Are you a gardener who enjoys maintaining and keeping your garden in excellent condition but finds it difficult to do so?
If your answer is yes, I recommend bringing home a wood chipper. Like you, I also love to have a great-looking yard and always look for tips and tricks to keep it that way. Being a retired school teacher, I have a lot of spare time to invest in gardening activities.
But it can be an intimidating task, especially for people like me who are not in great shape. Thankfully, gone are those days when you had to stress over cleaning the garden debris, as an efficient wood chipper can deal with these easily.
However, searching for the best one can be overwhelming for anyone. So, here I am, Stacy Smith, with my reviews of the best wood chipper under $500.
Without further ado, let’s dig in!
Top 5 Wood Chipper Under $500 Reviews
1. Sun Joe CJ603E
One of my top recommendations is the Sun Joe CJ603E wood chipper for its brilliant performance. It is a versatile product for transforming bush, branches, and twigs into nutrient-rich compost.
Product Highlights
What impressed me most about this unit is that it comes with a 15-amp electric motor, which effectively shreds and chips branch up to 1.73 inches thick.
Also, the chipper works with a reduction ratio of 21:1. Now you might be wondering what is a reduction ratio? It basically defines the efficiency with which a machine reduces yard waste, which, in turn, helps you keep your garden in pristine condition.
Besides, the safety features of this device make it stand above a lot of its peers. It comes with a safety hopper with a locking knob that restricts the motor from starting when opened.
What’s more, assembling and maintaining this wood chipper feels like a walk in the park. And you won’t have to worry much about maintenance requirements either. So, you can just assemble the device and get on with your garden cleaning duties.
What's There To Like About It?
My neighbor warned me of muscle pulls while using heavy tools, so portability was my primary concern while buying a wood chipper. But despite being large, its 7-inch wheels make for its easy portability, and I can conveniently lug it around the garden.
Aside from that, I liked the versatility on offer, which makes it a top choice as I can shred, chip any branch, shrub, or twig effortlessly.
What's There Not To Like About It?
It’s no secret that gardening tools and equipment sometimes come with minor disadvantages, and this one is no exception. While using it, I have found out that the exit chute is not very big and gets clogged up easily. However, for people like me who love a portable device, this is a small price to pay.
Pros and Cons of Sun Joe CJ603E
Pros
Cons
- Efficient Shredding: Powerful 15-Amp motor engineered with quiet operation effectively chips and shreds branches up to 1.7 inches thick
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Reduce yard waste to 1/21th its original size and turn leaves, twigs, brush, and branches into nutrient-rich mulch to boost garden health and appearance
- Zero Emissions: Power up instantly with the push of a button without the fuss of fuel or fumes, for user-friendly operation season after season; Plus, the integrated safety hopper and locking knob halts operation immediately when opened, ensuring peace of mind during use
2. Sun Joe CJ601E
Looking for a chipper that is efficient but also affordable? Then Sun Joe CJ601E is your best bet. It’s a bit smaller with a small motor, but you won’t complain about its efficiency, considering its budget-friendly price.
Product Highlights
The Sun Joe CJ602E helps turn your useless garden debris into nutrient-rich mulch without requiring you to break any sweat.
Yes, you heard it right. With a 14-amp motor, this unit serves exceptionally well for people who have to deal with the unnecessary crowding of fallen leaves, branches, and brushes. It is specially designed for light-duty tasks and works at a reduction ratio of 16:1.
Anybody of my age can quickly assemble the wood chipper and carry on with lawn cleaning without worrying much about its maintenance. Aside from that, its electric operation minimizes carbon footprint by restricting the emission of smoke and fumes.
Similar to its predecessor, this one also comes with a safety knob that engages automatically when you open the hopper.
What's There To Like About It?
One of the features that appealed to me is its portability. Despite having 6 wheels and a weight of 25.4 lbs, it’s easy for me to carry it around and pick up unnecessary debris on my lawn. This makes the unit suitable for people like me who cannot pick heavy tools and accessories for a long time.
Also, the two-year warranty provided by the company keeps you from paying a hefty sum in case of any manufacturing defects.
What's There Not To Like About It?
A garden, irrespective of its size, is full of differently shaped twigs and branches, and an efficient wood chipper should be able to deal with it efficiently. However, as I have heard from other users, the Sun Joe CJ602E might not be suitable for dealing with forked or curved branches.
Pros and Cons of Sun Joe CJ601E
Pros
Cons
- Questions, Text 563563 to chat directly with a Sun Joe expert
- POWERFUL: 14 amp motor effectively chips and shreds branches up to 1. 5-inches thick. No load speed is 4300 rpm
- MULCHING: Ideal for turning branches and twigs into nutrient-rich garden mulch, reducing your yard waste up to 1/16th its original size
3. Earthwise GS70015
During my research, I was looking for a device that could take care of my chipping needs and is backed by a brand promise. And Earthwise has been a good name when it comes to tools for outdoor needs. So, you can trust the quality and performance of the product on offer.
Product Highlights
This wood chipper by Earthwise comes in a slim, portable, and maneuverable design. Its 15-amp electric motor and powerful steel blades can mulch wood sticks up to 1.75-inch thick. Plus, you can easily dispose of debris once it’s been chipped or shredded. This makes it easier for you to get rid of collected yard waste and give your garden a stunning look.
Aside from that, the lightweight and slim design of the mulcher has a capacity of 10.5 gallons and creates additional space to collect and process the waste. Once the waste has been processed, you can put them in a bag and throw them in the compost bin of the yard.
Lastly, the durable rear wheels will allow you to transport the wood chipper easily from one place to another.
What's There To Like About It?
If you are looking for a small yet powerful wood chipper, then the Earthwise GS70015 may fit the bill. It is a small device, but as I have heard from others and based on my experience, I can assure that it’s indeed highly effective.
What fascinated me was its powerful 15-amp electric motor that runs up to 4500 RPM, allowing me to chip or shred the branches without much effort. Also, the cleanup is pretty easy, thanks to the large collection bin.
What's There Not To Like About It?
I would prefer a chipper that delivers versatile and consistent performance, but with this tool, the mulch may not always be consistent. This issue, however, can be resolved simply by chipping the wood again And result assured that this minor inconvenience is far from being a deal breaker..
Pros and Cons of Earthwise GS70015
Pros
Cons
- Powerful 15-Amp Electric Motor: Delivers strong, consistent performance to chip branches and shred yard waste up to 1.5–1.8 inches thick—perfect for sticks, brush, and seasonal cleanup without gas or fumes.
- Optimized for Dry & Aged Material: Designed for best performance with dry, seasoned branches and yard debris, producing fine mulch for composting. Green or freshly cut material may reduce efficiency due to higher moisture content.
- Proper Extension Cord Use (Max Performance & Safety): For 15-amp operation, use a 12-gauge (12 AWG) extension cord up to 75 ft or 10-gauge for longer distances to prevent voltage drop, overheating, and loss of power. (extention cord not included)
4. PowerSmart Wood Chipper Electric
Next on my list is a PowerSmart wood chipper-cum-shredder that utilizes a strong brushless motor. Being a versatile device, it is a suitable choice for any garden, irrespective of its size and amount of waste collected every day.
Product Highlights
If you’re clueless about what to do with the piles of bushes and shrubs on the lawn during the mowing season, then you should go for the PowerSmart PS10 15-amp chipper. Its noise-free electric motor easily shreds through your pile of waste and transforms them into a nutrient-rich mulch.
Not only that, but it can also cut through any branch with a thickness of up to 1.6 inches, which opens up a range of possibilities when intending to mulch over flower beds or atop a compost file. Furthermore, it’s integrated with overload protection, which automatically shuts off the machine if you press it a little too hard.
Lastly, this wood chipper is lightweight, slim, and compact in design making it easy to work it around across several locations. These kinds of devices are especially suited for me, considering my age.
What's There To Like About It?
I liked this unit primarily because it is electrically powered and doesn’t emit any fumes or smoke during operation. Also, running on electricity rather than petrol or diesel allows me to save on my monthly budget and ensures noise-free working.
Apart from that, people my age find it challenging to work around with heavy tools while cleaning a large yard. And since it weighs a mere 33 pounds, it doesn’t really break my back or tire out my arms.
What's There Not To Like About It?
Well, the primary and significant issue that I found with this unit is the lack of a safety mechanism. I need to turn the safety knob many times for it to unscrew completely while it’s engaged. Although it's a good thing that the brand is thinking about safety, I feel that there should be a better design than a several-inch turning screw.
Pros and Cons of PowerSmart Wood Chipper Electric
Pros
Cons
- [New Model] The 15Amp electric wood chipper is equipped with a brushless motor, sharp blade and superior casing to ensure a long life and high efficiency.
- [Shred All Waste] Feed it with not only branches up to 1.5" in diameter but also leaf, vegetable peelings and so on.
- [Collecting Bin] The 1.2 bushels bin is enough to collect and transfer the chipped conveniently.
5. Goplus 15-Amp Electric Wood Chipper
I was looking for a wood chipper that’s compact and not cumbersome, and this unit by Goplus was perfect for all my needs. It boasts a powerful motor that easily chips through branches or bushes and is made of high-quality material that lasts for a long time.
Product Highlights
With a mighty 15-amp and 2400W electric motor, this device can effortlessly mow through branches up to a length of 1.77-inch. The integrated steel blade supports the process with silent and smooth cutting. Also, a built-in pusher pushes in through branches without getting your fingers cut. Hence, you can easily get through cleaning the entire garden at a go.
It's worth noting that the steel blade is simple to maintain. Just use a clean cloth to wipe out the dust and twigs that it might have accumulated.
In terms of safety, it is integrated with an overload protection, featuring a circuit breaker that cuts power in case of overload. Plus, the switch is water and dust-proof, as it’s protected by a softcover.
Lastly, the presence of a chassis with wheels and a carry handle makes it easily transportable.
What's There To Like About It?
Being made of antirust and high-quality polypropylene material, its durability and robustness are second to none. It also comes with a large collecting bag, an electric shredder, and a pusher, which makes it an all-in-one product. Bonus points for how thoughtful the company was while manufacturing it.
Additionally, the overload protection feature ensures any overload doesn’t impact the engine directly, as last used wood chipper became unusable due to a similar reason.
What's There Not To Like About It?
The motor was not so powerful and I had to manually strip the side branches before I could run through the wood chipper. Even then, the chipper starts bogging down very fast on anything above ½-inch thickness. As a result, it became very tiring for me to work through large chips, and I got exhausted at the end of the day.
Pros and Cons of Goplus 15-Amp Electric Wood Chipper
Pros
Cons
- 【Powerful Garden Shredder】Equipped with a powerful 2400W pure copper motor, our electric wood shredder can effortlessly crush branches and shrubs up to a diameter of 1.77inch. The chopped material is especially useful for mulching garden beds.
- 【Hardened Steel Blade】The built-in steel blade with a speed of 4200rpm supports smooth and silent cutting process. The included pusher helps you push the branches without hurting your fingers. It is worth mentioning that the blade is easy to clean.
- 【Overload Protection Ensures Safety】On the one hand, this garden shredder features circuit breaker which offer overload and restart protection. On the other hand, the switch is protected by soft cover, which is dust and water proof.
Buyers Guide
Now that I’ve told you about the top 5 wood chippers available on the market, it’s time I share some of the factors to be considered while purchasing one. You will be able to make an informed decision if you consider them before making a purchase.
So, let's get in.
1. Feed Capacity
While working with the garden, I realized that a lot of plant waste or debris gets deposited daily, and therefore looking at the feed capacity before purchasing a wood chipper is crucial. It determines how much wood a chipper can take in at a time. If the capacity is less, it will take an entire day or two to clean the garden thoroughly.
Besides, you should gauge the diameter of branches and compare it with the capacity of the wood chipper you’re looking to buy. This is because you’ll notice several types of branches, like bulged or thin. So, I would recommend you measure the maximum diameter of your branches and then go for a chipper.
For example, if your garden has branches around 3 inches thick, it would be viable to purchase a device that has a similar capacity.
2. Power
Looking at the horsepower a wood chipper can generate is another crucial factor to look into. Being a non-technical person, I am unable to tell what specific HP you’ll need for wood chipping. But I can tell that if you have a large garden or cutting wood left for a long time, you’ll need a high-power chipper.
3. Storage Capacity
You need to consider if you have enough space to store the wood chipper when not in use. With regards to me, I have a large storage room where I keep my machinery and tools.
Chippers come in various sizes, for example, the compact ones are smaller than an average wheelbarrow, while commercial-sized chippers can be stored in large trailers. Some people might prefer to keep their chippers in the garden, which is only possible if the area is free of muggers. But I always keep my tool in confined spaces to be on the safe side.
4. Reduction Ratio
A reduction ratio denotes the efficiency of a wood chipper to reduce yard waste. The greater the RR, the better it will clean your garden. For example, a wood chipper with a 10:1 reduction ratio will reduce ten bags of yard waste into a single shredding bag.
5. Warranty
In the case of a chipper, you’d want a manufacturer’s guarantee so that if anything goes wrong with the device, it gets fixed without paying any extra charges. I always look for it.
Also, don’t forget to look behind the warranty and services provided by the manufacturer. Some chippers guarantee a lifetime of technical advice, while some ensure fixing the tool if anything goes wrong. As I am not a do-it-your own kind of person, I prefer going for a brand that offers at least a 2-year warranty.
6. Maneuverability
If you’re looking for a chipper to be used for lightweight domestic use, you’d want a small machine that fits away in a shed or garage. However, if you’re going for commercially sized machines, it will be viable to look for chippers equipped with tow bars for better maneuverability.
7. Noise
I personally wouldn’t want a chipper that makes annoying noise every time it's switched on. So, I would recommend getting one that produces a sound level of 90db or less.
8. Safety
Safety should be a primary concern for people using tools like wood chippers. These days, many tools have locking mechanisms that don’t automatically turn on when opened. Apart from that, some models have overload protection that turns off the machine if the circuit breaks down.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to using a wood chipper in the right way, instructions are pretty self-explanatory, with specific tweaks, depending on the type of chipper you choose to purchase. However, there are some general steps.
Firstly, make sure to keep the chipper on ground level and ensure that it does not tilt, fall, or move while in use. Also, do not stand very close to the machine, or you might end up with major injuries.
Most machines today have a deflector and come with adjustable chutes, which help control the direction and speed with which the mulch and chips are released.
A well-furnished and well-maintained machine increases its durability and delivers quality chipping performance for a long time. To do that, I always keep the machine clean, blades sharp, and use genuine parts as a replacement. With these, I am able to work with a single machine for the last 3-4 years without needing to invest much.
P.S.- if you’re not confident of sharpening the blades on your own, I’d recommend seeking professional help.
Wood chipping is the primary purpose of a chipper where you just run through the branches for it to clean. But you can also use it for cleaning a drainage system, obtaining garden compost, using the chips to feed animals, and many more. However, avoid tasks that damage the chipper, as physical damages are not covered within the warranty.
My Final Recommendation
With this, I have reached the end of my list of recommendations. Today, wood chippers come in various shapes, sizes, and safety features for you to choose from. They are well built, and because of the versatility of some machines, I can achieve my gardening goals with ease.
So, before I leave, I would like to mention some of my personal favorites. The Sun Joe CJ603E is the best wood chipper under $500 for me due to its cleaning efficiency and its portability. But if you’re looking for a cheaper option with more or less similar features, then I’d suggest going for the Sun Joe CJ601E.
Likewise, the Earthwise GS70015 will be a good option if you’re looking for a durable and affordable wood chipper.
Keep a watch on this space for more such reads and I’ll be back soon. Till the next time, take care!