The Big CEDRUS Wood Chipper Test (RB02, RB03, RB04) 2026 – Which Model Is Best for Which Branch Thickness?

Tree and shrub pruning season is a time when many owners of gardens, plots, and orchards face the same challenge: what to do with the huge amount of branches?Traditional methods, such as burning bonfires, are increasingly restricted by regulations today and are not very environmentally friendly, while the removal of green waste generates additional costs.It's no surprise that in 2026, owning a gasoline-powered wood chipper became one of the most popular solutions for managing wood waste.

The CEDRUS brand has consistently ranked at the top of sales charts for years, and rankings of branch chippers consistently list its models as among the best value in their class.The combination of sturdy construction, reliable engines, and a reasonable price makes CEDRUS wood chippers popular with both amateur gardeners and professional users.

In this article, we test the CEDRUS RB02, RB03, and RB04 branch chippers to clearly answer the question: Which branch chipper should you choose based on the thickness of the material and the intensity of use?.

Table of Contents:

• What is a branch shredder used for, and when is it worth having one??
• How to Choose a Wood Chipper Based on Branch Thickness?
  • Which wood chipper should you choose for thin branches and green waste??
  • Which wood chipper should I choose for medium-thick branches??
  • Which wood chipper should you choose for thick branches and heavy-duty use??
• What are CEDRUS wood chippers known for??Are they worth choosing??
• The Big CEDRUS 2026 Wood Chipper Test – A Comparison of Models
  • CEDRUS RB02 – Wood Chipper for Light Garden Work
  • CEDRUS RB03 – a versatile wood chipper for gardens and orchards
  • CEDRUS RB04 – a wood chipper for thick branches and heavy-duty use
• Which CEDRUS wood chipper should you choose for your garden, orchard, or plot of land??
  • Wood Chipper for the Home Garden
  • A wood chipper for orchards and larger quantities of branches
• What are the most common mistakes when choosing a wood chipper for branches??
  • Mismatch between power and branch thickness
  • Buying a wood chipper that's too large for occasional use

What is a branch shredder used for, and when is it worth having one??

A wood chipper is a machine that turns problematic waste into a valuable raw material.The crushing process reduces the volume of the output by up to ten times.The resulting wood chips aren’t trash—they’re an excellent material for mulching flower beds (they retain moisture and suppress weeds), a compost ingredient, and, once dried, an efficient fuel source.

When Is It Worth Investing in Branch Chippers? ?

• If you have a large garden with fruit or ornamental trees that require annual pruning.
• When you have an orchard or a plot of land with a lot of shrubs.
• If you value self-sufficiency and want to produce your own decorative bark (wood chips).
• When you're tired of manually cutting branches into smaller pieces, which takes hours.

How to Choose a Wood Chipper Based on Branch Thickness?

The primary selection criterion that determines our ranking of branch chippers is the maximum diameter of the material the machine can handle.Buying a device that's too underpowered is a surefire way to frustration and breakdowns.

Which wood chipper should you choose for thin branches and green waste??

Electric wood chippers are often sufficient for branches up to 3–5 cm in diameter and soft waste (shrub shoots, brushwood) .They are quiet and lightweight, but require a constant power supply. However, if mobility and speed are important to you—even when working with small branches—the RB02 series gas-powered models will be significantly more efficient.

CEDRUS RE04 Electric Shredder, 2800W

Which wood chipper should I choose for medium-thick branches??

We consider branches in the 5–10 cm range to be medium-sized.This is the most common harvest in home gardens and old orchards.In this case, you’ll need a gas-powered wood chipper for branches with an engine producing at least 6–7 KM. This machine has enough torque to "pull in" the material without the risk of overloading the motor.

Which wood chipper should you choose for thick branches and heavy-duty use??

If your work involves cutting down entire trees or removing old branches with a diameter greater than 12 cm, you'll need a machine from the PRO line.A wood chipper designed for thick branches must have a wide feed chute and a powerful cutting mechanism (preferably a drum-type mechanism with two blades) that can handle hard wood such as oak or beech.

What are CEDRUS wood chippers known for??Are they worth choosing??

The CEDRUS brand has earned the trust of Polish users primarily thanks to the reliability of its components.At the heart of these machines are the legendary Loncin engines—units known for their easy starting, high resistance to harsh operating conditions, and excellent availability of replacement parts.

The CEDRUS wood chipper also features a well-designed cutting mechanism.Knives made of high-quality hardened steel can be sharpened and rotated, which significantly reduces operating costs.In addition, these wood chippers are characterized by:

• A tall exhaust stack.You can direct the wood chips directly onto a trailer or into a wheelbarrow.
• With wide, inflatable wheels.They make it easier to move the machine across soft ground in the garden.
• Safety.Emergency stop buttons are positioned so that the operator can react immediately.

The Big CEDRUS 2026 Wood Chipper Test – A Comparison of Models

In our comparison, we put the three most popular models to the test.See how they performed in practice.

CEDRUS RB02 – Wood Chipper for Light Garden Work

To start with, the CEDRUS RB02 wood chipper.This is the model most often chosen by owners of standard-sized lots.It's compact, maneuverable, and fits through a garage door.

• Maks.branch diameter – 10 cm (standard model) / 12 cm (PRO version).
• Engine – Loncin G200F with 6.5 KM of power.
• User Type – hobby gardener, owner of a recreational plot.
• Pros.Lightweight (approx..85 kg), very easy to use, great value for the price.
• Cons.Very hard, dry branches that are more than 8 cm thick require a little more patience on the part of the operator.

Cedrus RB02 10-cm Gas-Powered Wood Chipper

PRO Version: If your budget allows, it’s worth considering the CEDRUS RB02 PRO , which features reinforced bearings and slightly higher performance.

CEDRUS RB03 – a versatile wood chipper for gardens and orchards

The CEDRUS RB03 model is a machine designed for those who need to process large quantities of material in a short amount of time.The 420 cm³ engine generates powerful torque.

• Maks.branch diameter – 12 cm.
• Engine – Loncin LC190F with 12.5 KM.
• User Type – owner of a large garden, a small orchard, or a landscaping company.
• Pros.Very high branch feeding speed, sturdy frame, adjustable discharge chute.
• Cons.Its larger size makes it difficult to transport in a small passenger car.

Cedrus RB03 12-cm Gas-Powered Wood Chipper

CEDRUS RB04 – a wood chipper for thick branches and heavy-duty use

This is already a machine on the verge of commercial use.CEDRUS RB04 PRO-E is a performance “beast” that isn’t afraid of even thick logs.

• Maks.branch diameter – 15 cm.
• Engine – Loncin G420F (15 KM) with electric start (E-start).
• User Type – fruit growers, municipal companies, owners of forested areas.
• Pros.Electric starter (no need to pull a cord), extremely wide feed chute, handles wet and hard wood with ease.
• Cons.Heavy weight (requires two people to maneuver over rough terrain) and the highest price in the comparison.

Cedrus RB04 PRO E 15KM Branch Shredder with Electric Starter

Which CEDRUS wood chipper should you choose for your garden, orchard, or plot of land??

The choice should be based not only on the typical thickness of the branches fed into the wood chipper, but also on the frequency of use.

Wood Chipper for the Home Garden

If your yard work is limited to spring pruning of your hedge and a few fruit trees, the Cedrus RB02 wood chipper will be the perfect choice.It's easy to store in a gazebo and can handle 90% of the waste generated in a typical garden.

A wood chipper for orchards and larger quantities of branches

In an orchard, time is of the essence.Apple and plum tree branches can be gnarled and hard.Here, we recommend the RB03 model.Its power allows for continuous operation for many hours without worrying about the motor overheating, and the wider feed chute makes it easier to feed in large branches without having to cut them down with an axe first.

What are the most common mistakes when choosing a wood chipper for branches??

Our test of branch chippers showed that most problems with the equipment are not due to defects, but to choosing the wrong model for the task.

Mismatch between power and branch thickness

This is the most common mistake.If you plan to grind mainly oak branches that are 10 cm thick, don't buy a machine whose "maximum" capacity is exactly 10 cm. The engine will be operating at the limits of its capacity, which will shorten its service life.For this type of work, choose wood chippers with specifications that are 20–30% higher than your actual needs.

Buying a wood chipper that's too large for occasional use

Although the RB04 model is impressive for its power, purchasing such a powerful machine for a 10-ar plot is not economically justified.Keep in mind that a larger engine means higher fuel consumption and more difficult transportation. If your branches are rarely thicker than your wrist, a smaller model will be more practical.

If you're planning to make a purchase in 2026, it's worth opting for proven solutions.For years, rankings of branch chippers have identified CEDRUS as the leader in reliability in the mid-range machine segment.Whether you choose the agile RB02 or the powerful RB04, this investment will pay for itself in the form of time saved and a beautiful, well-maintained garden.

Keep in mind that at Ewimax, you'll find not only gas-powered wood chippers , but also electric wood chippers for smaller jobs and a full range of maintenance accessories.

Do you have questions about a specific model, or would you like to know how to prepare the wood chipper for its first use??Contact our experts at Ewimax—we'll help you choose equipment that will transform your garden beyond recognition!