5 Best Log Splitters of 2024

While manual wood splitters may be cheap to buy, free to run, and are eco-friendly to boot, it’s hard to beat a hydraulic, electric log splitter if speed and power are what you need. If you’re looking for a hydraulic log splitter for domestic use, the Forest Master FM5 Log Splitter appears to be a popular option.

But is this electric log splitter really worth the investment? Luckily, I had a huge pile of logs waiting to help me answer this question. 

The log splitter itself is a single-piece item that’s ready to be used straight out of the box. However, if you’re in the EU, the law requires you to assemble the safety cage, which takes a lot of time and patience. Have a look at some images online to work out how it’s done, since the instructions aren’t very helpful.

As electric log splitters go, this machine is very compact and lightweight. At the same time, it feels sturdy and high-quality. Its two wheels give it good portability, and its 175cm power cord offers flexibility. The only downside is its height. Being compact, this log splitter is just 45cm tall when standing on the ground, so you’ll need to use a stand or a bench of some sort. To be fair, Forest Master does sell a stand separately to help with log splitting.

The FM5 Log Splitter uses a 2200W motor to deliver 5 tons of pressure. This was ideal for the logs that I had – it split them all cleanly each time. This 5 ton log splitter handled knotty logs without a problem, and there wasn’t really a difference when splitting wet and dry wood. Its 9 second cycle time may seem a little slow to some, but if you’re quick at putting a new log in, you don’t actually need to wait this long. 

This electric log splitter isn’t overly complicated in any way. There’s only one button to press and one lever to push – it can easily be used by one person, although it does require both hands to operate. 

The safety cage does make using the log splitter a little more cumbersome to use, as well as heavier to move and awkward to store, but this is obviously a key safety feature. It’s quite an important one, particularly if you’re working with knotty wood, as it’ll stop any wood from flying back out and hitting you during the log-splitting process. 

Compared to the manual log splitters that I tested, this one is obviously a lot louder, to the point where Forest Master recommends wearing ear protection when using it. However, considering it has a 2200W motor, I didn’t find it to be particularly loud, although any nearby neighbours may disagree!

Bearing in mind all that it offers, this hydraulic electric log splitter comes in at a great price. Not only are you paying for high-quality parts and solid manufacturing, but you also get a machine that’s quite fun to use!

If you’re looking to make your first foray into hydraulic splitters, then the Forest Master FM5 Log Splitter is a great place to start. It’s the best electric log splitter and is ideal for anyone who need to regularly split wood for small to medium wood-burning stoveswe – it’ll split wood efficiently and easily, with minimal effort required on your part.

The Swedish Log Splitter promises to take the effort out of log splitting yet doesn’t require electricity to run. Even better, it claims to be able to produce both split logs and kindling. My job was to find out how genuine these promises were.

There was a little bit of assembly involved with this manual log splitter, but it only took about 10 minutes to put everything together. You’ll need to find yourself a base log to attach the log splitter to, so choose something that allows you to work at a comfortable height. You’ll also need a drill in order to use the 20mm drill bit supplied. Other than that, everything needed for assembly is provided.

The Swedish Log Splitter really stands out when it comes to its design. It makes use of a weight that drops down a long pole to push a wedge with two blades into the log. When done repeatedly, this splits the log. Other than a couple of washers, all parts of this log splitter are made from metal, which makes everything feel strong and durable.

So, how does this log splitter hold up when it comes to performance? In my experience, very well. I used this log splitter on logs of all sizes, with the largest being around 14 inches in diameter. It also performed fantastically on both green and dry wood, and, as promised, it was able to split logs as well as smaller pieces of kindling. 

What was most impressive was how easy it was to use this log splitter. Simply dropping the weight down the pole a few times is all you really need to do to split most logs. Larger logs, as well as knottier logs, may require you to push the weight down the pole a little more forcefully, but the amount of effort needed really is minimal. 

While there weren’t any stand-out safety features incorporated into this log splitter, its simplicity means that these aren’t really needed. Keep your hands away from the log and follow the safety tips in the instruction manual and you should be just fine! I wouldn’t say that ear protection was necessary either; this log splitter is a little quieter than an axe, so it’s not particularly noisy.

Don’t let the price of this log splitter put you off. Sure, you may be able to purchase a manual log splitter for a lot less, but those still require a fair bit of force and effort on your part, whereas this one doesn’t. It’s also versatile enough to be used on logs of any size – this log splitter happily split logs that I would usually need a hydraulic splitter for, yet it costs much less! In my opinion, this log splitter offers fantastic value for money.

All in all, this is a log splitter that would suit just about everyone, and that’s not something that you can say about most other wood splitters! Whether you only occasionally split logs but want a tool to make that dreaded task easier (and even fun!), or you split logs regularly and are looking for a way to speed up the process, the Swedish Log Splitter would be a great investment.

It’s an excellent log splitter, and the best manual log splitter thanks to its ingenious engineering.

Manually splitting logs with an axe can be extremely tiring, but the Rolson 10780 Wood Grenade Log Splitter promises to help you make light work of the task. According to the brand, using this uniquely-shaped tool with a sledge hammer will enable you to easily split a log four-ways with just a few taps, so I was eager to find out how true this claim really was.

If you’re looking for a log splitter that doesn’t require any assembly whatsoever, then this is it. Out of the five log splitters that I tested, this one was the fastest to put together. All you have to do is remove the rubber tip and you’re good to go!

If you’ve never used a grenade log splitter before, then the conical/diamond-shaped design will probably seem a little strange to you at first. However, its simplicity is its strength. This log splitter may be compact, but it’s made from heat-treated iron to give it long-lasting strength. It feels pretty heavy when you hold it, which gives it a high-quality feel. 

How well this log splitter works depends on how you’re using it, as well as what you’re using it on. Different hammers will give you different results. Something small, like the Faithfull FAIFG4 4lb Club Hammer, is all you need if you’re splitting small logs. However, if you’re working with medium or large logs, which this log splitter is capable of handling, then go with a bigger hammer. Keep in mind that, while this log splitter handled every diameter of log that I threw at it, it struggled with logs that were significantly taller than its own height (17.5cm). I also found its four-way claim to be false – in my experience, it splits wood into two instead. 

This log splitter is much easier to use on smaller logs. As mentioned, it’ll split larger logs too, but you do need to put a fair bit of force behind your hammer. In some cases, it would be easier to just use an axe. 

Compared to the other four wood splitters that I tested, I found that this one produced the greatest number of flying splinters. Since I was using a large hammer and was standing away from the wood (and add to that the fact that I’m taller than average), these splinters didn’t end up near my face. However, it would definitely be wise to wear eye protection when using this tool. This is something Rolson recommends doing if you take a look at the information sticker on the base of the grenade. 

In terms of noise, I’d say that this log splitter is quieter than an axe. It was also quieter than many of the other splitters that I tested, making it ideal for people with neighbours in close proximity. 

What makes this log splitter even more appealing is its budget-friendly price. Granted, you’ll have to buy a hammer too, but even then, the overall cost is still pretty reasonable for something of this standard. It’s definitely not a tool that’s going to break easily, and if you do happen to dent it with your super strength, you should be able to use a file to fix it. 

While this isn’t a log splitter that I would use on large logs, it’s fantastic for small to medium ones. I used it on both softwood and hardwood, green and dry, and it didn’t disappoint. You do still need a certain amount of strength to use it, but, compared to an axe, as well as to many of the other splitters out there, the Rolson 10780 Wood Grenade Log Splitter makes splitting logs so much easier and it’s inexpensive too.

If you’re looking for a manual splitter for kindling, that requires minimal force to use, then the promises made by Kindling Cracker’s Firewood Kindling Splitter will likely entice you. However, does this log splitter really provide a safe and effective way to make kindling, or is it all just a good-looking gimmick? That’s exactly what I wanted to find out. 

There’s no assembly required for this log splitter. However, you do have the option of screwing it onto a base log (screws aren’t provided) to hold the unit steadier while it’s in use. If you’re working with heavy wood, then I would recommend doing so.

What makes this log splitter really stand out at first glance is its unique design, which is patented. It’s quite compact yet feels heavy and high quality since the whole single-piece unit is made from cast iron. It has quite a decorative quality to it, which is always a nice bonus.

That said, this log splitter isn’t all about looks – it performs fantastically too. Whether you use it on wet wood or dry wood, it’ll split your logs well each time. The unique design and shape of the splitting wedge blade are at the heart of this splitter’s impressive performance. The only downside would be that you’re limited to using 6.5 inch logs, but chances are that, when making kindling, you wouldn’t be using anything larger than that anyway.

So, does this log splitter really require minimal force? Compared to the other manual splitters for kindling that I tested, with the exception of the Swedish Log Splitter, I would say yes, this one is the easiest to use. You don’t need to be particularly strong to use this tool, and you don’t need to own a hammer either – just place your wood into the ring and hit it with anything slightly weighty that you have to hand, even if this is just another piece of wood.

Not only does that cast iron ring make this log splitter so easy to use, but it also plays a key role in safety too. It enables you to keep your hands well away from the blade, preventing accidents. The blade itself isn’t very sharp either – this log splitter has been designed in a way that enables it to be effectively used with a blade that isn’t dangerously sharp.

It’s not often that you come across a log splitter that actually makes a pleasant noise, rather than sounding annoying. However, the musical ‘ting’ that this one emits when splitting logs is rather pleasing to the ears – your neighbours will definitely prefer it if you choose to use this instead of an axe!

However, the price of this log splitter lets it down slightly. For a splitter intended for kindling, it’s a little expensive – if it were larger and versatile enough to split logs too, then fair enough. That said, there are also several aspects to this wood splitter that justify its price. It doesn’t require as much force to be used as some of the cheaper kindling splitters out there. The fact that it’s made from cast iron adds value too – not only will it last for decades without needing much maintenance, but it also looks good – you won’t need to hide it away in your garage each time you’re done using it.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to split wood for kindling, whether this is for a wood burner, a pizza oven, or anything else, I would highly recommend the Firewood Kindling Splitter from Kindling Cracker. Sure, it may cost a little more than what you were hoping to spend, but not only has this tool been so cleverly designed that it can be comfortably used by just about anyone, but it’s also pretty fun to use!

Overall, it’s the best log splitter I tested for making kindling.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to split wood to make kindling for your fire, then the Forest Master USBB Firewood Kindling Log Splitter will likely catch your attention, and not just because of its colour. Since I use kindling almost every single day, I was eager to see if this little tool would make my life easier. Is it better than an axe and how does it compare to other kindling log splitters? That’s exactly what I wanted to find out.

There isn’t much assembly involved with this wood splitter. It comes with four screws that you use to attach the tool to a base log – choose one that’s relatively tall to save you from having to stoop over. Ignore the metal pipe that comes in the box – this isn’t needed unless you also have a tool called the Smart Splitter.

In terms of design, it doesn’t really get much simpler. This log splitter sits at 10.3cm tall, with a sharp blade at the top. It’s small but quite heavy (it’s made from metal) and very sturdy – once you attach it to your cutting block log, it’ll be evident how robust this tool is.

I was pretty happy with how this log splitter performed. It only really works with already-split logs that are about 6-8 inches in diameter, but performs beautifully on all types of wood, both wet and dry. I did try it on some larger rounds but wasn’t able to split them – the blade just wasn’t big enough. However, this tool isn’t really designed for that anyway – its blade is just the right size to produce kindling that’ll get your fire roaring.

I very much appreciated how simple this wood splitter was to use. You’re not going to need the instructions – simply balance your log on top of the blade and hit it with a hammer (I used the Faithfull FAIFG4 4lb Club Hammer). The amount of force that you’ll need to use depends on the wood that you’re splitting, but it’s definitely much kinder on the back than using an axe!

Once you’re done wood splitting, you can then cover the blade over with the metal safety cap that Forest Master has provided. This allows you to leave the tool screwed onto your base log even while it’s not in use, since you won’t need to worry about anyone accidentally falling on it and injuring themselves.

When it comes to price, this log splitter does cost slightly more than an axe, but it’s cheaper than the other kindling splitter I tested. While you are slightly limited when it comes to the size of wood you can split, it does make life so much easier (and less painful) if you use a lot of kindling. This isn’t a tool that you’re only going to use for a short while – it’s sturdy enough to last for years, and its blade can easily be sharpened at home once it starts to blunt.

All in all, I’d say that the Forest Master USBB Firewood Kindling Log Splitter is the best log splitter if you want a budget-friendly tool for creating kindling. It’ll help you to quickly produce lots of small pieces of kindling without having to worry about accidentally chopping a finger off. Give it a try and chances are that you, like me, will no longer have a need for an axe!