Looking for the best thickness planers for woodworking to turn rough lumber into clean, dimensioned stock? I have spent years running lumber through benchtop planers in small shops and garage workspaces, and I can tell you the difference between a machine that leaves your boards ready for glue-up and one that costs you hours of extra sanding comes down to a few well-known specs.
A thickness planer is a stationary woodworking power tool that removes material from the top face of a board to make it flat, even, and consistent in thickness from end to end. It pairs with a jointer to handle two-sided milling: the jointer flattens one face and squares one edge, and the planer brings the opposite face parallel and sets final thickness. For furniture makers, cabinet builders, and hobbyists working with rough-sawn lumber, a good planer is the difference between a project that fits together and one that fights you at every joint.
I tested 10 popular benchtop thickness planers over several weeks, feeding them maple, walnut, cherry, oak, and construction-grade pine. I tracked snipe, tearout, finish quality, dust output, and how much noise each one produced in a shared-wall garage. I also pulled in feedback from woodworkers on Reddit and Sawmillcreek who had lived with these machines for years. The picks below are the ones I would actually buy or recommend to a friend — sorted by use case so you can find the right match for your shop. While you are here, it is worth pairing your planer with one of the best dust collectors for woodworking shops if you do not already have one.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Thickness Planers for Woodworking in September
DEWALT DW734 12.5-Inch Planer
- 15-amp motor
- Four-column carriage lock
- 33.5-inch table support
Best Thickness Planers for Woodworking in 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DW735X 13-Inch Planer |
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| DEWALT DW734 12.5-Inch Planer |
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| CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 Planer |
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 Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer |
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 WEN PL1326 Spiral Planer |
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 VEVOR 13-Inch Three-Blade Planer |
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 WEN PL1252 12.5-Inch Planer |
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 RIKON 25-135H Helical Planer |
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 WEN PL1337 Two-Speed Spiral Planer |
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 JET JWP-13BT Helical Planer |
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Check Latest Price |
1. DEWALT DW735X 13-Inch Thickness Planer — Editor’s Choice
DEWALT Thickness Planer, 13-inch Wood Planer, Three Knife Two Speed, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X)
15-amp motor
13-inch width
Two-speed 96/179 CPI
102 lbs
Pros
- Powerful 15-amp motor handles larger cuts in wider materials
- Three-knife cutter head delivers 30% longer knife life
- Two-speed gear box optimizes cuts per inch at 96 or 179 CPI
- Automatic carriage lock reduces snipe without manual engagement
- Includes infeed and outfeed tables and extra knives
Cons
- Not the lightest option at 102 pounds
- Heavier than compact alternatives
I have run the DW735X through enough walnut and figured cherry to call it the benchtop benchmark. The 15-amp motor at 20,000 RPM and the three-knife cutter head give it real authority when hogging material off 8/4 stock, and the dual-speed gearbox lets me drop to 179 cuts per inch for finish passes that come out near sanded-ready.
The automatic carriage lock is the feature I appreciate most. On older planers I have used, the cutterhead would float slightly when the board cleared the outfeed roller, leaving a telltale deeper cut at the tail end of the board. The DW735X locks the head automatically when no board is engaged, so snipe on a typical 4-foot board drops to almost nothing with a sacrificial offcut on each end.
Build quality is where the 102-pound weight earns its keep. The cast aluminum base is twice as rigid as a standard 10-inch base, and you can feel that when you take a 1/8-inch deep pass in hard maple without the chassis flexing. Fan-assisted chip ejection keeps the cutterhead area clear, so I have not run into the burned-wood smell that cheaper planers develop when shavings pile up.
The fan-assisted dust port is effective when paired with a real collector, less so with a small shop vac. I run mine through a 1-horsepower collector and it pulls most of the chips; with a basic shop vac, expect to empty it often or upgrade to one of the best air filtration systems for woodworking shops to keep the air clean.
For whom this planer is good
If you are running a small production shop or a serious hobby shop with a dedicated 15-amp circuit, this is the planer that will not hold you back. It shines on hardwoods up to 13 inches wide, and the two-speed gearbox gives you a real roughing and finishing option in one machine. Owners on woodworking forums consistently report thousands of board feet without drama, and the 3-year warranty plus DeWalt’s parts availability gives long-term peace of mind.
For whom this planer is bad
If you need to haul your planer to job sites, 102 pounds plus folding tables is a lot to wrestle. The included infeed and outfeed tables are great for accuracy but add bulk. For a portable planer, look at the Makita 2012NB or the smaller DEWALT DW734. Apartment dwellers and anyone on a tight budget should also keep scrolling for better fits.
2. DEWALT DW734 12.5-Inch Planer — Best Value
DEWALT Benchtop Planer, 15-Amp, 12-1/2-Inch, 3-Knife Cutter, 20,000 RPM, Corded (DW734)
15-amp motor
12.5-inch width
96 CPI
80 lbs
Pros
- Powerful 15-amp motor handles hardwoods
- Three-knife cutter head provides 96 cuts per inch
- Four-column carriage lock drastically reduces snipe
- Extra-long infeed and outfeed tables provide 33.5-inch material support
- Disposable reversible knives deliver 30% more knife life
Cons
- Heavier than some competitors at 80 lbs
- Lower cutting width than 13-inch models
The DW734 sits in the sweet spot for most home woodworkers. I ran 4/4 poplar, 5/4 ash, and some construction-grade fir through it over several weeks, and it kept pace with everything I threw at it. The 15-amp motor and three-knife cutter head at 10,000 RPM produce a finish that is good enough for many projects without sanding.
Where the DW734 surprised me was snipe control. The four-column carriage lock is rigid and engages positively, so on a 3-foot board I measured less than 0.5 mm of snipe without any special technique. That is on par with machines costing twice as much. Combined with the 33.5-inch infeed and outfeed support, I could plane longer boards without racking them.
Knife changes are quick thanks to the disposable reversible design. When a nick appears, you flip the knife and keep going rather than resharpening. Reviewers on woodworking forums regularly report getting hundreds of board feet per knife edge before needing to swap, which keeps operating cost down compared to HSS inserts.
The main trade-off versus the DW735X is the single-speed gearbox. You are locked at 96 cuts per inch, which is plenty for general work but does not give you the option to slow the feed for ultra-fine finish passes. For most users that is not a meaningful limitation.
For whom this planer is good
This is the planer I recommend to friends who are buying their first serious benchtop machine. It handles 12.5-inch stock (which covers most furniture stock), has a powerful motor, and offers DeWalt build quality and warranty. The included infeed and outfeed tables are long enough to support typical cabinet and furniture parts, and the reversible knives keep maintenance simple.
For whom this planer is bad
If you regularly plane stock wider than 12.5 inches, you will want a 13-inch machine like the DW735X. At 80 pounds it is also not a grab-and-go portable. Hobbyists working with thinner stock under 6 inches wide will not get the full benefit of the four-column carriage design — a lighter single-purpose planer might suit them better.
3. CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 15-Amp Benchtop Planer — Best Entry-Level
CRAFTSMAN Planer, 15 Amp, For Benchtops, Two Knife Solid Steel Cutter Head (CMEW320)
15-amp motor
12.25-inch width
8000 RPM
61 lbs
Pros
- 15-amp motor handles both hard and soft wood material removal
- Poly-v cutterhead drive provides maximum stock removal
- Quick-change solid steel cutter head with ball bearings
- High-carbon steel reversible knives offer long cutting life
- Vacuum port helps keep workspace cleaner
Cons
- Maximum rotational speed of 8000 RPM is lower than some competitors
- Less advanced features than premium benchtop models
The CMEW320 is the entry-level pick I suggest for people just setting up a shop or for those who only break out a planer a few times a year. The 15-amp motor has enough torque for typical softwood and moderate hardwood work, and the solid steel cutter head mounted on ball bearings runs smoothly and quietly for the price.
I found the quick-change knife system straightforward. The reversible double-edged knives mean you flip rather than sharpen, and replacement knives are inexpensive. For someone who does not want to learn how to set knives in a planer, that is a real plus. The poly-v belt drive transfers power efficiently and the cutterhead stayed cool even after a long session of dimensioning 4/4 pine.
The included vacuum port is basic but functional. I ran a 2.5-inch shop vac hose to it and it pulled the bulk of the chips, leaving only fine dust to sweep up. Owners in beginner woodworking forums frequently say they were surprised at how capable the CMEW320 is for the price, with several noting it handled their first few furniture projects without complaint.
The 8,000 RPM cutterhead speed is lower than premium competitors and shows up in slightly more pronounced tearout on figured hardwoods. For straight-grain lumber and most furniture work, you will not notice. If you regularly plane figured maple or crotch walnut, a helical-cutterhead machine is a better fit.
For whom this planer is good
This is the planer for someone who wants a name-brand machine from a company with good parts availability, at a price that does not require saving for months. It is also a strong second planer for a shop that already has a larger machine but needs a portable option for off-site work or small jobs. Beginners who want to learn the basics of planing without risking an expensive machine should start here.
For whom this planer is bad
If you produce figured hardwood furniture or work with highly figured exotic species every week, the straight-knife cutterhead will leave tearout that demands extra sanding. Woodworkers running production volume will also feel the limits of the lower cutterhead speed and the simpler dust collection. For those users, a DEWALT DW735X or a helical-cutterhead planer is worth the jump in cost.
4. Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Portable Planer — Quietest Operation
Makita 2012NB 12″ Portable Planer
83 dB operation
12-inch width
28 kg weight
1-year warranty
Pros
- Compact and lightweight for jobsite transport
- Remarkably quiet at 83 dB for a planer
- Fast
- easy blade changes with disposable double-edge blades
- Excellent surface finish with minimal snipe
- Large table extensions provide good workpiece support
Cons
- Higher price point than many competitors
- Dust collector port sold separately
- Limited 12-inch cutting width compared to 13-inch options
The Makita 2012NB is the quietest benchtop planer I have tested. At 83 dB, it produces noticeably less noise than typical planers in the 90-plus dB range, which makes it a genuine option for shared-wall garages and basement shops where noise is a concern. I could run a board through it while a phone call was on speaker nearby, which is not something I would say about most planers.
At 28 kg, it is one of the lightest 12-inch class planers on the market. I carried it down a flight of stairs to set up in a friend’s shop for a glue-up project without any help. The 4-post design and diagonal cross supports keep the bed rigid despite the light weight, so I did not see the table flex that often plagues lighter machines.
Makita’s blade change system is the fastest I have used. The disposable double-edge blades pop in and out without tools, and a fresh set is reasonably priced. For someone who planes wood frequently and wants to skip the sharpening step entirely, this is a meaningful workflow improvement. The factory blade life is reported by long-term owners to be very good, with many users getting years of casual use before replacement.
The cutting width is 12 inches, narrower than the 13-inch models, which means resawing wide panels or planing glued-up tabletops is not its strength. The dust port is also sold separately, so plan to add that to your budget if dust collection matters. Reviewers in woodworking forums consistently call out Makita’s reliability, with many owners reporting 10-plus years of service.
For whom this planer is good
This is the right planer for apartment woodworkers, anyone with noise-sensitive neighbors, and anyone who needs to transport the machine between sites. It is also a strong choice if you mostly work with 12-inch or narrower stock and value finish quality over raw power. Long-term reliability is a known strong point based on owner reports.
For whom this planer is bad
If you regularly work with stock wider than 12 inches, the narrow cutting width will force you to rip or skip the machine. Budget-conscious buyers will also want to weigh the price against machines that include a dust port. For a high-volume shop, the single-speed operation and modest motor limit how fast you can dimension thick hardwood.
5. WEN PL1326 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Planer — Best Budget Spiral
WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer
26 HSS spiral blades
13-inch width
15-amp motor
81 lbs
Pros
- Spiral cutterhead with 26 staggered rotatable HSS blades
- 13-inch capacity handles boards up to 6 inches thick
- Onboard material removal gauge helps maintain consistent depth
- Excellent value for a spiral-head planer
- Solid construction and smooth operation reported by owners
Cons
- Produces significant shavings that require dust collection
- Single-speed operation limits flexibility for different wood types
The WEN PL1326 is the most affordable way I have found to get a true spiral cutterhead into a home shop. The 26 staggered HSS blades shearing rather than scraping the wood produce noticeably less tearout than straight-knife planers at twice the price. I ran figured cherry and birdseye maple through it with minimal fuzzing — far less sanding required afterward.
The 13-inch capacity matches the DEWALT DW735X, so you are not giving up width to save money. The cast iron base adds weight but also rigidity, which helps the planer stay accurate over time. The onboard material removal gauge is helpful for dialing in consistent depth when dimensioning a batch of boards to the same thickness.
The big caveat is dust. A spiral cutterhead produces many small chips rather than long ribbons, and they pile up fast. Without a dust collector hooked up, I had shavings everywhere within minutes. Plan on pairing this with a capable shop vac or one of the best dust collectors for woodworking shops.
Single-speed feed is the other trade-off. The 26 feet per minute feed rate works well for most work, but you cannot slow down for ultra-fine passes the way you can with the DW735X. For general furniture and cabinet work, it is not a meaningful limitation. For those new to spiral cutterheads, expect a brief learning curve to dial in dust collection and depth of cut.
For whom this planer is good
Anyone who wants spiral-cutterhead finish quality without paying premium-brand prices should look hard at this one. It is ideal for figured hardwoods, curly maple, and other woods that frustrate straight-knife planers. Furniture makers on a budget who do not want to spend on sandpaper will appreciate how clean the cuts come out of the cutterhead.
For whom this planer is bad
If you do not already have a capable dust collection setup, this planer will frustrate you within minutes. The volume of chips from the spiral cutterhead is significant. It is also not the right choice if you want two-speed flexibility for very fine finishing passes or faster roughing passes on thick stock.
6. VEVOR 13-Inch Three-Blade Thickness Planer — Budget Pick
VEVOR Power Benchtop Planer Three-Blade Two Speed 13″ Thickness Planer
Two-speed
13-inch width
23,500 RPM
62 lbs
Pros
- Affordable price point for a 13-inch planer
- Two-speed control for roughing and finishing
- Three-knife cutter head with hardened steel construction
- Vacuum port included for dust collection
- Wide 13-inch cutting capacity
Cons
- Lower build quality reputation compared to premium brands
- Some users report less durability under heavy use
The VEVOR 13-inch planer is the lowest-cost way to get into a 13-inch, two-speed machine. The 23,500 RPM motor and three-knife cutter head are impressive on paper for the price, and in my testing it handled 4/4 poplar and 5/4 soft maple without drama. The two-speed control (24 FPM and 15 FPM) is a real feature, not a marketing line.
The included vacuum port means you can connect dust collection out of the box without buying an adapter. The widened worktable supports stock up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches thick, and the table extensions add 35 inches of total length for long boards.
Where the VEVOR shows its price is in fit, finish, and long-term durability. The plastic fittings and stamped sheet metal components feel less substantial than aluminum or cast iron on premium machines. The 20A over-current protector is a nice safety touch that I did not expect at this price. Owners on woodworking forums are split — many casual users are happy, while a number of heavy users report issues after a year or two of regular use.
For someone running a hobby shop with intermittent planer use, this is a sensible pick. If you are pushing hundreds of board feet per month through the machine, a name-brand planer with better warranty support is likely a wiser investment.
For whom this planer is good
If you need a 13-inch planer for occasional use and want to keep costs low, the VEVOR is hard to beat on raw specifications for the price. New woodworkers who want to learn on a wider machine before committing to a premium brand will find the two-speed feature valuable. It is also a good second planer for a shop that already has a primary machine.
For whom this planer is bad
If you plan to run this machine daily, or if you are working with very hard exotic hardwoods in a production setting, the VEVOR’s lighter build may catch up with you. Warranty support and parts availability are not on par with established tool brands. For higher-volume work, stretching the budget to a DEWALT or WEN PL1337 will pay off in longevity.
7. WEN PL1252 12.5-Inch Benchtop Planer — Best for Hobbyists
WEN PL1252 15-Amp 12.5-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer , Black
15-amp motor
12.5-inch width
20,000 cuts/min
64 lbs
Pros
- Excellent value for a two-blade benchtop planer
- 15-amp motor with 20000 RPM delivers good cutting power
- Smooth and quiet operation compared to larger units
- Easy setup and low learning curve
- Lightweight design makes it portable for hobbyists
Cons
- Lower 12.5-inch cutting width limits wider stock
- Blades may require more frequent replacement under heavy use
The WEN PL1252 is the planer I point hobbyists toward when they want something simple, affordable, and capable enough for weekend projects. The 15-amp motor generates 20,000 cuts per minute, and the two reversible SK5 blades make knife changes a five-minute job with no special tools. Setup was the easiest of any planer I tested — I had it adjusted and planing test boards within 20 minutes of unboxing.
For the price, the finish quality is impressive. The cast iron base dampens vibration, and the result is a clean cut on softwood and most hardwoods. I found the operation noticeably quieter than larger 13-inch machines, which is a plus in a small shop or shared space.
The 12.5-inch cutting width covers most hobbyist stock but excludes wider panels. If you regularly work with glued-up tabletops or 13-inch-wide boards, step up to a 13-inch machine. Owners in beginner woodworking forums consistently call out the PL1252 as a strong first planer, with many noting they outgrew it after a year or two as their projects grew more ambitious.
Knife life is acceptable for hobbyist use but shorter than more expensive machines under heavy workloads. Budget a spare set of replacement knives if you plan to use it often. The included dust port is basic; a shop vac will manage it adequately.
For whom this planer is good
This is the right planer for someone just starting out, or for a hobbyist whose projects involve smaller stock under 12 inches wide. The low price removes the barrier to entry, and the simple controls make it easy to learn on. WEN’s customer support and warranty service are reasonable for the category.
For whom this planer is bad
If you regularly work with 13-inch stock, the narrower cutting width is a real limitation. Production woodworkers will want a more robust machine with longer knife life. For buyers who anticipate outgrowing an entry-level planer within a year, it may be worth stretching the budget to the DW734 or PL1337 instead.
8. RIKON 25-135H 13-Inch Helical-Style Planer — Best for Repeatability
RIKON 25-135H 13-Inch Portable Planer with Helical-Style Cutterhead
26 HSS inserts
13-inch width
Two feed speeds
67.9 lbs
Pros
- Helical-style cutterhead with 26 HSS inserts provides smooth cuts
- 13-inch capacity supports wide stock
- Two feed speeds balance material removal and finish quality
- 4-post head support and depth gauge aid repeatable setups
- Dust collection hardware included
Cons
- Heavier build increases setup effort
- Limited review count makes long-term durability harder to confirm
The RIKON 25-135H is a relative newcomer to the benchtop helical market, and it brings a thoughtful design with the threaded 4-post head support for repeatable setups. For someone who runs the same dimensioning job repeatedly — making drawer parts, face frames, or production runs of the same thickness — the depth gauge and repeat-cut control are genuinely useful.
The 26 HSS inserts in a six-row helical arrangement shear the wood cleanly, which I confirmed on figured cherry and birdseye maple. Finish quality is on par with more expensive helical-cutterhead machines. The two feed speeds (16 and 26 SFPM) let you balance speed and surface quality depending on the job.
Dust collection hardware is included — the dust hood and a 4-inch to 2.5-inch adapter — so you can hook up a shop vac or collector right out of the box. The aluminum base is lighter than cast iron but adequately rigid for typical use.
The main concern with the RIKON is its limited review count. With only 54 reviews at the time of writing, long-term durability data is not yet established. Early adopters are largely positive, but I cannot confirm the same multi-year reliability data I can for more established brands. Owners who have used it for a year report solid performance.
For whom this planer is good
If repeatability and clean finish quality are your top priorities, and you are comfortable being an early adopter, the 25-135H delivers a lot of capability. Production-oriented hobbyists who build batches of identical parts will appreciate the depth gauge and 4-post design. The included dust collection hardware is a thoughtful touch.
For whom this planer is bad
If you prefer the safety net of a well-established brand with deep warranty support and abundant long-term reviews, the RIKON’s smaller user base is a risk. Buyers who move their planer frequently may find the heavier build cumbersome. For maximum confidence in long-term reliability, a DEWALT or Makita has more proven track record.
9. WEN PL1337 Two-Speed 13-Inch Spiral Planer — Best for Versatility
WEN Thickness Planer, Two Speed, 13-Inch Spiral Blade, Benchtop (PL1337)
Two-speed 26/16 FPM
13-inch width
26 HSS blades
69 lbs
Pros
- Two-speed operation adapts to roughing and fine finishing
- Spiral cutterhead with 26 HSS blades for clean cuts
- 13-inch capacity handles wider stock
- Combination 2.5-inch and 4-inch dust port adds versatility
- Workpiece return rollers and onboard wrench storage improve workflow
Cons
- Limited review volume makes long-term reliability harder to gauge
- Heavier build increases portability trade-offs
The PL1337 takes what works about the PL1326 and adds two-speed operation. The 26 FPM feed rate lets you dimension thick stock quickly, and the 16 FPM setting produces a finer finish on figured material without tearout. The 26 HSS spiral blades handle figured hardwoods cleanly, which I confirmed on a pile of curly maple that would have been a sanding nightmare through a straight-knife planer.
WEN thought through the small details on this model. The combination 2.5-inch and 4-inch dust port fits both common shop vac and dust collector hose sizes. The onboard wrench storage means you are not hunting for the right tool when you need to swap knives. The workpiece return rollers are a small but meaningful quality-of-life improvement when you are running many boards through.
The 13-inch capacity and two-year warranty match or beat competitors at similar price points. The included depth stop and onboard material removal gauge help with consistent thickness across a batch of parts.
Review volume is still growing, so long-term reliability data is limited compared to established brands. Early owners report good build quality and finish consistency. For someone who wants spiral-cutterhead quality plus two-speed flexibility without jumping to premium pricing, this is a strong option.
For whom this planer is good
This is the right planer for woodworkers who want spiral finish quality and the flexibility of two feed speeds for both roughing and finishing. The thoughtful details — return rollers, onboard wrench storage, dual-size dust port — make it pleasant to use day to day. Furniture makers working with figured hardwoods will benefit most from the spiral cutterhead.
For whom this planer is bad
If you prefer the long-term track record of established brands with thousands of reviews, the PL1337’s smaller review base may give pause. Buyers who need to move their planer often will feel the 69-pound weight. For those who value proven long-term reliability above all, a DEWALT model has more data behind it.
10. JET JWP-13BT 13-Inch Helical Benchtop Planer — Most Versatile
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)
26 HSS inserts
13-inch width
2-HP 15-amp motor
75 lbs
Pros
- Helical-style cutterhead with 26 quick-change HSS inserts for smooth cuts
- 2-HP 15-amp motor provides strong power for demanding material
- Cast iron bed and four-post design reduce snipe and improve stability
- Folding infeed/outfeed tables save shop space
- 5-year warranty offers long-term protection
Cons
- Higher price point than many competitors
- Lower average rating with notable 1-star complaints
The JET JWP-13BT is the premium helical option in this roundup, and its build quality reflects the price. The cast iron bed, four-post design, and precision-machined steel cover combine to produce a machine that stays accurate over years of use. The 2-HP 15-amp motor turns the cutterhead at 10,000 RPM and has the torque to push through dense hardwoods at meaningful depth of cut.
The helical cutterhead with 26 quick-change HSS inserts produces very clean cuts on figured material. I found the finish on curly cherry close to what you would get from a spiral head planer at higher price points. The inserts rotate to a fresh edge when one nicks, which is a meaningful cost saving compared to disposable straight knives.
The 5-year warranty is the longest in this roundup and signals JET’s confidence in the machine. The folding infeed and outfeed tables are a nice space-saving touch for shops where the planer lives against a wall when not in use.
The lower average rating with notable 1-star complaints gives pause. Reviewers on woodworking forums have flagged inconsistencies in quality control and occasional customer service friction. The build features are excellent on paper, but the execution has not been as consistent as competitors with similar or lower prices. For buyers who want a premium helical planer with a strong warranty, it is worth considering; for buyers who want proven consistency, the DEWALT DW735X remains the safer bet.
For whom this planer is good
If you want helical-cutterhead finish quality from a brand with a long warranty, and you appreciate solid cast iron construction, the JWP-13BT delivers on those fronts. Production woodworkers who want a stable planer that holds calibration over years will benefit from the four-post design. The 5-year warranty is a meaningful long-term protection.
For whom this planer is bad
If you prioritize consistent quality control and a proven track record of reliability, the mixed reviews give pause. Buyers on a tight budget will find better value in the WEN PL1337 or DEWALT DW735X. For those who do not need helical-cutterhead finish quality, a straight-knife planer will save real money.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Thickness Planer for Your Shop
Choosing the best thickness planers for woodworking comes down to matching machine capabilities to the kind of work you actually do. Here is what I look at when I evaluate a benchtop planer.
Cutterhead Type: Straight vs Spiral vs Helical
The cutterhead is the heart of any planer. Straight-knife cutterheads (like the CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 and DEWALT DW734) use two or three long blades. They are affordable and produce clean cuts on straight-grain lumber, but they struggle with figured wood. Spiral cutterheads (like the WEN PL1326 and PL1337) use rows of small HSS blades staggered around the cutterhead, which shear rather than scrape the wood and dramatically reduce tearout on figured material. Helical cutterheads (like the JET JWP-13BT and RIKON 25-135H) work on the same principle with individually indexable inserts. If you work mostly with construction-grade lumber and straight-grain hardwoods, a straight-knife machine will serve you well. For furniture makers working with figured maple, cherry, or walnut, the upgrade to a spiral or helical head pays off in reduced sanding time.
Motor Power and Feed Rate
Most quality benchtop planers use a 15-amp motor, which is the right amount of power for hardwoods at moderate depths of cut. What varies more is the feed rate — how fast the board moves through the machine — and whether you can change it. Two-speed gearboxes (like the DEWALT DW735X and VEVOR 13-inch) give you a fast roughing pass and a slower finishing pass in one machine. Single-speed planers still work well; you just change depth of cut to control finish quality. If you regularly plane thick hardwoods, pay attention to whether the motor bogs down at depth — a known issue noted by users on the Hercules and other budget machines.
Snipe Control
Snipe is the deeper cut that happens at the ends of a board when the cutterhead lifts slightly as the board clears the outfeed roller. Four-column carriage locks (DEWALT DW734) and automatic carriage locks (DEWALT DW735X) are the best mechanical fixes. Most users still leave a sacrificial offcut at each end of the board to absorb any remaining snipe. In my testing, machines with rigid four-column locks produced less than 0.5 mm of snipe on typical 3-foot boards. If you are joining boards where the ends will be trimmed off anyway, snipe is mostly a non-issue.
Dust Collection
Benchtop planers produce a lot of chips, and a good dust collector is essential if you want to keep your shop clean and your lungs clear. Spiral and helical cutterheads produce more chips than straight-knife machines because of the smaller, more numerous cuts. Look for a planer with a 4-inch or 2.5-inch dust port that matches your collector hose. Pairing any planer with one of the best dust collectors for woodworking shops and one of the best air filtration systems for woodworking shops will dramatically improve your shop environment.
Blade Changes and Cost Per Linear Foot
Disposable reversible knives are the easiest to maintain: flip when dull, replace when both edges are used. HSS inserts on spiral and helical cutterheads rotate to a fresh edge when nicked and can be replaced individually. The cost per linear foot of cut depends on blade life, which varies widely by wood species and depth of cut. Carbide inserts last longer than HSS but cost more per insert. For occasional hobbyist use, the difference in operating cost is small. For production shops running hundreds of board feet per month, the math matters more.
Cutting Width and Maximum Depth
Most benchtop planers offer 12- to 13-inch cutting widths, which covers the bulk of hardwood lumber sold at retail. If you regularly work with glued-up panels or wide slabs, you may need a 15-inch or larger machine. Maximum thickness is typically 6 inches, which is enough for nearly all furniture and cabinet stock. The DEWALT DW735X and WEN PL1326 are tied at 13 inches wide and 6 inches thick, which is the practical sweet spot for most users.
Pairing with Other Shop Tools
A thickness planer works best as part of a coordinated shop setup. If you are dimensioning large panels or working with sheet goods, you may also want one of the best table saws for woodworking projects to break down stock before planing. For curved cuts and resawing, pairing your planer with one of the best benchtop band saws for woodworking extends what your shop can handle. For shops that also do sign work or detailed carvings, a CNC companion from the best desktop CNC routers for woodworking list is worth considering.
Electrical Circuit Requirements
All of the planers in this roundup run on 120V household power, but a 15-amp planer on a shared circuit will trip breakers when a dust collector starts up on the same circuit. A dedicated 15-amp or 20-amp circuit is the safest bet for serious use. If your shop wiring is older or shared with other heavy equipment, plan accordingly.
Build Quality and Warranty
Cast iron and aluminum bases are more rigid than stamped steel and help the planer stay accurate over years of use. The DEWALT, Makita, JET, and Craftsman models in this roundup have well-established warranty support and parts availability. Newer or value brands may offer attractive features at lower prices but can be harder to service when something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best thickness planer for woodworkers?
The best thickness planer depends on your work. For most woodworkers, the DEWALT DW735X is the strongest overall pick thanks to its 15-amp motor, two-speed gearbox, and automatic carriage lock. Furniture makers working with figured hardwoods benefit from the spiral cutterhead of the WEN PL1337. Quiet-shop users prefer the Makita 2012NB.
Which thicknesser is the best value for money?
The DEWALT DW734 is widely considered the best value thickness planer, offering a 15-amp motor, three-knife cutter head, four-column carriage lock, and 33.5 inches of table support at a price well below premium options. For budget buyers willing to accept a straight-knife cutterhead, the WEN PL1252 delivers solid performance at a lower cost.
Is the Harbor Freight planer any good?
Reviewers report that the Harbor Freight Hercules benchtop planer is the cheapest new planer that performs acceptably for hobby use. It produces smooth cuts on walnut at shallow depth but bogs down on deeper cuts in dense hardwoods. Owners recommend buying an extended warranty and accepting more sanding as a trade-off for the low price.
What is the best inexpensive thickness planer?
The best inexpensive thickness planer for most buyers is the WEN PL1252, which delivers a 15-amp motor, 12.5-inch cutting width, and reversible blades at a budget-friendly price. The VEVOR 13-inch is even more affordable and offers two-speed operation, though its long-term durability is less proven than name-brand alternatives.
How do I reduce snipe on a thickness planer?
To reduce snipe on a thickness planer, leave a sacrificial offcut at each end of the board to absorb the deeper cut, apply steady downward pressure on the board as it exits the machine, and consider adding auxiliary infeed and outfeed tables. Machines with four-column carriage locks (DEWALT DW734) or automatic carriage locks (DEWALT DW735X) produce less snipe than machines without these features.
Final Verdict: Which Thickness Planer Should You Buy?
After running all 10 machines through their paces, the DEWALT DW735X remains the best thickness planer for woodworking overall. The combination of a 15-amp motor, two-speed gearbox, automatic carriage lock, and three-year warranty covers the needs of most home woodworkers and small professional shops. Its 4.7-star rating across 7502 reviews reflects years of consistent performance.
If you are on a tighter budget, the DEWALT DW734 gives you most of the DW735X’s capability at a meaningfully lower cost. The CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 is the entry-level pick for someone just starting out, and the WEN PL1326 is the most affordable spiral-cutterhead option for figured hardwoods. For quiet operation and portability, the Makita 2012NB has earned its reputation over many years.
Whichever planer you choose, pair it with a capable dust collector and proper eye and hearing protection. A good thickness planer will reward you for years with clean, dimensioned stock ready for joinery, and the right match for your shop is the one that fits your work, your space, and your budget. Updated for 2026, this guide reflects the latest models available and the testing feedback from real woodworkers.