Electric Wood Chippers & Shredders - A Review

For most people, the idea of chipping their own wood seems like a great way to save money and be more self-sufficient. A wood chipper or shredder is a fantastic bit of kit that allows you to eliminate waste, create mulch and offer a really useful outdoor space. Not only can you turn branches, twigs, leaves, small logs, and even stumps into mulch, but you can also use them to create wood chips for bedding or composting.


There are many different things to consider when buying a wood chipper, including what job you need it for, the size of the job, and how easily it will fit in your budget. We’ve compiled a list of the best electric wood chippers and shredders on the market to help you find the right one for your needs.




Looking for an easy and effective way to clean up your garden? The Earthwise GS70015 15-Amp Garden Corded Electric Chipper is perfect for the job!

With a corded power supply and a 15 amp motor, this chipper is designed for easy use. Simply plug it in and start chipping away at those pesky branches and leaves. The large hopper opening makes it easy to feed in material, and the chipper blades make quick work of branches up to 1.75" in diameter.

When you're done, simply unplug and store away until next time. This electric chipper is the perfect tool for anyone who wants to quickly and easily clear their garden of branches.

I found the Earthwise chipper to be very easy to move around my yard, which makes it way more encouraging to get out there complete the work you need to get done.  It's power was pretty good compared to gas-powered chippers I've used, and the shredding capability worked as I'd hoped. Granted, I only tested it on big pile of leaves I had, but I quickly turned it into a big container of mulch for my garden.

Pros:

  • The upright design is well-thought out and is better than some similar competitors
  • Very portable!
  • Works like a charm for anything up to 1.5" in diameter, though it's rated up to 1.75"

Cons:

  • Shredding leaves will cause clogging if they aren't perfectly dry

Check out our full review of the GS70015 here.



Looking for an easy way to turn your yard waste into valuable mulch? Sun Joe has the solution with the CJ601E 14-amp electric wood chipper. This compact chipper quickly and easily turns branches and twigs up to 1.5 inches thick into nutrient-rich mulch that helps retain moisture in the soil and discourages weed growth.

It's perfect for any size yard, and its lightweight design makes it easy to maneuver around your property. The CJ601E also features rear wheels and a 6-inch wheel diameter for added stability and portability.

This chipper is electric, so no gas is needed, and it's also compact so it doesn't take up a lot of space. The hopper locking knob keeps everything in place while you're using it, and the instant start means you don't have to waste any time getting started.

With the Sun Joe on the cheaper end of the scale, don't expect to go out and take down the large trees on your property. It's rated for anything up to 1.5 inches thick, so if you have anything larger than that, look elsewhere.  

I found it easy to assemble and get started on testing, and although I just mentioned it was on the cheaper side, it outperformed what I expected of it! This is a product that does better than its price tag.

Pros:

  • Great product for the price
  • Mulching worked great on this chipper.
  • Very light and easy to move around

Cons:

  • Give this one a break once in a while - feed it small then big twigs and repeat, don't stick with the big ones over and over (can cause some problems)
  • Whatever you chip or shred, it's going right on the ground, so cleanup is a small pain


Looking for an electric wood chipper that's low noise, compact, and has an anti-clogging system? Look no further than the ENGINDOT Electric Wood Chipper! This chipper is powerful, durable, and easy to use - perfect for your gardening needs.

It's also relatively quiet for an electric chipper shredder, and its compact size makes it easy to store when not in use. Additionally, it features an anti-clogging system that keeps the unit running smoothly, and it's made from durable materials that will stand up to years of use.

I found this chipper to be what it is described to be. It does a nice job of chipping up small branches and garden waste, which is a compact, light-duty electric unit.

I would recommend this unit for residential use in smaller yards. My yard is fairly small (about 1 acre), and this little machine can do all the work I need in a short amount of time. I have a few small trees, and this unit does a great job chipping up the small branches and leaves.

Pros:

  • It has an easy-start design which allows it to start instantly.
  • It is very lightweight, so you can easily move it around your yard.
  • Very simple to assemble

Cons:

  • The mulcher will not work well with fresh vines or leaves – the anti-clogging system doesn't work for them
  • Can be a bit slow to chip, depending on what you're feeding it


The Patriot Products CSV-2515 electric wood chipper is ideal for anyone who wants to take care of their garden with little to no maintenance. This chipper is easy to use and can handle up to 2-1/2 diameter branches, making it perfect for light-duty jobs. The 14 amps of power make it strong enough to tackle most tasks, and the heavy-duty construction means it can withstand years of use.

Be prepared, though – this thing is a true workhorse and costs more for the quality you are getting. If you are looking for a chipper that can last for a long time and do harder and more work for you, this is the one, but it’s significantly more expensive than the others on our list.

I found the Patriot to be the best on our list at dealing with leaves, being able to shred up a big pile for me fairly easily. It does a great job with the freshly cut branches I fed it. 

 If you are only going to be using your chipper once every couple of months or so, you might be better off with a cheaper option, but if you want something that feels like a commercial unit

Pros:

  • A solid electric machine that you could be fooled into thinking is gas-powered
  • Fewer frustrations than the cheaper units
  • Thermal shutoff protects the motor from damage

Cons:

  • Longer build time out of the box than other chippers
  • Expensive!

Frequently Asked Questions About Wood Chippers and Shredders

What is the difference between a wood chipper and a wood shredder?

A wood chipper is a slimmer version of a wood shredder. However, wood chippers also have different cutting blades than wood shredders that can also make chips.

A wood shredder, simply put, shreds wood into small pieces. It can be used to shred logs, branches, and even thick pieces of wood. A shredder will break down the wood to the point that it is compost-ready. A shredder is also great for smaller items such as leaves.

 A wood chipper will process wood into tiny chips. It is very common in landscaping and garden care, where landscapers and gardeners often need to remove trees and plants quickly. These devices can be hard to operate, but they can make light work of removing large amounts of debris quickly


How big of a branch can you put in an average wood chipper?

The average wood chipper is capable of handling branches of up to 2" in diameter. If you need to handle bigger branches, such as 2.5" or 3", you'll need to get a more powerful model or rent a machine that allows for that. The amount of material that the wood chipper is able to hold at one time is dependent upon the model that you buy.


Can you put wet branches in a wood chipper?

Make sure that you are not putting wet items into your wood chipper. You can put wood that is considered "green" (freshly cut) but definitely avoid chipping wood that has recently been rained on, or you may find a nasty clog in your machine.



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