Electric vs Gas Log Splitter: Which One to Go for?

There were times where wood chopping and log splitting were labor-intensive jobs that require a lot of elbow grease. However, with the advancement of technology, this has become a thing of the past.

Today, most of that work is done by power-operated log splitters. But, which one to go for?

Read on, so you can know the difference between electric vs gas log splitters, so you can pick the ideal one for you!

How Does an Electric Log Splitter Work?

Electric log splitters are usually corded devices that are designed for residential use and can range in prices but have a fairly good value. For example, here are five that are under $300.

 They have a standard 110/120-volt outlet that allows them to operate using your household electricity.

Electric log splitters are becoming a hot topic within the lumbar industry for many reasons. That’s why a lot of professional log splitters and homeowners who split logs for winter rely on them.

In the following list, I’ll include some of the pros and benefits you might get from having an electric log splitter around.

Minimal Maintenance When Compared to Gas-Powered Ones

One of the reasons that drive a lot of users to go with electric models is lower maintenance. However, you still need to do some regular checkups on electric ones too.

For example, you should always keep an eye on the hydraulic fluids and tube levels in electric log splitters, as they depend on hydraulics to drive the splitting force.

Additionally, you’ll need to lubricate some parts and make sure that the power cord is intact.

More Environmentally Friendly Option Than Gas Log Splitters

Electric log splitters use motors that don’t rely on any form of organic materials to work. In fact, the only type that can give you power as close to gas log splitters as possible without causing a huge impact on nature.

Easier to Assemble and Start

While they’re much easier to assemble than gas splitters, the electric ones aren’t the simplest types in the market. They still have some parts that you need to connect properly in order for the machine to work.

However, almost all electric log splitters come with a push-button start feature. This one allows you to fire up the log splitter instantly.

Relatively Easier to Move Around

While there are some heavy electric models, you can find ones that are super compact for their power.

 In fact, electric log splitters are powerful for their overall size and weight that they can even be used indoors.

Produce Less Noise

The noise produced by an electric log splitter is usually lower and more tolerable when compared to gas-powered log splitters.

Some electric models can be so quiet that you can use them in your backyard without worrying about the noise.

Despite all their merits, the electric log splitters have their cons too. Let’s have a look at some of the drawbacks that you might have while using an electric model.

Usually limited to Specific Log Sizes

If you’re going to compare electric log splitters to their gas-powered counterparts, it’s usually easy for the gas model in terms of power.

Electric log splitters usually have a limited log cradle, so you might not be able to use it on bulky pieces of wood as easily as with gas splitters.

Less Adjustable Than Gas Log Splitters

Unfortunately, most electric log splitters are designed to work horizontally and they’re low to the ground.

If you suffer from back pains, an electric log splitter might make it worse if you’ll need to bend over a lot.

If you think that electric log splitters are the ones you’re looking for, this section will come in handy.

Finding a good electric log splitter might not be a simple task. To make the searching process more streamlined for you, I’ve compiled a list of the best options that you may find within the electric engine category.

How Does a Gas Log Splitter Work?

They operate using a 4-stroke engine that consumes gasoline and other fuels. These engines build strong pressure within a hydraulic pump filled with fluids.

Once the pressure is too high, the pressure is released, driving the log into a wedge that splits it.

Now that you know more about gas log splitters, here are some of the top features and highlights of that type.

Provides the Most Power and Drive Force

Log splitters are built for one job, and It’s easy to say that gas log splitters do that job the best. Among all the log splitter types, the gas-powered machines are the best in terms of power and drive force.

For instance, high-end electric models might be able to produce anywhere between 7 to 10 tons of splitter force. However, a high-end gas model can easily deliver up to 37 tons of splitting force.

Can Be Used Vertically and Horizontally

One of the best things about gas log splitters is that you can configure them to work either vertically or horizontally. This can spare you a lot of back pains from bending over.

Here are some of the issues that most gas log splitter owners come across.

Largest Impact on Environment

Since they’re powered by organic fuel, they produce the largest carbon footprint of all kinds. If you want to minimize your impact on the environment as much as possible, you shouldn’t go with a gas log splitter.

Requires Frequent Maintenance

One of the gas-powered log splitters’ biggest issues is frequent maintenance. Think of it as a small vehicle engine. You’ll need to check and replace all hydraulic fluids as well as lubricating the parts that move.

Also, you’ll need to check the spark plugs and clean the air filters every now and then. While all these tasks aren’t difficult, they don’t exist in other types.

However, some professional woodchoppers would gladly accept that as a tradeoff for the immense power gas splitters produce.

Quite Loud​

Similar to most gas-powered engines, using a gas log splitter will be a bit loud. That might be a problem if you’re living in an urban neighborhood.

Bulky and Heavy

To get more power from a gas log splitter, it needs a larger engine, so they’re usually larger than the others.

Now that you have a better idea about gas log splitters, it’s time to find more about the best options that you can find on the market.

Here’s a list of the best option that you may come across while searching for a good gas log splitter:

Wrap Up

While electric and gas-powered log splitters are leading the scene in the log splitters industry, they have a lot of differences between them.

With that said, you have an electric vs gas log splitter comparison with pros and cons about each of them.

If your work requires going through a lot of wood remotely every day, a gas log splitter is an excellent investment for you.

On the other hand, if you only need to split the logs for the winter, an indoor-friendly electric log splitter might do the trick for you.