A log splitter is a cutting machine that uses a hydraulic cylinder to split firewood from softwood or hardwood logs that have been previously cut by a chainsaw or saw bench.
If you enjoy firewood at home, you should invest in the best log splitter for the money since it’s more convenient and cost-efficient than renting one over the year.
Let’s explore the 7 top-rated log splitters you can consider for either home use and industrial work.
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Top 7 Log Splitter For The Money 2022
Product Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
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Southland SELS60 6 Ton | Best Electric Log Splitter for The Money | See latest Price | |
WEN 56207 6.5 Ton Electric Log Splitter | Great Logspitter With Removable Stand | See latest Price | |
Boss Industrial ES7T20 7 Ton | Great Log Splitter with 4-way Wedge | See latest Price | |
Champion Power Equipment-100251 25-Ton Horizontal/Vertical | Best Gas Log Splitter for The Money | See latest Price | |
NorthStar Horizontal/Vertical Log Splitter 30 Ton Honda Engine | Best Commercial Log Splitter | See latest Price | |
Sun Joe LJ10M 10-Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter | Great Logsplitter Using No Gas/Oil/Electric | See latest Price | |
Kindling Cracker Manual Log Splitter Wedge | Best Manual Log Splitter | See latest Price |
In-depth 7 Top Rated Log Splitter Reviews
1. Southland SELS60 6 Ton – Best Electric Log Splitter for The Money
Specs:
- Weight: 105.8 pounds
- Dimensions: 37.72 x 11.81 x 18.5 inches
- Maximum log length: 20.5 inches
Southland SELS60 is the best log splitter for the money. You can use this 6-ton machine to cut logs of all sizes, from small tree branches to large, heavy firewood with a maximum log length of 20.5 inches and a diameter of 10 inches.
This log splitter uses a powerful 15-amp, 1.75 HP induction motor to slice through most logs at home. The 5-inch steel wedge is sharp, providing smooth cuts without wasting time using axes.
If you want to cut shorter logs, you can adjust the stroke limiter to reduce your cycling effort. Although it is relatively heavy at 105.8 pounds, you can move it around your property using 7-inch wheels.
There are a few drawbacks to this cutter that you should know. First, it lacks a log catcher to keep the logs after cutting. So, split logs will drop off by the side. Second, it can only cut a log into two pieces by default.
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2. WEN 56207 6.5 Ton Electric Log Splitter – Great Logspitter With Removable Stand
- Power type: electricity
- Weight: 98 pounds
- Maximum log length: 20.5 inches
WEN 56207 has the same cutting capacity as the Southland SELFS60 – it can cut logs 10 inches in diameter and 20.5 inches in length. This splitter model is lightweight and easy to use for those who don’t want to split logs or use it daily for serious work manually.
What differentiates these splitter models is that the WEN splitter has a removable 34-inch stand. Depending on your demands, you can mount this stand to split a high number of logs at a time without bending your lower back.
Yardmax log splitter also has this stand, but it takes a lot of effort to assemble/disassemble the stand, so I prefer the WEN’s version.
Besides, its accuracy and efficiency are the two main reasons that made WEN 56207 a top-rated splitter of all time. It offers a 5-inch wedge with a 45-degree angle for sharp and accurate splits, even for the toughest wood type. After finishing a cut, the cylinder will be automatically retracted to save your time between logs.
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3. Boss Industrial ES7T20 7 Ton – Great Log Splitter with 4-way Wedge
- Weight: 117 pounds
- Dimensions: 13.5 x 20 x 39.5 inches
- Ram pressure: 7 tons
Boss Industrial EST7T20 is a heavy-duty log splitter under 1000 dollars every professional worker wishes for their large projects.
Its powerful 2HP electric motor delivers a high ram pressure of 7 tons. As a result, you can confidently handle the most demanding projects when being armed with this professional log splitter.
This log splitter can smoothly cut through ough woods like oak and lumber. All wood conditions, either dry or wet, large or heavy, or odd-shaped with a maximum diameter of 16 inches, can be cleared out in a breeze thanks to its 1500W motor.
The integrated side rail keeps the log in one place while cutting, and the front handle allows you to better control your cutting force.
Besides the 2-way cutting like other counterparts in this article, this Boss cutting machine offers a 4-way wedge to cut a log into 4 parts or more, as long as the log stays in the channel guide. Hence, this feature reduces your time and effort, especially when dealing with an enormous number of logs.
I wish this wood splitter can cut woods in a vertical position as well, not just a horizontal position as now.
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4. Champion Power Equipment-100251 25-Ton Horizontal/Vertical – Best Gas Log Splitter for The Money
- Power type: gas-powered
- Ram pressure: 25 tons
- Cycle per hour: 3000
The Champion Power 100251 is the best 25-ton log splitter for the money that can sheer logs vertically and horizontally. You can switch it to a vertical position to handle large, heavy logs with ease.
This gas-powered machine can split large logs that weigh up to 100 pounds with a maximum length of 24 inches, far more efficient than electrical splitter models.
Weighing 430 pounds, this Champion log splitter is not easy to lift or move. But it doesn’t matter with its remarkable performance thanks to the 224cc single-cylinder OHV engine and hardened steel wedge. Its impressive cycle time of 12 seconds combined with the dependable auto-return valve is quick enough to perform 3,000 cycles per hour.
The magic of this Champion wood splitter also lies in its environmental friendliness and post-sale service. It meets the EPA-certified for protecting the environment and CARB compliant for producing less harmful emissions and toxins.
Additionally, you will get a 2-year warranty with free lifetime technical support from the manufacturer when purchasing this machine.
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5. NorthStar Horizontal/Vertical Log Splitter 30 Ton Honda Engine – Best Commercial Log Splitter
Specs:
- Ram pressure: 30 tons
- Dimensions: 90 x 45 x 45 inches
There is a lot to love about this NorthStar 30-Ton wood splitter, from its impressive performance to its excellent design details.
The first and most outstanding feature of this machine is its high ram force of 30 tons. This strong punch can cut down logs measuring 25 inches long and 6 inches wide. The continuous force of this machine is 27.8 tons, allowing it to handle your wood splitting tasks with ease. You can switch between horizontal and vertical orientation with a slide-action self-leveling pivot.
When it comes to small gas engines, Honda is the most powerful and fuel-efficient choice. This NorthStar log splitter uses the 200cc GX200 Honda engine with a low cycle time of 14 seconds. The idle down feature of this engine helps reduce noise and save fuel while waiting for the next log.
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6. Sun Joe LJ10M 10-Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter – Great Logsplitter Using No Gas/Oil/Electric
Specs:
- Maximum log width: 8 inches
- Maximum log length: 18 inches
Sun Joe LJ10M is an affordable solution for occasional light-duty log splitting jobs than other electric-powered or gas-powered engines. This splitter uses hydraulic pumps to generate a splitting force of 10 tons to cut down logs up to 18 x 8 inches.
Using it is pretty simple – you place the logs on the machine and use the dual leavers to generate the cutting power. There is no gas emission, no electric cord, no oil, and no noise.
Besides, this manual splitter is lightweight and easy to carry on with you to wherever you need it to work. There is a log cradle to prevent the split logs from falling. Thanks to the long handles, you can use two hands to easily maneuver the machine simply as doing a daily physical exercise.
However, this hand log splitter also has some pitfalls that you should notice. It can only cut a log into two pieces at a time. And the cutting speed of this human-powered machine is not as high as a gas-powered or electric-power one. Cutting logs with this manual splitter is even slower than chopping logs with a hand ax.
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7. Kindling Cracker Manual Log Splitter Wedge – Best Manual Log Splitter
Specs:
- Dimensions: 9 x 13 x 9 inches
- Weight: 10 pounds
This Kindling Cracker machine is another manual log splitter that you can carry on to firewood for a weekend camping trip. It is safer and more effective than chopping wood with an ax and more cost-efficient than an electric-powered or gas-powered option.
This wood splitting tool weighs only 10 pounds and has compact dimensions of 9 x 13 x 9 inches. You can store it in your garage after use or bring it with you on a weekend getaway.
Besides, its simple and durable design also contributes to its high ranking on best-rated log splitters on the market. It is made of cast iron, with 2 rings on the top and bottom and a 12-inch frame on each side. The top ring has a diameter of 6.5 inches meaning that the maximum log diameter can’t exceed 6.5 inches, and the ideal length should stay within 15 inches.
Due to its fixed design, you can only split small logs that fit the top ring. And it can be tiring if you have to break too many logs at a time.
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My Top Pick
There are many grades and types of log splitter, from the smallest models for home use to the biggest industrial-scaled splitters. But the best log splitter for the money is the one that is powerful enough to fulfill your log cutting purpose.
Southland SELS60 is a versatile pick for home use. This electric log splitter allows you to perform your cutting jobs in two orientations, and it can handle large, heavy pieces of wood without too much effort and skills.