There’s no better time to do some serious yard cleaning. One power-tool that can take the hassle out of this process is a wood chipper.
Wood chippers are available in gas-powered and electric models. These handy devices help turn garden debris and the dozens of tiny branches and twigs into useful mulch.
You can then spread this mulch on your garden to suppress weeds or add to the compost heap.
Wood chippers are easy to use, so the average homeowner won’t experience any difficulty using them. The following is a quick guide outlining the best wood chipper under $500.
The 5 Best Wood Chipper Under $500
1. Sun Joe CJ602E Wood Chipper
2. CJ601E Electric Wood Chipper/Shredder
3. SuperHandy Electric Wood Chipper
4. SuperHandy Multifunction Wood Chipper Shredder
Top Choice
Quickly turn your yard debris into nutrient-rich garden mulch and do your part to reduce, reuse and recycle with the Sun Joe electric chipper/shredder. Powered by a robust 15-amp motor, generates speeds of up to 4,300 revolutions per minute.
Reviews of Top-Rated Wood Chippers Under $500
Are you looking to save money on a wood chipper? Our wood chippers come at various price points to suit different budgetary needs.
Best Overall: Sun Joe CJ602E Wood Chipper
The Sun Joe CJ602E wood chipper strikes an excellent balance between pricing and features. For one, it’s highly versatile as it doubles up as a wood shredder and chipper.
As a shredder, you can use it to cut small twigs and branches. And as a chipper, it has enough power to break down larger branches and trees.
To be specific, it’s powered by a 15-amp motor, which provides sufficient force to cut branches up to 1.5 inches thick.
- Ideal for turning branches and twigs into nutrient-rich garden mulch
- Powerful 15 amp motor effectively chips and shreds branches up to 1.5-Inches thick
- Compact design with 6-inch wheels for easy portability
The chipper measures 19.70 x 17.30 x 37.80 inches, which makes for a relatively compact design. Factor in the wheeling system, and, you have a chipper that’s a breeze to navigate.
Also, it’s backed by Electrical Testing Labs (ETL) certification. This means it’s been tested thoroughly for safety standards.
Pros
Cons
Safest to Use: CJ601E Electric Wood Chipper/Shredder
Have you been shopping for a chipper that is not only affordable but also efficient? If so, the CJ601E Electric Chipper is your best bet.
It’s one of the cheapest options, making it an excellent choice for those on a limited budget.
A key highlight of the chipper is its safety hopper. It works by preventing the motor from kicking into gear any time it’s opened. Thus, the blades don’t end up grinding items you didn’t intend to cut.
- 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
This device is equipped with a 14-amp motor, which is capable of generating speeds of up to 4,300 revolutions per minute. This helps you save precious time you can spend on other gardening tasks.
Pros
Cons
Most Durable: SuperHandy Electric Wood Chipper
If you’re hell-bent on purchasing your wood chipper from a trusted brand, the SuperHandy model is an excellent choice.
Powered by an electric belt-driven motor, this wood chipper can cut through branches that are up to 1.57 inches.
But where this tool excels is in the reduction ratio, which is rated as 17:1. Whether you’re dealing with branches or twigs, they’ll be reduced to 1/17th of their size, which makes for excellent mulch.
- SPECIFICATIONS - This Electric Corded Wood Chipper Shredder & Mulcher is designed w/ a durable Polypropylene body & all powerful 15-AMP 1800Watt 120VAC 60Hz Electric Belt Driven motor, capable of 1.57” (39mm) MAX Limb Chipping Capacity to 17:1 Reduction w/ a Speed of 4,100RPMs. Unlike gasoline powered chippers this electric wood chipper produces no smog & is quieter, making it ECO & USER FRIENDLY. Included are a set of Dual Edge Blades that are Reversible, giving longevity for extended use.
The SuperHandy Electric Chipper is also highly durable. It comes with a polypropylene case that’s not susceptible to rusting or denting.
For easy portability, the chipper has two 6-inch wheels. There’s also an instant start button for ease of use.
Pros
Cons
Best Gas-Powered: SuperHandy Multifunction Wood Chipper Shredder
If you don’t mind spending just a little over $500, the SuperHandy Gas Wood Chipper is a superb choice!
As you might have guessed, this wood chipper is more powerful than the electric models we’ve reviewed. It’s equipped with a 212cc, single-cylinder engine, allowing it to break down branches that are up to 3-inches thick.
This wood chipper is also relatively easy to use. It has a large chute opening, which makes it easy to feed branches and twigs. It also has a feeding chute guard to prevent wood chips from being discharged back onto your land.
- MULTI-FUNCTION CAPABILITY; This 3-in-1 Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher design has a Reduction Ratio of 15:1 when using the top Hopper for 1/2" MAX volume Chipping/Shredding; Side Chute for 3" MAX branch/limbs, or the attachable leaf vacuum for mulching
Navigating the SuperHandy is just as easy as using it. This is thanks to the two 2.5-inch solid tires made of polyurethane (PU) and rubber.
According to the manufacturer, these tires are designed to handle up to four times the weight of what conventional rubber tires can.
Pros
Cons
Guide for Buying the Best Wood Chipper Under $500
Purchasing any piece of gardening equipment, particularly one that’s advertised as being cheap, requires a decent amount of research.
To help you sort through the dozens of wood chippers on the market, here are the essential features to consider:
Size of the Branches
Chippers are designed to chop branches of a particular diameter. As such, you should first assess the size of the branches you wish to process.
This way, you don’t end up with equipment that can’t cut through the trees in your yard because they’re too thick.
A modest wood chipper for under $500 should be capable of grinding branches that are 1.5 inches thick or more.
Power Source
Wood chippers can be classified based on their source of power, that is, gasoline or electricity.
Selecting between these two mainly boils down to personal taste. Opt for an electric model if you’re looking for a small, portable, and low-maintenance chipper.
However, if you prefer a powerful chipper that can handle very large branches, a gas chipper is better.
Important to note though, is that most gas-driven wood chippers cost upwards of $700. Still, there are a few affordable models, such as SuperHandy 3 in 1 Gas Wood Chipper, priced at just over $500.
Reduction Ratio
Another feature you should focus on is the reduction ratio. This simply measures how effectively a given chipper reduces branches to wood chips.
Let’s say, the ratio is given as 12:1. It means the chipper can break down twigs up to 1/12 of their original size.
Wrap Up
For residential applications, you shouldn’t have to spend a fortune purchasing a quality wood chipper. Luckily, there are a couple of models that are reasonably priced.
Our favorite recommendation is Sun Joe CJ602E Wood Chipper. Consisting of a powerful 15-amp motor, this electric chipper is just what you need to turn grass clippings into useful mulch. It has two 6-inch wheels for easy navigation and a safety hopper to enhance user’s protection.
So what are you waiting for? Make your yard cleaning less of a chore by investing in one of the best wood chippers under $500