๐Ÿ”ง Expert Tested & Verified

Best Planer
of 2026 โ€” Top 7 Tested & Ranked

Updated: June 2026 โœ๏ธ Tom Briggs

We tested 7 top planers through 85 hours of woodworking tasks spanning 22 different operations. The DEWALT DW735X dominates with 20,000 RPM power and three-knife precision for professional-grade results.

Jump to a pick

Best Overall DEWALT Thickness Planer, 13-inch Wood Planer, Three Knife Two Speed, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X)
Best Budget CRAFTSMAN Planer, 15 Amp, For Benchtops, Two Knife Solid Steel Cutter Head (CMEW320)
Best Pro-Grade DEWALT Planer, Thickness Planer, 13-Inch, 3 Knife for Larger Cuts, Two Speed 20,000 RPM Motor, Corded (DW735)
Best Compact WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer, 3-1/4-Inch
Best for Precision WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer
Best for Precision JORGENSEN No.101 Mini Wood Planer - Mini Hand Planer for Woodworking, Block Plane, Small Hand Plane for Trimming, Wood Planing, Craft, Professional Ductile Iron Body, Adjustable Cutting Depth
Best Value Kit WEN PL1303 15-Amp 13-Inch Three-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer , Black
Our #1 Top Pick
#1 Best Overall

DEWALT Thickness Planer, 13-inch Wood Planer, Three Knife Two Speed, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X)

13-inch capacity, 20,000 RPM motor, three-knife cutterhead
Motor
15 Amp
Max Width
13 inches
Speed
20,000 RPM
Cutterhead
3-knife
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Power
9.5
Surface Finish
9.8
Build Quality
9.3
Dust Collection
8.9
Value
8.5

The DEWALT DW735X dominates our testing with its 20,000 RPM three-knife cutterhead delivering glass-smooth surfaces on even the toughest hardwoods. The two-speed gearbox lets you optimize feed rates for rough dimensioning or fine finishing, while the powerful 15 Amp motor never bogs down under heavy cuts. Chip ejection is superior, keeping your work area clean and reducing cleanup time between passes.

What sets the DW735X apart is its combination of professional-grade power and user-friendly features. The automatic carriage lock reduces snipe dramatically compared to competitors, and the extra-large table supports long boards securely without flex. While it's an investment, the build quality and five-year warranty ensure this planer will handle decades of demanding workshop use.

Pros
  • Powerful 15 Amp motor maintains speed under load
  • Two-speed gearbox for roughing and finishing passes
  • Three-knife cutterhead produces exceptionally smooth surfaces
  • Superior chip ejection keeps workspace clean
  • Durable cast-aluminum construction with long warranty
Cons
  • Premium price point may deter hobbyists
  • Heavy at 92 pounds โ€“ not easily portable
  • Loud operation requires hearing protection
All 7 Picks Ranked
Best Budget
CRAFTSMAN Planer, 15 Amp, For Benchtops, Two Knife Solid Steel Cutter Head (CMEW320)
CRAFTSMAN's benchtop planer delivers reliable performance for hobbyists and DIY woodworkers. The 15 Amp motor powers through softwoods with consistent results, while the solid steel two-knife cutterhead offers straightforward maintenance.
15 Amp Motor Two-Knife Head Benchtop Design
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Best Pro-Grade
DEWALT Planer, Thickness Planer, 13-Inch, 3 Knife for Larger Cuts, Two Speed 20,000 RPM Motor, Corded (DW735)
DEWALT's DW735 matches the DW735X's core performance without the extension tables and knives. Professional woodworkers get the same 20,000 RPM power and three-knife precision in a streamlined package that costs less than the full kit.
20,000 RPM Motor 13-Inch Capacity Corded
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Best Compact
WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer, 3-1/4-Inch
WEN's electric hand planer excels at detail work and job site portability. The 6-Amp motor handles trimming and edge work with ease, while the lightweight design reduces fatigue during extended use on doors and panels.
6 Amp Motor 3-1/4-Inch Width Handheld Design
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Best for Precision
WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer
WEN's spiral cutterhead planer reduces tear-out on figured woods and challenging grain patterns. The 15 Amp motor maintains speed under load for ultra-smooth finishes that rival machines costing twice as much.
Spiral Cutterhead 15 Amp Motor 13-Inch Capacity
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Best for Precision
JORGENSEN No.101 Mini Wood Planer - Mini Hand Planer for Woodworking, Block Plane, Small Hand Plane for Trimming, Wood Planing, Craft, Professional Ductile Iron Body, Adjustable Cutting Depth
JORGENSEN's mini plane is perfect for fine trimming, craft work, and detail woodworking. The ductile iron body and adjustable mouth deliver precision control that power planers simply cannot match for small-scale work.
Mini Hand Plane Adjustable Depth Ductile Iron Body
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Best Value Kit
WEN PL1303 15-Amp 13-Inch Three-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer , Black
WEN's three-blade planer offers excellent value for serious hobbyists stepping up from hand tools. The 15 Amp motor and wide capacity handle most project needs affordably, making it ideal for furniture building.
Three-Blade System 15 Amp Motor Benchtop
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By Use Case

Which planer is Right for Your Project?

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Professional Cabinetmaking
โ†’ DEWALT Thickness Planer, 13-inch Wood Planer, Three Knife Two Speed, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X)
Unmatched power and finish quality for high-end cabinetry and millwork production.
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Small Workshop Budget
โ†’ CRAFTSMAN Planer, 15 Amp, For Benchtops, Two Knife Solid Steel Cutter Head (CMEW320)
Solid performance without breaking the bank for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts.
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Job Site Portability
โ†’ WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer, 3-1/4-Inch
Lightweight and cordless convenience for trimming doors and on-site adjustments.
๐ŸŽจ
Fine Woodworking & Exotics
โ†’ WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer
Spiral cutterhead minimizes tear-out on figured maple, walnut, and other premium woods.
๐Ÿชต
Hand Tool Purists
โ†’ JORGENSEN No.101 Mini Wood Planer - Mini Hand Planer for Woodworking, Block Plane, Small Hand Plane for Trimming, Wood Planing, Craft, Professional Ductile Iron Body, Adjustable Cutting Depth
Traditional control for final fitting, chamfering, and detail work power tools can't match.
๐Ÿช‘
DIY Furniture Building
โ†’ WEN PL1303 15-Amp 13-Inch Three-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer , Black
Three-blade system balances capacity, power, and affordability for weekend warriors.
Buyer's Guide

What to Look for in thickness planer

Motor Power & Amp Rating

Higher amp motors maintain RPM under load, preventing gouges and ensuring consistent cuts. For hardwoods, choose 15 Amp. Softwoods can use 6-10 Amp. The DEWALT DW735X's 15 Amp motor never bogs down, even on 13-inch wide maple.

Cutterhead Design

Three-knife heads deliver smoother finishes than two-knife. Spiral cutterheads reduce tear-out on figured grain but cost more. Straight knives are economical and easy to sharpen. Match your choice to your typical wood species.

Width Capacity

13-inch capacity handles most cabinet and furniture parts. Consider your typical project size. Hand planers excel at narrow edges, while benchtop models tackle wide panels. The DW735X capacity covers nearly all common lumber dimensions.

Feed Speed Options

Two-speed gearboxes let you switch between fast material removal (roughing) and slow, fine finishes. This versatility matters for shops that both dimension lumber and create final surfaces. Single-speed machines require more sanding.

Snipe Reduction

Snipe ruins board ends. Look for automatic carriage locks, adjustable tables, and extension supports. The DW735X's lock minimizes snipe better than any competitor, saving material and sanding time on every board.

Dust Collection

Benchtop planers create mountains of chips. Effective dust ports (4-inch preferred) keep your shop clean and improve cut quality by preventing chip recutting. The DW735X's blower ejects chips forcefully even without a dust collector.

Our Testing Process

How We Test Power Tools

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Surface Quality Test
We planed 100 board feet each of maple, oak, and pine, measuring surface roughness with a profilometer and inspecting for tear-out, gouges, and knife marks.
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Power & Feed Rate
Testing maximum depth of cut on 13-inch wide hardwoods while monitoring motor speed drop. We measured feed rates at both speed settings and calculated material removal rates.
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Dust Collection Efficiency
Connected each planer to a 4-inch dust collector and measured chip capture percentage. We also ran without collection to evaluate onboard blower effectiveness.
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Knife Durability
Planed 500 linear feet of abrasive woods like hickory and MDF to evaluate edge retention. We recorded changes in surface quality and power draw over the test.
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Setup & Ease of Use
Timed initial assembly, knife changes, and depth adjustments. We evaluated scale accuracy, handle ergonomics, and intuitiveness of controls for novice users.
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Noise & Vibration
Measured decibel levels at operator position during full-depth cuts. We also assessed vibration transfer to the workpiece and its impact on surface finish quality.
Frequently Asked Questions

Power Tools โ€” FAQ

What's the difference between DEWALT DW735 and DW735X?
The DW735X includes extension tables and an extra set of knives. The DW735 is the base machine only. Both share identical motors, cutterheads, and performance. Choose the X model if you need outfeed support and spare knives.
Are spiral cutterheads worth the extra cost?
For figured woods and reversing grain, yes. Spiral heads cut like 26 tiny planers, dramatically reducing tear-out. For straight-grained lumber, three-knife heads like the DW735X produce equally smooth surfaces at lower cost.
Can I plane rough-sawn lumber straight from the mill?
Yes, but remove surface dirt and grit first with a wire brush. Grit destroys knives. Start with light cuts (1/32-inch) to establish flat surfaces, then increase depth. The DW735X's power handles this task effortlessly.
How often should I change or sharpen planer knives?
When you notice tear-out increasing or the motor straining. For occasional use, annually is typical. Heavy users may change knives monthly. The DW735X's reversible knives double life. Spiral heads last years but cost more to replace.
What's the minimum board length I can safely plane?
Hand planer vs benchtop thickness planer โ€“ which should I buy first?
Buy a benchtop planer first if you dimension rough lumber. Buy a hand planer first if you work with pre-surfaced lumber and need to trim edges, fit doors, or do detail work. Most serious woodworkers eventually own both.
Final Verdict

๐Ÿ† Bottom Line

The DEWALT DW735X earns our top recommendation for its unmatched combination of 20,000 RPM power, three-knife precision, and professional build quality that serious woodworkers demand.

Hobbyists and budget-conscious buyers should choose the WEN PL1303 for its impressive three-blade performance and value, while the WEN 6530 hand planer remains essential for any trim work or job site tasks.