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Electric log splitter reviews

Last updated on January 27th, 2022

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Best Electric Log Splitter

If your like many wood burning stove owners and split your own logs at home then one of the easiest, not to mention, smartest ways to do this is by using an electric log splitter. Using an axe can be fun and works great for the odd log or two and splitting wedges and splitting mauls are fine too but if you burn logs on a regularly basis and spit your own logs then its probably time you put your old ways behind you and invested in a good electric log spliter.

There has never been a better time to invest in one as you can now get a good well built one such as the Forest Master FM8 for under £200.

Electric log splitters are the perfect option for home owners and lighter industrial use, If you don’t have access to a plug socket to plug your electric log splitter in, then why not look into a petrol log splitter.

To jump staight to our recommended electric log splitters comparison tableclick here

How they work

Unlike an axe that use speed and a very sharp blade, log splitters use a powerful hydraulic ram that moves a very strong steel wedge into the log slowly, the sheer force splits the log into sections like a hot knife through butter.

You can get models with extra features such as a wedge at both ends, which spits the log at both ends and speeds up the splitting process and can make splitting larger logs easier. Some have an adjustable ram which makes it easier to insert different size logs into the log splitter which speeds up loading the logs into the machine.

See the Forest Master FM16T in action below


See this model on Amazon.co.uk for best prices – Click here

Why buy and invest in an electric log splitter

Splitting logs manually with an manual hydraulic log splitter, axe, maul or splitting wedge can be tiring not to mention very time consuming. These options may be great for splitting the odd log or two, but it is very time consuming and takes a lot of effort, not to mention the effects it can have on your health when splitting logs over long periods of time.

With a range of affordable electric log splitters on the market you can now split up to an impressive, 100 logs an hour with the help of one of these powerful electric wood splitters.

How to use one

If you think they will be hard to use, think again, simply cut your logs into manageable sections, usually between 30 to 50cm long so they fit perfectly into the log splitter, insert the log, pull the leaver or press the button (or both) depending in the model and watch the log splitter use it sheer tons of force and spit the log into a few sections.

Repeat the process again and again until you have split all your logs into manageable peaces and your done. As easy as that and best of all, no back braking work, which if were horniest with ourselves, we would all prefer to avoid.

Advantages

  • Simple and safe to use
  • Split up to 100 logs and hour saving time. What use to take a whole day, now only takes a couple of hours.
  • No more back braking work or shoulder and back pain.
  • Can be used indoors whether it be in your garage, shed or even on your home.
  • Maintenance free, which is perfect for home owners as we tend to dislike having to maintaining machines. No filters or oil to change, refueling, the list could go on
  • Affordable entry level models make buying a log splitter cheaper than ever.
  • Light weight and compact compared to fuel powered models, making moving them around and storage easy.

Disadvantages

There not many disadvantages to really speak of, if you split logs on an industrial level you may need to invest in a larger fuel powered model to cope with daily grand of splitting logs but other than this the electric models are perfect for personal use.

Safety and thing to consider when using one

When using a log splitter, safety is key as these are powerful machines and should be used with care. They are designed to be very safe and there are very few accidents when using electric log splitters but all ways put your safety first.

  • This ones obvious, all way wear heavy duty gloves to protect your hands.
  • Wear eye protection and steel toe capped boots for obvious reasons, dropping a log on your toes will hurt if your not wearing protective foot wear.
  • Never try and lift very large logs by yourself.
  • All read the manufactures instructions before using it.

Now for the bit you been waiting for – Our top recommended models

The table below shows 7 of the best electric log splitter, you can compare all the important specifications such as the amount of tons of pressure they produce, max splitting length, max splitting diameter, our rating out of 5 and the price (which can change as retailers change there prices regular) but is a good guide.

Understanding the specification and what they mean is important for making an informed decision on which is suitable for you. To help, we have described what they mean below:

  • Tons of pressure – This is the amount of pressure they produce, the higher the better, for electric modes it usually between 5 and 8 tons, 8 being more powerful.
  • Max splitting length – This is the maximum length a log can be to fit into the log splitter.
  • Max splitting diameter – This is the maximum diameter that it can split, all though they will usually split larger logs.

Our recommended Log splitters – We have reviewed them in more detail below the table.

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Electric Log Splitter Reviews

 

FOREST MASTER FM8 – 5 TON ELECTRIC LOG SPLITTER

Forest Master FM8 entry model log splitter

Features

  • CE APPROVED
  • Motor: 5 Ton – 2200 Watt – 240 volts
  • Weight: 37kg
  • Product length: 78cm
  • Product height: 27cm
  • Two handed operation
  • Max log length: 37cm
  • Max Log diameter: 25cm

This model is the smallest log splitter by ‘Forest Master’ and has been designed with home owners in mind who have small fires and stoves. If you not a where ‘Forest Master’ is a well known brand and regarded as one of the best manufactures of log splitters so you know you are buying a quality product.

With all this in mind if you are looking for your first log splitter and want to split your own logs then this could be the ideal choice. Its been manufactured to compete with other smaller models and to make it a better option they have fitted it with a powerful 2200 watt motor which produces 5 tons of pressure. To put this into prospective other similar models usually only have 1500 watt motors and produce 4 tons of force.

For added safety, it uses simultaneous button and lever operation and cannot be used one handed.

Restrictions

The only restriction of this model is that it will split logs up to a diameter of 25cm which is fine for most smaller logs and home owners. If you will be splitting logs with a larger diameter then we would recommend the larger Forest Master FM10 which will split logs up to a diameter of 50cm.

BUY ON AMAZON.CO.UK

THE HANDY 6 TON ELECTRIC LOG SPLITTER

The handy 6 ton electric log splitter

Features

  • CE APPROVED
  • Motor: 5 Ton – 2200 Watt – 230 volts
  • Weight: 46.5kg
  • Two handed operation
  • Long 16 meter power cable
  • Max log length: 52cm
  • Max Log diameter: 25cm

Another entry level log splitter, ‘Handy’ sell many products under there brand but they have done an excellent job with this electric log splitter.

It may not have the well known branding of ‘Forest Master’ but this model has a powerful 2200 watt motor and produces 6 tons of force and comes complete with the stand. This makes life a lot easier as logs can be loaded at waist height meaning less bending, reducing back and neck pains.

Our thoughts

Like the Forest Master FM8, it splits logs with a diameter of up to 25cm which is a little restricting if you want to split larger logs but it does take slightly longer logs up to 52cm and comes with the stand which in my option is worth extra cost.

Putting safety first it also uses two-handed operation and comes with a long cable and larger wheels making moving it around easier.

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FOREST MASTER FM10 DUOCUT LOG SPLITTER

Forest master fm10 duocut log splitter

Features

  • CE APPROVED
  • Motor: 5 Ton – 2200 Watt – 230 volts
  • Splitting ability comparable to a 10 ton in Duocut operation
  • Weight: 47kg
  • Two handed operation
  • Max log length: 52cm
  • Max Log diameter: 50cm
  • Comes complete with stand

The Forest Master FM10 is probably the best log splitter for home owners and offers excellent value for money. The first advantage over the previous models reviewed is that is can split logs with twice the diameter (up to 50cm).

It produces 5 tons of pressure but has the splitting ability comparable to a 10 ton when used in Duocut operation due to its patient pending technology. All this means is that it splits logs from both ends which is how it is able to split such large logs with ease, and yes it comes with the extra duocut blade.

See it in action on the video below

Our thoughts

If you split lots of logs on a regular basis and need to split larger logs then this is probably the one for you. It comes complete with the stand which is a must with a log splitter in my opinion to avoid bending down and it will split the larger logs if needed. Also features an adjustable ram which means you can load different size logs onto the log splitter quickly.

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LOGMASTER 7 TON LOG SPLITTER

For those who want a little extra splitting force

Log Master 7 ton log splitter

Features

  • CE APPROVED
  • Motor: 7 Ton – 1960 Watt – 230 volts
  • Maintance free steel construction
  • Weight: 57kg
  • Two handed operation
  • Max log length: 52cm
  • Max Log diameter: 25cm
  • Size: 102 x 32 x 47cm

Logmaster are well known for both there quality and reliability and come with two years warranty for added peace of mind. This maintenance free model has a self lubricating hydraulic ram that will split even the toughest of logs both seasoned and green woods with ease using the 7 tons of force it creates with its powerful motor.

Our thoughts

If its a little more power you need then the “Logmaster 7” is highly recommended as it has plenty of power (7 ton) and will split logs with ease. However it does have a limitation because the maximum diameter log it will split is 25cm. It will split larger logs but this could effect its performance and product life time and could void the warranty. For a little more money, you could opt for a slightly more expensive model which will do 50cm diamater such as the “Forest Master 7” for an extra £25.00.

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TITAN-PRO 7 ELECTRIC LOG SPLITTER

Titan Pro 7 ton electric log splitter

Features

  • full UK warranty (non commercial) and spares back up service
  • Quiet and efficient in operation
  • Motor: 7 Ton – 2200 Watt
  • Weight: 47kg
  • Max log length: 52cm
  • Max Log diameter: 25cm
  • Size: 102 x 32 x 47cm

The Titan-Pro electric log splitter is an impressive peace of kit, at around £258.00 (without the stand) or £258.00 including the stand. I would highly recommend paying the extra for the stand as it makes splitting logs much easier as there is less bending down involved. More about the actual machine, its designed for home owners and professionals so will take lots of work on a daily basis.

Our thoughts

If you split mostly logs up to around 25cm in diameter and are looking for a log splitter that will quickly split logs with ease then this could be for you. It has an impressive 7 tons of splitting force and the added advantage of a ram stop which makes loading and splitting lots quicker which can be essential for professional use as it saves time. It also comes with full warranty and spares back up which could be essenial if something was to break after the warranty run out.

BUY ON AMAZON.CO.UK

FOREST MASTER 7 TON ELECTRIC LOG SPLITTER WITH STAND

Log Master 7 ton log splitter with stand

Features

  • CE approved Weather protected to IP54 15 second cycle time
  • Motor: 7 Tons – 2200 Watt
  • Weight: 47kg
  • DUO BLADE
  • Product length: 78cm
  • Product height: 27cm
  • Two handed operation
  • Max log length: 47cm
  • Max Log diameter: 50cm

This Forest Master 7 Ton electric log splitter certainty ticks all the boxes and if I was to recommend any model it would have to be this model. At just under £280.00 its not the cheapest but it one of the best models available at this price range.

Firstly it comes with a stand which means no more bending down to operate the machine or finding a suitable table to place it on. It also cmes with the Forest Master duocut blade, with this in mind this would usually cost around £60.00 on its own, and yes it would work with out them.

The duocut blade means that it splits the logs from both ends at the same time which makes splitting the most difficult logs a breeze, if one of the blades reaches a knot in the log the other blade carries on splitting the log avoiding any jams as well as reducing the likely hood of logs from jumping out while being split. This is what makes it so effective at splitting such large logs as well as the 7 tons of thrust it produces,

It will split logs up to 47cm long and 50cm in diameter with the duocut blade attached, it also features an adjustable ram stop so it can be setup to split smaller logs so it does not have to complete the full length of the ram each time which speeds up loading and splitting smaller logs, ideal if you have a smaller log burner or fire.

All this from ‘Forest Master’ a brand you can trust, they also provide a customer service number in case you need help when using or setting it up.

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FOREST MASTER FM16 8 TON LOG SPLITTER

Forest Master FM16 log splitter

Features

  • CE approved Weather protected to IP54 15 second cycle time
  • Motor: 8 Tons – 2300 Watt
  • Weight: 81kg
  • Supplied with Duocut blade and stand
  • Fitted with castors for manouverability
  • 2 Speeds – Takes 5 seconds for one cycle
  • Supplied with a 3 year warranty
  • Two handed operation for safety
  • Max log length: 52cm
  • Max Log diameter: 60cm

Looking for something that really does slice through logs like,  a hot knife through butter, well the Forest Master FM16 really does. Its got all the features of there smaller models but is a heavy duty model with 8 tons of splitting force. It has there unique patient pending Duocut blade that means it can split logs from both ends which means its comparable to the splitting force of similar 16 ton log splitters.

To give you an idea of how heavy duty it actually is the 7 ton Forest Master weights 47kg and the Forest Master FM16 weights 81kg. It comes complete with a table which means no bending over to operate and it has caster wheels with brakes for easy mobility.

It will easily split through logs with a diameter of 60cm (2ft) splitting even the biggest and chunkiest of logs. It has two speeds, the first takes 5 seconds to do one complete stroke which is ideal for small and medium sizes log and it has a slower speed for splitting them larger logs to may have.

Our thoughts

To sum it up, its powerful, quite, will split even the largest of logs seasoned or green and comes complete with a stand, which really is essential and it also comes with 3 years parts warranty which is 2 years longer than most other log splitter manufactures. At around £400 its not cheap but you do get a lot of machine for your money.

Want to see the FM16 in action – watch the video below

Our thoughts

To sum it up, its powerful, quite, will split even the largest of logs seasoned or green and comes complete with a stand, which really is essential and it also comes with 3 years parts warranty which is 2 years longer than most other log splitter manufactures. At around £400 its not cheap but you do get a lot of machine for your money.

BUY ON AMAZON.CO.UK

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Welcome to my site, my name is John and I have been lucky enough to work in horticultural nurseries for over 15 years in the UK. As the founder and editor as well as researcher, I have a City & Guilds Horticultural Qualifications which I proudly display on our About us page. I now work full time on this website where I review the very best gardening products and tools and write reliable gardening guides. Behind this site is an actual real person who has worked and has experience with the types of products we review as well as years of knowledge on the topics we cover from actual experience. You can reach out to me at john@pyracantha.co.uk

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