The Best Log Splitter

Buying Guide

If you’ve ever tried to cut your own firewood, you know it’s more complicated than simply sawing logs. You’ll need a way to divide the logs into smaller, cleaner sections that you can slide into a fireplace or pile onto an outdoor fire pit. A log splitter will help you create perfectly-sized logs with minimal physical labor.

But you’ll have to make a few decisions before you purchase one. The biggest is whether you’ll buy a gas- or electric-powered splitter. Each has specific benefits, but overall, the biggest bonus to gas-powered log splitters is power. Newer electric log splitters pack some fairly impressive power, though, so don’t rule them out based on generalities.

As with other electric-powered tools, a log splitter that runs on electric doesn’t emit the fumes seen with its gas counterparts. In fact, you can even use some models indoors, making it perfect for setting up a shop in your basement. You’ll also save money and time on purchasing fuel to keep your log splitter going throughout your project.

Once you’ve decided on how your log splitter will be powered, it’s time to look at other features. Some splitters are built for commercial use, making them the right choice for those taking them to job sites. If you’re merely using it to create fireplace logs for your own family, though, you might be able to get away with something less pricey or more convenient.

If you do plan to use it away from home, you’ll need to keep portability in mind. Features like handles and wheels will come in handy if you need to transport them around, even if you’re taking them from one area of your house to another. For those using a log splitter only at home, a smaller model may be easier to store when you aren’t using it. Some log splitters can be towed, which is a consideration if you’re planning to transport it to different job sites throughout the day.

• Your first decision when buying a log splitter will have to do with how the unit is powered. Electric-powered units like the Boss Industrial Electric Log Splitter and WEN 6.5-Ton Electric Log Splitter eliminate the fumes that come with gas-powered models. That means you can not only breathe easier when you’re using it outdoors, but you could technically bring it inside for use in a garage or basement during those cold winter months.
• The Champion 7-Ton Compact Gas Log Splitter will require you to use a mixture of fuel and engine oil, as well as hydraulic fluid. You’ll need more hydraulic oil than usual for smooth operation.
• The Sun Joe Logger Joe 10-Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter eliminates the inconveniences of both electric and gas log splitters. It uses a hydraulic ram that can provide 10 tons of driving force to any log. You won’t need any fuel and you won’t be tethered to a power cord, making it appealing to some consumers.  However, you will find that this model requires more manual labor than with electric and gas log splitters.
• Before you can decide on a log splitter, it’s important to know how much capacity you’ll need. Although electric, the Boss Industrial Electric Log Splitter impresses with its power. It advertises that it can handle logs up to 10 inches in diameter, but you’ll find that it can slice through some woods as large as 22 inches round. However, it may struggle with tougher woods like logs, so it might not be ideal for commercial use. The Champion 7-Ton Compact Gas Log Splitter can chop through wood up to 25 inches in diameter. It also has the capacity to hold woods weighing up to 50 pounds. Although the Sun Joe Logger Joe 10-Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter is convenient, you will find it’s limited in capacity, but it can take on logs up to 8 inches in width. It also struggles with harder woods.
• It’s worth factoring price when you’re deciding just how much power you need. The Boss Industrial Electric Log Splitter, which combines power with convenience, retails for around the same price as the Champion 7-Ton Compact Gas Log Splitter. Since these models are similarly priced, it may come down to whether you’re willing to give up being able to handle woods up to 25 inches in exchange for not having to deal with fumes and having to maintain and buy fuel for a gas-powered splitter. The WEN 6.5-Ton Electric Log Splitter lacks the power of either of these two models, but is priced more affordably. If you only need to chop smaller woods, the Sun Joe Logger Joe 10-Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter will save you quite a bit of money.
• Whether you plan to regularly transport your log splitter or not, portability can come in handy if only for storage purposes. The Boss Industrial Electric Log Splitter can easily be disassembled and transported in parts, but it’s also a compact machine, making it easy to store away when you aren’t using it. The Champion 7-Ton Compact Gas Log Splitter is designed for easy towing, as long as you stay below 45 mph. It’s also portable, though, with large 10-inch never-flat wheels, and a foldaway handle makes it easy to store. The WEN 6.5-Ton Electric Log Splitter has a handle and wheels to make it easy to move around, and the Sun Joe Logger Joe 10-Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter has a lightweight, 90-pound design that makes it easy to transport and even tuck into the back of a truck.