10 Best Planers 2025 in the United States

The JET BLACK 20-Inch Planer is a heavy-duty woodworking machine designed for serious hobbyists or professional woodworkers who need a wide cutting width and powerful motor. Its 20-inch cutting width is great for handling larger boards, and the 0.09-inch maximum cutting depth allows fine thickness adjustments. The 5-horsepower motor provides plenty of power, helping maintain smooth performance even during longer jobs. A standout feature is the helical cutterhead, which uses multiple small blades to deliver quieter operation and cleaner cuts with less tear-out compared to traditional straight blades. This planer also offers precise control thanks to its large handwheel and positive gear drive, allowing you to make accurate height adjustments in very small increments. The cast iron tables coated to resist corrosion reduce friction, so boards feed smoothly without needing extra waxing or polishing.

For dust management, it comes with a dust hood to help keep your workspace cleaner. On the downside, its 765-pound weight makes it very heavy and not very portable—so it’s better suited for a fixed workshop rather than frequent moving. Also, it requires a 230V power supply, which may not be available in every home garage without electrical upgrades. With features that focus on precision, durability, and professional-grade results, the JET BLACK planer is an excellent choice if you work with wide boards regularly and want cleaner, quieter planing.

The JET 12-Inch Planer/Jointer (Model JPJ-12BHH) is a powerful and versatile machine designed for serious woodworking tasks. Its 3 HP motor and 12-inch cutting width let you work on wider boards with ease, while the 0.13-inch cutting depth offers precise material removal. A standout feature is the helical cutterhead with 42 four-sided carbide inserts, which ensures smooth, fast cuts and a high-quality finish that reduces tear-out.

The quick switch between planing and jointing without removing the fence adds convenience and saves time. The heavy-duty cast iron tables and a sturdy steel stand provide excellent stability and accuracy, important for professional or industrial use. Adjustments are made easy with a large handwheel and a parallelogram design that keeps the table close to the blades for consistent cuts.

Weighing 453 pounds and measuring over four feet tall, this planer/jointer is quite large and heavy, so it's best suited for a dedicated workshop with enough space. Backed by a solid 5-year warranty (2 years for commercial use), this JET model is a reliable, heavy-duty planer/jointer combo that delivers professional results and can handle frequent, demanding jobs.

The Grizzly Industrial G0815 is a heavy-duty benchtop planer designed for serious woodworking tasks. It comes with a powerful 3 HP motor running on 240 volts, which means it can handle tough hardwoods and larger projects without struggling. The 15-inch cutting width is quite generous, allowing you to work on wider boards with fewer passes. It can plane stock thicknesses from just under 1/4 inch up to over 8 inches, giving flexibility for various project sizes.

Its cutterhead speed is 5,000 RPM, which helps create smooth cuts, and the cutterhead is equipped with knives (blades) that are 15 inches long, suitable for this cutting width. The machine has a solid cast iron build, which offers stability and reduces vibration for improved accuracy. Weighing 380 pounds, it’s a large and heavy tool, so it’s best suited for a stationary workshop rather than moving around frequently.

The planer runs on 240 volts and draws 14 amps, so it requires the appropriate electrical setup, which might mean a dedicated circuit or professional installation for some users. This planer suits hobbyists or small professional shops that need a reliable, powerful machine for handling a variety of wood sizes and thicknesses. It is not the easiest option for casual or occasional users due to its size, weight, and electrical requirements, but for those committed to woodworking, it delivers strong performance and durability.