The Best UK Log Splitters Reviews & Buying Guide
Creating firewood or kindling is not a straightforward task, it takes a lot of time plus a huge amount of physical effort, not to mention it is unsafe too.
Short On Time?
Our Recommended The Best UK Log Splitters Is The Forest Master Heavy Duty Electric Log Splitter!
- Filled with oil ready to use
- Equipped with Work Bench, Guard, CE Approved
- Fitted with DuocutTM blade, Includes Ram Stop
- 2 Year Warranty and UK dedicated support centre.
- 100 Logs Per Hour
This is why a log splitter machine is essential for anyone who splits wood or logs, as it is safer and easier to use, they come in electric, petrol, kinetic and manual designs depending on preference.
To help you decide on the best log splitter to save you time and effort, we have rounded up our top three log splitter models in the UK and reviewed them individually below to see which log splitter is right for you.
Our Top Electric Log Splitter -
The Forest Master Electric Log Splitter (Editor's Choice)
The Forest Master electric wood splitter is a tough wood splitter for splitting hardwood and bigger pieces of wood.
Feature-wise the electric log splitters model has a 130mm duocut blade and uses a 2300 watt electric motors system for power. This power log splitters design can cut pieces of firewood up to 450mm in length and has two adjustable speeds for dealing with large sized firewood.
Other notable specs of this electric splitters design are its 60mm RAM stop to give you better control when splitting and saving power, it has a 16-ton log splitting capacity too. For the design, it has a two-handed operation and includes its workbench as well as a safety guard.
A three-year warranty is included with the electric splitters mode for buyers protection.
Conclusion
To conclude, this Forest Master electric log splitter is a very powerful wood splitter to choose if you are dealing with tougher green wood as it splits hardwood with ease.
The electric type of wood splitter is nice and easy to assemble and very powerful too with a sturdy design and long lifespan.
Some drawbacks of this Forest Master model are it's very heavyweight, the wood splitter is additionally said to come with poor manual instructions.
Pros
- Tough wood splitter.
- 60mm ram.
- Two speeds.
- Duocut blade.
- 16-ton log splitting capacity.
- Safety guard.
- Two-handed operation.
- Three-year warranty.
Cons
- Heavyweight.
- Poor manual.
Our Favourite Manual Log Splitter - Forest Master FMSS Smart Splitter Manual Log Splitter
If you are looking for a cheap and reliable wood splitter, Forest Master have released their manual model accompanied by their electric ones.
This manual log splitter comes with a dropping height of 1mm to its blade to split logs, allowing to split logs as thick as 550mm. Its smart splitter design comes with its wood drill bit and guide pole as well as its ultimate splitting base blade allowing you to split wood quickly.
In terms of weight, the whole device weighs 12kg and has a drop weight of 3.5kg making it simple to use, reducing the chance of injury too and being an environmentally friendly alternative to gas log splitters.
Conclusion
Overall, this Forest Master easy-to-operate log splitter is a fantastic choice for people who want to avoid spending money on an expensive log splitter powered by petrol or electricity.
The style of splitter allows you to avoid back pain from traditional log style cutting and is very safe to use even for beginners.
Downfalls of this type of log splitter are the support rod which is said to be of low quality and snap easily, the splitter is also not powerful enough to cut very large pieces of wood.
Pros
- Cheap price.
- Sturdy design.
- Splitting base blade included.
- Guide pole.
- Light weight.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- Support rod is of low quality.
- Not powerful enough for larger logs.
AGMA Swedish Log Splitter
The AGMA Swedish log splitter is one of the most affordable types of wood splitter on our list due to the manual splitter design.
Top specs of this Swedish log splitter are its 20mm drill bit and guide rod, it also has washers for the powerful splitters process. The splitters features are designed ergonomically with an easy pull out method and have been made to keep you safe while splitting.
This manual splitter by AGMA needs no power source keeping the cost low and weighs around 9kg in total.
Conclusion
Overall, this AGMA Swedish log splitter is easy to use for splitting logs if you are on a budget and keeps it light weight due to the lack of motor or engine that petrol wood splitters need.
We like this model down to its simplicity, it helps you split logs with ease and doesn't require manual effort during the process, it is environmentally friendly too with a durable design for all-season use.
Downfalls of this manual wood splitter are its log splitting power which is not very fast and might struggle when it comes to the splitting efficiency of tougher wood or hardwood with knots.
Pros
- 20mm drill bit included.
- Ergonomic & safe design.
- Affordable.
- Lightweight.
- Guide rod and washers.
- Environmentally friendly.
- Great for splitting small pieces of firewood.
Cons
- Cannot split knotty wood.
- Slow splitting speed.
Which Is The Best Log Splitter In The UK?
In conclusion, after reviewing our top three models, our favourite log splitter for ease of use and power has to be the Forest Master Electric Log Splitter as it is the most powerful model on our list.
When compared to the other manual log splitters on our list the electrical motor of the Forest Master model wins in terms of power, it can cut all kinds of hardwood and has variable speed allowing you to split faster according to time.
For the manual log splitters, our best model out of the two is the Forest Master FMSS Smart Splitter Manual Log Splitter, this manual wood splitter is easy to use, affordable and light in weight, making it the perfect choice if you want to reduce back strain from splitting logs with an axe.
What To Look For In the Best Log Splitters UK (Our Buying Guide)
After reviewing and comparing our top manual and electric log splitters, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the different types of wood splitters out there, along with their pros and cons to see which type of splitter suits you best.
We will also cover how to use one of these devices safely to avoid any accidental injuries when using your splitter.
The Different Types Of Log Splitters (Pros & Cons)
There is a huge range of splitters on the market to choose from, all come with different power types and are perfect for cutting different kinds of wood.
To help you figure out which kind of log splitter you need, we have briefly gone over the different types below along with their pros and cons to see which suits you best.
Horizontal Splitters
Horizontal splitters differ from vertical splitters as they cradle the log which you are splitting, you have to lift your wood into this splitter and they are often quite affordable.
They do lack power in comparison to vertical splitters, however.
Vertical splitters
Vertical log splitters are great for cutting logs that are dense or when you have a large amount to get through, this is because their design does not mean you have to lift the log. They are mostly used for gas-powered models but you can find them on manual models too.
Power Types
Gas Splitters
Gas log splitters come in both a portable and professional size, they use a 4-stroke engine for power that builds pressure with a hydraulic oil pump, activates the valve of the splitter which in turn splits the log.
You can find gas splitters in both horizontal and vertical models and they have the advantages of being more powerful and long-lasting.
Negatives of gas splitters are they are very loud and also need a lot of maintenance due to the petrol engine. The pollution emitted from them is also harmful to the environment.
Pros
- High-powered.
- Great for heavy-duty wood.
- Durable.
Cons
- Harmful to the environment.
- Loud.
- Need a lot of maintenance.
Electric Splitters
Electric wood splitters run via a 110/120-volt outlet for power and use hydraulic fluid inside for power when splitting. Due to the absence of a heavy engine, these models are very lightweight and can even be used inside as they do not give off fumes.
Downfalls of electrical powered splitters are their lack of power in comparison to gas models. Most of them are horizontally designed too and can become quite expensive.
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Can be used inside.
- Handles heavier wood than manual models.
Cons
- Lack of power compared to gas models.
- Horizontal design.
- Can be expensive.
Manual Splitters
Manual splitters are one of the most affordable kinds of log splitters that you can buy, they come in both horizontal and vertical types and need you to use the pedals or handles to create hydraulic pressure.
These models are an excellent choice if your looking to split basic small firewood with ease and want to avoid using an axe.
Obvious downfalls to manual splitters are their lack of power in comparison to electric and gas-powered models, they also are quite slow and can need some back-bending according to the type of model that you buy.
Pros
- Cheap.
- Easy to use.
- Great for small firewood.
Cons
- Lack of power.
- Slow splitting speed.
- Does need some back bending.
Kinetic Splitters
Kinetic log splitters use the energy created by the spinning flywheels on the device to generate a splitting power, they are the rarest type of log splitter to find on the market.
The advantage of these splitters is that they do not need a lot of maintaining and their huge release of power can cut very dense logs such as greenwood with ease. Drawbacks of these splitters are that they are very large and consume a lot of space.
Pros
- Do not need too much maintenance.
- Cuts heavy duty wood.
Cons
- Hard to find.
- Large size.
- Safe, easy to use, ergonomic alternative to an axe or wedge.
- Easy to set up, all you need is a flat woodblock or large log to use as a base.
- The Smart Splitter comes complete with our Ultimate Splitting Base Blade.
- The Smart Splitter is an environmentally friendly green way to split logs and provides strain free healthy exercise.
Safety Tips For Using a Log Splitter
Log splitters are very powerful machines, so it is essential you know how to operate safely no matter the type of splitter that you decide to buy.
We have listed our most important safety tips for using your log splitter below.
- Wear protective gear - Always make sure that you are wearing the correct safety gear when operating your splitter, this should be goggles, ear protection and heavy work gloves to protect your hands from splinters.
- Do not adjust logs while splitting - Depending on the type of log that you are splitting they will end up splitting in different ways, while your splitter is turned never try and adjust the log, instead turn it off and adjust.
- Keep distance - Maintain a distance of at least 10m while your splitter is functioning, always keep your hands far from the blade.
- Use away from children and pets - Children and pets should be kept at a safe distance from the machine to prevent any accidents.
- Keep your gas model outside - Gas log splitters due to the smelly fumes should always be kept outside, not inside.
FAQs About The Best Log Splitters
How much do manual log splitters cost?
Most manual log splitters due to their simple design will not cost you any more than £100 in total.
Is a vertical splitter or a horizontal splitter better?
Horizontal splitters can be cheaper and still split heavy duty woods, but vertical splitters are most ideal as they do not require you to lift any wood.
How much does a petrol splitter cost?
A gas-powered log splitter can cost up to £1000 depending on the size and power of the model that you get.
What safety features should I look for on my splitter?
Your splitter should have a two-hand operation and even a safety cage if possible.
Our #1 Log Splitter In The UK
Our number one log splitter for power in the UK out of our top three is the Forest Master Electric Log Splitter thanks to its variable speed, high motor power and fast splitting time which makes splitting logs fast and simple.
As a favourite manual log splitter choice we chose the fellow Forest Master FMSS Smart Splitter Manual Log Splitter, this splitter is light in weight and very affordable, making it a great choice for splitting small firewood.
- Filled with oil ready to use
- Equipped with Work Bench, Guard, CE Approved
- Fitted with DuocutTM blade, Includes Ram Stop
- 2 Year Warranty and UK dedicated support centre.
- 100 Logs Per Hour