Best Benchtop Planers for Woodworking in 2026
Finding the right benchtop planer can transform your woodworking projects overnight. Whether you’re dimensioning rough lumber, cleaning up reclaimed wood, or dialing in that perfect thickness for a tabletop glue-up, a quality thickness planer pays for itself fast. We tested and researched four of the most popular models on the market to help you pick the best benchtop planer for your shop in 2026.
Why You Need a Benchtop Planer
A benchtop thickness planer lets you take rough-sawn lumber and mill it down to a precise, uniform thickness. That means no more paying premium prices for S4S (surfaced four sides) boards at the lumber yard.
Even if you’re buying dimensional lumber from a big-box store, a planer helps you clean up cupped or twisted boards and get perfectly smooth surfaces ready for finishing. For serious woodworkers, it’s one of the first stationary tools that belongs in the shop.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 DeWalt DW735X |
Best Overall Performance | ~$522 | Check Price |
 Makita 2012NB |
Best Finish Quality | ~$299 | Check Price |
 Ridgid R4331 |
Best for Portability | ~$399 | Check Price |
| WEN 6552T |
Best Budget Pick | ~$380 | Check Price |
1. DeWalt DW735X — Best Overall Benchtop Planer
The DeWalt DW735X has earned its spot at the top of nearly every benchtop planer roundup, and for good reason. Its three-knife cutterhead spins at 10,000 RPM and delivers 30% longer blade life compared to two-knife designs. The real standout feature is the two-speed gearbox — you can run at 96 cuts per inch for fast stock removal or switch to 179 CPI when you need a glass-smooth finish.
The 13-inch cutting width handles most project lumber with ease, and the included infeed and outfeed tables significantly reduce snipe. The fan-assisted chip ejection keeps your workspace cleaner than many competitors. At around $522 with the extra knives and table extensions (the “X” package), it’s not cheap, but serious woodworkers consider it a worthwhile investment that lasts for years.
Key specs: 15 Amp motor, 13″ capacity, 3-knife cutterhead, 10,000 RPM, two-speed feed (96/179 CPI), 92 lbs.
2. Makita 2012NB — Best for Finish Quality
The Makita 2012NB takes a different approach to benchtop planing. Its 12-inch cutting width is slightly narrower than the competition, but what it sacrifices in width it makes up for with Makita’s exclusive Interna-Lok automated head clamp. This system locks the cutterhead in place during operation, virtually eliminating snipe — the dip that most planers leave at the ends of your boards.
The 15-amp motor runs at 8,500 RPM and produces just 83 dB of noise, making it one of the quietest benchtop planers you can buy. At roughly $299, it’s the most affordable model on this list, and its 62-pound weight keeps it portable enough to move around the shop. If your priority is surface finish quality and low noise over maximum width capacity, the Makita is hard to beat.
Key specs: 15 Amp motor, 12″ capacity, 2-knife cutterhead, 8,500 RPM, 83 dB noise level, 62 lbs.
3. Ridgid R4331 — Best for Portability
The Ridgid R4331 packs a 15-amp motor and a three-blade cutterhead delivering 9,000 RPM into a surprisingly portable frame. What sets it apart is the quick-change blade system — you can swap all three dual-edge blades in minutes without any tools, which is a huge time-saver when you’re in the middle of a big milling session.
The built-in chip and dust removal system works well with a shop vac hookup, and the on-board tool storage keeps everything organized. At around $399, it slots right between the budget and premium options. The Ridgid also comes with a lifetime service agreement when registered at Home Depot, which adds significant long-term value.
Key specs: 15 Amp motor, 13″ capacity, 3-blade cutterhead, 9,000 RPM, quick-change blades, dust port included.
4. WEN 6552T — Best Budget Pick
The WEN 6552T proves you don’t need to spend over $500 to get a solid benchtop planer. Its 15-amp motor churns out over 25,500 cuts per minute at a 26 feet-per-minute feed rate, which is competitive with planers costing twice as much. The 13-inch width capacity and 6-inch height capacity handle standard lumber sizes without issue.
The three-blade cutterhead and height-adjustable infeed/outfeed tables help manage snipe, though you’ll still want to use sacrificial boards on long stock. The depth adjustment knob allows passes from 0 to 3/32 of an inch. At roughly $380, it’s an excellent entry point for hobbyist woodworkers who want to start milling their own lumber without a major investment.
Key specs: 15 Amp motor, 13″ capacity, 3-blade cutterhead, 25,500 cuts/min, 26 FPM feed rate, adjustable tables.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Benchtop Planer
Motor power is the first spec to check. All four of our picks run 15-amp motors, which is the sweet spot for benchtop planers. Anything less struggles with hardwoods and deeper cuts. Look for RPM ratings above 8,000 for consistently smooth results.
Cutting width determines the widest board you can plane. Most benchtop models max out at 12 to 13 inches. If you regularly work with wider panels, you’ll need to rip them down first or invest in a much larger floor-standing planer.
Snipe reduction is worth paying attention to. Snipe happens when the board enters or exits the planer and the cutterhead digs slightly deeper. Models with locking cutterheads (like the Makita’s Interna-Lok) or extra-long infeed/outfeed tables (like the DeWalt DW735X) handle this better. You can also reduce snipe by feeding boards end-to-end or adding sacrificial pieces.
Cutterhead type matters more than you might think. Three-blade cutterheads (DeWalt, Ridgid, WEN) generally produce smoother cuts with less tearout than two-blade designs. For the ultimate in surface quality, look into helical cutterhead upgrades, though these add significant cost.
Dust collection is critical for shop safety and visibility. All four models include dust ports, but fan-assisted systems (DeWalt, WEN) push chips out more aggressively and keep the cutterhead area cleaner during operation.
Final Verdict
For most woodworkers, the DeWalt DW735X is the best benchtop planer you can buy in 2026. The three-knife cutterhead, two-speed gearbox, and included table extensions give you the most versatility and the best cut quality in this class. It’s an investment, but it handles everything from rough pine to figured hardwoods without breaking a sweat.
If budget is your primary concern, the Makita 2012NB at around $299 delivers exceptional finish quality and nearly zero snipe in a compact, quiet package. And if you need a capable 13-inch planer without premium pricing, the WEN 6552T punches well above its weight class for the money.
