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A wood chipper is ideal for breaking down larger pieces of wood, and it is an invaluable machine if you are clearing trees or bushes in your yard. In our guide to the best electric wood chipper options, we will explore the top machines on the market.
We’ll explain the things you need to think about before you buy a wood chipper and go over the pros and cons of each wood chipper on our list.
If you want a quick overview of the best electric models you can buy, take a look at the table below.
At a Glance: 6 of the Best Electric Wood Chipper Options in 2021
Wood Chipper | Best for… | Power | More Info |
Sun Joe CJ603E 15-Amp 1.7-Inch Cutting Diameter Electric Silent Wood Chipper | Best overall electric wood chipper | 15 Amp | Find out more |
WEN 15-Amp Rolling Electric Wood Chipper and Shredder | Best for speed | 15 Amp | Find out more |
Patriot Products CSV-2515 14 Amp Electric Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder | Best for low maintenance | 14 Amp | Find out more |
Snow Joe CJ601E Electric Wood Chipper/Shredder, 14-Amp | Best budget electric wood chipper | 14 Amp | Find out more |
Landworks Wood Chipper Shredder Electric Light Duty | Best for reduction ratio | 15 Amp | Find out more |
MELLCOM 15 Amp Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher | Best for small occasional use | 15 Amp | Find out more |
Selection Criteria
There is a large number of wood chippers available on the market, especially electric-powered models. We had to filter our list only to show you the best; however, we have chosen certain wood chippers based on specific criteria. This includes:
- Personal use – The wood chippers we have chosen are mainly designed for personal use in your backyard, although some can handle more heavy-duty work.
- Portable and non-portable – We have provided a mix of portable and non-portable wood chippers to give you a decent choice. Some people require a wood chipper with wheels if they have a large yard, while for others, this isn’t a big deal.
- Different power – We have also included wood chippers that come with different power ratings (measured in amps). This allows for a good mix of sturdy wood chippers that can handle large garden debris and other models suited to small twigs and leaves.
What is a Wood Chipper?
A wood chipper is a useful machine that cuts up larger pieces of wood and other materials and breaks them into wood chips. Some wood chippers can also double up as a mulcher.
While wood chippers are often associated with professional work by gardeners or landscapers clearing large trees, many wood chippers are designed for home use.
They can make tidying up your yard, getting rid of small twigs and branches a lot easier and more efficient.
Things to consider before buying a wood chipper
In this guide on finding the best wood chipper, we will focus on one type in particular – electric-powered models. There are many electric wood chippers you can buy; however, you need to consider some things first.
Portability
You can buy two types of electric wood chippers – those that stay in one place and need to bring the debris to the machine and those with wheels that you can move around.
Portability and buying a wood chipper with wheels aren’t as important to some people as others. If you have a small yard and don’t mind raking up twigs and branches and bringing them over to the machine, then a stationary wood chipper is fine. However, if you have a more extensive garden, buying a wood chipper with wheels makes more sense.
Cost
Wood chippers are not as expensive as you might think, especially those that are designed for residential and personal use. While you can buy heavy-duty wood chippers that cost thousands of dollars, if you simply need one to use in your yard at home, there are many budget options available that will get the job done.
When buying outdoor machinery and tools, make sure you have a budget and stick to it the best you can. There is no point in overspending on a machine that you might only use now and again, although paying a little bit extra for a quality wood chipper can make clearing your yard a lot more straightforward.
Capacity
Most wood chippers come with a bag or a bin to hold all the cut-up wood and debris in.
The capacity of the wood chipper is a vital thing to consider because it will determine how much the machine can hold before you need to empty it. You need to weigh this up with how big your yard is and how much wood you are expecting to put into the wood chipper at one time. If you have a big yard and a lot of debris to cut up, you should look for a machine with a large capacity.
Similarly, if you don’t envisage putting much wood into your wood chipper at one time, you could get away with buying a model with a smaller bag capacity.
Power
The power of electric wood chippers is measured in amps, and for home and personal use, most machines tend to be around 15 amps. This is generally enough power to chop up twigs and small pieces of garden debris.
If you intend on cutting larger branches or logs, you’ll need a more powerful wood chipper with larger cutting blades too. However, the wood chippers on our list below can all handle decent size debris in your yard.
Reduction Ratio
Another important feature to consider when purchasing a wood chipper is the reduction ratio.
This is how much the machine will reduce the debris you put into a wood chipper. For example, if your wood chipper has a reduction ratio of 10:1, the small branch you put into the chipper will be reduced to a tenth of its original size. The better the reduction ratio means, the more you can put into the wood chipper before you need to empty the bag, so it is directly tied to capacity.
Note that a better reduction ratio means a bigger engine, power, and cutting blade size, so the price often increases. However, you can find budget wood chippers with impressive reduction ratios.
Safety
Lastly, you should ensure that you have all the suitable safety equipment when you buy and begin using a wood chipper.
Wood chippers aren’t necessarily dangerous as long as they are used correctly. However, you do need certain safety equipment to ensure safety when using one, and this includes:
- Slip-resistant footwear
- Eye protection such as goggles
- Hearing protection
You should also need all the instructions to operate the wood chipper safely before you begin using it.
6 Best Electric Wood Chipper Options
1. Sun Joe CJ603E 15-Amp 1.7-Inch Cutting Diameter Electric Silent Wood Chipper – Best overall wood chipper
The Sun Joe CJ603E 15-Amp 1.7-Inch Cutting Diameter Electric Silent Wood Chipper is our top pick if you want an all-around excellent machine.
One of the big advantages of using this wood chipper is that it is relatively low noise, so you won’t be disturbing your neighbors. It isn’t completely silent, but it does make less noise than many other options. The wood chipper can shred branches up to 1.73 inches, and it has a decent amount of power behind it for a machine designed for personal use.
An attractive feature of this wood chipper is the 21:1 reduction ratio, which is impressive for such a budget-friendly option. You won’t need to spend a lot of money on this wood chipper, and it is very affordable.
The wheels allow you to move this electric wood chipper around, and as long as you are close to a power source, it offers great portability.
There aren’t many downsides to using this wood chipper, and if you want a powerful machine that is relatively low noise, doubles up as a mulcher, and can handle decent size branches, this is the option to choose.
Pros
- Powerful wood chipper
- Available at a reasonable cost
- 21:1 reduction ratio and acts as a mulcher
- Has wheels for easy portability
Cons
- Nothing major with this wood chipper
2. WEN 15-Amp Rolling Electric Wood Chipper and Shredder – Best for speed
Next on our list is the WEN 15-Amp Rolling Electric Wood Chipper and Shredder, our top pick if you need to shred wood and garden debris quickly.
The two cutting blades can cut various materials 130 times per second which is insanely fast even for an electric model. This woof chipper can also handle branches up to 1 1/2 inches thick, and it offers an impressive 17:1 reduction ratio. While this isn’t as good as the Sun Joe wood chipper above, it is still terrific.
We also like the additional safety features of this machine. An automatic safety mechanism prevents this wood chipper from firing up when the hopper is still open.
While this wood chipper has wheels, they are made of hard plastic and might not be the most durable depending on the type of terrain on which you are using the machine. However, it isn’t a massive downside, and this is a quick and powerful electric wood chipper that also comes with a collection bag.
Pros
- Very fast cutting blades
- It offers a good reduction ratio
- Additional safety features
- It comes with a collection bag
Cons
- Wheels might not be the most durable
3. Patriot Products CSV-2515 14 Amp Electric Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder – Best for low maintenance
Wood chippers don’t often require too much maintenance to keep them in good shape; however, the Patriot Products CSV-2515 14 Amp Electric Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder is ideal if you want a low-maintenance option.
This wood chipper can cope with branches up to 2 1/2 inches thick, and its overall smooth operation makes this machine a dream to work with. The large hopper means it is easy to use this wood chipper to shred leaves, and the wheels ensure good maneuverability too.
Compared to some other wood chippers, this is quite a heavy model, and it does cost a little bit more as well, but it is well-built, easy to use, and ideal for home use.
Pros
- Good low-maintenance option
- Can handle branches up to 2 ½ inches thick
- Easy to use
Cons
- This wood chipper is quite heavy
4. Snow Joe CJ601E Electric Wood Chipper/Shredder, 14-Amp – Best budget electric wood chipper
If money is tight, opt for the Snow Joe CJ601E Electric Wood Chipper/Shredder, 14-Amp, as this is our top budget option.
This wood chipper isn’t as powerful as some others on our list; however, it is hard to find anything better for the price. Even though it doesn’t come with the same power as other wood chippers, it still packs a punch and can shred up branches and garden debris easily. Branches up to 1 1/2 inches can be shred with this machine.
The downsides are that you don’t get a bag as standard with this wood chipper, and you need to purchase it separately, and the hopper is relatively small. However, this wood chipper is easy to assemble, can handle a decent amount of garden debris, and can pick one up for a fraction of the cost of some other models.
Pros
- Perfect model if you are on a tight budget
- Can shred branches up to 1 ½ inch thick
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a bag as standard
- The hopper is quite small
5. Landworks Wood Chipper Shredder Electric Light Duty – Best for reduction ratio
The Sun Joe CJ603E does offer a better reduction ratio, but if you want a combination of price and reduction, the Landworks Wood Chipper Shredder Electric Light Duty is our choice.
It has a 17:1 reduction ratio which is impressive when you consider this is an inexpensive option. This Landworks machine isn’t suited to heavy use, but it offers more than enough power for small residential jobs around your yard. This includes handling branches 1.57″ inches thick, and the polypropylene body ensures its longevity.
The collection bag could be bigger, and you need a bit of patience which this wood chipper as feeding it too quickly can cause it to block and clog.
However, it is hard to go wrong with a sound reduction ratio combined with an attractive price.
Pros
- It offers a 17:1 reduction ratio
- Ideal for light use in your yard
- Durable and won’t rust
Cons
- It isn’t suited to heavy-duty use
- Collection bag could be larger
6. MELLCOM 15 Amp Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher – Best for small occasional use
Sometimes you don’t need a heavy-duty wood chipper, and if you only plan on using it now and again, the MELLCOM 15 Amp Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher is a good option.
It isn’t the most powerful around, but it offers a decent 50L collection bag and can handle reasonably sized branches. It won’t take large branches, and it can clog easily if you put in wet leaves, but the 17:1 reduction ratio is impressive.
The cut-off safety feature is a good addition, especially if you are new to using this type of garden machinery. Overall this is a great wood chipper that is easy to assemble, isn’t difficult to use, and is perfect if you are only going to operate it on an occasional basis.
Pros
- Great for small jobs
- Easy to assemble and operate
- Has additional safety features
Cons
- This wood chipper can clog with wet leaves
- It isn’t suited to heavy usage
FAQs
Question: What is a wood chipper?
Answer: A wood chipper is a garden and forestry machine that breaks down wood such as twigs and branches into wood chips. This makes clearing and tidying up outdoor spaces a lot quicker and more efficient.
Question: Are wood chippers dangerous?
Answer: Not really. As long as you read the operating instructions and don’t put anything into the wood chipper that it cannot handle, these machines are safe to use. You should also have the proper protective equipment on too.
Question: Does it cost a lot of money to buy a wood chipper?
Answer: No. While some expensive wood chipper models are aimed at companies and professionals, many cheap but efficient wood chippers are available for personal use. These can handle decent-sized garden debris and are usually electric-powered.
Question: Can I cut other materials with a wood chipper?
Answer: Wood chippers can handle most small pieces of garden debris, such as small branches, twigs, and leaves. You shouldn’t put any other materials in the machine, such as rubber or metal. Refer to the instructions to find out what materials your wood chipper can handle.
Question: What safety equipment do I need to use a wood chipper?
Answer: You should have basic safety equipment when using a wood chipper, and this includes slip-resistant footwear, eye protection such as goggles, and hearing protection such as earbuds or earmuffs.
Our Verdict: What is the Best Wood Chipper?
A wood chipper can save you a lot of time and effort in your yard by shredding branches and other garden debris.
While electric wood chippers are hampered by needing to be plugged in, they are often cheaper and more efficient than other models.
Our top picks for the best electric wood chippers on the market are:
- Best overall wood chipper – Sun Joe CJ603E 15-Amp 1.7-Inch Cutting Diameter Electric Silent Wood Chipper
- Best for speed – WEN 15-Amp Rolling Electric Wood Chipper and Shredder
- Best for low maintenance – Patriot Products CSV-2515 14 Amp Electric Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder
- Best budget electric wood chipper – Snow Joe CJ601E Electric Wood Chipper/Shredder, 14-Amp
- Best for reduction ratio – Landworks Wood Chipper Shredder Electric Light Duty
- Best for small occasional use – MELLCOM 15 Amp Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher