Best Log Splitters of 2026: Electric, Gas and Manual
The best log splitters for firewood, compared on tons, log capacity, cycle time and power, from 6.5 ton electric units to 28 ton gas splitters.
Affiliate disclosure: product links on this page go to Amazon or to the maker's own store. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you; links to makers' own stores earn us nothing. No retailer or brand sees our picks before they are published or has any say in them. How we choose.
For most households burning a few cords of hardwood, the Full Boar 28 ton is the splitter to buy: a 212cc engine, 28 tons of force, a 10.9 second cycle, auto return and an H-beam, sold by Amazon (per the Amazon listing). Twenty-eight tons covers the 26 tons WEN's chart calls for on a 14 inch ash round.
If you split seasoned wood under 10 inches across, an electric PowerSmart 6.5 ton is quieter and plugs in. Picks were compared on tons, capacity and cycle time.
Our top picks at a glance
1. Best overall
Full Boar 28 ton gas log splitter (212cc)Force: 28 tons · Power: 212cc gas · Capacity: Not stated on listing · Cycle: 10.9 s
2. Best electric
BILT HARD 14 ton electric log splitterForce: 14 tons · Power: 120V, 15 A, 1800W · Capacity: 20 in long, 16 in across · Cycle: Not stated
3. Best mid-size gas
Landworks 20 ton gas log splitterForce: 20 tons · Power: 7 HP gas · Capacity: 20 x 16 in · Cycle: Rapid auto return
4. Best for big rounds
BILT HARD 30 ton full beam gas log splitterForce: 30 tons · Power: 223cc, 7.5 HP · Capacity: 24 in logs · Cycle: 11 s
5. Best budget
PowerSmart 6.5 ton electric log splitterForce: 6.5 tons · Power: 15 A electric · Capacity: 20 in long, 10 in across · Cycle: 20 s
| Pick | Force | Power | Capacity | Cycle | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Boar 28 ton gas log splitter (212cc)Best overall | 28 tons | 212cc gas | Not stated on listing | 10.9 s | Amazon |
| BILT HARD 14 ton electric log splitterBest electric | 14 tons | 120V, 15 A, 1800W | 20 in long, 16 in across | Not stated | Amazon |
| Landworks 20 ton gas log splitterBest mid-size gas | 20 tons | 7 HP gas | 20 x 16 in | Rapid auto return | Amazon |
| BILT HARD 30 ton full beam gas log splitterBest for big rounds | 30 tons | 223cc, 7.5 HP | 24 in logs | 11 s | Amazon |
| PowerSmart 6.5 ton electric log splitterBest budget | 6.5 tons | 15 A electric | 20 in long, 10 in across | 20 s | Amazon |
Best overall
Full Boar 28 ton gas log splitter (212cc)
28 tons and an 11 second cycle for real hardwood.
- Force
- 28 tons
- Power
- 212cc gas
- Capacity
- Not stated on listing
- Cycle
- 10.9 s
Pros
- Covers big hardwood
- Auto return valve
- Sold by Amazon
Cons
- Gas engine maintenance
- Log capacity not listed
Full Boar lists a 212cc OHV engine, 28 tons, a 10.9 second cycle, an auto-return valve with adjustable detent, an H-beam and an oil filter inside the reservoir (49-state model) (per the Amazon listing).
Best electric
BILT HARD 14 ton electric log splitter
14 tons from a household outlet.
- Force
- 14 tons
- Power
- 120V, 15 A, 1800W
- Capacity
- 20 in long, 16 in across
- Cycle
- Not stated
Pros
- No engine
- Two-stage pump
- Two-hand operation
Cons
- Short of WEN's 26 tons for big ash
BILT HARD lists 14 tons, a 15 amp 1800W motor on 120V, a two-stage pump, logs up to 20 inches long and 16 inches in diameter, two-hand operation and overload protection (per the Amazon listing).
Best mid-size gas
Landworks 20 ton gas log splitter
20 tons on 20 x 16 inch logs.
- Force
- 20 tons
- Power
- 7 HP gas
- Capacity
- 20 x 16 in
- Cycle
- Rapid auto return
Pros
- Lighter than full-beam units
Cons
- Below 26 tons
Landworks lists 20 tons from a 7 HP engine with a two-stage pump, logs of 20 by 16 inches and rapid auto return (per the Amazon listing).
Best for big rounds
BILT HARD 30 ton full beam gas log splitter
30 tons, horizontal or vertical.
- Force
- 30 tons
- Power
- 223cc, 7.5 HP
- Capacity
- 24 in logs
- Cycle
- 11 s
Pros
- Vertical mode for heavy rounds
- Towable
Cons
- Big and heavy
BILT HARD lists 30 tons from a 223cc engine, a full beam that works horizontal or vertical, 24 inch log length, an 11 second cycle and a 2 inch ball coupler with DOT tires (per the Amazon listing).
Best budget
PowerSmart 6.5 ton electric log splitter
6.5 tons for light work, with a two-year warranty.
- Force
- 6.5 tons
- Power
- 15 A electric
- Capacity
- 20 in long, 10 in across
- Cycle
- 20 s
Pros
- Two-year warranty
- Small and quiet
Cons
- Light duty only
PowerSmart lists 6.5 tons, a 15 amp induction motor, logs up to 20 inches long and 10 inches in diameter, and a two-year warranty, and calls it light-duty (per the Amazon listing).
How we chose
We compared splitting force (tons), log length and diameter capacity, cycle time, power source and warranty from the makers' listings, and sized them against WEN's and YARDMAX's guidance.
Sizing
Force depends on species, diameter and dryness. WEN's worked example: a 14 inch ash round wants a splitter of at least 26 tons. YARDMAX says 24 to 36 inch oak rounds need a 35 ton splitter and that freshly felled wood can add 10 tons or so. Full guide: what size log splitter do you need.
| Splitter | Tons | Power | Log size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Boar 28 | 28 | 212cc gas | Not listed |
| BILT HARD 30 | 30 | 223cc gas | 24 in long |
| Landworks 20 | 20 | 7 HP gas | 20 x 16 in |
| BILT HARD 14 | 14 | Electric | 20 x 16 in |
| PowerSmart 6.5 | 6.5 | Electric | 20 x 10 in |
What to skip
Skip a small electric splitter if your wood is green oak over 12 inches; it will stall. Keep both hands on the controls, and never reach between wedge and ram. Compare power types in electric vs gas log splitters.
Frequently asked questions
What size log splitter do I need?
WEN's chart puts a 14 inch ash round at 26 tons or more; YARDMAX says 24 to 36 inch oak needs 35 tons. Small seasoned rounds split on 6.5 to 14 tons.
Are electric log splitters any good?
For seasoned wood under about 10 to 16 inches across, yes; they are quiet and need no engine care. Big green hardwood needs gas.
Is a 20 ton log splitter enough?
For most rounds up to about a foot of seasoned hardwood. WEN's example of a 14 inch ash round calls for 26 tons.
Does green wood take more force to split?
Yes. YARDMAX says freshly felled logs can need 10 tons or so more, and WEN says dry, older wood splits more easily.
How long does a log splitter cycle take?
The gas splitters here list about 11 to 16 seconds; the electric PowerSmart lists 20.
Sources
- How to Choose a Log Splitter, WEN Products
- How to Split Wood - Log Splitter Buying Information Guide, YARDMAX
- Best Wood-Burning Practices, US EPA Burn Wise
Related guides
Best Electric Log Splitters of 2026
Quiet, plug-in splitters for seasoned wood, and where their limits are.
Best Gas Log Splitters of 2026 (20 to 40 Tons)
Towable gas splitters for big green hardwood and many cords a year.
Best Kindling Splitters of 2026 (Cast Iron, No Axe)
Make kindling without an axe swing: the splitters worth buying.