Best Overall
DeWalt 13-Inch 3-Knife 2-Speed Thickness Planer
Best Bang for the Buck
Craftsman 15 Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer
Upgrade Pick
Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Portable Planer
We may realize revenue from the products available on this Thomas Nelson Page and participate in affiliate programs . Learn More ›
Benchtop planers — boxwood - shaped power tool that trim plug-in thickness while smooth the surface — top many a woodcrafter ’s wish listing . They fine - tune the wood used to make cabinet , bookshelf , and more , replacingold - fashion deal planesbecause they ’re much quicker and easier to use .
Like our reader , we wanted to know which of today ’s democratic model do well in real workshop situations , so we tested them . We selected highly rated benchtop planer and initiate planing gameboard — hundreds of ’em ! We also get hold of out to Jay Sanders , licensed contractor and owner ofCastle Dream Construction , a home remodeling company base in Baltimore , Maryland , to get his brainstorm on what our reviewer will want to consider when rat for one .
Our cream for the best overall benchtop plane is the 15 - ampDeWalt 13 - Inch 3 - tongue 2 - Speed Thickness Planer . We chose it based on its build - in infeed and outfeed table , fan - assisted chip ejection vacuums , and maximum speed of 10,000 revolutions per minute .
Keep reading to discover out how the stick with model earned a fleck in this lineup of thebest benchtop planers for DIYersand seasoned woodworkers .
How We Tested the Best Benchtop Planers
When selecting the good benchtop planers , Sanders considers several factors , including cutterhead eccentric , power , and whether the benchtop planer comes with a board that supports the boards . We looked at all of these gene during the selection cognitive process , plus we consider how well each planing machine rated with experient users . We also considered the trade name to an extent . After all , manufacturers such asDeWalt , Makita , andCraftsmanhave top - notch reputation in the power tool industry . We did n’t stand by with just those three ; we also include additional extremely rat models from other manufacturing business .
We unboxed and set up the benchtop planers according to maker specifications . Then , we bulge out plane unexampled Mrs. Henry Wood , reclaimed wood , deal control board , and hardwood boards . We paid peculiar attention to how smooth the planers left the board surface and whether the machines leave snipes ( unwanted cuts in the last few inches of the board ) .
We study overall functioning and simplicity of use and awarded point found on a gloss . The respectable a plane perform , the higher the stage . After testing , we averaged the point to help determine the best category and intend purpose .
Our Top Picks
Investing in the right benchtop planer is important for anyone who ’s into woodworking . We put the top DIY and professional framework through their pace and scrutinized each . The models that earned a spot in our batting order are among the best benchtop thickness planing machine available today , so one is likely to observe a favour place in your workshop .
ThisBob Vila Approvedproduct carry our stain ’s highest level of good word .
Bob Vila Approvedrecognizes the household and DIY products that move us most in our real - world examination and that exemplify core value of the Bob Vila brand , include craft , innovation , and value for the dollar . winner of this designation come recommended by our professional review squad and are personally approved by Bob Vila .
Our Ratings : Ease of Use5/5 ; Performance5/5 ; Board Capacity5/5 ; Dust4.7/5 ; Value4.8/5
Those in the market for a gamey - capacity planing machine with plenty of feature article will desire to consider the DeWalt 13 - inch thickness planer . This benchtop planing machine can handle materials up to a 13 - inch width capacity with a 6 - in distance . This heavy plane weighs in at 92 pounds , and we receive its system of weights was good in keep it in one place during mathematical operation . We put the planing machine on a reinforced body of work airfoil — this puppet is too heavy for most portable - eccentric bolt holes in the base .
We ’re familiar with the high lineament of many DeWalt pecker , and this thickness planer is no exception . It boasts a potent 15 - A motor and a three - blade cutterhead that spins at 10,000 revolutions per moment ( revolutions per minute ) . It can be set to plane off as much as ⅛ inch of wood in a single head . It get along standard with front and back stainless steel infeed and outfeed tables that help abide the control panel as they pass through the plane . A unique selection on this benchtop planing machine is the power to adjust the feed speed . A lever on the front let us select either 96 or 179 cuts per column inch ( consumer price index ) . At 95 consumer price index , the DeWalt planing machine pull the boards through doubly as quickly as when we selected 179 California Personality Inventory , but the control surface was more or less rougher . Interestingly , even at 96 consumer price index , we found the control panel were smooth enough for most gamey - end carpentry . At 179 cpi , they palpate as though they ’d already been sanded . This is in large part because of the three straight blades in the DeWalt planer . Most of today ’s planers have only two blades .
Photo: Glenda Taylor Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
We planed dozens of boards with the DeWalt model : softwoods , including true pine and cedarwood ; and hardwood , including ash , oak , and walnut . The DeWalt planed all of them smoothly , and we find little to no snipe on any of the board . We attributed this benefit to an extension outfeed table that helps plunk for the board as they exit the simple machine . The benchtop planer has a sports fan - assisted chip - projection port on the back of the machine that we connected to our detritus - accumulation system . The chip - ejection rooter is so powerful that when we take the air behind the machine to grab the panel as it lead through , the splintering sting when they hit us . Impressive ! And slightly painful . The downside is that the chip - expulsion port is place just over the outfeed tabular array , so the hose on our dust - aggregation organisation kept dipping down and intervene with the boards as they exited the planer . Our improvised fix was to marry the hosepipe up to keep it out of the way .
We think this top - notch planing machine would be an asset in any DIYer or woodcrafter ’s shop . It ’s powerful , the provender speed is adjustable , and the ruler gauge is exact . ( We measured the planed boards with caliper to determine gauge accuracy . ) The modelling comes with a “ hump ” on / off switch in the front that allow us to shut the machine down just by bumping the substitution with our hand or branch . This is a safety feature film in the issue something go unseasonable — such as a instrument panel getting take in sideways or an article of clothing getting drawn into the machine . Just a protrusion , and the DeWalt shuts down .
Get the DeWalt benchtop planing machine atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orThe Home Depot .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4.5/5 ; Performance4/5 ; Board Capacity4.5/5 ; Dust4.5/5 ; Value4.8/5
As a passably priced wood planer that can handle up to 12.25 - inch - all-inclusive boards , the Craftsman benchtop thickness planing machine is worth a look . The manufacturing business has a long and reputable history of making durable tools and quality machines . At just 61.8 pounds , the Craftsman was a bit easy to snarf and position on the oeuvre surface , but we noted that this low-cal weight resulted in the automobile “ walk ” just a bit when we planed expectant hardwood boards . luckily , there ’s a bare root : Just run out it down to a workbench . The benchtop planer has a 15 - amp motor that produces cutter speeds up to 8,000 rpm . Thanks to its two - blade consecutive - knife cutter designing , it provides 16,000 gash per minute , which we retrieve to be more than decent for most minuscule cabinetry and piece of furniture - building projection .
This Craftsman planer have boards up to 6 inches long , and it comes with a safety gadget bump on / off switch on the front and a precision gauge along the side for selecting the right cutting height . The planing machine shave take up to ⅛ in . The Craftsman does n’t declare oneself a feed - speed adjustment , and we could n’t ascertain a feed - speed rating listed in the proprietor ’s manual , but we used a stop watch and came up with an approximate feed speed of 23 metrical foot per minute . The planed boards were placid enough that a light sanding would remove any residual cereal roughness , but we did find a 2 - inch snipe at the closing of every plank we planed . This is a rough-cut natural event with planing machine ; we did n’t deduct any point — just be cognizant that it occurs and plan to plane dining table a couple of inches longer than the desired finished length . Those who wo n’t utilise a benchtop planer often and are a bit short on distance might appreciate the fold - up infeed and outfeed tables that make depot a bit easier . We observe this handy for setting the planer out of the way under a table .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Get the Craftsman benchtop planer atLowe’s , Amazon , orCraftsman .
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4.7/5 ; Performance4.7/5 ; Board Capacity5/5 ; Dust3/5 ; Value4.5/5
Anyone looking for a portable planer that provides excess maximal thickness — for timber frame mailbox post , say , or heavy furniture — will require to check out the 2012NB 12 - inch planing machine from Makita . This simple machine has an above - average 6 3/32 - inch maximal heaviness content , which is slightly higher than the others we tested . The real draw of the Makita 2012NB comes in its constancy and muted cognitive operation . It ’s remarkably stable for its relatively calorie-free weight of just 61.9 pounds . It did n’t walk or shift , even when we ran large hardwood control board through , piddle it one of the sound portable thickness planers that do need to be bolted down . Plus , though hearing protection is still recommended , it ’s noticeably quieter than the other framework we tested — a good output of 83 decibels , according to the producer . The other planers do n’t list the decibel constituent but were , in our idea , about a tail louder than the Makita .
Photo: amazon.com
This planer has a 15 - amp motor that produces 8,500 rpm on the cutterhead . It has two full-strength - tongue cutter and a cutting depth of up to 1/8 column inch . The Interna - Lok head clamp holds the gameboard in place well than standard rollers , and we did n’t find any snipe on boards shorter than 4 feet foresightful . As we planed longer instrument panel , however , we began to see a faint snipe communication channel on the last 2 inches of the table . By supporting the end of the board as it came out , we could eliminate the snipe cable . Whether we take out 1/8 inch or 1/64 column inch , the planed gameboard add up out very smooth and would require only twinkle sanding for most projects .
The provender speed is not adjustable , but the Makita makes quick work of pull the boards through — the manufacturer lists the feed rate as 27.9 foot per minute , which seemed about right in our tryout , but keep in brain that heavy boards typically move slightly slower than small lightweight boards . The planer occur with a bump power electric switch and a precision gauge , and although it does n’t have a built - in dust - collection port , an attachment is betray separately .
Get the Makita benchtop plane atAmazon , The Home Depot , orAce Tool .
Photo: Amazon
Best for Rough Wood
Wen 12.5-Inch 2-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4.5/5 ; Performance4/5 ; Board Capacity4.5/5 ; Dust4/5 ; Value4.2/5
Those looking for a robust plane for resurfacing rough or reclaimed lumber , or smoothing and thinning new lumber , may need to regard the Wen benchtop thickness planer . We found this model well suitable to removing up to 1/8 inch of wood from the surface of boards up to 12.5 inches wide . In addition , it handles plank peak of up to 6 inches . With 10,000 rpm , this planer offers peck of power for smooth fierce wood . Its two straight blades make up to 20,000 cuts per minute . The height adjustment handle on this planer is slightly little than some — and it ’s located at the top of the automobile — but it still follows the same general convention of one turn equals 1/16 inch .
When we planed the first display board on the Wen and then assess it for precision , we found it was 1/32 in too high . That may not sound like a set , but it ’s substantial when it do to creating uniform board height for a project . Fortunately , the gauge is adjustable , so we used a small screwdriver to aline it 1/32 column inch and then scarper another display panel through . Perfect ! Most planer gauges come predetermined , but occasionally one can be slightly off . Just adjust it and try again . We did notice some snipe at the last couple of column inch , so we urge planing board at least 2 column inch longer than require . There ’s no feed - speed registration , but fit in to the manufacturer , the planer moves card as apace as 26 human foot per minute , depending on size .
Photo: amazon.com
At just 55.6 pound sign , the Wen is slimly on the light side , and we needed to make off it down to keep it from move during operation . It follow with a handily site port that we attached to our rubble - appeal system . We did notice some minuscule chips remained on the provender denture after planing . This is n’t a big outcome , but the ejection fan did n’t seem to release all of them through the porthole . If necessary , this can be remedied by just blowing the french-fried potatoes out before insert a young circuit board . Like many other character planers , the Wen has a bump - character on / off switch for added condom .
Get the Wen benchtop planing machine atLowe’s , Amazon , orThe Home Depot .
Best Light-Duty
PowerTec PL1252 12.5-Inch Planer
Our Ratings : repose of Use4/5 ; Performance4/5 ; Board Capacity4/5 ; Dust3/5 ; Value4.2/5
fast-growing planers are n’t for everyone , and the PowerTec planer is deserving a looking for those in the market for a lighter - responsibility simulation . This automobile has a 12 1/2 - inch breadth capacity and a 6 - inch maximum heaviness . When we screen the PowerTec , we happen it remove thin layers very well , but it ’s not desirable for more aggressive wood removal . This planer is made to get rid of a maximum of 3/32 inches from boards that are 5 inches wide or less . When planing boards wider than 5 column inch , we had to set the standard of measurement to bump off just 1/32 of an inch or less . For many , this wo n’t be an exit because woods crafters often require only absent a sliver of the board ’s aerofoil .
The downside is that the exploiter must know to surmount down the profundity of the cut with card wider than 5 in . Um … we did n’t sleep together , so we fed a 10 - in - wide-cut board into the PowerTec multiple meter , only to overheat the machine and trip its internal circuit breaker . At that degree , we make up one’s mind to read the operating instructions and we found the caveat . When the simple machine cooled down , we started test again , following the planing depth instructions . No trouble — the PowerTec easily handle the boards . The PowerTec did n’t give us much in the elbow room of bothersome snipe at the display panel end . A few of the larger boards bear an almost imperceptible snipe business , which we could polish out with light sanding .
Photo: amazon.com
This planer ’s 15 - A motor produces up to 9,400 rev at the two - blade cutterhead , and its intake and outtake tables close up upward for easy storage . It weighs in at 63.4 pounds , and the only clip it moved during performance was when we were planing too much thickness from boards wider than 5 inches . When we stand by to the manufacturer ’s limits , the simple machine hold firm . The only other drawback we found is the lack of a built - in debris collection larboard , thoughone can be buy individually .
Get the PowerTec benchtop planer atThe Home Depot , Amazon , orXDC Depot .
Also Consider
Ridgid 13-Inch Thickness Planer w/ 3-Blade Cutterhead
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4/5 ; Performance4/5 ; Board Capacity4.5/5;Dust4/5 ; Value4.3/5
Besides our Best Overall cream , the Ridgid 13 - in planing machine is the only other three - sword planer we tested , and it impressed us on many fronts . It features a maximal cut allowance of ⅛ inch and accepts boards up to 13 inches wide and 6⅛ inches high . In addition to its bore , which is gentle to read and comes with 1/64 - inch increment , it also features a separate Ind - I - Cut gauge on the front of the plane that allowed us to see just how much wood we were murder in a passing play . We encounter this feature valuable , especially because bantam 1/64 - inch increments can be challenging to see . The Ind - I - Cut acted like a magnifying glass to have us see the amount of wood we were take out as we planned . The Ridgid planer features 9,000 revolutions per minute at the cutterhead , which translates into 27,000 cut per minute , an enviable number of stinger in the world of planers .
We test it on stacks of plug-in , both hardwood and softwood species , large and small , and it power through all of them without bogging down . We did get a picayune snipe at the ends of the boards , but make how much power — and how fluid — the Ridgid performs , it was a minor downside . We found that supporting the ejected boards help lessen , but did n’t amply excrete , the snipe . As with the other planing machine we tested , we appreciated the large bump on / off switch for safety . At 73 pound , the Ridgid continue firmly rooted while we be after board after board . It features a chip - ejector port that connect to a received dust - collection system .
Photo: amazon.com
This planer is suitable for removing rough , weather surface grain as well as delicately - tuning hardwood for furniture and cabinetwork projects . Its third steel and its Ind - I - Cut standard of measurement pretty much puts it in a social class by itself . Those who want an aggressive three - blade planer but do n’t want to spend the additional bucks may wish to consider the Ridgid planing machine . We were delighted with its carrying out .
Get the Ridgid benchtop planer atThe Home Depot , Amazon , orRidgid .
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Benchtop Planer
Benchtop planers , also known as “ thickness planers ” because they deoxidize the thickness of a board , have circumvolve blades inside that shave off a thin layer of wood . Those who are concerned in possess one but do n’t have a lot of experience with this powerful tool will want to keep the following factors and characteristic in judgment when shopping .
Motor
A benchtop plane ’s motor postulate enough power to get the caper done . How much is enough look on specific projects .
If user work primarily with easy woods such as pine , cedar tree , and fir — for building commonwealth - style furniture or birdhouses , for example — a motor in the 1- to 1½-horsepower ( hp ) range might become them well . A thickness planing machine does n’t need much juice to shave a layer off the top of these cloth .
However , if users are into high - close joinery or cabinetwork , they ’ll believably work with species such as oak , maple , and even walnut . These severe materials will take more from a planer to shave them down , so they ’ll want to look for a 2 H.P. tool .
Photo: homedepot.com
Perhaps even more important than horsepower is a plane ’s motor rating — take one with a 15 - amp motor . planing machine pull a lot of electrical energy , and Sanders suggests getting a herculean one . “ seem for at least a 15 - amp motor with multiple speed pick , ” he advises . A 15 - adenylic acid motor helps ensure the machine can handle the task without break down . lowly - amperage motors do n’t have the power necessary for planing woodwind instrument .
Blades
Thickness planing machine blades ( or knives ) come in different style . “ The three chief options are straight tongue , helical , and helical / coil , ” Sanders says . “ The straightforward knife is the most low-cost but bring out more teardrop - out . Helical and volute undercut clear but cost more upfront . helical tender head are in the main regarded as producing the secure conclusion . ”
blade vary on consecutive - knife cutter models . Some are reversible , so when they become dull , the user can bend them over and use the other side . Others have only one sharp edge , but they can be manually sharpen with a standard sharpening stone , just like a kitchen knife . two-sided knives are disposable , meant to be tossed out after both sides wear down .
All the planer we tested came with cutterheads designed to accept straight blade .
Cutting Depth
Cutting depth touch on to how much material a wood planer can murder in one go . Generally speaking , the more powerful the plane , the more material it can remove in one pass and the larger the profoundness of cut .
plane that can shave off up to ⅛ in at a time are good for removing the surface of harsh or weather Sir Henry Wood . Removing that much depth at once , however , is n’t always optimal . Generally , it ’s usually best for the panel — and for the simple machine — to slip on the side of cautiousness and plane off thinner amounts . The more wood a planer removes in a pass , the harder it must act upon , which can lead to overheating if the drug user is skim a portion of boards .
Many woodman will find little need to bump off more than 1/16 inch per crack , and for fine - tuning board , they will remove even less—1/32 or 1/64 inch . Do n’t overhaul up a plane just because it does n’t remove ⅛ column inch per pass . It ’s easy enough to place the planer at 1/16 inch and then turn tail it through twice .
Allowance
A thickness plane ’s allowance indicates the broad ( and tall ) board that can be passed through the pecker . Manufacturers label most planers with cooking stove between 12 column inch and 13 inches ( plenty for most woodworking hobbyist ) , but this metric does n’t tell the whole write up .
For example , a 12 - column inch planer can handle a control panel 12 inches in breadth capacity , but that does not say how thick ( i.e. , tall ) a piece of wood the planer can handle . This metric unit is quite helpful , so look for a manakin that can treat material as thick as 5 or 6 inches to get the most exercise out of a Mrs. Henry Wood planer .
Snipe
Snipe mention to an undesirable line , which can sometimes be very noticeable , give on the top terminal of a board after planing . It ’s the result of the woodwind instrument planing machine removing more wood at the end of the circuit board . As the remainder of the board remove the first set of rollers , gravity tends to deplume the panel downward , which puts pressure on the other end . When this happens , the cutterhead blade may remove slenderly more Ellen Price Wood at the very destruction . A snipe looks like a thin cutpurse , usually less than 1/16 in , locate along the last couplet inches of the board .
“ Longer infeed and outfeed table aid support display panel and denigrate snipe , ” Sanders explains . He adds that “ 36 - inch to 44 - inch tables are good for a benchtop planer . ” Just check that they fold up down for storage . Snipe may be ineluctable to some arcdegree , but some benchtop thickness planing machine do better than others at minimizing its issue . A good manner to debar snipe seem on a finished production is to leave boards longer than necessary by an inch or so when plan and then shorten the sniped ends off before using the board for your project .
Gauge and Depth Stop
plane the destine amount of wood off your workpiece can be tedious . Bringing a hardwood card from a 1 - inch heaviness to a ⅝-inch thickness , for example , could take five or six fling . The user could measure the display panel ’s heaviness before each strait and adjust the cutterhead using atape measureor a combining square , but that ’s prison term - consuming .
Many of today ’s benchtop planing machine have a built - in caliber that looks like a ruler attached to the side of the intake slot . The gauge will indicate the proposed board heaviness as the exploiter raises or lower the planing machine ’s equipage ( the top part of the prick that moves up and down ) via a hand crank .
Planer gauges typically show measurements in 1/16 - in increase , but some show measurements in 1/64 - column inch increase . Some experienced woodworkers do n’t use the bore at all but rather determine cutting depth with the tool ’s paw crank . On a plane , a complete gyration of its manus crank equalise 1/16 inch . Half a crank equals 1/32 in , and a fourth part of a crank match 1/64 in .
A depth stop consonant is a feature that observe the user from shaving off more than the machine ’s level best cutting deepness . For lesson , if the planer has a maximum cutting astuteness of ⅛ inch , the deepness stoppage will prevent the user from inserting any board more than ⅛ column inch thicker than the thickness choose on the gauge ( rule ) . The plank simply will not go into the slot . In this style , users need n’t worry about taking off more than the maximum cut profoundness because the depth check wo n’t allow it .
Dust Collection
Thickness planers create a good lot of dust and woodwind fries . These machines rip off and pitter-patter out diminutive pieces of Sir Henry Joseph Wood , and the floor under a heaviness planer will resemble a fry ’s sandbox after only a few control panel .
Many of today ’s benchtop planers have dust larboard that attach to ashop vacuumor junk - collection organisation to downplay the heap . These compendium systems also do a beneficial job of remove the dust from the machine before it can settle in the cutterhead , help to maintain its operable life and cut speed .
Speed
Different speeds apply to a benchtop planer : cutterhead pep pill , cutting speed , and feed speed .
FAQs
Alongside other pop power tools , such asband sawing machine , table saw , andwood lathes , benchtop thickness plane are a boon in a woodworking shop . If this is your first planer , you will probably have questions about the tool ’s good use and cognitive operation . out front are answer to some of the most common questions about benchtop planer . If you still want more information about your benchtop plane , come to to the user ’s manual or reach out to the producer .
Benchtop planing machine reduce the thickness of a instrument panel . Woodcrafters can employ them to create consistent thicknesses on several boards for woodworking determination or to reveal the beauty hidden underneath rescued wood .
With the benchtop plane turned off , put a card in the intake feed one-armed bandit . Lower the roller coach ( the top part of the planer ) using the paw crank until it just touches the board . This is the start point . Remove the control board , and then use the crank to lower the roller carriage to the desire trend depth ( typically between 1/64 and ⅛ column inch ) . The woodsman can use the swayer gauge to determine the cutting depth or use the crank rule of thumb — one full gyration of the grouch equal 1/16 inch . Once the clipping height is decide , change by reversal the planer on and slowly feed the board into the intake one-armed bandit . The planer will do the residual — user do n’t have to push the board .
Planers cut back the thickness of a board by shave a undifferentiated amount of Mrs. Henry Wood off its aerofoil . Jointers make the gameboard flatby shaving aside only the high spots , not the intact control surface , as a planer does .
Mrs. Henry Wood planers can be some of the heavy tool in your store . Benchtop planers weigh an average of between 60 and 100 Sudanese pound , so it may be wise to keep it on a benchtop rather than moving it around .
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a mathematical product examiner and author specializing in the construction , remodeling , and real estate industries . She and her married man own a general contracting company , and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building applications . She essay a wide range of power tool as well as other rest home improvement , house , and lawn - and - garden products .
This Is the yr for a Kitchen Renovation
Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . teach why we consider this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
