Preparing Firewood for Winter: Choosing a Chainsaw and Log Splitter

A cold snap is a bad moment to find out the log store is half empty, and firewood needs time to dry. This guide looks at the two tools that matter most for the job, a chainsaw and a log splitter, using the specifications published on the Hyundai Power Equipment website on 25 October 2026. Prices and stock change often, so treat every figure here as a snapshot and check the product page before you buy.

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Start With the Size of the Job

Before comparing models, work out how much wood you handle and where. A few branches from a storm-damaged tree in a suburban garden is a very different task from cutting several trailer loads of felled timber. Three questions narrow the field quickly:

• How big are the logs? The bar length sets the thickest trunk you can cut in one pass.
• Is there a mains socket nearby? A cable is fine near the house and a nuisance at the far end of a field.
• How often will you use it? Occasional use favours simple, low-maintenance machines.

Hyundai sells chainsaws in three power types, and the differences are mostly about convenience versus raw power. The full Hyundai range also includes accessories, so it is worth checking what comes in the box.

Cordless Chainsaw: Freedom Without Fuel

The HY40CCS350 is a 14 inch (350 mm) brushless cordless chainsaw running on a 40V system made from two 20V batteries of 4Ah each. Hyundai lists automatic chain oiling, an anti-kickback brake, a 200 ml oil tank and a chain speed of up to 20 m/s. At the time of writing it was GBP 188.99 and in stock.

The appeal is obvious: no cable, no petrol mix and no pull cord. The trade-off is runtime, since a battery will only cut for so long, so it suits garden pruning and light log cutting better than a full day in the woods. If you already own other tools on the same battery platform, the saving on batteries can tip the balance.

Electric Corded Chainsaws: Plenty of Power Near a Socket

Hyundai offers two corded models. The HYC1600E has a 14 inch bar, a 1600W motor, a chain speed of 13 m/s and weighs 3.9 kg, priced at GBP 61.99. The larger HYC2400E uses a 16 inch Oregon bar and a 2400W motor, runs at 15 m/s and weighs 6.6 kg, at GBP 88.99.

Corded saws start instantly and need very little upkeep, which makes them a sensible choice for cutting logs to length beside the shed or garage. The cable limits where you can work, so plan the cutting spot first and use a properly rated outdoor extension lead.

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Petrol Chainsaw: For Bigger Timber

For heavier work, the HYC6200X is a 62cc petrol chainsaw with a 20 inch (50 cm) bar. Hyundai quotes 3.8hp (2.85 kW), a chain speed of 22 m/s, a weight of 6.9 kg and a chain brake, with a price of GBP 136.00 at the time of writing.

A petrol saw gives you the longest bar and the most grunt without a cable, which is why it is the usual choice for felling and for thick trunks. It also asks more of you: fuel mixing, chain tension and regular servicing. If you only cut a handful of logs each winter, the lighter options may suit you better.

Chainsaw Comparison at a Glance

Why a Log Splitter Is Worth Considering

Cutting logs to length is only half the work. Splitting them gives you faster drying, easier stacking and pieces that fit your stove. With an axe that means a lot of swinging, and a hydraulic splitter takes the strain out of it. Hyundai lists two electric models, and the main difference is how they hold the log.

Vertical Splitter: Heavier Logs, Faster Output

The HYLS8000VE is an 8 tonne vertical splitter with a 3000W motor. Hyundai says it takes logs up to 55 cm long and 30 cm in diameter, with a forward stroke of 15.6 seconds and a return of 2.8 seconds. The company puts output at around 200 logs an hour under ideal conditions, and it runs from a standard 13A plug. It was GBP 545.99 and in stock.

On a vertical machine the log stands on its end and the wedge pushes down through it, which many people find easier for large, heavy rounds because you roll them in rather than lift them onto a bed.

See the Hyundai Log Splitter Range

Horizontal Splitter: Compact and Lower to the Ground

The HYLS7000HE is a 7 tonne horizontal model with a 2300W motor. Hyundai lists logs up to 52 cm long and 25 cm wide, a forward stroke of 12 seconds, a retract of 7 seconds and about 100 logs an hour. At GBP 314.99 it costs notably less than the vertical machine.

A horizontal splitter pushes the log along a bed towards a fixed wedge. It is a lower, more compact layout and the guard on the unit is a welcome feature. Output is lower and the maximum log size is smaller, so it fits a household that burns a few cubic metres of wood a year rather than a serious firewood business.

Log Splitter Comparison

Safety and Practical Tips Before You Start

• Wear eye and ear protection, cut-resistant gloves and sturdy boots, and read the manual before first use.
• Keep the chain sharp and the oil topped up, as Hyundai’s auto-oiling saws still need a full tank.
• Split on firm, level ground and keep bystanders and pets well back.
• Store logs off the ground and under cover so they season properly, and check the wood is dry before burning it.

Which Combination Fits Your Winter?

For a small garden and a stove used at weekends, a corded chainsaw and either an axe or the horizontal splitter is a sensible, budget-friendly pairing. For a larger plot with bigger trunks, a petrol saw and the vertical splitter will shorten the work. If you want to avoid cables and fuel altogether, the cordless saw is the tidy choice for light cutting.

When you are ready to compare, open the Hyundai Power Equipment range and filter by chainsaws or log splitters.

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Prices, specifications and stock were checked on the Hyundai Power Equipment website on 25 October 2026 and may change. Claims about power, speed and output are Hyundai’s own figures. Always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.