10 Best Electric Log Splitters to Help You Out with Firewood

It’s hard to compare this electric log splitter from Swisher to nearly any of the others we reviewed – according to both the technical specifications and user testimonies, it’s in a league of its own. For many users, this splitter is a direct replacement for a gasoline-powered splitter. It is the closest to commercial grade splitters you can get.

First of all, this is the only electric log splitter we reviewed that is capable of operating in both horizontal and vertical splitting orientations. This is in part because it is also the one of the few electric splitters with the splitting force to justify needing vertical splitting capabilities – smaller, easier to split logs you could simply load onto a horizontal splitter. This model features an impressive 22 tons of splitting force, putting it on par with many gasoline-powered log splitters and allowing it to handily deal with large-diameter hardwoods and greenwoods as well as softwoods. Users found that this splitter was significantly quieter than comparable gasoline-powered log splitters and could be used inside – a major advantage during the winter months.

The auxiliary design aspects of this splitter reflect the industrial specifications. The cradle is longer than nearly all other electric splitters at 25.5 inches so that you can easily deal with larger cuts of wood. The frame that the splitter is mounted on includes a trailer hitch so you can easily transport it between logging sites, as well as wheel it around with the included rubber wheels. The cycle time is also relatively fast, at 13 seconds, so that even when working in a team of two the splitter will be able to keep up the pace of work. Switching between horizontal and vertical orientations takes several minutes, but allows splitting huge logs that can otherwise not be lifted. The only complaint that users had was that some logs get stuck on the wedge after splitting and can be difficult to remove.

The splitter body is made of rust-resistant steel for extreme durability. Importantly, Swisher offers two separate warranties – a three-year warranty on the body and a one-year warranty on the all-important hydraulic system. However, users report that the splitter is extremely hardy in all respects over several years of use.

What makes it special?

• Extremely powerful with 22 tons of splitting force
• Operates in horizontal and vertical orientations
• Truck hitch on frame
• Three-year warranty on body

What cons did we find?

• Some logs get stuck on wedge

This electric log splitter from Boss Industrial is more expensive compared to some of the budget log splitters we reviewed, but users claim that the extra cost is well worth your investment. The splitter offers seven tons of splitting power thanks to the two-horsepower motor and users report splitting logs up to 17 inches around with it – even if it the log splitter is only rated to handle logs up to 10.5 inches. Users note that it also is capable of splitting medium-diameter hardwood logs by simply running the logs through the splitter twice, flipping them over after one impact with the splitter. Meanwhile, the horizontal cradle is long enough to accommodate 20.5-inch logs.

There are a few features that set the Boss Industrial electric splitter apart from competitors. First, Boss Industrial designed the cradle with integrated rails that are able to keep the log secure during impact, which reduces the likelihood of misfires and debris flying everywhere. At the same time, the rails don’t put a hard limit on the diameter of logs the cradle will fit. Users also appreciated that the splitter is designed for one-handed use, which allows you to get your work done faster and more efficiently. However, users warn that every now and then a piece of wood will explode upon impact without warning – so it’s important to stand behind the machine with your arm extended to the lever as you would when working with a two-handed log splitter. Users also commented positively on the size of this splitter, which is relatively small for its class – making it easier to store and move around the yard.

The cycle time on this splitter is nothing to write home about – a total of 14 seconds between impacts when running at full speed – but for most users working alone the cycle time is also short enough not to slow them down by much. The auto-retraction of the ram works well and almost never sticks after impacting a piece of wood.

Boss Industrial provides a two-year warranty on their electric log splitter, although almost no users report experiencing issues that required calling in the warranty.

Why did it make our list?

• Able to split logs 17 inches or more
• Integrated rails hold logs in place
• One-handed operation
• Well-designed and durable

What is not ideal about it?

• Cycle time is somewhat long

This electric log splitter from Wen is perfect for those who want to dial in all of the specifications of their log splitting to achieve the highest levels of efficiency. The first, most noticeable thing about this log splitter that sets it apart from others is that it comes on a 34-inch tall stand – one of only a few log splitters we reviewed that comes with such an accessory. The splitter can be used with or without the stand according to your preferences, although nearly all users opted to use it since it is quite stable and saves a ton of bending over when operating the splitter. In addition, the splitter is designed with support wings – essentially guide rails – around the cradle to prevent wood from slipping out during the ramming process.

The ram itself is also adjustable in terms of how far it extends down the shaft of the splitter, which users loved since it can drastically reduce the length of the cycle time and increase efficiency. When travelling the full distance of the cradle, note that this splitter has an extremely slow cycle time of 20 seconds – so adjusting the travel distance can have a significant impact on your workflow.

As for the power of this electric log splitter, users were quite satisfied. The splitter is built around a 15-amp motor that delivers 6.5 tons of splitting force – enough to easily handle any logs up to the 10-inch diameter that the splitter is rated for. However, unlike splitters with a slightly beefier two-horsepower motor, you can expect this splitter to be true to its rating – users report having trouble when trying to split larger logs or wet greenwood logs.

This splitter is relatively portable thanks to the hard plastic 5.5-inch wheels mounted under the frame. The wheels can also be attached to the base of the support stand so that the splitter is portable even in this configuration.

Wen offers a two-year warranty on this electric log splitter, although almost no users reported issues with the splitter after a few years’ of use.

Why is it special?

• Comes with support stand accessory
• Ram travel distance is adjustable
• Portable
• Two-year warranty
• Comes with support stand accessory
• Ram travel distance is adjustable
• Portable
• Two-year warranty

What are the flaws?

• 20-inch cycle time at full travel distance
• Limited to 10-inch diameter logs

There are a number of excellent design features to point to in this electric log splitter from OrionMotorTech, but what really sets it apart from the competition is the blazingly fast cycle time. At just 10 seconds between logs, even with a partner you’ll likely be struggling to keep up with this splitter. And while you might not need quite that much speed, users note that just knowing the splitter won’t slow you down can actually increase your splitting efficiency over the course of a day.

This splitter also doesn’t compromise on power. It features a three-horsepower motor – one of the larger motors on electric log splitters in this price and size class – and provides seven tons of splitting force. The result is that this splitter is rated to deal with 12-inch diameter logs – a major jump above what most of the other splitters we reviewed can handle. Although the splitter can likely handle even larger wood rounds, it does not come with the guide rails found on other splitters so keeping these large logs from squirming around the cradle when pressured may be an issue. The splitter is the same overall length as most competitors, leaving enough room for logs up to 20.5 inches in length.

One of the few things that users did not love about this splitter is that it requires two-handed operation. A safety button must be depressed at the same time the control lever is held down, meaning that you’ll need both hands on the splitter over the course of the 10-second cycle time. While all users can agree that this is a good safety feature, be forewarned that you won’t be able to hold a mug of coffee while splitting wood or work ahead with a free hand.

OrionMotorTech offers a two-year warranty on this log splitter, which some users report calling in because of damage during shipping. However, manufacturing issues with the splitter itself seem to be rare and the steel body and cast-iron splitting wedge are designed for long-term durability.

What are our favorite features?

• 10-second cycle time
• Three-horsepower motor splits 12-inch diameter logs
• Two-year warranty

What could be better?

• Two-handed operation reduces efficiency
• No guide rails around cradle

Users loved this handy splitter from Yardmax, which features a number of design features that make it easier to use. It is worth noting off the bat this this splitter is only rated for five tons of splitting force – significantly less than some competitors – despite the burly 15-amp motor. However, it is still rated to split logs up to 10 inches in diameter and users report being able to split softwoods up to 15 inches with this splitter without an issue.

The cradle of this splitter is 20.5 inches long like most of the other splitters we reviewed, corresponding to a moderate 16-second cycle time for the ram head. However, Yardmax designed the ram with a stroke limiter, which users loved for cutting down the cycle time by a few seconds or more when working with shorter logs.

To improve safety, Yardmax designed this splitter to require two-handed operation. While your feelings about this feature will depend on your own preferences, many users are slightly annoyed by the safety requirement.

One of the major advantages to this electric log splitter is that, like the model from Wen, it comes with a stand to reduce the amount of bending over you need to do when splitting logs. The stand is removable, although putting it on and taking it off does require a few minutes of hardware assembly. The large seven-inch wheels also can be moved between the base of the splitter and the base of the stand so that it remains portable in either configuration. It is also worth noting that this splitter has a log catcher so that split logs will remain around the cradle, at a good working height on the stand, rather than fall to the floor after being split.

Yardmax offers a two-year warranty on this splitter, although users report that their models of this splitter continue to work well after several years of use and the fully steel construction appears to be as durable as intended.

What makes it special?

• Splits softwoods up to 15 inches
• Included stroke limiter to reduce cycle time
• Removable stand
• Two-year warranty

What cons did we find?

• Only rated for 10-inch diameter logs
• Two-handed operation required

If you want the burliness of a gasoline-powered log splitter but none of the downsides that come from running a gasoline engine, look closely at this powerful electric log splitter from Boss Industrial. Although it is costly compared to many of the similarly sized electric log splitters we reviewed, that cost is justified according to users by the durability and power of this splitter. The engine is nominally only 1.5-horsepower, but runs on a 20-amp outlet – and is powerful enough to dim your shop’s lights if you accidentally plug it into a standard 15-amp outlet! With all that engine power, this splitter is able to put out a whopping 10 tons of splitting force – allowing to be rated for 12-inch diameter logs and for users to find that it easily splits softwoods up to 16 inches or beyond. The hydraulic system on this splitter is extremely durable and automatically shuts down if it is overpressured to protect the seals, so you don’t need to worry if you try loading logs that are a little bit too ambitious.

The trade-off to all of this power is that the cycle time on this splitter is extremely slow – nearly 30 seconds roundtrip. Even when working alone, this is slow enough to put a cap on how fast you can work, which may be an issue if you have a huge number of logs to split. There is also no stroke limiter that would allow you to increase the cycle time. Despite this, users appreciated that the splitter is designed for one-handed operation so you can actually use one hand to do other things during that 30 second wait.

It is also worth noting that this splitter is extremely heavy compared to similarly sized electric log splitters. Users report having difficult completing the assembly and even replacing the hydraulic fluid by themselves because of the weight. The poor instruction manual, which does not specify the amount of hydraulic fluid needed by the splitter, also does not help matters.

However, users still love this splitter for its extreme durability – Boss Industrial warranties it for two years, but users note that it runs as if it were new after several years of use.

Why is it special?

• Burly engine with 10 tons of splitting force
• One-handed operation
• Automatic shutoff when overpressured
• Two-year warranty

What are the flaws?

• Expensive
• Heavy
• Poor user manual
• Long 30-second cycle time

This compact splitter from Pow’R’Kraft is perfect for those who need a small splitter that they can easily store in the garage when not in use. This splitter is built around a pared-down 15-amp motor that delivers just four tons of splitting force – so plan to feed primarily medium-diameter softwood logs to this splitter and to avoid hardwoods entirely. The maximum log length is 20 inches, which is worth noting only in that it is half an inch shorter than nearly all other electric log splitters on the market. Despite the smaller size, users who opted for this splitter were extremely pleased with its performance and many were glad to have avoided getting an unnecessarily large and powerful splitter.

The advantage of this small log splitter is that it boasts a speedy 11-second cycle time, which allows you to rapidly split a cord of wood whether working on your own or in a team of two. Although there is no stroke limiter built into the splitter, some users were able to rig a homemade limiter out of vice grips to further increase the cycle time when working with short logs. Users also liked the slight guide rails around the cradle that helped to keep wood in place as the ram was pressuring it. The splitter is designed for two-handed operation, which many users were not as pleased with, but some users were able to find simple workarounds for this as well.

The hard plastic wheels on this splitter make it easy to transport through your yard, and users loved that they could stand the splitter on its end for storage when not in use.

Users found that the simple, fully steel design of this splitter is extremely durable, essentially rendering Pow’R’Kraft’s two-year warranty unnecessary. It is worth noting that this splitter model has been discontinued, but remains easily available and the company continues to honor their warranty on the splitter.

Why is it special?

• Small, compact splitter
• 11-second cycle time
• Steel design is extremely durable
• Two-year warranty

What are the flaws?

• Only four tons of splitting force
• Two-handed operation
• No stroke limiter for short logs

This inexpensive log splitter from Goplus is a compact and easy to use choice for homeowners who need to get through a pile of wood in short order. The splitter features one of the best wheel and handle systems we’ve seen, making it easy to transport the splitter around your garage or across your yard to where you need it (assuming you have a long enough extension cord to pair with it). An added bonus is that it’s easy to stand the splitter upright for storage when not in use so that it takes up less space in your garage.

The power of this two-horsepower splitter is somewhat limited at only six tons and it is rated for only 10-inch logs. However, users were quite happy with its performance on both softwoods and hardwoods, noting that the 10-inch diameter rating is quite accurate. Users found that the cycle time is fast enough that the splitter won’t slow down your work, but warned that you won’t want to split a whole cord of wood without a break as the splitter can start to get hot over time. They also appreciated the low-profile guide rails on either side of the cradle that act to keep logs in place as they are being split.

One of the main things that users wished for with this splitter was a stand – the wheelbase design makes it difficult to mount even on a table, and bending over repeatedly to split logs can get exhausting at the end of a long day. In addition, users disliked the fact that this splitter incorporates two-handed operation for safety.

Goplus offers a one-year warranty on this splitter that must be activated by mailing in a registration card upon purchase. Users found that the splitter is durable enough for several years’ of use, but will start to show signs of wear and tear after a couple cords of wood.

What do we love it for?

• Inexpensive
• Works well on 10-inch softwoods and hardwoods
• Excellent wheel and handle design
• Durable

What were we disappointed with?

• Starts to overheat over time
• Not easy to put it on a stand
• Two-handed operation

This compact and durable electric log splitter from Powerhouse is a great choice for users who need to get through a large pile of wood relatively quickly. The splitter is built around a three-horsepower, 15-amp motor that produces seven tons of splitting force. Users found that the rated 12-inch maximum log diameter is roughly accurate for this splitter, and that even at this diameter the splitter can struggle with knotted hardwoods – meaning this splitter is best suited for splitting softwood logs and only relatively narrow hardwood logs. The splitter turns off automatically when overpressured in order to protect the seals and prevent hydraulic fluid from leaking.

Users found that the splitting action on this splitter worked relatively well for most logs, but was sub-optimal when loading logs that take up the entire 20.5-inch length of the cradle. This is because the ram travels only 15.7 inches of the cradle and the wedge is relatively narrow, leaving partially split logs that then have to be finished by hand. Users also wished for a stand for this splitter, since working through this manual splitting at ground level can wear on your back. That said, the 11-second cycle time on this splitter is a major advantage for those who need to split a large pile of medium-sized logs in a short amount of time, especially if you are working in a team of two. Another advantage that users appreciated is that the splitter can be configured for either one-handed or two-handed operation depending on your preference.

Another minor flaw to consider in this splitter that users noted is that the wheels are relatively close together, which allows the splitter to tip over when you are transporting it across uneven ground in your yard.

With those caveats in mind, users found this splitter to be well-constructed and extremely durable. Powerhouse offers a one-year warranty in case of any manufacturing issues, but very few users needed to activate this warranty.

What makes it special?

• Rated for 12-inch diameter logs
• 11-second cycle time
• One-handed or two-handed operation

What cons did we find?

• Ram does not travel full length and wedge is somewhat narrow
• Wheels are too close together
• Only one-year warranty

This low-priced electric log splitter from Southland Outdoor Power Equipment is a great choice for those who don’t need to split a ton of wood or who only have smaller logs, and therefore don’t want to spend tons of money on a more industrial-quality splitter.

That’s not to say this splitter doesn’t pack a punch – the 1.75-horsepower, 15-amp motor provides six tons of splitting force and the splitter is rated to deal with logs up to 10 inches in diameter. Some users report being successful splitting even larger rounds with this splitter, and it doesn’t hurt to try thanks to the automatic shutoff feature. This means that when the splitter is working above its available power, it will shut down rather than potentially damage the seals and cause a hydraulic fluid leak.

Like many other electric log splitters in its class, the cradle on this splitter is long enough to hold logs up to 20.5 inches. The splitter is also designed for convenient portability and storage, with burly seven-inch wheels under the frame and the ability to stand it vertically in your garage (although it cannot be operated in the vertical orientation).

The biggest downside to this electric log splitter is the cycle time – at 18 seconds, the wait between activations will be noticeable, especially if you’re working in a team of two people. In fact, this is one of the main reasons we recommend this splitter primarily for home users who aren’t splitting wood all of the time. With that caveat in mind, the cycle time won’t slow down your work too extremely and users appreciate the reliability of the auto retraction on this splitter.

It’s also worth noting that while the vast majority of users have had good experiences with this splitter, a few have complained of manufacturing defects including a ram that fails to retract properly and poor seals that leak hydraulic fluid after only a few uses. Southland Outdoor Power Equipment only offers a short one-year warranty, so for users who are powering up their log splitter only infrequently it may be hard to detect these issues within the warranty period.

What stands out?

• Inexpensive
• Automatic shutdown when overpowered
• Can be stored vertically

What cons did we manage to find?

• Short one-year warranty
• Occasional manufacturing issues
• Slow 18-second cycle time