Manual Log splitters are fine as they are much safer and faster than axes and can deliver as much satisfaction as an electric-powered splitter even though it’s much slower. If you are on a low budget and you are looking to get the best log splitter for the money, manual log splitters are very much affordable.
Finding The Best Log Splitter In 2021
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Last Updated: 15 June 2021
Splitting wood has always been one of the toughest things for many people. Whenever you are trying to make a fireplace or you are camping out in the woods, you’ll always need wood splinters to keep the fire burning literally. However, to get those splinters with a traditional axe, you’ll need to put in many hours of splitting the wood and expending a lot of energy. It doesn't just end at that when you are done, you find out that your hand is sore and somewhat red and your fingers feel like they can’t be used for anything in a long time. This is actually what it means to split wood with an axe.
We are pretty sure that people want a faster and less stressful alternative which is what we’d like to call modern log splitters. A log splitter is safer, takes less time and is a lot less stressful. Log Splitters are either electric, gas-powered or manual and you can make that choice depending on your needs, location, and budget. We understand you might need some help in making a choice and that’s why we made this article especially for you. Below is a string of log splitter reviews that you’ll find very helpful.
Home Maker Guide created for informational purposes only. Thus, we neither endorse you in any way to buy specific products in our reviews, nor making you act like it’s written in our guides. We are reserving the rights for you to make your personal decision.
ARCHIE ADAMS
Editor-in-Chief of the Home Maker Guide
Top Ten Log Splitters: Reviewed and Compared
Best Overall: Kindling Cracker Log Splitter Review
This product is at the apex of our top-rated log splitters and we are about to find out why. The Kindling Cracker Log Splitter works better with small logs for firewood kindling when camping out in the woods or for a fireplace. It is made of high quality cast iron that assures you that it will last for ages and can be passed down as an heirloom. That's a testament to its durability which we consider the product’s most impressive feature. It’s also very safe as there’s no risk of sharp objects injuring you because of the rings. It began as a science fair project in Australia and is now a reputable and award-winning invention. This push through log splitter is great for both indoor and outdoor use and it’s very easy to use even for kids. It also has pre-drilled holes for permanent mounting and needs relatively less force than a traditional ax. This product gives you great value for your money and it doesn’t require rigorous maintenance or a power source. It also has a five-year warranty.
This manual log splitter is a very efficient option in place of axes. If you urgently need firewood splitters for whatever reason, you can always bank on this product.
Why We Like It?
- Durability
- Easy To Use
- Safe
- Maintenance Not Required
- 5-year Warranty
Affordability: Sun Joe Hydraulic Log Splitter Review
The Sun Joe Hydraulic Log Splitter ranks very high on our list of the top wood splitters in the market and we are just about to see why. This manual hydraulic log splitter is relatively affordable despite its 10 tons of driving force. Its durability can also not be called to question because it’s made of top-tier quality steel. It is powered by a hydraulic ram and can split logs of up to 18 inches long and 8 inches wide. It comes with a two-year warranty which confirms the expertise and competence of the manufacturers. It’s also very easy to use and it requires no gas, cords or connectors. There are wheels at the bottom which makes it easy to move about and it doesn’t take up too much space. Without a doubt, this product does its job and it does it well. It's a good choice to make and will serve your needs.
This cheap log splitter saves you some money and time and it’s a good fit if you are on a budget. The best part is that the low price does not in any way deplete its quality.
Why We Like It?
- Affordable
- Durability
- Easy To Use
- Two-year Warranty
14 Tons Of Force: Logosol Log Splitter Review
This product happens to be one of the best log splitters we reviewed because of some of its undeniably awesome features. It’s a hand-operated log splitter with 14 Tons of driving force which is relatively higher than that of many other products. It is much safer than a traditional axe and its sturdy exterior is evidence of its quality and durability. The product is very easy to use and takes up very little space, if you are considering your garage or a shed, it can be stored in there conveniently. You most definitely get your money’s worth when you buy this product and that’s why it ranks very high on our list.
This product is a small log splitter and it does its job perfectly. It's much safer and less stressful than a traditional axe and is worth considering.
Why We Like It?
- 14 Tons Of Force
- Easy And Convenient Storage
- Sturdiness
- Safety
Easy To Use: Boss Industrial Electric Log Splitter Review
This product is our highest rated electric log splitter because of some of its amazing features. The product is very easy to use and that happens to be the product’s most impressive feature. It works by placing the wood in the machine which in turn pushes it to the splitter and there you have it. It also works with logs of different sizes including much larger ones. This is made easier by its 4-way splitter which enables it to power through large logs. It's also one-handed and that makes the usage very much easier for the user. It also has 7 tons of driving force that allows it to deal with very tough logs. This 4-way log splitter has a powerful motor with two horsepower and comes with a two-year warranty. The product has a sturdy frame that can’t be damaged easily and you get great value for your money. If we had electric log splitter reviews, this product would definitely be at the top.
This is obviously one of the best log splitters on the market as we have seen from its features including easy and uncomplicated usage and an impressive two-year warranty. This is why we believe it's the fourth-best log splitter.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- 4-way Splitter
- Two-year Warranty
- Sturdiness
Cons
- The machine is low to the ground and requires bending over
34-inch Stand: Wen Electric Log Splitter Review
This product closes out our top-rated log splitters on the market and we’ll take you through its most impressive features. This electric wood splitter comes with a 34-inch mounting stand that helps to reduce the excruciating pain on your lower back. We believe this is the product’s standout feature amidst other impressive features. This log splitter has a powerful motor that enables it to give over 13,000 pounds of wood splitting pressure. The capacity is also impressive as it can split 20.5 inches long and 10 inches wide logs. It’s very easy to use and is powered by electricity with a fume-free design which eliminates the chances of toxic gasoline or carbon emissions. It also has wheels at the bottom that helps you move it around and store conveniently. Without a doubt, this product is worth the money given these awesome features that aid its efficiency.
This wood splitter is definitely a safe choice for log splitting and the 34-inch stand features make it even more convenient and less stressful. It's definitely a worthy contender for the best log splitter.
Pros
- 34-inch stand
- Powerful Motor
- Huge Capacity
- Easy and Convenient Storage
Cons
- The wheels are not strong enough
Sale
Heavy Duty: South Land Electric Log Splitter Review
This product is one of the best electric log splitters on the market right now. The most impressive feature is its ability to perform a heavy-duty task like powering through larger logs. It also has a stroke limiter that allows you to adjust the cycle for smaller logs. There are two 7-inch wheels at the back and rubber handles at the front that makes it easy to move around. It is relatively compact and you can stand it upright to save more space. It’s very easy to use and has a 15-amp induction motor. These impressive features put it on this list and make it worth your consideration. There's no doubt, the product will give value for your money
This electric wood splitter is a fantastic log splitter especially if you are dealing with very tough and large logs.
Pros
- Heavy Duty
- Easy Storage
- Stroke Limiter
- Easy To Use
Cons
- This wood splitter is very low to the ground and the user might need some help to move around
Four-Way Design: Easy Go Products Log Splitter Review
When you need firewood to lighten up summer camp or you just need them for a fireplace, you want to get them as safely and quickly as possible. That’s not going to happen with an axe and that’s why you need a good log splitter. This particular product has a four-way design that helps it to split logs into four pieces of kindling and we consider that to be it's a most impressive feature. It is very safe and it does its tasks quite well. There’s an option of permanent mounting because of the pre-drilled 4 bolt holes and the sturdy frames are a testament to its durability. It's also very easy to use and you just need a hammer to push the log through the machine.
This log splitter is worth your consideration given the four-way design features and the pre-drilled mounting holes that make it easier to set up.
Pros
- Four-Way Design
- Durability
- Easy To Use
- Pre-drilled mounting holes
Cons
- It only works well with completely dry logs and the ring limits the size of logs that can fit in it
Sale
Portability: Inertia Log Splitter Review
A lot of people have injured themselves over the years while trying to split logs of wood with an axe. It is even more painful when you actually just need the wood splinters in the back yard or for a fireplace. Well, with this product, you do not have to worry about getting injured whilst splitting wood ever again. You can even trust your kids with it, ask them to go split some wood while you are working on something else. It’s so easy to use and the most impressive feature is its portability, the fact that you can carry it anywhere. This is owing to its 10lbs weight. The quality is top tier as it’s made of cast iron and it can be used with one hand. The log splitter also comes with mounting holes for permanent mounting. It’s obvious why the product belongs on our list and it should belong in your list of considerations also.
This product is perfect for camping and use at home. The fact that it can be carried about and used by kids makes it a top log splitter.
Pros
- Portability
- Great Quality
- Pre-drilled Holes
- Safety and Efficiency
Cons
- It cannot be used for heavy-duty tasks and is better used with dry logs
Stroke Limiter: Yard Max Electric Log Splitter Review
An electric log splitter should not be overlooked because it has wires and cords that need to be connected. This product is electric and has so many amazing features. We consider its most impressive feature to be the stroke limiter which reduces the split time for small logs. It also comes with log trays that help gather the logs safely. The product is lightweight and portable given its seven-inch wheel that allows it to be moved around. It has a logging capacity of 20.5 inches in length and 10 inches diameter and comes with a 2-year warranty. It has a five-ton ram force and a short cylinder cycle time of 16 seconds. It’s easy to assemble and use and it gives you value for money spent on the purchase.
This product has all of the basic features that puts it way above an axe. This is why we have it as one of the top ten log splitters.
Pros
- Stroke Limiter
- Portability
- Easy To Use
- 2-year Warranty
Cons
- The packaging is very bad and does some minor damage
Sale
2-year Warranty: Champion Power Log Splitter
A product that comes with a good warranty always has good chances of featuring in a list of the best products. The Champion Power Log Splitter comes with a 2-year warranty and free lifetime technical support from the manufacturers. This gas log splitter is made with a cast iron sleeve of top-notch quality and hydraulic oil capacity of 1.3 gallons. It also has an automatic low oil shut off and a two-stage pump to adjust its flow and pressure. It’s quite easy to use and the instructions are lucid enough to understand. This product closes out our list of the top ten log splitters and it definitely earned its place.
This is the only gas-powered log splitter that featured on the list so weight as well calls it the best gas-powered log splitter. It gives value for money spent as evident in its features.
Pros
- 2-year Warranty
- Great Quality
- Automatic Low Oil Shut Off
- Adjustability
Cons
- The product is badly packaged and there are constant emissions of fluid
Buyer’s Guide: All You Need To Know About The Best Log Splitter
How Does A Log Splitter Work?
This is very similar to how a traditional axe works. Log Splitters are based on a system that either pushes a log into a sharp blade or powers a blade through the wood.
What Size Of Log Splitter Do I Need?
This all depends on the length and toughness of the wood you are trying to split. Whilst some logs can be split with log splitters of less than 15 tons, some logs require at least a 20-ton log splitter.
Kinetic Vs Hydraulic Log Splitter
The hydraulic log splitter is the most common type and that’s because they are very powerful. A hydraulic log splitter can deliver as much as 40 tons of force which allows it to cut through super large logs. Another great feature is that they can be well-positioned for a vertical or horizontal splitting. A vertical log splitter saves time when you are working on a wide diameter log and makes it a lot less stressful.
Kinetic Log Splitters, on the other hand, deliver much lesser tons of force ranging between five tons and seven tons of force. So, it basically limits the types of logs you can split. On the flip side, they are incredibly fast log splitters compared to traditional axes. You are more likely to find an electric kinetic log splitter although there are gas-powered ones too.
How To Choose The Best Log Splitter
Dimensions
You have to make sure that whatever dimension you are getting will be fit for your needs. For instance, if you get a log splitter that can only split 18 inches long and 8 inches wide logs, then it cannot work for logs with higher dimensions.
Weight
In getting a log splitter, you also have to consider the weight. Just like the weight is an important feature to look out for when you want to get the best chainsaw mill. For people who want to use the log splitters in the backyard or want to go camping with it, a lightweight machine is advised.
Tonnage
You will also need to consider the tonnage of whatever product you are getting. The tonnage level determines how effective the log splitter would be. This is because the tonnage literally affects the amount of force that’s produced. This is why it’s best to go for dual action log splitters.
Cycle Time
A log splitter cycle time should not be overlooked just like you don’t overlook the variable speed control when looking for the best track saw. Cycle time refers to how long it takes the ram to extend and return to its starting point. So, on your log splitter, you need to check out the cylinder and having a smaller cylinder means an increase in your cycle time.
Orientation
Another important feature to look out for is the orientation. A log splitter can either have a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation. Horizontal log splitters are perfect for small logs while vertical log splitters can handle massive logs. Some vertical ones are foot-operated log splitters.
Safety
One reason people don’t use axes anymore is because of the concern for safety. So in choosing a new log splitter, you have to ensure there are mechanisms put in place for safety.
Durability
Everyone wants to buy durable products and that’s pretty normal. The question is “how to know which one is durable and which one is not?”. You need to make sure that the product is of top tier quality and another way to ensure the product is durable is by checking in with long term users and finding out from them.
Portability
A log splitter, especially one that’s not heavy-duty needs to be portable so that it can serve a variety of needs. A portable machine can be used in a backyard and be transported to summer camp the next day because of its portability.
Warranty
If you are looking for the best circular saw on the market, you want to know if it comes with a warranty in case something happens. It’s not different for log splitters, you need to make sure whatever product you are having has a reasonable warranty, that gives you some peace of mind after the purchase. Even if you are getting a tractor mounted log splitter, make sure it has a warranty.
Price
It’s always important to look out for the price and ensure you can afford it. If you are on a budget, check out a log splitter that you can afford and make sure it has some basic features as already mentioned above. That means you’ll need to get the best log splitter under $1000 or cheaper depending on your budget. If you can’t do that, you might just need to save up and get a log splitting machinery some other time.
Best Log Splitter Types
Gas
A gas-powered log splitter has gas as it’s a major power source. They are usually able to handle massive logs more easily than their electric counterparts. A good example is an electric start log splitter.
Electric
Electric gas splitters are powered by electricity. They usually have a motor and are faster than manual log Splitters.
Manual
They can also be called mechanical log splitters because they use mechanical leverage to push logs through a sharp blade. They are very efficient and much safer than traditional axes.
Kinetic
Kinetic Log splitters operate using kinetic energy stored in a flywheel to power the ram. They produce much lesser tons and can’t be heavy-duty log splitters.
Verdict And Our Recommendation For 2021
Our recommendation is based on our diligent and tasking research on these ten products. We concluded an extensive and painstaking comparison of all the products whilst paying particular attention to their durability, ease of usage, efficiency, and reputation amongst long term users. We confidently state that the Kindling Cracker Log Splitter is the best log splitter 2021. The product is of the highest quality and is well spoken of amongst thousands of users. The whooping five-year warranty is also one of its most impressive features and that’s why we consider it the best log splitter. It must be noted that this article can also be considered a homemakerguide.
Contents
- 1 Top Ten Log Splitters: Reviewed and Compared
- 2 Buyer’s Guide: All You Need To Know About The Best Log Splitter
- 3 Verdict And Our Recommendation For 2021
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Best Brand according to our meticulous review is the Kindling Cracker Log Splitter.
Vertical log splitters can handle larger and much tougher logs while horizontal log splitters can handle smaller logs. Vertical log splitters are generally better.
- First thing you need to do is determine if it's electric, gas-powered or manual
- Wear a protective gear
- Clear your work area just to be safe
- Don’t operate a log splitter under the influence
- Operate during the day or under very good lighting
- Read the product manual
To speed up the cycle, you’ll need to get a bigger hydraulic fluid pump than the one you already have. Doing this may require you to also increase the size of the tank.
- Start the engine
- Make sure the level is in a neutral position
- Twist the screw on the side of the pump with a screwdriver
- Raise the guards on the sides and at the back to an upright position
PRODUCTS TESTED BY HomeMakerGuide
How We Tested
In determining the best log splitter 2021, we put together comprehensive and meticulous research and worked on it for some time. We compared the products based on their features, strengths, weaknesses, and reputation and we were able to come up with a ranking. We unanimously selected the Kindling Cracker Log Splitter as the highest-rated log splitter in the market based on its durability and excellent reputation.
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