Choosing the right wood chipper can make a major difference when you’re dealing with fallen branches, brush, leaves, and seasonal yard waste. The best wood chippers combine dependable cutting performance with a practical design that makes feeding material, moving the machine, clearing jams, and disposing of mulch easier.

We compared five popular wood chippers covering both electric and gas-powered options. From compact electric models for smaller branches to powerful 3-inch gas chippers for demanding cleanup jobs, these machines offer different strengths depending on the size and type of material you need to process.

Below, you’ll find a quick comparison, product-by-product reviews, key advantages and drawbacks, and guidance to help you choose the best wood chipper for your property.

1. WEN Electric Wood Chipper and Shredder

The WEN electric wood chipper is an appealing choice for homeowners who primarily need to process smaller branches without investing in a large gas-powered machine. Its 15-amp motor and two 7-inch cutting blades provide useful performance for routine yard cleanup while keeping the overall machine relatively compact and affordable.

One of its most useful improvements is its ability to handle sticks up to 1.75 inches in diameter. The slightly larger wheels also make it easier to move around the yard. At just 19.2 pounds, this electric chipper is considerably easier to handle than the heavy-duty gas models on this list.

The included collection bag is less impressive and may require an alternative container for convenient collection. However, the chipper produces useful mulch, making it practical for gardeners who want to reuse shredded yard material around planting areas.

2. Great CircleUSA Heavy Duty Wood Chipper Shredder

The Great CircleUSA Heavy Duty Wood Chipper Shredder is built for homeowners who need substantially more capability than a compact electric chipper can provide. Its gas-powered design and versatile feeding system make it suitable for branches, brush, leaves, and other common types of yard debris.

A major advantage is its large hopper, which reduces the need to carefully sort every piece of material before feeding it. During testing, it was capable of chewing through both dried and green material, including branches, leaves, and corn cobs.

The machine can encounter oversized or awkwardly forked branches, but its behavior in that situation is manageable: material can stop at the obstruction and be removed so the branch can be broken down. For homeowners seeking a versatile gas chipper for mixed yard waste, this model offers an attractive combination of capability and flexibility.

3. EARTHQUAKE K32 Chipper Shredder

The EARTHQUAKE K32 is a heavy-duty gas chipper designed for homeowners who regularly deal with substantial branches and yard debris. Its two-stage feeding arrangement provides a hopper for smaller material and a dedicated chute for larger branches.

The main chute is designed to handle branches up to 3 inches in diameter, while the machine uses a 20:1 reduction ratio to turn yard debris into considerably smaller material. The 118-pound weight makes it demanding to move, but its large handle and wheels provide useful maneuverability around a property.

Maintenance and collection are two areas where the K32 stands out. The easy-access design makes clearing jams more straightforward, while the dock-and-lock collection bag is designed for quick attachment, removal, and controlled emptying. If you want a serious chipper with a strong branch capacity and convenient collection system, this is a compelling option.

4. Earthwise Electric Chipper with Collection Bin

The Earthwise electric chipper is a practical alternative for homeowners who want a simpler and more affordable machine than a gas-powered model. Electric operation eliminates fuel-related maintenance while making the machine easier to operate for routine residential yard cleanup.

Its hopper incorporates a simple sizing guide that helps determine whether a branch is within the machine’s intended capacity. When a branch fits through the guide, it is appropriately sized for processing. The machine is designed for branches under approximately 1.75 inches in diameter.

Like many electric chippers, it can struggle when pushed to the upper end of its capacity. It may bog down with larger branches rather than maintaining full cutting speed. Nevertheless, for homeowners processing smaller branches who value affordability and straightforward operation, the Earthwise is an appealing choice.

5. Champion Power Equipment 3-Inch Portable Chipper-Shredder

The Champion 3-inch portable chipper-shredder is designed to provide strong homeowner-level performance without becoming unnecessarily cumbersome. It can process branches up to 3 inches in diameter and is capable of handling both softer materials such as pine and harder wood such as maple.

Its dual-intake configuration includes a branch chute plus a top hopper for leaves and smaller twigs. One of its biggest advantages is portability: the compact body, wide handlebars, and large wheels make it easier to move through a yard, around a house, and through narrower access points than many larger gas chippers.

The Champion is not without compromises. Its plastic wheels may not provide the same long-term durability as rubber tires, and the stiff rubber gasket around the chute can add some resistance when feeding branches. Still, its combination of 3-inch capacity, mobility, power, and homeowner-friendly positioning makes it a well-balanced choice for periodic yard cleanup.