Best Wood Chipper for Turning Yard Debris into Mulch
Updated: Jul. 25, 2024
Buh-bye, unsightly debris! Tackle piles of sticks, branches and logs with the best wood chipper for the job
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Finding the best wood chipper is probably on your radar if you tire of dragging, bundling and breaking down branches as you go about your yard work. A wood chipper is also invaluable when dealing with storm damage, fire mitigation and tree health, making cleanup easy and compostable.
Wondering how a wood chipper works? Sharp blades chop tree debris into manageable piles of chips that can then be bagged up or used as mulch in a landscaping project. Once they’re in place, a wood chipper does most of the work for you, making the process a breeze.
“Choosing the right wood chipper can significantly enhance your mulching process and make your yard debris management more efficient,” says The Plant Bible chief editor and expert Zahid Adnan.
Before you add a wood chipper to your cart, assess the volume and type of yard debris you’ll be chipping. Consider the size of your property, the density of vegetation, and the frequency of chipping. This will help you determine the power and capacity requirements of the wood chipper you need.
Wood chippers come in various types, such as disk-style chippers, drum chippers, and shredders, so you’ll also want to consider the best one for your needs. Disk-style chippers are ideal for handling branches and larger wood pieces, while shredders are better suited for smaller yard debris like leaves and twigs. Choose a chipper that aligns with the type of material you’ll be processing. To help, we scoured the market for the best wood chippers worth adding to your lawncare routine.
Best Overall Wood Chipper
Landworks Mini Wood Chipper
Pros:
- Best overall wood chipper
- Mulches branches up to 3 inches thick
- Directional discharge chute
- Easy to assemble
- Three-year warranty
Cons:
- Difficult to clear clogs
- Slow to feed
A real workhorse, our top pick Landworks Mini Wood Chipper has a 7-horsepower, horizontal 4-stroke engine to devour branches and limbs up to 3 inches thick. This chipper It also earns marks for portability, as far as power equipment goes—thought it weighs 101 pounds, the two large handles and 10-inch tires make it easy to move around. The adjustable discharge chute so you can precisely direct the chips.
A three-year limited warranty should have you covered if issues arise.
Best Budget Wood Chipper
Sun Joe Steel Electric Wood Chipper
Pros:
- Good value for mulching sticks up to 1-5/8 inches thick
- Portable and lightweight at 33 pounds
- Electric—Nn gas, oil or fumes
- Easy to use with included tamper for safety
- Two-year warranty
Cons:
- Narrow feed chute
- Not for bigger jobs
For occasional or small jobs, the electric Sun Joe Chipper/Shredder offers a great value and is our budget buy. At 33 pounds, it’s the lightest option on our list. Still, it gnaws through sticks up to 1-5/8 inches in diameter. An included tamper tool lets you push material through the hopper while keeping your fingers at a safe distance.
This backyard wood chipper is easy to maneuver wherever you need it with a large handle and 6-inch rear wheels. This is one of the best small wood chippers for quick cleanup. It comes with a two-year warranty.
Best Wood Chipper for Large Jobs
Detail K2 Gas Wood Chipper
Pros:
- Heavy duty, with a 6-1/4 inch cutting capacity
- Adjustable 180-degree discharge chute
- Built-in toolbox
- Reverse control
- D.O.T.-spproved tires
- Three-year engine warranty
Cons:
- Small twigs and green leaves tend to jam
If you work with especially large logs, the Detail K2 Gas Wood Chipper gets our vote. Powered by a 14-horsepower, 429CC Kohler engine, this chipper can handle tree debris up to 6 inches in diameter. The blades are double-edge reversible to get the job done. The 180-degree rotating discharge chute directs your chips where you need it, sitting at 59-inch pickup bed height.
Got multiple properties to clear? Take it on the road with D.O.T.-approved tires and a 48-inch extended axle. The removable tow bar has a 2-inch hitch. The Detail DK is a heavy-duty, commercial-rated chipper insuring long-lasting performance. It come with a three-year warranty.
Best Wood Chipper for Small Jobs
PowerSmart 15-Amp Electric Chipper/Shredder
Pros:
- Capable mulcher for small jobs
- Electric—no gas, oil or fumes
- Efficient at light tasks
- Useful safety features
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy to use
- Two-year warranty
Cons:
- Tethered by a cord
For light-duty yard cleanup, look to this electric PowerSmart 15-amp model. The narrow feed slot and safety stop—which automatically shuts off when the hopper opens—makes the a great option for beginners and anyone especially concerned with safety. It chews up branches measuring 1.77 inches or less—a larger size than our budget model.
The straightforward control panel makes it a breeze to operate, and the included 40-liter collection bin locks in place and conveniently gather the mulch. With the 6.5-inch wheels wheels and a large handle, this 33-pound machine maneuvers easily from place to place. The compact design and portability of this chipper makes it easy to store, too. It comes with a two-year warranty.
Best Residential Chipper Shredder
GreatCircleUSA Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher
Pros:
- Chipper, shredder and vacuum in one for residential cleanup
- 3-inch cutting capacity
- High-velocity output
- Wide top chute
- Mulches dry leaves
- Discharge bag included
- EPA/CARB-certified
Cons:
- Tow bar and vacuum kits sold separately
If you plan on chipping large branches as well as lawn debris, the GreatCircle model ticks the boxes of being a chipper, mulcher and shredder in one, as well as a vacuum, if you buy the extra kit. Two steel cutting blades and four hammers transform branches up to 3 inches thick into 1/2-inch mulch. The two-way feeder lets you feed branches into the top chute or dump of leaves into the side chute. Add a vacuum attachment to it for quick cleanup.
This  EPA/CARB-certified machine is a favorite for fire-prone areas and aids in creating a firebreak. It even includes a discharge bag. All told, we think it’s the best home chipper/shredders for residential use.
Best Splurge Wood Chipper
Power King Gas-Powered Chipper Shredder
Pros:
- Self-feeding
- Removable tow hitch
- Large rotational feed chute
- Hinged chip chute
- Long-lasting blades
- Easy start
Cons:
- Expensive
If money is no object and maximum productivity is your priority, go with the Power King 14HP Kohler Chipper Shredder. Its powerful 14-horsepower, gas-powered engine and sharp blades pulverize logs up to 5-3/4 inches in diameter. Direct the mulch whenever you want it to go with the adjustable chip chute. This chipper weighs a ton—actually 452 pounds—so you’ll need a separate vehicle and included tow bar to move it into position.
One happy reviewer praised the efficient self-feed mechanism, allowing them to “start a 15-foot branch with 3-inch butt and walk away to get another.”
What to Consider When Buying A Wood Chipper
Ready to add a wood chipper to your outdoor care? Before you buy, here are a few factors to consider. That way, you can rest easy knowing you have the best machine to cater to your wood-chipping needs:
Power Options
There are two common power sources for wood chippers: gas and electricity. While each power option has its pros and cons, understanding the difference may help inform your shopping decision. Generally, electric ones are cheaper to operate but offer less power. By contrast, gas ones are as expensive to run as they are powerful, but there are some other distinctions.
Electric wood chippers are generally the least powerful and better suited for thinner branches, from 1/2-inch to two inches in diameter. Besides power and job size limitations, their big drawback is that they require you to plug them in, meaning you can’t run them too far away from an outlet or generator. As mentioned, gas-powered chippers are more powerful and more expensive, typically handling branches up to three inches in diameter. But their engines are noisier, produce harmful fumes and require messy fuel mixes.
Then, there’s a third dark-horse option: Power Take-Off chippers (AKA PTOs). PTO chippers are the most powerful and much larger than electric or gas. They hook up to your existing tractor and draw energy directly from the engine. PTO chippers are only practical for clearing large amounts of land with thick branches and logs, and they necessitate owning or renting a tractor, which is an added expense and takes up a lot of space.
Size and Weight
Dimensions vary depending on the chipper type, with electric chippers being the smallest, gas-powered ones in the middle and PTOs being the largest and heaviest. Electric chippers typically weigh 25 to 100 pounds, whereas gas models weigh more than 100 pounds and PTO chippers up to 1,000 pounds. Measure carefully and note the weight of your chosen chipper, ensuring that you have space for it—not just when in use but for storage. The chipper you choose likely needs to be able to fit in your garage or tool shed and be easy to transport, or you need a lot of land and a large storage barn or warehouse.
Chipping and Shredding Capacity
Some chippers chip only—meaning they break down branches and sticks into smaller bits. Other chippers may have a shredding option, as well, meaning they can chip larger pieces of lumber but also have the option to break down leaves and twigs into finer mulch (these are typically separate settings and cannot [and should not] be run in tandem). Whether this is an option you need will depend on whether you are simply throwing the debris away or if you want to reuse it on your land, shredding options being better for the latter. However, you’ll also want to pay attention to how much a chipper can handle, as this will affect the amount of time a job takes and the cost of operation. Sure, an electric chipper might seem like it will save you money on a big job, but the savings might be offset if it takes twice as long because of its limited capacity.
This also carries over to storage after your yard waste has been chipped. Some chippers come with a bag, others come with a bin, and some do not have any waste storage mechanism whatsoever. Make sure you are aware of the capacity before picking a chipper, as one too small will cause you a lot of grief if you constantly have to empty it elsewhere. Similarly, one too large might be frustrating because it tends to be more expensive, and you may not get your money’s worth.
Feeding Mechanism
Typically, smaller, single-user chippers will require manual feeding, meaning you’ll have to physically toss the yard waste into the chipper to get it done. However, larger, more industrial options sometimes have automatic feeders, meaning there’s a separate container with a conveyor system that can continuously feed the chipper without the need to toss the yard waste into it manually. Fancier mechanisms, however, also cost more to run and can sometimes get jammed up, so you’ll still want to monitor them.
Safety
Wood chippers are dangerous, full stop. Regardless of which kind you decide on, please ensure you always wear the proper safety gear and have completely read through the operations guide to ensure the highest level of safety. Furthermore, the larger, more powerful chippers are more dangerous, so keep that in mind.
Cost
Essentially, the more expensive the wood chipper, the larger the diameter of wood it can handle. Consider the type and size of the chipper carefully so you don’t waste money on a model that’s too powerful or buy one that’s not powerful enough. If you’ll only use your chipper occasionally, renting one from your local hardware store might be cheaper. You can also hire professional landscapers who will handle jobs for you, which may be a better option than buying your own wood chipper, depending on the size and frequency of your jobs.
Why You Should Trust Us
At Family Handyman, we take our home improvement projects incredibly seriously, which is exactly why we put a lot of time and thought into finding the best wood chippers for your needs. Not only did we test dozens of wood chippers—which means we can vouch for many of the ones you see here—but we also pored over hundreds of reviews to ensure each product lives up to the hype. This list was expertly curated by Sheri Kaz, an interior designer who has spent the past 30 years fine-tuning her gardening skills and testing the best lawncare essentials, such as wood chippers.
We also consulted Zahid Adnan, gardener and founder of The Plant Bible, on how to turn yard debris into mulch and the best wood chipper to do so. Adnan is an expert in the gardening industry, with vast experience and hands-on skills in horticulture. As the founder and editor of ThePlantBible.com, he provides top-tier content and professional advice to fellow gardening enthusiasts daily. In addition to his work, Zahid manages 10 hectares of agricultural land and sustains an exquisite garden in his own backyard.
How We Found the Best Wood Chippers
As shopping experts at Family Handyman, we put a lot of care and consideration into choosing our product recommendations—including the best wood chippers you see here. It’s our job to test hundreds of products, so you can rest easy knowing that we can vouch for many of the wood chippers you see here. (Since no product is perfect, we’re here to break down the pros and cons to help you make the smartest choice for your needs.) We also scanned through thousands of reviews to see what other people think of these wood chippers. Of course, new products are always sprouting up, so we update this list regularly to ensure we include the latest and greatest options and the most up-to-date prices.
FAQ
Is a wood chipper a good investment?
Nothing makes storm cleanup and tree trimming easier than having a wood chipper. Renting a wood chipper is an option, although it might make sense for you to invest in the best wood chipper for your property.
What size wood chipper do I need?
The most important detail to consider is the machine’s cutting capacity for the diameter of the branches you need to mulch. Large branches or logs may need to be cut into smaller sizes with a chain saw or log splitter before chipping or shredding.
An electric chipper with a large hopper would work well for light-duty backyard brush trimming. For a large wooded property that requires major clearing, a power takeoff shaft (PTO) wood chipper connected to a tractor could be the right tool.
Can you put vines in a wood chipper?
Vines and wet materials tend to tangle and clog wood chippers. A great workaround is to use hedge trimmers and lopers to break down vines before adding them to a chipper or shredder.
How do I sharpen wood chipper blades?
Depending on the conditions that your wood chipper is used, a rule of thumb is that blades should be sharpened every 25 to 50 hours. However, it is best to consult the manufacturers’ specifications. The general guidelines:
- Turn the chipper off.
- Unplug it if it’s electric, or disconnect the spark plug if it’s gas-powered.
- Remove the hopper feed chute.
- Check the user guide and remove the inspection plate.
- Remove the blades to be sharpened.
A machinist can sharpen the dull blades. For DIY blade sharpening, you’ll need a little bit of skill and a wet grinder, belt sander or hand sander. The blades need to be sharpened at the angle recommended by the factory.
Is a wood chipper the same as a shredder?
Not necessarily. Wood chippers without shredding capabilities will only break down branches and sticks to a certain size. Shredders are designed to break down smaller yard waste, like twigs and leaves, into finer mulch. Some chippers are also shredders, but not all chippers have shredding capabilities. There are also standalone shredders that cannot function as wood chippers.
Originally Published: March 21, 2022
