One day, electric splitters may be the better option across the board, but that day is not here yet. For now, there isn’t the best log splitter; both models have their ups and downs, and which one you should choose depends on how you intend to use them.

I have an electric wood splitter set up next to my garage, so I can easily keep it connected to the grid. I also have neighbors who would hate all the noise from a gas-powered splitter, so electric was the obvious option. But there are plenty of situations where an electric model doesn’t make sense. And there are various other factors to consider, as this Wood Splitters Direct guide shows.

For example, if you live in a cabin where access to electricity is limited, it’s much easier to go to a gas station and fill a jerry can than it is to get a battery charged. Gasoline is also more cold-resistant; batteries lose capacity when the temperature falls below freezing.