The opening at the top of the cast iron frame measures 6.5 inches, which should be enough for the average log, while the whole unit stands at 12 inches tall. It’s relatively compact and, unlike many of the other wood splitters out there, is quite quaint and charming to look at. It’s not something that you’ll have to hide away after each use – it’s almost a decorative item in itself. For jobs that require a lot of large logs to be split, hydraulic splitters will be most suitable. Even hydraulic electric log splitters will be able to split logs that are 30 cm long. Kinetic Log Splitters The blade isn’t as sharp as the blades on some of the other wood splitters that I tested, but, according to the company, this is an intended feature – due to how the wood splitter is designed, a sharp and potentially dangerous blade isn’t needed.

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. If the logs that you’re splitting are large, around 30 cm in height, you’ll need a hydraulic log splitter or a large manual splitter. On the other hand, if your logs are only about 15 cm tall, then a manual log splitter should be suitable. These limitations apply to the diameter of the logs as well, so choose a log splitter with appropriate specifications. 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 of those claims about not much force needed to use this wood splitter? Completely true. Compared to the others that I tested, particularly the manual ones designed for kindling, this one required the least amount of effort. The clever way in which the wedge is shaped enables a force-free process.

Chimsoc Log and Kindling Splitter - Standard

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. Minimal effort tends to be needed for hydraulic log splitters – like our top recommendation the Forest Master FM5. That said, there are some manual log splitters out there with designs that enable you to easily split logs, no matter your physical ability, without the use of a hammer.

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! 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.

My Top Recommended Log Splitters

Log splitting can be pretty noisy. If you have neighbours in close proximity and you run a petrol hydraulic splitter every few days, they might start to complain. 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. As soon as you hold this wood splitter in your hands, you can feel its quality. This is a very sleek-looking, single-piece item that has been made entirely from cast iron. It features a round cast iron frame with a cast iron wedge in the middle – this is where the blade is.