Do you own a workshop, and you are looking for the best benchtop planers? if the answer to the question is yes, then you are at the right place. This review is aimed at showing the best benchtop planers out there. you should probably read through this review, so you have an idea on the best benchtop planers out there.
BUYER’S GUIDE
This guideline intends to equip you with tools to guide your buying decision-making. We hope you’d be able to make the right decision in choosing a thickness planer for your needs.
Consider the following factors before you decide to buy a benchtop planer.
Cost
We have diverse economical limits, and not all of us may be able to own every planer accessible on the market. You want to maximize value for your money. To do that, you need to evaluate your needs – know exactly what you want. It won’t serve you well if you buy an expensive machine with extra features that you don’t need. And that boils down to your level of experience. Trust us, it matters a lot.
Is it your first time working with wood? Or, are you a seasoned woodworker?
These are relevant questions.
Besides, industrial desktop planers are very pricey.
You don’t expect to buy a heavy-duty planer with a capacity to slice thicknesses of work-pieces 20-inches wide if you often work with less than 13-inch wide woods.
But if you handle large volumes, and you want to accomplish much in a relatively short period, you require a machine of JWP-208HH caliber.
Width and Depth
The size of work-pieces, boards or stocks you’re working with matters.
If you’re working with softwoods, a thickness planer with razor-sharp blades meant for slicing the hardest of hardwoods would be an overkill.
For a small workshop owner, we recommend working with widths less than 13-inches wide, as anything beyond that is industrial. Depth matters because it determines how deep you would like to chop off thickness.
Luckily, most planers we’ve discussed so far have variable depth adjustment. As you may realize, maximum depths range between 1/8- and 3/32-inches.
Deeper cuts mean less passes, and a 1/8-inch thick knife slices deeper than a 3/32-inch thick knife. With several passes, planers give you a maximum depth ranging between 5-inches and 8-inches.
Blade or Knife
Knives with double edges are easier to replace and last longer than single-edged counterparts, as they won’t become blunt until after a very long period. You won’t need to re-sharpen them often, as re-sharpening is a tedious and time-consuming process.
Knives with carbide tips tend to be more resistant and durable. They won’t break easily on difficult-to-cut hardwoods.
Type of Material
Not all knives can cut same types of hardwoods. The presence of knots contribute to difficulty in cutting. The harder the material, the more power you require. If you attempt to cut a harder material and a deeper depth with lower power, your machine may stall.
Dust Collection System Performance
Some thickness planers have a single port, hood or shroud while some have both. Ones with both tend to be more advantageous, as they save you the need to clean up the collector when you’re working fast.
Motor
The motor is the soul of a benchtop planer because it provides the power to the cutting head. If a planer features a puny motor, it is possible you won’t get enough power to shave the wood.
Again, an overpowered motor is enough to ruin the shape of your wooden slab. So, be careful when you want to pick up a planer. In my opinion, it is enough to have 7000-rpm to 12000-rpm.
Cutter Head
There you can find various types of cutting heads on the benchtop planer. Some are double-knives, and some come with three-knives.
Again, some you can also find single phase and dual phase blade. Dual edge blades are capable of cutting with both sides. Try to pick up the blade according to your working need.
Feeding Table
You need a table to feed wood comfortably into the benchtop wood planer. You also need one for out feeding also. Some of the benchtop planers come without any feeding table and to get aftermarket tables for them are hard.
Again, many planers feature unconventional table. You should stay away from those type of planers.
Capacity
Every planer doesn’t have the same ability. So, they are not compatible with same size wooden slab. Most of the futuristic benchtop planers are available for taking 12.5-inch to 13-inch wide slabs.
If you want to work with a 13-inch wide wood, then don’t buy the 12.5-inch planer. Before, purchasing the benchtop woodworking planer, be sure about your working piece.
Parts Replacement
Like other tools on the market, it is made from some specific components. And we all know that all components are not sturdy and sometimes it can be collapsed. So, we need to replace them often.
Before buying a benchtop planer, make sure you have selected the right one and market have available components for it to replace.
BEST BENCHTOP PLANERS
- DEWALT DW734 Benchtop Planer
- DEWALT DW735X 13-Inch Two Speed Benchtop Thickness Planer
- WEN 6552T Benchtop Thickness Planer
- WEN 6550T Benchtop Planer
- Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Benchtop Planer
- PORTER-CABLE PC305TP Bench-top Planer
- Delta Power Tools 22-555 Benchtop-Planer
- Jet – JWP-Helical Head
- Grizzly G0505 12-1/2-Inch Planer
- POWERTEC benchtop planer
| NAMES | FEATURES | WHERE TO BUY |
| DEWALT DW734 Benchtop Planer
|
Powerful 15 amp, 20,000 rpm motor handles larger, deeper cuts in hardwoods.
Three-knife cutter head with 10,000 rpm cutter-head speed provides 96 cuts per inch, one of the finest finishes of any portable planer Disposable, reversible knives deliver 30% more knife life and make knife change fast and easy. Four-column carriage lock drastically reduces the movement that causes snipe |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| DEWALT DW735X 13-Inch Two Speed Benchtop Thickness Planer
|
Powerful 15 amp, 20,000 rpm motor (10,000 rpm cutterhead speed) handles larger cuts in wider materials with ease
Three knife cutter head delivers 30% longer knife life and makes knife change faster and easier Two-speed gear box allows users to change feed speed to optimizing cuts per inch at 96 or 179 CPI Fan-assisted chip ejection vacuums chip off of the cutter head and exhausts them out of the machine |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| WEN 6552T Benchtop Thickness Planer
|
WEN 15Amp 6552T 12.5-Inch Benchtop planer
T-Handle wrench Blade-holding magnets |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| WEN 6550T Benchtop Planer
|
WEN 15Amp 6550T 12.5-Inch benchtop planer
T-Handle wrench. blade-holding magnets |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Benchtop Planer
|
Compact with less weight for easy transporting to the jobsite
Engineered for faster, easier blade changes Low noise (83dB) for operator comfort 4-post design and diagonal cross supports for stability Large table extensions to support the workpiece Fully adjustable depth stop for repeat cuts |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| PORTER-CABLE PC305TP Bench-top Planer
|
Powerful 15 Amp motor for superior stock removal
Two knife, quick change, solid steel cutter, head mounted on ball bearings, assures smooth operation and long life High Carbon Steel, double edged, reversible knives for twice the cutting life Patented cutter elevation on four precision ground columns for superior cut stability |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Delta Power Tools 22-555 Benchtop-Planer
|
Powerful 15A motor capable of handling the most demanding jobs
Four column design provides excellent stability for smooth, accurate planning Quick-change knife system with dual edge disposable knives lets you change knives without difficult to use alignment jigs |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Jet – JWP-Helical Head
|
Helical cutterhead with indexable carbide inserts for a superior finish and quieter cut
Heavy-duty cast iron and steel construction for added strength and durability Two-speed gear box with automatic chain tensioner lets you adjust the feed rate to meet your needs Large, cast iron, precision ground table for precise workpiece support |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Grizzly G0505 12-1/2-Inch Planer
|
Motor: 2 HP
Max cutting width: 12-1/2″ Max cutting height: 6″ Cutter Head Type: 2 blade Cutter Head Diameter: 1-7/8″ |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| POWERTEC benchtop planer
|
15 amp motor
Universal Motor | 120V, 60 hz, 2 horsepower (peak) Cutter Head Speed – 9400 RPM Width of stock – 12-1/2″. Thickness of stock – 6″. |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
DEWALT DW734 Benchtop Planer
The DW734 12-1/2″ Thickness Planer with Three Knife Cutter-Head is powered by a 15 Amp motor for managing large, deep cuts in hardwood. Three-knife cutter head with speed of 10,000 rpm provides 96 cuts per inch, delivering one of the finest finishes of any portable planer.
| PROS | CONS |
| Cuts Smoothly | Fragile Dust Collection Chute |
| Great Quality | Loud Motor |
| Added Features | |
| Extra-long infeed and outfeed tables |
DEWALT DW735X 13-Inch Two Speed Benchtop Thickness Planer
The 13 in. Three Knife, Two Speed Thickness Planer is powered by a 15 Amp motor for managing large cuts in wider materials. Three-knife cutter head with 10,000 rpm and feed speed options for 96 or 179 CPI provide optimal performance. Includes infeed and outfeed tables and extra set of knives.
| PROS | CONS |
| Two-speed gear box | High price |
| 3-year warranty | Replacement knives are expensive |
| Ideal for professionals | Weight not suited for portability |
| Three-knife cutter head | |
| 20,000 RPM motor |
WEN 6552T Benchtop Thickness Planer
The WEN 13-inch 3-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer repurposes rough and worn wood to give it an exceptionally smooth finish. The powerful 15-amp motor provides over 25,500 cuts per minute at a 26 feet per minute feed rate. Plane boards up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches thick with ease. The onboard planing gage helps inform users about the amount of material being removed during each pass. Combine that with the heavy duty cast iron base for a sturdy planer that does not walk or wobble during operation.
| PROS | CONS |
| Strong Iron cast infeed/outfeed table | Iron tables get slippery when they are wet |
| It has predrilled mounting holes | It is too heavy to move around single-handed |
| Three reversible blades for faster and finer cuts | |
| It has a durable brushed 15-Amp motor | |
| I3-Inch width accommodates any lumber size |
WEN 6550T Benchtop Planer
This planer has two 12.5-Inch blades which make 18,000 cuts per minute on the 15-Amp 85,00 RPM motor. It delivers a granular finish renewing your lumber better than your hand planer would do which is why it makes a great addition to your workshop.
It is one of the best reliable planers you can buy on a budget. It has a robust build featuring a sturdy Iron-cast frame and triple-roller cutter head that clamps down on your lumber to reduce snipe.
| PROS | CONS |
| Automatic three-column clampdown | It has two blades only |
| High stock capacity | It is limited to one speed |
| It has a durable granite table | |
| Triple rollers to prevent stripe | |
| Durable steel blades |
Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Benchtop Planer
The Makita 2012NB 12 in. Portable Planer delivers portability and productivity with a compact design, quieter operation, and faster, easier blade changes. It features Makita’s exclusive Interna-Lok automated head clamp to eliminate snipe for improved planing performance.
The 15 Amp motor delivers a no-load speed of 8,500 RPM and lower noise (only 83dB). The Makita 12 in. planer is engineered for finish woodworking and is ideal for cabinets, closets, staircase, furniture, and more.
| PROS | CONS |
| Compact and relatively lightweight makes it easy to bring with you to worksites | A bit slow, especially if the material is not pristine |
| Designed to be very easy to use | Not everyone is a fan of its dust hood |
| Offers great value for money | |
| Suitable for finish woodworking |
PORTER-CABLE PC305TP Bench-top Planer
Its powerful 15 amp motor allows for superior stock removal as its 8,000 RPM cutter head speed provides 16,000 cuts per minute. The two-knife, quick-change, solid steel cutter head assures smooth operation and long life. Ideal for dimensioning lumber to a desired thickness, and even planes glued-up materials
| PROS | CONS |
| High-speed cutting power | The snip can be aggressive making one to lose a bit of inches on each board end |
| Light in weight | The cutter head requires a lock to prevent it from rotating when changing the knives |
| High-quality and durable | In cases where the wood stick on way through, it tends to leave a mark |
| Easy to read English/metric scales for faster settings | |
| A very powerful 15 amp motor for superior stock removal | |
| Simple setup to use and install |
Delta Power Tools 22-555 Benchtop-Planer
The wood planer is a very powerful and efficient power tool for straightening wood planks. It does so in record-breaking time without any user intervention. This power tool is ideal when working with a large number of stock that needs straightening.
If you are looking for a wood planer for your workshop, the Delta Power Tools 22-555 is a popular model that is recommended by many experts. But is it really worth the money? Here is our hands on review of the Delta 22-555. Hopefully, it will help you decide if this wood planer belongs in your workshop or not.
| PROS | CONS |
| Superior stock width of 13 inches and 6 inches height capacity. | Contains only 2 disposable knives. The shaving finish is great but not excellent. We would have preferred at least 3 cutting knives. |
| Nitrile Synthetic Rubber rollers for durability and low noise. | |
| Open design allows you to quickly make adjustments, see your planing in action, or change knives. | |
| Large and smooth handle for adjusting the height. | |
| Easy to change disposable knives. |
Jet – JWP-Helical Head
JWP-208HH-1 helical head planer quickly and quietly transforms rough lumber into smooth boards, with a full 20” planing width. Its heavy-duty cast iron and steel construction keeps the workpiece steady and supported, while the conveniently located two-speed gear box allows for quick and easy feed rate adjustments.
This machine means business with a powerful 5 HP induction motor combined with a helical insert cutterhead housing 92 staggered carbide knives. You’ll appreciate the sets of three steel infeed and outfeed rollers to help prevent annoying snipe. A large cast-iron table with smooth-as-glass surface makes this planer a beautiful addition to the shop.
| PROS | CONS |
| No snipe | May not be for everyone’s wallet |
| easy-to-read owners manual | Some reported problems with customer service |
| 5-year warranty | |
| Low noise |
Grizzly G0505 12-1/2-Inch Planer
This portable 12-1/2″ planer is light enough to carry around, yet has all the muscle and quality you need to get the job done—whether in the shop or on the job site.
It features a powerful 2 HP motor, 2-knife cutterhead with reversible HSS knives, 32 FPM feed rate, board return rollers, and extra-large fold-down table extensions with end rollers.
Additional features like 1/8″-thick knives (instead of the 1/16″-thick knives on most portables) are proof that this dynamo will rule the jobsite for years!
| PROS | CONS |
| Affordable | Very noisy |
| Made entirely of metal | |
| Larger table extensions to prevent snipe | |
| Easy setup |
POWERTEC benchtop planer
This powerful planer is specifically designed to repurpose and bring your old, worn out wood back to life. A powerful 15 amp motor enables it to take on a wide range of big and small woodworking projects. It flaunts a 2 blade cutting system with a precision steel cutter head (with lock) that generates 18,800 cuts per minute – providing you with a quick and efficient wood planer tool. From building a work bench to bed frame, this workhorse excels at delivering a flawless finish. For additional convenience and versatility, this device features side mounted carrying handles, allowing you to take this portable planer wherever it is needed.
| PROS | CONS |
| Easy to set up and use | It does not have a built-in dust port |
| Sturdy and heavy-duty construction | |
| Suitable for a variety of woods | |
| Strong motor with an excellent feed rate | |
| Stylish and durable |
CONCLUSION
We believe we have provided a comprehensive, detailed guide to assist you in understanding how a benchtop wood planer functions, what products the market has to offer and how to recognize a quality product that meets your needs and is within your budget.
Using this guide, you shouldn’t be misled when you decide to get benchtop planer for yourself.