Kinetic wood splitters are some of the best splitters out there, but they can be hard to find, especially decent ones that won’t kill your budget. Today we want to help you find some of the best kinetic log splitters on the market, so let’s get right to it.
Related Article: Best Log Splitters Of 2019 [Complete With Reviews & Comparisons]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Kinetic Log Splitter Benchmarks
Kinetic log splitters come in a range of shapes and sizes. Before we dive into our product reviews, we want you to have an understanding of kinetic log splitters as a whole so that you can make a more informed comparison. Here are the general benchmarks to look for:
Size
The size of the kinetic log splitter you will go for greatly depends on the job you need to complete using the power tool. For example, a four-ton log splitter is perfect for cutting small to medium-sized branches that are roughly six inches thick.
If you need a kinetic log splitter that will cut tree trunks, you should look for a 20-ton log splitter. This is for a tree trunk that is roughly 25 inches thick. As you can see, not every log splitter is going to be appropriate for every job.
Cycle Time
The average cycle time of a kinetic logzxsz splitter is between two to five seconds. This is far lower than hydraulic splitters that have an average cycle time of 15 seconds.
Maintenance
Kinetic log splitters are extremely easy to maintain. Every now and again, you may need to tune up your engine; however, electric-powered kinetic log splitters might not even need to be tuned and are even lower maintenance.
Types of Log Splitters
There are two main types of kinetic log splitters on the market; gas-powered kinetic log splitters and electric kinetic log splitters. We have compared electric kinetic log splitters and gas-powered hydraulic log splitters below.
Advantages of a Gas powered Log Splitter VS Electric Kinetic Log Splitters
Gas-powered log splitters are much easier to use to cut large logs. Gas-powered splitters are usually in a vertical position that allows you to cut logs without even lifting them. This will save you a lot of energy!
Advantages of Electric Kinetic Log Splitter VS Gas Powered Log Splitters
The biggest advantage of an electric kinetic log splitter is its speed. Kinetic log splitters have an average cycle time of between two to five seconds. The cycle time refers to how fast it can split a log, so you can imagine how much work you will get done in a short amount of time using a kinetic log splitter.
Kinetic log splitters also use far less fuel than their hydraulic counterparts. Pair energy efficiency with increased productivity and no wonder kinetic log splitters are far better than hydraulic log splitters.
Comparison Table – Best Kinetic Log Splitters
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1. Performance Built T20 Kinetic Log Splitter
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2. PowerKing 34 Ton Kinetic Log Splitter
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3. Sportsman Earth Series 19 Ton Gas Powered Kinetic Log Splitter
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4. Powerhouse Log Splitters XM-880 Kinetic logsplitter
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5. Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Log Splitter
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6. Champion 7-Ton Compact Horizontal Gas Log Splitter with Auto Return – hydraulic
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7. WEN 56207 6.5-Ton Electric Log Splitter,Black – electric kinetic
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8. NorthStar Horizontal/Vertical Log Wood Splitter – 37-Ton, 270cc Honda GX270 Engine – hydraulic
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1. Performance Built T20 Kinetic Log Splitter
Review
The Performance Built T20 Kinetic Log Splitter comes complete with a 32-inch work table, just to give you some extra room to work with. It comes with large wheels and easy-pull handles for quick and simple transportation, but you can also get towing kits for it to attach it to a car or ATV.
In terms of the splitting cycle, it takes only 3 seconds to split a single log, which is indeed fast. It can split 4 cords of wood in the time a normal hydraulic splitter takes to split a single cord. The wedge height is 6.3 inches, and it can handle logs slightly longer than 20 inches, which is not too shabby at all. The hardened steel wedge is quite durable.
- Easy to transport
- Superior durability
- Really fast cycle
- Included work table
- Has a towing kit
- A bit pricey
- Tow hitch located where wood piles up
2. PowerKing 34 Ton Kinetic Log Splitter
Review
The PowerKing 34 Ton Kinetic Log Splitter is 495 pounds, which is quite heavy, so you won’t be pulling it around by hand. But what is nice is the included
trailer hitch for easy towing, plus it has some really high-quality wheels. They are all-terrain chrome-rimmed wheels that can handle most roads with ease.
The steel splitting wedge is 8 inches in height and is about as durable as it gets. It can handle logs up to 24 inches in diameter, and of the same length too, which is fairly impressive. The splitting cycle speed is 3 seconds.
- High quality wheels
- Easy to tow
- Fast splitting cycle
- Can handle some fairly large logs
- Very heavy
3. Sportsman Earth Series 19 Ton Gas Powered Kinetic Log Splitter
Review
The Sportsman Earth Series 19 Ton Gas Powered Kinetic Log Splitter has an incredibly fast splitting cycle of just 2 seconds, which is faster than most others. The 7-inch steel splitting wedge features exceptional durability, which allows this splitter to deal with logs close to 14 inches in diameter and 21 inches long.
It cannot handle super-large pieces of wood, but it should be fine for basic home use and for splitting firewood, even for small commercial purposes. The 12-inch hard rubber tires make it fairly easy to pull around, although it is quite heavy. What’s also pretty cool here is the easy pull recoil start feature.
- Fine for smaller and basic needs
- Very durable
- Super-fast cycle time
- Good tires
- Not ideal for larger needs
- Not towable
4. Powerhouse Log Splitters XM-880 Kinetic Log Splitter
Review
If you want a really basic kinetic log splitter that comes at a great price, this is a good option. It has a telescoping wedge that can be adjusted to match log length, with a maximum cutting capacity of 24 inches in length. That said, it cannot handle logs of a large diameter, but it should work fine for basic needs, such as splitting firewood.
What is great here is the powder-coated industrial steel frame, which is highly durable and rust-resistant. We also like how it comes with fairly high-quality wheels so you can pull it around, although it is not towable. What is also nice is the 2 HP motor with 4,900 RPM, which can power through logs pretty quickly. All in all, although it’s nothing super special, it gets the job done and won’t cost you a fortune.
- Good wheels
- Superior durability
- Strong motor
- Great for small time needs
- Very affordable
- Not towable
- Not the fastest cycle
5. Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Log Splitter
Review
The Boss Industrial ES7T20 Electric Log Splitter comes with 7 tons of splitting force with 3500 PSI, which is pretty decent, although for the price, it really does not compare to kinetic options. That said, this is the most cost-effective option on our list because hydraulic options can be a bit cheaper than kinetic splitters.
In terms of the cycle time, it’s over 10 seconds, which is fine if you have time to burn. It has an automatic ram return. This is a fairly lightweight and portable option, it has a great warranty, a good price, and a high level of durability too, but it’s not overly fast.
- Great price
- Small and portable
- Very durable
- A bit slow
- Can only handle small stuff
Worthy Kinetic Log Splitter Alternatives
If you didn’t find what you were looking for in our reviews above, we have some other suggestions for you. Here are three brilliant alternatives, along with a short summary of each of their pros and cons.
6. Champion 7-Ton Compact Horizontal Gas Log Splitter with Auto Return – hydraulic
- Easy to assemble
- Very powerful
- Comfortable to use
- Looks toy-like
- Looks toy-like
7. WEN 56207 6.5-Ton Electric Log Splitter,Black – electric kinetic
- Low price point
- Low price point
- Cuts evenly
- Smooth operation
- Smooth operation
8. NorthStar Horizontal/Vertical Log Wood Splitter – 37-Ton, 270cc Honda GX270 Engine – hydraulic
- Feels solid and well built
- level=”1″>Powerful
- Quiet
- Portable
- Very hard to assemble
What to Consider Before Buying a Kinetic Log Splitter:
A kinetic log splitter should last you a number of years, so ensuring you purchase the right one is crucial. Before you decide on which kinetic log splitter to buy, you should follow this buying guide.
Budget
High-quality kinetic log splitters can cost you anywhere from $400 to $1000 and even more. Their price varies depending on the brand and model you opt for; however, you can find kinetic log splitters at a low price that have all of the features you are looking for. Make sure you decide on a budget before you begin looking for a log splitter so that you don’t pay more than you want to.
Power
How thick are the logs you are going to be cutting? A five-ton log splitter is not suitable for cutting 30-inch tree trunks. The larger the wood you are going to be cutting, the more power you need your kinetic log splitter to have.
Speed
The best kinetic log splitters have a cycle speed of 2.5 to 3.5. Make sure you look into the power tools’ average cycle speed and opt for a kinetic log splitter that takes no longer than 3.5 seconds per cycle.
Mobility
New kinetic log splitter models are very easy to take from job to job. A portable log splitter will have sturdy wheels and a structure that is easy to set up.
Best Kinetic Log Splitter Conclusion
When all is said and done, we would recommend the PowerKing 34 Ton Kinetic Log Splitter. It might be big and heavy, but it’s also very fast and powerful. It all really comes down to how much money you are willing to spend.
The best kinetic log splitter for you will be one that suits your needs and cutting requirements. We hope you found a log splitter that is right for you in our reviews.
