Best Wood Planer Reviews 2024

Alex Clarkson
Alex Clarkson

Whether your woodworking is a hobby or a profession, planning your boards yourself has a certain satisfaction to it when you’re working with the right tools. Unfortunately, finding the best wood planer can be a little intimidating, given all the different types available right now. Wood planers are not just overpriced power tools, and once you get to use them, you will realize how much money you saved by buying one.

Buying the right power tool can sometimes be overwhelming even for professional woodworkers because there are so many to choose from. To help you in selecting the perfect tool for you, we have compiled a list of the best wood planers on the market. Also, you will come across a short buyer’s guide which you can learn some fundamentals about wood planers.

These our are top picks of the best wood planers:

Top 10 Wood Planer You Can Buy In ​2024

Our pick

DEWALT 13-Inch Thickness Planer - Three...

Dewalt DW735X

  • Amazing finishing
  • 2-speed gearbox
  • Turret depth stop

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Best hand-held

WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer,...

WEN 6530

  • Easy to use
  • Two-way dust removal
  • Sharpenable blades

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Most affordable

WEN 6550T 15 Amp 12.5 in. Corded...

WEN6550T

  • All-granite table
  • Good overall build
  • Fairly portable

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WEN 6552T

WEN 6552T 13 in. 15 Amp 3-Blade Benchtop...
  • Onboard material removal gauge informs users about the cutting depth of each...
  • Plane boards up to 6 in. T and 13 in. W

The 6552T is a benchtop thickness planer made by WEN, and it’s one of the best planers that you can get your woodworking hands on. This model earned the title of being one of the best thanks to all the distinctive features that it has. One of these particular features is that you can adjust the height of the 6552T’s outfeed and infeed tables. You might think that this isn’t that important, but this height adjustment will most definitely come in handy sometime in the future.

Another big plus for this tool from WEN is that it also features a 3-blade cutter head. Compared to other 2-blade models, the 3-blade cutter head on this model results in a much smoother finish. When it comes to power, a powerful 15-amp motor is the one spinning the cutter head, and it does this so fast that it makes 25,500 cuts per minute. The speed and the number of cuts per minute are the reasons the 6552T produces some of the most delicate finishes among planers of this size.

One of the things that this model does so good is also the dust ejection, which, if you ask us, is very important when it comes to wood planers. The dust management is done by a fan-assisted system that blows out all the chips and dust produced by the planer. Since the dust and wood chips produced can get in the way of your woodworking, it’s crucial to handle it properly, and this system does just that.

The width capacity of the 6552T wood planer is 13 inches. This gives you the ability to plane boards that are as wide as 12.5”, or just a smidge wider than that. If you are looking for the best wood planer, but you don’t want to invest too much, then this is the tool for you.

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The Good

  • Affordable
  • Great for occasional users
  • Blades are easy to change

The Bad

  • Not suitable for industrial use

Dewalt DW735X

DEWALT 13-Inch Thickness Planer - Three...
  • Your purchase includes One Stationary 13" Planer, in/out feed tables, extra...
  • Planer dimensions: 24” L x 22” W x 18” H. Depth capacity: 6-Inch. Max...

The DW735X is very often confused with the DW735, which is a wood planer from the same manufacturer, but with one significant difference. The planer units themselves are the same; the difference between them is actually in the accompanying accessories that they come with. The DW735X contains the planer unit, infeed, and outfeed tables, plus an extra set of knives just in case the first ones get nicked or dull. On the other hand, the DW735 comes with nothing else than the planer unit itself, which, in our opinion, makes the DW735X a better choice.

In terms of performance and overall design, the DW735X is considered to be the benchmark for wood planers. A good wood planer must be capable of generating enough power to form a clean cut through both soft and harder wood, without the motor experiencing any strain. Also, without causing any damage to the wood due to tear-out or snipe, the DW735X performs amazingly in all aspects.

Speaking of power, this tool is an actual beast, featuring a powerful 15-amp motor. The motor turns at a fantastic speed of 20,000rpm, and at the same time, spins the cutter head at 10,000rpm. This allows you to efficiently plane any type of wood without any strain being caused on the motor. The cutter head featured on this model contains three blades that have a pretty long lifespan, and you can easily replace them when they eventually get dull.

Probably one of the most useful attributes that this model has is the 2-speed gearbox system. One speed is for dimensioning, and it runs at 96 cuts per inch (CPI), and the other speed is for finishing, which runs at 179 CPI. Another critical attribute is the depth stop, which gives you the ability to set height or depth that you do not want to cross. So, if you’re carried away or even forget, the depth stop prevents any damage to the board by not letting you go beneath the predetermined thickness.

The Good

  • 2-speed gearbox
  • Depth stop
  • Fan-assisted dust system
  • Excellent finishing on the wood

The Bad

  • A little heavy, not easy to transport

Dewalt DW734

DEWALT Benchtop Planer, Single Speed,...
  • Three knife cutter-head with 10,000 RPM provides 96 cuts per inch, one of the...
  • Disposible, reversible knives deliver 30 percent more knife life and make knife...

The DW734 from Dewalt is another high-quality benchtop planer that is available on the market right now. Same as the DW735X, this model features a powerful motor that runs at the speed of 20,000rpm and spins the cutter head at 10,000rpm. As for the cutter head itself, it has three laminated steel knives that are reversible, which means that the blades are sharp on both sides. This allows you to remove and flip them around when they get dull, making them cut the wood like they are brand new.

Just like the previous product, the DW734 also has a depth stop, which is presented as a round dial on the tool’s right side. You can use this dial to set the planer for the three most common thicknesses, which include ¾ inch, ½ inch and ¼ inch. This feature is particularly useful when you have multiple boards that all need to be of the same thickness. Setting the depth stop to any width will keep all the boards the same by not letting you plane them thinner than they need to be.

One of the common problems found in nearly every planer is snipe, which is a result of the vertical motion caused by the planing of the wood. Dewalt implemented a four-column carriage lock to try to eliminate snipe in this model. This lock system works by locking the roller assembly and the cutter head in place while the wood passes through, preventing any vertical motion. To prevent snipe even further, the DW734 has long outfeed and infeed tables that are attached on both sides to help support the wood.

Another pretty great feature located at the front is the gauge for material removal. As soon as the cutter head touches wood, the indicator will pop up to show you the amount of material you will be removing. To be honest, it’s not 100% correct, but it can give you the basic idea of how much wood you’re removing with every pass. Speaking of material removal, with every pass you can remove a maximum thickness of 1/8 inch; however, to get a smoother finish, you should reduce it to 1/16″ or 1/32″.

The Good

  • Amazing finishing
  • Three reversible knives
  • 2-speed gearbox

The Bad

  • Quite noisy

Porter Cable PC305TP

PORTER-CABLE Thickness Planer, 12-Inch...
  • Powerful 15 amp motor for superior stock removal
  • Two knife, quick change, solid steel cutter, head mounted on ball bearings,...

Some of the best wood planers available right now on the market come from Porter Cable, and their PC305TP model is a perfect example of that. If you are looking for a lightweight wood planer for your woodworking hobby, you can never go wrong with a Porter Cable. The PC305TP is quite affordable compared to some other planers out there, and pretty compact, making it suitable for smaller workspaces. This model does a fantastic job of flattening out new boards as well as reclaiming old ones.

The PC305TP is equipped with a robust 15-amp motor, which makes rapid and smooth cuts through harder wood. When the tool is in use, it’s not very noisy, so you don’t have to worry about disturbing your neighborhood when you work. The cutter head on this model consists of two double-sided blades, so when one side gets dull, you can just remove them and turn them around. Also, the blades come with notches or indexing holes, which makes them easier to replace, compared to older planer blades that required blade replacement jigs.

The cutter head can achieve a speed of 8,000 rpm and produce 16,000 CPM (cuts per minute). It’s made of solid steel and mounted with ball bearings for which the manufacturer claims to prolong the blades’ lifespan significantly. The cutter elevation system included in this model uses four columns to stabilize the process, which dramatically helps with the precision of your work. As for the maximum depth of every pass, you should be able to remove as much as 1/8 inch.

This lightweight model weighs just short of 65lbs, which makes it very portable when compared to some other models out there. The only downside of the PC305TP is that, more often than not, both ends of the board end up with snipes on them. One way you can address this issue is to lift the end of the board when it goes into the planer and then again lift the front part when it comes out.

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The Good

  • Light and portable
  • Reversible blades
  • Cutter elevation system

The Bad

  • Produces snipes

WEN 6550T

WEN 6550T 15 Amp 12.5 in. Corded...
  • Granite table provides a sturdy non-marring surface for wood to smoothly travel...
  • Plane boards up to 6 inches thick and 12.5 inches wide

Much like the 6552T model, the 6550T is another amazing benchtop planer brought to us by WEN. This benchtop wood planer gives you the ability to easily re-purpose jagged, rough, old, and worn-out boards and give them a new exceedingly smooth finish.

The 6550T comes equipped with a 15-amp motor and a two-blade cutter head that go hand in hand to make this model very powerful. These two components come together to produce amazing 18,000 cuts per minute and a feed rate of 26 feet per minute. With this model, you can work on boards of up to 12.5″ wide and 6″ thick with no hiccups, no matter the type of wood you’re working on. Also, the two-blade cutting system allows you to remove as much as 3/32” on every single pass.

Another essential addition to this model is the smooth all-granite table, which makes the surface for your workpiece perfectly flat. Unlike some other materials, the granite will not distort or warp over time, maintaining its integrity for a prolonged period. The granite table offers you a smooth and non-marring surface for the board to smoothly and safely glide on. It also prevents the dust formed during the planning from clinging or sticking to the table, which can also contribute to the precision of your work.

The 6550T is light enough that you can transport it comfortably, but at the same time, heavy enough to prevent any shaking or wobbling. It weighs about 70lbs, and it’s constructed using the combination of cast iron for the base and the before mentioned granite table. In case you require some extra stability, this model comes with preformed mounting holes. You can use these holes to mount the tool to any surface you want in your workshop.

The Good

  • Foldable outfeed and infeed tables
  • Quite portable
  • Sturdy build
  • Smooth all-granite table

The Bad

  • Not suitable for heavy professional use

Delta Power Tools 22-555

Delta Power Tools 22-555 13 In Portable...
  • Powerful 15A motor capable of handling the most demanding jobs
  • Four column design provides excellent stability for smooth, accurate planning

The 22-555 model from Delta Power tools is the right choice if your budget is limited, but you still need an efficient and powerful planer. That said, we would not recommend this tool for more heavy-duty and professional use; this model is more suitable for smaller projects and woodworking hobbyists. Even though Delta is not among the most popular brands for power tools, they’re known for making quality products. This manufacturer has been in this business for almost 90 years, so it comes with no surprise that the 22-555 model comes with a five-year warranty.

The double-bladed cutter head included in this model is powered by a small but quite powerful 15-amp motor, which makes it great for smaller shops. The motor itself runs at the speed of about 18,000rpm, while the cutter head turns at about 9,400rpm, which is not that bad. When it comes to wood capacity, the maximum depth you can cut to is 3/32 of an inch, while the maximum width of the board is up to 13″. Also, the blades provided are disposable and designed in such a way that they can be easily changed when needed.

Weighing in at only 58lbs, the 22-555 is quite lightweight for a wood planer, which makes it pretty easy to transport from one location to the other. Included with the unit itself, this model has foldable outfeed and infeed tables to help with longer boards. Other than that, the 22-555 features a relatively simple design, making it user friendly and perfect for inexperienced people that require a wood planer.

Even though this model uses only two blades, unlike other more expensive tools, it’s nothing less efficient. Also, to help you achieve more accurate and smooth planing, the 22-555 features a four-column design that keeps it stable during the operation.

The Good

  • Good for inexperienced people
  • Decent accuracy
  • 5-year warranty

The Bad

  • Not strong enough for harder woods

Makita 2012NB

Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer with...
  • Compact with less weight for easy transporting to the jobsite
  • Engineered for faster, easier blade changes

The 2012NB benchtop planer from Makita is designed for woodworking hobbyists as it’s straightforward to use and features a reasonably quiet motor. This model belongs to mid-range tools while leaning a little to the high-end, but as soon as you use it and get familiar with it, the price will become understandable. One of the first things that you will see on this tool is the frame, which is quite compact, making the 2012NB reasonably portable. Weighing in at about 60lbs, this planer is not the lightest available out there, but it’s certainly not as heavy as some other models.

Powered by a powerful 15-amp motor, the 2012NB can achieve a speed of 8,500 rpm, which is not as fast as some other planers, but it gets the job done. Also, there is a convenient LED light included in the unit so you can easily know whether the tool is connected to any power source. Despite that it features a powerful motor, the 2012NB is relatively quiet, reaching only 83 decibels. To be honest, that is not extremely quiet, but it’s better than some other planers available right now.

Probably the most fantastic feature of this model is the Makita’s exclusive automated Interna-Lok head clamp. As soon as you start feeding your wooden board into the tool, the Interna-Lok system clamps the wood to minimize unwanted movement. This system eliminates any possibility of snipe forming on your boards, so if you don’t like snipe, this product might be perfect for you.

As we said before, the 2012NB is very compact, but don’t let the size deceive you, this is quite a powerful tool. The maximum width of the wood that you work with can be up to 12 inches. As for the maximum cut depth, the dimensioning depth is 1/8”, and finishing depth is 1/16”.

The Good

  • Low noise emission
  • Compact and easy to transport
  • Easy to use
  • Very powerful

The Bad

  • A bit on the expensive side

Grizzly Industrial G0505

Grizzly Industrial G0505-12-1/2" 2 HP...
  • Motor: 2 HP, 110V, single-phase, 15 Amp
  • Maximum cutting width: 12-1/2"

The portable wood planers are the best models for people on a budget; they combine the durability needed for working in your shop and the mobile, lightweight design, which is useful when you need to work at a clients’ house. If you have a limited budget, this model could be perfect for you because it provides a lot of cutting power for a reasonable price. Even though Grizzly produces many full-size wood planers, they urged their developers to design a smaller model, and the result was the G0505.

Powered by a 2-horsepower motor that runs at about 10,000rpm, this model can operate quite faster than smaller and cheaper planers can. Also, the G0505 features a rapid feed rate that allows you to plane and cut up to 32 feet per minute, which is quite impressive. This model can be used for many kinds of wood because it can cut up to 6″ high and 12.5 inches wide. If by any chance, you want to plane a thinner board, the G0505 can go as low as 13/64 of an inch.

The cutter head features two 1/8″ thick reversible blades that produce 52 cuts per inch to form a pretty smooth cut. Also, the blades are double-sided, which means that you can flip them around when one side isn’t suitable for use anymore. The manufacturer provides you with a jig required for adjusting the blades, as well as a wrench for other adjustments.

As for the safety measures, the G0505 is as safe as they come. The power switch is equipped with a safety lock that can be engaged to keep the tool from powering up after an electrical surge. This safety lock also acts as a child-proofing mechanism, keeping your kids safe. Also, this model offers protection against circuit overloads, so if the tool starts to run too hot, it will turn itself off.

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The Good

  • Long-lasting blades
  • Great safety measures
  • Suitable for hobbyists

The Bad

  • Only two blades on the cutter head

WEN 6530

WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer,...
  • 6-amp motor provides up to 34,000 cuts per minute
  • 16 positive stops adjust the cutting depth anywhere from 0 to 1/8 inches

The 6530 from WEN is a high-speed compact hand planer that is suitable for numerous planning projects, no matter the kind of wood. It’s designed to handle light planning operations as well as planning projects on some thick lumber, and it does those both well. Weighing in at only 5lbs, this model is very lightweight and quite user friendly, making it perfect even for first-time users. Equipped with a brushed 6-amp motor that runs at 17,000rpm, the 6530 can produce up to 34,000 cuts each minute at a maximum depth of 1/8”.

The lightweight and straightforward design make this model easy to use and suitable for both first-timers as well as professional woodworkers. It can be used with just one hand, and it also features a parallel fence guide to help you plane right straight edges. The power cord of the 6530 is 6ft long, giving you access to the boards’ full length while working on it.

This model comes equipped with a cutter head that features steel blades; the high-sped blades are both replaceable and sharpenable, making this tool a one-time investment. On the front of the machine is an adjustment knob for the calibrated depth. You can use this knob to set the accurate depth at 16 different points for high-precision cutting.

Probably one of the better attributes of this model is the two-way adapter for the dust disposal. You can use this adapter to choose the side to which the dust will be removed, and also hook it up to a dust collector. The 6530 has a safety switch that prevents accidental blade triggering; also, there is a kickstand at the back of the tool that keeps the surface and the blades safe while the machine is still running but not in use.

The Good

  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Two-way dust disposal
  • Comes with a dust bag

The Bad

  • The cord could be longer

Porter Cable PC60THP

PORTER-CABLE Hand Planer, 6-Amp,...
  • Heavy-duty 6 amp motor
  • Dual side dust extraction allows for extraction on either side of the tool

Probably the best thing about buying a Porter Cable power tool is that you can be assured you’re buying a quality product at a reasonable price. Their focus is mainly on the more experienced users, but recently they changed their designs to accommodate hobbyists and beginners. This is where the PC60THP comes into play; this bestseller model became quite famous among homeowners, workshop owners, and other first-timers alike. The PC60THP is a one-handed heavy-duty application planer that you can use on almost any type of wood out there.

Powered by a 6-amp four-pole motor, this model can achieve a no-load speed of about 16,000rpm. The boosted motor, combined with powerful blades, gives you the ability to remove wooden chips easily. Speaking of power, the manufacturer also put in a robust poly-V belt that matches the needed high power.

The PC60THP is designed to operate high-quality finishes, and it features three chamfer grooves of different sizes that allow you to choose between different edge chamfers. It features a sleek overall design combined with an 11.5″ aluminum shoe that will enable it to slide over the wood easily. As for safety, much like the previous product, the PC60THP has an automatic kickstand that pops out when the tool is rested to keep the material and the blades protected.

Compared to some other planers, the maximum cutting depth of this model is over 1/16” higher, which helps in need of quick and aggressive planning. The depth can be adjusted with a knob that is strategically placed on the front of the tool, allowing you easy access. The depth adjustment is divided into 11 different stops; with each turn of the knob, you set the depth at 1/128 of an inch.

Other than the excellent depth adjustment, the PC60THP features a two-side dust emission system, which allows you to collect the dust based on your position.

The Good

  • Powerful motor
  • Sharpenable blades
  • Great cutting depth

The Bad

  • Small dustbag

Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to woodworking, it’s imperative to have the right tools at your disposal. A wood planer is probably one of the most important tools to have in your workshop, no matter if you’re a hobbyist or a professional. These tools allow you to shape, cut, and most importantly, smooth out the wood and save up a lot of time.

As you can see from our list, there is a lot of different types of planers, so sometimes it’s challenging to find the right one for you. That is why we have created this short buyer’s guide with all the vital information you should know before purchasing.

Types of planers – As you can see from this article, there are many different types of planers, but the most common ones are hand and thickness. You have to choose the right planer for you based on the materials that you use and the work you do.Hand planers – These are designed to be portable and lightweight to make them easy to control and hold for more extended periods. No matter what type of blade is included in the build, the hand planers are very accurate because they are very compact. However, it’s important to know that these are not the best for level surfaces because they are controlled by your hand, which is not accurate at all times.Thickness – These, on the other hand, are perfect for creating level surfaces. To operate them, you need to set the blades to the desired height and feed the board into the unit; the blades then strip everything above the set height to create a smooth level surface.

Dust disposal – One of the best ways to determine if the planer is of high-quality is to see how they manage the dust removal process. Some models come with specific mechanisms just for dust disposal. Dust removal is crucial to consider when buying a planer since they produce quite a lot of it, and they will dirty up your workshop in no time. Other than a messy shop, the dust and chips can get stuck to the blades and reduce their effectiveness.

Power – We cannot stress this enough, but probably the essential thing to consider when buying a wood planer is the power of the motor that runs it. The power of the motor can determine if the planer can handle the material you’re working on and how efficient it will be.

Blade type – When you’re searching for the best tool for you, you should take into consideration how many blades the planer has included and what they are made of. The most common number of blades is between two and three, and they are mostly made of aluminum that may feature an anti-rust coating. Other features about the blades that you should consider are if they are double-sided or if they can be sharpened, which can significantly reduce your investments over time.

Conclusion 

Now you know our opinion on what we think are the best wood planers available right now. We hope that we helped you in finding that perfect tool for you. Always remember to carefully research the models before buying because these tools are not cheap. Do your best to pick the right one that will fit your needs.

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