The Best Wood Chippers To Quickly Dispose Of Yard Waste

Power source: Gas | Dimensions: 27 x 25 x 42 inches | Weight: 138 pounds | Capacity: 3 inches

What you’ll love:

• High reduction ratio
• Large capacity
• Easy to position

Keep in mind:

• Not self-feeding
• Assembly may take time

The Earthquake Chipper Shredder 301-CC Viper is a powerful machine that can tackle all kinds of debris. This chipper has a highly efficient 20:1 reduction ratio, which means it can reduce 20 bags of yard waste into one. (It comes with a sizable collection bag, too.) The Viper has a 4-stoke, 301cc gas engine for ample power and can be handily moved around on 11-inch puncture-proof wheels. The collection bag hooks up to the discharge chute, making it easy to organize your clippings. This machine can work through branches up to three inches thick with the help of two blades. It also shreds smaller items—like leaves and small twigs—ideal for turning into mulch.

What the reviews say: Owners give the Viper high marks for durability and strength. “It’s a beast and chews through anything you can fit in the chute,” says one reviewer. “Makes beautiful mulch. It will pay for itself in one season.” Another shared that this machine “provides a good, consistent quality of mulch.”

Power source: Gas | Dimensions: 28.1 x 25.9 x 50 inches | Weight: 135.6 pounds | Capacity: 3 inches

What you’ll love:

• Large capacity
• Roomy collection bag
• Strong engine

Keep in mind:

• Not self-feeding
• Assembly can take time

When it comes to a residential machine, it’s hard to top the power of our top choice, but the Champion Power Equipment 3-Inch Chipper Shredder comes close. This gas-powered machine features a 224cc engine that can make short work of branches up to three inches in diameter. It also boasts a durable two-bushel bag to collect chippings and mulch, 12-inch never-flat tires and a compact, upright design. Enjoy a 20:1 ratio, along with EPA certification for reduced emissions. What’s more, it has a side shredder chute for smaller waste up to 0.5 inches in diameter.

What the reviews say: Fans give this chipper high marks for its strength and ease of use. “This is a powerful chipper for the money. It handles 2- to 3-inch sticks with no issue,” one reviewer shared. “The shredder also works great on dead leaves.” Another satisfied customer said the machine is “fairly quiet for a shredder and super easy to start.”

Power source: Electric | Dimensions: 24 x 18 x 41.5 inches | Weight: 31 pounds | Capacity: 1.7 inches 

What you’ll love:

• Lightweight
• No gas emissions
• Easy to get up and running
• Great for composting (has a 1.2 bushel collection bin)

Keep in mind:

• Limited capacity
• Not self-feeding

While they don’t typically have the same power level as their gas counterparts, a quality electric wood chipper can still hold its own with yard work. The Earthwise GS70015 features a 15-amp motor and plugs in, making it easy to get to work. (Just be aware that you’ll also need an extension cord.) The chipper is relatively small and lightweight at just 31 pounds, allowing you to transport it around your yard on never-flat wheels easily. In terms of capacity, this model can handle branches as large as 1.75 inches in diameter, along with other yard waste. Reviewers say this Amazon bestseller is a breeze to assemble, too.

What the reviews say: Owners said this machine is a dream to use. “It’s easy to operate, and everything is chipped up into a lovely fine mulch,” said one reviewer. “It easily handled green, freshly-cut wood and old dry wood.” Another happy customer shared that the chipper is “wonderful to work with and helped me reduce the branches to granular wood chips.”

Power source: Gas | Dimensions: 48 x 36.5 x 71 inches | Weight: 187 pounds | Capacity: 3 inches

What you’ll love:

• Powerful engine
• Large tires
• Easy to tow

Keep in mind:

• Expensive
• Heavier than many others

If you have a large yard, you need a powerful wood chipper to keep up with the inevitable branches and brush that surface. The DK2 OPC503 3-Inch Disk Chipper Shredder has a professional-grade seven-horsepower engine and steel-carbide blades to power through a range of debris up to three inches thick. The hopper is wide and low, making it easy to access. This machine features off-road tires and an ATV towing hitch for portability around your property. Two feed chutes—one large and one small—give you options for debris. Once you park your chipper in a spot, use the drop stand and locking wheels for safe operation.

What the reviews say: The DK2 OPC503 3-Inch Disk Chipper Shredder receives high marks for its ability to work through branches. “I’m impressed with the speed and power of this chipper,” said one fan. Another happy owner called the machine “well built,” while another fan said, “The setup was easy, and the engine turned over with minimal effort on the first pull.”

Power source: Gas | Dimensions: 67 x 41.5 x 111 inches | Weight: 791 pounds | Capacity: 7.3 inches

What you’ll love:

• Commercial-grade power
• Massive capacity
• Self-feeding

Keep in mind:

• Very expensive
• Heavy

If you can spend a bit more, the Bigbear Power Tornadic is a commercial-grade machine with incredible power. This wood chipper can tear through branches more than seven inches thick with the help of a 34-horsepower engine and steel blades. The Power Tornadic has a 45 mph tow package so you can haul it down the road on demand. There’s a quick drop and lock front wheel axle for stability once you arrive at your destination, along with an onboard chainsaw toolbox to help chop down branches for chipping. This machine is self-feeding to make wood chipping as fast and easy as possible.

What the reviews say: Owners rave about the capabilities of the Bigbear Power Tornadic Commercial Chipper Shredder. “This machine is an animal—it eats wood as quickly as you can feed it,” said one reviewer. Another called this an “amazing wood chipper for the farm,” adding, “I couldn’t live without it now.”

Power source: Electric | Dimensions: 24 x 35 x 37 inches | Weight: 95 pounds | Capacity: 2.5 inches

What you’ll love:

• Quiet
• Versatile
• Tackles plenty of leaves at once

Keep in mind:

• Leaves may need to be stirred
• Extension cord needed

Whether you’re looking to whittle down large branches or smaller items for compost, the Patriot Products CSV-2515 Wood Chipper is up for the job. This machine has a capacity of up to 2.5 inches for branches, with a low hopper ideal for dropping in piles of leaves and other small debris. (Reviewers also mention that it handles green plants and other organic matter just fine.) Keep in mind that the chipper is electric and requires an extension cord to operate. Once it’s plugged into a standard outlet, flip a switch and get to work. All of your compost and chips slide out the side of the machine into a collection bag. If you need to move it around your yard, the large, never-flat tires make it easy to wheel around and re-position as needed. 

What the reviews say: Many owners rave about using this machine for composting. “As an avid gardener and composter, I am delighted to return all shredded organic material to my garden,” said one satisfied customer. “I use it everywhere,” another shared. “Much better than the splintery mess from larger machines the tree guys use. The giant chips and shreds can be reprocessed in this machine to make them more useful in the garden.”

Power source: Electric | Dimensions: 23 x 23 x 14 inches | Weight: 20 pounds | Capacity: 13 inches

What you’ll love:

• Works fast
• Lightweight and portable
• Handles wet leaves, too

Keep in mind:

• Not designed for branches
• Mulching can create dust

Disposing huge piles of leaves is a chore, but the Worx WG430 handily turns your yard debris into usable mulch. This machine features a 13 amp motor that mulches up to 53 gallons of leaves in a minute. The wide hopper makes it simple to just dump leaves on top and let it get to work. Once the leaves are broken down, the mulch is emptied into a bag you attach underneath. The Worx WG430 has an 11:1 mulch ratio to minimize waste. It’s also highly portable at just 20 pounds, so you can move it around your yard as needed. While this machine is simple to use, assembly is easy, too: No tools are required, and it can be broken down quickly as needed.

What the reviews say: Customers give this product high marks for the mulch this machine creates. “The resulting mulch was comparable in composition to mulch I purchased from my lawn and garden center previously,” one reviewer shared. “This machine is the best thing that ever happened to my yard,” said another. “Everyone should have one of these.”