10 Powerful Log Splitters – Top-rated Models of 2022

Everything you need from an indoor splitter.

Don’t get me wrong, the WEN 56206 6-Ton Electric Splitter is not a large log splitter to tow all over the property. It is designed to work in your garage or woodshed without fumes and cut small to medium-sized logs.

Check the MANUAL for this log splitter.

Conclusion

For electric/hydraulic, a good value and lots of function.

Let’s be clear, electric motors only can go so big before they start to flip your circuit breakers. But they are the only choice you have if you want to split wood indoors without worrying about nasty fumes. The WEN 56206 6-Ton Electric Splitter offers a powerful option given the constraints that come with hydraulic/electric motors.

Good price, good tool, good warranty. Excellent!

What makes it stand out?

• 6 tons of splitting force
• Easy, plug-in operation
• Two-handed operation for safety
• Fume-free operation safe for indoor use
• Can be used with a generator

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• Rubber feet may need extra securing to stay on
• Not powerful enough to split larger than the recommended wood sizes

This quick, plug-in version will make short work of your woodpile.

This is a great choice if you want to split a lot of wood fast and not spend a lot of time tuning up a gas engine each year. The Powerhouse XM Electric Hydraulic Splitter is capable of handling up to 100 logs per hour, which can make fast work of a cord of unsplit wood. It requires two-handed operation as a safety feature and automatically retracts back when you let go so that the next log is ready to go.

An important note with this and all 3HP electric motors is that you need to have the circuitry available to handle them without blowing a fuse. The manual recommends 16 amps or more.

Check the MANUAL for this log splitter.

Conclusion

A great price and product for home use.

Powerhouse XM Electric Hydraulic Splitter is a great choice for the home hobbyist with adequate power and a dry location to use it. This is not the perfect choice if you need to tow it all over the property, but if you’re bringing the wood to the splitter, it’s a quality piece.

Nothing wrong with that!

What are our favorite features?

• Six-second split and auto retract make short work of your wood
• Two-handed operation increases safety
• Works well on green or dry wood, hardwoods or softwoods
• Reliable on large volumes of wood

What could be better?

• Not recommended for wet weather
• Not great for homes with breakers smaller than 16 amps
• Throw has been reported to be short and may require a 4×4 spacer to correct
• Narrow wedge and wheel base; not ideal for towing

The power of hydraulics without the size or expense of a motor!

The Sun Joe LJ10M Logger Hydraulic Splitter has a two-cycle hydraulic motor that works by pump but requires no gas or electricity to operate. It won’t split huge logs, and a split can take minutes instead of seconds, but overall it is an inexpensive, lighter version of a powerful tool.

It’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t have the power to split a log with an axe or who doesn’t want the repetitive injuries associated with splitting a big pile of wood.

Check the MANUAL for this log splitter.

Conclusion

No power, no problem!

If you need something that works manually and you are willing to spend the extra time required to forego power, you will find this to be a light, compact, and powerful tool.

In addition, Sun Joe LJ10M Logger Hydraulic Splitter is a little easier on the budget and maintenance fronts, which makes it the best choice in the no-frills, no-nonsense category.

Basically, it just works, and it works well.

What stands out?

• Lighter than most other log splitters
• Convenient rear wheels to cart it through a yard
• Relatively affordable
• Can generate 10 tons of hydraulic force
• Can be folded into a compact shape for storage

What cons did we manage to find?

• Not as fast as a powered log splitter
• Wheels are good for carting around a yard but not towing
• Splitter good for smaller wood only

If you’re looking for a log splitter that’s small enough for enhanced portability yet powerful the Champion 80cc 7 Ton Gas-Powered Log Splitter offers just the right blend of features for you.

The machine has a low profile alongside an integrated log cradle and that makes the job of loading heavy logs easier.

What’s more?

To get the job done fast, the Champion 80cc boasts a skewed wedge which slices through all manner of logs just the same way a knife does through butter.

Conclusion

As a gas-powered machine, this Champion log-splitter is quite powerful and reliable. Everything about it– power, reliability, capability, durability — is excellent. Of course, it produces nasty fumes and that makes it less energy friendly as compared to electric splitters.

That said, this handy machine is CARB-compliant and EPA-certified meaning you can buy it with confidence – especially if eco-friendliness and energy-efficiency are your main preferences.

Why did it make our list?

• Low profile design for easy loading
• Powerful gas-powered engine
• 20-second cycle time offers enhanced splitting efficiency
• Auto-return and low-oil shut off capabilities for added safety
• Energy efficient

What is not ideal about it?

• Time-consuming assembly
• Requires hydraulic fluid which is bought separately

There’s a reason they call it the Boss!

Another great choice in the range of electric/hydraulic combination log splitters, the Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Splitter has lots to offer in regard to power and ease. It is rated to split about a cord an hour, and it runs fume-free on residential power rated with breakers over 15 amps. What sets this apart from some of the other models is the one-touch functionality.

While other splitters create an intentional two-handed function in order to make sure your hands are clear of anything hazardous, this is a one-touch machine that requires less muscle to operate. This makes it especially good tool for those who struggle with heavy or even medium labor. Whether you’re nursing an injury or looking to help your 80-year-old grandmother retire the axe, this is a great choice.

Conclusion

Ultimately, this is a great yard tool if you need to do one to two cords per year.

Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Splitter is especially nice if you prefer one-handed operation over two-handed. If you have mobility issues or are simply not strong enough to split by hand, this is probably the model that creates the least amount of work for you, including the weight to lug around and the force needed to run the splitter.

This makes it nice for seniors  particularly who are ready to have a bit of a rest when it comes to splitting wood for their winter warmth.

A great choice to ease the strain on Mom or Dad’s back!

What are our favorite features?

• Easy, one-finger operation requires little force to use
• Can handle knots without seizing
• Can split about one cord per hour
• Fumeless operation for indoor use

What could be better?

• May not work well with tougher hardwoods

Ready to take it to the next level? Check this out!

If the home electric models are not enough, the following choices offer additional power and more portability. They can all be towed behind a trailer and have DOT-approved tires, making them street legal. These are great choices if you have a large property and tend to drive your wood from where it is splitted and stored in your house.

Champion Power equipment offers a serious workhorse of a 5HP engine in their Champion Power Equipment No 92221 Splitter. This Canadian company offers a quality tow-behind splitter that is gas powered and ready to go. It takes some time to set this splitter up when you first get it- a couple hours and ten gallons of hydraulic fluid are required.

Most of this splitter’s negative reviews come from people who didn’t take the time to do it right– those who did set it up correctly talk about the fact that it’s powerful enough to take on a 2-3 foot diameter log with ease.

Two cradles and a ball trailer hitch make this as versatile as they come. If you’re looking for something with three times the power of your average electric splitter and all of the convenience, this is a great way to go.

Conclusion

Power, quality, and North American Champion Construction.

Any company who will provide free lifetime technical support is a company who makes tools that they believe in. There is nothing bad to say about Champion Power Equipment No 92221 Splitter. If you’re serious about splitting wood, this is the serious tool to meet your needs.

Why did it make our list?

• Tow-behind capabilities with DOT-approved tires for legal road use
• Serious power at 5HP and 22 tons of force
• 2-stage pump means that the hydraulics are protected from burnout
• Comes with lifetime free technical support
• One year limited warranty
• Steel construction

What is not ideal about it?

• First use requires 10 gallons of hydraulic oil and a couple hours of set-up time
• Cylinder can get very hot during use and has burned people who leaned on it

The Pow-Kraft 65556 Electric Splitter is a great choice if you want something small but powerful for small wood and limited loads of firewood.

It’s corded and works on any home with 15 amp breakers without concern for blowing a fuse. This is not your tow-behind gas-powered workhorse, but a smooth, electric choice that works on small jobs.

Check the  Manual  for this log splitter.

Conclusion

If your wood is small, dry, and soft, this will make quick work of your rounds.

Pow-Kraft 65556 Electric Splitter is a great option if you are looking for something reliable to split wood that has already been mostly split or if you want a splitter for small logs only. It’s great if your woodpile is close to the house and you stick to one or fewer cords per year.

It is relatively light, compact, and inexpensive, making it a good choice for limited firewood needs.

What do we love it for?

• 15 Amp functionality works with most residential power without worrying about circuit breakers
• Works with logs up to about 12 inches
• Very safe and hard to get your hand stuck in there
• Good, small splitter for home and occasional use

What were we disappointed with?

• Not good for large pieces of wood
• Plug-in design limits location
• Not great for use in rain

What’s strong and red and cuts through hardwoods like butter?

The Southland Outdoor Power Equipment SLS20825 25 Ton Gas Powered Log Splitter is equipped with a 208cc 8.5-foot of torque OHV engine to power through large piles of wood quickly and easily. This is a great farm or log cabin choice, as it can be towed behind a truck with its two-inch ball hitch.

Conclusion

Serious power. No complaints.

Question: What’s hella powerful, comes in a beautiful red, and splits three-foot logs like they’re nothing?

Southland Outdoor Power Equipment SLS20825 25 Ton Gas Powered Log Splitter.

Few negative reviews make it hard to make a case for why you shouldn’t use this splitter. Few positive reviews mean that the jury may still be out on long-term durability and use. There is little to know about how customer service does with warranties, but it has one of the most comprehensive warranty plans on our list, which is a definite plus.

Serious splitting is a snap with these gas-powered workhorses.

What makes it stand out?

• backed by a 3-2-1 warranty meaning 3 years for the steel frame, 2 years for the engine, and 1 year for the hydraulics.
• 6 inch pneumatic D.O.T. approved wheels
• ensures longer splitting life and maximum performance due to the tall 8 inch heat treated splitting wedge
• can reach a max towing speed of 45 mph
• Quieter than a riding lawn mower

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• Initial hydraulic setup can have problems if you don’t follow instructions carefully.

Six tons of fun!

The Goplus New 1500W 6 Ton Electric Hydraulic Log Splitter Wood Portable Cutter is a great choice for softer, smaller wood. The 15 amp design is great for splitting wood without worrying about flipping the breakers.

Conclusion

Not for big logs, but great if you want to trim down some smaller wood into kindling.

Goplus New 1500W 6 Ton Electric Hydraulic Log Splitter Wood Portable Cutter is a good choice for a small home splitter, but it’s not a powerhouse. Reviews on this piece are limited, but the safe, two-hand design and the streamlined steel shape make it a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful tool.

What are its best features?

• 1500W works with 10-inch softwoods particularly well
• Light, reasonably priced, and compact
• Electric motor means free of fumes
• Works on an extension cord

What could be improved?

• Not for logs over 1 foot in diameter
• Some hardwoods are too tough for this splitter

The biggest engine of all for the most power!

At 37 tons of force, there is nothing else that comes close to the power of this Northstar Horizontal Vertical Log Splitter. This is a serious tool for serious acreage and the kind of thing that any timber professional would love.

Check the MANUAL for this log splitter.

Conclusion

Want to go pro in log splitting? This is the tool to do it with.

Northstar Horizontal Vertical Log Splitter is the biggest of them all. If you live in a forest with serious old growth or you have a lot of super dense hardwood to split, there is no better choice than this Northstar splitter. All of the reviewers loved this piece, so if you have to use it for something that will split logs that run in the 4-5 foot wide range, then this is the beast that can do it.

However, not very many people have a need for this, and it runs at least double the cost of any other splitter, in addition to being bigger and heavier.

If you need, it will work great for you. If you don’t it’s a good tool to aspire too once you get addicted to splitting wood.

What do we love it for?

• The closest thing to a professional timber tool on the list
• Serious power to hit any size of log you want to throw at it
• Quality brand that is known for great service and excellent results
• Reviewers all give 4-5 stars

What were we disappointed with?

• The biggest and most expensive of the splitters, which requires room and money to own
• Does get hot if you run it a long time- don’t touch or you’ll burn yourself