The Best Log Splitter to Chop Timber Like A Professional

Do you have to struggle to cut large logs into smaller pieces? No matter if it’s due to the stiffness of the wood, your strength, or the quality of your utensils, the best solution, is still using a higher-quality tool.

The best log splitter will not only help you save time and effort but will also complete the task you hand in perfectly.

So, unless you want to put in a lot of attempts yet still achieve low productivity, read the review and find out the best choice for yourself.

What is a log splitter?

Log splitters are equipment and tools that are specifically designed to cut and split the log in half or into different sections.

These are carefully created to not only make log splitting easier but also to make it safer for you to do it.

Do you need a log splitter?

1. Time saver

The first nice thing about log splitters is that they help you become faster in cutting logs or any wood. It’s a big time saver because the process is easier.

This happens because of the design and functionality of log splitters. It cuts different portions of wood simultaneously.

2. Do more things

Another cool thing about these log splitters is that they help you become more productive.

Because it enables you to split logs faster, it also means that it also frees up a lot of your time to do more important things other than log splitting.

3. Money saver

You’ll also be able to save a lot of money because you don’t have to pay for the electric heating bills that your heaters might do.

By having a log splitter, you can easily have a steady supply of firewood that’ll keep you warm and cozy throughout the night. You don’t have to worry about the ever-skyrocketing price of electric bills.

4. Minimal maintenance

Compared to electric heaters that you need to regularly check for cleanups and maintenance works, having firewood as a source of your heat doesn’t need this, thanks to log splitters.

It’s with the help of these log splitters that you gain the peace of mind you deserve, for you don’t have to worry about it breaking up every once in a while.

5. Clean tool

What’s also cool about having a log splitter is that it doesn’t make a lot of mess compared to other tools.

When you use one, you’ll see that some of the wood chips would just go to the corner. You can then use them as tinder or compost.

The best log splitters currently on the market: Top 10 recommendations

#1. Sun Joe LJ10M 10-Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter – Best budget

In spite of its quite low price point, the Sun Joe LJ10M supplies a stunning amount of splitting force that is equal to 10 tonnes of horsepower.

Like many other models, it runs on a hydraulic ram, but the beam length is rather short. Therefore, you might have to cut down on the length of your logs to fit them into the splitter. Anyway, it can handle logs that are 18 inches in length, which is enough for most cases.

Owing to its durable steel construction, this cutting tool manages to last for years and years without getting remarkable wear and tear.

What we appreciate is the cradle function that keeps pieces of split timber in place and prevents them from dropping. Thanks to this, you are able to turn them after the initial split and chop them more times if you want to get smaller pieces.

Moreover, this splitter is also very mobile because it is compact and has wheels on the bottom. Thus, you can move it to different places to use and store it without wasting much time and effort.

If you do not have too many large logs to cut on a regular basis, the Sun Joe LJ10M is the best budget choice for home use.

#2. Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Log Splitter – Best electric model

The Boss Industrial ES7T20 is among the best-rated electric wood splitters, with numerous positive reviews. What you need to do is just add a log to the splitter, and it will do the rest very fast.

The machine is capable of tackling a number of log sizes. There is even a four-way splitter attachment to chop down big wood more efficiently. The 2-HP electric motor offers up to 7 tons of force, which is sufficient to crush tough wood pieces.

If you love simplicity, this model is for you. It can be single-hand operated and operate on electricity. You can use it as long as there is an electrical outlet.

Unlike machines running on gasoline, due to its clean power source, you can use it indoors without fearing emission or noise.

The brand shows a lot of confidence in the quality of its product with a two-year warranty. This guarantee will make sure you are away from any potential troubles, such as defective parts.

Nonetheless, we still found the tubing for the frame somewhat poorly constructed and seemingly not durable.

#3. Southland Outdoor Power Splitter SELS60 – Best for long logs

Despite the inferior horsepower (1.75 HP) to the best models, the Southland Outdoor Power splitter SELS0, nevertheless, features a longer beam.

You can put bigger logs into the machine without having to reduce their sizes beforehand. The 6-ton capacity and 20.5-inch beam are still great for you to complete most work in around 18 seconds.

And like the Boss Industrial ES7T20, this is an electric splitter that does not emit exhaust fumes and is eco-friendly.

Besides, there is a stroke limiter that enables users to diminish the cycle time for lesser logs and reduce the amount of time they have to wait for the job to be done.

When you need to move the splitter to other places, the two 7-inch wheels, in combination with rubber-coated handles, will ease your burden dramatically.

This log splitter is also streamlined to be more compact and can fit your shed or garage well. It can also stand vertically to take up less space on the floor.

Unfortunately, we found no warranty information on this product, which is quite a significant disadvantage.

#4. Champion Power Splitter 90720 – Best versatility

Although this Champion Power Splitter 90720 is not a full-sized Champion log splitter, it can still deliver up to seven tonnes of horsepower.

At first, you may find its price point weirdly high. However, as the manufacturer provides lifetime technical support and a two-year warranty on the product, this price turns out to be fairly reasonable.

Furthermore, the wedge of the machine is built of reinforced steel so that it can last for a very long time with negligible deterioration.

Similar to the Southland Outdoor Power Splitter SELS60, this log splitter also features wheels and handles as well as can stand both vertically and horizontally for easy transportation and storage.

Although it is not the best choice for horsepower, this model can be used for both homeowners and professionals. When the winter comes and you need some firewood, this log splitter manages to tackle 19-inch, 50-pound logs without effort.

The Champion Power Splitter 90720 takes around 20 seconds to complete the work, which is the average cycle time. Nonetheless, the auto-return valve and the skewed wedge will help to save you more time and effort.

#5. WEN 56207 6.5-Ton Electric Log Splitter – Best with a stand

If you find squatting or crouching when operating a splitter tired and uncomfortable, this product from WEN is for you since it includes a 34-inch stand to raise the log splitter to a more comfortable height. Yet, if you don’t want to use the stand, it can be detached.

With a powerful 15A motor, the WEN 56207 offers up to six tonnes of horsepower and more than thirteen thousand lbs of log cracking pressure, which meets the demand of most medium projects.

We tested the machine with logs of 20.5 inches in length and 10 inches in diameter. And the result went beyond our expectations.

If you need to chop shorter logs, you can adjust the 4-inch push plate by using the ram-limiting adjustment ring. This will minimize the cycle time while maximizing efficiency.

When you finish the job, the auto-return cylinder will retract itself, saving extra energy as well as time and between cutting sessions.

The electric engine runs on no gasoline and gives out no carbon monoxide emissions. You will also not need to spend much time maintaining it.

#6. Kindling Cracker Firewood Splitter – Best for safety

Looking at the product’s image, perhaps you have known that this is a manual log splitter designed for minor logs. If you merely work with tiny firewood, it is the best manual option compared with an ax.

To use this simple tool, you just have to place a piece of wood right in the middle of its top, where there is a bar. Then, hammer the wood piece down through the bar, and it will be naturally split into numerous smaller-sized pieces.

Why we rated this log splitter to be the safest one because it has rings at both the bottom and the top to safeguard your hands from its blade and your hammer, as well as keep pieces of wood in place.

Of course, it does not operate on any power source, so there is never any technical issue going to happen. And you won’t have to pay more to run or maintain it.

Last but not least, the Kindling Cracker Firewood Splitter is completely made from cast iron and manufactured in Australia. It is very durable and exceeds all US standards.

#7. EasyGoProducts EGP-WSPL-001 Jack Firewood Wood Log Splitter – Best for ease of use

This is another manual log splitter that requires you to hammer the log down to split. It is also better than using an ax, and this model even looks more simple to know how it works than the no 6 product.

Its unique shape is specifically engineered to split kindling and twist firewood down to a size of from 1 to 0.25 inches effortlessly.

Here you have two options for mounting – stationary or portable. When you want to keep it in a place, there are four bolt holes for you to mount it permanently on any flat surface, such as a wooden block.

With multiple blades of different shapes, this tool can create perfect wood pieces for various purposes, from a wood stove and a firewood rack to a fireplace, pizza oven, barbeque, sauna, smoker, or camping.

Balance the logs and strike them with a 4-pound sledgehammer or heavier. The wood will split immediately. In fact, we find it sometimes works faster than other models that run on electricity or gasoline.

#8. YARDMAX YU2566 25 Ton Full Beam Gas Log Splitter – Best heavy-duty model

With the 6.5-horsepower 208cc Briggs & Stratton engine, this beast supplies an amazing horsepower of up to 25 tonnes, which can crush even the most chunky logs in several seconds.

Besides, it is able to chop logs either vertically or horizontally or even in both horizontal and vertical directions simultaneously.

However, since it runs on gas, you must keep it horizontal when you store it. The good news is this model is very energy-efficient and costs very little gas for each log split.

The beam is U-shaped instead of I-shaped to optimize sturdiness and alleviate the possibility of breakage. There is also a log spinner at the end to rotate the logs easily, reduce the amount of stress on the beam, and increase the overall performance.

Additionally, the ram can return automatically, allowing users to operate the splitter with a single hand and reduce the process duration remarkably.

We highly evaluate the innovations of the YARDMAX YU2566. For example, to keep the wood neatly in position, you can utilize the pair of large log cradles and the 4-way wedge built into the log splitter. Despite its high weight, the rubber wheels will make transportation a breeze.

#9. Inertia Wood Splitter – Best manual model

The Inertia Wood Splitter is a manual log splitter. Nevertheless, it is different from the others we reviewed on this list. This unique tool is foot-operated rather than hand-operated.

To apply the splitting force on the logs, what you have to do is solely tread on the footplate. In this way, all of your body weight will take impact and lift the lever.

Yet, if you use a hammer instead of using your body weight, it still works. But why waste more time and effort when you unnecessarily have to do so?

This simple mechanism permits you to split small logs that are 7 inches in diameter and 12 inches in length. We know it is not the best, but this is quite incredible for a manual model.

Regarding longevity, this tool is made out of solid metal and will last for a decade. When not in use, it is foldable to be smaller and easier to transport.

The refund policy is also one of the best warranties ever. If you are not completely pleased with this product, the manufacturer will refund all of your money without requiring anything. You even do not have to send back the splitter!

#10. Fiskars 378841-1002 X27 Super (36″) Splitting Axe – Best ax

We have mentioned several excellent manual log splitters that are better than an ax above. However, the last product on our list – the Fiskars 378841-1002 – is not a normal ax.

Its handle is long enough to be effortlessly maneuvered by both short and tall users. The handle features a slip-resistant texture to maximize your control ability as well as minimize hand strain.

It is also safer because you will never accidentally drop the ax while swinging.

The lightweight of fewer than 6 pounds facilitates users to create more swing speed, thus increasing the chopping power. You can use the ax to hit the logs as hard as using an aluminum baseball bat to hit the ball.

We tried using this ax to split medium and large pieces of wood. It did well with only one strike per split. Most importantly, the blade is convex-shaped, so we took the ax off the piece of wood very easily.

This is a recommendable choice if you are on a tight budget and do not have to chop logs frequently.

How to pick the best log splitters?

1. Types of log splitters

Basically, there are three types of log splitters on the market: gas log splitters, electric log splitters, and manual log splitters.

An electric and a gas splitter feature the same mechanism. They both utilize a hydraulic pump and a wedge to cut the logs into pieces. The difference is the source of power. The hydraulic piston runs on gas or electricity.

Above all, the three primary kinds of log splitters will have the following benefits and drawbacks

Gas log splitters

Pros

– The most powerful

– Can operate anywhere

Cons

– Noisy and emit exhaust fumes

– Cost a lot of fuel

– Require regular maintenance

Electric log splitters

Pros

– Moderate power

– Relatively quiet

– No exhaust fume

– Rarely require maintenance

Cons

– Require a high-current electric socket nearby to run

Manual log splitters

Pros

– Can operate anywhere

– No noise or exhaust fume

– Very low-cost to buy and use

– Rarely require maintenance

Cons

– Require human effort

– Low capacity

2. Pressure

The pressure a log splitter can put on the wood is measured in horsepower. The higher this figure is, the faster and stronger the device can crush logs.

To ensure that you do not meet trouble with rather thick logs, do not buy any model that supplies less than two tons of horsepower.

If you are going to use the machine every day to chop a huge amount of wood, you ought to go for stronger machines such as the YARDMAX YU2566, which can provide up to 25 tonnes of horsepower.

3. Other features

Apart from log splitting force and types, we should consider the below features as well.

– Cycle time: This duration is the time the splitter needs to finish splitting a piece of wood. The ideal cycle time should range from 10 to 15 seconds. Some other models that work slowly may have a cycle time of up to 18 or 20 seconds.

– Auto-return: This feature will automatically bring the piston back to the initial place once a cycle finishes. It saves the operator’s time to prepare the next pieces of log and create a steady tempo.

– Two-handed or one-handed operation: Typically, the single-handed operation is more effortless for you to manage the machine. However, the two-handed operation is much safer because using both of your hands will control the log splitter better than solely using a single hand.

– Hydraulic system and engine: Do not only pay attention to the horsepower but forget to notice the hydraulic pump and motor. They should also be manufactured by a reputable brand to be durable and reliable.

– Warranty: The product you are going to buy should have at least one year of warranty or longer. The best electric and gas-powered models often come with a two-year warranty. However, the best manual model can be covered for a lifetime.

– Review: Reading a log splitter review will be helpful to find out whether a log splitter for sale is suitable for you or not.

FAQs

How big of a log splitter do I need?

This question is easy to answer. How big of a log splitter you need must be based on the dimensions of the logs you have to handle.

For instance, if you need to split logs that are up to 25 inches in length and 12 inches in diameter, you will need a log splitter that has a ram of the corresponding size.

Are manual log splitters any good?

Manual log splitters, like any other types of log splitters, have pros and cons, as we analyzed above.

This kind of log splitter is only good for those who do not need to chop enormous logs frequently, as it will cost a lot of your effort to complete the task.

If you usually have heavy-duty projects, a manual log splitter is undoubtedly the wrong choice.

How do I split large logs with a log splitter?

– Large logs are likely to be very heavy, so you had better let them dry completely to minimize their weight. Besides, a wet log will be more slippery, thus, harder to maneuver.

– Now, if the log can fit into your log splitter, place it inside the ram of the machine neatly. Make sure that it will not fall out.

On the contrary, if the log is too big to insert it into the log splitter, you need to use an ax, a log-splitting maul, or any other proper manual tools to split it into smaller pieces beforehand.

PRO TIP

You should measure and mark the log with a firewood marker. Using chalk and a traditional tape measure is okay, but it is somewhat old-fashioned and less accurate.

You had better roll a can of paint (the kind that surveyors often use) down the log to mark the log more precisely and get rid of getting a back injury.

Conclusion

As there are numerous types and models of log splitters, which is the best log splitter for you will depend on your budget, requirements, personal preferences, and use.

The product that is first on our list and which we picked as the best is the Sun Joe LJ10M log splitter. It is compact, has high performance, and is the best budget option.

We always advise relying on your analysis of the strong and weak points of each product, buying guide, and answers to FAQs to find out which is the best choice for you.