Electric log splitters have traditionally not stood up to gas splitters in terms of power and splitting capabilities. But over the years, the gap in power has gotten smaller and smaller. Electric splitters have tons of splitting power and are my go-to log-chopping equipment, saving me the hassle of combustion engine maintenance and saving my back from manual cutting.
Different-sized electric models of powerful splitters, like a kinetic log splitter, can deal with different-sized pieces of wood, and logs of varying inches in diameter run through the machine. When splitting pieces of wood, the power of an electric log splitter is measured in tons of splitting force and determines the size of log that can be split.
A gas log splitter will typically have higher tons of splitting force than electric splitters around the same size, but does that mean there is no advantage to an electric log splitter? Let’s find out!
Are There Benefits to Using an Electric Log Splitter?
Despite not being as powerful a power tool as a gas splitter of the same size in tons of splitting force, electric splitters are no joke and can easily handle many log-chopping tasks that most homeowners will encounter. Overall, I think electric splitters get a bad rap compared to gas splitters and have many advantages that make them superior pieces of equipment in certain circumstances.
Electric Wood Splitter Pros:
If you have never needed to fire up a gas splitter on a cold day, you know it takes a minute to cooperate, and that is a major difference. As you get your pieces of wood ready gas-powered splitters will need to be fueled, primed, and started a few times to get a full start and extra power.
Cutting a whole cord of wood can be tiring, so saving energy by starting up electric splitters with a push of a button has many merits and is an awesome advantage.
When cutting logs for firewood for the wood stove near your home, noise can be an issue. A loud gas-powered horizontal log splitter will make a lot of commotion compared to a sleek electric log splitter. Quietly splitting logs will give you more flexibility than having to coordinate the much nosier splitting logs with a gas-powered unit.
If you are splitting logs, that means you have pieces of wood from trees. One of the main features of trees is carbon sequestration, and one of the main contributors to carbon in the atmosphere is fossil fuel emissions. Regardless of the tons of splitting force, a common type of gas-powered unit log splitter will produce emissions and will also contribute to additional carbon in the air.
An electric wood splitter does not have exhaust meaning the lack of fumes is much safer to work around and will not negatively affect the environment it is used in.
One of the best advantages an electric log splitter has is its portability is greater than a gas-powered unit. After splitting logs, it is nice to be able to easily store your electric wood splitter in either a horizontal position or a vertical position. Sturdy wheels and pivoting frames, as well as a compact size, make it easier to store electric log splitters after chopping logs of wood for the wood stove.
Cons of Electric Log Splitters:
An electric log splitter will need a power source to work, and that can limit the locations where splitting logs is a possible option. An electrical outlet must be within reach of the electric-powered splitter, which can be limited by cord length unless you have a 12-gauge extension cord handy.
The ease of transport of electric portable log-splitting equipment can be combined with a generator, either petroleum or renewable-powered, to split logs away from utilities without needing additional fluid.
When it comes to light-duty splitting, an electric log splitter used for low-volume splitting can run on a standard, three-prong household outlet, but if you want to tackle high-volume splitting and heavy-duty log splitting with an electric log splitter, you will need a 240-volt or higher power source. Additionally, you can get higher-grade splitters that run on gas as another option.
For rapid cycle times and constant splitting, a gas-powered unit will be more reliable for splitting large quantities of logs. A longer load cycle time on an electric log splitter can increase the time it takes to split a cord of wood compared to gas engines.
When cutting large logs for firewood, the maximum size log for an electric wood splitter will be a lesser unit than a gas-powered unit in the same price range. If you will be doing ample splitting of a vast range of sizes of logs for firewood, then you will either need a bigger model, a gas-powered unit, or a handy axe and splitting wedge to deal with oversized logs.
As I am sure you are well aware, electricity and water do not mix, and working outside in the elements can expose your electric wood splitter to excessively moist conditions. If you are clearing logs near your home for the wood stove, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem, but if you need to track out to the edge of your yard to do some pruning, this may be an issue.
Keep your electric wood splitters and power cords out of the rain, heavy snow, and wet grass, or you could harm yourself and your equipment.
Is Buying an Electric Wood Splitter Worth It?
Whether it is worth it or not to buy an electric wood splitter depends on your specific needs and the ability of your current equipment. Some jobs are one-handed operations, and other tasks are two-handed operations, and the size of your unit motor should reflect that. A gas-powered unit will cut plenty of firewood and can handle big jobs with ease. An electric wood splitter might be good for you if:
On a Budget
Lightweight splitting can be done cheaper with an electric wood splitter than on a gas machine with a similar-sized unit motor. Try to find an engine that runs on a prong outlet in your price range to fulfill your lightweight splitting needs. Make sure the cheaper lightweight model has the splitting ability you need before committing to a purchase of that product or pick up a warranty.
Small to Medium-Sized Property
It is important to find the perfect model for your lawn size with the right features. If you have a large property and will tow your log splitter with a truck, you are probably going to be better off with gas-powered versatile models that can be towed and adjusted at different speeds. If you will just be running a standard operation to reduce a pile of logs, then the capacity an electric wood splitter can chop is probably fine.
Chopping Location
Activating your automatic ram return on a nearly silent electric wood splitter when splitting logs near your house is much more pleasant than the loud engine of a power-stroke splitter. Unloading a cord of wood near your home and using a quiet, perfect, multi-function splitter can make this chore much more enjoyable.
Climate
If it is always wet when you need firewood, then you may want to consider an electric splitter for people that want to work in a garage or basement. If you will be doing constant splitting outdoors, then you will want sturdy wheels like durable, long-lasting steel wheels to make it easier to put back in the original position when you are done splitting. The ideal unit will get the job done effectively in your specific climate.
Log Size
When looking for a hydraulic log splitter or a top-quality, electric firewood splitter, the main thing to consider is log size. Different grade splitters can handle different diameter logs and varying quantities of logs. For splitting efficiency, make sure your ideal unit has two-way splitting capabilities or a 4-way splitting wedge.
Limited Storage
A low-sitting model will be easier to store after job times and is better suited to small home use. If it can be used in an ergonomic position and then returned to its original position after use, then it can be stored in a broad range of locations. Built-in handles and plenty of power make electric splitters versatile models.
Routine Splitting, Not Forestry
If you will be pruning your peach tree and have some logs to split, an electric unit splitter that uses a standard, three-prong household outlet is fine, but if you want to clear unwanted trees, you will need a much bigger unit motor and possibly one that is gas powered. When splitting cords of wood occasionally, you should be fine with a bargain model, but constant splitting can mean you need a bigger model, or it may wear down in time.
Who Uses Electric Log Splitters?
With today’s models, it is easy to understand why so many different types of people like electric wood splitters. From DIYers to chefs, splitting logs is a needed job, and the right equipment can make it so much easier. Below are some common people that may find an electric wood splitter a useful tool and the reasons why they are a good fit.
| Operator | Use | Reason |
| Homesteaders | DIY projects, and heating and cooking | Need plenty of wooden resources and can take advantage of onsight lumber |
| Non-mechanically Inclined People | Ease of starting and maintenance | Those who do not know how to fuel and maintain a gas unit may find the minimal assembly and low maintenance easier on an electric splitter |
| Conservationists | Reduce pollution, CO2, and noise when working deep in nature | Conservationists need to maintain large areas of land but do not like to disturb wildlife more than necessary |
| Discrete Landscaping Companies | Clearing fallen trees after a storm with little noise | Some areas have noise restrictions, and reducing the sound of combustion engines can help maintain a better environment while still allowing landscaping tasks to proceed |
| Wood Stove Chefs | Preparing logs of various sizes and types for open-fire cooking | Chefs use different sizes of logs to hold varying amounts of heat and also choose unique wood types of flavor |
Homesteaders
Homesteaders and people that do most of their own work around their homes and gardens may find the convenience of an electric log splitter worth it. Keeping a splitter near where you will need building supplies or wood fuel can keep your productivity high. Electric splitters can be quickly fired up and chop small loads of wood without needing extravagant maintenance.
Non-Mechanically Inclined People
It is a lot easier to plug in a vacuum cleaner than it is to fire up a weed whacker. With that in mind, a homeowner that would normally hire someone to split their logs may be able to get away with doing it themselves due to the ease of operating an electric splitter. Gone are the days of mixing oil and gas to the right ratio and inspecting all the different mechanical parts. Just plug in and start your splitter; it’s as easy as that.
Conservationists
Taking care of large quantities of logs out in the wilderness can be difficult. Clearing paths and roadways can be done easily by towing an electric log splitter and then chopping the wood onsite with an electric generator. This quiet, emission-less operation helps take care of nature without disturbing it.
Discrete Landscaping Companies
Business parks and upscale residences require near continuous maintenance, but loud power equipment can be distracting and break concentration. More and more landscaping companies are relying on powerful yet quiet electric log splitters to handle tree falls discretely. A standout model has a reduced approximate cycle time and is an excellent power equipment example.
Wood Stove Chefs
Using a cord of wood freshly cut or dried perfectly are choices a chef that uses wood to cook with needs to make. If you are a chef and have a wood-fired stove, it might be beneficial to be able to store whole logs and split them as you need them. A quiet electric wood splitter with an automatic ram return for one-handed operation might just be a chef’s best friend.