A wood planer is an indispensable power tool for any woodworking enthusiast, whether a novice or a seasoned professional. This versatile device plays a crucial role in preparing wooden surfaces for the final finishing touches, such as varnishing or painting. With its rapid spinning blades and ultra-sharp knives, a planer efficiently trims and smooths wood from a workpiece to create a silky-smooth finish, eliminating any unevenness or splinters.
It’s an essential tool that complements other power tools like miter saws and circular saws, enabling users to achieve professional-grade results with ease.
The 8 Best Planers
When it comes to choosing the right planer for your woodworking projects, having a solid understanding of the options available can be overwhelming. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular and highly-regarded planers on the market today. From the WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer’s compact design to the DEWALT DW734 15-amp Benchtop Planer’s impressive power and precision, each option has its unique features and benefits. The Bosch PL1632 6.
5-amp Planer offers a great balance of power and affordability, while the Makita KP0800K Planer’s cordless design provides unparalleled portability. Meanwhile, the PORTER-CABLE PC60THP 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer and DEWALT D26676 3¼-Inch Corded Electric Hand Planer offer reliable performance at an affordable price point. And for those looking for a more premium option, the Makita XPK01Z Cordless Planer is sure to impress with its advanced features and impressive power.
Our Top Pick for the Best Planer
The crown jewel of our top picks is the DEWALT DW734 15-Amp Benchtop Planer, an indispensable tool for any DIY home renovator or woodworking hobbyist seeking to elevate their workshop’s capabilities. This rugged, compact, and portable wood planer boasts impressive power, intuitive user-friendly features, and a remarkable ability to produce a pristine, silky smooth finish on a diverse range of workpieces.
For those looking to invest in a reliable and efficient planer, the DEWALT DW734 is an excellent choice.
How to Choose the Best Planer
Benchtop Versus Hand-held Planer
Wood planers come in three primary forms: electric-corded handheld units, cordless battery-powered models, and electric benchtop machines. The first category includes devices such as the WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer, which boast unlimited shaving and smoothing capabilities due to their robust motors (typically ranging from 6 to 7 amps). These powerful tools are well-suited for handling light to medium-duty tasks.
On the other hand, cordless planers like the Makita XPK01Z Cordless Planer offer exceptional versatility and portability. While they may not possess the same level of power as their electric counterparts (often powered by an 18-volt battery), they are ideal for tackling light-duty tasks and navigating confined workspaces. Finally, there’s the benchtop planer – a behemoth designed specifically for serious woodworkers.
These heavy-duty machines, such as the WEN PL1326 Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer, feature powerful motors (typically up to 15 amps), sturdy tables, cast iron bases, and multiple blades or knives. As a result, they’re capable of efficiently removing rough edges and transforming thick hardwoods like oak or teak into beautifully smooth finished surfaces.
RPM
When it comes to understanding planer performance, one crucial factor is the revolutions per minute (RPM). Essentially, RPM represents the number of times the blade rotates within a 60-second period. As such, a higher RPM generally corresponds to increased shaving speed and efficiency in removing wood from your workpiece. Notably, however, slower RPMs are often more beneficial when working with softwoods, as they can yield a higher-quality finish.
In contrast, faster RPMs tend to excel when dealing with thicker hardwoods.
Thickness and Width
While most handheld planers are capable of cutting workpieces up to 3¼ inches wide, their depth of cut can reach as much as 6 inches. However, if you need to process thicker and wider wood, benchtop models offer the ability to accommodate larger pieces, including those up to 12.5 inches in width. Some planers also feature a depth-increment knob, which enables users to achieve precise measurements and take their projects to the next level.
Handles
Regardless of whether the planner boasts one or two handles, a key consideration is the overall ergonomics and comfort it provides. A well-designed planner should strike a balance between form and function, featuring elements such as symmetrical, rubberized front and rear handles that offer a secure grasp, as well as soft-touch or rubberized grip options that promote ease of use.
Foldable infeed and outfeed tables
To ensure precise cutting accuracy, the planer is equipped with foldable infeed and outfeed tables that serve as a stabilizing force. As the workpiece moves through the planer, these tables provide crucial support to keep it aligned, minimizing the risk of misalignment or deviation from the desired cutting path.
8 Best Planers – Reviews
WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer
The WEN 6530 Electric Hand Planer is a reliable tool for tackling various woodworking tasks, including making uneven boards flush, removing chips and splinters, or smoothing out misshapen edges. Its powerful 6-amp motor delivers 34,000 cuts per minute, making it an efficient choice for any project. The planer’s dual reversible blades are designed to slice through wooden surfaces with ease, ensuring a smooth finish and precise control.
With a cutting width of 3¼ inches and a maximum depth of 1/8 inch, the WEN 6530 is well-suited for fitting and squaring boards. Additionally, its 16 positive stops provide increments of 1/128 inches from 0 to 1/8 inches, allowing for precise adjustments. The planer’s V-shaped groove on the base plate shoe enables easy chamfering of board corners, while the included rabbeting guide allows for creating rabbets up to 7/10 inch in size.
The user-friendly design features a lightweight construction, comfortable handle, and bright orange color-coded switches for increased visibility. A kickstand protects workpieces from damage when taking a break, and the multi-directional dust chute can be easily adjusted to direct sawdust left or right. Other helpful features include a parallel fence bracket for straight cuts, an onboard adjustment wrench for quick blade changes, and a 6-foot power cord for ample workspace mobility.
Overall, this planer offers excellent quality at a great value with a very affordable price point.
WEN PL1326 Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer
When it comes to transforming rough workpieces into exceptionally smooth surfaces, the WEN PL1326 Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer is an invaluable tool. Its sturdy and supportive surface allows wood to travel smoothly through the machine, thanks to its heavy-duty cast-iron base that prevents wobbling or walking.
The planer’s extra powerful 15 amp motor delivers a remarkable 10,000 cuts per minute at a 26-feet-per-minute feed rate, with the spiral cutter head utilizing 26 staggered HSS blades to produce a flawless finish on both hard and softwoods. The adjustable depth of cut allows for precise control, allowing you to plane wood from 0-1/8 inch in a single pass.
The planer’s versatility is further enhanced by its ability to accommodate 6-inch thick and 13-inch wide boards, with an onboard planing gauge and depth stop ensuring maximum precision. Adjustable infeed/outfeed tables provide additional support for longer workpieces, while the bright orange rubber-grip adjustment handle allows for comfortable adjustment. To ensure ease of use, the planer features two side-mounted hollowed-out handles for effortless movement around your workshop.
An overload switch stops the machine from overheating, and an adjustable dust port can be attached to a wet/dry vac to keep your workspace clean. While some users may experience a minimal amount of snipe when using longer workpieces, this can be easily mitigated by introducing a small piece of wood before and after planing. The WEN PL1326 also boasts a 2-year warranty, providing peace of mind for hobby enthusiasts and professionals alike.
This planer’s pros far outweigh its cons: high quality, great value for money, ideal for general shop work, sturdy table, and heavy-duty cast-iron base that doesn’t walk or wobble. The only potential drawbacks are its relatively high price point, minimal snipe with longer workpieces, and weight, making it less suitable for industrial or commercial use.
Bosch PL1632 6.5-Amp Planer
The Bosch PL1632 6.5-Amp Planer is a versatile tool that excels at handling light to medium-duty DIY woodworking projects. Its robust motor and high-quality tungsten-carbide blade enable fast and precise stock removal, producing a smooth finish on both soft and hardwood surfaces. The planer’s unique design features a counterbalanced blade system that eliminates uneven planing caused by misaligned blades, ensuring a consistent finish throughout your project.
Additionally, the poly micro-V drive belt provides enhanced durability for the drive belt. The ratcheting depth knob allows for easy adjustment of the depth setting from 0 to 1/16 inches within a single revolution, eliminating the need for re-zeroing the depth. The planer’s aluminum shoes are precision-machined together, providing greater accuracy and allowing for chamfering with ease.
A spring-loaded stand elevates the tool to protect the blade and features a special shape that enables easy entry into the middle of a workpiece. The Bosch PL1632 also boasts an innovative ambidextrous combination lock-off/lock-on release button that helps prevent accidental start-up and allows for extended operation. The dual-mount, non-flexing guide fence comes with a protective shield and a plastic overshoe to prevent marring of your workpiece.
A large adjustment measurement knob located at the front of the planer enables quick setting of precise measurements from separate inch and metric depth scales. The well-balanced and lightweight 6.3-pound planer features an optimally-angled soft-grip handle, making it comfortable to hold and maneuver during use. A ball-joint cord swivel provides effortless positioning of the tool and cord while working.
The planer comes with a dust port, large shavings bag, and blade wrench for added convenience. In terms of pros, this planer offers high quality, great value for money, and is very affordable. It also features a powerful 6.5-amp motor and a reversible Woodrazor tungsten-carbide blade that provides a smooth finish in both soft and hardwood. The cons include only a one-year limited warranty, which may not be ideal for heavy-duty commercial use.
Additionally, the aluminum surface can scratch easily, and there is no carrying case included.
Makita KP0800K Planer
The Makita KP0800K Planer stands out as a top-notch tool for professionals, hobbyists, and homeowners alike. Its impressive combination of innovative technology, best-in-class engineering, and user-friendly design makes it an ideal choice for various woodworking projects. A 6.5 amp motor spinning at 17,000 RPM and two sharp carbide steel blades enable efficient stock removal and exceptional smooth finishes on a wide range of materials, from softwoods to hardwoods.
The planer’s ability to accommodate 3¼-inches wide and 3/32-inches deep wooden panels in a single pass further streamlines the workflow. Built for longevity, the rigid die-cast aluminum housing, all-ball-bearing construction, and precision-machined aluminum base ensure durability, while the balanced planer drum reduces vibration and the spring-loaded stand elevates the base to protect the workpiece and blade.
The ergonomic design features an ergonomically centered and balanced rubberized front and rear handle for comfortable operation. Additional perks include a lock-on button for continuous operation, fast blade-changing system, and a comprehensive set of accessories including a blade gauge assembly, wrench, guide rule, and blade set. The planer also comes with a hard plastic carrying case for safe storage.
Makita backs the product with a 30-day money-back or replacement warranty and a 1-year warranty on the planer itself. While it may have some drawbacks, such as only a 1-year warranty, no dust bag, an unusual dust port shape, and somewhat challenging manual readability, its numerous benefits make it a great value for those seeking high-quality performance.
Makita XPK01Z Cordless Planer
The Makita XPK01Z Cordless Planer offers a unique combination of speed, capacity, and portability. Its 14,000 RPM motor enables fast stock removal, making it ideal for completing light to medium-duty woodworking projects efficiently. The 2-blade cutter head features double-edged carbide blades that guarantee a smooth finishing performance on wood planks up to 3¼-inches wide and 5/64-inches deep in a single pass.
The planer’s user-friendly design includes a click depth adjustment knob with an easy-to-read scale, allowing for precise depth control. Additionally, the precision-machined aluminum base ensures increased accuracy. The spring-loaded stand elevates the base to protect the blades and workpiece, while the lightweight construction (7.4lbs) and ergonomic design make it comfortable to operate.
The Makita XPK01Z also boasts a high power-to-weight ratio, which enables quick blade changes via its easy setting system. An electric brake ensures maximum safety and productivity during use. To keep your workspace clean, you can attach a shop vac to the dust port. This planer is compatible with Makita’s powerful 18V lithium-ion batteries that display the Star symbol. Its pros include high-quality performance, great value for money, and powerful performance.
It’s suitable for professional contractors, DIY enthusiasts, or hobbyists who want to achieve smooth finishes on various types of wood. The only drawback is that battery and charger are sold separately, and it may struggle with denser woods like oak. Nevertheless, the Makita XPK01Z Cordless Planer remains a great choice for most woodworking tasks.
DEWALT DW734 15-Amp Benchtop Planer
The DEWALT DW734 15-Amp Benchtop Planer is an impressive tool that makes creating custom, smooth stock from various types of wood remarkably easy. The powerful motor and high-speed cutter head combination enables large, deep cuts in even the toughest hardwoods, including oak, poplar, maple, and pine. With a maximum cut depth of 1/8-inches, a depth capacity of 6-inches, and a width capacity of 12½-inches, this planer can handle a wide range of tasks.
The reversible and disposable knives are designed for quick and accurate depth adjustment, with a lifespan that is 30% longer than traditional disposable knives, eliminating the need for costly resharpening. The machine also features extra-long infeed and outfeed tables that provide 33½-inches of material support, making it ideal for larger workpieces.
A turret depth stop saves time when setting the machine at commonly used depths, while the material-removal gauge and extra-large thickness scale ensure accurate passes every time. Additionally, the four-column carriage lock reduces movement caused by snipe when planing near the end of a board. The dust hood can be attached to a shop vacuum or standing dust collector (sold separately) for efficient chip and debris collection.
With a 90-day money-back guarantee, a 3-year limited warranty, and a 1-year free service contract, you can trust that this planer will meet your needs. The only potential drawbacks are the relatively high price point and the need to make multiple passes for thicker hardwood workpieces, as well as the unit’s weight, which may make it more challenging to transport or store.
DEWALT D26676 3¼-Inch Corded Electric Hand Planer
As a serious woodworker, you’re always on the lookout for tools that can keep up with your demanding projects. The DEWALT D26676 3¼-inch Corded-Electric Hand Planer is one such tool that’s sure to become an indispensable addition to your woodworking shop. With its powerful 5.5 amp/34,000 CPM motor, you’ll be able to achieve a maximum depth of cut of 1/16 inches and produce a smooth, even finish on even the toughest hardwoods.
The planer’s poly-v drive belt ensures reliable performance and long-term durability, while its precision-machined front and back aluminum shoes guarantee parallelism of cut and allow for edge chamfering. Whether you’re looking to perform accurate straight-edge cuts or framings, the D26676 uses two resharpenable high-speed steel blades that are compatible with reversible steel carbide blades designed for improved blade life and material finish.
The planer’s lightweight design and comfortable trigger handle make it easy to maneuver and use for extended periods. Innovative features like a handy built-in kickstand allow you to rest the planer on a work surface without gouging or damaging materials, while its ergonomic rubber-coated calibrated depth adjustment knob makes it simple to adjust the depth setting gauge.
The planer also comes with two steel blades that can be sharpened, as well as a rabbeting fence, blade sharpening tool, and socket wrench. DEWALT backs their product with a 90-day money-back guarantee, three-year limited warranty, and one-year free service guarantee, giving you peace of mind when using the planer.
While some users may find it lacking in power for extremely thick hardwoods or require separate purchase of dust port attachment, the D26676’s reliable performance, durability, and versatility make it an excellent choice for woodworkers looking to improve their workflow.
PORTER-CABLE PC60THP 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer
The PORTER-CABLE PC60THP 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer is a reliable and powerful tool for woodworking projects. Its robust 6-amp motor, boasting a no-load speed of 16,500 RPM, effortlessly handles light-duty to medium-duty tasks. The two sharp steel carbide cutting blades work in tandem to deliver smooth cuts on even the hardest materials, while the 11.5-inch aluminum shoe provides enhanced control and a polished finish.
With a depth of cut measuring 5/64-inches, this planer efficiently removes excess material and can accommodate varying depths with its .47-inch max rabbit depth. The adjustable over-mold handle offers ten positive steps for precise control, allowing users to customize their planing experience. Additionally, the tool features three chamfering grooves for shaping cuts and a comfortable rubberized over-mold handle that simplifies handling and maneuverability.
Furthermore, the 6-foot power cord provides ample room for movement in any workspace. To maintain a clean and dust-free work environment, the dual-side dust extractor can be placed on either side of the tool. The planer comes with a comprehensive package including a wrench, dust bag, edge guide, and kit bag. PORTER-CABLE backs this product with a 3-year limited warranty. Overall, this hand planer is an excellent choice for woodworkers seeking high-quality results without breaking the bank.
While it may not be suitable for heavy-duty cutting or fine finishing work, the PC60THP still offers impressive capabilities and value for its price. Check out the current pricing on Amazon.
Our Top Pick for the Best Planer
The DEWALT DW734 15-Amp Benchtop Planer stands out as our top recommendation for woodworking enthusiasts and DIY home renovators alike. Its compact yet sturdy design allows for effortless portability, making it an ideal addition to any workshop. With its impressive power output and user-friendly features, this planer delivers a silky smooth finish on a wide range of workpieces.
Whether you’re looking to perfect a piece of furniture or create a flawless surface, the DEWALT DW734 is the ultimate tool for achieving professional-grade results.
