Manual log splitters do not offer as much power as their motorized siblings but still give you some leverage and make the process easier. But their biggest advantage is the lower price.
Here are our most recommended models – with ratings, prices and reviews:
Hydraulic: A piston at your service – this manual wood splitter is easy to use, doesn’t require much labor but still offers a solid power. And it’s not overly expensive.
Smart Splitter: An interesting concept – great for small to medium logs or for making kindling. It’s safe, easy to use, only requires a large log as a base.
For kindling: The best tool for making kindling you can find – safe, easy to use and fast. But not for pieces thicker than 6″.
Manual splitters lie somewhere in-between motorized units and basic tools like a splitting axe or sledge and wedge. They are a lot cheaper than those electric or gas powered models but still give you some leverage and make splitting wood easier.
Also, they are mostly compact and lightweight, ideal for camping for example.
They come in several types, there are simple (but effective) tools for making kindling, foot-operated devices or tools that use a sliding weight to push a wedge through the wood (slide-hammers or the Smart-Splitter).
And we reviewed even a manual hydraulic log splitter which doesn’t have any engine but still employs a piston to press the log onto a blade.
Comparison with other models:
| Model | Price | Our rating  |
Splitting force | For | Operation | Weight | Max log length | Cycle time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sun Joe LJ10M |
$249.00 |  |
up to 10 tons |  |
manual | 87 lbs | 18″ | 20-40 seconds |
 Logosol Smart-Splitter |
$128.00 | |
– |  |
manual | 19.84 lbs | – | depends on user |
 Kindling Cracker |
$89.99 |  |
– |  |
manual | 10 lbs | up to 14″ approx. | depends on user |
 Quality Craft Foot-Operated Log Splitter |
— |  |
1.5 tons |  |
foot-operated | 23 lbs | 18″ | – |
 Anaconda 878 Slide-Hammer |
Check here: |  |
– |  |
manual | 13.9 lbs | – | depends on user |
