Best Log Splitters

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 27, 2024
With these devices, you can split the time for chopping the logs in half. Get one for your business or country house and provide yourself with the winter supply of firewood for a cozy fireplace with no effort at all. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Log Orientation
Type
Engine Power
Force of Pressure
Maximum Log Diameter
Maximum Log Length
Dimensions
Weight
Warranty
 
PROS
Powerful engine can split even greenwood.
CONS
A bit larger wheels would be great.
OUR VERDICT
This Powerhouse log splitter is fast, compact, powerful and reliable. Ultimate quality and usability for the right price.
detailed parameters
Log Orientation
Horizontal
Type
Electric hydraulic
Engine Power
2.2 kW
Force of Pressure
7 tons
Maximum Log Diameter
11.8"
Maximum Log Length
20.4"
Dimensions
19.2" x 11.8" x 38.1"
Weight
104 lbs
Warranty
30 days unit replacement, 1 year for parts replacement
PROS
Big weight makes it more stable on soft ground. Large wheels add mobility.
CONS
A bit costly when compared to electric log splitters - the price for portability.
OUR VERDICT
Powerful and portable device to split dried out logs or greenwood wherever you need it.
detailed parameters
Log Orientation
Horizontal
Type
Gas-powered electric hydraulic
Engine Power
1.9 kW
Force of Pressure
7 tons
Maximum Log Diameter
5"
Maximum Log Length
20"
Dimensions
18.1" x 23.6" x 53.1"
Weight
144 lbs
Warranty
1 year warranty
PROS
Works great in cold environment - simply switch the hydraulic liquid.
CONS
Comparatively small pressure power.
OUR VERDICT
This electric splitter from renowned WEN company is worth every cent and maybe even more. Splits logs clean and fast.
detailed parameters
Log Orientation
Horizontal
Type
Electric hydraulic
Engine Power
1.5 kW
Force of Pressure
6 tons
Maximum Log Diameter
10"
Maximum Log Length
20.5"
Dimensions
20" x 13" x 43"
Weight
99 lbs
Warranty
2 years warranty
PROS
With one-handed operation, you can split logs at great speed.
CONS
Might not cope well with fresh hardwood, such as oak or beech. Let it dry out first.
OUR VERDICT
This heavy-duty tool is ideal for chopping logs of a large diameter at fast pace. With a special cross-wedge (not included), you can split logs into four parts instead of two.
detailed parameters
Log Orientation
Horizontal
Type
Electric hydraulic
Engine Power
1.5 kW
Force of Pressure
7 tons
Maximum Log Diameter
10"
Maximum Log Length
20.5"
Dimensions
20" x 13.5" x 39.5"
Weight
117 lbs
Warranty
2 years warranty
PROS
Requires no electricity or gas to operate.
CONS
Works with up to 18" logs only.
OUR VERDICT
Easy-to-operate lightweight log splitter, that can be used for making a small supply of firewood for a decorative fireplace or a grill.
detailed parameters
Log Orientation
Horizontal
Type
Mechanical hydraulic
Engine Power
N/A
Force of Pressure
10 tons
Maximum Log Diameter
8"
Maximum Log Length
18"
Dimensions
11.8" x 8.1" x 41.1"
Weight
87 lbs
Warranty
2 years warranty
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Powerhouse XM-380 Electric Hydraulic

Truth or Fiction

After taking a first look at the specs of the Powerhouse log splitter, we thought that its parameters are a bit too good to be true. So we’ve decided to sort out if it is as powerful as they say. So, here comes the XM-380. First of all, this log splitter has impressively compact dimensions – at 38.1”, you can put this tool in most of cars’ trunks and it won’t take much space in your garage or warehouse. It weighs around 105 lbs. but you can move it all by yourself with a special handle at the front side, due to two wheels in the rear. The handle in front also works as a support for the whole assembly – a common design solution. The bar length provides you with enough space to put up to 20.4" logs. Some might not notice, but the pushing ram takes only around 10-15 seconds for a full swing - also a great result.

The engine power is what actually has drawn our attention. You can power it from the mains to produce up to 7 tons of pressure! It might be a norm for larger models, but that’s really impressive for such a comparatively small body. Therefore, you can even use it for freshly cut wood. That’s useful when you have little time to wait for the logs to dry out and want to store the firewood right away.

Review of Powerhouse XM-380 Electric Hydraulic Log Splitter

Safety Comes First

Operating XM-380 is actually pretty easy. Plug it in, turn it on and then place a log on top of the bar. To start the ram you have to push two levers at once. And this is actually a safety measure. The idea behind this is that you will have both of your hands full and they will be nowhere near moving parts or splitting log. When you release them, the hydraulic cylinder moves backward allowing you to take out what's left and put the next one. Another safety feature is that there’s a plate near the handle assembly that protects your hands from shredded wood.

A small pro-tip: you can still use one hand with spread fingers to push two levers at once. But remember, if you ever have to hold the log during operation, never hold it along the splitting line.

Powerhouse XM-380 Electric Hydraulic Log Splitter in the use

More Products to Consider

Upon having this Powerhouse XM-380 at your disposal, you will be able to supply yourself with a great amount of firewood in no time. Nuff Said.

But always remember about basic safety measures when working with dry wood: wear long-sleeved shirts, but avoid loose-fitting clothing. Get yourself a pair of thick gloves, like this Wells Lamont leather gloves, that will prevent getting splinters into the skin of your hands. We want also recommend buying safety glasses, like these Dewalt, that will shield your eyes from any parts of wood that are burst into fly when the log splits. Such equipment is a must in any handyman's inventory.

Detailed review of Powerhouse XM-380 Electric Hydraulic Log Splitter

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $694.22
Stock In stock
ASIN B004323O1I

VIDEO
PowerHouse xm-380 7 Ton review - Log Splitter Review
 

Champion Power Equipment 90720 Compact Portable

Special Care

Besides a great name, Champion Power Equipment 90720 has a few interesting features. But first of all, it is a gas-powered horizontal log splitter. It comes with an engine that can provide up to 7 ton of pressure power and utilizes common unleaded gasoline. Rack’s length and width are enough for up to 20" logs with a 10" diameter.

We've noticed, that this model requires additional maintenance due to use of gasoline. The exhaust filter should be cleaned after around 50 hours of operation, while the engine oil should be changed about once for every 100 hours of work, and not to mention clearing debris and greasing the movable parts. However, Champion log splitter proved itself to be rather reliable unit with pretty good productivity.

Review of Champion Power Equipment 90720 Compact Portable Log Splitter

Split’n’Roll

Controls are performed via the handle that can be put in one of the three positions: forward, stop and reverse. With stop option, you can more efficiently and faster split shorter logs without waiting for the ram to return all the way back.

It comes as no surprise, that the portability is the key feature of this log splitter. Despite its weight, we’ve found it easy to roll around with only one hand – possibly, due to large 10" never-flat wheels. So, if you want to chop logs right in the forest or in the garden far from electricity supply – that’s the thing. Our team also noted that a low bar makes it easier to put heavy logs on it.

Champion Power Equipment 90720 Compact Portable Log Splitter in the use

More Products to Consider

You might find it easier to work with a chainsaw or a log splitter in earmuffs. If you were looking for a pair, check out these electronic Howard Leight earmuffs, that will protect your ears on-site from a loud noise, yet stop sound dampening when the ambient sound is quiet and safe for hearing.

Detailed review of Champion Power Equipment 90720 Compact Portable Log Splitter

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $669.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B00BBDCGSY

VIDEO
7-Ton Compact Portable Log Splitter by Champion Power Equipment (#90720)
 

WEN 56206 6-Ton Electric

Convenient Opportunities

Yet another horizontal electric log splitter in our review. However, our team found out that the WEN company designed a pretty nice device at a very attractive price. The 1.5 kW engine produces up to 6-ton pressure. We also noticed that it’s enough for most types of dry wood. However, it might note cope so well with freshly cut logs. Simply cut the wood and give the logs a couple of months to dry out before you actually get to chop them.

A useful piece of information: if you have emptied your supply of firewood mid-January because of the cold weather, then you can readily chop some more logs. Manufacturer states that the engine works well in temperatures below zero. All you need is to change the hydraulic fluid. Use automatic transmission fluid by Dexron for temperatures below 40 °F and AW32 for operation at 40 °F and over. Just don’t mix the fluids together.

Review of WEN 56206 6-Ton Electric Log Splitter

Safe Approach

After you plug WEN 56206 in a socket, the ram pushes the log onto the wedge only when you push both the control lever and the button on top of the engine unit at once. If you stop holding one of them, the ram stops. And if you release both controls, the ram returns to the starting position.  It's a nice safety measure designed to keep your hands away from the splitting logs.

This electric log splitter will not take much space in your warehouse or garage, due to compact dimensions. As you might have already noticed, there are two rubber never-flat wheels to help you move it around. The two handles on the other side also work as a support when you put it down on the ground.

WEN 56206 6-Ton Electric Log Splitter in the use

About the WEN Products

WEN Products company has already been in the business of electric equipment for more than half a century. Its R&D team helped implement the electrics in many tools for daily use and construction instruments, such as chainsaws, power jigsaws, knife and wet wheel sharpeners, and many others. Since then, they have sold more than 50 million products worldwide. Therefore, buying WEN tool, you can rest assured that you are getting a quality device.

Detailed review of WEN 56206 6-Ton Electric Log Splitter

More Products to Consider

The user manual has a detailed instruction on how to change the hydraulic fluids, that we've mentioned above. That is why you may even do it all by yourself. So just in case, here they are:

  • Hydraulic oil AW ISO 32 for the temperatures above 40 °F.
  • Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON-VI for up to 40 °F environment.

WEN 56206 6-Ton Electric Log Splitter application
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00IKDC6A6

 

Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric

Fast and Durable

Here we have another interesting and compact contestant. This time, it is the ES7T20 model by Boss Industrial. We have found out that it’s very easy to assemble, and even a child can easily roll it around as it comes with two wheels on one side and handles on the other, just like in the other electric models. However, remember that this is an electric device, so never let a kid actually use it or be even anywhere close when it’s turned on. Operating it is still just as easy as one-two-three. Turn it on, put the log on, push one handle and the ram will start moving forward. Releasing the handle sends the ram back, which is actually useful because you can already start switching logs, while the ram is still moving backward.

After closer examination, we can state, that it comes with a 1.5 kW engine, that can produce up to 7 tons of pressure force. It’s is best suited for dried out 14"-20" logs. The ram feed takes only 9-10 seconds, and with 5 seconds of backstroke you can quickly change the logs and proceed with the next one.

Review of Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Log Splitter

1 Stroke - 4 Splits

 To further decrease the time for splitting the wood, you can additionally buy the wedge with two blades on the sides. Such cross-wedge is used for splitting a log into four. We’d also like to recommend using smaller and softer types of wood with such blade, as a log surface meets with a bigger plane of contact, requiring more force to be split.

Watching the logs split with ES7T20 was pretty satisfying and the only real drawback is that it might be too loud when you don’t wear earmuffs. Otherwise, it’s a solid log splitter, and using it, you will quickly fill your storage with nicely chopped small pieces of firewood.

Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Log Splitter in the use

More Products to Consider

Here is the 4-way cross wedge by Boss Industrial for splitting logs into 4, that we were talking about.

And also check out this nice rack for storing firewood by Landmann. You can get the one with or without a blanket for keeping it dry in case you decide to assemble and keep the rack outdoors.

Detailed review of Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Log Splitter
Last updated price $620.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B00GNSCGIW

VIDEO
ES7T20 Demo Video
 

Sun Joe LJ10M Logger Joe Manual

About Manufacturer

Sun Joe is a trademark of Snow Joe company that started out in 2004 in Carlstadt, NJ, with only one product - the electric snow shovel. You might ask, what it is. To put it in simple words, it's a shovel that dispenses and blows the snow from the shovel blade sideways, so that you can clean the path in one continuous motion. Neat, isn't it? Anyway, this is a successful company nowadays with a dozen tools for houses and yards. And for this review, we've picked up one of their devices.

Review of Sun Joe LJ10M Logger Joe Manual Log Splitter

10 Tons With Your Hands

Meet the Logger Joe. This tool can chop 18" logs for you with its 10-ton hydraulic pressure just fine. That is a great result, considering it is a manually operated mechanical log splitter. That’s right, it has no engine to automatically chop-chop the lumber. With this LJ20M model, you can forget about unwinding extension cords across your yard or the nasty smell of burnt petroleum from gas log splitters.

Furthermore, the log cradle has two metal brackets on each side to keep the log straight, while you are slowly pushing ram forward by moving the two handles back and forth in a manner that is very similar to cross-trainers. The special valve is used to release the pressure from the hydraulic cylinder. After that, the ram automatically moves backward to the starting position.

Sun Joe LJ10M Logger Joe Manual Log Splitter in the use

Enjoy Life in Slow Lane

While this log splitter has a lower ramming speed than models with electric engine, you get more power in a pretty compact body. This Logger Joe seems to be the lightest model in this review. At less than 90 lbs. it’s easy to pick it up all by yourself and put it in the trunk of a car. The whole splitter length here is exactly 41.1", although it might look larger on the photo. There are two small wheels on the same side as cylinder. And on the other side of the wedge blade, there are two spreader bars that serve as handles to pick one side up and roll it to the storehouse. The cradle's top surface is low to the ground, so you won't have to pick up heavy logs too high in order to mount them on the splitter.

Considering this all, we can readily recommend this low-cost log splitter by Snow Joe for elderly people. It will also be ideal for country houses without access to electricity or simply when you don't need that much logs to split and want just a handful supply of firewood to light up your fireplace a few times on cozy winter holidays.

Detailed review of Sun Joe LJ10M Logger Joe Manual Log Splitter

More Products to Consider

The Logger Joe requires little-to-no maintenance. Keep it clean and store in dry places. Refill the hydraulic fluid when necessary. But still, it's recommended to grease the moving parts from time to time. No fancy oils here - use WD-40.

And take a look at this log tote bag by Panacea. Slim chances that it will ever rip or tear with such sturdy cloth and sewed-in handles. Original solution for when you have to move the freshly split firewood to the storage.
Sun Joe LJ10M Logger Joe Manual Log Splitter application

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $166.73
Stock In stock
ASIN B00VPJAPS2

VIDEO
LJ10M - Sun Joe Logger Joe 10 Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter - Live Demo
 

What is a Log Splitter?

In times of internet and automatic production, the work with homeowner’s vegetation became much easier thanks to special machinery. For example, scythes, watering cans, hand saws, rakes – all of them have been gradually replaced with lawn mowers, smart sprinkles, chainsaws, leaf blowers and so on. You can add the log splitters to them. They will be a great addition to country house inventory, no matter if you have a fireplace or not. And of course, small sawmills can use them as well. Instead of using an axe to chop wood against winter just use log splitter and get the job done in no time.

The working principle is rather simple. The log is split either with a screw cone that whirls at a great speed or by pushing a log against the wedge with a high-pressure force. At industrial sawmills, the huge log splitters can be a part of a conveyor line. However, for homeowners and lumbermen, there are comparatively compact and portable units available. It is much safer and less time consuming to use them when you have to split even just a handful of logs.

Let’s take a closer look at 5 log splitters and their features that we have picked up for you in this review. But right before we start, check out later our pick of electric chainsaws.

Best Log Splitters

What Features to Compare

You can find Vertically and Horizontally Oriented log splitters. The vertical ones usually take less space on the floor, they are a bit more powerful and can be used with larger diameter chunks of wood. However, they extremely lack the mobility and stability on rough ground when compared to horizontal models, and usually require a flat surface to operate. Therefore, splitters with vertical log orientation are mostly used on sawmill sites by small and large companies. The real drawback of such models is that curved and writhed tree logs might fall off and must be held still at all times. Of course, you may find two-way oriented splitters, but in general, we’d like to recommend the horizontal splitters for homeowners, as they are safer to operate, have all the same functionality, and also because in most cases you won’t have to split a wood with a really large diameter.

As we've mentioned, the log can be split by being pushed with a hydraulic ram against the Wedge or the Screw Cone. The key feature of the cone is that the screw splits a log from any side, while the ram blade is more efficient when a log is placed with a cut-off side looking at the edge (along the branch growth vector). For home use, we'd recommend the ramming type, because it's more power-efficient and a cone screw occasionally requires changing.

Pressure Force is very important in log splitting. Industrial units may produce 20-40 tons of pressure force, but 5-10 tons are more than enough to chop the firewood for winter or a fireplace for common use. So, there's no need to overpay for a heavy force one, when you get all the same at a lower cost. Aim for 5-15-ton models.

Size matters. Check the Maximum Log Size that you can use the splitter with. And usually, it’s easier to move a splitter closer to wood storage, than the other way around. So chose the one that you can move by yourself. It’s worth mentioning that lately there are log splitters so compact that they fit a trunk of a usual car. And the models that won't fit in a pickup truck usually can be simply towed. 

Speaking about portability, take a look at Power Supply. Some models can work with electricity from 110V socket. There are also gas-powered splitters, that you can take literally anywhere outdoors – even into the forest, but the real cons here are that they produce exhaust fumes and require more maintenance: cleaning gas tank from time to time, greasing the moving parts and so on. Finally, mechanical models can be taken anywhere and require only your hands to move the levers in order to split a wood, but usually take a lot more time to split a log than other types.

Log splitters may come with other Features for safer and more comfortable operation. Let's find them out in our review of 5 great log splitters, and see for yourself what model is the best suitable for your needs.

 

Sources:

1. Drew Hardy How to Choose a Log Splitter, MowTalk. December 14, 2012.

2. Oscar H. Will III Picking the Perfect Log Splitter, Grit. February 2013.

3. Marshall Brain How Log Splitters Work, HowStuffWorks.

4. Chris Baylor Top Woodworking Safety Rules, About. April 10, 2016.

5. Log Splitter Buying Guide, eBay. April 27, 2014.

6. Home Log Splitter Guide, DoItYourself.com.

7. J. Keeler Johnson The Beginning Farmer’s Guide to Log Splitters, Hobby Farms. June 15, 2016.

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