Herbert Miller
Can you imagine carrying out woodwork without having an efficient wood planer? Whether you’re a professional or interested in DIY home building projects, having a wood planer is always beneficial. However, not many people own a wood planer, and when it comes to buying one, they are not very confident.
You may have gone through plenty of options correctly, but are you still unable to decide? Don’t worry; we’ll take you through some of the top wood planers that will make your woodwork easier. With the help of our product reviews and buying guide, you’ll finally be able to make a choice.
Which planers are a worthy investment and which are not? Let’s find it out!
If you are wondering which top three performers are on the list, you can see them below. These products have the best features and enable the user with a great degree of flexibility.
Disclaimer – This article may contain affiliate links, this means that at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission for qualifying purchases.
Best Overall Pick
DEWALT DW735X Two-Speed Wood Planer
- Fast speed and robust motor
- Durable knives
- Includes gearbox
- Great stability
Best Premium Pick
Delta Power Tools 22-590 Portable Wood Planer
- Very speedy
- Cutterhead lock system
- Infeed and outfeed table
- Portable
Best Budget Pick
TACKLIFE TGGLA152 Electric Wood Planer
No products found.- Affordable
- Reversible blades
- Precise cutting
- Light-weight
No products found.
Since each of you has different requirements, we thought of reviewing more than just a handful of products. This list of products has something for every kind of buyer. Whether you are running on a budget or looking for a premium upgrade, you’ll find it here. You can take a look at the most exciting and valuable wood planers below.
1. DEWALT DW735X Two-Speed Wood Planer
This unit from Dewalt is one of the most successful products made by them. The product shines in terms of performance and power. This electric planner comes with three knives. One of the main perks of this unit is that it allows the user to easily change the blades.
The machine’s cuts per inch vary from 96 to 179-inches. Thanks to the robust motor, the tool is a powerhouse with a whopping 10,000 rpm. It allows you to make substantial cuts on wide and hard surfaces.
Apart from being highly efficient, the planer also comes with a gearbox. However, this heavy-duty planner is not great for beginners. The automatic carriage lock is highly reliable to reduce snipe and increase stability.
Pros
- The powerful motor enables heavy-duty work.
- Its 3-knife cutter is long-lasting.
- This planer comes along with a gearbox.
- It includes outfeed and infeed tables.
- The blade changing process is simple.
Cons
- You may face an issue with the blades.
2. Delta Power Tools 22-590 Portable Wood Planer
Are you looking for a premium and high-end model? Your hunt for one will end with the Delta Power Tools 22-590 Portable Wood Planer. Delta has put great efforts into reducing the snipe in this model. The infeed and outfeed tables and the cutter head lock systems are going to make your task more painless than ever. You can rely on this machine for making specific cuts.
The only setback is the price. The text on the adjuster is easy to read. The dust chute will make sure that your place is not littered with wooden shavings after working. Not to forget, this machine is high-speed. The results it provides are very satisfactory and smooth. However, the product might be slightly expensive.
Pros
- It has snipe reducing features.
- The three-knife cutter is versatile.
- It can quickly make precise cuts.
- This unit is portable.
- The dust collector is efficient.
Cons
- It is expensive.
3. TACKLIFE TGGLA152 Electric Wood Planer
No products found.If you are into occasional woodwork or looking to buy a low-cost model, the TACKLIFE TGGLA152 is your best bet. It’s perfect for people who are not willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a wood planer. Moreover, it’s compact and allows for easy storage. You are getting plenty of features for a minimal price point.
Despite being low-cost, this model is adept at delivering high accuracy. The 6-Amp motor that has 16,500 rpm is quite remarkable for a small model. The only reason it cannot be at the top is because of its limited features. You are going to face issues during blade changing and maintenance. We still believe that the model is offering enough for the price it’s charging.
No products found.
Pros
- It is highly economical.
- The machine delivers high accuracy.
- It is light-weight features allow longer work hours.
- The ambidextrous lock button ensures safety.
- This unit is ideal for beginners.
Cons
- The blade changing process is tedious.
4. Makita 2012NB Wood Planer
The Makita 2012NB has all the bells and whistles that some of the products in this might lack. The motor can generate up to 16,000 rpm. It also has an easy-going chip ejection feature, whereby you can put it into either side of the unit. We like the placement of the power button; it is convenient and thoughtful.
The 7.5-Amp motor enhances the overall output of this machine. The durable engineering will run this machine for years to come. This machine is ergonomically centered, allowing greater flexibility in transporting this product from one point to another.
The depth adjustment knob consists of easy-to-read scales. Our only complaint lies with the high price point of this machine and excessive drifting.
Pros
- This model is compact and portable.
- It makes minimal noise during operation.
- The lock button has a convenient placement.
- The rubber grip allows ergonomic support.
Cons
- It is an expensive option.
- It may have too much drift.
5. WEN 6530 Electric Wood Planer
The next best product on this list is the WEN 6530 Electric Wood Planer. Weighing just 5 lbs, this wood planner is easy to handle. The motor has a speed of 17,000 rpm and can make 34,000 cuts per minute. The cut depth is around 1/8-inch per pass, enough for a wide range of outdoor and indoor projects.
The power cord is 6ft long; however, this can hinder your workflow at times. The planner has high-speed, replaceable, and sharpenable blade fittings. The machine also features a groove for making edge chamfering. The most attractive feature of this wood planer is the two-way dust chute. The user can change the direction of the chaff in an instant by just flipping a switch.
Pros
- It is easy to handle.
- It has an onboard storage option.
- It has two-way dust dispersion.
- Replaceable and sharpenable blades.
Cons
- It requires both hands for better balance.
- The cord hinders the work.
6. DEWALT DW734 Benchtop Wood Planer
This list of best wood planers will be incomplete without including multiple DEWALT products. This powerful machine has a design that can provide you with more in-depth and accurate cuts. The 3-knife cutter head provides 96 CPI, which is excellent for a portable unit. The razor-sharp knives are reversible and replaceable.
The carriage lock consists of 4 columns, which are useful in reducing snipe and adding stability. What’s more, it also comes with a dust hood that can effectively pick up the wood chips and other debris.
The extra-long outfeed and infeed tables add to the support and convenience. You should note that this machine requires pre-requisite knowledge and hence, not great for beginners.
Pros
- You can trust the knife to deliver precision.
- It has extra-long outfeed and infeed tables.
- The carriage lock reduces the chances of sniping.
- It comes with disposable and reversible knives.
Cons
- It is not ideal for beginners.
- The machine is quite heavy.
7. POWERTEC PL1252 Wood Planner
There are many pocket-friendly models on this list, and the POWERTEC PL1252 is one of them. This unit is a full-size planner for a considerably low price. The unique features of this model make it an excellent option for beginners as well as professionals. The manufacturer is also providing a 1-year warranty along with this product.
The structure of this tool is specifically designed to handle old and worn woods. It can cut materials like raw oak, walnut lumber, and pallet wood. The stainless steel blades can make over 18,800 cuts in just 60 seconds. The infeed table is foldable, which makes it easy to store this tool. It also has a comfortable handle with a rubber grip.
Pros
- It is budget-friendly.
- It is excellent for both professional and DIY projects.
- It has an impressive 15 Amp motor.
- This product comes with a 1-year warranty.
Cons
- There can be a problem with the snipe.
- The depth is disappointing.
8. Grizzly Industrial G0505 Benchtop Wood Planer
The Grizzly Industrial G0505 is a high-end product that is pricier. This planer is fast and light-weight; it can cut through 32 feet per minute. Unfortunately, the two-blade cutter head is not as versatile as you’d expect it to be. We like how the cuts are accurate and precise. The toggle power switch comes with a safety lock.
The thermal overload protection ensures that you are not overworking the machine. Unlike many models, this unit features a knife setting wrench and jig. We were expecting a few more advanced features at this price. This Grizzly Industrial G0505 was also falling short in performance in many areas.
Pros
- It can cut 32 feet in 60 seconds.
- This planer is a portable option.
- The cutting height gauge is easy to read.
- It has thermal overload protection.
Cons
- The depth of the cut is average.
- Not enough features for the price.
9. CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 Benchtop Wood Planer
The CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 Benchtop Wood Planer is a mid-range model that can duly satisfy all your woodwork needs. Despite having a reasonable price, the model is a solid pick for professional and amateur workers—the fast 8,000 rpm speed results in 16,000 cuts per minute. The knives have a design that provides smooth and refined planning.
The reversible cutting knives ensure the long life of this product. A few people may face issues with the setup, owing to its complex structure. The gauge is also not so great for achieving the exact depths. You can use this tool for both soft and hard wood removal jobs. Moreover, you will find better advanced features with other options.
Pros
- The dust collection process is satisfactory.
- It works great on both hard and soft woods.
- It can make 16,000 cuts within a minute.
- The operation is smooth.
Cons
- The setup process is complicated.
- It lacks advanced features.
10. PORTER-CABLE PC60THP Hand Planer
The final product on this list is the PORTER-CABLE PC60THP. If your requirements include buying a portable planer, then this is a great buy. At just 8.5 pounds, you can carry this wood planner everywhere. It is also easy to mount and position a light-weight wood planer. The aluminium shoe contributed to the strength and stability of this model and hence it’s a good buy.
The depth adjustment is a breeze, and all the credits for that should go to the adjustment knob. However, be careful with the knob as it is over sensitive. You may also have specific issues with the quality and precision of the product.
Pros
- The model is light-weight and portable.
- The depth adjustment feature is convenient.
- It has a two-way dust extraction facility.
- It consists of grooves for edge chamfering.
Cons
- There are a few issues with quality control.
- The adjustment knob is very sensitive.
A Guide To Buying Wooden Planers
Knowing the top products in the market is not enough. For buying the perfect tool, you need to consider many factors. Even after you narrow down your choices with these products, it may difficult to make the final choice.
That’s precisely why we’ve made this buying guide – to help you zero down on one product. With this detailed guide, both professionals and newbies can know about their wood planer in and out. Having these features in your wood planer will ensure that you can carry all the woodwork with minimal troubles.
Dust Collection
Not all manufacturers tell you this, but the wood planers make a lot of dust and chips. If you are not cautious, this can put your health in danger. While some models have extensive dust collection features, whereas others simply offer nothing. You must do your homework about the dust and debris management function of your tool.
For best results, buy a unit with a dust port of a minimum of 2.5 to 4-inches. If you already own a dust collection device, make sure the planer you buy is compatible with it. This feature will be a lot more beneficial to help you remove the dust.
Type Of Planer
There are many types of planers available in the market. To name them all, there is a handheld, benchtop, portable, jointer, and thickness. Each of these types serves a unique purpose. Some of them might be great for beginners, while others will be more suitable for professional work.
If you are looking for a compact and easy to use the planer, a benchtop model will be an excellent choice. The handheld models are for lighter woodwork. A jointer is a versatile unit that can perform two tasks at a time. The jointer also reduces costs by eliminating the need to buy separate tools. Jointers are ideal for DIY enthusiasts and small workshops.
Next comes the portable models; as the name suggests, these are designed for convenient transportation. These planers are a smaller version of the stationery wood planers. The thickness provided by portable planers is consistent.
The last type of planer is the thickness planer. This type of wood planer is for shaving off a few inches to achieve the desired board thickness. However, you need a lot of space to operate the thickness planers.
Cuts Per Inch (CPI)
The CPI or cuts per inch is an essential factor that you must consider while buying a wood planers. A few planers also allow you to adjust the CPI. You must opt for a model that is providing you with a higher CPI. Why? Higher cuts will imply that each cut will be small.
This feature will also reduce tear-out and snipe. If the manufacturer is not providing the CPI rate, you have to do some math. Try to pick a model with a CPI of at least 90. The higher the CPI, the better it will be.
Snipe Risk
Many of you may be wondering what snipe is? The snipe is the action where the material you are working on gets pulled into the knives too early. The sniping will result in an awful and uneven piece of work. It is very easy for the snipe to take place in some units versus others.
If the snipe has got you worried, buy a planer that has additional features to reduce snipe. For example, the planer should allow you to adjust the tables. You can switch the planner according to your requirements and the measurements of your board.
Wrapping It Up
Now buying a wood planer is not going to look as difficult as doing intricate woodwork. There are hundreds of choices when it comes to purchasing wood planers. Hopefully, our in-depth product reviews and detailed buying guide help you to get your perfect woodwork buddy.
A wood planer is an extensive investment; that’s why you must pick a worthy and durable product. We have done our job of getting the right products to your attention, and now it’s in your hands to make the ultimate choice.
