Best Thickness Planers in 2027

The Cutech 40800H ranks first on our spec score. It has a spiral cutterhead with 26 knives, spinning at 10000 RPM. Many small cutting edges take thin shavings, which helps with tearout on figured wood. The listing says the design runs quieter and leaves smoother finishes, which matters if you want a cleaner cut.

Anti-snipe is built in. The listing credits four lead screws and a coupling design that reduce dips at the board ends, so you do not need a separate snipe lock. Capacity is 13 in wide and 6 in thick. That covers most shop boards. A 2-speed lever drops the feed rate to 16 fpm for hardwood.

It also has an 8-position depth stop for repeat thicknessing and a depth-of-cut scale on the front. Both help when you plane a batch to one size. Weight is 69.2 lb, so it is portable enough for a bench. Motor power and warranty length are not published here, so check the maker before you buy.

The WEN PL1337 ranks second, one step behind the Cutech. The specs are almost the same: 13 in wide, 6 in thick, 26 knives and 10000 RPM on a spiral cutterhead. The listing calls the blades staggered and rotatable HSS, which means you turn a worn blade instead of replacing the whole head.

Two speeds help with the job. The listing gives 26 FPM for fast dimensioning and 16 FPM for finish passes. A slower feed means more cuts per in, which gives a cleaner surface on harder boards. The 15-amp motor is rated for up to 1354 cuts per in at 10000 RPM. The data lists an anti-snipe design, though the listing gives no detail on how it works.

Extras include a depth stop, a material removal gauge, workpiece return rollers and onboard wrench storage. The combination 2-1/2-in and 4-in dust port fits common shop vacuums. Weight is 69 lb. The two-year warranty is shorter than the five years on the Jet, among the models that list it.

The DW735 ranks third. It uses a three-knife cutterhead at 10000 RPM, not a spiral head. A spiral head spreads the cut across more edges, as on the 26-knife Cutech, so it suits buyers who value easy knife changes over the quietest cut. The listing claims 30% longer knife life and faster changes.

Capacity matches the 13 in class: 13 in wide and 6 in thick. Anti-snipe is listed. The two-speed gearbox gives 96 or 179 cuts per in, and more cuts per in means a finer surface. Fan-assisted chip ejection pulls chips off the cutterhead and out of the machine, and a dust hose adapter is included.

Weight is 91.25 lb, heavier than the Cutech, WEN and VEVOR reviewed here, so it is harder to carry. The listing calls the 19-3/4 in. cast aluminum base 2X more rigid than a standard 10 in. base. No warranty length or motor wattage is listed in the data. Check the maker before you buy.

The Jet JWP-208HH-BLK ranks fourth, but it is not a benchtop planer. At 640 lb, it is the heaviest of the five reviewed here, and a mobile base is sold separately. It is a different class of machine. If you want a planer you can lift onto a bench, look elsewhere, because this model does not fit.

For shops with the space, the numbers are large. It planes boards 20 in wide and 8 in thick, tied for the highest in both on our page. The motor is 3730 W, the highest among the 9 models that list it. The helical head has 68 carbide inserts and turns at 5000 RPM, the lowest cutterhead speed on the page.

It has a 2-speed gearbox at 24 or 31 FPM, a 1/16 in height scale and magnetic on/off controls. Cutting depth is 3/32 in per pass. It ships with 10 spare knife inserts and two extension tables. The warranty is 5 years, the longest among the models that list one. No anti-snipe design is listed in the data.

The VEVOR M1B ranks fifth and posts the highest cutterhead speed of all 16 products, at 23500 RPM. Higher speed packs more cuts into each in of board, which can leave a smoother surface. It pairs that with a spiral head carrying 24 alloy blades and a 2000 W motor. Those are real strengths for smooth cuts.

Width is 13 in. The data does not list a maximum thickness as a spec, though the listing mentions a 6 in height on the worktable. Check this before you buy if you plan to plane thick stock. Anti-snipe is marked present, and the listing says the dual-roller feed reduces vibration and snipe. The listing gives a 1/8 in depth control increment for repeat work.

Weight is 61.73 lb, the lightest of the five reviewed here. That helps if you move the planer between bench and storage. It takes 2 in and 4 in dust hoses. No warranty length is listed, so confirm coverage first.