Whether hardware store or internet - the range of shredders is large. Finding the right one for you is not that easy. We have presented the differences to you in more detail here.
Shrubs, hedges and trees occasionally need pruning in order to grow vigorously and thrive better. After a garden season, a lot of green waste can accumulate here, so that many hobby gardeners think about investing in a shredder. (Reading tip: shredder tested - test winner comes from Bosch)
As always, there are of course different models that differ greatly in some points. Choosing the best shredder depends not only on the clippings that are produced, but also on what you then want to do with the shredded material. Should the clippings be used for mulching or composting? Not every device is suitable for both types. Here are the two most popular types.
Which shredders are there?
You will find two different types of shredders on the market. One is the knife chopper and the other is the roller chopper. Both differ not only in the price-performance ratio, but also in the chopping technology.
Which shredder is right for me?
Many shredders use sharp knives to reduce the clippings. Other models dismember the branches and twigs with their rollers. As I said, which species you ultimately choose depends primarily on the conditions in your garden.
➤ Knife Shredder
The knife shredder cuts the clippings into very small pieces with its sharp knives, which sit in a rapidly rotating flywheel. This chopped material is then particularly useful for mulching garden beds, as it decomposes very slowly. So you can cover your plants with it and get rid of the weeds.
A blade shredder is particularly useful if you have more soft plant parts to shred. This primarily includes grass and all green waste from perennials and bushes.
✓ Advantage of Knife Choppers
The big advantage of knife shredderscompared to roller choppers is primarily in the price segment. Knife shredders are significantly cheaper to buy and are also lighter in weight.
The knives can become blunt very quickly, especially with dry and hard wood. However, you can easily remove and resharpen the knives. (Here instructions how to sharpen knives)
✗ Disadvantages of knife shredders
The unmistakable disadvantage of knife choppers compared to roller choppers is the noise level. Knife shredders work very loudly. Therefore, you should definitely wear hearing protection when working.
➤ Test report tip:
The ETM test magazine tested five multifunction shredders in 2012. The shredder from DENQBAR was the test winner.
» To the ETM test report
» www.denqbar.de
If your garden is in a new development, you should consider getting a blade shredder, as your neighbors can quickly become annoyed. Another disadvantage of the knife shredders is that you have to constantly push the cuttings. A simple indent will not work here. In addition, these models are more prone to constipation. The device must then be disassembled and cleaned. So the maintenance effort is a bit higher here.
➤ Roller chopper
With the roller shredder, also known as the quiet shredder, the clippings are crushed by a roller. There are small teeth on the roller that draw in and shred the leftovers. By crushing the chopped material, it offers a higher surface area for microorganisms to attack, which are responsible for rotting. the clippings are therefore particularly suitable for composting.
The purchase of a roller shredder is particularly worthwhile if you want to shred hard wood and leafless branches. The roller chopper often clogs with soft plant residue.
✓ Advantages of roller choppers
Roller choppers work much more quietly than their competitors. That is why they are clearly more popular in small gardens. If only not to endanger the good relationship with the neighbor.
With the roller shredder you have the additional advantage that the clippings are consistently drawn in by itself. Constipation is therefore much less common. And if it does happen, it can be fixed quickly and easily with the built-in reverse. So the maintenance effort is a bit lower here.
✗ Disadvantages of roller choppers
Probably the biggest disadvantage of the roller chopper is the higher expenditure of time that goes along with this device. WhenIf the material is wet, it can also lead to blockages with this device. If the return is not working properly, things can quickly get complicated here. If there are long branches and twigs in this shredder, it can get painful here. The clippings can whip wildly through the area during chopping. Safety gloves and goggles should therefore be mandatory when working with the roller shredder.
The weight and price compared to knife shredders is enormous. Roller shredders can weigh 30 kilograms and more and sometimes cost several hundred euros.
» Note: Both types of shredders have models with electric and petrol engines. Personally, I prefer devices with a petrol engine because you are not tied to a specific place. So you can set up a small lumber yard somewhere hidden in your garden, where wood is chopped and shredded. So you have spread the rubbish everywhere.
Advantages and disadvantages at a glance
| Advantages | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Knife Shredder | ✔ cheaper to buy ✔ low weight ✔ clippings suitable for mulching ✔ suitable for soft plant parts | - high noise level - possible clogging of the clippings - high workload |
| Roller chopper | ✔ quiet operation ✔ automatic feed ✔ coarse chopped material for compost ✔ suitable for hard wood | - High purchase price - High weight - Danger from whipping branches - Blockages from wet clippings - More time required |
Conclusion
As you can see, which shredder you ultimately choose depends entirely on your own needs. Anyone who values a quiet device is well advised to use a roller chipper, provided there is enough wood. If you have more soft clippings and lots of them, then you might want to go for a more powerful knife shredder.