The 8 Best Wood Chippers of 2024

Best Overall

Great CircleUSA Heavy Duty Wood Chipper Shredder

$570 at Amazon $450 at Walmart $779 at sears.com

If you have many trees around your property, particularly large or old trees or varieties prone to dropping branches, a wood chipper that can quickly reduce yard debris into easily handled mulch is both a time saver and a back-strain reducer. We love this powerful gas chipper from Great CircleUSA, which has a 7-horsepower, 212cc engine that's 4-stroke, so no mixing of gas and oil is required.

Even better, it is certified by the California Air Resource Board (CARB), meaning that it meets the agency's very stringent requirements for reduced emissions. This multi-functional machine can chip, shred, and vacuum, although the optional vacuum kit is sold separately.

You can drop branches up to 3 inches in diameter into the side chute for chipping. It has a wide-mouth design that makes it easy to slip branches inside. If you need to shred leaves, twigs, and other yard debris no larger than 1/2-inch in diameter, then you'll drop them into the top chute, which boasts a 15:1 reduction rate, meaning it can transform 15 bags of lawn waste into one bag of mulch.

If you're tired of the seemingly endless raking of autumn leaves, then the optional vacuum kit, which transforms your chipper into a lawn vacuum with a 10-foot hose, will come in handy. Note that this product should not be used for chipping or shredding pine cones, palm fronds, vines, or fresh greens. You'll need to add oil before using it and carry out periodic oil changes. Like most gas wood chippers, it is loud, so be sure to wear ear protection when using it. It comes with a large collection bag that attaches to the side of the chipper over the discharge chute.

_{Power Source: Gas | Dimensions: 40 x 26 x 24.2 inches | Weight: 130 pounds | Capacity: 3 inches | Reduction Ratio: 15:1 | Self-feeding: No}

Best Budget

Sun Joe CJ601E Electric Wood Chipper

$145 at Amazon $169 at Walmart View on Campingworld.com

The small size and ease of operation of this corded electric chipper from Sun Joe, along with its light weight and quiet performance, make it a fine choice for urban gardeners who want to create mulch without spending a bundle. We found that the Sun Joe Electric Wood Chipper is a great tool for small cleanup tasks as it effectively breaks down both twigs and leaves, but you'll need to load it slowly to avoid clogs.

If you need a unit that can handle large volumes and thicker branches, it would be better to opt for a machine with a larger chute. Still, this is a fine choice if you mostly need a chipper to chew through small branches and twigs, and it has an impressive reduction ratio of 16:1.

After a quick assembly and connection to an electrical outlet—you'll need to add an outdoor-rated extension cord—the chipper is ready to go. It handles limbs and twigs up to 1.5 inches in diameter, but you need to carefully feed them into the top hopper using the included paddle, as it is not self-feeding.

The wood comes out the perfect size for mulching around plants and shrubs. Leaves also feed through quickly, but they do not shred very finely. This chipper does not come with a collection bag, so you should bring a wheelbarrow and shovel to finish the job or set the machine over a tarp to catch the shredded results.

_{Power Source: Electric | Dimensions: 37.5 x 17 x 19 inches | Weight: 25.36 pounds | Capacity: Up to 1.5 inches | Reduction Ratio: 16:1 | Self-feeding: No}

Best for Leaves

WORX 13-Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher

$174 at Amazon $174 at Home Depot $208 at Walmart

If it's not fallen branches but rather fallen leaves that are your main garden concern, then this effective leaf mulcher from WORX could be your answer. This is a shredder, not a chipper, so don't drop twigs or branches into the hopper; this is only for shredding leaves.

According to the manufacturer, it can chew through up to 53 pounds of leaves per minute; imagine the time savings come fall! Unlike chippers, this tool uses a heavy-duty trimmer cord rather than a blade to shred leaves. But it does an impressive job of reducing dried leaves to a very fine mulch. It even handles wet leaves—something most chippers struggle with—very well, although they won't be reduced to as finely shredded pieces as drier materials.

This is a corded electric tool, so you'll need to add an outdoor-rated extension cord. It has a 13-amp motor, and it is very easy to operate. While the shredder doesn't come with a collection bag, you can easily attach your own paper, plastic, or cloth disposal bag or even let the shredded materials fall onto a tarp spread beneath the shredder.

The reduction ratio is 11:1, which is not as high as most gas shredders, but no slouch, either. And once you are finished, you'll appreciate how easily this disassembles for compact storage.

_{Power Source: Electric | Dimensions: 22.8 x 22.8 x 14 inches | Weight: 20 pounds | Capacity: Leaves only | Reduction Ratio: 11:1 | Self-feeding: No}

Best Heavy-Duty

Earthquake Gas-Powered Heavy-Duty Chipper Shredder

$1,030 at Amazon $901 at Lowe's View on Northerntool.com

The Earthquake 33964 has a 4-stoke, 301cc gas engine that is loaded with power, but despite that, it's designed to be relatively compact and easy to move from place to place on its 11-inch airless wheels, so you'll be able to position it right where you need it.

This beast has a 20:1 reduction ratio, meaning that it can reduce the equivalent of 20 bags of yard waste down to just one. Even better, it comes with a large collection bag that clamps—unlike many other models, which merely tie in place—over the discharge chute, making it easy to transport your finished mulch to your garden beds or compost heap.

Unlike some chippers that have just one blade, this one has two, and it munches through 3-inch branches with ease. Load branches into the side chute; while not a true self-feeding chipper, the blades will catch and help pull the branch into the chute, so remain very vigilant of your hand position.

When shredding, you can load the large top chute with dried or wet leaves, small twigs and limbs, and similar yard debris. You'll get the best results by alternating dry with wet materials, which can help prevent clogging. Like other gas models, you'll need to carry out periodic oil changes, and you'll also need to purchase oil separately, as the chipper does not come with enough for startup.

_{Power Source: Gas | Dimensions: 29.9 X 29.9 X 51.9 inches | Weight: 140 pounds | Capacity: 3 inches | Reduction Ratio: 20:1 | Self-feeding: No}

Best Electric

Sun Joe 15-Amp Wood Chipper/Shredder

$179 at Amazon

If you're looking for an electric chipper to keep your yard in good shape, then we recommend this effective option from Sun Joe. It has a 15-amp motor, and while its 94-decibel sound level is certainly not silent, it is quieter than almost any other wood chipper; these tools tend to generate over 100 decibels of sound when in action.

However, it is no slouch around the yard; it can handle branches, leaves, twigs, and other garden debris up to 1.73 inches in diameter and has a very impressive reduction ratio of 21:1. Like any chipper/shredder, it does best with dried materials, not wet, so if you plan on mulching leaves, vegetable-garden stalks, or similar "green" materials, you should let them dry for at least a couple of days before dropping them into the shredder.

This wood chipper has wheels, so you can easily move it out into the garden and then wheel it back into the garage or shed for storage. However, you'll need to add your own outdoor-rated extension cord.

It comes with a collection bag that sits beneath the shredder during use and is then easily lifted away to dump the contents into your compost bin or spread around your flower beds, vegetable garden, or other garden areas. It also comes with a paddle for pushing the branches into the hopper, as it is not an auto-feed chipper.

_{Power Source: Electric | Dimensions: 23.50 x 12.50 x 16.50 inches | Weight: 38.6 pounds | Capacity: 1.73 inches | Reduction Ratio: 21:1 | Self-feeding: No}

Best for Large Yards

DK2 3-in-1 Chipper Shredder

$1,300 at Tractor Supply Co. View on Cpooutlets.com View on Acmetools.com

Positioned as a heavy-duty commercial wood chipper, the DK2 Chipper Shredder & Vacuum is a gas-powered beast with a CARB-compliant, 7-horsepower, 208cc engine. It has three functions: Drop branches up to 3 inches wide into the side chute to reduce them to mulch—while not a true self-feeder, the blades will tend to pull the branches forward through the chute—load the top large-capacity chute with small twigs, limbs, or dry leaves and similar yard debris no more than 3/8-inch in diameter, or use the included vacuum hose to suck up fallen leaves.

The reduction ratio is 8.5:1, which is not the highest; that's one of our few complaints about this yard tool. We do appreciate the included tow bar, which makes it easier for you to maneuver the wood chipper where you need it, as well as the vacuum kit, which allows you to turn the device into a lawn vacuum to suck up dry leaves and other small, dry lawn debris.

We note that this chipper has a difficult time handling wet leaves and green plant material. (Almost all chippers have this disadvantage, however.) Still, it does an excellent job of reducing dry yard waste to mulch. Dry leaves are shredded into very small pieces, ideal for composting or leaving on lawns.

For the safest operation, after every use or midway through a day of use, carefully check all bolts and tighten them as needed. The vibration of any chipper during operation can cause bolts to loosen.

_{Power Source: Gas | Dimensions: 63 x 32 x 43 inches | Weight: 187 pounds | Capacity: 3 inches | Reduction Ratio: 8.5:1 | Self-feeding: No}

Best for Small Yards

Earthwise 15-Amp Electric Corded Chipper Shredder

$174 at Home Depot View on Walmart View on Americanlawnmower.com

If you have a small yard or even a small farm and only need a wood chipper to handle small branches, twigs, and occasional dried leaves, then you might not want the maintenance, cost, and emissions of a gas-powered tool. For those scenarios, the Earthwise GS70015 is a great choice. This is a corded electric chipper with a 15-amp motor.

You'll need an outdoor-rated 12-gauge extension cord to operate it, but once plugged in, you can start it up with the push of a button and get to work. While all wood chippers are noisy, this electric model is not quite as loud as a gas machine, and no fumes or oil are required.

This handy chipper can tackle branches up to 1.75 inches in diameter, although you'll need to load them very slowly at that size. Smaller branches are no problem, however, and you can also shred dried leaves as long as you don't overload the hopper.

The chipper comes with a tamper tool to help push the yard debris into the hopper, so there's no need to put your hands in danger. While the manufacturer doesn't state the reduction ratio, the wood chipper comes with a 1.2-bushel collection bin. Once full, it's easy to transport to your garden beds or compost bin. And the chipper itself has two large wheels so it is easy to maneuver right where you need it.

_{Power Source: Electric | Dimensions: 24 x 18 x 41.5 inches | Weight: 31 pounds | Capacity: 1.75 inches | Reduction Ratio: Not specified | Self-feeding: No}

Best Portable

Champion Power Equipment 2-in-1 Upright Gas Wood Chipper

$849 at Home Depot

While gas-powered wood chippers tend to be big, bulky machines, this sturdy option from Champion Power Equipment has a more upright design and large, never-flat tires. This makes it relatively easy to wheel the chipper out to where you need it and then wheel it back into storage once you are done. It's powered by a 224cc engine, and it's no slouch when it comes to chipping and shredding branches and leaves.

Remember that you'll need to add oil, sold separately, before starting the chipper and carrying out periodic oil changes. As a chipper, this model can handle branches up to 3 inches in diameter, quickly reducing them to chips of mulch. If you need to shred leaves or other yard debris no more than 1/2-inch in diameter, just load it through the top chute, which is wide and easy to access.

It comes with a sturdy 2-bushel bag for collecting the finished mulch. You'll appreciate the impressive 20:1 reduction ratio, which lets you quickly complete tedious yard cleanup tasks, especially in the fall. This chipper/shredder is EPA-certified for adhering to reduced emissions guidelines.

_{Power Source: Gas | Dimensions: 28.1 x 25.9 x 50 inches | Weight: 135.6pounds | Capacity: 3 inches | Reduction Ratio: 20:1 | Self-feeding: No}