The 10 Best Wood Chippers
This review has been updated 21 times since it was first published in April of 2021. When it’s time for some serious yard cleaning, you can take some of the hassle out of the process with one of these wood chippers and shredders, which can make quick work of all those branches, twigs, and leaves, and are available as electric and gas-powered models, as well as heavy- and light-duty options. Just remember to take the necessary safety precautions (we’ve all seen “Fargo”).
10. Earthquake 9060300
The Earthquake 9060300 (appx. $1799) is a professional-grade tool that’s perfect for the homeowner with a large plot of land. Equipped with heavy-duty knives and hammers, it can turn your yard waste into manageable piles for convenient disposal.
- Reliable briggs and stratton engine
- 20-to-1 reduction ratio
- Collection bag doesn’t attach well
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9. Yardmax YW7565
The Yardmax YW7565 (about $857) features a large, self-feeding chute that is specifically designed to handle long branches. Since you won’t feel the need to push material into it, you can go right back to collecting more, hopefully making efficient use of your time.
- Blades are easy to access
- Rolls over uneven terrain well
- Struggles on fresh wood
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8. GreatCircle LCE01
The GreatCircle LCE01 (about $550) has a four-stroke, 212cc, OHV engine that allows it to cut branches down to 1/15th of their original size. It features a vacuum inlet that you can use to suck leaves into the chipper, too, though you’ll have to buy a separate kit to use it.
- Feels sturdy and well-made
- Starts reliably in cold weather
- Pull cord recoil can be finicky
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7. Champion Power Equipment 100137
The Champion Power Equipment 100137 (appx. $857) is a solid machine that will likely pay for itself in the amount of mulch you’ll be able to produce and, thus, not have to buy. The chipper chute accommodates large branches, while the shredder chute minces leaves.
- Hardened steel blades
- Automatic low-oil safety shutoff
- Lifetime technical support
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6. Power Smart PS10
The Power Smart PS10 (about $107) is not only surprisingly effective for its small size, but also budget-friendly, so any homeowner should feel pleased with their purchase. Weighing roughly 30 pounds, it is exceedingly easy to move around the yard.
- A branch pusher
- Can dispense straight into a bucket
- Circuit breaker reset
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5. YardBeast 2510
The massive YardBeast 2510 (appx. $2340) is probably a little much for most people’s needs, but if you’re a professional landscaper or live on a farm, you might want to consider this model. Its industrial design includes a heavy-duty transmission that provides consistent power.
- High-gauge steel construction
- Durable powder-coating
- Can eat through almost anything
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4. Tazz 30520
With a 212cc Viper engine, the Tazz 30520 (about $491) will eat up and spit out branches and leaves of all sizes in a matter of minutes. The included rugged debris bag has the zipper on the bottom for easy emptying, and a dock-and-lock connector for quick hook-ups.
- Straightforward assembly
- Tends to not jam
- Backed by a five-year warranty
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3. Patriot CSV-2515
It is rare to find an electric model that is almost as powerful as its gas-powered brethren, but the Patriot CSV-2515 (about $1130) fits the bill. It has a wide hopper to feed branches into and, despite weighing 95 pounds, the large wheels make it easy to reposition.
- Includes a collection bag
- Starts at the flip of a switch
- Can handle green branches
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2. Sun Joe CJ602E
Ideal for the homeowner who likes eco-friendly tools, the Sun Joe CJ602E (about $128) is an affordable, electric-powered model. It has a safety feature on the hopper that prevents it from operating when opened, and is available in three colors
- Compact and easy to store
- Not much louder than a vacuum
- Practically maintenance-free
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1. Patriot CSV-3100B
The gas-powered Patriot CSV-3100B (appx. $1399) is a multi-featured unit that incorporates a side discharge, letting you work in the same place all day without moving it. It quickly makes coin-sized chips of any branches three inches or less in diameter.
- Usually starts on the first pull
- Fuel-efficient motor
- Hassle-free feed system
