Best Benchtop Planers for Woodworking in 2026
Whether you’re milling rough lumber for a furniture project or cleaning up reclaimed wood, a benchtop thickness planer is one of the most valuable tools you can add to your shop. These machines take warped, uneven boards and transform them into smooth, uniform stock ready for joinery. We’ve tested and researched the top benchtop planers on the market to help you find the right one for your budget and workflow.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
We evaluated planers based on cut quality, motor power, noise levels, snipe reduction, and overall value. Here are the four standout models that earned a spot on our list this year.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 DeWalt DW735X |
Best Overall Performance | $599 | Check Price |
 Makita 2012NB |
Best for Portability & Low Noise | $649 | Check Price |
 WEN PL1326 |
Best Spiral Cutterhead Value | $400 | Check Price |
 WEN PL1303 |
Best Budget Pick | $301 | Check Price |
DeWalt DW735X: Best Overall Benchtop Planer
The DeWalt DW735X has been the gold standard in benchtop planers for years, and it continues to earn that reputation in 2026. Powered by a beefy 15-amp motor spinning a three-knife cutterhead at 10,000 RPM, this machine handles hardwoods like maple and walnut without breaking a sweat.
What really sets the DW735X apart is its two-speed gearbox. At 96 cuts per inch, you get fast material removal for rough dimensioning. Switch to 176 CPI for a glass-smooth finish that’s nearly ready for sanding. The package includes extra-long infeed and outfeed tables that dramatically reduce snipe, plus a set of replacement knives so you’re ready when the originals dull.
The fan-assisted chip ejection system is another standout feature. It keeps the cutterhead clear and directs chips into a dust collection port, which works surprisingly well with a standard shop vac. At around $599, it’s not cheap — but the build quality and cut consistency justify every dollar for serious woodworkers.
Makita 2012NB: Best for Portability and Low Noise
If you frequently move your planer between the shop and job sites, the Makita 2012NB deserves serious consideration. At just 62 pounds, it’s noticeably lighter than most 13-inch competitors, and the compact footprint means it won’t dominate your bench space.
The 2012NB runs at 8,500 RPM with a 15-amp motor, planing boards up to 12 inches wide and 6 inches thick. Makita’s exclusive Interna-Lok automated head clamp is the real star here — it virtually eliminates snipe by locking the cutterhead in place during operation. The result is consistent thickness from end to end without the tapered edges that plague cheaper planers.
Blade changes are fast thanks to disposable double-edge knives that simply drop in and lock. No alignment fuss, no sharpening — just flip or replace and get back to work. The noise level sits around 83 dB, making it one of the quietest benchtop planers available. For around $649, it’s a premium choice that pays off in convenience and precision.
WEN PL1326: Best Spiral Cutterhead Value
Spiral cutterheads used to be reserved for planers costing $800 or more. The WEN PL1326 changed that equation entirely, delivering 26 staggered HSS blades in a helical arrangement for around $400. That’s a remarkable price point for this type of technology.
The spiral design offers several advantages over straight-knife planers. Each small blade takes a shearing cut rather than a chopping cut, which produces a smoother surface with less tearout — especially on figured or interlocking grain. The noise level drops significantly too, since the blades engage the wood progressively rather than all at once.
The 15-amp motor spins the cutterhead at over 10,000 RPM and feeds stock at 26 feet per minute. It handles boards up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches thick. If one blade gets nicked by a hidden nail, you only rotate or replace that single insert rather than swapping the entire blade assembly. That alone saves real money over time.
WEN PL1303: Best Budget Benchtop Planer
Not everyone needs a $600+ planer, and the WEN PL1303 proves that you can get solid performance without emptying your wallet. Priced around $301, it’s the most affordable 13-inch planer on our list — and it still delivers 30,000 cuts per minute from its three-blade cutterhead.
The 15-amp motor handles softwoods with ease and manages hardwoods at lighter passes. The included height-adjustable infeed and outfeed tables help reduce snipe, though you’ll still want to use sacrificial boards or slightly lift the trailing end on longer pieces. The depth stop makes it easy to dial in repeatable thicknesses for batch work.
Blade replacement is straightforward with standard 13-inch HSS knives that are widely available and inexpensive. For hobbyists, weekend warriors, or anyone building out a new shop on a budget, the PL1303 punches well above its price point. It’s an excellent entry into thickness planing without significant compromise.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Benchtop Planer
Choosing the right benchtop planer depends on your specific needs. Start with cutterhead type — straight-knife models are cheaper upfront but cost more over time in blade replacements, while spiral cutterheads offer smoother cuts, less noise, and easier maintenance. Consider planing width next. Most benchtop models handle 12 to 13 inches, which covers the majority of lumber you’ll encounter.
Motor power matters less than you’d think at this level since nearly every benchtop planer runs a 15-amp motor. Instead, focus on cuts per inch (CPI), which directly affects surface quality. Two-speed models like the DW735X give you flexibility between fast stock removal and fine finishing. Snipe reduction features like locking cutterheads and extended tables can save hours of sanding. Finally, check the dust collection setup — a planer with poor chip ejection will bury your shop in shavings within minutes.
Final Verdict
For most woodworkers, the DeWalt DW735X remains the best overall benchtop planer you can buy. Its two-speed operation, excellent dust collection, and rock-solid build quality make it the tool to beat. If portability and whisper-quiet operation matter more, the Makita 2012NB is worth the premium. Budget-conscious buyers should look at the WEN PL1326 for its incredible spiral cutterhead value, or the WEN PL1303 if you want the lowest entry price without giving up too much capability.
No matter which planer you choose, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without one. There’s nothing quite like feeding a rough board in one side and pulling out perfectly flat, uniform stock from the other.
