10 Best Planers 2025 in the United States

The DEWALT 20V MAX Planer (DCP580B) is a cordless planer that offers several strong features for woodworking and carpentry. With a brushless motor, it provides robust power and extended runtime, making it suitable for frequent use. The planer achieves 30,000 cuts per minute, which ensures a quick removal rate for efficient working. It has a cutting depth of 2 millimeters, allowing for precise and deep cuts when needed. The calibrated depth adjustment knob allows for fine adjustments with a resolution of 1/256 inches, enhancing its precision capabilities.

The precision-machined front and back aluminum shoes ensure parallelism of cuts, which is important for achieving smooth and accurate results. Additionally, the kickstand feature allows users to rest the planer on the work surface without damaging the material, adding to its practicality. For comfort, the ergonomically designed handle reduces user fatigue during extended periods of use. The Poly-V drive belt provides increased durability, contributing to the longevity of the tool.

However, as a bare tool, it requires a separate purchase of batteries, which could be a drawback for some users. Dust collection is not specifically mentioned, which might be a point of concern for maintaining a clean work environment. The DEWALT 20V MAX Planer is a good choice for professionals and serious hobbyists who need a powerful and precise planer for their projects.

The DEWALT Benchtop Planer (DW734) is a robust tool specifically designed for woodworking enthusiasts and professionals. It features a powerful 15-amp motor that operates at an impressive 20,000 RPM, allowing it to handle large, deep cuts in hardwoods with ease. The cutting width of 12.5 inches and cutting depth of 0.13 inches make it versatile for various planing tasks. The three-knife cutter head, delivering 96 cuts per inch, ensures a smooth finish, a notable advantage for achieving high-quality results.

Additionally, the disposable and reversible knives extend the knife life by 30%, making maintenance straightforward and cost-effective. The planer includes a four-column carriage lock to minimize snipe, which is beneficial for maintaining an even surface across the whole board. The extra-long infeed and outfeed tables provide ample support for the material, enhancing stability and precision during operation. The material removal gauge and large thickness scale aid in delivering accurate cuts consistently, which is essential for meticulous woodworking projects.

The turret depth stop is a user-friendly feature that allows quick returns to frequently used depths, saving time and improving workflow efficiency. On the downside, the planer is quite heavy at 36.29 kilograms (79.8 pounds), which could be a challenge for those needing a more portable solution. Additionally, it is corded, meaning it requires access to an electrical outlet, which might limit its use in areas without power supply. Furthermore, the cutting depth of 0.13 inches may not be sufficient for some heavy-duty tasks. However, for most standard planing jobs, the DEWALT DW734 offers a reliable and high-quality performance. Its combination of power, precision, and user-friendly features makes it a strong contender in the benchtop planer market.

The WEN PL1252 15-Amp 12.5-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer is a solid choice for woodworking enthusiasts looking for a reliable and efficient benchtop planer. It can handle boards up to 6 inches thick and 12.5 inches wide, making it suitable for a variety of projects. The 15A motor is powerful, generating 20,000 cuts per minute and feeding at a rate of 26 feet per minute, which means you'll get smooth, fast results.

The cutterhead features two reversible 12.5-inch SK5 blades, which can be switched out when they start to dull, extending the lifespan of the blades and ensuring continuous precision cutting. Additionally, you can adjust the cutting depth from 0 to 1/8 of an inch, giving you flexibility depending on your project's needs. At 29.03 kilograms, this planer is quite heavy, which might make it challenging to move around. This planer is best suited for hobbyists or small workshop owners who need a reliable tool for frequent use.