Log-splitting by hand has been kicked to the curb by mechanical log splitters. With a good one in hand, anyone can prepare their firewood without having to break so much sweat. As long as you do not mind placing the logs inside the machine by hand, getting wood split should be easy.
Nevertheless, not all log splitters are created equal; some are better than others. To help you make the right buying decision, here are our top products.
Top 10 Log Splitters
Best Overall
Rating: 4.5/5
This a 25-ton gas-powered splitter than brandishes a 208cc Southland OHV engine. It can handle 25 tons of logs and has enough space for 26-inches long logs. It has 17 seconds of split-cycle and can do the job in horizontal and vertical positions.
Our Verdict
The Southland Outdoor is a very quiet machine. Its heavy-duty engine works well, making it easy to start and use. It can switch positions to match the comfort of the user and can complete some of the biggest wood-splitting tasks.
Premium Pick
Rating: 5/5
If you are on the lookout for a gas splitter, the Rugged Made might just be the one for you. The machine is a 22-ton push through splitter with 6.5 Hp ESE/Electric Start Engine. It has a patent four-way blade and two stages of 13 GPM pump.
Our Verdict
All you need to operate it is 8 gallons of hydraulic fluid, 1 quart of engine oil, a battery, and some reasonable liters of fuel. To make operation easy, the beam is designed to the waist-level height, so you do have to crouch so much.
Budget Pick
Rating: 4/5
If you are on the lookout for a product that wields raw power and efficiency, then this Sun Joe LJ10M is the hulk that will rip wood apart almost like no other. It works with a hydraulic system that makes the work with large log piles a tad lighter.
Our Verdict
When it comes to efficiency, the Sun Joe LJ10M delivers. If it is radicalness you want, it can do a lot of inches in one sitting. You can rely on it for many years, even though it is not as durable as others in the market. Because it makes your work a lot easier, maybe you might want to give it a try.
Rating: 3.5/5
This model performs well, regardless of whether you are working with dry or green kinds of wood. On the back of its versatility with oak, pine, ash trees and a variety of others, the HICO-LSP0552 has an edge over so many of its counterparts in the market.
Our Verdict
The HICO allows you to make use of the splitter without much stress comfortably.
Rating: 4.5/5
This 25-ton, full beam and towable model has an American-made powerful engine that affords it its name. This device has horizontal and vertical splitting positions you can easily change from to suit small to large pieces of logs.
Our Verdict
Under the hood, there is an auto-run valve, an engine that shuts down when there are low oil and a big hydraulic reservoir. An American tech-driven and multi-patented design ensure you get some of the best components and sought-after features that help you save a lot of time. On the back of its full length and waist level beam height, you can split logs for hours and not get tired.
Rating: 5/5
A 37-ton splitter with a 270cc Honda GX270 engine, the North Star can split in horizontal and vertical positions. Designed with cutting-edge technology, it has an American-made concentric pump and value, as well as a heavy-duty steel-reinforced hose.
Our Verdict
The filtration works with four different components that help in ridding the system of any kind of contaminants. The engine has a cast-iron cylinder sleeve, a steel fuel tank, and a substantially less oil close down.
One thing that sets the North Start aside from other splitters is its contact area for force penetration. To increase efficiency, you can add wings to save the time and effort invested.
Rating: 4.5/5
This advanced model makes this list because it goes a long way to make things convenient. First, it is built to allow you go straight into operation by just screwing a single handle. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in engine power.
Our Verdict
You can jump-start it again by turning it on and back on. It falls into a low profile category, which consists of devices that warrant you to sit down while doing the work. Such a position may feel unnatural compared to what’s obtainable with other products. However, on the bright side, it helps you avoid lots of heavy lifting.
Rating: 4.5/5
Ever imagined quickly having 13,000 pounds of wood split into firewood. The WEN Lumberjack 56207 can make this happen – with efficiency and speed. It is electric, but it is also versatile, easy to operate and can be moved effortlessly.
Our Verdict
The WEN Lumberjack can split more logs than most of its counterparts can. It gets the job done in a shorter time frame and comes with an adjustable beam to suit any position you want.
Rating: 4/5
Rugged, functional, and efficient, the Powerhouse has a state of the art design and comes in a trio of solid colors – black, red, and silver. If you want a machine that will work just about in any environmental or geographic condition, you might want to consider the Powerhouse XM-580.
Our Verdict
The Powerhouse XM-580 comes in a portable size that does not take a lot of space in your garage. The size makes it ideal to be used both indoors and outdoors, on the ground or over a bench. It is quiet, does not produce fumes, and can split wood with a hard texture.
Rating: 4/5
The Yardmax YU2566 is a high beam gas splitter of 35 tonnes. The device has 6.5 Hp and a 208cc engine. The unique design makes it stronger than any other average beam. It is built to handle heavy-duty applications, with its compact, rugged surface.
Our Verdict
Without breaking a sweat, you can load the Yardmax YU2566 from any position you fancy. The length of the table can adjust long logs easily at least up to 26 inches. It weighs 517 pounds. It has a pair of log cradles in 02 positions along with log stripper plates and hydraulic fluid. It has a patent-pending LS/Log Spinner with FP-foot Plate.
What to Look for in a Top Log Splitter
An ideal product is one that has all the characteristics that are required or needed to meet your splitting needs. It is, therefore, necessary that while trying to get a wood splitter that we should try by all means possible check and ascertain that they meet your preference and serve the purpose you need it for.
A Powerful Motor
The power of the motor it comes with is a significant factor that separates one model from the other. In a nutshell, the efficiency and effectiveness of a particular machine is significantly determined by the motor’s power. It must have more than enough power so that it can easily cut through wet and hardwood within the shortest time frame.
The Diameter Splitting Range Log Length
The length and diameter that a log splitter can handle is a major determinant factor that contributes greatly to the performance. This feature helps the machine keep up with the overall performance. It also dictates the number of logs you will be able to split within a period of time. It’s best to choose a model that can split logs with a diameter of not less than 10 inches.
Portability
Log splitters are heavy, and it is not always an easy task moving from one place to the other. So, place a priority on portability when trying to select one. Move the machine up and about without facing any form of stress. A good product should come with large wheels for easy movement.
Cycle Times
A log splitter will get more work done within a short time, depending on the speed, ideally, it should have a fast cycle time to ensure that it, in turn, has a better efficiency rate. Go for the one that comes with a cycle time of at least 15 seconds for better and enhanced productivity. The ideal way to define the duration of the cycle time is to assess how long it takes for the ram to return to its original position after a split.
Sturdy Construction
Steel construction is ideal. This determines its reliability of that machine and dictates, among other things. Durability. Nobody wants to have a machine that will keep breaking down due to poor construction. A strong build indicates that the unit can handle elaborate splitting jobs for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Powerful of a Log Splitter do I Need?
The more massive a log is, the higher the volume of wood on each side of the grain to break apart. Logs larger in diameter need more division force. So a 4-ton log splitter does well for 6-inch nodes, but a 24-inch tree trunk requires at least 20-ton of power.
How does a Manual Hydraulic Log Splitter Work?
It makes use of hydraulics to cut the log. They are manually operated, pumping handles back and forth, like pumping a jack-up. The hydraulic piston pushes the timber and separates the wood by a slice.
Are Log Splitters Worth the Money?
Many firms have invested in making efficient machines. All of them out in the market differ in specs and offer unique upsides. If you select the right machine with the help of research, you get great value. Look for a combo of quality, functionality, and durability.
Conclusion/Winner
The winner of this roundup is the Southland Outdoor. This is a wood splitter that has what it takes to handle 25 tons of logs and has enough space for 26-inches long logs. It has 17 seconds of split cycle and can do the job in horizontal and vertical positions.
As far as the cons go, you only have to worry about assembling the machine and warming it up before use during winter. Aside from that, the splitting warlord is ready to go. It is portable, has one of the sturdiest contractions and can switch between vertical and horizontal positions, the benefits far outweigh the downsides.