Tackling yard cleanup requires the right equipment, and a gas wood chipper is an indispensable tool for turning piles of branches and debris into useful mulch. These powerful machines save you countless hours of labor and trips to the dump, allowing you to manage your property’s waste efficiently and sustainably. The resulting wood chips are perfect for landscaping, creating garden paths, or enriching your compost pile.
Choosing the best model, however, depends on your specific needs, from the size of your property to the diameter of the branches you typically handle. Our roundup features ten of the best gas-powered chippers on the market, highlighting their key features and benefits to help you make an informed decision for your toughest outdoor projects.
Our Top Picks for Gas Wood Chippers
- BILT HARD Wood Chipper with Tow Hitch
- SuperHandy Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher Ultra Heavy Duty
- GARDENBEAUT R30 Wood Chipper 7HP Gas Powered
- GARDENBEAUT S3 Wood Chipper Shredder
- EFCUT Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher 7HP
- MechMaxx 6″ 15hp E-Start Gas Powered Wood Chipper
- MechMaxx 8″ 35hp E-Start Gas Powered Wood Chipper
- Sun Joe CJ603E Corded Wood Chipper and Shredder
- PowerSmart Electric Wood Chipper Shredder
- Tazz K32 3-in-1 Chipper Shredder Mulcher
BILT HARD Wood Chipper with Tow Hitch
Built for demanding tasks, the BILT HARD Wood Chipper is a robust 3-in-1 machine designed for forestry, garden, and landscaping use. Its heavy-duty construction includes a rotor disc with two chipper blades and six J-type hammer slices, capable of handling branches up to 3 inches in diameter. The powerful 7.5HP 224cc engine delivers reliable performance with a maximum speed of 4000 rpm, ensuring efficient chipping and shredding.
Mobility is a key advantage with this model. It features a reversible tow hitch for easy attachment to a lawn tractor or ATV, and its large 12-inch wheels allow for smooth transport across various terrains. The included 2.0-bushel collection bag helps keep your work area tidy by capturing the processed material directly.
SuperHandy Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher Ultra Heavy Duty
The SuperHandy Wood Chipper offers versatile 3-in-1 functionality, allowing you to chip, shred, and mulch with ease. It processes material through a top hopper for smaller debris and a side chute for branches up to 3 inches thick, achieving a 15:1 reduction ratio. Its unique slanted housing design is engineered to minimize jams, promoting a smoother workflow.
Powered by a 7HP OHV gas engine, this chipper provides the muscle needed for regular yard maintenance. For added convenience, it is compatible with an optional tow bar kit for transportation and a vacuum kit for efficient leaf mulching, making it a highly adaptable tool for comprehensive property cleanup.
GARDENBEAUT R30 Wood Chipper
The GARDENBEAUT R30 is engineered for efficiency and durability with its all-steel construction and innovative cutting roller design. It features double-lasting blades that speed up branch processing and are conveniently easy to maintain and replace. This design ensures you spend less time on upkeep and more time clearing your yard.
At its heart is a reliable 7HP 212cc engine with a quick recoil start, providing the power to handle a 3-inch cutting capacity. The chipper boasts a high 15:1 waste reduction ratio, significantly decreasing the volume of your yard waste and making cleanup and recycling a straightforward process.
GARDENBEAUT S3 Wood Chipper Shredder
For those seeking a compact yet powerful solution, the GARDENBEAUT S3 is an excellent choice. It maintains a robust 7HP engine and a 3-inch capacity while being lighter and more compact than many all-steel competitors. Its large extended feeding chute facilitates high-volume chipping and shredding with a 15:1 reduction ratio.
A standout feature is the vertical extended discharge chute with an adjustable guide. This allows you to direct the flow of discharged debris with precision over an angled range of 90° to 145°, helping you pile chips exactly where you want them.
EFCUT Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher
The EFCUT Wood Chipper combines a compact, user-friendly design with serious power. Its efficient cutting roller with durable double-lasting blades ensures rapid processing of branches up to 3 inches in diameter. The design prioritizes safety by keeping users at a safe distance from the internal mechanisms.
This model is both robust and practical. It features a 7HP 212cc OHV engine with a low oil alert sensor for protection against damage. When the job is done, the chipper’s foldable design minimizes the storage space required, making it ideal for users with limited shed or garage space.
MechMaxx 6″ 15hp E-Start Gas Powered Wood Chipper
For larger property management needs, the MechMaxx B150 is a substantial step up in capacity. It is powered by a 15HP 420cc DUCAR engine with a convenient electric start, effortlessly handling wood and branches up to 6 inches in diameter. Its four-wheel design, including two large rear wheels and two foldable front wheels, ensures stable and easy transportation.
This chipper is packed with user-focused and safety-conscious features. It includes a 360° rotary discharge chute, an emergency stop button, and a stop bar for quick shutdowns. The tail lights are synchronized with vehicle signals for safe towing, making it a professional-grade tool for serious workloads.
MechMaxx 8″ 35hp E-Start Gas Powered Wood Chipper
At the peak of power in this roundup is the MechMaxx B200, a true commercial-grade wood chipper. It is equipped with a massive 35HP 1000cc ZONSEN engine with electric start, capable of processing branches up to 8 inches thick. This machine is built for long, demanding chipping sessions on large properties or farms.
Beyond its raw power, it offers exceptional convenience and safety. The four-wheel configuration and trailer bar make it highly mobile. Operators will appreciate the 360° discharge chute, the handy storage box for tools, and the multiple emergency stop controls positioned for immediate access.
Sun Joe CJ603E Corded Wood Chipper and Shredder
For those who prefer an electric model for lighter duties or smaller yards, the Sun Joe CJ603E is a reliable and quiet option. Its 15-amp electric motor starts instantly with the push of a button and operates without the need for gas, oil, or emissions. It handles branches up to 1.73 inches with a high 21:1 reduction ratio.
This chipper is designed with safety and portability in mind. It includes a safety hopper that stops the machine when opened and comes with a feeding paddle to safely guide material. The compact build and 7-inch wheels make it easy to maneuver and store.
PowerSmart Electric Wood Chipper Shredder
The PowerSmart Electric Wood Chipper is an ideal tool for the home gardener. Powered by a 15-amp motor, it efficiently processes branches up to 1.77 inches in diameter, though it performs best with material under 1.3 inches. It’s a clean and quiet solution for seasonal yard cleanup.
Operation is simple: attach the 45L collection bag, plug it in, and press the switch. The included plunger helps guide branches safely into the chute. With a 15:1 volume reduction, it quickly turns yard waste into valuable mulch or compost material, and its wheeled design allows for easy movement around the garden.
Tazz K32 3-in-1 Chipper Shredder Mulcher
The Tazz K32 is a well-regarded 3-in-1 machine known for its versatility and solid performance in residential settings. It effectively chips branches, shreds organic matter, and mulches leaves, providing a comprehensive solution for yard waste management. Its design is focused on user-friendly operation and reliable results season after season.
This model is built to handle the typical debris found in a medium to large yard, making cleanup efficient and productive. The resulting mulch is perfect for use in garden beds or around trees, helping to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.
Buying Guide: How to Pick the Right Gas Wood Chipper for Branches
So, you’re looking at the 10 best gas wood chippers for branches and feeling a bit overwhelmed. I get it. There are a lot of numbers and features to consider. Having used my fair share of these machines, I can tell you that focusing on a few key areas will make your decision much easier. It’s not just about power; it’s about finding the right tool for your specific property and the type of clean-up you do.
First, let’s talk about the engine. This is the heart of the machine. You’ll see horsepower (HP) and cubic centimeters (cc) listed. For most residential yards with occasional use, an engine in the 150cc to 250cc range is plenty. If you have a larger property, deal with thicker wood regularly, or plan to use it frequently, you’ll want to look at models with more power, perhaps in the 250cc to 300cc+ range. A more powerful engine will handle bigger branches with less strain and won’t bog down as easily.
Next, pay close attention to the chipper capacity. This number tells you the maximum diameter of a branch the machine can accept. This is a critical spec. If you mostly have small shrubs and twigs, a model with a 2-inch capacity might be fine. But if you’re regularly dealing with fallen limbs from trees, you’ll want something that can handle 3 inches or even 4 to 5 inches. Be realistic here. Buying a chipper with too small a capacity will lead to frustration, as you’ll be spending extra time cutting down branches to fit.
The type of cutting mechanism is another big decision. You’ll find two main types: chipper blades and chipper/shredder designs. A straightforward chipper uses a solid steel blade (or blades) mounted on a rotating flywheel to slice branches into chips. A chipper/shredder has this blade, but also includes a separate set of flails or hammers for processing leafy debris and small twigs. If you want to clean up a mix of branches and leaves in one go, a chipper/shredder is incredibly convenient. If you only care about branches, a dedicated chipper is often more robust for that single task.
Finally, think about the practical stuff. How mobile is it? Look at the wheel size and the overall weight. Large, pneumatic (air-filled) tires are best for moving over rough terrain. Consider the chute design—a hinged chute that you can fold down makes for much easier storage. Also, check what safety features are included, like an emergency shut-off or a no-volt release switch that prevents the machine from restarting on its own after a power interruption. Taking a little time to match these features to your needs will ensure you get a gas wood chipper that becomes a trusted helper, not a storage shed headache.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a chipper and a chipper/shredder?
A basic chipper is designed almost exclusively for branches. It uses a sharp, rotating blade to cut wood into small chips. A chipper/shredder is a two-in-one machine. It has the chipper blade for branches, but it also has a separate, dedicated shredding mechanism (often a set of flails) for processing softer organic material like leaves, pine needles, and small twigs. If you have a lot of leafy debris along with your branches, the chipper/shredder is the more versatile choice.
How often do I need to sharpen or replace the chipper blades?
This depends entirely on how much you use the machine and what kind of wood you’re chipping. Dirty, sandy wood will dull blades faster than clean timber. For an average homeowner using it seasonally, you might only need to sharpen the blades once a year. You’ll know it’s time when the machine starts straining more, producing stringy chips instead of clean, small chunks. Always have a spare set of blades on hand so you can swap them out and send the dull ones for professional sharpening without significant downtime.
Are gas wood chippers difficult to maintain?
Not really, especially if you’re familiar with basic small engine care. The maintenance is similar to a lawnmower or other garden equipment. The key tasks are checking the oil before each use, cleaning or replacing the air filter regularly, and using fresh fuel. At the end of the season, you should either run the engine until the carburetor is empty or use a fuel stabilizer. The most important mechanical maintenance is keeping the chipper blades sharp, as mentioned above. Following the manual’s schedule will keep your machine running well for years.
Can I chip wet or green wood?
Yes, you can, but there are some things to keep in mind. A gas wood chipper typically handles wet, green branches better than an electric model due to its greater power. However, chipping very sappy wood can gunk up the inside of the machine and the chute over time, requiring more frequent cleaning. The chips from wet wood also tend to clump together and are less ideal for use as garden mulch, as they decompose differently. It’s generally better to chip drier wood when possible, but a capable machine won’t be harmed by processing green branches.
What should I do with all the wood chips?
This is the best part! Those chips are a fantastic resource. The most common use is as a natural mulch in garden beds to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. You can also use them to create soft, natural pathways in your yard. If you have a lot, consider starting a compost pile, mixing the carbon-rich wood chips with nitrogen-rich materials like grass clippings. Just avoid using chips from diseased trees or black walnut, which can inhibit plant growth. When reviewing the 10 best gas wood chippers for branches, think of the machine as a tool that turns a mess into free, useful material for your property.