Best Wood Planers For The Money

Last Update: November, 2023

A good planer can make a big difference in your projects. However, you might have trouble figuring out what is simply a ‘good planer’ and which is the one you actually need. Depending on how heavy the work you’re doing is, you’re going to need different things from your planer.

Even if you get an expensive planer, it’s important to know that it’s got the top quality performance and work capacity you’re looking for. We’ve found the best planers out there to make your search a little easier.

More About The WEN 6552T

The WEN 6552T has a lot to offer the woodworker that needs fined tuned adjustments and tons of convenience in one package. If you’re on-the-go a lot, you’re going to love the carrying handle that makes this lightweight planer even easier to transport.

This planer is a veritable powerhouse, handling a 26 foot per minute feed rate with over 25,500 cuts per minute. In short, you can get a lot of work done with this planer.

It works hard and can power through a lot of work, but it also excels in quality.  No matter how long you've been working in carpentry, the smooth, high-quality finish is going to impress you. Don't worry about debris getting in the way either.The dust port is specially designed to work with a built-in fan that quickly clears the mess away from your work. You’ll love the cuts and ease of use you can get out of this planer, but you’re sure to love the price tag as well.

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More About The DeWalt DW734

This Dewalt planer is sturdy enough to keep still, reduce snipe, and last longer than the planers you’ve used before. Add to that the infeed and outfeed tables that lend extra support with their extended design, and you’ve got a formula for a steady, sturdy planer that’ll get you through any job. This is another model with a three knife design.But unlike many other planers, this one is designed to deliver about a third longer lifetime for your knife. 

The three knives are adjustable, reversible, and disposable (and they're super easy to change, too). In fact, you'll only need a single tool and a couple of minutes at most to make the changes. You can adjust your depth even more easily, with fast adjustment features that hit your exact target. This planer will power through difficult hardwood cuts and deliver the same quality cuts on softer wood as well.

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More About The Makita 2012NB

This Makita planer is a solid investment, especially for those people that are constantly on the move. It's got an impressive 28,000 foot per minute cut rate, and it doesn't make a bunch of noise with the extra power. This planer is impressively quiet.While that doesn't improve the cuts you get, it certainly does improve your comfort while you're working.

From the oversized and easy to locate on/off switch to the disposable blades, this planer is portable and all around stress free. Even high-quality cuts without snipes are easy to achieve. That’s because this planer has a built-in head clamp.Even better, the clamp is automated. All in all, that means you’re getting perfectly accurate cuts while reducing your own physical workload.

If you’re worried about a planer this robust being difficult to get to your job site, there isn’t a problem. It’s no feat to move it solo, and it even includes a detachable toolbox to make getting your gear to your worksite effortless.

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More About The Powertec PL1251

For woodworkers that need a professional quality finish and some heavy duty cutting, the Powertec planer will deliver the results you need. This is a super sturdy piece of equipment, and it can reduce snipe while providing deep cuts into the hardest woods.

It’s packed with a good amount of power thanks to the 15 amp motor and precision blades. Not only that, it’s designed to handle professional grade extra long cuts. The professional grade workpiece roller makes sure that even the longest cuts come out with the same quality as the shortest ones. This planer can take care of any job, whether a home DIY project or a professional contracting project.

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More About The Grizzly G0505

Grizzly is already a well known and well trusted name in the woodworking world, so it makes sense that this planer follows their tradition for quality and dependability. The first thing you're probably going to notice is the cool, almost vintage design, but this planer is more than a pretty tool. It's got tons of power and can get through a 32 foot per minute feed with ease.

Not only is it easy to get to work, but it's also efficient without sacrificing safety features. Even the on/off switch has a safety lock to prevent job site accidents. Add to that the thermal overload protection, and you've found a planer that delivers everything you want and need.

How To Choose The Best Planer

While we’ve found the best planers out there, you still need to be able to choose the best planer for you and your projects. There are a lot of different features and add-ons that might draw you to a certain planer, but the most important things to look at are your usage, the size and weight, cutting depth, finish, and working capacity.

Consider your usage

Professional work is going to require a different planer than a weekend home workman might use. While the home DIYer can work with a professional grade planer, it may also unnecessarily raise the price (defeating the purpose of DIYing). Typically, professional level planers are going to pack more power and be able to handle more intense workloads. Consider which planer would be more suited to your needs before purchasing.

Size and weight

If you plan on keeping your planer in the same area, your biggest concern with size and weight will be making sure it fits comfortably in your workroom. If you need your planer to be mobile, you’re going to need to make sure that it’s easy to move and transport. A planer that is way too bulky or heavy will cause more hassle than convenience down the road.

Aside from making sure you can transport your planer if needed and that it fits properly in your available space, you need to consider how the size and weight will impact your ability to comfortably work with your planer. Make sure you aren’t going to end up stiff and sore after your work by choosing an appropriately sized planer.

Cutting depth

The cutting depth you can get out of your planer can be a make or break factor if you need to achieve a variety of depths. If you typically work with wood at the same thickness, you probably already have a good idea of the depth you need (although it’s always good to leave some room for deviation). If you’re working with a variety of depths, consider getting a planer that handles a higher cutting depth.

Finish

The finish and quality of the cut you get out of your planer can change the outcome of your project. Nobody wants to work with boards that have tattered edges, splinters, and chips in them. That’s why you need to ensure you’ve got a clean cutting planer.Extra features like smoothing and finishing are great bonuses.

Working capacity

Here, ‘working capacity’ basically means all the elements going into how much of a workload the planer can handle. A high powered, long running planer will be essential for professionals, while at home woodworkers can get away with a little less power to complete their projects.

Tips on how to maintain your planer

Maintaining your planer can give you better performance and extend the life of your equipment.  If you want to take better care of it, always make sure you check that your bolts are tight and your planer is properly lubricated. Also make sure to store it in a cool, clean, and dry spot where it won’t accumulate debris or get rusted.

Your planer should be checked regularly for balance, and the cutting edges need to be taken care of when they begin getting dull. This helps maintain balance and alignment, which means you’ll keep getting quality cuts time and time again.

Conclusion

If you’ve been struggling to find the right planer, this guide should help to you make a decision. We have researched and reviewed the best planers on the market and also included a guide to aid your search. Even if you choose to search solo for a planer, make sure to follow this handy advice guide so that you can take the right one home.