What are the four types of woodchippers?

PTO (powered by a tractor's PTO shaft), gas (self-powered with a built-in gasoline engine), electric (plug-in or battery), and tow-behind (self-powered on a road-towable trailer frame). PTO is the best value per dollar of capacity but requires a tractor; gas is the default for non-tractor buyers; electric is suburban-yard only; tow-behind is for crews and multi-site work.

Which type of woodchipper is best for a tractor owner?

A PTO woodchipper, almost always. PTO chippers leverage the tractor's engine you already paid for, so you're only buying the chipping mechanism — that's roughly 30–40% more capacity per dollar than gas. The exception: if your tractor has under 15 PTO HP, even the smallest PTO chippers will bog down on hardwood; in that case look at a 4-inch gas chipper or a battery-electric unit for light pruning.

Which type is best if I don't own a tractor?

Gas-standalone — for anyone clearing branches over 2 inches on a regular basis. The MechMaxx DCH7 (7-inch, 22 HP Honda GX, $3,499) is the most common pick for serious property cleanup without a tractor. For suburban-yard pruning under 2.5 inches an electric chipper is cheaper, quieter, and lower-maintenance.

Are electric woodchippers worth it?

For the right buyer, yes. Electric chippers (Sun Joe CJ603E, WORX WG430, Greenworks 27062) handle 1.5–2.5 inch branches, weigh 30–50 lb, plug into a standard 15A outlet, and cost $150–$500. They're the right tool for suburban yards with hedge prunings and small branches. They are not the right tool for any property with regular 3+ inch material or storm cleanup.

What's the difference between gas and tow-behind chippers?

Capacity, frame, and use case. Gas chippers (homeowner-grade, 4–8 inch capacity) are typically yard-mobile — handles and wheels for moving around a property. Tow-behind chippers add a DOT-compliant trailer chassis (lights, brakes, plug, ball coupler) and step up to commercial-grade engines and 6–12 inch capacity. Tow-behinds are built for tree-service crews moving between properties; gas chippers are built for one-property use.

Which woodchipper type holds value best?

PTO chippers, by a wide margin. They have fewer wear parts than gas-standalone units (no engine to fail), they don't have hours on a fuel-burning powerplant, and the resale market is wide — any compatible tractor owner is a buyer. Used PTO chippers typically resell at 55–70% of new price after 5 years. Gas chippers depreciate faster because the engine is the failure point. Electric chippers have almost no resale market.

How do I choose between the four types?

Three questions decide it. (1) Do you own a tractor with 15+ PTO HP? If yes → PTO. (2) Will you chip material under 2.5 inches only? If yes → electric. (3) Do you run a tree service or chip across multiple properties? If yes → tow-behind. Otherwise → gas. See the decision tree on this page or our detailed how-to-choose guide.

What are the four types of woodchippers?

PTO (powered by a tractor's PTO shaft), gas (self-powered with a built-in gasoline engine), electric (plug-in or battery), and tow-behind (self-powered on a road-towable trailer frame). PTO is the best value per dollar of capacity but requires a tractor; gas is the default for non-tractor buyers; electric is suburban-yard only; tow-behind is for crews and multi-site work.

Which type of woodchipper is best for a tractor owner?

A PTO woodchipper, almost always. PTO chippers leverage the tractor's engine you already paid for, so you're only buying the chipping mechanism — that's roughly 30–40% more capacity per dollar than gas. The exception: if your tractor has under 15 PTO HP, even the smallest PTO chippers will bog down on hardwood; in that case look at a 4-inch gas chipper or a battery-electric unit for light pruning.

Which type is best if I don't own a tractor?

Gas-standalone — for anyone clearing branches over 2 inches on a regular basis. The MechMaxx DCH7 (7-inch, 22 HP Honda GX, $3,499) is the most common pick for serious property cleanup without a tractor. For suburban-yard pruning under 2.5 inches an electric chipper is cheaper, quieter, and lower-maintenance.

Are electric woodchippers worth it?

For the right buyer, yes. Electric chippers (Sun Joe CJ603E, WORX WG430, Greenworks 27062) handle 1.5–2.5 inch branches, weigh 30–50 lb, plug into a standard 15A outlet, and cost $150–$500. They're the right tool for suburban yards with hedge prunings and small branches. They are not the right tool for any property with regular 3+ inch material or storm cleanup.

What's the difference between gas and tow-behind chippers?

Capacity, frame, and use case. Gas chippers (homeowner-grade, 4–8 inch capacity) are typically yard-mobile — handles and wheels for moving around a property. Tow-behind chippers add a DOT-compliant trailer chassis (lights, brakes, plug, ball coupler) and step up to commercial-grade engines and 6–12 inch capacity. Tow-behinds are built for tree-service crews moving between properties; gas chippers are built for one-property use.

Which woodchipper type holds value best?

PTO chippers, by a wide margin. They have fewer wear parts than gas-standalone units (no engine to fail), they don't have hours on a fuel-burning powerplant, and the resale market is wide — any compatible tractor owner is a buyer. Used PTO chippers typically resell at 55–70% of new price after 5 years. Gas chippers depreciate faster because the engine is the failure point. Electric chippers have almost no resale market.

How do I choose between the four types?

Three questions decide it. (1) Do you own a tractor with 15+ PTO HP? If yes → PTO. (2) Will you chip material under 2.5 inches only? If yes → electric. (3) Do you run a tree service or chip across multiple properties? If yes → tow-behind. Otherwise → gas. See the decision tree on this page or our detailed how-to-choose guide.

Browse by type04 categories

Woodchipper types explained

Four power types, four very different buyers. Start here if you're not yet sure which category fits your situation.

By Daniel AshfordUpdated May 13, 2026

The power-source decision is the first question to settle, because it determines every other spec on the page. A tractor owner buying a PTO chipper at $4,000 gets roughly the same capacity as a non-tractor owner buying a gas chipper at $6,000 — you're just paying for the engine you already own in the PTO case. Pick the wrong type and the rest of the spec sheet is the wrong sheet.

The four categories below are not equally common. PTO and gas together account for the overwhelming majority of US sales. Electric is a real category but a narrow one. Tow-behind is light-commercial — most homeowners don't need it. If you're not sure which fits, scroll to the decision tree near the bottom of this page, or jump straight to the detailed buying guide.

PTO Woodchippers

Powered by your tractor's PTO shaft. Best value per dollar in capacity, but only an option if you own a tractor with enough PTO HP.

Best for: Tractor owners with 15+ PTO HP

Gas Woodchippers

Self-powered by their own gasoline engine. The default for buyers without a tractor. Capacities from 4-inch homeowner units to 8-inch commercial machines.

Best for: Buyers without a tractor

Power

Built-in 7–35 HP engine

Electric Woodchippers

Plug-in or battery. Quiet, no fuel, low maintenance — but limited to small branches. Best for suburban yards with mostly pruning debris.

Best for: Suburban yards under 2.5 inches

Power

1.5–3 kW motor

Capacity

1.5–2.5 inch branches

Price range

$150–$500

Tow-Behind Woodchippers

Heavy-duty self-powered chippers mounted on a trailer frame with DOT lights. Built for crews moving between properties.

Best for: Tree-service crews and multi-site jobs

Power

Built-in 20–65 HP engine

The decision tree

Which type fits your situation?

Question 1: Do you own a tractor with 15+ PTO HP?

Yes → Buy a PTO woodchipper. Best value per dollar of capacity. PTO is the right answer almost any time the tractor checkbox is yes.
No → Go to Question 2.

Question 2: Will all your material be under 2.5 inches in diameter?

Yes, and I have a suburban yard → Buy an electric woodchipper. Cheaper, quieter, no fuel, no maintenance. Sun Joe, WORX, Greenworks all make competent units under $500.
No, I'll chip 3+ inch branches → Go to Question 3.

Question 3: Do you run a tree service or chip across multiple properties?

Yes → Tow-behind woodchipper. DOT-legal trailer chassis, commercial-grade engine, 6–12 inch capacity. Plan to spend $14,000+ — entry tow-behinds start near the high end of the gas range, and true commercial brands (Vermeer, Bandit) start at $20,000+ used.
No, one-property use → Buy a gas woodchipper. For occasional 3–4 inch homeowner use, the MechMaxx GS650 at $1,099 is the entry. For serious property cleanup, the MechMaxx DCH7 (7-inch, Honda GX, $3,499) is the most-recommended pick.

FAQ07 questions

Woodchipper types — frequently asked questions

What are the four types of woodchippers?: PTO (powered by a tractor's PTO shaft), gas (self-powered with a built-in gasoline engine), electric (plug-in or battery), and tow-behind (self-powered on a road-towable trailer frame). PTO is the best value per dollar of capacity but requires a tractor; gas is the default for non-tractor buyers; electric is suburban-yard only; tow-behind is for crews and multi-site work.
Which type of woodchipper is best for a tractor owner?: A PTO woodchipper, almost always. PTO chippers leverage the tractor's engine you already paid for, so you're only buying the chipping mechanism — that's roughly 30–40% more capacity per dollar than gas. The exception: if your tractor has under 15 PTO HP, even the smallest PTO chippers will bog down on hardwood; in that case look at a 4-inch gas chipper or a battery-electric unit for light pruning.
Which type is best if I don't own a tractor?: Gas-standalone — for anyone clearing branches over 2 inches on a regular basis. The MechMaxx DCH7 (7-inch, 22 HP Honda GX, $3,499) is the most common pick for serious property cleanup without a tractor. For suburban-yard pruning under 2.5 inches an electric chipper is cheaper, quieter, and lower-maintenance.
Are electric woodchippers worth it?: For the right buyer, yes. Electric chippers (Sun Joe CJ603E, WORX WG430, Greenworks 27062) handle 1.5–2.5 inch branches, weigh 30–50 lb, plug into a standard 15A outlet, and cost $150–$500. They're the right tool for suburban yards with hedge prunings and small branches. They are not the right tool for any property with regular 3+ inch material or storm cleanup.
What's the difference between gas and tow-behind chippers?: Capacity, frame, and use case. Gas chippers (homeowner-grade, 4–8 inch capacity) are typically yard-mobile — handles and wheels for moving around a property. Tow-behind chippers add a DOT-compliant trailer chassis (lights, brakes, plug, ball coupler) and step up to commercial-grade engines and 6–12 inch capacity. Tow-behinds are built for tree-service crews moving between properties; gas chippers are built for one-property use.
Which woodchipper type holds value best?: PTO chippers, by a wide margin. They have fewer wear parts than gas-standalone units (no engine to fail), they don't have hours on a fuel-burning powerplant, and the resale market is wide — any compatible tractor owner is a buyer. Used PTO chippers typically resell at 55–70% of new price after 5 years. Gas chippers depreciate faster because the engine is the failure point. Electric chippers have almost no resale market.
How do I choose between the four types?: Three questions decide it. (1) Do you own a tractor with 15+ PTO HP? If yes → PTO. (2) Will you chip material under 2.5 inches only? If yes → electric. (3) Do you run a tree service or chip across multiple properties? If yes → tow-behind. Otherwise → gas. See the decision tree on this page or our detailed how-to-choose guide.