Just because you’re new to the woodworking scene doesn’t automatically mean you’re inexperienced—especially when it comes to choosing a good planer. With so many choices available, it can be challenging to find the perfect fit. Nevertheless, there are quite a few that truly stand out.
🛠️ Hand Planers vs. Benchtop Planers: Which One Should You Choose?
When you’re trying to decide which option is best for beginners, you should separate hand planers from benchtop planers. Depending on what you need, you can find high-quality products from Dewalt, Porter-Cable, Craftsman, Powertec, Wen, and Makita. To make a final choice, consider power, thickness, width, portability, and blade type.
To simplify things for you, we’ve broken down our top reviews of the 3 best hand planers for beginners, as well as the 8 best benchtop planers for beginners. If you’re looking for a high-quality planer to get started, these lists will cover what you should look for. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
🪚 Top 3 Hand Planers Perfect for Beginners
Before you start selecting the ideal planer for your first woodworking projects, it’s important to know the different types of planers available. These include hand, portable, thickness, jointer/planer combinations, and benchtop planers. Realistically, if you just want a simple planer to start with, you’ll be choosing between a hand planer and a benchtop planer.
Hand planers run parallel to the edge of the wood and are held in your hand (as the name implies), while benchtop planers stay in one place and perform more powerful cuts at a deeper level. Both require a flat surface for proper use.
That said, hand planers can be extremely helpful for projects that require portability. They’re often lightweight and simpler to maneuver than other planers, making them perfect for trimming tasks around the home or other projects that don’t need super deep cutting.
1. DEWALT Hand Planer, 7-Amp, 3-1/4-Inch (DW680K)
The Dewalt Hand Planer, 7-Amp, 3 1/4” (DW680K) is consistently ranked among the top hand planers for beginners. Its powerful 7-Amp rating delivers 15,000 RPM, ensuring an efficient planing experience. Plus, it has a depth capacity of 3/32”, which reduces how many passes are typically needed.
This option uses steel straight blades that can be resharpened, though it also accepts new blades. These blades are reversible, letting you move forward or backward, which can further boost efficiency.
Additionally, it comes with a depth adjustment knob to provide added precision and accuracy in its overall performance. Its lightweight portability cements this hand planer as a favorite among both seasoned and rookie woodworkers.
If you’re looking for an ideal hand planer for framing, trim work, or edging projects, this one will definitely meet your expectations. Whether you’re brand-new to woodworking or have some experience, the Dewalt Hand Planer is both powerful and portable—packing a punch with its 3 1/4” width.
2. PORTER-CABLE Hand Planer, 6-Amp, 5/64-Inch (PC60THP)
The Porter-Cable Hand Planer, 6-Amp, 5/64” (PC60THP) is another powerful hand planer capable of delivering a deep cut for your planing needs. With its 6-Amp system (suitable for moderate to higher-demand jobs), it offers 16,500 RPM.
This planer is fantastic if your tasks involve edging or other planing work that calls for mobility. Weighing just 8.28 pounds, it’s easy to move from your workshop to a different worksite—provided you have a power source.
Moreover, this tool is especially recognized for its dust port. Since planing naturally produces a lot of dust, keeping your work area clean, safe, and functional means getting rid of the debris. With this hand planer, you’ll see it effectively handle most of the cleanup.
Finally, its two carbide cutting blades deliver excellent results, especially alongside the 10 positive step adjustment knob for greater precision on the job. Combined with the 3 chamfering grooves, you can reach your desired outcome quickly and effectively.
3. Makita KP0800K 3-1/4-Inch Planer Kit, Blue
The Makita KP0800K 3 1/4” Planer stands out in terms of reliability, performance, and durability. It runs on 6.5-Amps, delivering 17,000 RPM for a consistently smooth finish that will impress you.
With a planing width of 3 1/4”, it can also cut as deep as 3/32” in a single pass. It features two knife cutting blades that are replaceable, although some users mention a minor hassle when switching them out—nothing major, just a few extra moments.
A commonly praised feature about this hand planer is its surprisingly quiet operation. Of course, it still makes some noise (it is a power tool after all), but since it’s a Makita brand—which is widely known for quieter tools—this model definitely upholds that standard.
You can also check out its upgraded variant (the Makita KP0810) for extra features. Either way, both models are excellent for planing down hardwoods with a moderate to heavy amount of cutting across many wood types.
🌟 8 Best Benchtop Planers for Beginner Woodworkers
Benchtop planers are another popular choice among beginners. This makes sense, given how effectively they smooth out any unevenness in your woodworking projects.
More specifically, benchtop planers utilize straight or spiral blades to create wider and deeper cuts compared to hand planers. You can also find benchtop thickness planers designed to reduce wood to a specific thickness—achieving far more than a hand planer can.
Benchtop planers are ideal for beginners ready to take their woodworking more seriously. If you’re tired of seemingly endless hours of sanding, it may be time to upgrade to a planer—and a benchtop model can significantly boost your productivity. Below are 8 of the best benchtop planers on the market right now.
1. DEWALT Benchtop Planer, Single Speed, 15-Amp, 12-1/2-Inch (DW734)
The Dewalt Benchtop Planer, Single Speed, 15-Amp, 12 1/2” (DW734) ranks as one of the most powerful and versatile planers available. Its 15-Amp system provides up to 20,000 RPM, creating a super-fine cut on even the toughest woods. It also comes with a 12 1/2” width capacity, 1/8” maximum cut depth, and a 6” depth capacity for highly efficient planing.
Furthermore, its feeder table is a generous 33 1/2”, offering excellent support for extended lumber pieces. So if you plan to run multiple long planks through your planer, rest assured that this one is more than capable.
Another notable advantage is its material-removal gauge and extra-large thickness scale, helping ensure the final cut precisely matches your target. With a three-knife cutter head that uses disposable blades, you’ll enjoy both efficiency and a high level of accuracy.
2. WEN 6550T 15 Amp 12.5 in. Corded Benchtop Thickness Planer
The WEN 6550T 15-Amp 12 1/2” Corded Benchtop Thickness Planer is another trustworthy option if you’re looking to remove a substantial amount of thickness from hardwood. Its maximum depth capacity is 6”, so it’s more than suitable for smoothing your lumber to a uniform depth.
It’s also highly efficient, thanks to its 15-Amp system providing 18,000 RPM. With its two-knife cutter head, your wood will come out smooth and even in no time.
This planer features installation magnets and index pins for enhanced accuracy and performance—a huge plus when you’ve invested your time and energy into a treasured piece of wood.
Another interesting highlight is its dust port combined with a granite feeder table, working together to keep dust under control. In turn, you get a clean, safe workspace for planing your stock.
3. DEWALT 13-Inch Thickness Planer – Three Knife, Two Speed, DW735X Model
Stepping things up from the earlier Dewalt thickness planer, the Dewalt 13-inch Thickness Planer, Three-Knife, Two-Speed (DW735X) is also powered by a 15-Amp system and delivers 20,000 RPM in the motor (10,000 RPM cutter speed), completing your planing tasks swiftly.
In addition to its power, it offers variable speed control via a 2-speed gearbox, so you can decide whether you want to operate at a slower or faster rate. This is super helpful when testing out different types of wood before going full speed.
This planer uses a three-knife cutter head, extending the lifespan of your blades. That translates to less time spent sharpening or replacing and more time focusing on your craft. Even when you do need to swap blades, this Dewalt model is very user-friendly, so changing them out isn’t a hassle.
4. WEN 6552 3-Blade 15 Amp Benchtop Thickness Planer, 13″
Another impressive benchtop thickness planer from WEN is the WEN 6552 3-Blade, 15-Amp, 13-inch Benchtop Thickness Planer, an upgrade from the previous WEN 6550T. If you need a tool to elevate your woodworking from the get-go, this one’s a solid pick.
The WEN 6552 offers a slight size bump at 13 inches compared to the 6550T’s 12.5 inches. With its 15-Amp system delivering up to 25,000 RPM—one of the most powerful benchtop thickness planers around—it can tackle even your toughest planing jobs.
It’s also straightforward to use, featuring a depth adjustment knob that lets you fine-tune your cuts up to a 3/32” depth capacity. You can trust its accuracy, relying on the knob to make precise adjustments within that range.
Thanks to its three-blade cutter head, it achieves quick, smooth cuts often in just a single pass. Additionally, a built-in dust port harnesses a fan to blow away any sawdust produced, helping maintain a clean workspace.
Keep in mind you’ll want to operate it with care to avoid snipe. All in all, it’s a widely praised planer that can handle virtually any beginner project (and even more advanced tasks) in your woodworking station.
5. POWERTEC PL1251 15 Amp 2-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer for Woodworking | 12-1/2 in. Portable
Powertec has yet another dependable benchtop thickness planer that’s particularly noted for its portability. The Powertec PL1251 15-Amp, two-blade, 12 1/2” benchtop thickness planer meets the criteria for a high-quality tool for beginners—especially if you’re working on small to medium-sized jobs.
Relying on its 15-Amp system, it generates 18,800 RPM using a two-knife cutting head featuring blades that are pretty straightforward to replace. Beyond its power and efficiency, this benchtop planer is celebrated for the support it provides for various sizes and types of wood.
With a 6” depth capacity and a 3/32” cutting depth capacity, you can plane quite a hefty piece of wood. And speaking of portability, it includes built-in handles, making transportation easier from one workspace to another.
Do note you’ll need to purchase a separate dust port since it’s not included with this particular model. Still, with that small addition, you’ll have even more reasons to love this planer as a beginner woodworker.
6. CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer, 15-Amp (CMEW320)
The Craftsman Benchtop Planer, 15-Amp (CMEW320) is yet another remarkable choice in the realm of beginner-friendly planers. It packs a punch with 8,000 RPM and 16,000 cuts per minute—perfect for efficient results across a variety of wood types. Its two-knife cutter head comes with easily replaceable blades, making maintenance a breeze.
Craftsman remains a trusted name in power tools, and this planer doesn’t disappoint. Its double-edged, reversible carbon blades can handle both hardwoods and softwoods, depending on what your project demands.
A unique aspect is the foldable feeder table. If you don’t use your planer daily, you can fold it up to keep the machine safe, clean, and out of your way until it’s needed again. This helps prevent buildup of sawdust and keeps it operating at peak performance.
With a maximum cut depth of 3/32” and a 6” depth capacity, this tool easily keeps up with other leading benchtop planers. In fact, it often exceeds expectations in many areas.
7. Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer with Interna-Lok Automated Head Clamp
The Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer with Interna-Lok Automated Head Clamp truly shines with its width capacity, slightly surpassing many alternative models. This detail might not seem huge to inexperienced woodworkers, but beginners quickly learn the benefit of a bit of extra width.
The Makita 2012NB’s 15-Amp system powers an 8,500 RPM setup, ensuring effective cuts on even wider pieces of wood. It also uses double-edged disposable cutter blades, which are interchangeable—very convenient when your blades start to dull.
On top of that, the unique Interna-Lok automated head clamp is an innovative solution to a common planer problem: snipe. This handy feature protects your wood from those unwanted, deeper cuts at the ends.
In use, you’ll also be pleased with its relatively low noise level compared to other machines. Although it still makes enough noise to let you know it’s running, it’s pleasantly quieter—something everyone in your household can appreciate.
8. Porter-Cable 15 Amps 12 Inches Benchtop Planer (PC305TP)
Last on the list—but by no means the least—of planers suited to beginner woodworkers is the Porter-Cable 15-Amp, 12-Inch Benchtop Planer (PC305TP). It excels with an 8,000 RPM motor and 16,000 cuts per minute using its two-knife cutter head.
Additionally, these two-knife blades are both double-edged and reversible, ensuring a longer lifespan for your blades and the planer itself. Because they’re also simple to swap out, you won’t waste time fussing over replacements. Coupled with a 1/16” cutting depth capacity, you can get the precise cut you want on many wood varieties.
Arguably, the most impressive feature of this benchtop planer is its feed rate, thanks to a high-quality feeder system. Regardless of whether you choose to work fast or take it slow, this machine effectively processes your lumber, leaving it with a smooth finish. Since maximizing productivity matters to most woodworkers, this planer can be a real game-changer in your beginner workshop.