5 Best Electric Chipper Shredders To Buy 2023

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Trees, shrubs, and other plants growing on your property will eventually start to cause problems with fallen debris and look unsightly.

An electric wood chipper shredder is one piece of gardening equipment that can help keep yard waste and brush under control. The broken-down leaves and branches can be used in compost or as mulch that you can use around your home and garden.

In this guide, you’ll learn about my favorite picks that I consider to be the best electric chipper shredders. And in my list of reviews, I will detail the reasons you may need one and the things to watch out for before purchasing.

Keeping safety in mind, hearing and eye protection is vital when operating a chipper shredder, so you will need to factor in those items separately from the purchase price.

Top Picked Electric Chipper Shredders

Best Overall

1. Earthwise 15-Amp Corded Electric Chipper Shredder

Earthwise GS70015 15-Amp Garden Corded Electric Chipper, Collection Bin

Reasons To Buy

  • Affordable for most homeowners
  • Chips branches thicker than most other electric models allow
  • Lightweight and compact for easy movement and storage
  • Large hopper and collection bin increase ease-of-use
  • Reset switch and overload protection ensure safe operation

Reasons To Avoid

  • Works much better on dry sticks over freshly-pruned branches
  • Exit shoot can clog up
  • Must firmly feed debris to prevent kick-back from spinning blades

The Earthwise Electric Chipper Shredder offers a well-built unit with great features for quickly clearing branches and sticks from your lawn.

The powerful unit reduces branches up to 1 3/4 inches thick, capable enough to handle many branches that fall or you prune from trees around your home.

The wide leaf chute simplifies putting leaves into the machine, which decreases the time it takes to finish a clean-up project. The safety features and durable frame with wheels increase the value by keeping the unit safe and stable while in operation, plus it allows you to roll it where you need it.

What I like best about this chipper is the heavy-duty plastic collection bin that slips easily in and out of the bottom framing. The size is perfect for holding an adequate amount of material, yet when full is never too heavy to move and empty.

The Earthwise Chipper Shredder is best for homeowners with a moderate amount of trees and shrubbery on their property looking for an affordable tool to keep yard waste in check.

Best Chipper Shredder For Composting

2. Sun Joe Electric Silent Wood Chipper Shredder

Sun Joe CJ603E 15-Amp 1.7-Inch Cutting Diameter Electric Silent Wood Chipper/Shredder, green

Reasons To Buy

  • Powerful motor and sharp blades chip and shred branches fast
  • The reduction ratio of 21:1 means less mess to deal with at the end
  • Large wheels help you traverse all terrain
  • Safety hopper and locking feature prevents the motor from running when open
  • Works effectively on branches, twigs, and leaves to turn them into a fine mulch

Reasons To Avoid

  • Hopper opening is not as efficient for feeding in leaves as other models
  • Not “silent” while chipping wood
  • Works much better on branches under one inch thick

The Sun Joe Electric Wood Chipper Shredder is a no-nonsense option for those homeowners needing a compact, budget-friendly unit that delivers reliable results to help your yard look tidy.

This chipper features a robust motor that can shred and chip branches just under 1.73 inches thick with no problems. The sturdy framing prevents the machine from tipping over, and the large wheels make for easy transport.

I appreciate the open-leg design that allows you to disperse the chipped material directly onto the ground when you choose not to use the collection bag. You can also slide a bin under the unit to catch the remnants for easy disposal elsewhere.

This unit has an impressive reduction ratio so that you can corral large piles of debris into a much smaller, more manageable collection.

I consider the Sun Wood Chipper Shredder an affordable choice for homeowners looking for a high reduction ratio to quickly reduce large quantities of yard waste into manageable piles to bag for disposal or to recycle as mulch.

Best Overall Power

3. Patriot Products Electric Wood Chipper and Leaf Shredder

Patriot Products CSV-2515 Electric Wood Chipper Leaf Shredder

Reasons To Buy

  • Large hopper ideal for loading leaves
  • Easy start and chipper or shredder sides make it simple to operate
  • Accepts branches up to 2 1/2 inches in diameter
  • Properly-rated accessories available to increase ease-of-use
  • Solid workmanship and smart design for long-term use and stability

Reasons To Avoid

  • Expensive
  • Larger and heavier than other electric chipper models
  • Should only plug it into a 20-amp circuit

The Patriot Products Electric Wood Chipper Leaf Shredder delivers when it comes to being a powerful electric operation that can handle branches up to two-and-a-half inches thick.

The maintenance-free motor, sharp blade, and durable flails chip or shred wood and leaves into consistent-size material ideal for mulch, use in wood smokers, or even as animal bedding.

To avoid confusion on more uses, see our wood chips vs mulch comparison.

The large hopper holds plenty of leaves to keep the job in motion, while the discharge shoot allows you to aim the debris to the area of your choice or into a collection bag.

I approve of the large wheels and motor being low to the ground, which makes it easy to move and creates better balance during use.

The Patriot Products Electric Wood Chipper Leaf Shredder is one of my top selections for the sheer durability and power that it provides. This chipper is best for homeowners needing to reduce and recycle serious amounts of leaves and thicker branch debris on a regular basis.

Best Budget

4. WEN 15-Amp Rolling Electric Wood Chipper and Shredder

WEN 41121 15-Amp Rolling Electric Wood Chipper and Shredder

Reasons To Buy

  • Affordable
  • High reduction ratio, so you have less debris to handle
  • Large cutting blades with lightning-fast rotation quickly chip down branches
  • The collection bag included enables easy transport of material
  • Blades are easy to reverse and sharpen, so you can keep on working

Reasons To Avoid

  • Hopper opening is better suited for sticks and not leaves
  • Wheels are solid plastic, which may crack under heavy use
  • If the unit jams, it takes a lot of effort to open the housing

The WEN Electric Wood Chipper and Shredder is an affordable option when you are looking for a quick way to turn branches up to 1 1/2 inches in diameter into mulch for your garden.

The chipper uses two large blades that can cut up to 130 times per second, so there’s no need to feed branches slowly for the machine to “keep up.” The other benefit of more cutting power is the 17-to-1 reduction ratio, which is very impressive for such a compact chipper.

I like the automatic safety system that prevents the unit from running when the hopper is open and the included push bar, so you can keep your hands away from dangerous moving parts. The collection bag is easy to install and remove, which speeds up the time it takes to complete the job.

The WEN 15-Amp Rolling Electric Wood Chipper and Shredder is a top choice for homeowners looking for a budget-friendly option to clear away small branches and turn them into free mulch for around your home.

Best Overall

5. Landworks Electric Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher

Landworks Wood Chipper Shredder Electric Light Duty 17:1 Reduction 15-Amp 1800 Watts 120VAC Dual Edge Blades for Lawn and Garden Use or Fire Prevention Building a Firebreak

Reasons To Buy

  • Affordable
  • Polypropylene housing for long-term protection of inner motor and blades
  • Lightweight and compact for easy movement and storage
  • 17:1 reduction ratio shrinks large piles of yard waste
  • Makes excellent-looking mulch

Reasons To Avoid

  • The collection bag fills quickly
  • Feeding in leaves requires patience so you don’t clog the exit chute
  • It can’t be used for branches with big bends, or the unit tends to jam

The Landworks Electric Wood Chipper Shredder utilizes two blades for efficient cutting and a straightforward design that is easy to operate.

The Polypropylene body of this chipper won’t dent or rust, and it comes with two dual-edged blades that spin with sufficient speed to readily chip branches down without strain. When your edges begin to dull, open the unit, flip the blades, and get right back to work.

I like the tremendous reduction ratio that is ideal for turning large piles of sticks and leaves into a manageable amount of debris. I also like the instant start switch and the smooth-rolling motion of the wheels. They also include a push paddle, which makes feeding in leaves much more comfortable.

The Landworks electric wood chipper, shredder, and mulcher is best for homeowners looking for an affordable option to reduce smaller amounts of yard debris like twigs and pine needles into a fine mulch, perfect for adding directly into your garden or planter beds.

Do You Really Need An Electric Chipper Shredder?

Here are the top reasons you need an electric chipper shredder:

Saves Time

Using a chipper saves time because you can bring the unit to the area you wish to clean up and immediately feed the debris into the chipper shredder.

Once the collection bin is full, you can empty the shreds into a planter bed nearby or into a wheelbarrow or yard cart for quick transport to another location.

Creates Free Mulch

A wood chipper not only reduces leaves and twigs into a more manageable size but also allows you to recycle the material as free mulch to spread around your home and garden.

Continual Power

An electric chipper shredder gets the upper hand when it comes to continuous power to finish a job as fast as possible since you never have to worry about it running out of gas.

More Compact And Affordable

Most electric chipper shredders have a slim profile because they don’t have a bulky gas engine that adds weight to the unit.

Most electric chippers take up less storage space, are lighter to maneuver, and are typically much less expensive than gas models.

Better For The Environment

When you implement an electric chipper you:

  • Can reuse the litter for mulch/fertilizer or add it to compost
  • Can refrain from burning fallen branches and leaves
  • Can eliminate smoke and fumes from gas-powered units
  • Can reduce noise pollution over gas units
  • Can reduce the amount of material going to landfills

Things To Watch Out For When Buying An Electric Chipper Shredder

To ensure you are getting the best electric chipper and shredder for your needs, always take a good look at these features:

Noise Output

Even the best wood chippers can be quite noisy, and wearing hearing protection is recommended to reduce possible damage to your ears.

The good news is that electric wood chippers produce less noise since you eliminate the need to run a loud gas engine.

Some manufacturers note the running decibel level right on their product packaging, which can help you find the quietest unit available, especially if you live close to your neighbors.

Wheels

Electric wood chippers should have a set of wheels to move it about while cleaning up the yard.

The larger the diameter of the wheels on a unit, the easier it’ll be to roll it across uneven surfaces.

Look for pneumatic rubber tires or wheels made of durable plastic with deep treads that help provide traction on inclines or damp grass.

Blades

The size, material, amount of blades, and speed of rotation inside your electric chipper will determine how well it works.

Look for blades made of steel, ideally with two sets or more that rotate to shred or chip branches into small bits.

The hardened steel blades in most electric chippers allow you to reverse or sharpen the edges when you notice them getting dull.

The shredder portion of your unit should have hinged flails or blades that spin at a high rate of speed. These blades don’t need a sharp edge like the chipper portion of the machine but do need to be durable to withstand long-term use.

Collection Method

Electric chippers may come with a bag or bin attachment for collecting the material as it comes through the unit. Other models of chipper shredders have a chute that expels the material directly onto the ground.

I find having a large collection bin makes completing yard tasks much faster. I can chip up a large portion of branches, then drag the full bin over to a planter bed and spread out the material.

Some models have a collection bag that is too small, which then requires a tedious amount of work stoppages to empty it.

Wasting time struggling with an inefficient collection system will negate any other benefits of owning the chipper. Find a unit that suits your specific needs and save yourself a headache!

Hopper Size

Hopper size matters when it comes to the versatility of an electric chipper shredder.

Models may look similar at first glance, but the opening meant to intake yard waste can range from quite large to a more broad and skinny shape.

As you can guess, a round hole may function just fine for pushing through sticks but isn’t very conducive for shredding up large amounts of leaves.

For the most versatility, I suggest a chipper with a large hopper so you can feed in a single branch or a handful of leaves with the same amount of effort.

Using The Right Extension Cord

Electric chippers plug into a 110v outlet, but you do need properly rated electrical circuits and extension cords to handle the power flow without tripping your breaker.

Some units may include a properly-rated cord, while other models may suggest you purchase an extension cord of a specific length and rating to ensure safe use.

Safety

Electric chippers have sharp blades and fast-moving parts that are inherently dangerous.

Units should offer safety features like automatic shut-off when the motor begins to overheat, the blades get jammed, or the access door is open. Never buy a chipper shredder without these essential safety features.

Chippers are notorious for wayward shards of sticks or dusty debris shooting back out from the top when in use. Many manufacturers try to avoid this issue by making the entrance hole as small as possible, but it’s always wise to wear safety glasses at all times while the machine is running.

Check out the SolidWork Safety Goggles on Amazon to help protect your eyes while working.

Most smaller electric chipper shredders require you to “force” branches into the blades. Gloves are necessary to grip rough sticks and hold them firmly to prevent them from pushing back out while the blades spin to chip them up.

If you’re worried about operating these machines, consider renting a wood chipper with a professional instead.

Electric Wood Chipper Shredder FAQs

Are Electric Chipper Shredders Loud?

Electric chipper shredders are quite loud but not as loud as gas-powered versions. Therefore, you may need to operate your machine during daytime hours or when your local laws allow.

Do You Need Safety Equipment To Operate A Chipper Shredder?

Yes, you should always wear approved eye and hearing protection as well as gloves and boots to protect your feet. And keep pets and children away from the machine while operating.

Are There Any Limits To What You Can Chip Or Shred?

Yes, each machine has a maximum and minimum limit to what it can process. In general, very large, heavy branches and whole small trees are better left for commercial machines. Very small debris may be better raked and added to a compost pile.

In Summary

I find it very satisfying to reduce and recycle the sticks and leaves from my yard by using an electric chipper shredder machine.

If you’re unsure which model from this lineup to choose, I recommend having a look at the Patriot Products Electric Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder, which has a heck of a lot of power and can handle thicker branches than most other electric chippers.

If that model is out of your budget, consider the WEN Electric Wood Chipper and Shredder for the super-fast blade rotation that can help whip through your yard clean-up projects.

As you can see, there are plenty of positive reasons an electric chipper shredder is a must-have garden tool to help keep the land around your home and garden looking sharp!

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