Best Wood Planer Reviews

For any woodworker, squaring and straightening boards is essential and you’ll need to think about investing in the best planer if you don’t want to perform this tedious task by hand.

Before anything else at all, we need to clear up some terminology because things can get rather confusing…

In the UK and Australia, a planer is what we in the US would term a jointer. That’s to say, it’s a tool for ensuring that boards have straight edges and flat surfaces.

Here in the US, a planer or thickness planer is a machine to make boards of uniform thicknesses.

To further muddy the waters, often you find the functions of both of these machines rolled into one unit known as a planer/thicknesser. This is a particularly handy machine.

So for the purposes of today’s best planer reviews, we’ll be looking at a variety of different options to ensure that there’s something for everyone.

Editor's Choice

  • 15-amp motor
  • 20,000RPM with 10,000RPM for cutter-head
  • Cutter-head has 3 knives
  • 2 speed gear box
  • Fan-assisted ejection of wood chips
  • Solid cast aluminum base
  • Carriage lock
  • In-feed and out-feed table
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Rated as
5/5
Budget Friendly

Delta Power Tools 22-555 Thickness Planer
  • 15–amp motor
  • Quick-change disposable knives
  • Infeed and outfeed tables both adjustable
  • Dust port fully reversible
  • Scale for precision planing
  • On-board tool storage ​
  • Superb stock capacity
  • Innovative column design
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Rated as
3.5/5
Amazon's Choice

DeWalt DW680K Portable Planer
  • 7-amp motor
  • 16-inch throat size
  • Maximum depth of cut 3/23 inches
  • Takes steel or carbide blades
  • Kick stand
  • Calibrated depth adjustment
  • 2 blades included.
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Rated as
5/5

REVIEWS OF THE BEST WOOD PLANERS – COMPARISON GUIDE

​If you’re on the trail of the best planer for your workshop, you really are spoiled for choice. We’re here to make that less overwhelming and to point you in the direction of the best models to add to your toolkit.

Check out 5 of the very best planers on the market today before we offer up some detailed reviews…

Table of Contents

DeWalt DW735X Thickness Planer

Main Features
  • 15-amp motor
  • 20,000RPM with 10,000RPM for cutter-head
  • Cutter-head has 3 knives
  • 2 speed gear box
  • Fan-assisted ejection of wood chips
  • Solid cast aluminum base
  • Carriage lock
  • In-feed and out-feed table
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Rated as
5/5

First up in our best planer reviews is a top-notch tool from the industry heavyweight DeWalt.

Off the bat, do not confuse this thickness planer with a planer/thicknesser. This is a hard-hitting benchtop unit that acts purely to thickness your boards rather than serving double duty.

If you want to cut any rough or finished boards to the right thickness, the DeWalt is a very smart choice.

The DeWalt DW735X is first and foremost a tool for the shop. It tips the scales at over 100 pounds so, while you could take it on the jobsite, you’ll probably need some assistance to hump it around.

The trade-off for this lack of portability is a first-class, heavy-duty planer that’s built to last. You’ll be able to take care of pretty much any project from furniture and doors right through to customized millwork.

The 15-amp motor is a powerhouse. It maxes out at 20,000RPM which is capable of turning the blades at an impressive 10,000RPM. The result of this raw power is a planer perfectly placed to deliver substantial cuts in wide and hard material.

With a 3-knife cutter system, you’ll get a little more more mileage from your knives and you even get a free set provided so you can’t ask for much more than that. This goes some way to mitigating the fact the knives have a propensity to dull relatively quickly.

When it comes to changing the blades, DeWalt make life easy for you. Just remove the top section of the planer so the blades and exhaust shroud are fully exposed. Each blade has a handful of screws and when you want to move to the next blade, simply depress a lever so it locks into place.

The 2-speed gearbox is perfectly designed so you can easily boost or reduce the cutting speed. Jack it up to over 100 cuts per minute with any harder wood or dial it back if you’re working with softer material for maximum flexibility with the minimum of fuss. All you need to do is flick a simple switch and you can adjust the speed accordingly.

The DeWalt will accept workpieces up to 13 inches wide and you’ll be able to make cuts up to 6 inches in depth. This affords you the freedom to undertake pretty ambitious projects with substantial pieces of material.

Whether you want to remove fine layers or bigger chunks, you can do so without breaking your stride. The removal gauge and thickness scale help you to thickness any boards to a completely uniform size. The handy automatic carriage lock eliminates any snipe that would mar your project.

Safety is paramount with any power tool and the DW735X won’t let you down in this regard. Thanks to the fan-assisted chip ejection, you won’t get any stray debris on the cutterhead as it’s blown well clear of the machine leaving you to work in a clean, dust-free environment. You can also easily hook up your DeWalt to your favorite dust collection system so you’ve got all bases covered.

DeWalt are famous not just for top-notch power tools but also for their superb guarantees. You’ll get a 3-year limited warranty, a full year of free servicing and you’ll even enjoy a 90-day cooling-off period so if you’re not fully satisfied, you’ll get your money back.

Why we like it

  • Extremely capable motor kicks out 20,000RPM with a cutterhead speed of 10,000RPM so you can make big cuts in wide workpieces fuss-free
  • Work in complete safety with a fan-blown chip ejection system to blow any debris off the cutterhead and safely away from the machine
  • Rock-solid 19 ¾-inch base made from cast aluminum offers plenty of space with complete rigidity
  • Kiss goodbye to snipe with automatic carriage lock
  • Depth stop helps you set the most commonly used thicknesses to speed up your planing
  • Depth capacity of 6 inches, width capacity 13 inches so a very flexible performer
  • Alter feed speed easily from 96CPI to 179CPI thanks to dual-speed gearbox
  • As well as infeed and outfeed tables, you’ll get a spare set of knives thrown in
  • Thickness scale and material removal gauge combine to deliver precision cutting every time
  • Outstanding 3-year limited warranty for real peace of mind

Conclusion

If you’re in the market for an all-purpose planer to set up and leave in your workshop with perhaps occasional use on a job site, the DeWalt punches above its weight.

You’ll enjoy a great deal of flexibility and the ability to work with very large pieces of all kinds of material with excellent results.

The warranty and money-back guarantee come together to remove any reason not to pop this planer on your shortlist.

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Delta Power Tools 22-555 Thickness Planer

Main Features
  • 15–amp motor
  • Quick-change disposable knives
  • Infeed and outfeed tables both adjustable
  • Dust port fully reversible
  • Scale for precision planing
  • On-board tool storage ​
  • Superb stock capacity
  • Innovative column design
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Rated as
3.5/5

Next up in our best planer reviews is a more affordable option from Delta Power Tools. If you’re operating on a stricter budget, this thickness planer offers more than serviceable performance even with substantial workpieces at a highly attractive pricepoint.

As with the DeWalt, the 22-555 is not a combined planer/thicknesser but another benchtop unit that will thickness your boards rather than also jointing them.

Read on to see if this inexpensive but effective planer justifies making its way into your workshop…

Delta Power Tools have been in business for approaching a century and they’ve gained a hard-won reputation for producing quality goods that are remarkably easy on the pocket.

This meaty thickness planer has a potent 15-amp motor which is capable of a fairly impressive 18,880RPM topped with a cutterhead speed of 9400RPM. The simplicity of the planer means it’s ideal even if you don’t have much experience and you need to deal with bulkier boards.

The 22-555 can accommodate stock 13 inches wide and 6 inches tall so you are in safe hands even with pretty ambitious projects. It’s built to run all day so perfect if you need to deal with large volumes of material without your planer letting you down.

The unique design with a quartet of columns makes sure that the planer sits stable and steady. It also helps to dampen down any vibration and translates into accuracy and precision without much noise… well, not much noise for a planer anyway!

Losing track of tools is something that blights any woodworker. Delta Power Tools has included on-board storage so you can stash your blade-changing tools and retrieve them without breaking your flow and scratching your head, a real bonus if you’re absent minded and often misplace things.

Height adjustment is a total cakewalk. You can manipulate the rudimentary roller with one hand and tailor the height accordingly. The scale is very clearly marked. If you need to engage in repetitive planing, just lock it into place to save time and effort while guaranteeing complete accuracy.

There are a couple of noteworthy safety features thoughtfully served up by Delta. Although this model is an exposed open space planer, the knives are tucked away so you can’t come into contact with them when the planer is running. The power button is located front and center. If anything goes awry, simply turn it off and the knives will lock and immediately stop rotating.

If you’ve used planers with metal rollers, you’ll be well aware of the tiresome noise they generate. You won’t be plagued by that with the 22-555. Both infeed and outfeed rollers are coated with nitrile synthetic rubber. This tamps down the noise, a useful feature if your workshop is close to the house or liable to disturb the neighbors.

There are a couple of minor downsides with the 22-555 but they are certainly not deal-breakers… They are things to be aware of so you don’t end up buying in ignorance then being disappointed.

You won’t be lavished with extras but then consider the ultra-competitive price tag before moaning too much about this. You have all you need which is all that counts.

3 cutting knives would be better than the pair in place but you don’t really notice a lack of efficiency and the planing results are more than fit for purpose.

Why we like it

  • Exceptional value for money without sacrificing planing performance
  • 4 column design makes this planer tough and stable delivering accuracy, smoothness and minimal vibration
  • Delivers 18,800RPM with the head maxing out at 9400RPM
  • Fine-tune the height using a simple roller with one hand for a superbly user-friendly experience
  • Work with stock 13 inches wide and 6 inches high so more than adequate for even larger projects
  • Maximum depth of cut 3/32 inches
  • On-board tool storage keeps everything you need within reach
  • Coated rollers limit the noise kicked out while gliding exceptionally smoothly
  • Dust port can be set to right or left to suck up woodchips and keep your workshop free of debris
  • Dual-edged knives are disposable and extremely to swap out
  • 5-year limited warranty proves how much the manufacturer stands behind this planer

Conclusion

For a solid and dependable planer for your home workshop, the Delta Power Tools 22-555 is a strong contender for the best planer in its price range. Sure, other more expensive tools outflank it in many areas but then you are paying for that privilege.

If you want a cost-effective and extremely powerful planer that will thickness even large boards effortlessly, think seriously about road-testing the 22-555. If you run into any problems, a stellar 5-year limited warranty means you’re covered without straining your finances.

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DeWalt DW680K Portable Planer

Main Features
  • 7-amp motor
  • 16-inch throat size
  • Maximum depth of cut 3/23 inches
  • Takes steel or carbide blades
  • Kick stand
  • Calibrated depth adjustment
  • 2 blades included.
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Rated as
5/5

As we continue our best planer reviews, we’ll step things down in size to a nifty little portable planer from the highly reputable DeWalt. This brand produces high-grade tools at a very reasonable price point. The DW680K is no exception.

Not everyone wants a bulky and weighty unit that’s impractical to move around. So, whether you’re a home DIY enthusiast or a woodworker, this portable planer could be just what you were looking for.

We’re always unfailingly honest with our product reviews and we’ll say from the get-go that the DeWalt is not perfect but then few things in life are. If you are aware of the limitations of this planer and also take the price tag into account, you can choose to buy fully apprised of its shortcomings rather than potentially wasting your money.

For portability, the DW680K takes some beating. It weighs 12 pounds which might not be featherlight but it’s certainly easy enough to wield and also to carry around the home or jobsite single handed.

Since it’s a small, compact unit, the 7-amp motor kicks out more than enough power for most reasonable planing needs. It maxes out at 15,000RPM.

This planer is expressly designed to reduce the number of passes you’ll need to make. You can shave off 3/32 inch of wood in a single pass meaning you churn through projects without painstakingly going back and forth. Speed alone is useless if the end result is rough and inaccurate. This planer will serve up an incredibly smooth finish on a range of hardwoods meaning it’s a winning combination of pace and performance. This is rare with cheaper power tools so we applaud DeWalt for achieving this.

Depth setting on planers can be a tricky business. If you need to recalibrate to zero with each project, you’ll lose time and becoming frustrated. With a handy knob houses on top of the planer, there’s none of the usual nonsense involved and the settings are pretty accurate.

With planers, the blades are self-evidently of the utmost importance. The DeWalt takes reversible carbide blades which you can also sharpen to get more bang for your buck. These blades will give you an impeccable finish on a range of woods so they are not just cost-savers but highly effective into the bargain.

The lack of a dust collection system is a serious omission. This renders using the planer indoors a messy and unpleasant experience. The exhaust tends to blow chips back rather too close to your face as you work away, another pretty inexcusable design flaw. To salt the wound, it’s designed for right-handed use only so factor this in if you’re a southpaw.

The power cord is also poorly positioned. Again, we’d expect more attention to crucial details like this from a company of DeWalt’s standing.

The other noteworthy downsides are reports from a number of users about difficulty in obtaining consistent planing results. This is at variance to claims of the manufacturer but it’s something we feel duty bound to point out.

Although this might seem like a negative review, we endorse this planer since it’s a flexible and capable tool at a highly attractive price point. The advantages outweigh any downsides and it’s well worth popping on your shortlist.

Why we like it

  • The potent 7-amp motor works wonderfully in this compact unit for slick and accurate finishing of even harder woods
  • Generates 15,000RPM to deliver smooth and accurate stock
  • Lightweight planer at 12 pounds so ideal for extended work periods
  • Highly versatile accommodating sharp enable, reversible carbide blades for accuracy, detail and longevity
  • Cuts 3/32 inches in a single pass so you can get more done in less time with minimal effort
  • Calibrated knob minimizes the fuss involved in precise depth setting
  • Shoe is machined to deliver smooth boards and it also helps with rabbeting
  • Case and rabbeting fence thrown in as nice bonuses
  • Poly-v drive belt to further extend lifespan of planer

Conclusion

When you buy a less expensive planer, you can’t expect the earth. Many complaints leveled at tools like the DeWalt DW680K, in our opinion, are borne out of unreasonable expectations.

If you want a cheap and highly functional portable planer at a pocket-friendly price, you really can’t go far wrong. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for something more heavy-duty and with a shower of extras and accessories, you’re far better off exploring some of the more costly and upscale planers on our list.

Ultimately, everyone has different needs when looking for the best planer. For anyone prizing portability and a smooth finish and prepared to overlook or deal with the handful of deficiencies, we strongly recommend the DeWalt.

 

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Makita KP0810 Portable Planer

Main Features
  • 7-amp motor
  • No-load speed 16,000RPM
  • 2-blade cutter head
  • Spring-loaded stan
  • Clear scale
  • Depth adjustment knob
  • Accessories: wrench, gauge assembly, depth guide, guide rule, blade set
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Rated as
4.5/5

Before we explore a much more substantial benchtop planer, another highly portable model is next up in our best planer reviews, this time the Makita KP0810.

Tipping the scales at a mere 7.3 pounds, you’ll be able to get busy with prolonged planing projects without feeling the strain. The padded rubber handle adds another layer of comfort and ensures you can focus on your work without any aches and pains.

Makita specialize in all manner of industrial power tools and, while they are not the cheapest option, they are certainly very reasonably priced and offer first-rate functionality and design in return.

This ultra-light 7-pound portable planer is fashioned with ease of use and user-comfort uppermost. You’ll be able to work for lengthy spells without feeling in any way burdened. The die-cast aluminum housing accounts for this weight but it’s also rugged enough that the planer is not going to pack up on you after a month or two.

The cutter head features a pair of blades which is more than adequate for a portable planer. The poky 7.5-amp motor throws out a no-load speed of 16,000RPM ensuring you get a smooth and accurate finish

The twin blades on the cutter head are made from carbide steel so you’ll get that ideal mix-up of durability and precise, smooth results. You’ll be able to make a single pass cutting 3 ¼ inches wide and 5/32 inches deep so you can churn through projects with ease without leaving a rough finish in your wake. These stats are very impressive for a handheld planer and Makita should be commended.

If you are engaged in repetitive tasks that demand continuous operation, you’ll appreciate the lock-on button. You can activate this from both sides of the handle.

Depth adjustment is a cinch. The knob’s scale is clear and easy to read while click stops in increments of 0.1mm lead to precise work with minimal fanfare. There are 3 chamfering grooves on the front base giving you a nice degree of flexibility.

Although there’s no dust collector, the chip ejector is well designed and you can angle it on either side of the planer according to preference.

Makita offers a straightforward 1-year limited warranty combined with a 30-day money back guarantee. If you’re still on the fence concerning the purchase of this planer, there’s really nothing much to lose. If you find it falls short of the mark, return it for a no-quibbles refund.

Why we like it

  • 7.5-amp motor has no-load speed of 16,000RPM so you can work swiftly without sacrificing smoothness of finish
  • 2 blades on cutter head are double-edged carbide so work with hard materials fuss-free
  • Plane 3 ¼ inches (width) and 5/32 inches (depth) in a single pass
  • Rugged and built to last with aluminum housing also minimizing the weight of the tool
  • Neat lock-on button allows continuous planing without straining your fingers
  • Chip ejection can be directed to either side for your complete convenience
  • Spring-loaded stand helps to raise the base protecting both the wood and your planer blades for the double win
  • Depth adjustment knob with click stops for highly precise planning
  • 1-year limited warranty with 30-day money back guarantee so buy without a headache knowing Makita has your back

Conclusion

Whether you’re a simple hobbyist woodworker just starting out or a more experienced finish carpenter, the Makita KP0810 is a strong contender for the best portable planer on the market.

Although Makita’s failure to provide either a carrying case or a dust collector is slightly annoying, most woodworkers intending to carry this planer around will have a suitable cover. Buying a dust collector is not the end of the world either and, when set against everything that the Makita does so well, these are relatively trifling niggles.

Overall, the KP0810 will guarantee a smooth and accurate finish on a range of materials while not costing the earth either. For something small, super-light and capable of speeding up your workflow without compromising on quality, Makita has a real winner on its hands with this fine portable planer. Road test the KP0810 today!

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JET 708524 Benchtop Planer

Main Features
  • 1 ½ HP motor
  • 4500RPM
  • Single phase 110V or 230V
  • Infeed and outfeed tables
  • Cast iron table
  • Feed rate 20FPM (planing) and 10FPM (molding)
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Rated as
4/5

We’ll round out our best planer reviews with an outstanding benchtop planer from JET.

The 708524 might be costlier than some of the smaller planers featured here but, for a benchtop unit, it represents superb value for money and is actually fairly cheap.

A quick snapshot of the features before we launch into a detailed breakdown and a look at the pros and cons of the 708524…

This freestanding cabinet-style benchtop planer from JET also serves as a molder so you get excellent value for the money even if you initially wince at the price tag. Bear in mind, too, that these planers are never cheap so the 708524 is actually at the lower end of the range. Considering this, you get a truly fantastic planer fit for most reasonable requirements.

The 1 1/2HP motor is completely enclosed. It delivers 4500RPM and, while its default setting is 110V, a little cheeky rewiring enables it to run on 230V so it’ perfect whatever your needs. You can open a handy side door on the cabinet if you need to check the engine out or tension the belts. This is a nice touch with an fully encased unit.

One area in which the JET truly excels is the perfectly honed cutter head. This is 2 9/16 inches across packing a trio of full-size knives. They are held in place by the traditional wedge system. Although this can be awkward for the initiated, one advantage is the ability to install multiple molding knife profiles without taking out the planer blades. The JET takes more than 40 molding sets so you really are spoiled for choice.

You’ll be able to plane boards 13 inches in width, 6 1/8 inches deep and up to 14 inches long so JET has got you covered even if you need to engage in projects that are larger and more ambitious in scope.

Thinking of bigger projects, you can ramp up the feed rate to 20FPM if you need to remove large amounts of wood in a hurry. This can be dialed back to 10FPM when you want the smoothest possible finish. The slower feed rate is also ideal for any molding you’ll carry out.

The table is cast-iron and measures 19 ¼ inch long and 14 inches wide. There’s plenty of travel. The infeed and outfeed rollers come with a rubber coating so your stock will move seamlessly and consistently. The rubber will grip the wood without ruining the surface for a win-win.

There’s an integrated dust chute and you can connect the JET to a dust collector to guarantee your workshop is safe, clean and debris-free.

Why we like it

  • Poky, fully encased 1 1/2HP engine runs on 110V but can be rewired to work with 230V so completely versatile
  • 3 cutter head design is the optimum for a silky smooth finish capable of 13,500 cuts per minute
  • Serves double duty working as both planer and molder
  • Easy to install molding knives without needing to remove planer blades
  • Both infeed and outfeed rollers rubber-coated for easy gliding
  • Spacious, solid table allows you to work with larger materials hassle-free
  • Dust chute you can hook up to any dust collector with ease
  • 5-year limited warranty shows the confidence of the manufacturer that the 708524 won’t leave you in the lurch
  • Plane 13 inches wide, 6 1/8 inches deep and 14 inches long offering a first-class range of cuts
  • Scales in metric and imperial so no call for tasky mental calculations
  • Removal door on side of cabinet lets you tension the belt or examine the motor without inconveniencing yourself

Conclusion

There’s really nothing much meaningful you can say against the JET 708524 benchtop planer. Even the price tag is reasonable when you think about the competition and the fact these planers can easily run into figures.

If you’re looking for a multi-purpose planer that would grace any workshop and copes with even large projects with consummate ease, you should give serious consideration to the JET. If you’ve got any doubts about it, bear in mind the class-leading 5-year warranty which will cover you for any unlikely mishaps.

Overall, this really is perhaps the best planer in its class and price range so what are you waiting for?

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best wood planer: Looking for more information?

Interested to learn more in-depth details about selecting the right tool for your needs? Read our Informational Buyer Guide and Frequently Asked Questions sections on this topic for more details.

Final Words...

​We very much hope you’ve enjoyed this detailed guide and best planer reviews. We’ve tried to include everything we could think of to walk you through the tricky process of finding the most appropriate tool.

Always feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or feedback. We’re delighted to hear from our readers and we are expanding this site in line with many messages we’ve received asking for guides and reviews to an assortment of different power tools.

And thinking of questions, we’ll wrap up these planer reviews with a shotgun look at the most frequently asked questions specific to planers…

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