DeWalt 20-Ton 60V FLEXVOLT MAX Cordless Battery Powered Log Splitter Kit

Why I reached for a cordless 20‑ton splitter

After a season of splitting with the DeWalt 20‑ton cordless splitter, I’m convinced battery power has finally arrived for serious firewood work. I wanted the torque and consistency of a hydraulic machine without a small engine to maintain, the fumes, or the noise. This splitter checked those boxes while delivering real, usable power for both weekend and sustained work—so long as you plan your battery strategy.

Build and setup

The first impression is that this is a “real” log splitter, not a gimmick with a battery bolted on. The frame is stout, the wedge is a chunky 9 inches, and the hydraulic lines are protected with coil wraps. The tow package is legit: 16‑inch DOT‑approved tires and a 2‑inch ball coupler with safety chains. It tows nicely around a property behind a UTV or truck and tracks predictably. The spring‑assisted stand is more than a convenience—it steadies the chassis during splitting and keeps the tongue from digging in during repositioning.

The unit pivots between horizontal and vertical. For heavy rounds, vertical mode is a back saver. Roll a round into place, tip the beam up, and let gravity do the holding while you position the wood. The included log catcher is a thoughtful addition; it spares you from fishing half‑split pieces off the ground and speeds up workflow.

Push‑button start means no choke, no pull, and no warm‑up fuss. In cold weather that’s a real perk.

Power and performance

On paper, 20 tons and a 7 GPM pump look solid; in practice, it’s exactly that. I split mixed hardwoods—oak, maple, ash, and some ugly, twisted rounds that usually make a maul bounce back and your shoulder ache. In horizontal mode, clean straight‑grain pieces pop predictably. The wedge tracks straight, doesn’t waffle, and the ram sets home with authority. On knotty or crotch sections, shifting to the slower of the two speed settings gives noticeably more grunt. The faster setting completes a cycle in about 16 seconds and is perfect for “production mode” on easy material. When things get gnarled, I use the slower setting (about 22 seconds) and let the hydraulics work patiently rather than forcing anything.

For scale, the listed capacity is 25 inches long and a manufacturer‑stated max diameter of 30 inches. I stayed sensible with diameter—the sheer bulk and geometry of big rounds makes handling the limiter, not the splitter. But within those bounds, it will muscle through surprisingly stubborn pieces with minimal drama. A few truly heinous knots required strategic repositioning and occasionally flipping the round, but I didn’t walk away from anything I’d reasonably expect a 20‑ton hydraulic to handle.

Auto‑return is well‑timed and consistent, which matters more than you’d think: it sets a rhythm. I found a nice cadence of load, split, return, sweep the halves to the catcher, and reload. Compared with comparable gas machines I’ve used, the cycle times are slightly on the slower end in the high‑speed mode and typical in the low‑speed mode, but the difference is offset by the quiet operation and lack of interruptions for warm‑ups and fueling.

Noise and usability

This is a quiet machine by log splitter standards. You still hear the hydraulic pump and the wedge meeting wood, but ear fatigue is reduced. You can hold a conversation. That has a real effect on how long you can work without feeling wrung out.

Ergonomically, the controls are intuitive. The lever action is positive, and the push‑button start feels like using a large power tool rather than coaxing a small engine to cooperate. The stand and beam height in horizontal mode work well for an average‑height user, and the log catcher reduces bending.

Battery life and charging strategy

Here’s the crux with any battery‑powered hydraulic tool: runtime management. The kit includes two FLEXVOLT packs (4 Ah at 60 V) and a charger. On mixed hardwood, I average roughly an hour of steady splitting across both packs before I need a swap. If I start charging the first pack as soon as it’s depleted, I can usually rotate it back in for a short stint while the second finishes—enough to keep momentum but not truly continuous.

What solved it for me was adding a third pack. With three batteries in rotation, I can run at a comfortable pace with minimal downtime. If your goal is half a cord or more in a session, budget for at least one extra battery—and consider a second charger if you want near‑continuous operation. Batteries are the cost of admission for the convenience you get here. The good news is there’s zero fuel management and no oil to check. And at the end of the day, there’s nothing to winterize.

Practical tips:
- Use high speed on straight‑grain wood to maximize splits per charge; drop to the slower speed only when needed.
- Stage rounds and clear splits efficiently; idle time with the pump running drains batteries with no payoff.
- Keep wedges sharp and clean; a clean slice saves both time and electrons.

Mobility and storage

This is a full‑size splitter, and it occupies real space in a garage or barn. The footprint is roughly 41 x 51 x 91 inches. The tires and coupler make it easy to jockey into position, and the weight distribution feels stable when towing around the yard. The spring‑assisted stand prevents chatter during operation and makes hookup straightforward. I appreciate that the hoses have protective wraps—snagging lines in brush or on cordwood stacks is a real concern, and this helps.

Maintenance

This is where the cordless architecture shines. With gas splitters, you’re dealing with carburetors, plugs, oil, filters, stale fuel, and storage additives. Here, routine care boils down to keeping the battery contacts clean, inspecting hoses and fittings, checking hydraulic fluid as needed (fluid is included with the kit), and greasing pivot points. If your splitter lives in a shed or sees sporadic use, the push‑button, zero‑fuel aspect is transformative. I’ve grabbed this unit for 15‑minute splitting sessions—something I’d never bother doing with a pull‑start machine.

DeWalt backs it with a 3‑year warranty and a 90‑day return window. That’s appropriate for a tool in this class.

Limitations

• Battery cost and runtime: Two packs will get most casual users through a short session, but anyone doing serious volume should plan on a third pack and possibly a second charger.
• Ton rating reality: It’s a true 20‑ton hydraulic, not a miracle worker. Very large crotches and ultra‑knotty hardwoods may require repositioning or trimming. If you regularly process massive, ugly hardwood rounds, a 25–30 ton gas machine will power through a bit more without technique.
• Cycle speed: Even in the faster mode, it’s not a speed demon. It’s fine for steady, sane work, but high‑production users may notice the difference versus faster gas hydraulics.

None of these are deal‑breakers; they’re tradeoffs that come with the benefits of battery power.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and acreage owners wanting serious splitting capability without small‑engine headaches.
• Users who value quiet operation and quick startup for short, frequent sessions.
• Folks who move their splitter around a property—the tow package and vertical mode make it versatile.
• Existing FLEXVOLT users who can leverage battery compatibility and may already own extra packs and chargers.

If you’re a professional firewood seller running all day, every day, you can make this work with enough batteries, but a high‑output gas unit might be more economical for nonstop production.

The bottom line

The DeWalt 20‑ton cordless splitter is the first battery‑powered splitter I’ve used that feels like a direct replacement for a mid‑class gas hydraulic. It’s robustly built, genuinely powerful, easy to live with, and quiet enough to use without dreading the racket. The two‑speed motor and auto‑return create a smooth workflow, vertical mode saves your back on heavy rounds, and the towable chassis with DOT tires is confidence‑inspiring.

I recommend it for most homeowners and landowners who want reliable splitting performance with minimal maintenance. Budget for an extra battery if you plan longer sessions—that’s the key to unlocking its full potential. If you can live with that, this splitter delivers the right combination of capability, convenience, and durability to earn a spot in the shed.