space to store it in a place that protects it from the elements.

Not all shredders have this option, but if you're short on space you should opt for a folding model. If the type of model you're after doesn't fold, refer to dimensions in the specifications of the model and then compare it to your storage space.

You'll also want to opt for a model that's not to tricky to move around your garden. Pretty much all models come with wheels, but not all of them are easy to move. Look for a model with larger wheels and that is on the lighter side - impact rollers tend to weight less than roller or turbine.

Another thing to keep in mind is the length of the power cable; if they're on the shorter side, you might need to purchase an extension lead.

Find out which garden shredders score highest in our lab tests, head over to our best garden shredders guide.

3. You don't need to spend a fortune to get a good garden shredder

Garden shredders can cost up to £650, which isn't a small amount of money by any means. However, just because something is expensive, doesn't mean it's the best. 

Read our reviews to find the best garden shredder for your needs and pay special attention to our Great Value recommendation if you're on a budget, as it can help you find quality tools without breaking the bank.

Models that earn our Great Value badge do pretty well in our tests – scoring 60% or more  – while also being at least 20% cheaper than the average price of the garden shredders we’ve tested. Some Great Value models might also score well enough to be Best Buys.

Head over to our Great Value garden shredder reviews to find the perfect affordable model for your needs.

4. Useful features and accessories to look out for

Make clearing your garden a breeze by making sure your garden shredders has the following features:

• Collection box - a handy accessory to collect the shreddings and make them easy to carry. If your model doesn't come with one, a plastic garden trug works well.
• Plunger - A paddle which helps you push the material into the machine, while stopping your fingers going into the opening.
• Reverse setting - This feature reverses the directing of the blades or rollers and helps clear blockages.
• Shredding modes - Not all models will have this, but some come with multiple modes, which allow you to shred different types of material. This is a feature to look out for if you need a versatile garden shredder.

Discover which garden shredders aced our tests by heading over to our garden shredder reviews.

5. Don't forget to protect yourself

Think about safety when working with large power tools. You'll have to purchase these accessories separately, however, it's important to protect your eyes and face from any clippings that may fly around as you work, keep your hands safe from splinters, and keep your ears protected from noise of the machine.

A good pair of gloves, goggles and ear defenders should do the trick.

Best Buy garden gloves