Best Overall
Bosch PL2632K 3¼-Inch Planer Kit
Best Bang For The Buck
Wen 6534 8-Amp 4⅜-Inch Electric Hand Planer
Best Light-Duty
Ryobi One+ P611 18V Cordless 3¼-Inch Planer
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galvanic hand planer are designed to cursorily slay large amounts of wood and level a surface , making them a honest choice for leveling boards with significant cup or crowns — study that could take hour with a manual plane tool . tap our experience with a variety oftools and materials , we researched over 15 handheld electric planers and take the top three for hands - on testing in our woodworking shop class .
And we found a favorite ! TheBosch 3¼-Inch Planertook the best overall daub in our tests establish on its ergonomic pattern , sinewy performance , and ability to turn out smooth bevel on board edges .
The two models we tested in addition to the Bosch were salient , and they ’re suitable for a chain of mountains of hand-held planer projects . Plus , we ’ve included three more model from our shortlist that we did n’t test but would care to in the futurity . Keep translate to get word more about these popular woodworking peter and regain out how our tested models gain spots on our lineup of the sound electric paw planers .
Our Top Picks
Even with a good agreement of electric hand planers , prospective buyers may still find the shopping cognitive operation a bit intimidating . When it comes to choosing the best electric planer on the market , the watch are some of the top picks for specific categories of use . Be sure to keep in psyche the abovementioned consideration when comparing these models .
Our military rating : Build Quality5/5 ; Ease of Use4.8/5 ; Performance4.5/5 ; Value4.8/5
The Bosch PL2632 K kit could be the veracious pick for anyone looking for a planer with built - in features and plenty of power . This corded model has a 6.5 - amp motor that spins the two - blade cutting tool foreland at 16,500 revolutions per minute ( RPM ) , result in prompt material removal . It has a 3¼-inch cutting off width and a deepness of cut up to 3/32 of an in .
There are several thing we really liked about this twilled hand planer from Bosch . It is lightweight , and we find its non - slip ergonomic handle comfortable . It feature a ball - swivel office electric cord , which is a real perk because the cord go around and does n’t bind . There are spring - loaded foot and a Saratoga chip expulsion switch to take the shavings , as well . The outfit comes with additional blade , a guide fence , and a carry case . It also has a shavings collection bag , but the bag fulfill up quickly and requires frequent emptying .
We especially liked the smooth chamfers the Bosch cut on board edge — they were uncontaminating , uniform , and required very picayune sanding .
What our tester says:“I was very impressed by both the power and the precision the Makita planing machine demonstrated . I could speedily charge scratchy and scratchy board and only minimum sanding was take . ” — Glenda Taylor , Product Reviews examiner and author
Get the Bosch galvanising hired hand planer atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orThe Home Depot .
Best Bang for the Buck
Wen 6534 8-Amp, 4⅜-Inch Electric Hand Planer
Our Ratings : Build Quality4.5/5 ; Ease of Use4.3/5 ; Performance4/5 ; Value4.5/5
blend leaden - responsibility capability with affordability can be challenge , but those looking for that combining should consider the Wen 6534 galvanizing planing machine . It feature a twilled 8 - amp motor that makes up to 32,000 cutting off per minute . We were impressed with its mightiness and 4⅜-inch photographic plate width that made speedy work of smoothing uneven plug-in . Best of all , it comes at an low-cost price peak .
This Wen 6534 cede good deal of planing powerfulness and had a slight something excess that the other good example we tested lacked : two bevel grooves to opt from , which allows the user to choose the channel that go most comfortably when shaving chamfers .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Although it is n’t lightweight at almost 10 pounds , this hand planer ’s heavy - responsibility motor and wide capacity make the weight a fair trade - off . This outfit has a dust interface ( no accumulation bag ) , a fence , a sliding fencing , and an machinelike kickstand . If you ’re looking for an supererogatory - wide electric hand planer at a peachy price , check out the Wen 6534 .
Get the Wen galvanising hand planer atAmazon , Lowe’s , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Our Ratings : Build Quality4/5 ; Ease of Use4/5 ; Performance4.3/5 ; Value4.3/5
Photo: Amazon
This light - duty Ryobi woodworking galvanic planer uses the make ’s pop 18V One+ battery and features a two - blade excogitation . We wish its 3¼-inch cutting capacity and 1/16 - in depth of cutting off . Both the top and front grips are ergonomically design for skilful comfortableness and reduced vibration .
This Ryobi framework has some build - in feature article that most might not expect from an entering - level planer such as this . It ’s lightweight , weigh about 5½ pounds . It also has a built - in kickstand for protecting the blades and the workpiece and onboard storage for the blade twist . It comes with a fencing and a junk collection bag , but the suitcase is pretty small , and we had to empty it frequently .
This is a tool - only software program , so battery and a charger indigence to be purchased individually , which may be a downside for some . But those who own other Ryobi 18V cordless instrument can trade shelling between them and redeem money .
Photo: Amazon
What our examiner says:“The P611 did a sound job of leveling the test boards , but it did n’t have quite the desirableness of the corded manikin . Being able to utilize it remotely , however , was a big summation . Overall , I call back this is a majuscule choice for light - obligation project , such as planing temperate roughness on control board for build shelving or other DIY projects . ” — Glenda Taylor , Product Reviews writer and quizzer
Get the Ryobi electric hand planer atThe Home DepotorAmazon .
More Great Options
While we did n’t personally test the next three portable planers , they were next on our list after the three we chose .
Best for Pros
Makita XPK02Z 18V LXT Cordless 3¼-Inch Planer
For a meridian example of the evolution of galvanic deal planers , we like the XPK02Z LXT cordless planing machine from Makita . This example has all the typical feature article , such as a 12,000 - RPM brushless motor , a 3¼-inch cutting capacity , and a depth of slice of up to ⅛ column inch . The twin - blade conception is smooth , and the grip is ergonomically design . But it also has some features that make this upgrade foot worth considering .
This model come with Makita ’s Bluetooth - ready Auto - Start Wireless System ( AWS ) , which allows user to pair this gimmick with a dust appeal system to automatically trip when the initiation activates the plane . The termination is instant rubble collection without the additional wires and switches — something that can make bridge player - planing a much more pleasurable experience . We ’re also lover of the deeper - than - most ⅛-inch depth electrical capacity , which make the Makita suitable for pro as well as DIYers .
Please keep in mind , however , that this is a tool - only kit , meaning it does n’t come with a battery or battery charger . Users will have to utilise their existing stock of 18V LXT Makita batteries or bribe one separately .
Photo: The Home Depot
Get the Makita electric hand planer atAmazon , The Home Depot , orAcme Tools .
Best Heavy Duty
DeWalt D26677K 3¼-Inch Portable Hand Planer Kit
DIYers and pro looking for amphetamine , quality , and adjustability might desire to consider DeWalt ’s hand planer kit . This plane features a 5.5 - adenosine monophosphate cord electric motor that produces blade swiftness of up to 34,000 cut per moment at 17,000 RPM — that ’s powerful . It also features a two - blade excogitation , with reversible blades for longer usable liveliness , and we like the rabbeting fence for creating precise rabbet joints .
This planer offers a carving capacity of 3¼ inches and a depth of undercut of up to 1/16 column inch . It also has an ergonomic handle designed to keep the user ’s wrist joint in a indifferent location and a front - mounted node for depth adjustments and overall control .
The kit comes with two extra blade and a fence , as well as a dust assembling port . There is n’t a dust assemblage bag include with the outfit , and for some , that may be a downside , but in our testing experience with the previous three models , the collection bag filled up so quickly that we receive ourselves removing them most of the prison term anyway , so this is n’t a existent problem .
Photo: Amazon
Get the DeWalt galvanic mitt planer kit atAmazon , Ace Hardware , orThe Home Depot .
Also Consider
Porter-Cable PC60THP 6-Amp Hand Planer
For another low-priced option , check out Porter - Cable ’s corded electric hand planer . This model features a 6 - amp corded motor that produces stop number up to 16,500 revolutions per minute , or 33,000 cuts per minute , from its two - blade cutter psyche . It has a width of cut of 3¼ in and a depth of swing up to 5/64 of an in . That ’s a bit shallow than some of the models we tested , but if you ’re looking to fine - melody wood rather than removing material aggressively , it should be fine .
This model is affordable and has some suitable characteristic , such as a built - in kickstand . It also has directable chip deflection , allowing the substance abuser to decide which side the chips exit from the planer . It comes with a fence and a dust collection bag , but at just under 8½ pound , some folks might discover the weight to be a bit of a challenge . We like this model for a furniture maker or DIY piece of furniture maker .
Get the Porter - Cable electric hired man planer atAmazon , The Home Depot , orAcme Tools .
Photo: Amazon
How We Chose and Tested the Best Electric Hand Planers
comparatively speak , there are not as many electrical planer models available as there are circular saws or framing nailers . Still , there is quite a motley to opt from . We thoroughly research more than 15 options before narrowing down our inclination to six and then choosing three of those six for hands - on examination . We considered the features we do it and the feature we wished we had to give us a practiced start .
In actual testing , we used the planers to level odd wood surfaces on deal and hardwood board . We also used their bevel grooves to skip chamfer on the edge of board . We noted how smooth the planer go away the Grant Wood surface — something that ’s important for reduced sanding . We tested the planers with and without their shave collection bags , and we tried out their fences to see how durable and accurate they were .
During the testing process , we award points ground on a title . The full an electric plane did on an assessment or mental test , the more percentage point it earned . After testing , we averaged the period to learn our best overall pick and to categorize the other models as to their best use .
Photo: Amazon
What to Consider When Choosing an Electric Hand Planer
Although many DIYers and woodworkers are familiar with basic hand plane , electric hand planers are sort of a niche tool . Unlike basichand planes , the type most often used for precise woodwind removal , such asplaning a room access , galvanic bridge player planer have in high spirits - speed cylindric blades that lop off petite chunks of wood . That ’s not the only divergence between them , as the following sections will discuss .
Power and Speed
Using electric mitt planers instead of manualwoodworking toolsto whittle down room access edges , joists , and circuit card makes the job go much faster . The electric hand planers descend in corded and cordless models , and the motor speeds are impressive .
Corded electric hand planer range from lighter - duty , 5 - A models to those with 8 AMP meant for heavier - responsibility planing . They can strive f number of up to 20,000 RPM or more .
Cordless electric hand planers are all about convenience . They use rechargeable batteries ( generally 18V or 20V , reckon on the brand ) to power their electric motors and give focal ratio of up to 16,000 or 17,000 rev on median . Despite slenderly lower speed , many cordless galvanic hand planing machine featurebrushless motorsand electronic controls that grant them to match the hard - obligation output signal of some twilled good example .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Note : Beware that there is a distinction between revolution per minute and cuts per minute . gash per minute of arc refer to how many meter the blades come in contact with the wood , whereas gyration per bit touch to how many times the motor spins completely in 1 minute . Divide the cuts per minute by the act of blade to determine the motor ’s speed .
galvanizing hand plane shoppers take to understand two cutting designations . Capacity have-to doe with to cutting width , while the astuteness of track refer to how much forest the plane will take with each toss .
The general all - intention cut capacity for electric bridge player planing machine is 3¼ column inch . This capacity can handle framing timber , thick doors , tabletop , and most other wood products . heavy newspaper clipping capacity ( sometimes more than 6 inches ) are available , but they ’re typically best for heavy - duty app such as timber frame .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
maybe more important than cut breadth is the depth of cut . Some galvanising hand plane can dispatch as much as ⅛ inch from the airfoil in one pass . However , this is often far too aggressive , so electric deal planers allow the exploiter to dial in the depth of the gash in much smaller increments .
Electric hand planers alter in the identification number of planer blades they incorporate . Some example might sport just one planer blade , which will do the trick but can result in a choppier goal and/or more vibration than those with more blades . Models with two or three leaf blade will ensue in a smoother close and less vibration . Two - brand mannequin are the most common .
Electric hand planer steel are typically carbide - tipped , which makes them undestroyable enough for many uses . However , they will jade down over time , and some type can be arduous to sharpen . fortuitously , they ’re easy to replace , and there are plenty of carbide - tipped replacement blade on the marketplace .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Weight and Handle
Electric hired hand planer are n’t Modern , and some of the old models weighed around 20 pound . This caused them to be a on-key handful , which often made hold the baseball swing toward the end of the card difficult . Today ’s compact models weigh less than half of those older example , usually between 5 and 10 pounds , making them much well-fixed to handle for repeat passes .
Also , modern electric hand planers have ergonomic handgrip on top that position the drug user ’s wrist in a neutral predilection . knob on the front of most electric hand planers countenance the user to adjust the profundity of cut and wield even air pressure while planing . In many cases , one or both of these handgrip will boast rubber coatings to help muffle quivering and ameliorate the user ’s grip .
Additional Features and Dust Collection
extra characteristic that shopper might want to look for when search for the good handheld planer admit adjustable , attachable fence that make guide on and controlling a hand plane much easier , preventing the planer from tracking off course during consumption . However , these fencing are only valuable at the edge of boards . If you have a wider plank , you ’ll have to remove the fencing to hit the center of the board .
Also , to get the most out of a planer ’s leaf blade , consider a role model that comes with a kickstand . The kickstand hold start the vane off the worktable ’s control surface when the planer is n’t in use , grant the blade to stay sharper for longer . It also prevents the blades from squeeze the material .
Other features may let in dust collection pocketbook , a check deflection switch that allows the user to pick out the direction in which the chips flee , and even retractable feet in place of a kickstand .
FAQs
To shed igniter on any subject that necessitate further clarification , this section offers answer to some of the most frequently ask questions about galvanising hired hand planer .
The only materials that a script planer should be used on are wood product , though density of the species of Sir Henry Wood may deviate between pressure - treated pine and high - remainder , alien species such as Brazilian walnut or cherry .
It ’s potential to plane boards flat with a hired hand planer , but hand planer nucleotide are too brusk to form well as long plane . If you take to square the boards as well as tear down them , ajointer - planer combois the veracious puppet . instead , use abenchtop jointerto square the board and use a planer to level the open .
Yes , it ’s possible to shave a board to thickness with a hand planer , but it ’s very difficult to get logical results like the ones you’re able to attain usingbenchtop thickness planing machine .
Belt drum sander employ large strips of emery paper that remove Grant Wood by mash it off the surface . Hand plane use blades that remove woodwind in a faster , more aggressive fashion .
Electric hired hand plane can be dangerous if used wrong . They function at high speeds and can be hard to hold in . However , as long as the exploiter has a whole grip on the tool , have on the appropriate personal protective covering equipment , knowshow to use a portable planer , and works cautiously , handwriting plane are no more dangerous than orbitual saw or any other force tool .
you could use a taper stone or honing guide to bring a razor - knifelike bound back to the blade . Some brand , however , are not made to be resharpened , so check with the producer before attempting to heighten the blades .
Electric planers are great for removing excess material and leveling board , especially on large projects . However , they lack the finesse found on a manual wood hand planer , so practice a light cutaneous senses to keep from remove more material than you intend .
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a contractor , product tester , and author focusing mainly on construction , DIY pecker , and woodworking .
extra research provided by Tom Scalisi .
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