When it’s getting cold out, for many folks, it’s time to start chopping wood so that you can keep your wood stove or fireplace well stocked.
Sometimes, chopping tons of wood over the course of a fall or winter can be a bit annoying, which is where a dedicated log splitter can really come in handy.
These splitters can make cutting logs down to a workable size much easier and finding a good device can be relatively easy.
Top 10 Best Log Splitter Comparison Table
| Picture | Name | Features | Rating (1-5) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Kindling Cracker Firewood Kindling Splitter | Cast iron Easy to use Will split most logs Safer than manual splitting | 2 | $ |
 | OrangeA Log Splitter 7 Ton 3400RPM Electric Log Splitter with 7" Wheels Hydraulic Wood Splitter | Seven-ton splitting force Electric powered Emission-free Easy to transport | 2.5 | $$$ |
 | NorthStar Horizontal/Vertical Log Splitter - 37-Ton, 270cc Honda GX270 Engine | Can be used horizontally or vertically 37 tons of splitting force Designed to last Has wheels | 3 | $$$$$$ |
 | ALEKO 4-Ton Electric Log Splitter Wood Splitter Logsplitter | Provides four tons of force Great splitting action Designed tough and durable Can run on household current | 3 | $$ |
 | Sun Joe LJ10M Logger Joe 10 Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter | Log cradle to hold logs in place All-steel construction 10 tons of splitting force Only 87 pounds | 3 | $$ |
 | PowerSmart Power Smart PS90 6 Ton Electric Log Splitter | Great for small and medium jobs Has a six-ton splitting force Very ergonomic grips Can split logs with a 10-inch diameter | 3.5 | $$ |
 | Southland Outdoor Power Equipment SELS60 6 Ton Electric Log Splitter, Red | Built-in stroke limited Six tons of splitting force Only an 18-second process Wheels great for any terrain | 4 | $$ |
 | WEN 56207 6.5-Ton Electric Log Splitter with Stand | Great pull handle Splits wood evenly Cradle keeps wood secure Comes with stand | 4 | $$$ |
 | Powerhouse XM-380 Electric Hydraulic Log Splitter, 7-Ton | Easy to use Two hand operation Can be used indoors Compact design | 4.5 | $$$$ |
 | Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Log Splitter, 7-Ton | Push button start Easy to operate Can be used indoors One hand operation | 5 | $$$ |
What Type of Log Splitters Are There?
There are multiple types of log splitters available, so you should definitely consider your needs, your budget, and your space. Hydraulic log splitters can be either manual, gas, pneumatic, or electric powered, and no matter which product you select, they all can get the job done.
Manual log splitters tend to be ax-shaped and allow you to chop your wood while being wide enough to apply pressure to the log in order to split it. In addition to these ax-shaped products, there are also kindling crackers that you can use with a hammer to quickly split smaller logs. Pneumatic log splitters also fall within the manual category and can apply over 10 tons of pressure to split logs in half.
When you want power, you can purchase electric or gas-powered splitters. These tend to make quick work of logs, but they can also cost a bit more. Electric splitters have a fairly even performance, but it’s important to remember that you’ll have to have a nearby outlet. Gas devices usually provide the most splitting force, but they also tend to be more expensive and unwieldy.
Benefits of the Best Log Splitters
The best splitters will definitely make your winters much easier to stock. Even with a slower pneumatic splitter, you’ll save yourself from a lot of muscle fatigue. Think of it this way: with a dedicated log splitter, you’ll be able to cut larger logs down to size in a fraction of the time that you’d have spent with just a standard ax.
Downsides of Log Splitters
There aren’t many downsides to having one of these devices. One of the chief issues is that the logs can go flying all over the place as you split them. That being said, this doesn’t occur with kindling crackers and most pneumatic products.
10. Kindling Cracker Firewood Kindling Splitter
Kindling crackers are definitely a simple and elegant solution for those that need to quickly split wood. These products allow you to use a hammer rather than an ax or ax maul to split your wood. You simply place the log atop of the inside wedge and hammer down to split the wood. This product allows you to be less precise with your hits and will also keep your wood from flying across the yard as you split.
Additionally, this kindling cracker is also very tough; it’s made of cast iron, which means that you’ll be able to use it for years. These splitters also require much less downward force, which means that you’ll be less fatigued when you’re done splitting. Also, because of the top ring, this is a very safe product to use that will keep your wood nice and stabilized.
Pros:
- Cast iron
- Easy to use
- Will split most logs
- Safer than manual splitting
Cons:
- Won’t split larger logs
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9. OrangeA Log Splitter 7 Ton 3400RPM Electric Log Splitter with 7″ Wheels Hydraulic Wood Splitter Can Split Wood Easily (7 Ton)
One of the chief drawbacks of gas-powered splitters is the fact that they produce noxious fumes and aren’t great for the environment. This is why electric splitters, such as this one from OrangeA, are so advantageous. This product provides about seven tons of splitting force, which is more than enough pressure to split just about any type of log easily.
It’s backed by a two horsepower engine and it uses hydraulic pressure to split logs in a fraction of the time that you’d spend splitting with an ax or an ax maul. It’s even lightweight and has two wheels at its base that allow you to roll the product to wherever it’s needed. Also, it’s very compact and thin, which means that you can easily store it away in a shed during the months when you don’t need it.
Pros:
- Seven-ton splitting force
- Electric powered
- Emission-free
- Easy to transport
Cons:
- Has to be plugged in
8. NorthStar Horizontal/Vertical Log Splitter – 37-Ton, 270cc Honda GX270 Engine
Despite the emissions, gas-powered log splitters are the favorites of many users because of their convenience. This Northstar splitter provides an amazing 37 tons of splitting pressure, which means that cutting logs down to size can be done rather quickly. This product is actually designed to be used either horizontally or vertically, which is useful for those that want to save themselves from constantly bending over.
Honda has also designed this splitter to be one of the quietest; this product won’t wake the neighbors with its relatively low-noise operation. This is a splitter that’s designed to last; in fact, it’s been designed to have an auto-idle/throttle control that can ensure the engine lasts for a longer amount of time.
Pros:
- Can be used horizontally or vertically
- Has 37 tons of splitting force
- Designed to last
- Has wheels for transport
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive
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7. ALEKO 4-Ton Electric Log Splitter Wood Splitter Logsplitter
This Aleko log splitter is an electrically-powered device that has the ability to manage relatively large logs and reduce them to kindling in relatively short order. It has an operation that provides four tons of splitting force, which means that it definitely has the power to manage most logs. This product’s maximum diameter for the log it splits is about 15-inches or so, which means that you should be able to handle most small trees with ease.
It’s also a fairly portable device. It weighs a little more than 100 pounds but has wheels so that you can quickly transport it to wherever you need it; as long as you have an extension cord of course. Aleko constructed this product out of steel, which means that it is definitely a durable log splitter that will last you throughout the years.
Pros:
- Provides four tons of force
- Great splitting action
- Designed tough and durable
- Can run on household current
Cons:
- Only for light jobs
6. Sun Joe LJ10M Logger Joe 10 Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter
This is the first manual hydraulic log splitter in this guide, and this product definitely provides a lot of convenience, especially if you don’t mind getting a little exercise. In fact, when you use this splitter, you’ll be providing about 10 tons of splitting force, which isn’t bad considering that the Logger Joe doesn’t require any current or gas for power.
To operate this product, you simply have to pump the two handles; the hydraulic top end will push the log downwards towards the wedge-shaped cutter at the base. While it does require some physical exertion, you’ll find that the Logger Joe definitely does the majority of the work. It’s also very strong; in fact, it has an all-steel construction that’s designed to last.
Pros:
- Log cradle to hold logs in place
- All-steel construction
- 10 tons of splitting force
- Only 87 pounds
Cons:
- Struggles with harder woods
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5. PowerSmart Power Smart PS90 6 Ton Electric Log Splitter
The PowerSmart PS90 is another great electric product that brings some impressive log splitting capabilities to just about any household. If you find yourself with a lot of softer woods, then a six-ton splitting force product like this one can easily help you have plenty of firewood this winter. It’s able to easily process logs that have a 10-inch diameter and has a rail that will hold the logs in place as you split them.
The splitter is fairly easy to carry; it only weighs slightly over 100 pounds and has a very sturdy build quality. When you don’t want to lift it to where you’re going, the legs at the base of the product double as handles, which means you can “wheelbarrow” the product on its two front wheels to and from the work area.
Pros:
- Great for small and medium jobs
- Has a six-ton splitting force
- Very ergonomic grips
- Can split logs with a 10-inch diameter
Cons:
- Can’t split harder woods like live oak
4. Southland Outdoor Power Equipment SELS60 6 Ton Electric Log Splitter, Red
Another electric log splitter that has a six-ton splitting force, this product from Southland Outdoor Power Equipment has a lot of versatility for most day-to-day use. It only has an 18 second cycle time, which definitely means that you’ll be able to split through a stack of logs in almost no time.
Additionally, its 1.72 horsepower motor means that it can handle some harder woods as well. Southland was also kind enough to manufacture this product with a stroke limited, which makes it so that you can adjust the output for smaller-sized logs.
This splitter has seven-inch wheels that make it very portable. These wheels are just thick enough to be able to manage a wide array of terrains, which means you’ll be able to get this product to just about any section of your yard.
Pros:
- Built-in stroke limited
- Six tons of splitting force
- Only an 18-second process
- Wheels great for any terrain
Cons:
- At too high of a pressure, it shuts off
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3. WEN 56207 6.5-Ton Electric Log Splitter with Stand
If you need a little more power, then this product from Wen provides 6.5 tons of splitting pressure so that you can manage harder woods with relative ease. The motor in this product is a 15-amp unit that has a 2.5 horsepower power output. During operation, this Wen splitter uses a 16-inch push plate in combination with a five-inch wedge to split wood that’s up to 10-inches in diameter.
Additionally, the work area features a wood cradle that will hold your log in place during the splitter’s operation. While this unit doesn’t feature legs that easily convert to handles, it does feature 5.5-inch wheels that can handle a wide variety of terrains without having issues with flats. Fortunately, it does have a pull handle, which makes this product fairly easy to pull.
Pros:
- Great pull handle
- Splits wood evenly
- Cradle keeps wood secure
- Comes with stand
Cons:
- You may have to roll the logs to split them
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2. Powerhouse XM-380 Electric Hydraulic Log Splitter, 7-Ton
The Powerhouse XM-380 is another electric log splitter that packs quite a punch when it comes to power. It is designed with a three horsepower motor that provides you with seven tons of pressure so that you can split logs with ease. Additionally, since this is not gas powered, you can choose to use the splitter indoors to make it more convenient for you.
Your safety is always a priority which is why you must use both of your hands to operate this log splitter. In fact, it will retract automatically when removing your hand to add another log to the cradle. This unit has a compact design, but it can handle any log that is up to 20.5 inches in length. It can also split any piece of wood that is 12 inches in diameter or less.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Two hand operation
- Can be used indoors
- Compact design
Cons:
- Has issues with harder woods
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1. Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Log Splitter, 7-Ton
The Boss Industrial ES7T20 is a great electric log splitter that is designed to be easy to move when you need because it is only 123 pounds and it has wheels to make it easier to maneuver. It has a two horsepower motor that powers the ram and pushes it forward with seven tons of force.
This device is designed to be easy to use, so it has a hydraulic system that makes it possible to split large logs with one hand, and once the log is split, the ram will automatically return to the starting position so that you can quickly split another log.
The one hand operation of this device makes it easy for someone with experience to quickly split logs, but it could also be dangerous for someone with less experience.
Pros:
- Push button start
- Easy to operate
- Can be used indoors
- One hand operation
Cons:
- Difficulty splitting large logs
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Editors Choice of Best Log Splitter
Having a dedicated log splitter is going to make your winter a whole lot easier, especially if you have a woodstove that uses quite a bit of wood over the winter months. That being said, the value of a wood splitter can also be noticed during the summer because families that camp will need wood for their campfire during this time of year as well.
All of the log splitters that we have looked at in this review are great, but if there was one that stood out, it would be the Boss Industrial ES7T20 because it has a durable design that can be operated with one hand, and it’s electric powered, so you can even use it in your basement if you have the space.
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