These wood chippers turn bulky landscaping and pruning debris into a manageable pile of mulch.
Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.
Buying a Wood Chipper
If you frequently tackle yard work projects that produce piles of sticks, branches, and logs, you’ll probably benefit from a wood chipper.
Sharp blades chop these bulky items into manageable piles of chips that can then be bagged up and thrown out, or used as mulch in a landscaping project. As a landscaper, I’ve found wood chippers extremely useful while clearing brush. Once they’re in place, they do most of the work for you.
When choosing the best wood chipper for you, consider these factors:
- Type: You’ll find three — electric, gas and power take-off (PTO). Electric wood chippers are the least powerful and better suited for thinner branches, from 1/2-in. to two inches in diameter. And because they need to be plugged in, their portability is limited. Gas chippers are more powerful and more expensive, typically handling branches up to 3-in.-dia. But their engines are noisier, produce harmful fumes and require messy fuel mixes. PTO chippers are the most powerful and much larger than electric or gas. They hook up to your existing tractor and draw energy from the engine. PTO chippers would only be practical for clearing large amounts of land with lots of thick branches and logs.
- Size and weight: Dimensions vary depending on the type. Measure carefully and note the weight. It needs to fit in your garage or tool shed, and transport easily to where you need it. Electric chippers typically weigh from 25 to 100 lbs., gas models more than 100 lbs., and PTO chippers up to 1,000 lbs.
- Use: Some chippers process leaves and other soft debris better than others. If you plan on using your chipper for sticks and leaves, go with a wider chute that can hold more debris.
- Cost: Essentially, the more expensive the wood chipper, the larger the diameter of wood it can handle. Consider type and size 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, it might be cheaper to rent one from your local hardware store.
Best Wood Chipper: Heavy Duty Electric
The Patriot Products CSV-2515combines fume-free electric operation with an impressive 2.5-inch cutting capacity. The push button start is more convenient than hassling with a pull start, and the large top-mounted hopper is perfect for loading in piles of leaves.
This chipper is much more expensive than other electric models, but the rugged construction and powerful output could be worth it if you deal with lots of large branches.
Best Wood Chipper: Safety
The narrow feed slot and safety stop — it automatically shuts off when the hopper opens — makes the Sun Joe 15 Ampa great option for those most concerned with workplace safety. The straightforward control panel makes it a breeze to operate.
With seven-inch wheels and a large handle, this 38-pound machine is comfortable to wheel from place to place. But the relatively small 1.7-inch cutting diameter makes it ill-suited for heavy-duty jobs.
Best Wood Chipper: Lightweight Gas
The gas-powered Landworks Mini Wood Chipperweighs 87 pounds, but two large handles and 10-inch tires make it easy to move around. It’s powerful enough to process branches up to three inches thick.
We’re also big fans of the adjustable discharge chute so you can precisely direct the chips. A three-year limited warranty should have you covered if issues arise.
Best Wood Chipper: PTO
If you work with especially large logs — up to six inches in diameter — and you’ve got a tractor to power it, the Woodland Mills WC68 PTO Wood Chippercould be the way to go.
The 360-degree rotating discharge chute directs your chips in any direction. Our favorite feature is its hydraulic infeed system, which automatically grabs branches and logs so you don’t need to continually do it yourself.
Best Wood Chipper: Lightweight
The 33-pound electric PowerSmart Electric Wood Chipperis the lightest option on our list, ideal for portability and convenient transport.
Despite the light weight, it processes sticks up to 1-5/8-in.-dia. A tamper tool (included) lets you push material through the hopper while keeping your fingers at a safe distance. The large handle and rear wheels make it easy to maneuver around the yard.
Best Wood Chipper: Versatile Gas Option
If you plan on chipping large branches as well as softer lawn debris, the Brush Master Gas Powered Self Feed Chippercould be a great choice.
Its two steel cutting blades and six hammers transform three-inch branches into 1/4-inch mulch. The two-way feeder lets you feed branches into the narrow front chute or dump armloads of leaves into the wide top chute.
Best Wood Chipper: Splurge
If money is no object and maximum productivity your priority, go with the Power King Gas Powered Chipper Shredder Kit. Its powerful 14-horsepower engine can easily devour logs up to 5-3/4-in.-dia. This chipper is extremely heavy, so you’ll need a separate vehicle and the included tow bar to move it into position.
One Amazon reviewer praised the efficient self-feed mechanism, allowing them to “start a 15-ft. branch with 3-in. butt and walk away to get another.”
