The terms are often used interchangeably, but a wood chipper and a chipper shredder are built for different jobs. Picking the right one depends on what you need to clear: branches, or a mix of branches, leaves and garden waste.
The difference in one table
| Wood chipper | Chipper shredder | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Turns branches and limbs into chips | Chips branches and shreds soft material |
| Inputs | Usually one chipping chute | A chipping chute plus a shredding hopper |
| Handles leaves and garden waste | Not well | Yes |
| Output | Wood chips | Chips plus fine mulch |
| Best for | Tree work, storm cleanup, land clearing | Yard cleanup, gardens, compost |
When to choose a wood chipper
If your work is mostly branches and small trees, a dedicated chipper is faster and handles bigger diameters. Machines like the BigBear Power BBC52 take branches up to 5 inches. Browse wood chippers.
When to choose a chipper shredder
If you also deal with leaves, garden trimmings and soft debris, a chipper shredder does both jobs and makes mulch for beds and compost.
- Power King PK0915: 14 HP Kohler Command Pro engine, 5 inch chipping capacity, two double-sided reversible blades and an omni-directional discharge spout.
- BigBear Power BBC31: a 3-in-1 chipper, shredder and vacuum with a 7 HP engine and 3 inch capacity.
- DK2 OPC506E-V2: a 15 HP electric-start chipper shredder for thick branches and heavy brush.
Browse all chipper shredders.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put leaves in a wood chipper?
Small amounts mixed with branches are usually fine, but a chipper shredder handles leaves far better.
What can I do with the mulch?
Use it in garden beds, around trees, on paths or in your compost pile.
Still unsure? Read how to choose a wood chipper or email support@genpowershop.shop.