Buying an Electric Wood Chipper
Electric wood chippers — AKA shredders or mulchers — efficiently transform bulky and cumbersome sticks, brush and leaves into a manageable pile of shredded chips. These chips can be easily disposed of or reused as landscaping mulch.
Electric wood chippers, although less powerful than gas-powered chippers, are much more affordable and require less maintenance. They’re also light and easy to maneuver. Best of all, because they lack the combustion engine and harmful fumes of gas models, they can be safely used inside your garage.
Although most electric wood chippers look similar, some may be better suited to your specific needs. Take the time to carefully consider these factors when choosing your woodchipper:
- Weight: You’ll most likely wheel your chipper out to the yard or driveway, so pay attention to how much it weighs. If you have joint or strength issues, go with a lighter option that will be less work to pull and push into place. Keep in mind you’ll likely sacrifice power.
- Chipping capacity: Some electric wood chippers handle larger diameter sticks than others, so make sure to choose the correct capacity for your yard waste. The maximum cutting diameter will be clearly stated on the machine. Electric wood chippers sometimes jam or clog, so it’s better to err on the side of higher capacity.
- Bag capacity: Some chippers come with a collection bag or container that fills with chips as you work. Think about how much debris you’ll be processing and choose a bag size that suits your needs. Hard-sided containers can be easier to pour and dump into a yard waste bag than soft-sided bags.
- Cost: Although some higher-end options can be expensive, electric wood chippers are relatively affordable, most ranging from $100 t0 $250. In our experience, the higher the price, the larger diameter branches it can handle.
