The Best Chipper Shredders of 2023

Photograph: homedepot.com

Chipper shredders are landscaping energy instruments that grind up branches, leaves, and different dry natural particles. The shredded chips that outcome can be utilized as mulch on a flower mattress to maintain weeds at bay or added to the compost pile to create a wealthy, darkish compost that may enhance the soil high quality.

The perfect chipper shredder will rely upon how a lot particles a yard produces and whether or not buyers wish to use the machine the place electrical energy isn’t out there. If a chipper shredder looks like a sensible funding for the yard and backyard, learn on for the components and options to think about and be taught why the next merchandise are thought-about among the many finest in the marketplace.

1. BEST OVERALL: GreatCircleUSA Wooden Chipper Shredder
2. RUNNER-UP: SuperHandy Wooden Chipper Shredder Mulcher
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Landworks Mini Compact Chipper Shredder Mulcher
4. BEST ELECTRIC: PowerSmart PS10 Electrical Backyard Chipper/Shredder
5. BEST GAS: DK2 Gasoline-Powered Chipper Shredder Vacuum Mulcher Equipment
6. BEST SMALL SIZE: Wen 41121 Rolling Electrical Wooden Chipper and Shredder
7. BEST HEAVY-DUTY: DK2 Gasoline-Powered Industrial Chipper Shredder
8. BEST FOR COMPOSTING: Solar Joe CJ603E Electrical Silent Chipper/Shredder

Photograph: amazon.com

How We Selected the Finest Chipper Shredder

We researched essentially the most sought-after chipper shredders of their respective classes and found that the most effective fashions are decided by their sort, feed sort, consumption diameter, chute choices, towing capacity, and different particular options included by prime manufacturers.

After intensive product analysis, we included choices in our listing of prime picks that had been gas- and electricity-powered relying on consumer choice and include guide or gravity-feeding designs. As for energy and talent, most of those chipper shredders can tackle 1.5- to six.25-inch branches and have further prime hoppers for smaller branches and twigs. Plus, a number of the disposal chutes on these chipper shredders may be adjusted to purpose the shredded bits right into a vacuum or disposal bag.

For added versatility, numerous these fashions may be towed with a truck, garden tractor, ATV, and extra. For added reassurance, a number of the chipper shredders on this listing have security knobs or locks to stop undesirable chipping.

Our Prime Picks

To qualify as a prime choose, a chipper shredder have to be highly effective sufficient to shred dry yard waste, protected and simple to function, and sturdy sufficient to supply years of service. Shredding wants range, however one of many following machines ought to be a great choose for the yard.

Photograph: amazon.com

Grind and shred an entire lot of leaves, twigs, and branches as much as 3 inches in diameter with the GreatCircleUSA wooden chipper shredder. This unhealthy boy includes a highly effective 7-horsepower (hp) 4-stroke single-cylinder overhead valve (OHV) fuel engine and comes with a ½-inch capability chipping and shredding prime hopper and a 3-inch max aspect chute. All in all, this mannequin has a discount ratio of 15:1. Plus, there’s a leaf vacuum port and discharge bag for mulching. It additionally contains CR12MoV chopping blades that work successfully, each time.

With a 0.7-gallon capability, this industrial wooden chipper has a max velocity of three,600 revolutions per minute and 9.14 foot-pounds of torque. This mannequin may also be towed behind an ATV, garden mower, or tractor relying upon the place it’s wanted with the 2 wheels built-in (tow bar offered individually). To prime all of it off, this mannequin is licensed for security by the U.S. Environmental Safety Company (EPA) and the California Air Sources Board (CARB). However, this mannequin ought to be used with zero-ethanol gasoline, and it shouldn’t be used for contemporary greens, pine cones, palm branches, and petrified wooden/vines.

Product Specs

• Sort: Gasoline-powered
• Feed sort: Guide feed/gravity feed
• Most consumption diameter: 3 inches

Execs

• 7-hp 4-stroke single cylinder OHV fuel engine; can lower branches of as much as 3 inches in diameter
• Leaf vacuum port and discharge bag for mulching; discount ratio of 15:1
• 2 wheels built-in; may be towed behind an ATV, garden mower, or tractor for ample portability
• The mannequin is EPA and CARB licensed for security and reliability

Cons

• Zero-ethanol fuel is really useful over unleaded manufacturers; might malfunction in any other case
• Shouldn’t be used for contemporary greens, pine cones, palm branches, and petrified wooden/vines
• Tow bar offered individually; can solely be moved by hand over brief distances

Get the GreatCircleUSA chipper shredder at Amazon.

Photograph: amazon.com

For a mix of energy and finely shredded particles, try the SuperHandy wooden chipper shredder. This gas-powered landscaping software includes a highly effective 7-hp engine that may shred branches as much as 3 inches in diameter, making it an environment friendly selection for giant yards with a number of bushes and shrubs. The SuperHandy mulcher chipper comes with two chutes, together with a aspect chute for branches and a prime chute for leaves and twigs as much as ½ inch in diameter.

A separate leaf bag (included) may be hooked up to the discharge chute to catch the shredded materials to be used as mulch or compost. The 15:1 discount ratio produces wonderful shreds appropriate for mulching or composting. A garden tractor or utility automobile with a tow bar equipment can tow this tree shredder, making it simpler to maneuver it across the yard.

Product Specs

• Sort: Gasoline-powered
• Feed sort: Guide feed/gravity feed
• Most consumption diameter: 3 inches

Execs

• 7-hp engine can lower branches with diameters of as much as 3 inches
• Twin chutes; aspect chute for branches and prime chute for leaves and twigs
• Separate leaf bag may be hooked up to the discharge chute for catching shredded materials
• May be towed with a tractor or utility automobile if desired

Cons

• Discharge bag can refill very quick; might require frequent emptying
• Ought to be used with zero-ethanol gasoline; might trigger malfunction in any other case

Get the SuperHandy chipper shredder at Amazon.

Photograph: amazon.com

A decent finances needn’t stop customers from acquiring an enormous, highly effective fuel chipper shredder. The Landworks mini compact chipper shredder, which prices lots of of {dollars} lower than comparable bigger fashions, shreds branches as much as 3 inches in diameter. It includes a aspect chute for branches and a prime hopper for leaves and small twigs.

The Landworks could also be a bit small in total dimension however not in energy—it boasts a 7-hp fuel engine, and its discharge chute may be configured to empty right into a rubbish can. The machine includes a 15:1 discount ratio, so the chips will probably be finely shredded, making them very best to be used round crops and bushes as mulch or as fodder for the compost pile.

Product Specs

• Sort: Gasoline-powered
• Feed sort: Guide feed
• Most consumption diameter: 3 inches

Execs

• Aspect chute for giant branches and prime hopper for leaves and branches
• 7-hp fuel engine is highly effective sufficient to tackle small to massive jobs
• Discharge chute may be positioned wherever wanted for clear and simple use

Cons

• Some meeting required; could also be difficult for first-timer customers

Get the Landworks chipper shredder at Amazon.

Photograph: amazon.com

For small yards and lightweight particles, an electrical chipper shredder may be simply the ticket. The PowerSmart electrical chipper shredder includes a highly effective 15-amp electrical motor that grinds and shreds branches as much as 1⅝ inches in diameter. Because of its 17:1 discount ratio, customers will find yourself with wonderful bits of wooden and leaves that may decompose shortly in a compost bin.

The PowerSmart twig and leaf shredder includes a prime gravity-feed chute with a security hopper locking knob that forestalls the motor from working when opened. The unit discharges chips on the backside of the machine, which permits customers to attach a bag (included) to the discharge chute to gather the chips. To function, customers will want a heavy-duty 12- or 14-gauge exterior extension wire.

Product Specs

• Sort: Electrical
• Feed sort: Gravity feed
• Most consumption diameter: 1⅝ inches

Execs

• 15-amp electrical motor can lower up branches of 1⅝ inches in diameter
• Prime gravity-feed chute for added security; security cowl that shuts off the motor
• Security hopper locking knob prevents the motor from working when opened
• Discharge bag included for catching mulched or shredded supplies

Cons

• Requires a heavy-duty 12- or 14-gauge exterior extension wire
• Might solely be appropriate for heavy-duty chipping and shredding

Get the PowerSmart chipper shredder at Amazon or The Dwelling Depot (software solely).

Photograph: homedepot.com

Greater branches, as much as 3 inches in diameter, ought to be no drawback for the DK2 gas-powered chipper shredder vacuum mulcher equipment. This rugged gas-powered mannequin comes with wheels, a tow hitch, a drop stand, ATV-locking wheels, and a vacuum equipment, making it some of the versatile choices on our listing. It boasts a 7-hp engine and an extra-large feed chute and hopper for both massive branches or smaller twigs and leaves.

The DK2 wooden shredder includes a 208-cubic-centimeter (cc) engine for optimum torque whereas additionally having a detachable key shutoff for security. The double-edge metal blades don’t disappoint and may deal with any heavy-duty job to be carried out whereas the directional chip chute may be positioned wherever disposal is desired.

Product Specs

• Sort: Gasoline-powered
• Feed sort: Guide feed
• Most consumption diameter: 3 inches

Execs

• Comes with a number of equipment and instruments; wheels, a tow hitch, a drop stand, ATV-locking wheels, and a vacuum equipment
• Additional-large feed chute and hopper for both massive branches or smaller twigs
• 208cc engine for optimum torque and effectiveness whereas in use
• Detachable key shutoff prevents any undesirable chipping for security

Cons

• Some customers report poor manufacturing high quality and points whereas utilizing

Get the DK2 vacuum chipper shredder at The Dwelling Depot, Lowe’s, Acme Instruments, or Tractor Provide Co.

Photograph: amazon.com

For mild cleanup across the yard, contemplate the Wen electrical wooden chipper shredder. It can simply shred branches as much as 1½ inches in diameter, due to a gravity-feed chute positioned on the prime. Its 17:1 discount ratio creates small chips to be used both as mulch or quick-to-decompose fodder for the compost bin.

This small electrical wooden chipper works quietly, comes with wheels for simple maneuvering across the yard, and includes a security lock on the chute that retains the blades from spinning whereas the chute cowl is open. There’s additionally a push stick for pushing particles into the chute and a set bag that attaches on the backside to gather the chips. The machine is compact sufficient to tuck away towards a storage wall or stow in a storage shed when a consumer’s work is completed.

Product Specs

• Sort: Electrical
• Feed sort: Guide feed/gravity feed
• Most consumption diameter: 1½ inches

Execs

• 17:1 discount ratio is ideal for chopping wooden into small chips; can be utilized as a mulch or quick-to-decompose fodder
• Wheels are good for maneuvering the unit across the yard or work web site
• Security lock on the chute retains the blades from spinning
• Push stick may help push any particles again into the chute or assortment bag
• Compact dimension is ideal for storing in a storage or shed

Cons

• Some customers have reported poor high quality development and problem utilizing
• Consumption chute could be very small; is not going to take massive piece of wooden

Get the Wen chipper shredder at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Goal.

Photograph: homedepot.com

Spend money on the DK2 gas-powered business chipper shredder to go the place the large branches are. This highly effective tree chipper can chew branches as much as 6 inches in diameter and includes a self-feeding aspect chute that grabs branches and pulls them into the spinning blades. The chips shoot out of a discharge chute on the opposite aspect that sits at pickup mattress degree, permitting customers to load the again of their pickup truck with chips for simple hauling. With an approximate 12:1 discount ratio, it ought to produce chips appropriate for mulching.

The DK2 business wooden chipper comes mounted by itself trailer, which is authorised by the DOT, making it authorized to go on roadways. It additionally comes with a built-in locking metal software field (keys included). As well as, customers will obtain security glasses, ear safety, work gloves, and the instruments required to handle the machine’s minimal meeting.

Product Specs

• Sort: Gasoline-powered
• Feed sort: Self-feeding
• Most consumption diameter: 6¼ inches

Execs

• Self-feeding aspect chute gives hands-free use for security and comfort
• Discharge chute sits at pickup-bed degree; chips may be loaded right into a truck mattress
• Comes mounted by itself trailer; authorised by the DOT
• Constructed-in locking metal software field with keys for added user-friendliness; comes with security glasses, ear
• safety, work gloves, and instruments

Cons

• Some customers report some problem utilizing this mannequin; might put on out over time

Get the DK2 chipper shredder at The Dwelling Depot, Lowe’s, or Tractor Provide Co.

Photograph: amazon.com

Compost decomposes extra shortly when the natural matter is small and wonderful, and the Solar Joe electrical chipper shredder’s design creates high quality compost materials. It includes a top-load gravity chute and a discount ratio of 21:1, making it able to producing bits almost twice as small as another machines. The Solar Joe shreds branches as much as 1¾ inches in diameter.

This small wooden chipper comes with a prime gravity-feed chute with a security cowl that retains the blades from spinning when the quilt is open. The small chips discharge on the backside of the machine, with the choice of attaching the included assortment bag to gather the chips. The machine options an easy-pull deal with and wheels for shifting across the yard. It requires a heavy-duty 12- to 14-gauge extension wire to function.

Product Specs

• Sort: Electrical
• Feed sort: Gravity feed
• Most consumption diameter: 1¾ inches

Execs

• Gravity feed gives 21:1 discount ratio for mulching and creating compost materials
• Security cowl stops blades from chopping when the quilt is open
• Assortment bag included for small chips to discharge into on the backside of the machine
• Straightforward-pull deal with and wheels permit the unit to maneuver across the yard as wanted

Cons

• Customers are suggested to take the primary time slowly; has a slight studying curve
• Substitute elements could also be costly if the machine breaks down

Get the Solar Joe chipper shredder at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Tractor Provide Co.

 

What to Take into account When Selecting the Finest Chipper Shredder

Chipper shredders vary in value from round $100 for a light-weight electrical mannequin to a number of thousand for a heavy-duty gas-powered machine. The perfect chipper shredder possibility for a given consumer will rely upon the sort and quantity of particles they plan to shred.

Kinds of Chipper Shredders

Chipper shredders are available in two most important varieties: electrical and gas-powered, with every being suited to completely different chipping and shredding wants.

Electrical

Primarily designed for small yards and lightweight use, electrical chipper shredders require plugging in with a heavy-duty 12- or 14-gauge exterior extension wire and may normally grind dry leaves and small branches as much as about 1¼ inches in diameter. These yard energy instruments are comparatively small, about 2 ft vast by 2 ft deep and three to 4 ft excessive. Many include wheels for mobility. The upside is there’s no gasoline to combine, no poisonous fumes, and no gasoline to retailer. The draw back to electrical fashions is that customers are restricted to the size of an extension wire, so they might must deliver the yard particles to the chipper shredder through wheelbarrow or such.

Gasoline

These highly effective machines make fast work of yard cleanup by grinding twigs, leaves, and even small branches as much as 6 inches in diameter. As a result of they’re not tethered to {an electrical} outlet, customers can take them wherever wanted, they usually sometimes function wheels for maneuvering. Some bigger fashions come completely mounted on a trailer with a hitch that permits the consumer to drag the machine with a pickup truck or garden tractor.

Energy Take-Off

Accessible for farm use or business mulch manufacturing, some massive chipper shredders run off the ability of one other piece of apparatus through an influence take-off (PTO). The most typical PTO supply is the rotating spindle of a tractor, however some vehicles and different massive autos include PTOs, and a big implement, resembling a business chipper shredder, may be related.

Yard Dimension and Particles

On the whole, a small yard is healthier suited to an electrical chipper shredder than a big yard, however this isn’t absolute. A small wooded lot can produce extra twigs and yard waste than a big lot with only a few bushes. A greater manner to decide on which kind is finest is to think about how a lot particles the yard produces. As an illustration, for a big backyard whose proprietor must shred bushels of dry natural stalks, twigs, and limbs, a gas-powered mannequin often is the more sensible choice. If there is no such thing as a greater than a few wheelbarrows of particles to scrub away within the fall, customers might most likely get by with an electrical mannequin.

Hopper/Feed Chute

To maintain fingers a protected distance away from a shredder’s sharp blades, the machines function lengthy chutes, additionally known as hoppers, into which the consumer inserts twigs and sticks. Some chipper shredders have a single-loading chute, whereas others have two—one for branches and one other for smaller yard waste.

• Guide feed: On a manual-feed chipper shredder, the consumer pushes branches and limbs into the machine’s spinning blades. The spinning blade movement might assist pull the branches into the blades barely, however the consumer should preserve stress.
• Self-feed: Because the machines get bigger and extra highly effective, so do their choices. A self-feed chipper shredder options rollers contained in the chute that actively pull branches and particles into the spinning blades. The consumer can load the branches into the chute after which collect extra whereas the machine is grinding away.
• Gravity feed: Typically known as a drop-in chute, a gravity-feed chipper shredder includes a flared opening on the prime of the machine. The consumer masses twigs and particles, and gravity helps them work their manner into the spinning knives.
• Horizontal chute: A horizontal chute stands out sideways with an upward tilt of about 45-degrees so the consumer can feed in particles from the aspect. The upward tilt retains leaves and small twigs from falling out.

Discount Ratio

The quantity to which a chipper shredder will scale back particles is called its discount ratio. This quantity seems within the product’s description as a numerical ratio, resembling 12:1. For instance, if customers buy a chipper shredder with a 12:1 discount ratio, it is going to scale back the quantity of uncooked waste from 12 buckets or wheelbarrows to a single bucket or wheelbarrow. Common discount ratios vary from round 10:1 to 17:1, and the upper the ratio, the smaller the chips the machine will produce.

Extra Options

Whereas chipper shredders are easy landscaping instruments, some include a couple of equipment that may make them both handier or simpler to function.

• Management system: Some self-feed chipper shredders function sensors that mechanically modify the speed of the fabric being drawn into the spinning blades. This selection is normally out there solely on business or prosumer fashions, nevertheless it helps hold particles from getting caught within the chute if it’s fed in too shortly.
• Vacuum chipper shredders: This selection makes use of suction to gather particles, so the consumer needn’t feed it into the chute. One sort of vacuum chipper shredder resembles a normal garden mower, however as an alternative of chopping grass, it sucks up leaves and small twigs, grinds them, after which discards the shredded particles in a bag. A second sort of vacuum chipper shredder is designed for pulling behind a garden tractor. The distinction between a garden vacuum and a vacuum chipper shredder is {that a} garden vacuum options suction solely, whereas a vacuum shredder really grinds up the particles.

Upkeep

Each fuel and electrical chipper shredders ought to be checked earlier than every use to make sure that no particles is caught within the chute or blades and to make sure that the blades are shifting freely. Gasoline fashions require further upkeep, together with periodically changing spark plugs and the air filter in addition to altering the oil. Each varieties might have blade sharpening if the shredder begins working extra slowly or fails to effectively grind particles. Particular fashions might also require lubricating the chain, so seek the advice of the proprietor’s guide and keep up-to-date on upkeep duties.

Security Ideas for Working a Chipper Shredder

Chipper shredders are energy instruments, and as such, primary security precautions have to be adopted throughout use.

• Put on security glasses to maintain airborne particles out of the eyes.
• A great pair of leather-based work gloves will defend the fingers from pokes and scrapes when loading twigs and issues like rosebush stems.
• If customers are operating a robust fuel chipper shredder, they are going to wish to put on listening to safety.

FAQs

If you happen to’re available in the market in your first chipper shredder, you probably have some questions. Learn on for solutions that may make it easier to store correctly.

Q. What’s a chipper shredder?

It’s a landscaping software that shreds dry wooden and plant waste to be recycled as mulch or compost or discarded.

Q. What’s the discount ratio in a chipper shredder?

A chipper shredder’s discount ratio signifies how a lot it is going to scale back the dimensions of the twigs, branches, or different plant waste. As an illustration, if a chipper shredder includes a 12:1 discount ratio, it is going to scale back 12 luggage of yard particles to only 1 bag.

Q. How do you employ a chipper shredder?

Load branches and different dry yard waste into the shredder’s consumption chute(s). The small chips that outcome may be collected in a bag to be used in your backyard or be discarded.

Q. What can I do with my chipper shredder waste?

The chips are nice to be used as mulch across the bottoms of bushes and different crops to scale back weed progress and assist hold moisture within the soil. You too can add them to your compost bin.

Why Belief Bob Vila

Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. Because the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV collection together with “This Previous Home” and “Bob Vila’s Dwelling Once more,” he popularized and have become synonymous with “do-it-yourself” house enchancment.

Over the course of his decades-long profession, Bob Vila has helped thousands and thousands of individuals construct, renovate, restore, and reside higher every day—a practice that continues as we speak with professional but accessible house recommendation. The Bob Vila staff distills need-to-know info into undertaking tutorials, upkeep guides, software 101s, and extra. These house and backyard specialists then totally analysis, vet, and advocate merchandise that assist householders, renters, DIYers, and professionals of their to-do lists.