Wood chippers help to turn garden waste including branches and pruning waste into wood chips, which can be used for a variety of purposes. If you regularly prune the trees in your yard, then a chipper can help reduce any garden waste, and turn it into something useful instead!
We reviewed dozens of wood chippers to identify the best of the best. We considered features such as whether the chipper was gas or electric powered, and what the maximum chipping capacity was. We also looked at the maneuverability and size of each chipper, and if they were suited to small or large areas.
After reviewing dozens of wood chippers available on the market today, we selected the versatile Great Circle Heavy Duty Gas Powered Wood Chipperas our top pick. It can handle branches up to three inches in diameter and also functions as a shredder and mulcher. This wood chipper is designed to make easy work of chipping your garden waste.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Wood Chippers
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Our Top Pick | Great Circle USA Gas Powered Wood Chipper | 4.1 |
| Our Runner Up | Sun Joe CJ602E Electric Wood Chipper | 4.1 |
| Best Budget Pick | WEN 41121 Electric Wood Chipper | 4.1 |
| Best Gas Powered Wood Chipper | Earthquake TAZZ Heavy Duty Gas Powered Wood Chipper | 4.1 |
| Best Electric Wood Chipper | Power Smart PS10 Electric Wood Chipper | 4.2 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at time of publication and can change
Our Top Pick: Great Circle USA Heavy Duty Gas Powered Wood Chipper
Our runner up, the Great Circle Heavy Duty Gas Powered Wood Chipper will make easy work of chipping all your garden waste. As a plus, it also acts as a shredder and mulcher. The powerful 7HP, 212cc gas powered engine makes chipping branches quick and easy.
The large top hopper is designed for volume chipping for branches up to 3″ diameter. The small, side chute is perfect for smaller branches up to 0.5″ diameter. This heavy duty wood chipper come already assembles, so you can put it straight to work.
Great Circle USA Heavy Duty Gas Powered Wood Chipper Key Features:
- 3 year warranty
- 3″ chipping capacity
- Multi-function design
Our Runner Up Pick: Sun Joe CJ602E Electric Wood Chipper
The Sun Joe CJ602E Electric Wood Chipper is also a good choice. This chipper features a range of high-quality features, including a quiet, 15 Amp electric motor. The compact design is perfect for small backyards, while the 6″ wheels make it easy to move this chipper to wherever you want it.
Available in 3 colors, this wood chipper has a safety hopper with a locking knob. This acts as an additional safety feature, meaning the motor cannot operate while the hopper is open. The instant start switch behind the safety hopper means this wood chipper is super easy to start, with no need to worry about pull-cords.
Sun Joe CJ602E Electric Wood Chipper Key Features:
- 15 Amp motor
- 1.5″ chipping capacity
- 2 year warranty
Best Budget Pick: WEN 41121 Electric Wood Chipper
Our budget pick is the WEN 41121 Electric Wood Chipper. If you’re looking for a compact wood chipper for a small garden, or occasional use, then this is a perfect choice. While it may be compact, the 15 Amp motor still provides up to 8000 cuts per minute, making quick work of chipping your garden waste.
The two, 7″ cutting blades are effective at chipping, while the push stick allows you to easily place cuttings into the hopper safely. This wood chipper also comes with a collection bag making it easy to neatly store your chippings until you need to use them.
WEN 41121 Electric Wood Chipper Key Features:
- 1.5″ chipping capacity
- 15 Amp motor
- 2 year warranty
Best Gas Powered Wood Chipper: Eathquake TAZZ Heavy Duty Gas Powered Wood Chipper
As the best gas powered wood chipper, we selected the Eathquake TAZZ Heavy Duty Gas Powered Wood Chipper. This machine uses a Viper engine, which comes with a 5 year warranty. The unique air gate means that this wood chipper produces more than 20% vacuum than similar chippers, meaning it takes less time to chip your garden waste.
The large, 11″ diameter wheels are designed never too go flat, meaning that whatever terrain you pull this wood chipper over, you don’t need to worry about a flat tire.
Earthquake TAZZ Heavy Duty Gas Powered Wood Chipper Key Features:
- 5 year warranty
- Convenient size
- 3″ chipping capacity
Best Electric Wood Chipper: Power Smart PS10 Electric Wood Chipper
Our selection for the best electric wood chipper is the Power Smart PS10 Electric Wood Chipper. This wood chipper has 6″ wheels for easy mobility, and a safety hopper with a locking knob. This prevents the motor from functioning when the hopper is open.
The motor of this wood chipper has an overload switch, meaning it will shut off if too much waste is fed in for the cutting blades to cope with. At only 33 pounds of weight, this wood chipper is easy to move, and store when not in use.
Power Smart PS10 Electric Wood Chipper Key Features:
- 1.75″ cutting capacity
- 15 Amp motor
- Overload switch
Who Should Buy a Wood Chipper
If you have a backyard with a lot of trees, then a wood chipper is an excellent idea. Using a wood chipper to create wood chippings from your garden waste is an excellent way to reduce your reliance on landfill, as you can use the chipper instead of taking your garden waste to the dump. Some chippers also have the option to create mulch from leaves.
If you choose an electric wood chipper, then the zero carbon emissions means you can feel good about doing your bit for the environment. Wood chips have a wide range of uses, from using as a mulch on your flower beds, to smoking meat and fish (depending on the type of wood you’ve chipped), to using as bedding for small pets such as rabbits.
Important Features to Consider
A wood chipper should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting the best wood chipper for your needs:
- Gas or electric powered. Gas powered wood chippers are usually more powerful, so can chip larger diameter branches. But, they’re also heavier and louder to run. Electric wood chippers are quieter and smaller, but usually can’t chip such a large diameter of branch.
- Multi-function. If you have a large garden, with a lot of waste from trees, it’s a good idea to look for a multi-function, or 3-in-1 wood chipper. These can chip, shred, and mulch the majority of your garden waste, making them a very flexible option.
- Cutting capacity. If you know roughly what size branches you’ll be looking to chip, bear that in mind while making your selection. The smaller electric wood chippers we reviewed can chip branches of up to 1.5″ in diameter, while the larger gas powered models are capable of chipping branches up to 4″ in diameter.
- Size. Consider the amount of space you’ll need to store your wood chipper when it’s not in use. If you anticipate only using it once or twice a year, a smaller, compact wood chipper will take up much less room when stored. On the other hand, if you plan to use your wood chipper once or twice a month, you may decide the benefits of a larger model are worth the extra space it takes up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wood chipper and how does it work?
Wood chippers are machines designed to help you break down pruned tree branches and clippings from your garden into a usable product. Instead of burning this waste, or laving it in a corner of your garden, wood chippers turn it into small shreds of wood, known as chips. These can be used on your garden. They do this by shredding the plant material into small pieces using spinning blades within the chipper. Some wood chippers also give the option to produce mulch from leaves.
How loud is a wood chipper?
A typical gas powered wood chipper can be around 110 decibels loud. For comparison, that’s the same level as a jackhammer, or power saw. Exposure to these levels can cause hearing loss, so ear defenders are definitely required.
Electric chippers will be quieter, due to the fact that there will be no sound from an engine. Instead, you’ll just have noise from the blades as they chip the wood.
How much does it cost to rent a wood chipper?
This will depends on where you live, but expect to pay roughly $100 per day. Many companies will offer a discount on a longer rental period.
How do you clean a wood chipper?
After each use, shut your wood chipper down and disconnect the power. Next, clean the chute with a soft cloth or brush. Make sure the chipper is free of debris, and remove any pieces of wood which have got stuck.
Your wood chipper will also need lubricating regularly. Follow the instructions in the manual for your specific model for more information about the maintenance and servicing schedule you’ll need to follow.
Other Wood Chippers We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other wood chippers. While they didn’t make our 5 best wood chippers, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your garden. They information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Gas Powered Wood Chippers
Landworks Super Heavy Duty Gas Powered Wood Chipper
This large, gas powered chipper has a 7HP, 212cc engine which is perfect for regular maintenance of a large yard.
Key Features:
- 3 year warranty
- Maximum ” chipping capacity
- 3-in-1 function
Cost: $600
MCP Samson Chipper Gas Powered Wood Chipper
The lightweight and compact design of this wood chipper hides a powerful 15HP, 420 cc engine.
Key Features:
- Electric start
- 5″ chipping capacity
- 1 year warranty
Cost: $2458
NorTrac PTO Gas Powered Wood Chipper
The elevated discharge chute of this wood chipper is perfect for filling a wheelbarrow, or sack.
Key Features:
- 5.5″ chipping capacity
- Angled hopper chute for easy access
- Can be mounted to a small tractor
Cost: $1900
Patriot Products Gas Powered Wood Chipper
The Briggs & Stratton engine used in this chipper has 10HP chipping power.
Key Features:
- 3″ chipping capacity
- Side discharge chute
- Also suitable for mulching leaves
Cost: $1599
Powerhorse Gas Powered Wood Chipper
The durable 212cc engine used in this chipper has a low oil shutdown protection mechanism.
Key Features:
- Easy to maneuver
- Dual feed design, with collection bag
- 3″ chipping capacity
Electric Wood Chippers
Earthwise GS70015 Electric Wood Chipper
The powerful 15 Amp motor of this electric shredder has overload protection, and a rest switch.
Key Features:
- 1.75″ chipping capacity
- Collection bin for easy clean up
- Leaf chute tool to keep hands safe and away from blades
Cost: $146
Eco-Shredder ES1600 Electric Wood Chipper
This electric wood chipper has a triple action cutting and mulching system, for efficient chipping.
Key Features:
- 14 Amp motor
- Includes free cutting blades
- Easy start
Cost: $221
Greenworks Electric Shredder and Chipper
The 15 Amp motor of this chipper gives reliable results, while the 7″ wheels mean it’s easy to move this around your yard.
Key Features:
- 1.75″ chipping diameter
- Comes with extra set of blades
- Push paddle to feed material into hopper
Cost: $218
This wood chipper is also suitable for shredding leaves, using the large top hopper.
Key Features:
- 2.5″ chipping capacity
- Side discharge chute with collection bag
- 14 Amp motor
Cost: $1130
Sun Joe CJ603E Electric Silent Wood Chipper
The quiet electric motor of this wood chipper is excellent if you’re looking for a chipper that has zero carbon emissions.
Key Features:
- 15 Amp motor
- 1.7″ chipping capacity
- Safety hopper with locking knob
Small Wood Chippers
AAVIX AGT308 Electric Wood Chipper
The 50 liter collection box of this wood chipper means you can easily keep your wood chippings tidy.
Key Features:
- 15 Amp motor
- Body opens for easy cleaning
- Compact design is easy to move
Cost: $126
Martha Stewart Electric Wood Chipper
The compact design of this wood chipper is perfect for small backyards.
Key Features:
- 1.5″ chipping capacity
- 15 Amp motor
- Safety hopper prevents motor operating when hopper is open
Cost: $160
Michaelsons 6.5HP Wood Chipper
This compact, gas powered wood chipper uses a 6.5HP engine to make quick workk chipping your garden waste.
Key Features:
- Includes waste bag
- 3″ chipping capacity
- 12″ wheels for easy maneuverability
Cost: $600
SereneLife Electric Corded Wood Chipper
This 3-in-1 electric machine is capable of chipping, mulching and shredding all your garden waste.
Key Features:
- High power cutting blade
- Water resistant design
- 1.6″ chipping capacity
Cost: $190
The tough, 6.5HP Briggs and Stratton engine used in this wood chipper doesn’t stop it from being a compact, gas powered model.
Key Features:
- 3″ chipping capacity
- Self-feeding chute
- Solid steel casing
Heavy Duty Wood Chippers
Champion Portable Wood Chipper
While this wood chipper may be portable, the powerful 338cc engine and heavy-duty chipper chute make easy work of garden waste.
Key Features:
- Hardened steel blades
- 3″ chipping capacity
- 2 year warranty
Cost: $879
This gas powered wood chipper has a large chipping capacity of 4″.
Key Features:
- 420cc engine
- Dual feed unit, with drop-in shredding hopper, and chipper chute
- Large 13″ tires
Cost: $740
Samson Machinery Gas Powered Wood Chipper
This powerful wood chipper uses a 15HP, 420cc engine with an upgraded electric start option.
Key Features:
- 4″ chipping capacity
- Includes mulch bag
- Free accessories: eye and ear protection, tool bag, and gloves
Cost: $1544
This wood chipper uses a 9HP gas powered, Yamaha engine.
Key Features:
- 2 year warranty
- 2.5″ chipping capacity
- Stables, 4-wheel design
Cost: $2209
This wood chipper is powered by a 250cc engine for powerful chipping
Key Features:
- 3″ chipping capacity
- Chromium blade
- Gravity fed hopper
Cost: $789
