Best Benchtop Planer in 2027

The DEWALT DW735 ranks fifth at 65. It lists a 13 in max width, a 6 in max thickness and a 10,000 RPM cutterhead with three knives. That is a straight-knife layout, not a spiral head, so it does not match the quiet, low-tearout design this keyword highlights. The listing says knife change is fast and easy.

The listing describes a two-speed gearbox at 96 or 179 cuts per in. More cuts per in means a finer surface, so the slower setting is the one for finishing. A fan-assisted chip ejection system pulls chips off the cutterhead and blows them out of the machine, which helps keep the cutter clear during long sessions.

Weight is where it pays a price. That is a lot to lift onto a bench, though the 19-3/4 in cast aluminum base is described as rigid. Anti-snipe design and a dust port are listed. Motor wattage is not published.

The WEN PL1337 comes fourth at 70 on our Best Score. Its spiral cutterhead holds 26 staggered HSS knives, which suits the clean, low-tearout surface this keyword calls for. Cutterhead speed is 10,000 RPM. Motor wattage is not published, but the listing says the motor draws 15 amps, so you cannot compare it with the 2000 W models.

The two-speed feed is the main feature. The listing gives 26 FPM for fast dimensioning and 16 FPM for finishing passes. Slower feed means more cuts per in, which helps a boards finish look smoother. Max planing width is 13 in, and max thickness is 6 in, which is below the 6.3 in leaders.

Anti-snipe design and a dust port are listed. The port fits both 2-1/2 in and 4 in hoses. The listing adds a depth stop, a material removal gauge, and onboard wrench storage. Weight is 69 lb. The 2-year warranty is shorter than the 3 years listed on one other model, but it is one of the few listed.

The VEVOR M1B-LS-3301 sits second at 72 on our Best Score. Its cutterhead turns at 23,500 RPM, the highest speed among the 11 products. It is also a spiral design, which is the type buyers look for when they want cleaner cuts on figured or hardwood boards. The listing mentions 24 spiral alloy blades.

Power and size are solid. The motor is listed at 2000 W, tied for the highest on the page, and max planing width is 13 in. The listing describes a 6 in height and a 28.2 in worktable length, but the spec data does not give a max thickness figure. Weight is 61.73 lb, light for a 13 in planer.

Other listed features include anti-snipe design, a dust port, and dual feeding rollers. Depth control moves in 1/8 in steps. The dust port accepts both 2 in and 4 in hoses, which helps if your shop vacuum uses a smaller fitting. The maker does not publish feed rate, so you cannot compare its speed through the cut.

The WOODERS PL13-15AB ranks first on our Best Score at 73. It lists a 2000 W motor, which ties for the highest motor power on the page, and a 10,000 RPM cutterhead. Motor power matters for hardwood because a stronger motor is less likely to slow down in a heavy cut. The listing names oak and walnut as target woods.

Size is where this model stands out. Max planing width is 13 in, and max thickness is 6.3 in, which ties for the highest thickness listed. At 60 lb, it is the lightest of all 11 products. That helps if you carry the planer on and off a bench. The listing also describes an anti-snipe design and a dust port for a vacuum hose.

The gaps are in the cutterhead. The listing describes a dual-edge head, not a spiral or helical one, and the maker does not publish feed rate or knife count. Spiral and helical heads are usually quieter, so that is a trade-off here. Two spare blades come in a storage box, and overload protection is listed.

The VEVOR 13-Inch Thickness Planer with Stand ranks third at 70. It lists a 13 in max width and a 6.3 in max thickness, which ties for the highest thickness on the page. The motor is listed at 2000 W. That is enough power for hardwood on paper, though the cutterhead runs at 8000 RPM, the lowest speed among the products.

This model leans on convenience. The listing describes a heavy-duty detachable stand, foldable extension plates, and two metal return rollers that send boards back to you. Feed rate is 19.7 fpm, the lowest of the three products that list one. A slower feed usually leaves a smoother surface, but it also takes longer per board.

It does not list anti-snipe design or a cutterhead type, and it uses two double-edged blades. Without a spiral head, tearout resistance on figured wood is a question mark. At 67 lb, it is heavier than the top two. Overload protection and a dust port are listed, which covers basic safety and cleanup.