Update for 2024: The Ryobi RSH3045U remains the Garden Shredder Review’s Quiet Garden Shredder of the Year for 2023.
The Ryobi RSH3045U 3000W Silent Impact Shredder is the most powerful, electric garden shredder we have ever reviewed. With a 3000W motor its power rating is beginning to rival some of the smaller petrol shredders (3000W is just over 4 HP).
We are absolutely delighted to see a Ryobi Garden Shredder making its way back into our reviews. Ryobi is an enormous international company that specialises in home use DIY, Gardening and automotive machinery. The brand is not that well known in the UK, but it has a very large, and loyal, international following.
Just before we start the review though – this is not an impact shredder. To use Ryobi’s own words it is, “designed with a gear-drum mechanism for quiet and precise shredding”
Is it Really Silent?
We have said it before – using ‘Silent’ to describe any garden shredder is a marketing ploy that stretches, if not breaks, the truth.
This shredder is now widely available in the UK but I still had to go to a Flemish web site to find that the shredder is rated at 93dB. This is noisier than both of its close rivals: the Bosch AXT25D is rated at 85 dB; the LSRL PWS01A (previously Tacklife) is rated at a slightly less noisy 92dB.
Take a look at our article comparing garden shredder noise levels to see how it compares more generally with other shredders and common garden tools
The Health and Safety Executive recommend wearing ear defenders when using any machinery with a noise level rated at 85dB and above.
For home users the HSE recommendations are provided for guidance only. When we stood next to this Ryobi shredder while it was in use, we were easily able to hold a conversation at normal voice levels.
- Powerful 3000W impact shredder
- Two reversible, hardened steel blades shred branches, brambles, and shrubs to a fine mulch
- Integrated handle and large wheels for easy movement around the garden
- Large container holds up to 55L of shredded material
Cutting Mechanism
Just like all of the ‘quiet’ garden shredders we have reviewed, the Ryobi RSH3045U 3000W Silent Shredder uses a ‘gear and drum’ cutting mechanism. For more information take a look at how quiet garden shredders work.
The teeth in the gear push your branches and cuttings sideways onto the side of the drum. Ongoing rotation causes the teeth to dig into the cuttings and starts to pull the material through the shredder. This action gives the shredder a powerful self-feed mechanism. Once your woody waste has engaged with the gear it will be pulled through pretty quickly.
In this particular machine, the gear turns more quickly at 55rpm than practically any other quiet shredder we have seen. While this should help increase the throughput of the shredder, it may also account for its relative high noise levels
Table of Features
| Feature | Value | Comment | |
| 1 | Throughput | Not quoted | |
| 2 | Motor | 3000W | The most powerful electric motor you can have on normal domestic electricity |
| 3 | Shredding Mechanism | Quiet, Gear-Drum | |
| 4 | Cutting Speed (rpm) | 55 | This is a faster rotational speed than our top quiet shredder, the LSRL PWS01a. That increase in speed helps it cut up to 45mm but also contributes to the higher noise levels when in operation. |
| 5 | Max diameter that can be cut | 45mm | |
| 6 | Collection box capacity | 55 litres | Average collection box for a shredder of this time |
| 7 | Sound Level | 93dB | In actual usage the Ryobi doesn’t seem to be any noisier that other Shredders of this type |
| 8 | Weight | 21kg | Lighter than either the LSRL PWS01a or Bosch AXT 25D |
| 9 | Guarantee/Warranty | 3yrs | Good warranty period |
Is it Any Good
Woody Waste and Cuttings
Like all electric quiet garden shredders, Ryobi RSH3045U is designed primarily for woody cuttings and branches. And it deals with this sort of waste very easily. Take a look at the video below for a snapshot of this garden shredder in action.
We are particularly impressed that we have not heard of any cases of this shredder clogging with softer, green garden waste.
That said, if you want to finely chop leaves or other soft cuttings you are better served by a cheaper, rotary shredder. The Bosch Rapid 2200 is still our rotary/impact shredder of choice. If you are looking for a cheaper option, you could take a look at the Einhell GH-KS 2440 or the Sun Joe UK-CJ601E
Using the Shredder
Operation is very simple. Plug it in, press the button, and start shredding. The feed chute will not allow branches above 45mm in diameter so there is little danger of jamming. If jams do occur, there is a simple reverse function that will help clear it quickly.
It is well built and safe to operate. The chute is deep enough that you are unlikely to have the slightest risk of getting your hand anywhere near the cutter. That said, kids find self-feed shredders fascinating. The self-feed mechanism can be quite abrupt too. Thicker branches can kick back as the gear engages. You can get a good wrap around the knuckles so best wear gloves.
As with all garden machinery – best to keep small children well away.
Cuttings and Collection Box
Cuttings tend to be about 40mm long. If you are used to an impact shredder, this can seem very large. Remember, the cuttings have also been crushed and will have split open. This makes them great for use as mulch or compost.
Weight and Manoeuvrability
For a powerful silent Garden Shredder, the Ryobi RSH3045U is a lightweight. At 24.1kg it is substantially lighter than the Bosch 25D at 31.3kg and the Tacklife PWS01A at 29kg.
With good sized wheels and a good balance, that lower weight really does help you move this shredder to where you need it.
A 6m cable is not too shabby either but, as with all electric shredders, you are going to need a good, outdoor extension lead to move the shredder to where you need it in your garden.
The Not So Good?
There are almost no bad points with this Ryobi shredder. It is light, gets great reviews, and looks the part. In performance terms it was a genuine challenger to the Tacklife PWS01A as our quiet garden shredder for 2021. With the alleged issues with Tacklife potentially obtaining fake reviews the Ryobi has moved up in our rankings.
2 Things That Let It Down
There are just 2 things that let this silent garden shredder down.
The first is the marketing.
It is absolutely not silent. At 93dB, it is not even particularly quiet. This is not a huge issue – it is not overly noisy either. You probably won’t need to use ear defenders. Calling it silent just smacks of lazy marketing.
Conclusion
The Ryobi RSH3045U is a fine, quiet, but most definitely not silent, garden shredder At this price point, and with the issues around Tacklife, the Ryobi is justifiably our ‘Quiet Electric Garden Shredder for 2022′.
If you are looking for the very best quiet garden shredder – take a look at the Bosch ACT 25TC
- 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 Nm
Last update on 2024-12-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API