The 6 Best Benchtop Planers I Recommend, Reviewed

This Craftsman wood planer is a reliable, surprisingly budget-friendly benchtop option.

The 15-amp motor drives double-edged, reversible blades at 8,000 rpm and delivers a feed rate of 26.2 FPM (just as productive as higher-cost units like the DeWalt DW735X and DeWalt DW734). I also appreciate the 61-pound weight (the lightest on this list), which makes it especially useful for those who value portability.

It can accommodate board widths of 12.5 inches for cuts up to ⅛-inch deep, though the relatively short in- and outfeed tables, and their limited support compared to longer options, increase the chances of snipe.

If you’re realistic about its abilities and don’t expect the precision and pro-style results of a high-end machine, this is a perfectly fine entry-level option, or for casual woodworkers who only need to use it occasionally.

Key Specs

This Wen planer offers wide-ranging versatility by accommodating boards up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches thick. With 26 staggered HSS blades, this planer easily creates a smooth finish on a variety of wood types and is especially well-suited to figured wood with uneven grain.

Each of the 26 cutters has two sides, so you can simply rotate them when they dull, or, as I’ve experienced, when a nail or other piece of metal hidden in your workpiece damages them.

As is typical with spiral models, this cutterhead commands a higher price (though still much lower than a true helical option), roughly $70 more than the comparable Wen model with a straight-blade cutterhead. If this single-speed model lacks the versatility you need, you can opt for the two-speed spiral version for about $200 more.

Key Specs

If you want cut quality, minimal post-planing sanding, and (relatively) quiet operation, this powerful Grizzly helical planer is a fantastic option.

Its 30 inserts are arranged in two rows on the cutting head, and their spiral staircase-style formation creates the smooth shearing cuts you expect from a helical model, with minimal tearout and a smooth, professional-looking finish.

The carbide construction makes these inserts more heat- and chip-resistant than steel versions, retaining their edges longer and increasing their overall lifespan.

I’m also a big fan of this planer’s granite base, which not only provides an extremely stable foundation but also eliminates the rust or warping concern of a steel base.

Key Specs

It’s certainly not cheap, but if you have the budget and need for a true helical benchtop planer, look no further than this model from Oliver.

Released in May 2025, the top-of-the-line planer features 40 cutting heads arranged in a spiral pattern around the cutterhead (unlike less effective “spiral” or “helical-style” options), shearing wood at the slight angle needed to generate clean, smooth cuts with minimal tear-out.

You can remove and rotate these four-sided inserts individually if they become worn or damaged. Its 15-inch maximum width supports a wider range of projects, and a digital readout lets you set and read the current material removal setting precisely.

Key Specs

If you don’t need the versatility of my top overall pick, the DeWalt DW735X, but still want the quality construction you expect from a DeWalt tool, consider this slightly stripped-down DeWalt benchtop planer.

It includes the same 15-amp motor, 3-blade design (DeWalt claims the cutter head provides 96 cuts per inch), and a three-year warranty, but with a slightly lower max cutting width (12.5 versus 13 inches) and one speed instead of two.

While these differences make it marginally less versatile than the DW735X, they also make it about 12 pounds lighter, boosting portability if you plan to transport it.

Key Specs