Best Planers | Reviews of Our Favorite Tools

Achieving flatness and consistent thickness in wood slabs can be done with the right planer. A planer actually saves you time and money.

When looking for smooth wood for your projects, you do not need to spend a lot of time in stores trying to look for wood with the thickness and surface consistency you want. You can work with rough and raw wood and just use a planer to get the thickness you want.

Whatever woodwork project you have, make sure you get the smoothest and the evenest surface with the help of a planer. Do not worry because we did these wood planer reviews and found those that can truly deliver consistent results.

The Best Planers Are…

Product	Details
1. DeWALT DW735X Thickness Planer, Two-Speed, 13-Inch	Top Pick	Speed: 20,000 RPM Size: 13 Inch Power: 15 Amps Power Source: Electric-Powered Weight: 105 pounds	Check Current Price
2. Bosch PL1632 6.5 Amp Planer		Speed: 16,500 RPM Size: 3-1/4 Inch Power: 6.5 Amps Power Source: Electric-Powered Weight: 6.3 pounds	Check Current Price
3. Delta Power Tools 22-555 13-inch Portable Thickness Planer		Speed: 18,800 RPM Size: 13 inches Power: 15 Amps Power Source: Electric-Powered Weight: 58 pounds	Check Current Price
4. Tacklife 7.5-Amp Electric Hand Planer		Speed: 16,000 RPM Size: 3-1/4 Inch Power: 67.5 Amps Power Source: Electric-Powered Weight: 7.68 pounds	Check Current Price
5. WEN 6552T 13-Inch 3-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer		Speed: 20,500 cuts per minute Size: 13 Inch Power: 15 Amps Power Source: Electric-Powered Weight: 66 pounds	Check Current Price
6. Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer		Speed: 8,500 RPM Size: 12 Inch Power: 15 Amps Power Source: Electric-Powered Weight: 61.8 pounds	Check Current Price

1. DeWALT DW735X Thickness Planer, Two-Speed, 13-Inch — Best Wood Planer

If you are looking for a long-lasting and highly rated planer, then you should consider the DeWALT DW735X Thickness Planer. It comes with a three-knife cutter-head that delivers great results.

This planer comes with a powerful 15-amp motor that delivers up to 20,000 rotations per minute. It is a variable speed motor, as it comes with a 2-speed gearbox. This allows you to change the speed of the tool to suit your cutting needs.

It offers a maximum cutting depth of 1/8-inch with a full capacity of 13 inches in width and 6 inches in depth. This tool is on the higher end of the price spectrum.

However, it offers great value for your money. It is also pretty heavy, as it weighs more than 100 pounds. Nevertheless, the added weight increases the stability of the tool.

The cutter-head speed is 10,000 rotations per minute. You can use this tool to handle larger cuts in wider materials quickly and easily. This product comes with an extra set of knives and infeed and outfeed tables.

It comes with a 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and a 90-day money-back guarantee. It features an auto carriage lock that helps to minimize the movement that causes snipe without the need for manual engagement.

The three-knife cutting-head makes it very easy and fast to change the blades, and it also delivers 30 percent longer knife life. It also features a fan-assisted chip ejection that vacuums chips off the cutter-head. 

Verdict

For Professional Use: If you are looking for the best planer for professional use, then you should consider this option. It comes with variable speed settings and a very powerful motor that delivers up to 20,000 RPM.

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2. Bosch PL1632 6.5 Amp Planer

Just as good is this one from Bosch. The price is just in the middle, so it is neither too expensive nor too cheap. It has a good amperage rating of 6.5 amps that ensures you get the power you need to remove unnecessary wood.

And at 16,500 RPM speed, you can get that woodwork done in no time. It comes with a stand that has been spring-loaded to prevent the blade from cutting through the wood while it is resting.

What is interesting about this is its unique shape that enables it to enter the wood in the middle of working on it. You can also use this for smoothing outdoor edges using its dual-mount guide fence. You can set a specific planing depth as well with the metric depth scale included in it.

This tool comes with a soft grip for comfortable handling, and the handle is optimally-angled for forwarding motion. It comes with an ambidextrous lock-off release button that helps to prevent accidental starts. It also allows for prolonged use, thanks to its lock-on button.

This feature helps to release the stress on your fingers during extended use. It also comes with a dust port that helps to keep your workspace clean and free from particles.

The planer is very easy to position, thanks to its ball-joint cord swivel. It features a poly micro-V drive belt to boost the durability of the belt. One of the most outstanding features of this tool is its Woodrazor micro grain carbide blade. The blade is super sharp and it is highly durable.

Verdict

Great for Simple Projects: You can rely on this mid-range planer to get simple wood projects done. It is also an ideal choice if you frequently make doors. It has a feature that allows you to smooth the surface of doors and their edges successfully.

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3. Delta Power Tools 22-555 13-inch Portable Thickness Planer

If you are looking for something more capable, set your sights on this planer from Delta. It has double the motor power of the previous models. At 15 amperage, it is capable of responding to your most demanding requests. It has a four-column design to extract the most stability out of it.

You can expect smooth and accurate results all the time. It also features a quick-change knife system, allowing you to seamlessly change knives without difficulties when it comes to using alignment jigs. You can also collect sawdust and chips from either side of the planer through its reversible dust port.

This tool also comes with adjustable infeed and outfeed tables to provide great support for large workpieces. The 15-amp motor delivers a cutting speed of 18,800 rotations per minute. The minimum stock dimension is 1/8-inch by 10-inch while the maximum stock dimension is 13 inches wide by 6 inches high.

It comes with two double edge reversible knives that measure 222mm by 12mm by 1.5mm. This tool is pretty heavy, as it weighs 58 pounds. It delivers the most precise cutting mechanism around. You can use the scale to accurately plane your wood.

Verdict

Ideal for Small Shop Owners: This is one of the best planers you can get today if you are running a small woodwork shop. It gets the job done efficiently and accurately with its higher power.

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4. Tacklife 7.5-Amp Electric Hand Planer

Here is another inexpensive planer you should get if you are on a tight budget. With 7.5 amps of motor power, this assures you can get a lot of planing work done. It is capable of doing 32,000 cuts in a minute. It can cut through widths of up to 3-1/4 inches. It has the functionality of an industrial-grade planer but at a more affordable price tag.

All the accessories you might need is in it. That includes a parallel fence bracket, a dust bag, a rabbeting guide, and an open-end wrench. Keep your work area clean with its zippered dust bag. Removing the collected sawdust is also quite convenient.

Many customers said this definitely lasted them for a long time. It ensures smoother results, thanks to its mirror-grade aluminum flat bottom plate.

The 7.5 Amps pure copper motor drives the blade to generate a speed of 16,000 RPM. To prevent overload, this motor of this tool is softly connected to the frame of the planer. The blades are also durable, and they will serve you for years. They are made with 65 Manganese steel, making them hard and suitable for any kind of project.

It comes with a soft rubber handle that provides a comfortable grip. It also helps to reduce fatigue during prolonged uses. The power cable is pretty long, allowing for more maneuverability. It also comes with a dual controlling switch to help prevent accidents.

Verdict

Value for Your Money: This is a gem of a planer because of how well it does its job without breaking the bank. It is an inexpensive choice, but it has all the right features that can help you do your planing job successfully.

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5. WEN 6552T 13-Inch 3-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer

Next up is the WEN 6552T 13-Inch 3-Blade Planer. This is a great thickness planer and it is a worthy investment. It also comes at a fairly reasonable price. This tool comes with an impressive 15-amp motor that delivers up to 25,500 cuts per minute.

It also allows you to adjust the cutting depth anywhere from 0 to 2/32-inch. It features a fan-assisted dust port that can get rid of sawdust and chips from your workspace. This allows for a cleaner workspace and it provides you with comfortable experience.

It comes with carbon steel double-edged blades that deliver great results. They are also highly durable and they hold an edge for a long time. For the smoothest of finishes, this tool provides a super smooth surface, thanks to its granite table. The granite table is highly durable and it is going to provide you with the support you need for a very long time.

The frame of this tool is made out of cast iron, making it a very reliable and sturdy planer. The planing capacity of this tool is 13 inches wide and 6 inches thick. It is not too heavy nor is it too light, as it weighs 66 pounds. This tool also comes with a limited two-year warranty. Many users love this tool for its price and great quality.

We are not leaving out the three-blade design of this tool, as it is one of its major selling points. The design makes easy work out of even the hardest of woods. It comes with an onboard material removal gauge that lets you know the cutting depth of each pass.

Verdict

For DIYers and Occasional Use: This planer is best for DIYers and occasional uses. It is not ideal for industrial use. It is pretty powerful and it comes with many great features that come in handy for projects around the home.

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6. Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer

Our list of the best planers will not be complete without mentioning a product from Makita. Makita is a very popular name in the tool manufacturing industry, and the Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer is one of the best planers on the market.

This tool comes with an interna-Lok automated head clamp that prevents sniping altogether. It is highly compact and lightweight, making it very easy to transport to job sites. Makita also engineered this tool for easier and faster blade changes.

It is very comfortable to use, and it generates low noise, measuring at only 83 dB. This tool does not come cheap, as it is on the higher end of the price spectrum like the DeWALT DW735X. The packaging of this tool includes a 12-inch double-edged planer blade, a blade wrench, one magnetic holder, a toolbox, and a key.

The capacity of the cutting depth is 1/8 of an inch while the width cutting capacity is 12 inches. You can also adjust the cutting depth for more precision planning. When it comes to performance, this tool comes with a 15-amp motor that delivers a speed of 8,500 rotations per minute. It also has a LED light that indicates when the plug is not in.

Verdict

Low Noise Planer: Planers usually generate noise while in use. However, this particular model was designed to suppress noise, as it generates less than 85 dB of noise. You can use it anywhere, comfortably, and conveniently.

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Planer Versus Jointer – Which One Do You Need?

There is often confusion when it comes to jointers and planers. These are actually different devices. Although they are similar, their functions are entirely different. You would want to know what the functions of a jointer and a planer are and when you should use them.

A jointer is needed to make surfaces along the edges and faces of wood flat. When you buy pieces of wood, they can be custom-cut into different sizes.

The problem with this is that when they cut it to the size you prefer, the surface of these pieces is usually not even. This is where you will use a jointer. You use this to even out uneven edges and faces.

A planer is basically a cutter. You use it to get the thickness of wood you prefer. You can use this to make parallel faces as well.

In order to determine whether you need a planer or a jointer, you first need to know what type of wood finish you are working on. If you are getting wood labeled as S2S, these woods typically have 2 sides already finished.

The S4S type of wood, on the other hand, has 4 of its sides finished. Beginners typically use S4S type of wood because they do not require too much work to finish. However, if you are using S2S boards, you might need a jointer to smooth out the edges before they are joined.

Jointers are also capable of flattening wood that has warped a little bit because of humidity and too much air pressure. You can follow it up with a planer to create a more even surface.

If there is a specific wood thickness that you are looking for, you need a planer for that job. Also, if you are making furniture where parallel surfaces are needed, a planer is also essential.

Factors To Consider When Buying The Best Planer

When deciding which planer to get, it is important to consider the following factors first:

Type Of Planers

There are 2 basic planers you can choose from. You can choose from a hand planer and an electric planer. A hand planer is more ideal for smaller planing jobs.

You get more control over your work because you can decide on how much power and effort you can put into it. The downside is that you can get tired easily using this type of planer. It causes hand fatigue.

Electric planers have more power. They are also equipped with functions that will allow you to control how much force and power you can get.

Efficiency and Flexibility

Does it have enough power to get the job done at the recommended time? What end result are you looking for? You need to ask these questions, so you can determine how efficient and flexible the planer you are buying should be.

Ease of Use

You do not need an engineering degree in order to be able to use your planer. Even hobbyists should be able to use the planer easily. That said, look for one that has a comparatively small learning curve.

Price

Compare the price of the planer and determine whether it is at a reasonable price when you consider its features. If there is a planer that has more features and a longer warranty but costs more, you might want to spend more money on it. Usually, the more money you spend, the better the features you will get.

Conclusion

Do you have everything that you need to become a skilled woodworker? Check out our homepage to see if there are other tools you need to add to your arsenal. Make sure you read our buying guides and our product recommendations.

The clear winner is the DeWALT DW735X Thickness Planer, because it is very powerful and it is ideal for both professionals and DIYers. It is very easy to use, convenient, and highly flexible.