We see our customers struggle with the differences between a wood chipper vs mulcher all the time, and we get it. They look to do more or less the same thing, but there is a really important distinction. Mostly in terms of the type of material they can handle.
A wood chipper is built to take on real branches - like the thick, knotty pieces that fall after a storm or come down during pruning. Its blades grab that material and turn it into clean, uniform chips.
On the other hand, a mulcher just deals with leaves, twigs, and light brush. It’ll bog down on you as soon as you feed it anything larger than finger-sized debris.
Power, throughput, and the texture of the finished material also vary between the two. We’ll cover all these differences and more below to help you pick the ideal equipment for your workflow.
But we carry both types of machines, so no matter which suits your needs, you can get in touch with our team here at Equipment Outfitters. We’ll tell you directly which you should use so there’s no guesswork involved at all. Get in touch today!
Key Takeaways on the Wood Chipper vs Mulcher Comparison
- A wood chipper turns solid branches and heavier limbs into consistent, usable chips.
- A mulcher transforms lighter debris like leaves and small twigs into a finer material for garden beds and compost.
- Think about the size of debris you deal with, how quickly you want to clear it, and the texture of the output you prefer when choosing between a wood chipper vs mulcher.
- Equipment Outfitters carries both chippers and mulchers, so you can match the machine to the kind of cleanup work you handle most.
What Does a Wood Chipper Do?
A wood chipper is built for one job: breaking down branches into clean, uniform chips. It has blades that take limbs from pruning or storms and transform them into a pile of chips you can haul away or use around the yard..
Most models use either a disk-style cutting system or a drum-style system. Both grab the branch and pull it through the knives, but a drum chipper gives you a little more bite and often works faster on thicker material.
Homeowners usually work with chippers that handle branches in the 1-4 inch range, depending on the engine size. A commercial wood chipper, like the ones landscapers and property managers rely on, take on much larger material and can run for hours without losing steam.
You’ll also see combination chipper/shredder units, which use the chipper chute for thick branches and a shredding chamber for leaves and lighter debris. We carry some of these multi-purpose machines here at Equipment Outfitters.
What Does a Mulcher Do?
A mulcher handles the lighter side of yard cleanup. Instead of chewing through thick branches, it breaks down leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, and thin twigs. Mulchers make a soft, finely shredded material that settles nicely into garden beds, around shrubs, or a compost pile.
These machines have high-speed flails, hammers, or shredding blades that slice softer material into small pieces without the heavy torque you’d see in a chipper. They work best with debris that can be scooped by hand. Think bags of leaves, small sticks from seasonal pruning, and the kind of brush that builds up after regular lawn care.
You’ll find standalone electric mulchers for light residential use, gas-powered shredders for bigger yards, and chipper/mulcher combos that bridge the gap for homeowners who want one machine for mixed debris.
A mulcher definitely has its place. It can clear large volumes of leaves far faster than bagging them, and the shredded output settles quickly and doesn’t blow around.
But the obvious limitation here is the size of the material it can handle. Anything bigger than a finger will bog down a mulcher. That’s not the only noteworthy difference, though. We’ll compare a wood chipper vs mulcher below to leave you with total clarity on which is right for you.
Wood Chipper vs Mulcher: Key Differences to Consider
Choosing between a wood chipper vs mulcher is mostly about matching the machine to your debris type. Both clear vegetative waste, but each one is built with a different workload in mind.
Size of Material Each Machine Can Handle
A wood chipper takes on thick branches, small limbs, and storm debris without stalling. Most homeowner units handle branches up to a few inches thick, while larger gas models go well beyond that.
On the other hand, you’re only going to be able to handle leaves, needles, grass clippings, and small twigs with a mulcher. It’ll slow down if you try and feed it anything larger, or worse, it’ll damage the machine itself.
Now, maybe you’re wondering - what if I deal with BOTH types of debris? That’s where a chipper and shredder combo machine might make sense. You don’t need to buy a mulcher AND a chipper!
Output Style: Chips vs Fine Mulch
The type of material that comes out the other end is another important distinction between a wood chipper vs mulcher. A chipper produces clean, uniform wood chips. They work well around walkways, garden beds, and tree bases.
In contrast, a mulcher creates a soft, shredded material that settles nicely into soil or compost. It’s great for enriching beds or breaking down organic waste.
Power and Build
As you can imagine, chippers are much bigger, more powerful machines than their mulching counterparts. They have heavy blades or drums and stronger engines because they deal with solid wood. Their frames and chutes are built to handle long, rigid branches. Mulchers use lighter shredding mechanisms that spin at high speed.
Speed and Throughput
Both machines work plenty fast for the type of material they’re designed to process. Speed is mostly a matter of the brand and model itself. We here at Equipment Outfitters carry high-performance mulchers and chippers that will speed up your workflow.
Portability and Storage
Electric mulchers tuck away easily and roll around the yard without effort. Wood chippers are a bit bigger, but they’re plenty portable since many are designed to be towed around via ATV or truck. Gas-powered models tend to be a little heavier.
Noise Level and User Experience
Mulchers sound like a lawn mower or shop vacuum. They produce a little bit of noise, but nothing quite like that of a wood chipper. These run louder and vibrate a bit, given the extra cutting force. Wood chippers can be electric or gas, though, and that dictates how loud they are.
Cost Comparison
You shouldn’t think about choosing between a mulcher vs wood chipper based on budget. You need to make this decision based solely on the material you’re attempting to process. However, cost is another important difference between a wood chipper vs mulcher.
Chippers sit at a higher price point because of their cutting systems and stronger engines. It does depend on the brand, size, and features in question, but we have models starting at less than $150. Our higher-capacity commercial-grade models run anywhere from $1,000-$2,000. Meanwhile, leaf mulchers cost a few hundred dollars.
But here’s the thing: no matter which you’re buying, you can take advantage of our price-matching guarantee for the best deal online. We also have hassle-free financing options so you don’t have to stress about the purchase. So, what are you waiting for?
Whether You Need a Mulcher or Wood Chipper, Equipment Outfitters Has You Covered!
Equipment Outfitters is an American-owned shop built for people who’d rather put money into equipment that actually holds up. Our lineup includes gas and electric models from brands we trust, and every machine ships free on most orders.
You’ll gain access to best prices on trusted brands such as SuperHandy, Detail K2, PowerKing, and others. We’ve handpicked all the mulchers and chippers we carry so you never have to wonder if what you’re getting is durable, reliable, or worth the money.
So, what size wood chipper do I need? We’ve got a machine that fits your workflow, be it a mini wood chipper or a massive commercial-grade unit. Narrow your search below:
Or, get a personalized recommendation from our customer service team. Reach out and we’ll talk about the material you process, your job site, and your budget so you can feel confident making this purchase. Take the next step at Equipment Outfitters today!
Parting Thoughts on the Mulcher vs Wood Chipper Comparison
Our wood chipper vs mulcher comparison should have left you with a totally clear understanding of what they’re best for. A mulcher makes quick work of leaves and small brush, but won’t do much for branches. You need a chipper for anything larger than a finger - that’s our rule of thumb (pun intended!).
You can also learn about the difference between a wood chipper vs shredder in our blog if you’re interested. But whether you’re looking for an electric wood chipper or a gas wood chipper, your search ends here at Equipment Outfitters.
Reach out or browse our full lineup if you want help matching a machine to your yard or acreage. Let our experts point you towards a unit that fits the way you work!