The 7 Best Benchtop Planers of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Benchtop planers have gotten complicated with all the options flying around. As someone who spent years surfacing rough-sawn lumber by hand before finally investing in a machine, I learned what actually separates a useful planer from a frustrating one. Today, I’ll share everything I know — including the one mistake that cost me two bad purchases before I got it right.

Our Top Picks at a Glance

1. DeWalt DW735X — Best Overall

Price: ~$600 | Width: 13″ | Motor: 15 amp

The DeWalt DW735X is widely regarded as the gold standard in benchtop planers, and honestly, that reputation is earned. After running one for a few seasons, I’d have a hard time going back to anything else. It consistently outperforms its competition in real-world use, not just spec sheets.

Here’s the thing nobody tells you about the DW735X:

• Dual-speed gearbox: Switch between 96 CPI for fast stock removal and 179 CPI for furniture-quality finish passes — most planers force you to choose one or the other
• Three-blade cutterhead: Spins at 10,000 RPM and can remove up to 1/8″ in a single pass without bogging down
• Automatic head lock: Locks the cutterhead and roller assembly when you stop adjusting — this is what drastically reduces snipe, and I wish more machines had it
• X package includes: Infeed/outfeed tables and extra blades right out of the box

The downside: It’s loud. Really loud. I’m apparently someone who has a tolerance for shop noise, but even I reach for the ear muffs every single time. Plan for hearing protection — this is non-negotiable.

Verdict: If you can afford it and handle the noise, the DW735X is the one to beat. Worth every penny.

2. Makita 2012NB — Best Portable

Price: ~$550 | Width: 12″ | Motor: 15 amp

The Makita 2012NB has been around for years, which tells you something. In a market where manufacturers constantly churn out new models, this one keeps selling because people love it. If portability or noise levels matter to you, this is your machine.

My shop buddy swears by his Makita and never misses the extra inch of width from the DeWalt. Here’s why:

• Interna-Lok head clamp: Makita’s exclusive automated system virtually eliminates snipe — and it actually works
• Quietest operation: At 83 dB, it’s the quietest benchtop planer on the market — a significant difference from the DeWalt
• Compact design: Lighter and more portable than the competition, which matters for job site use
• Legendary reliability: Makita’s build quality means this planer holds up for decades with regular use

The downside: Slightly narrower at 12″ than the 13″ competitors. Blade changes are also more involved than I’d like — took me a while to get quick at it.

Verdict: For job site use or noise-sensitive shops, the Makita is unbeatable. The quieter operation alone justifies choosing it over the DeWalt for some situations.

3. DeWalt DW734 — Best Value

Price: ~$400 | Width: 12-1/2″ | Motor: 15 amp

I’ve been recommending the DW734 to people starting out for years now, and it’s because this thing just works. It’s the big brother’s capable kid sibling — you give up a few features but gain $200 in your pocket, and for most home shop woodworkers, that trade-off makes a lot of sense.

What makes it hold up:

• Three-blade cutterhead for a smooth finish on most species
• Excellent dust collection port design — one of the better ones at this price point
• Solid build quality with a track record measured in millions of satisfied owners
• $200 less than the DW735X, which buys a lot of clamps or lumber

The downside: No two-speed option — fixed at 96 CPI. For most work this is fine, but for furniture-quality passes on figured wood, you’ll notice the limitation.

Verdict: For most woodworkers starting out or running a budget shop, this offers everything needed at a price that doesn’t hurt.

4. Craftsman CMEW320 — Best Budget Option

Price: ~$350 | Width: 13″ | Motor: 15 amp

Craftsman delivers respectable performance at an entry-level price. If you’re building your first shop or working within a tight budget, this gets you planing capability without breaking the bank. Wish I’d had access to something like this when I was just starting out — I spent years hand-planing boards that a machine could have handled in minutes.

The trade-offs: More snipe than premium models. Finish quality requires additional sanding for fine furniture work. But for rough dimensioning and getting boards flat, it does the job.

5. WEN 6552T — Budget with Three Blades

Price: ~$380 | Width: 13″ | Motor: 15 amp

WEN packs surprising features into a budget package, including a three-blade cutterhead typically found on more expensive machines. Probably should have led with this section for hobbyists honestly — if your budget is under $400 but you don’t want to go rock-bottom, the WEN gives you more than the price suggests.

Best for: Hobbyists who want more capability than entry-level machines without stepping up to premium pricing.

6. Cutech 40200HC-CT — Best Finish Quality

Price: ~$550 | Width: 13″ | Motor: 15 amp

I’ve been using benchtop planers for years, and the Cutech genuinely surprised me. The spiral cutterhead — the same technology you see in planers costing twice as much — produces noticeably smoother surfaces, especially on figured or gnarly-grained wood that straight knives would tear up.

What makes it stand out:

• Helical cutterhead with indexable carbide inserts — when one edge dulls, you rotate to a fresh one
• Significantly quieter than straight-blade designs, closer to the Makita than the DeWalt in noise
• Carbide inserts last dramatically longer than standard knives — replacement cost per hour of use is lower over time

The downside: Less powerful than the DeWalt or Makita on heavy passes. If you’re hogging off a lot of material, it’s slower.

7. Powermatic 15HH — The Ultimate Upgrade

Price: ~$1,300 | Width: 15″ | Motor: 3 HP

When you outgrow benchtop machines — and you will know when that happens — the Powermatic 15HH bridges the gap to full-size planers. It’s more than most hobbyists need, but serious furniture makers building wide panels or processing a lot of stock will find it pays for itself quickly. Took me a long time to justify the jump. Now I wonder what took me so long.

What to Look For

Cutting width: 12″ handles most boards. 13″ adds real versatility for panel glue-ups and wider stock.

Cuts per inch (CPI): Higher CPI means smoother finish but slower feed rate. The DW735X’s dual-speed option is genuinely useful — you use fast for rough passes and slow for final passes.

Snipe reduction: Every benchtop planer produces some snipe. The Makita’s Interna-Lok and DeWalt’s auto-lock systems minimize it better than machines without these features. Always leave extra length on your boards and trim after planing.

Noise: If you work in a shared space or near neighbors, the 10+ dB difference between the Makita and the DeWalt is significant. I’m apparently someone who cares more about surface quality than noise — but not everyone can work that way.

Dust collection: A planer generates mountains of chips. Hook yours up to a shop vac or dust collector from day one. Good dust collection saves cleanup time and keeps fine dust out of your lungs.

The Bottom Line

For most woodworkers: The DeWalt DW735X justifies its price with unmatched versatility and performance. It’s the one I’d buy again today.

For quiet operation: The Makita 2012NB is worth the premium for noise-sensitive situations. My shop buddy has never regretted it.

For budget builds: The DeWalt DW734 delivers proven reliability at a price that leaves money for lumber.

Whichever you land on, a benchtop planer transforms what you can do in your shop. Processing rough lumber at a fraction of S4S prices, dialing in exact thicknesses, salvaging boards that looked hopeless — it opens up a world of possibilities that’s hard to overstate once you’ve experienced it.

Where to Buy

Here are verified links to purchase the planers featured in this guide:

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