When it comes to garden cleaning, you will be surprised to see the kind of options available on the market. For mowing the lawns, you can buy a lawn mower and for creating crisp lines along the edge of the lawn, you can opt for a lawn edger, but have you ever given a thought as to how you will get rid of leaves, twigs and tree branches that fall on the surface of the garden every day? Well, let me tell you how you can take care of these things. You need a chipper shredder, which will process tree branches, leaves, and twigs to debris, which you can use as compost or as landscaping material. Now, the question comes as to which is the best wood chipper shredder, answer of which you can find in the wood chipper shredder reviews consumer reports in which I’ve reviewed seven of the best products that are currently available on the market.
Reviews Of 7 Best Wood Chipper Shredders
1. Sun Joe CJ601E 14-Amp Electric Wood Chipper/Shredder
A top-notch chipper shredder, Sun Joe CJ602E performs as good as the machines twice its price. If you are looking for a no-nonsense chipper shredder, then this machine from Sun Joe is what you need, as it is lightweight, performance-packed and easy to store. If you believe in DIY philosophy, then you won’t get a better machine than the one I’m discussing here.
The chipper shredder efficiently mulches branches that are 1½ inches in diameter despite its small size and affordable price. Having a weight of just 17 lbs makes this chipper shredder a highly portable unit. Unlike most of the chipper shredders, this one doesn’t come with a bag, but don’t you feel disappointed because the company has used a different technique here. They have added a funnel in the unit where all the mulch will be deposited. You can mount the machine on top of a wheelbarrow in order to collect the mulch easily.
2. Earthquake TAZZ 18493 212cc Gas Powered Wood Chipper Shredder
There aren’t many units that you can all-rounder, but Earthquake TAZZ 18493 is. This is a sturdy and affordable machine boasting a 212cc engine, which generates incredible power to transform branches up to 3 inches in size into bits. If you have a mid-sized yard with a decent amount of trees and shrubbery, then this chipper shredder is ideal for you.
This isn’t a small unit, as it measures 25.4 x 29.9 x 51 inches. However, you can consider it as a compact unit, which will offer a quick solution to fallen tree branches, leaves, twigs and other stuff on your yard. A large zippered fabric bag is attached to the unit where you can deposit newly shredded chips for easy disposal.
Other features of the unit include a steel hopper for feeding plant matter into grinding chamber, a limb chute for longer branches and 11-inch durable wheels for easy maneuvering. Moreover, the company offers a 5-year warranty on the product, just in case, the machine malfunctions, you can easily get it repaired or replaced.
3. Farmer Helper (BX42) Wood Chipper
If you are scouting for a chipper shredder that makes you feel as if you are working in a farm, then opt for Farmer Helper Wood Chipper (BX42). This chipper is efficient for carrying out a wide range of tasks. The machine comes with easy access controls; therefore, you won’t have any issues using this chipper shredder. The machine is coated with a special powder, which protects it from rust. This unit incorporates an angled cutting action, plus if you want to change the blade, then that’s easy as well. You can also adjust the discharge funnel of the unit, which is a big plus for many users. The rotor installed in this shredder spins fast and smoothly, thus shredding every branch, leaf, and twig comprehensively. When it comes to drawbacks of the unit, there is one; the ingredients that you want to shred need some pushing.
4. Patriot Products CSV-3100B Gas-Powered Wood Chipper Shredder
The main highlight of this chipper shredder is the inclusion of Briggs & Stratton Vanguard Commercial Power Engine, which works excellently on medium to large sized yards. The unit also includes a direct drive system, which is developed and patented by Patriot. This system allows the yard debris to go straight into the loading funnel where it will be processed. You don’t have to move this unit from one spot to another because the side discharge chute gives you the freedom to use the machine by being at the same spot. However, if you want to move the machine, then that can be done quite easily, courtesy of oversized wheels. This machine doesn’t make as much noise as other units, thanks to lo-tone, high-quality muffler. An oil sensor has also been included in the machine, which informs you about the low level of oil in the machine.
5. Sun Joe CJ602E 15-Amp Electric Wood Chipper/Shredder
Another excellent product by Sun Joe, which can provide people with a convenient solution for messed up yards/gardens. Being deemed as the best chipper shredder for residential use, you will find all the features backing up that claim. The unit is powered by a 15-amp motor, which generates 4300 RMP. Boasting a smooth and quiet operation, the unit will efficiently process tree branches, leaves, and twigs, which can later be disposed of conveniently.
Everything goes into the unit through the hopper, which is totally safe to use, as there is a locking knob that prevents the engine from operating if it is not closed. Tree branches having up to 1.5 inches of diameter can be easily converted into debris. This is a compact machine, which doesn’t weigh too much and is easy to maneuver. The product comes with a 2-year warranty, which allows customers to get in touch with the company in case they find issues in the machine.
6. Patriot Products CSV-2515 14 Amp Electric Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder
To keep your yard/garden spic and span, use Patriot Products CSV-2515 Chipper Shredder. This is a compact and lightweight unit, which will convert tree branches, leaves and twigs into nutrient-rich mulch. The unit incorporates a 14-amp electric engine that generates all the power, which we have been discussing the machine. You can plug the wire into a standard 110-volt outlet and begin shredding branches or leaves. The operation of this machine is smooth, quiet and pollution-free. All the debris will be collected in a large-sized collection bag. The unit features a large hopper on the top where all the garden debris will go for processing. Despite being a compact and lightweight unit, it is sturdy and powerful. There won’t be any issue shredding and chipping branches of up to 2.5 inches in diameter.
7. Yard Machines 208cc Chipper Shredder
Solid construction with a powerful engine is what defines Yard Machines Chipper Shredder. Sporting a 208cc engine, the unit is all set to carry out heavy-duty work. An incredible 10:1 waste reduction ratio makes it one of the most efficient chipper shredder for home use. The unit is powered with a 4-cycle gas-powered engine, which has a capacity of 0.4 gallons. The 3-way feed system of the unit features a chipper chute, rake-in chute, and drop-down chute. A bag of 2.5-bushel capacity accompanies the chipper shredder, which consumes a good amount of waste for you to dispose of at the end. This is arguably the best wood chippers on the market right now.
How To Choose The Best Chipper Shredder
Having the best chipper shredder at home gives you the freedom to have a beautiful and organized yard and garden. No matter how much you clean your home garden, you’d still be seeing a lot of leaves, twigs, and debris. If you don’t want to get into the hassle of cleaning these things on your own, then you will have to buy the best chipper shredder, but the question arises that which one to buy.
The job of a chipper shredder is to shred tree branches, leaves and twigs into mulch. The mulch will then be used to landscape the garden or to create compost. Let’s find out as to which factors to take into consideration when buying a chipper shredder.
Capacity
Prior to deciding on the chipper shredder, it is important that you check the size of branches you need to chip. The majority of residential chipper shredders are proficient in chipping branches that are up to 3 inches long, however, if you are looking to chip longer branches, then you will need a chipper that is a dedicated chipper and not a chipper shredder combo.
Power Source
You will see different types of power source in chipper shredders. The strength and versatility of your chipper shredder depend a lot upon the power source it has. If you have a small or medium yard, then electrical chipper shredders will do the job. Electrical chipper shredders don’t make any noise or fumes.
Then comes gas chipper shredders, which are stronger than electrical chipper shredders, thus capable of handling larger branches and larger yards. Gas chipper shredders sport large engines, which increase the size and weight of the units in totality. If you are concerned about the environment, then it’s better to opt for an electric chipper shredder, but if you want a powerful unit, then go for a gas chipper shredder.
Reduction Ratio
The reduction ratio of the unit is the formula used to determine how much the chipper shredder is going to reduce the debris. If you are using a chipper shredder that has a reduction ratio of 8:1, then that means the debris will be shrunk to 1/8th of its size. Top chipper shredders are capable of reducing the debris to 1/10th of its size, so that shows a larger and more powerful machine can reduce the debris at a higher reduction ratio.
Shredding Chute
Look for a shredding chute when buying a chipper shredder because that will come handy when shredding smaller debris like leaves. Moreover, if you are fond of doing gardening, then a shredding chute will be of great use for you.
Bag Capacity
Your chipper shredder will come with a bag where you can collect the debris after being shredded. The larger the size of the bag, the better it is because you don’t have to dispose of the debris from the bag less often.
Six Safety Tips To Keep In Mind While Using a Chipper Shredder
When working with a powerful tool like a chipper shredder, it is important for you to ensure that all the necessary safety measures are taken because one small mistake may result in serious harm to you and people in the surroundings. Here are six safety tips that you can consider taking when using a chipper shredder.
- Read the instructions given in the manual of your chipper shredder because that will give you a good idea on how to use the machine in the right way.
- Always wear the right safety gear and clothing while working on the chipper shredder. Wear safety glasses and sound-reducing earplugs, but avoid wearing loose clothes.
- Don’t try to fix the hopper or shredding chute on your own if it gets jammed. Turn off the unit before removing any clogged up material.
- Be at a safe distance from the machine when it is operating. Do not look directly into the hopper or chute because there are chances of things flying out and hitting you in the face.
- Carefully feed the branches into the hopper. Do not use your hands to push the wood into the hopper, but make use of another tree branch to propel smaller branches into the unit.
- Keep the machine away from your kids and keep in mind that you should not leave the machine unattended ever.
Ending Remarks
There is nothing complicated in finding the best chipper shredder if you are clear about the operating type of the machine, power capacity, and features. Chipper shredders are available in two types, electric and gas powered, so it is up to you to decide as to which type of shredder suits you the best. Secondly, you need to decide whether you’ll be shredding wood in the machine or mulching leaves and twigs as well. It is only after you decide the aforementioned things that you’ll be able to find the best products. To help you out with the selection process, I’ve provided a list of seven best wood chipper shredder reviews consumer reports, so you can go through the list and make your pick.