Written by Terry Smith

Our site is reader supported so when you click a link to Amazon we may earn an affiliate commission.

Best Bosch Garden Shredders Reviewed

This article was last updated on August 7th, 2021 at 3:42 am

Keeping your garden trimmed, pruned, and raked free of leaves is a seemingly never ending part of having a garden. Then of course, you have to figure out what you are going to do with all those branches and green material that you’ve collected.

The main options available to you are to throw it all in a skip, either one that you rented or one down at the local tip, burn the material (freshly cut branches or greenwood) (not great for the environment, nor your relationship with your neighbours), or you can utilise one of the best Bosch garden shredders, to turn that waste into useful chips and mulch.

You could always do this by hand using hand tools like a wood axe, but it is very time consuming, labour intensive, and to be blunt: if you can get a machine to do the hard work for you, why shouldn’t you? Bosch Garden shredders are among the best selling in the UK and Europe, so we thought we’d take a look at the best of them here for you. So, here are the best Bosch garden shredders reviewed.

Comparison table: Best Bosch Garden Shredders Reviewed

ProductWhat We ThinkPrice

Bosch Shredder AXT Rapid 2200

  • Fitted with 2200 W Bosch PowerDrive motor
  • Patented large capacity hopper for quick and easy feed
  • Practical plunger for increased material throughput
  • 40 mm high precision laser-cut
  • Ships in certified frustration-free packaging

Bosch Shredder AXT 25 TC

  • The AXT 25 TC quiet shredder – the first universal shredder for both soft and hard materials...
  • High torque high-performance 2500 W motor
  • Patented block release system allows blockages to be loosened easily without the need to remove the hopper...
  • Effortlessly shreds woody materials up to a maximum diameter of 45 mm thanks to extremely high torque of 650...
  • Items included: AXT 25 TC

Bosch AXT 25 D Quiet Shredder

  • Automatic feed and low noise levels for extremely convenient shredding
  • Collection box with 53 L capacity for easier collection of the shredded material...
  • Removable hopper for easy filling and convenient shredding
  • Tool only works when the collection box has been inserted
  • Convenient: removable hopper gives 30% storage space reduction compared to predecessor – only 67 cm height when stored...

 



Powered by a 2500W electric motor producing torque of 650Nm, and able to produce a material throughput rate of 230kg per hour, This is the Bosch garden shredder for medium to large sized gardens, or if you just have a lot of waste to shred. It can deal with both woody waste, and that awkward green stuff, but I have to admit it does a bit better with the former. That’s to say it can’t handle green garden waste, it certainly can, just don’t try to feed through too much green waste at once, especially if it is wet, or it might get jammed.

However, the Bosch AXT 25TC doesn’t jam often, and even if it does, there is no taking parts off the machine, etc. to fix the problem. All you need to do is press a button and Bosch’s patented block release system will do the rest, reversing the system and releasing any blocked material. There were a couple of times when this system couldn’t completely unblock the problem, and I had to remove the hopper, but this was very straightforward and easy, and the auto-shutdown feature kicks in whenever you do this, or remove the integrated 53 litre collection box, keeping you safe.

What I really like about this Bosch product is its compact size. Its shape makes storage much easier than a lot of other chippers, yet it still manages to have a large 53 litre collection box.  And this collection box is actually designed to help store some of the other parts of the machine, allowing you to break this down into a much smaller size when you are storing it away.

The AXT 25TC is mobile, and gets around on a couple of plastic wheels. These aren’t anything special, but they are made from strong material and by using the large handle, you can shift the 30kg or so weight of this machine around. 

There is a little bit of top heaviness to this Bosch garden shredder as it moves, but that can be said for the vast majority of these machines, and when stood stationary it gives no reason to worry about its stability. 

This machine feels very robust, despite having many plastic parts, and I think that is due to the quality of the materials used by Bosch. It also has a nice, modern aesthetic and the classic green and black Bosch colour scheme.

Bosch have done a really good job of making sure that the AXT 25TC runs quietly, and that was something I really appreciated after using it for a prolonged period of time. I still used ear protectors as I stood right next to the machine, but I had no complaints from the family watching TV in the living room, or the next door neighbours.

This is a very good, and quiet Bosch garden shredder, but it isn’t the cheapest thing on the market. It does have some nice design features though, such as the way it breaks down easily for storage, and the anti-jam reverse button, so I think many people will be happy to pay the extra for it.

Good garden shredders don’t have to cost the Earth, especially if your garden is in the small to medium size range, and this Bosch AXT Rapid 2200 can be sitting in your garden for well under 200 pounds. It has a streamlined design that gives the dual advantages of making it lightweight and easy to cart around on the durable plastic wheels, and keeps storage space needed down to a minimum. Yet, even with this space saving design, Bosch have done a great job of fitting the AXT Rapid 2200 with a fairly large hopper, and you can feed material through there at a good speed: approximately 90kg per hour according to Bosch.

The AXT Rapid 2200 gets its name from both this fast feed speed, and its 2200W ‘Powerdrive’ electric motor, which provides more than enough ‘oomph’ to shred common garden waste. To be more specific, this motor drives the laser-cut blades at a high rpm, and produces torque of 12Nm. 

One thing I will say, is that the maximum size of the branches you can cut with these machines is always a little overestimated by the companies that make them, and this one is no different. 

Bosch claims that branches up to 4cm in diameter will be dealt with by the Rapid 2200, but I found this is for only certain types of branch and you are safer going up to around 3cm in my opinion. The machine will still shred the bigger branches but I felt like the motor wasn’t enjoying it too much.

Some of the very small twigs might pass through this Bosch garden shredder without being affected sometimes, so they might need a second pass through, but this is actually a common problem with many garden shredders, especially if you’re not wanting to pay quite a lot for your model.

This is a quiet machine though, and if you’ve ever used a petrol shredder or chipper, you’ll know how loud some of these products can be. The Bosch Rapid 2200, like it’s big brother the AXT25TC, is refreshingly quiet in comparison.

Build quality is what you’d expect from Bosch: everything feels solid and well put together and there’s nothing that feels flimsy or like it’ll break off easily. Bosch are offering a 2-year parts and labour guarantee with this garden shredder anyway, so if there is a problem, you can always contact them.

Bosch Shredder AXT Rapid 2200

At first glance it is hard to see any difference between this model (The AXT 25D) and the AXT 25TC that we reviewed earlier. For starters, it features the same 53 litre integrated collection box that is utilised in the same way: both to collect the shredded material, but also to store some of the main unit inside too.

The hopper and free plunger also look identical, as do the push button controls, right down to the yellow coloured reverse function for freeing up jammed material. Even when you look at the spec sheet, it is still hard to work out what the main difference is between these two Bosch garden shredders. They have the same 2500W power drive motor, producing the same amount of torque, they are pretty much identical in weight, and even have the same length of power cable (4.5 metres). What are Bosch up to?

After looking into it even further we then realised that there are a couple of distinct differences between the AXT 25TC and the AXT 25D. The main one is while the former has a turbine cutting system, the AXT 25D uses a drum cut. So, what does this mean? Well, what it all boils down to is that this machine is specifically designed to deal with dry waste, and will not deal with green waste very well at all. It also has a slower throughput rate of 175kg per hour.

In all honesty, although it is sold and labelled as a shredder, the AXT 25D is actually more of a crusher, and in that role it does perform very well. It will deal with dry and semi-dry wood branches up to 40mm in diameter all day long, and it will also handle green waste as long as it has had time to dry out properly. Just don’t try to throw a load of freshly cut stuff in there or you’ll have problems.

 

Best non-Bosch Garden Shredders

If none of these Bosch garden shredders are tickling your fancy, perhaps one of these other brands might be more to your liking? Here are the best non-Bosch garden shredders for you to have a look at.

Comparison table: Best Bosch Garden Shredders Reviewed

ProductWhat We ThinkPrice

Makita UD2500 240 V Electric Shredder

  • Easy-to-use control panel with automatic anti block system and forward / reverse switch...
  • Handholds on both sides allow firm hold while in use as well as easy transportation...
  • Easy transportation with large
  • Container fill level easy visible through cut-outs

The Handy Impact Shredder with Collection Box

  • 2500 watt motor
  • Max branch diameter - 45mm
  • 40 litre collector capacity and removable hopper
  • 3 metres cable; Wheels for easy transportation
  • 2 reversible blades

If there’s any brand name out there that is more trusted than Bosch, it has to be Makita. Their tools have been the first choice of tradesmen for decades, and have a solid reputation for their hardiness and reliability.

Their UD2500/2 is a 2500W electric shredder with a maximum branch capacity of 45mm in diameter, and will get through woody and green material in quick fashion with minimal blockages, and runs very quietly. If blockages do occur, you can always use the reverse feature to clear the way.

This is a mobile garden shredder, and gets around on large plastic wheels that have been given rubberized treads for extra grip and maneuverability. There are good sized handles to help push the machine along, and these also come in handy to stabilize the shredder when in operation. The main thing that stood out for me with this model is the huge 67 litre collection box, which has been designed with cut out holes so you can clearly see when it is starting to get full.

Like most Makita products, this feels solidly built for the most part, with a steel tubular frame covered in robust plastic. The motor feels powerful too, and doesn’t struggle when you’re feeding the right kind of materials in, even when done at a good pace.

Where this machine struggles is where many of its competitors also have problems. I’m talking about branches with thin offshoots. They just seem to cause jams a lot more than straight branches, but I guess that’s to be expected. All in all though, this is a good machine once you figure out its likes and dislikes material-wise.

A powerful, yet lightweight garden shredder for less than 130 pounds? A very tempting price indeed, and something that a lot of customers have been taking advantage of without too many complaints coming back. What negative feedback this product has got has been widely aimed at the fact that it isn’t the quietest shredder out there, and can’t compete with the likes of the Bosch garden shredders in that sense. Still, it’s nothing that can’t be solved with a pair of ear defenders.

Like most of its competition, this shredder is powered by a 2500W electric motor and this, plus the reversible cutting blades, give it enough prowess to handle branches up to 3cm in diameter easily, and it will even shred slightly thicker ones if they are the right type.

The Handy garden shredder is fitted with plastic wheels for mobility and they do an ok job, if not anything to write home about. They do, do a decent job of helping stabilise the machine while it is stationary though, it has to be said.

A 40 litre plastic collection box comes with this machine and it has been made out of transparent materials, making it easy to see when it’s getting close to the time for an empty.

Honestly, for the price I wasn’t expecting much, but this has actually proven to be good value for money and is ideal for people with smaller gardens who don’t want to spend too much on their shredder. Sure, it has a couple of quirks, but the same can be said for machines that cost three times as much as this one.

 Tacklife’s garden shredder isn’t the most compact machine, standing at 87cm tall, but it is surprisingly lighter than a lot of the smaller models we featured here today at 28kg. I think a lot of that reduction in weight stems from the polypropylene construction of the outer casing and, in addition to reducing the weight, it also makes this shredder fairly rust proof.

Inside the casing hides a very powerful 2500W brushless electric motor, creating 460N of torque. This brushless motor has been designed to have a much longer working life than carbon brush motors, and this machine also incorporates a fully metal gearbox on top of that.

The shredding is done by a total of 8 reversible blades that can easily shred branches up to 40mm in diameter, and do so while operating under 90 decibels. The result is nicely shredded wood chips that you can use for your compost or mulch. These blades can be adjusted for distance, and reversed at the press of a button.

There are a number of safety features on this Tacklife garden shredder such as the overload protection switch, which kicks in and shuts off the power if the machine becomes jammed and starts to overheat. There is also a feature that stops the machine from working if you remove the sizeable 55 litre collection box.

This product costs just shy of 200 pounds at the moment, and comes with a 2-year warranty. For me, this makes it a good pick if you’re just looking for something to use at home that doesn’t cost a fortune, but still has a motor that’ll last.

Best Bosch Garden Shredders Buyer’s Guide

Still pondering over which Bosch garden shredder would suit you best? Or perhaps you’re torn between a Bosch and another brand? Well, maybe this buyer’s guide will help you with your decision.

How big is your garden, and how much waste do you have to shred?

I’ll say this right off the bat: if you have a very large property and need to shred lots of garden waste regularly, you’d probably be better off buying a petrol powered chipper/shredder as the electric ones might not be able to handle the workload. For a medium sized garden, something like the Bosch AXT 25TC would be enough, and you can get by with the smaller Rapid 2200 model if your garden is also on the smaller side.

Are you mainly going to be dealing with woody or green material?

If you are mainly shredding woody material, then any of these featured machines will probably see you right, as long as you get something to handle the amount of waste you have. For people who mainly want to shred green waste, you will probably be better off looking for a good machine that is an ‘impact’ shredder. Because of the way these types of shredder work, they are better at dealing with wet, green stuff.

Do you (and your neighbours) dislike loud noise?

There are no silent garden shredders out there, they all make noise. However, some are louder than others. For example, petrol powered shredders are usually far noisier than electric ones, but also among electric models there are louder and quieter machines.
Most products will have their operating noise level shown in decibels somewhere in their product description, and you should take a look and decide for yourself if a model is too loud for you or not. You should always use ear defenders just in case.

Other things to consider

You will have to unclog and also clean your garden shredder from time to time, so you need to know how easy it is to open up and get at those parts. It is also vital that there are safety systems in place that will prevent the blades from working while your hands are inside.

A good sized collection box is always a good feature to have, but failing that, you should definitely be able to attach a bin liner securely to the shredder to catch the chips. Reversible blades that can be operated at the touch of a button can really help to unblock a garden shredder without you having to get your hands in there, so that again is something to look for.

Finally, an often overlooked aspect when choosing a new garden shredder is how mobile it is. For example, how big are the wheels? Are they pure plastic or do they have rubber treads? Are there handles to push the machine around easily? How much does it weigh? Are there any customer complaints about how stable the machine is while moving or while stationary?

These are all questions you need to know the answers too before you decide to buy.

 

Thanks for reading, we hope you found what you were looking for here on Garden Toolbox and that we helped you out in some way.  If you’re stuck at home with Covid-19 boredom driving you crazy, why not spend a bit more time on this site, exploring all the wonderful content we have worked on tirelessly for you?


About Terry Smith

I’m Terry Smith from gardentoolbox.co.uk, a professional landscape designer, hobbyist gardener, and barbecue fanatic with 20 years experience building and restoring. So as you go through my site you'll watch me document some of the professional garden installs I make as well as the major projects I take on at home. While sharing those experiences and guiding you, I'll be recommending some great tools I use to enable this along the way so you can really buy in confidence. Always feel free to pop me a message: info@gardentoolbox.co.uk

View all posts by Terry Smith

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *