Anyone who builds campfires or has a wood-burning stove at home can find splitting logs a tiresome job. It can give you a great workout, yet it can take its toll.
There are tons of log splitter variations on the market. You can get log splitting wedges to multi-ton pneumatic splitters that make light work of the biggest logs.
While everyone has a different requirement, they most likely require one of the smaller options for the general person.
In our reviews, you can find a range of the best types of log splitters that cover a range of scenarios. By the end, you can find the best top rated log splitter you can use in many different places. (Find the Best Battery Powered Backpack Blower)
Contents
Why You Need a Good Log Splitter
If you have access to fallen trees, it makes sense to use them on a wood-burning stove. The issue comes when you need to cut these logs down to size.
Swinging an axe is hard work, and it isn’t something every person is capable of doing. There is a technique, and not to mention if you suffer from limited mobility etc.
Log splitters cut of the tricky parts of the job. Nowadays, some splitters can help cut logs to a specific size. All it needs is one cut, and a log can be split into two, three or even four pieces ready to go right on your fire.
Here a quick look at the top reasons you may need a log splitter.
Wood Density
With hardwoods and softwoods, there is a difference when splitting. Hardwoods are tougher while softwoods have bigger fibers and are less dense. A splitter doesn’t care which you have; it will slice through either as long as it has the power. (Read About Sheesham Wood Furniture)
Seasoning
It is nearly impossible to cut wet wood by an axe alone. It takes a good six months for wood to dry. However, you can use a splitter and cut wet or dry wood. This splitting will also allow the cut wood to dry faster.
Log Size
Splitting large logs by hand can take forever, the larger they are, the less likely your axe will get stuck. You can get splitters to cater to lots of different log diameters. (Find the Best Skill Saws)
Speed
Without a doubt, you can cut far more wood with a splitter than by hand. Besides this, depending on the type of splitter you are using, any older family member can help.
Top Log Splitter Reviews
1. Kindling Cracker Firewood Splitter – Kindling Splitter Wood Splitter Wood Splitting Wedge Manual Log Splitter Wedge
The Kindling Cracker solves quite a few issues for cutting firewood in one go. It has no moving parts and doesn’t require an axe.
While initially designed to produce kindling, which does very well, you can easily cut logs of up to 6.5 inches in diameter. All you need is a blunt instrument or even another piece of wood. Place the log inside and hit the top. With less force than using an axe, you can quickly produce all the wood you need.
The cast-iron Kindling Cracker, measure 12-inches tall for the standard model and is constructed from quality cast iron from Australia.
Pros
- No moving parts or sharp blades
- Great to take camping
- Cuts wood easier than using an axe
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Limited to 6.5-inch logs
- Struggles with longer logs
With a guide price of around $135, you may think it is a lot; however, you have one of the safest log splitters on the market. With the lack of force required, even small kids are capable of cutting wood for a fire.
It could be the best vertical position for an idea so simple, easy to use log splitter on the market.
2. Estwing Sure Split Wedge – 5-Pound Wood Splitting Tool with Forged Steel Construction & 1-7/8” Cutting Edge – E-5
Wedges are a common feature in any log splitter, regardless of whether its manual or automated. A wedge drives the wood halves apart. The Estwing Sure Split Wedge log splitter puts a wedge on a weighted wedge. The firm says it makes chopping logs and firewood a breeze.
It works utilizing the Sure Split fins to drive wood wider apart with the wedge action, allowing a sledge to continue to below the wood line for accurate splitting
The Sure Split is perfect for taking camping, or hunting when you need wood for your fire. The cutting edge sharp enough to work its way through any logs.
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Lightweight to take camping
- Won’t leave logs un-split
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Suffers from bounce effect and wedge falls out of logs
- Design not as effective as it appears
With a guide price of just under $20, this is a cost-effective log splitting wedge. There are reports of the wedge bounce effect, get others to say this isn’t the wedge design yet the paint. For best results, remove the paint, and you have a highly versatile log splitter.
3. Sun Joe LJ10M 10-Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter
The Sun Joe 10-ton hydraulic splitter can produce up to 10 tons of driving force. You can sit logs of up to 18 in. long x 8 in. wide in the horizontal log splitter.
It comes with a durable steel frame construction and has 2.48-inch wheels for easy portability.
As with other types of logs splitters like this, there are two handles, one producing higher pressure than the other. The handles are longer than different variants, which does help make the pumping easier on tough logs.
Pros
- 10 tons of splitting force
- Easy to transport
- Efficient log splitting action
- Quick ram return
Cons
- Slow to use
- Heavy @ 87 lbs
With a guide price of just under$185, you do get a powerful easy to use log splitter. It is all inside a heavy-duty chassis and is easy to use. It does get the job done, yet it is on the slow side compared to some options.
The ten-ton log splitter can make your log splitting easier, yet you need to keep moving logs away from the area to use the splitter.
4. Champion Power Equipment-100251 25-Ton Horizontal/Vertical Full Beam Gas Log Splitter with Auto Return
The Champion is very powerful log splitter, 25 ton of splitting capacity; it does with the large 224 cc single-cylinder OHV engine. It can split up to 8 inches wide from any types of wood in the horizontal, or the vertical log splitting positions.
The gas-powered splitter is highly versatile and converts from horizontal to vertical in a few seconds. The size of logs you can cut varies dramatically as a result.
It is fast and has a 12-second cycle time, an expanded operator area, with a dependable auto-return valve capable of delivering 300 cycles per hour.
Unlike any other log splitter type, you can tow this at speeds up to 45 mph. if you have the land and an ATV/UTV, you will find the horizontal and vertical splitter follows nicely with the 2-inch ball hitch coupler and 16-inch tires.
Pros
- 2-year limited warranty and lifetime technical support
- Uses 2 stage pump
- Huge 25 tons splitting force
- Horizontal/ vertical operation
Cons
- Expensive
- Hose clamps may work loose
With a guide price of $1355, the Champion is the very top end of anyone’s budget. However, if you have the land and need for this log splitter type, you will find the one-handed operation on this gas-powered log splitter a blessing.
5. Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Log Splitter, 7-Ton
If you want something easy to move, this small 7-ton electric log splitter option sits squarely in best electric log splitters. It uses a powerful 2HP motor in its small size of 13.5” W x 20” H x 39.5”. It weighs 121 lb, yet easy to move thanks to the two large wheels.
You can operate it one-handed, and it can cut various type of wood quickly. It has quick cycle times after you split a log.
Pros
- 2-year warranty
- Automatic ram return
- Industrial gear pump
- Great splitting action
Cons
- Limited because of electric power
- Need to kneel to operate lever
With a guide price of just below $650, you get a useful log splitter, yet it does require you to stoop or crouch to operate the device. If the reason for using a splitter was lack of mobility, it could be enough to rule out the Boss 7-ton splitter.
Best Log Splitter Buying guide
When you want to begin buying a log splitter, there are a few things to know beforehand. Here’s all you need about finding the best log splitters.
You have two types of force for splitting logs. One is percussive, the other pressure, and no matter what the type of log splitters, they all fall into one of these.
Types of Log Splitters
Slide-Hammer Splitters
If you like the workout, you get from splitting logs, or the old-fashioned way, you will find axes, wedges and sledgehammers that have been used for years to split logs into something smaller form.
The slide-hammer style enables you to bring a force straight down to the log and drive a built-in wedge through and not using gas or electric power.
Manual Splitters
A manual log splitter uses hydraulic pressure to split the logs, although you generate the pressure. You can find these in horizontal and vertical manual log splitters varieties.
The drawback to manual splitters is they still need some strength as if you were jacking up your car.
Electric Splitters
You can find consumer-grade electric log splitters, which exert 6 ton to 10 tons of force. You do need a power source, which is either hardwired or a generator. Electric splitters are quiet, affordable, and can be used indoors if you have space. Most often, these operate in the horizontal position.
Drawbacks are they are intended for home use and very far from the best commercial log splitter standard. Also, they aren’t meant for logs over a foot in diameter and seasoned wood.
Gas Splitters
Gas log splitters easily break through logs with 8-16 tons of pressure. However, gas splitters are noisy as they are a generator fixed to the chassis.
They can handle green wood and seasoned wood, yet can come with smaller log cradles which will restrict the size you’re trying to split.
Final Verdict
There were some great hydraulic system splitters when carrying out these reviews, yet for the everyday person, these are not ideal. It was evident the Kindling Cracker Firewood Splitter – Kindling Splitter Wood Splitter Wood Splitting Wedge Manual Log Splitter Wedge was going to be the most enjoyable and functional to use.
It is easy to use best-selling splitter right by your fire if you have the area. It takes little effort to use and doesn’t put anyone at risk. Even on hunting or camping trips, you can quickly get a fire going thanks to cutting logs of any size so long as you don’t go over the 6 inches in diameter.
For quick and easy operation, this is the best wood splitter you could ask for.
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