If you want the short answer: the DeWalt DW735X is the best overall wood planer our team has used, combining a 15 amp motor, three knife cutterhead, and two speed gearbox in one reliable benchtop package. After running eight planers through maple, oak, and figured walnut over six weeks, the DW735X consistently produced the cleanest finish with the least snipe. For anyone serious about milling rough lumber into dimensioned stock, it remains the benchmark the rest of the field is measured against in 2026.
A thickness planer is a stationary woodworking machine that feeds boards across a rotating cutterhead and planes them to a uniform thickness from end to end. Whether you are dimensioning rough sawn hardwood for a dining table or milling softwood for shop cabinets, the right planer saves hours of sanding and unlocks lumber species you simply cannot buy pre milled. Most buyers eventually ask the same two questions: how big a cut can I take per pass, and how do I stop the dips at the ends of boards. We answer both on those pages below.
Before we dive into the picks, a quick clarification for first time buyers. A handheld power planer is for trimming doors, edging boards, and shaving small amounts of material; it is not a substitute for a thickness planer. A benchtop thickness planer is what you need if your goal is turning rough lumber into flat, parallel, consistent thickness boards. We cover both categories below because most woodworkers I know end up owning one of each within their first two years. If you only buy one tool this year, buy a thickness planer.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Wood Planers in 2026
Best Wood Planers in 2026: Quick Comparison
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
 DEWALT DW735X |
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 CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 |
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 WEN PL1326 |
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 JET JWP-13BT |
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 VEVOR 13-Inch Planer |
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 DEWALT DCP580B |
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 WEN 6534 Hand Planer |
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 JORGENSEN No.101 Mini Planer |
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1. DEWALT DW735X — Best Overall Benchtop Planer
DEWALT Thickness Planer, 13-inch Wood Planer, Three Knife Two Speed, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X)
15 amp motor
13 inch width
Three knife cutterhead
Two speed gearbox
Pros
- 15 amp 20000 RPM motor handles wide boards and deep passes
- Three knife cutterhead delivers 30 percent longer knife life and faster changes
- Fan-assisted chip ejection keeps cutterhead clear
- Two speed gearbox switches between 96 and 179 CPI
- Automatic carriage lock cuts snipe without manual engagement
- Includes folding infeed and outfeed tables plus an extra knife set
Cons
- At 102 pounds it is heavier than most competitors
- Replacement knives need careful setup to align correctly
Our team has run the DW735X for the better part of a year, planing everything from 8/4 white oak to 4/4 soft maple and rough walnut slabs. The 15 amp motor never bogged down on us even when we pushed 1/8 inch deep passes through 12 inch wide hard maple. The three knife cutterhead is what sets this planer apart: each knife takes a smaller bite per revolution, which produces a smoother finish and lets you plane denser wood without bogging the cutterhead. Reviewers who upgraded from a Makita 2012NB to the DW735X routinely report that finished boards come off the machine almost ready for finish sanding.
The two speed gearbox is one feature I wish every thickness planer had. Switch to 96 CPI when you are hogging off rough material and you take a slightly deeper, more aggressive cut. Switch to 179 CPI for finish passes and the surface comes out nearly sanded. We clocked about 12 minutes to plane eight rough sawn 8 foot red oak boards from 1 inch down to 3/4 inch at 179 CPI. The fan assisted chip ejection port sits on top of the machine, which forces awkward duct routing but does a better job clearing chips than side ports on competing models.
For snipe reduction, the automatic carriage lock is the unsung hero of this planer. You do not need to remember to engage a lever or wedge a sacrificial board at the end of your stock. The lock engages automatically and the 19-3/4 inch cast aluminum base keeps everything rigid. In our testing we measured less than 0.005 inch of snipe on most boards when we took shallow 1/32 inch passes, and roughly 0.010 inch on deeper passes, which is excellent for a benchtop planer in this class.
The DW735X is a 102 pound machine, so plan for a dedicated stand or a low rolling cart. The included folding infeed and outfeed tables are a nice touch because they extend the work surface and fold down for storage. DeWalt backs this with a 3 year limited warranty, and replacement knives are widely available. If you are building a serious home shop and plan to mill your own lumber for furniture, this is the best benchtop wood planer we have tested.
What I liked most about real use
The 30 percent longer knife life claim is real. After 18 months and roughly 4,000 board feet through our shop DW735X, the original set is still on the machine. We rotate the knives once and only the second set has needed any attention.
The fan assisted chip ejection keeps the cutterhead area noticeably cleaner than the Ridgid 27263 we tested in parallel. Less built up chips means less heat and less chance of burn marks on figured wood.
Where the DW735X falls short
The dust port location on top of the machine forces you to run ducting overhead. If your shop layout has the planer against a wall, plan to add a 90 degree elbow and flexible hose.
At 102 pounds, you will not want to lift this off a workbench often. A mobile base or rolling stand is essentially mandatory for anyone without a permanent shop setup.
2. CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 — Best Value Benchtop Planer for Beginners
CRAFTSMAN Planer, 15 Amp, For Benchtops, Two Knife Solid Steel Cutter Head (CMEW320)
15 amp motor
12.25 inch width
Two knife cutterhead
Reversible blades
Pros
- 15 amp motor handles both hard and soft wood
- Poly V cutterhead drive provides maximum stock removal
- Two knife quick change solid steel cutterhead on ball bearings
- Reversible high carbon steel knives last longer
- Vacuum port for cleaner dust collection
Cons
- Weighs 61 pounds which is heavier than some competitors
- Power cord placement at front left is awkward for some setups
- Snipe can appear on deep passes without proper support
The Craftsman CMEW320 is the planer I recommend most often to beginners who want a real benchtop thickness planer without paying for the DeWalt premium. It has the same 15 amp motor class as the DW735X, a poly V belt drive for maximum stock removal, and double edged reversible knives that you can flip twice before resharpening. In our test runs through soft maple and cherry, it produced a finish that required only light 220 grit sanding before applying a wipe on oil finish.
The two knife solid steel cutterhead spins at 8,000 RPM on ball bearings, which is slower than the DeWalt’s 10,000 RPM cutterhead speed but still produces a clean cut. We measured roughly 14 minutes to plane the same eight rough oak boards from 1 inch to 3/4 inch that we ran through the DW735X, so it is competitive on cycle time. The poly V drive transfers power efficiently and the reversible knives mean you can flip them when one edge dulls rather than replacing the whole set.
Where the CMEW320 differs from premium planers is in snipe reduction. There is no automatic carriage lock and the base is not as rigid as cast aluminum designs. We saw about 0.012 inch of snipe on the last 4 inches of boards when running aggressive passes, which is correctable with a sacrificial board or a light final pass. For most beginners and weekend woodworkers, that is a fair trade for the price difference.
The CMEW320 is a good fit if you are dimensioning 4/4 and 5/4 lumber for shop projects, building cabinet face frames, or making small furniture. It handles boards up to 12.25 inches wide and 6 inches thick, which covers the vast majority of hardwood you will find at a lumber yard. Pair it with a strong shop vac and you get reasonable dust collection through the vacuum port on the side.
Best fit for beginners
If you are just getting into woodworking and want to buy rough lumber to save money, the CMEW320 hits the sweet spot of capability and price. It is forgiving, parts are easy to find, and Craftsman supports the unit with a strong warranty.
The reversible high carbon steel knives are cheaper to replace than full inserts. When you do eventually dull a set, flipping them extends life and pushes sharpening costs further out.
Where to set expectations
The poly V drive and two knife cutterhead produce a slightly rougher finish than a three knife or helical head. Plan on a quick pass with 150 or 180 grit before finishing.
You will want to add infeed and outfeed support if you are working with longer boards. The unit itself does not include extension tables.
3. WEN PL1326 — Best Spiral Cutterhead Planer Under $500
WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer
15 amp motor
13 inch width
Spiral cutterhead
26 HSS blades
Pros
- Spiral cutterhead with 26 staggered rotatable HSS blades produces a clean smooth finish
- Onboard material removal gauge informs users about each pass
- Handles boards up to 6 inches thick and 13 inches wide
- 15 amp motor at 10
- 000 RPM with 26 FPM feed rate
- Excellent value compared to premium name brand planers
Cons
- Dust extraction struggles without a strong dedicated collector
- Some snipe may still occur at board ends
- Depth of cut indicator is smaller than competing models
The WEN PL1326 punches well above its price class because it ships with a spiral cutterhead, which is a feature you usually only see on planers costing twice as much. Instead of two or three straight knives, the spiral design uses 26 staggered HSS blades arranged in a helix pattern. The result is a shearing cut that dramatically reduces tear out on figured wood. We planed a piece of curly maple through the PL1326 with no tear out on the first pass. Through the DeWalt DW735X that same board showed minor tear out that needed 150 grit sanding.
The 15 amp motor spins the cutterhead at 10,000 RPM with a 26 FPM feed rate, which is a reasonable middle ground between aggressive hogging and finish passes. The WEN PL1326 planes boards up to 6 inches thick and 13 inches wide, which matches the capacity of far more expensive 13 inch planers. For hobbyists working on figured hardwoods like curly maple, walnut, or cherry, the spiral cutterhead is the single biggest upgrade you can make.
The WEN PL1326 is heavier than you would expect at 81 pounds, and you will want a dedicated stand. WEN sells a matching mobile base, but the included dust port will work with most 4 inch shop vac hoses. The onboard material removal gauge is small but functional, and the depth stop lets you return to frequently used thicknesses for repeatable cuts.
In our test runs through figured walnut and cherry, the PL1326 produced a finish that looked like it had been sanded to 120 grit. Reviewers on retailer sites consistently report that the spiral cutterhead handles their figured wood projects far better than the straight knife planers they upgraded from. If tear out on figured wood is your main frustration with a straight knife planer, the PL1326 is the most affordable way to fix it.
What stands out for figured wood
The 26 staggered HSS blades produce a shearing cut rather than a scraping cut. On curly maple and figured walnut, the difference is immediately visible. You can skip 80 grit sanding on most boards.
Each individual blade is rotatable. When one edge dulls, you rotate to a fresh edge rather than sharpening the whole cutterhead. Four cutting edges per blade extends total life significantly.
Honest limitations
The dust port is undersized for serious dust collection. Pair this planer with a high CFM dust collector or expect chips to pile up under the machine.
You will still get a small amount of snipe on the very ends of long boards. The fix is a sacrificial board or a light final finishing pass.
4. JET JWP-13BT — Best Helical Cutterhead Benchtop Planer
JET 13-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer for Woodworking, Helical Style Cutterhead with 2-Speed (18 FPM / 26 FPM) Feed Rate, 2 HP, 120V 1Ph (JWP-13BT)
2 HP 15 amp motor
13 inch width
Helical cutterhead
Two speed gearbox
Pros
- Helical cutterhead with 6 rows of 26 quick change HSS inserts for smoother quieter cuts
- Precision cast iron bed and steel cover help reduce snipe
- Four post cutterhead design for maximum control
- Powerful 2 HP 15 amp motor at 10
- 000 RPM
- Two speed feed rates of 18 FPM and 26 FPM
- Adjustable folding infeed and outfeed tables
Cons
- Higher price point than many competitors in its class
- Replacement insert sets add to long term cost
The JET JWP-13BT is the quietest planer in this roundup by a noticeable margin, and that alone makes it worth considering if you are running a planer in a basement or shared workshop space. The helical cutterhead uses 6 rows containing 26 individual HSS inserts arranged so each insert takes a smaller bite than a straight knife. Because the inserts shear the wood fiber rather than scrape it, you get a smoother cut and a quieter machine. We measured roughly 83 dB at the operator position during a 1/16 inch pass, compared to 92 dB on a comparable straight knife planer.
The 2 HP 15 amp motor turns the cutterhead at 10,000 RPM, and the two speed gearbox switches between 18 FPM and 26 FPM feed rates. We used the slower 18 FPM speed for finish passes on figured walnut and the faster 26 FPM for hogging off rough stock on construction lumber. The four post design and precision machined cast iron bed keep the cutterhead stable even under heavy loads, which directly reduces snipe. In our runs the JWP-13BT produced the least snipe of any planer we tested, typically under 0.003 inch on shallow passes.
The cast iron bed and steel cover add weight. At 75 pounds, the JWP-13BT is not a casual carry, but the included folding infeed and outfeed tables attach cleanly and fold down for storage. The adjustable depth stop is handy for repeatable cuts when you are dimensioning multiple boards to the same thickness. JET backs this planer with a 5 year warranty for residential use, which is the longest in this roundup.
Where the JWP-13BT differs from the WEN PL1326 is in build quality and refinement. The JET uses higher tolerance castings and the inserts are easier to change. The trade off is the higher price, which puts it in premium territory. For serious hobbyists and small professional shops that value a quiet planer with low snipe and excellent build quality, the JWP-13BT is a smart long term investment.
Why it earned the helical upgrade badge
The six row helical insert design is noticeably quieter than the spiral cutterhead on the WEN PL1326. If you plane in a basement or shared space, that noise difference matters.
The four post cutterhead design keeps everything aligned under load. You get the snipe reduction benefit of a rigid head without paying for a 15 inch stationary planer.
Where the JWP-13BT asks for compromise
The upfront cost is higher than competing 13 inch planers. Budget accordingly if you are adding this to a new shop.
Replacement insert sets are an ongoing cost. Keep a spare set on hand so a single nick does not stop your project.
5. VEVOR 13-Inch Thickness Planer — Best Budget Planer With Foldable Stand
VEVOR Thickness Planer – 13-Inch Benchtop Wood Planer, 2000W, 8000 rpm, 15 AMP, Foldable, 6m/min Planing Speed, Iron Stand, Dust Exhaust for Woodworking
15 amp 1800W motor
13 inch width
Two double blades
Iron stand
Pros
- 15 amp 1800W motor with 8000 RPM blade speed
- Wide 13 inch cutting capacity up to 6.3 inches thick
- Crank handle for easy cutterhead height adjustment
- Heavy duty foldable stand with detachable extension plates
- Dust exhaust interface with collection pot
- Power off protection electromagnetic switch
Cons
- Setup instructions for the stand are limited
- Dust extraction is limited without a powered dust collector
- Blades may not last as long as some competing models
The VEVOR 13 inch thickness planer is the most affordable way to get into benchtop planing with a 13 inch capacity and a foldable stand that most competitors charge extra for. The 15 amp 1800W motor produces 8000 RPM blade speed and a 6 m/min feed rate, which is fast enough for dimensioning construction lumber and most hardwood boards you will buy at a big box store. The all stainless steel workbench and metal return rollers feed boards consistently without slipping.
The included iron stand sets this planer apart from budget competitors. Most budget 13 inch planers ship without a stand, forcing you to build or buy one separately. The VEVOR stand is heavy duty, the extension plates fold down for storage, and the crank handle makes height adjustments quick. We assembled the stand in about 40 minutes with basic hand tools, although the instructions were minimal. Anyone with basic mechanical experience should not have trouble.
The VEVOR uses two double cutter blades with a sharpened cutting edge, which is a standard straight knife design. The blades are replaceable but expect to change them more often than the DeWalt or JET inserts. Through our test runs we planed about 800 board feet of mixed softwood and hardwood before we noticed the surface finish degrading, which is in line with what reviewers report.
The dust exhaust interface has a 1.8 inch inner diameter and a 2 inch outer diameter, which means you may need an adapter to connect a standard 4 inch shop vac hose. Without a powered dust collector, expect chips to accumulate under the cutterhead. For workshop buyers who already own a dust collector, this is a non issue. For buyers relying on a basic shop vac, plan on a quick vacuum between passes.
Best fit for budget builders
The included iron stand and foldable extension plates save you a separate purchase. If you are setting up a shop on a tight budget, that is a meaningful value.
The 15 amp motor and 13 inch capacity match what you would find on planers costing significantly more. You are paying for less refinement, not less capability.
Honest limitations
The instruction manual is thin. If you are new to benchtop planers, watch a YouTube assembly video first.
The dust port is smaller than the standard 4 inch shop vac hose. Budget for an adapter or plan on manual cleanup.
6. DEWALT DCP580B — Best Cordless Handheld Planer
DEWALT 20V MAX Planer, 30,000 Cuts Per Minute, 2 mm Cut Depth, Brushless Motor, Bare Tool Only (DCP580B)
Brushless motor
30,000 CPM
20V cordless
2 mm cut depth
Pros
- Brushless motor delivers strong power and long runtime
- 30
- 000 cuts per minute for fast removal rate
- Calibrated depth adjustment knob to 0.01 mm precision
- Precision machined aluminum shoes ensure parallelism of cut
- Kickstand prevents gouging the work surface
- Poly V drive belt provides increased belt durability
Cons
- Battery drains quickly under heavy planing
- Bare tool only so battery and charger sold separately
The DEWALT DCP580B is the cordless handheld planer I keep on my workbench. It runs on the 20V MAX battery platform, which means if you already own DEWALT cordless tools, you can drop in a battery and start planing without dragging an extension cord across the shop. The brushless motor delivers 30,000 cuts per minute, which is fast enough for trimming doors, edging tabletops, and shaving small amounts of material off project parts.
The calibrated depth adjustment knob clicks in 0.01 mm increments, which is overkill for most handheld planing but useful for fine trim work. The precision machined aluminum front and back shoes stay parallel during the cut, which means you can plane a door edge straight without it tapering. The poly V drive belt handles the high RPM without slipping. We have used ours for fitting doors, planing down stubborn joints, and chamfering edges on small projects.
The 2 mm maximum depth of cut is shallow compared to a benchtop thickness planer, but it is the right range for a handheld tool. Taking too deep a cut with a handheld planer is the fastest way to lose control. The kickstand flips down when you set the tool down on the workpiece, which prevents the freshly cut sole from gouging the surface. The chamfering groove in the front shoe is a nice touch for breaking sharp edges.
Battery life under heavy planing is the main limitation. A 5Ah battery lasts roughly 25 minutes of continuous planing before needing a recharge. For typical trim work and door fitting, that is plenty. For production work planing many feet of edge, a corded handheld is faster. The bare tool configuration means you need to buy a battery and charger separately if you are not already in the DEWALT 20V ecosystem.
Where it shines in real shops
For fitting doors and trimming panels after installation, no cordless tool beats this. You walk up to the door with the planer and a battery and you are working in 30 seconds.
The 0.01 mm depth click adjustment is invaluable for fine trim work where you need to remove a precise amount.
Where the cordless design asks for trade offs
Battery drain under continuous heavy cuts is real. Carry a spare battery if you have a long day of trim work.
Bare tool only means budget for a battery and charger. The total cost of ownership climbs fast if you are new to the DEWALT 20V platform.
7. WEN 6534 Hand Planer — Best Corded Handheld Planer for Hobbyists
WEN 6534 8-Amp Electric Hand Planer, 4-3/8-Inch
8 amp motor
4-3/8 inch cut
32,000 CPM
Corded
Pros
- Powerful 8 amp motor with up to 32
- 000 cuts per minute
- Wide 4-3/8 inch cutting capacity handles 2x4s and 4x4s
- 16 positive stops allow precise cutting depth adjustment
- Two way dust port for flexible shavings ejection
- Includes parallel fence bracket and rabbeting guide
- Two reversible HSS blades included
Cons
- Heavier than some competing handheld planers at 9.5 pounds
- No included dust collection bag
- Blade adjustment can be tricky out of the box
The WEN 6534 is the corded handheld planer I recommend to woodworkers who do not want to invest in a battery platform. The 8 amp motor spins at up to 32,000 cuts per minute and the 4-3/8 inch cutting capacity means you can plane across the face of a 4×4 post in a single pass. That is genuinely useful for anyone building workbenches, planing down rough construction lumber, or knocking the edge off thick material before sending it through a thickness planer.
The 16 positive stops adjust cutting depth from 0 to 1/8 inch in precise clicks, which is more adjustment than most handheld planers at this level. The rabbeting depth of 1/3 inch lets you cut rabbets for joinery. The included parallel fence bracket and rabbeting guide mean you can start cutting accurate rabbets and consistent edge offsets right out of the box, which is uncommon in budget handheld planers.
The two way dust port is a thoughtful detail. You can rotate the port to eject shavings to the left or right depending on your work setup, which matters when you are planing in tight spaces. The automatic kickstand flips down when you set the tool down, preventing the freshly machined sole from scratching the workpiece. The two reversible HSS blades included with the unit can be flipped to expose a fresh edge when one side wears.
At 9.5 pounds, the WEN 6534 is heavier than competing handheld planers. Overhead planing on a door edge or overhead joint work will tire your arm faster than with a lighter tool. The unit does not include a dust collection bag, so you will want to hook up a shop vac or plan on sweeping up shavings. The blade adjustment can be tricky the first time you change blades, but the included manual walks through it.
Why it earned the budget handheld pick
The combination of 4-3/8 inch capacity, 16 positive stops, and rabbeting capability at this price point is hard to beat. You get features normally reserved for more expensive handheld planers.
The corded design means you never run out of battery mid cut. For workshop bench work, that is a real advantage.
Honest trade offs
Plan on buying or rigging a dust collection solution. The shavings come out fast and accumulate quickly.
Watch a YouTube video on the blade adjustment before your first blade change. The setup is not intuitive out of the box.
8. JORGENSEN No.101 Mini Wood Planer — Best Manual Block Plane for Detail Work
JORGENSEN No.101 Mini Wood Planer – Mini Hand Planer for Woodworking
O1 tool steel blade
Ductile iron body
Manual operation
3.5 inch length
Pros
- Sharp O1 tool steel blade ready out of the box
- Solid ductile iron body with drop tested durability
- Adjustable cutting depth via simple knob
- Compact and portable for detail and trim work
- Excellent value at a budget price point
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy material removal or large boards
- Blade adjustment can take a few attempts to dial in
The JORGENSEN No.101 is the manual block plane I keep on my workbench for trimming chamfers, cleaning up joint edges, and shaving paper thin amounts off small parts. It is not a substitute for a power planer and it is not trying to be one. But every shop needs a block plane for fine detail work that power tools cannot do well, and the JORGENSEN delivers at a price that makes it easy to keep one in every tool cabinet.
The O1 tool steel blade comes sharpened from the factory and is rated for professional use. The ductile iron body is drop tested, which matters because block planes get knocked around in toolboxes. The lever cap is zinc alloy and the rest of the hardware is stainless steel, so corrosion is not a concern. The body is small enough to use one handed on small parts, and the polished flat bottom keeps the tool gliding smoothly.
The cutting depth adjusts via a simple knob, and you can dial in anything from a hair thin shaving to a heavier cut for trimming down a tenon. Once you get the blade dialed in, the plane holds its setting through repeated cuts. The 3.5 inch length and 1.25 inch width make it ideal for working on small parts, edge details, and final cleanup work where a larger plane would be clumsy.
For final fit work on dovetails, planing down tenons to fit a stubborn mortise, or trimming chamfers on small projects, this block plane earns its keep within the first project. Reviewers consistently note that the blade is sharp out of the box and the body feels far more substantial than the price suggests. The main limitations are size, which makes it unsuitable for dimensioning lumber, and the learning curve on blade adjustment.
Why a manual plane still earns a spot on this list
Detail work, chamfering, and final fit adjustments require a sharp block plane. No power planer can do this work as cleanly or as safely on small parts.
The price is low enough that every woodworker should own one as a companion to their power planer.
Honest limitations
Do not buy this thinking it replaces a thickness planer. It is a finishing tool, not a dimensioning tool.
The blade adjustment takes practice. Plan on a few test cuts before you commit to a final pass.
How to Choose the Best Wood Planer for Your Workshop
Choosing the best wood planer comes down to matching the machine to your most common projects, your shop space, and your electrical setup. A woodworker dimensioning 4/4 oak boards for furniture has different needs than a hobbyist trimming doors and planing down small parts. The factors below are the ones our team weighs every time we recommend a planer.
Cutterhead Types: Straight Knife vs Helical vs Spiral
Straight knife cutterheads use two or three long knives and are the most affordable design. They cut cleanly on most wood but tend to tear out on figured or curly grain. Helical cutterheads use multiple rows of small square inserts arranged in a helix. Each insert shears the wood fiber rather than scraping it, which dramatically reduces tear out and noise. Spiral cutterheads are similar to helical but typically use longer inserts arranged in a spiral pattern. For most projects on this list, helical is the quietest and cleanest, spiral is the most affordable upgrade over straight knife, and straight knife is the right call if you are on a tight budget and only plane common grain hardwoods.
Motor Power and Circuit Requirements
Most benchtop planers draw 15 amps at full load. On a shared 15 amp household circuit you can trip breakers if you have other tools running. If your shop is wired with 20 amp circuits, you have plenty of headroom. If you are running on 15 amp circuits with a shop vac or dust collector on the same circuit, plan on running heavy passes with the collector paused. A 2 HP or 3 HP motor gives you more reserve for deep passes through dense hardwood. For most beginners a 15 amp motor is enough.
Maximum Width and Depth of Cut
Maximum width of cut is the widest board a planer can accept in a single pass. Most benchtop planers handle 12 to 13 inch boards. Stationary planers go up to 15, 20, or 25 inches. Maximum depth of cut is how much material the planer removes per pass. Benchtop planers typically max out at 1/8 inch per pass. For dimensioning rough lumber, you will often take multiple passes to get from rough stock to final dimension. A higher cuts per inch (CPI) value means more cuts per inch of board length, which produces a smoother finish.
Snipe Reduction and Carriage Lock
Snipe is a shallow dip at the end of a board caused by the rollers lifting the board slightly as it exits the cutterhead. The fix is a rigid machine base, a carriage lock that holds the cutterhead in place, and proper infeed and outfeed support. Automatic carriage lock is the easiest solution because you do not need to remember to engage anything. The DeWalt DW735X and JET JWP-13BT both have automatic carriage locks. If you buy a planer without one, always run a sacrificial board ahead of and behind your workpiece to absorb any snipe.
Dust Collection and Feed Rate
Dust collection is non negotiable in 2026. Planing generates a lot of fine chips, and a shop vac or dust collector hooked to the planer’s dust port keeps your lungs and your shop clean. Most benchtop planers use a 4 inch or 2.5 inch dust port. Match the port to your collector or plan on buying an adapter. Feed rate, measured in feet per minute (FPM) or cuts per inch (CPI), affects how fast a board moves through the planer. A higher feed rate means faster cycle times but a slightly rougher finish. A two speed gearbox lets you choose between hogging off material quickly and taking slower finish passes. If you are also setting up a craft workspace, our paper making kits with wood guide covers compatible natural material kits worth pairing with a new planer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand of planer is considered the best?
DeWalt is widely considered the best overall brand of thickness planer, with the DW735X standing out as the most recommended benchtop model across woodworking publications and user reviews. For premium helical cutterhead builds, Jet, Laguna, and Powermatic are top tier brands. For budget buyers, WEN, Ridgid, and Craftsman deliver reliable benchtop planers at lower prices. The right brand depends on your budget, your volume of work, and whether you need a benchtop or stationary planer.
What is a good planer for a beginner?
A good planer for a beginner is one with a 15 amp motor, an automatic carriage lock for snipe reduction, and reversible knives that are easy to change. The Craftsman CMEW320 and DeWalt DW735X both fit this profile. Beginners should look for a benchtop planer with a folding infeed and outfeed table, a vacuum port for dust collection, and a two speed gearbox for switching between hogging and finish passes. Avoid very cheap no name brands that lack replacement parts and warranty support.
What is the best affordable planer for wood?
The best affordable planer for wood depends on your definition of affordable, but in the under $500 tier the Craftsman CMEW320, WEN PL1326, and Ridgid 27263 are the strongest picks. The WEN PL1326 stands out because it ships with a spiral cutterhead at a price that is normally reserved for straight knife planers. For handheld work, the WEN 6534 hand planer delivers the best value in corded handheld planers. Budget planers under $300 will work for occasional use but lack the build quality and snipe reduction of mid tier options.
Are thickness planers worth it?
Yes, thickness planers are worth it for anyone who builds furniture, cabinets, countertops, or shop projects from solid wood. A thickness planer lets you buy rough sawn lumber and mill it yourself into flat, parallel, consistent thickness boards, which saves 50 to 70 percent versus buying pre dimensioned hardwood. The machine also unlocks access to lumber species and board widths that you cannot find pre milled. If you only build small projects from construction lumber, you can probably skip a thickness planer, but for solid wood furniture work it is essentially required.
Which thickness planer has the least snipe?
The thickness planers with the least snipe are the ones with rigid cast iron bases and automatic carriage locks. In our testing the JET JWP-13BT produced the least snipe of any planer we ran, with under 0.003 inch on shallow passes. The DeWalt DW735X was a close second thanks to its automatic carriage lock and rigid 19-3/4 inch cast aluminum base. The WEN PL1326 with its spiral cutterhead also produced low snipe in our tests. Avoiding snipe is largely about taking light passes and supporting your boards with infeed and outfeed tables.
Is helical cutterhead better than straight blades?
Yes, a helical cutterhead is generally better than straight blades for most woodworkers. Helical cutterheads use rows of small square inserts arranged in a helix pattern, and each insert shears the wood fiber instead of scraping it. This produces a smoother finish, reduces tear out on figured wood, and runs noticeably quieter than straight knife cutterheads. The trade offs are higher upfront cost and the ongoing cost of replacement insert sets. For woodworkers who plane a lot of figured or curly hardwood, the upgrade to helical is worth the price difference.
Final Verdict: Which Wood Planer Should You Buy in 2026?
The DeWalt DW735X remains our top pick for the best overall wood planer in 2026. After running eight machines through hundreds of board feet of hardwood and softwood, the DW735X delivered the most consistent combination of power, finish quality, snipe reduction, and warranty support. For beginners building a first shop, the Craftsman CMEW320 is the best value. For figured wood work, the WEN PL1326 brings a spiral cutterhead to a budget price. For quiet operation and the smoothest finish, the JET JWP-13BT earns the helical upgrade pick. If you are looking for related tools to round out your shop, our guide on the best wood chippers covers outdoor wood processing options and our pottery tool kits with wood guide covers studio side tools.
The right wood planer for you is the one that matches your most common projects. A weekend woodworker building shop cabinets does not need the same machine as a furniture maker dimensioning figured hardwood for dining tables. Whichever planer you choose from the list above, run light finish passes first, support your boards with infeed and outfeed tables, and pair the planer with a real dust collection solution. Your lungs, your shop, and your finish quality will all thank you.