If you regularly need to split wood and you’re paying large sums for it, it should be more convenient to employ a reliable log splitter to do the job for you.
I’ll walk you through different options, so you can pick a favorite among the 5 best log splitters under $1,000 for you.
The 5 Best Log Splitters Under $1,000 -Reviewed
1. Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Log Splitter
2. Southland Power Equipment SELS60 6 Ton Electric
3. Sun Joe LJ10M 10-Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter
4. Champion 7-Ton Compact Horizontal Gas Log Splitter
5. YARDMAX YS0552 5 Ton Electric Log Splitter
Top Choice
Top Rated Electric Log Splitters offers unparalelled quality and performance with its patented technologies.
Built-in side rails keep logs stable while splitting, and the front handle allows for easy maneuvering.
The price isn’t the only thing that varies among log splitters. In fact, log splitters also vary depending on their style, specifications, and more.
To make the search process easier for you, I’ve compiled a list of the best models available on the market within the $1,000 budget.
Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Log Splitter
Kicking off the list with one of the most popular log splitters in the market for all the good reasons. The Boss Industrial ES7T20 is an electrical splitter that provides a hefty amount of power while staying decently priced.
It runs on a powerful engine that can deliver up to 2 HP. This allows it to cut through the hardest logs of wood with ease, as it has a splitting force of about 7 tons.
It has a maximum cut length of about 20.5 inches, so you don't have to worry about the thickness of the wood.
Since it's an electric log splitter, getting the device up and running is a breeze. It has an instant easy push start button that fires it up instantly whenever you need the machine.
One of the best things about this log splitter is that it comes with an automatic ram return system. This one allows the log splitter to get the job done in a nick of time compared to other models of the same class.
The Boss industrial ES7T20 weighs less than 117 pounds. However, it comes with durable wheels.
This enables you to move it around and take it to where the wood cutting action is happening to save time and effort! Moreover, the device comes with a 2-year residential warranty for a worry-free purchase.
- Powerful 2 HP electric motor
- 7 tons of splitting force
- Dimensions: 13.5" W x 20" H x 39.5" D | Weight: 121 lb
- Automatic ram return
What I Liked
- The automatic return system saves a lot of time
- Starts instantly with a push of a button
- Allows for a one-handed operation
What I Didn’t Like
- Not enough power to cut through huge logs
Southland Power Equipment SELS60 6 Ton Electric
The Southland SELS60 is another electric log splitter with a smart design that makes it compact for easier storage and portability.
It weighs about 100 pounds. However, it comes with 7-inch sturdy wheels to allow easy transportation anywhere. The machine is also designed to adjust vertically with a simple configuration.
The only weak spot about the design is that it’s a bit low to the ground, which requires you to bend over at some point.
It has a 15 amp engine that’s capable of producing up to 1.75 HP to drive a force of about 6 tons. This shear strength is enough to cut through hardwood in no time.
Similar to the Boss Industrial ES7T20, it comes with an automatic ram return. This means that it can repeat the cycle every 18 seconds to save you time.
Another cool feature of the SELS60 is the integrated stroke limiter. This one adjusts the size of the log automatically to save even more time.
- Heavy duty 1.75 HP, 15 amp induction motor delivers maximum performance for the most rugged condition
- Effortlessly does big splitting jobs with a 18-second cycle time
- Integrated stroke limiter can adjust to a shorter stroke for smaller logs
- 7" wheels and configuration to vertical position provides maneuverability and easy storage
What I Liked
- Compact yet sturdy design with vertical adjustment
- the integrated stroke limiter saves a lot of time
- Highly powerful for its size
What I Didn’t Like
- The machine requires you to bend over sometimes
Sun Joe LJ10M 10-Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter
Are you looking for a budget option that combines ease of electric log splitters and price-friendliness of manual ones? If your answer is yes, then you should look no further than the Sun Joe LJ10M hydraulic log splitter.
The log splitter isn’t only great for saving extra cash. Additionally, it’s an ideal device for splitting wood logs without making any significant noise, making it ideal for residential neighborhoods.
Moreover, it’s ideal for splitting wood in an area with no electric coverage. Despite being hydraulic, the log splitter has a tremendous amount of splitting force.
The Sun Joe can easily split the wood logs with a driving force that reaches up to 10 pounds! However, it weighs much less than most electric or gas-powered models at only 87 pounds.
In addition to its lightweight construction, it’s also compactly designed, so it’s easy to store anywhere.
It has the ability to cradle a log length of up to 18 inches, which is good enough for most logs. The solid construction along with the hydraulic ram return will also save you a lot of time while cutting the wood.
- [POWERFUL]: Hydraulic RAM Builds up to 10 Tons of driving force
- [LARGE CAPACITY]: Splits logs up to 18 in. Long x 8 in. Wide
- [EFFICIENT]: RAM return spring for quick resets
- [DURABLE]: Steel frame construction with wheels for easy portability
What I Liked
- A significantly high driving force
- Hydraulic ram system for a quick reset
- Makes minimal noise compared to powered models
What I Didn’t Like
- Requires manual effort to operate
Champion 7-Ton Compact Horizontal Gas Log Splitter
If you’re working in a remote area with limited electricity coverage, you should go for an electric gas splitter. In that case, the gas log splitter from Champion Power Equipment is your way to go!
The log splitter comes with an 80 cc 4-stroke engine that gives the log splitter a total driving force of about 7 tons. This power is enough to split 19-inches logs of wood in half in no time!
The engine is also air-cooled, so you can use the splitter for a long time without worrying about overheating.
Similar to most gas-powered log splitters, it’s a bit loud and requires yanking to start. However, Champion made sure that it doesn’t take long until it starts.
The log splitter has a 20-second cycle, so it gets the job done in a decent amount of time but it’s definitely not the quickest.
- The 79cc engine powers a 20-second cycle time and dependable auto-return valve, making this log splitter capable of 180 cycles per hour
- Smart low-profile design makes it easier to load heavier logs, while the integrated log cradle keeps them in place
- The skewed wedge improves splitting efficiency
- The compact design, comfortable handle and never-flat tires make this log splitter easy to move and easy to store
What I Liked
- Ideal for remote areas
- Powerful 4-stroke engine
- Easy to start for a gas-powered splitter
What I Didn’t Like
- Relatively longer cycle time
YARDMAX YS0552 5 Ton Electric Log Splitter
Last but not least, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly electric log splitter, you should check this one out.
The YardMax YS0552 is one of the most affordable electric log splitters on the market. It has a powerful engine that allows it to reach a driving force of about 5 tons.
This splitter power is impressive when compared to its price.
Surprisingly, it has a large log capacity of about 20.5 inches in length and 10 inches in diameter. This allows you to split thicker logs of wood easily.
- Powerful, 5 Ton RAM Force to get the job done fast
- Stand, log tray and stroke limiter included
- Two-handed operation puts operator safety first
- Log capacity - 20.5" in length and 10" in diameter
Moreover, the machine has a ram system and a short cycle time, allowing it to get the job done under 16 seconds.
What I Liked
- Ideal for buyers on a budget
- Requires minimal assembly to get started
- Ample log capacity
What I Didn’t Like
- Doesn’t allow for one-handed operation
Wrap Up
With that said, you have a list of the 5 best log splitters under $1,000. As you can see, there are different choices to go for while picking a log splitter.
If I get to choose one, I’ll go with the Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Log Splitter. It has a powerful 2 HP motor that’s able to cut through logs easily without loud noises and in a short amount of time.
However, if you’re looking for a budget option that delivers excellent drive force, you should go with the Sun Joe LJ10M Hydraulic Log Splitter.
It has a splitting power of up to 10 tons, which makes it ideal for cutting the hardest of logs!
