Thanks to log splitters, you can achieve a really perfect result with minimal effort. So, do not hesitate and leave the tiring physical work along with the ax in the past.
And whether you do it professionally or you are just an ordinary person who needs well-chopped wood for heating your home in the winter, log splitters are definitely the most efficient choice for you.
We have prepared this guide so you can decide and pick from the list of our best log splitters. If you are in a hurry and want to skip our reviews, we recommend getting the Sun Joe LJ10M 10-Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter.
A Spotlight on Some of the Best Log Splitters 2022
Log Splitter Reviews
Swisher LS22E 120V Timber Brute Electric Log Splitter
- 120V Electric Motor
- 22 Ton Horizontal & Vertical Splitting Positions provides ample splitting force for all wood species
- Direct drive reduces the number of moving parts
- 2.5 Gallon Poly Hydraulic Tank is rust resistant and protected from potential damage
- 13 Second cycle time
In addition to being ecologically safe, electric log splitters are quieter than gas-powered ones, and they don’t generate toxic gases. Additionally, they don’t need you to store petrol to keep them fueled while working. This powerful 22-ton wood splitter splits 25-inch-long, 15-inch-diameter logs. That is a significant improvement compared to the standard electric log splitter.
The drawback of electric wood splitters, on the other hand, is that they typically have significantly less power than their gas counterparts. The LS22E log splitter is not one of those tools. The built-in 2-inch ball connector allows you to tow it behind your vehicle, and it can split logs horizontally or vertically.
It includes a cradle to hold the wood in position while working. That is a feature seldom seen in electric log splitters: Overall, this is the option you should go with if you want the strength of a gasoline-powered splitter while also enjoying all of the perks.
KABIN Kindle Quick Log Splitter – Manual Splitting Tool
- THE SAFEST & MOST EFFECTIVE LOG SPLITTING SYSTEM: This patented log splitting tool sets a new standard in...
- UNIQUE DESIGN HANDLES LONG & THICK LOGS: The extra wide mouth of the Kindle Quick design enables it to...
- BASE IS READY-MADE FOR ATTACHMENT: Our kindle tool features bolt holes on the base so it can be fixed to...
- MADE FROM DURABLE CAST STEEL: Expect many years of service from your Kindle Quick splitter. It's 12...
- HANDLES MAKE CARRYING EASY: The handle design allows the Kindle Quick to be easily carried to the...
The KABIN Kindle Manual Log Splitter is a portable wood splitter weighing only 12 pounds. A sledgehammer or mallet is all you need to split small wood with this lightweight and portable manual log splitter.
Kindle Quick is composed of strong cast steel with a tripod intended for stable operation when it comes to splitting firewood. The blades are sharp enough to make your splitting process a breeze. It is portable enough to take alongside while going on camping vacations. Overall, It is an efficient way of splitting light woods.
WEN 56207 6.5-Ton Electric Log Splitter
- Powerful 15A motor provides over 13,000 pounds of log cracking pressure
- Use the log splitter with or without the 34-inch stand depending on user preferences
- Included pull handle and 5.5-inch never-flat wheels make for easy transportation between jobs
- Electric power means no gasoline, no carbon monoxide emissions, and limited maintenance
- Split logs up to 10 inches in diameter and 20.5 inches in length
Because most log splitters are low to the ground, you’ll be stooping or crouching when using one while doing your task. However, splitting smaller logs using the WEN 56207 Electric Log Splitter, which arrives with a convenient 34-inch-high platform, saves the back a lot of strain. It doesn’t emit gases. It’s simple to start and doesn’t require much time to maintain.
There are bigger log splitters, but none are as straightforward to use as this one. In addition to its powerful 15-amp motor, the side-support flaps keep the wood in position as you cut. That means that you won’t have any swaying while you’re cutting. Transporting the log splitter is made simple thanks to the 5.5-inch wheels.
Sun Joe LJ10M 10-Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter, Green
- [POWERFUL]: Hydraulic RAM Builds up to 10 Tons of driving force
- [LARGE CAPACITY]: Splits logs up to 18 in. Long x 8 in. Wide
- [EFFICIENT]: RAM return spring for quick resets
- [DURABLE]: Steel frame construction with wheels for easy portability
- [EASY TO USE]: No gas, oil or cords. Wheel Size:2.48 inch
With 10 tons of splitting power, the Sun Joe LJ10M wood splitter is impressive for a manual splitter. With a maximum diameter of 8 inches and a length of 18 inches, it is suitable for a light log-splitting job that doesn’t need a lot of time or effort to complete.
Activating the 2-speed pump, which provides the splitting force, requires a human effort from the user. Sun Joe has designed its working handles to be exceptionally lengthy to provide more grip and increase productivity.
The featured Log cradles collect the split logs, saving you from bending over to get them. It splits wood horizontally. The spring does not automatically reset, though it travels swiftly to keep strokes brief. The rod is quick and efficient, but you must turn the knob to reset it. To complete the task in a shorter time, you may release the wedge midway rather than going all out.
The splitter is lightweight and simple to move, weighing just 87 pounds. It also includes back wheels, making it quite easy to move around. You won’t have much trouble loading the splitter into your vehicle and taking it with you if you want to perform the chopping in a more remote part of the forest.
The asking price for this manual splitter is reasonable. This is a great option for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money but yet want a tool that does what it’s supposed to. It comes with a 2 years guarantee that covers both the components and the labor.
Swisher LSED14534 34 Ton Timber Brute Commercial Pro 14.5 hp Log Splitter
- 14.5 hip Kawasaki v-twin electric start engine
- 34 ton horizontal & vertical splitting positions provides ample splitting force for all wood Species
- Direct drive
- 4 way Wedge included
- Heavy duty integrated log cradle helps prevent operator from reaching to ground level for split logs
It is a heavy-duty machine weighing 751 pounds. It has a two-stage pump that delivers 22 gallons of water per minute. The cylinders were designed to provide the most splitting force possible.
The built-in electric starter offers a seamless start-up, allowing you to begin working instantly after turning the machine on. For maximum efficiency in both performance and cycle time, the Swisher LSED14534 is equipped with a Kawasaki V-Twin engine that generates 14.5 horsepower.
You may plow any wood with its 34-ton splitting power. It can hold logs up to 24 inches long and 24 inches across. To put it another way, you’ll have no problem splitting most logs if you often utilize firewood.
This 14.5 hp splitter can be used vertically and horizontally, giving you more options and ways to split wood. When you raise the splitter to the vertical position, a vertical beam secures it, preventing any potential harm.
This machine doesn’t sacrifice mobility with sheer power; you can move it around with the built-in wheels. There is also a tow hitch supplied for simple road hauling. The welded steel hydraulic tank is built to last for many years of reliable use.
With either the two-way or four-way split, you’ll be able to cut logs into smaller pieces quickly. You won’t have to stoop down to the ground level to grab the split logs since it features a heavy-duty log cradle that keeps them in place for you while you work.
Swisher provides a two-year limited warranty on all components. They also offer free repairs within the warranty period. Pricey, but if you split a lot of wood each year, it’s well worth the money since you can count on it to work flawlessly for many years to come. You may only need a few repairs over time.
Log Splitters Buying Guide
What kind of log splitter to choose?
There are four main types of log splitters – electric, motor, manual, and 3-point. They differ mainly in their mechanism of action and practicality in different splitting conditions.
Your choice in this regard should be consistent with the specifics of your work process and your personal preferences for security and comfort.
Electric log splitters
These are the most common type of log splitters, characterized by the exceptional economy, practicality, environmental friendliness, and affordability.
Electric models are available in a wide range of designs, most often in compact and easy to carry and use sizes. This makes them a perfect choice for processing smaller and medium-sized logs.
They can be used in a variety of woodworking conditions, both indoors and outdoors. The only condition is that there is an electrical network near your place of work, to which you can connect the power supply.
Their disadvantage, however, is that in most cases they are not very powerful and have a medium-low splitting force (maximum 10 points), which makes them a little inconvenient for woodworking larger logs.
Motor log splitters
If you need a very powerful machine with high productivity, then this type of log splitter is the best choice for you.
They are fueled (usually gasoline) and are a very effective choice for splitting larger logs in size, weight, and quantity. Their working power is up to 40 tons, and their power often exceeds 4 hp.
Most often, this type of machine has a fairly massive, heavy design and professional construction, with a hydraulic system for better productivity.
Another plus is that they work independently, away from the mains, which makes them very convenient to use in absolutely any conditions, especially outdoors.
However, they also have their drawbacks – they are significantly more expensive than electric ones and are very specific to maintenance. In order to function as efficiently as possible, they need frequent oil changes, as well as regular technical inspections.
Manual log splitters
These are the cheapest wood splitting machines, which are a very practical choice for small woodworking tasks in the home environment.
They are significantly more burdensome in terms of use than the previous two types but are ideal if you do not need a tool with too high productivity.
Most often, hand-held machines are fine in size, simple, have hydraulic designs, and are with a splitting force of up to 14 tons. This makes them suitable especially for processing small and medium-sized logs.
As you may have guessed, their main drawback is their non-automatic principle of operation, which makes them an uncomfortable choice.
3-point log splitters
These wood splitting machines are specially adapted for attachment to agricultural machinery, most often tractors.
They have heavy and complicated designs, but on the other hand, they are extremely effective, as they can handle large logs (their splitting strength exceeds 31 tons).
These types of log splitters are highly productive in all working conditions, even on the hottest and coldest days of the year, and their only drawback is the fact that they will not be practical for you to use if you do not have agricultural machinery as they cannot work alone.
Horizontal or vertical log splitter to choose?
According to the direction of their cut, log splitters are divided into two subtypes – horizontal and vertical.
Horizontal log splitters
For horizontal machines, the log is placed in a lying position across the width of the appliance. There, the mechanism pushes it with a sharp movement from one end of the frame to the other, as a result of which, a very precise split is obtained.
Due to their construction, however, this type of machine is a practical choice mainly for woodworking of smaller and lighter woods up to 14 inches in diameter.
Vertical log splitters
Vertical log splitters are significantly more efficient than horizontal ones, as they can also process logs with a larger diameter and weight.
With them, the wood is placed in an upright position along the length of the appliance, and a mechanism very similar to an ax splits it perfectly with just one specific movement.
What technical characteristics to keep in mind when choosing a log splitter?
The technical characteristics of the machine, as you can guess, are key to its efficiency and performance.
Power
The more powerful the machine, the higher its workforce.
The most optimal option for processing smaller logs (diameter up to 8 inches and length up to 12 inches) is a tool with a power of about 2 hp.
For medium-volume logs (diameter up to 14 inches and length up to 18 inches), machines with a power of about 2.5 – 3.5 hp are a good choice.
However, if you want to process larger logs (diameter over 14 inches and length over 18 inches), we advise you to choose a professional machine with high power of over 4 hp.
Capacity
As you may have already understood, the various log splitters are adapted to service logs with a variety of specifics.
The capacity of the machine directly determines the maximum length, diameter, and weight of wood it can handle efficiently.
Especially in this regard, you need to be very careful and precise in your choice to ensure the most complete work process.
Workforce
The working power of a log splitter is also crucial for its productivity.
Here, in addition to the most basic characteristics such as length, diameter, and weight of the logs, when choosing you should take into account log appearance – fresh or old.
The so-called “fresh” logs are part of freshly cut trees and their core is still moist, which makes them tougher and harder to handle.
The “old” logs, on the other hand, were cut down more than 6 months ago and are much drier and lighter, which makes them more susceptible to splitting.
And in order to make your search as easy as possible and to make the best possible choice for the needs of your work process, we advise you to take into account the following ratio:
- Choose a machine with a minimum splitting force of 4 tons for processing old logs up to 6 inches in diameter.
- Choose a machine with a minimum splitting force of 6 tons for processing old logs up to 12 inches in diameter.
- Choose a machine with a minimum splitting force of 15 tons for processing fresh logs up to 12 inches in diameter.
- Choose a machine with a minimum splitting force of more than 20 tons for processing old logs with a diameter of more than 23 inches.
- Choose a machine with a minimum splitting force of more than 30 tons for processing fresh logs with a diameter of more than 23 inches.
What kind of log splitter design is the best choice?
These machines, in addition to high-performance activities, aim to provide you with maximum ease and convenience in the process of splitting wood.
That is why you need to choose the option that best suits your needs and preferences.
Material
Undoubtedly, the best, high-quality and sustainable choice for all working conditions are steel log splitters. They are strong and have very good mechanics and although more expensive, they will definitely justify the money invested in them.
There are also offers on the market made of plastic. However, as you can guess, they are not only much cheaper but also much more unstable, easily worn out, and of low quality.
Construction
The design of the machine must first and foremost provide you with comfort during operation without, of course, complicating its functionality.
We advise you to choose a device with a practical design, with wheels for faster and easier movement, as well as a stand (tripod), which will further lock and stabilize the equipment during operation.
Also, in order to ensure truly complete comfort in woodworking, we recommend that you opt for an adjustable height option, which you can control depending on whether you will be working upright or sitting, and a soft, ergonomic grip.
Don’t compromise on quality
As we have repeatedly mentioned, log splitters are an extremely impressive, but also relatively expensive investment.
That is why we advise you to be very precise in your choice and really choose a high-quality offer from a proven manufacturer in the field, characterized by an excellent system of safety and security and stable design.
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