11 Best Log Splitters – From Manual to Electric or Gas-Powered Models

The Swisher LS22E is an electric log splitter with a 120V electric motor. It uses a hydraulic system to deliver up to 22 tons of splitting force, making it perfect for larger logs that may be difficult to split. It has a maximum log diameter of 25 inches and maximum log length of 25.5 inches, which, again, is more than most of us need to split for home use. And with a cycle time of 13 seconds, this splitter is sure to finish any large pile of logs in a short period.

It uses a 2.5-gallon hydraulic tank that is rust resistant. It's critical to ensure there's oil in the hydraulic reservoir before using the log splitter and that the oil is within the safe operating range as indicated by the dipstick marks. Failure to adhere to this can cause severe equipment damage and is a personal safety risk.

The splitter supports both vertical and horizontal positions, so you get to choose what's preferable for you. There's a beam latch that ensures the splitter is firmly held in place when using it in the vertical position. Use the beam lift handle to raise the log splitter, pull the bent lock pin outward, twist, and release to lock the beam in place.

Swisher offers a 1-year limited warranty on the hydraulic system and a generous 3-year, limited warranty on parts and workmanship. The accompanying user manual gives a comprehensive guideline on what might invalidate your warranty. Be sure to read it thoroughly, so that you benefit from the manufacturer's support for the next 3 years.

The RuggedMade 37-Ton Horizontal Gas Log Splitter is a powerful, heavy duty, gas log splitter with a massive splitting force of 37 tons. This splitter is powered by a 4-stroke, 15hp Raven engine and is equipped with an electric start for a smooth, swift start time. It uses 2-stage, a 22-gallon-per-minute hydraulic pump with rapid return strokes to power the 3.5-inch cylinder ram. It can power through logs up to 24 inches in diameter and 30 inches long. The splitter provides three cycle times for different log sizes. For logs that are 20 inches long, you get a cycle of 9 seconds; for 24 inches, you get a cycle time of 12 seconds; and for 30 inches, you get a cycle time of 15 seconds. You get both power and speed, seeing as it plows through any log in less than 20 seconds.

There is a stroke limiter that allows you to shorten cycle times for smaller logs, effectively saving on time and increasing the splitter's efficiency. A log catcher tray holds all your split logs, so you can simply pick them off the tray and to your desired destination without bending to pick them off the ground.

It comes with a log lift with a capacity of 300 pounds, allowing you to load and lift as many logs as it can hold in one go. It saves on time and you don't have to lift and carry huge logs to the splitting table. The lift can be easily removed for towing and storage.

A slip-on four-way blade gives you more versatility and enables you to split logs to smaller pieces faster when needed.

The is a heavy machine at 1,097 pounds, but the 12-inch wheels and 2-inch tow hitch make it easy to move and tow. RaggedMade gives a 1-year warranty on parts.

Pick the Kindling Cracker Firewood Kindling Splitter if you normally split small logs and make lots of kindling. This compact manual log splitter is made from hardy cast iron and weighs 10 pounds. It has a maximum log diameter of 6.5 inches, so limit your logs to this width as the log has to go in through the splitter's 6.5-inch ring and onto the wedge. The log length is unlimited, however, and you can place logs of any size on the splitter, both short and extra-long. Just ensure that you can reach the top of the log because this is where you'll need to hit to force the log down onto the splitting blade.

To use the splitter, mount it on a platform. There are bolt holes which you can use to tightly screw on the splitter onto your chosen base. No further assembly is required. Take your log and using a hammer (any size hammer will do, as long as you can lift it comfortably. Try a 3lb for a start) hit the top of the log to force it on to and through the splitting blade. The log will split into two, with the resulting logs falling on either side of the blade. It only takes one strike to split small logs. Larger or harder logs might require a couple more strikes.

This splitter is very easy to use and fairly safe. Just be careful not to whack your fingers with the hammer, as you need to support the log with one hand as you bring down the hammer using the other hand.

The manufacturer offers a generous 5-year warranty. We don't anticipate the splitter will give you any foreseeable trouble though.

The Logosol Smart Splitter is a little, manual log splitter that makes easy work of splitting small logs and cutting kindling. It delivers the splitting force via a hammer, which is clearly labeled with the striking weight, in this case 7.7 tons. The hammer is separated from the wedge by a nylon washer. All you have to do is place your log on the base, then lift the splitter by the handle and place it on top of the log, and then lift the hammer and drop. The force will then split the log and you can re-split the split logs as many times as you like to get the sizes of logs you desire. The nylon washer will begin to wear out with time, but it is replaceable.

The splitter does not come with a splitting platform, so you have to improvise a base. Usually, a large, stable log will do. Drill a hole on this log base using the bit that comes with your splitter, and then insert the splitter rod in it. It's on this rod that you then insert the handle with the splitting axe, kindling axe, and hammer. That's all the assembling there is!

Very lightweight and easy to operate, this splitter also carries minimal risk of injury. Part of the splitter holds the log you're splitting firmly, ensuring that it doesn't slip.

Because you're providing the power needed to activate the 7.7-ton splitting force, it may not be possible to split plenty of logs at a go. The splitter has a maximum log length of 26 inches and an unlimited log diameter. If splitting very wide logs, a tip you can try is splitting the log from the edge and adjusting the positioning and angle as it becomes smaller.

It comes with a 2-year warranty and a 2-month money-back guarantee.

The Swisher LSED14534 34 Ton Timber Brute uses a 14.5 HP, Kawasaki V-Twin engine and a two-stage 22 -gallons-per-minute pump for optimal power and cycle time. The oversized cylinder is deliberately made so to deliver maximum splitting force. An electric start ensures a smooth, start up so you can turn it on and immediately get to work. Its 34-ton splitting force is enough to plow through any type of wood. It has a maximum log length of 24 inches and a max log diameter of 24 inches. This means you'll be able to split most logs if you're a heavy wood user.

This splitter works in the vertical and horizontal position, giving you options and versatility in splitting. A vertical beam holds the splitter firmly in position when you elevate it to the vertical position, so there's no risk of injury.

You can use the two-way blade or add the four-way split to get smaller logs in half the time. The splitter has a heavy duty log cradle that holds your split logs, so that you don't have to bend to ground level to pick them up.

The LSED14534 weighs 751 pounds and comes with a sturdy set of wheels for easy moving. A tow hitch is included for easy road towing.

Solid construction, including that of the welded steel hydraulic tank, gives you years of guaranteed good service.

Swisher gives a 2-year limited warranty on parts and workmanship. The price is on the higher side, but if you split multiple cords of wood a year, it is certainly a good investment, given that you'll use it for many years without any glitches, except maybe a few replacements on some small parts over the years.

Consider the Powerhouse Log Splitters XM-880 if you regularly split plenty of wood. It is super-fast and will go through any pile of wood quickly and efficiently. The electric splitter with a 14.5-amp motor uses a kinetic mechanism, which accounts for its fast splitting speed. It has a cycle time of 1 second, which is the fastest any splitter can split wood. An auto-retracing ram boost efficiency while keeping stroke cycles short.

The XM-800 has a splitting force of 12 tons, a maximum log length of 24 inches, and a maximum log diameter of 12 inches, meaning you'll comfortably split a lot of your logs as most fall within this size bracket. In addition, it has a telescopic wedge with three settings or splitting logs that are shorter than 24 inches. You can set it at the 19", 21.6", or 24" mark for logs of corresponding length.

To operate the splitter, you must use two hands. It's a requirement that ensures maximum efficiency for the splitter and enhanced safety for you.

Its electric motor runs quietly, such that you enjoy splitting your wood and never have to worry about disturbing the neighbors or waking a sleeping child.

It comes with hard-wearing, built-in wheels and a handle for easy transportation. The body is constructed from durable, 3mm, powder-coated industrial steel to give you many years of reliable service.

It's also small and somewhat light at 148 pounds and isn't wobbly to move around or bulky in storage. Its compact design makes it perfect for individuals with a small shed or little space in the garage.

Powerhouse Log Splitters offers a 1-year warranty on both parts and workmanship.

The Sun Joe LJ10M manual hydraulic log splitter delivers 10 tons of splitting force, which is commendable for a manual splitter. You have to manually operate the two handles to activate the 2-speed pump that delivers the splitting force. Sun Joe deliberately uses extra-long operating handles for leverage and to maximize efficiency.

It effortlessly splits logs that are, at most, 8 inches wide and 18 inches long, making it ideal for light log splitting work that doesn't involve large rounds or require many hours a day to finish.

It splits wood in the horizontal position and has a log cradle that catches your split logs, so that you don't have to bend to the ground to pick them.

While the ram return spring moves quickly to keep strokes short, it doesn't auto-reset. You have to turn the knob to reset it, but the rod is swift and efficient. To work faster, you can release the wedge half-way instead of releasing it all the way back.

The splitter weighs only 87 pounds and is easy to maneuver around. It also has rear wheels to make moving it a breeze. If you'll be doing your splitting further out in the woods, you can easily load the splitter to the back of your truck to take with you.

This Sun Joe manual splitter has an attractive asking price. If you're not looking to spend much but want to walk away with a tool that gives you value for your money and gets the job done, this is a good choice. The manufacturer issues a 2-year warranty on parts and workmanship.

The WEN 56207 is an electric, horizontal splitter with a 6.5-ton splitting force that runs on a 15A motor. It uses a hydraulic system with 3,263 psi, a 3.7-quart hydraulic tank, and a 14.75-inch cylinder stroke.

It's perfect for the not-so-big logs and will split any small to medium size log with ease. It has a 5-inch sharp wedge which effortlessly cuts through any type of wood. A 20-second cycle time backed by 13,000 pounds of sustained pressure means no log is too hard for this wedge. The splitter has a maximum log diameter of 10 inches and a max log length of 20.5 inches. This is the average size of logs that most people split in their homes, in which case many of the logs are much shorter than 20 inches, so you're covered pretty well.

Running the splitter is two-hand operation and guarantees enhanced safety. There's a firm, soft grip pull handle which makes moving the splitter easy. This is complemented by 5.5-inch never-flat wheels whose large size makes transporting the splitter fuss-free.

It comes with a 34-inch stand which is optional to use. A lot of us who like to operate at height level will find this a welcome addition. But if you're more comfortable operating the splitter at a much lower level, you can omit using the stand. In this case, you'll attach the rod with the wheels directly onto the splitter, so that the splitter sits on the ground.

The splitter sells at a reasonably low price and is good value for money for anyone who isn't looking to do heavy duty log splitting. WEN gives a 2-year limited warranty on parts and workmanship.

The Boss Industrial ES7T20 runs on a 115V, 2 HP motor. With a splitting force of 7 tons, it splits small and medium size logs with ease. The ES7T20 has a maximum log diameter of 10 inches, which is slightly less than what we've come to expect as the average max log diameter, but it meets the need adequately, considering you won't be using it to split massive logs. However, Boss makes up for the limited diameter with a maximum log length of 20.5 inches, which is greater than what many of us split on average.

It's a horizontal splitter and is quite low set. You won't have to hoist the logs up high to set them on the splitting table. Still, this may mean bending over a lot to reposition logs for re-splitting.

This Boss splitter requires only one hand to operate. For folks who like to switch hands as they work down the log pile, this is a great feature. It means your hands won't get tired no matter how long you run the splitter.

The ram automatically returns to the resting position when you take your hands off the lever. The benefits of this are twofold: you don't expend any energy to return the ram to its position, and the instant retreat enhances safety.

This log splitter comes in a small, compact design and won't eat up lots of space in your shed or garage. It weighs only 107 pounds and has large wheels that make moving it around easy.

The price is great and Boss gives a 2-year limited warranty on parts, including the hydraulic, and workmanship.

The OrionMotorTech 2500W is a sturdily constructed horizontal log splitter that is as strong and durable as it looks. It has a hardy cast iron wedge and a strong steel body, and should run for years without signs of wear or giving you any trouble.

It's a horizontal, electric piece with a 2300W, 2 HP motor, and a 2.8-liter hydraulic oil capacity. With a splitting force of 7 tons, it comfortable splits logs that are 10 inches in diameter and 20 inches long. Lots of people split roughly about this size of logs, so you'll be able to split most sizes of logs. The splitter is swift and, with a 10-second cycle time, it won't take you long to split a huge pile of logs.

This splitter requires two-hand operation when starting the engine. Hold the on/off button with one hand and the control lever with the other hand, and then switch it on. This safety-enhancing procedure eliminates the risk of injury when operating the splitter.

It weighs 100 pounds and is made in a compact, easy to carry, easy to store design. Two large wheels and an onboard pull handle make moving it around easy.

OrionMotorTech gives a 2-year warranty on parts and workmanship. They also promise to exchange your log splitter if it's defective, so it's advisable to experiment with the splitter a few days after delivery to assess its health and operability, and determine if you need a replacement before it's too late.

The YARDMAX YS0552 is a lightweight hydraulic electric log splitter weighing 100 pounds that's easy to move around and easy to store. Doesn't take up much storage space either. It has a 15-amp motor and a 0.93-gallon hydraulic tank for powerful delivery of the pressure needed to split logs.

The splitter works in a horizontal position and has a 5-ton splitting force. It will easily go through logs that are 10-inches in diameter and has a max log length of 20.5 inches.

A cycle time of 16 seconds ensures that you can split piles of logs within a short time. We liked that it has a stroke limiter, which means you can shorten the split time for shorter logs for greater efficiency. There is also a log tray which holds your split logs so they're not falling to the ground. This eliminates any risk of injury you may suffer from falling logs. Two-hand operation guarantees your safety during use.

It comes with a stand to provide a higher, stable work surface. Using the stand is optional. If you prefer, you can just use the benchtop splitter unit without the stand, but with the stand attached, you won't bend much. Attaching the stand is easy and doesn't take much assembly time. This is the only bit of assembly you'll do if you opt to use the stand because the rest of the splitter comes assembled and ready to use. Its wheels are large at 7 inches and add to its portability. The manufacturer gives a 2-year warranty for this splitter.