Best Benchtop Planers for Woodworking in 2026
If you’re serious about woodworking, a benchtop planer is one of the most valuable tools you can add to your shop. It takes rough, uneven lumber and transforms it into smooth, uniform boards — saving you money on pre-surfaced wood and opening up a world of project possibilities. But with so many models on the market, how do you pick the right one?
We’ve tested and researched the top benchtop planers available in 2026 to help you find the perfect match for your workshop, whether you’re a weekend hobbyist or a seasoned pro.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
We evaluated each planer on cutting quality, motor power, snipe reduction, noise level, and overall value. Here’s how they stack up.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 DeWalt DW735X |
Best Overall | $530 | Check Price |
 Makita 2012NB |
Best for Precision | $599 | Check Price |
 WEN PL1303 |
Best Budget | $340 | Check Price |
| CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 | Best Lightweight Pick | $300 | Check Price |
DeWalt DW735X — Best Overall Benchtop Planer
The DeWalt DW735X is the gold standard in benchtop planers, and for good reason. Its beefy 15-amp motor drives a three-knife cutterhead at 10,000 RPM, allowing you to remove up to 1/8 inch of material in a single pass.
What really sets the DW735X apart is its two-speed gearbox. At 96 cuts per inch, you get rapid stock removal for rough dimensioning. Switch to 179 CPI, and you’ll achieve a glass-smooth finish that’s ready for staining or finishing. The 13-inch capacity handles most project lumber with ease.
The “X” package includes infeed and outfeed support tables plus an extra set of knives — accessories that would cost over $100 if purchased separately. Fan-assisted chip ejection keeps the cutterhead clean and your workspace tidy. At around $530, it’s not the cheapest option, but the performance and included extras make it an outstanding value for serious woodworkers.
Makita 2012NB — Best for Precision and Quiet Operation
The Makita 2012NB has earned a loyal following among fine woodworkers, and it’s easy to see why. This 12-inch planer produces some of the smoothest finishes in its class, thanks to Makita’s precision-engineered cutterhead spinning at 8,500 RPM.
The standout feature is Makita’s Interna-Lok automated head clamp, which virtually eliminates snipe — that annoying dip at the beginning and end of boards that plagues cheaper planers. If snipe has been the bane of your woodworking life, this alone is worth the premium.
At just 62 pounds, it’s also one of the more portable options. The noise level sits at a relatively tame 83 dB, making it noticeably quieter than most competitors. The trade-off is a 12-inch capacity versus the 13-inch width on other models, but for most furniture and cabinet projects, 12 inches is plenty. Priced around $599, it’s a premium pick that delivers premium results.
WEN PL1303 — Best Budget Benchtop Planer
If you want solid planing performance without breaking the bank, the WEN PL1303 delivers impressive results at a fraction of the cost of premium models. Its 15-amp motor powers a three-blade cutterhead that produces over 25,500 cuts per minute at a 26 ft/min feed rate.
The PL1303 planes boards up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches thick, matching the DeWalt’s capacity. It includes a granite-ground cast iron base for stability and flatness, along with height-adjustable infeed and outfeed tables to help minimize snipe. The fan-assisted dust port accommodates 2.5-inch and 4-inch hose connectors.
At around $340, this is one of the best values in benchtop planers. It won’t match the DeWalt’s finish quality at the finest settings, but for dimensioning rough lumber and getting boards to consistent thickness, it’s hard to beat for the price.
CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 — Best Lightweight Pick
The CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 is a strong contender for woodworkers who want reliable planing performance at the lowest price point. Its 15-amp motor drives a two-blade cutterhead at 8,000 RPM, delivering 16,000 cuts per minute — enough for clean results on both softwoods and hardwoods.
With a 12.25-inch planing width and a maximum depth cut of 3/32 inch, it handles typical project lumber capably. The reversible high-carbon steel knives are a nice touch, effectively doubling the blade life before replacement is needed. At approximately 62 pounds, it’s portable enough to stash under a bench when not in use.
Priced around $300, the CMEW320 is the most affordable option in our roundup. It’s a smart choice for hobbyists and DIYers who don’t need the raw power of the DeWalt but want a dependable planer for occasional use.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Benchtop Planer
Planing Width: Most benchtop planers offer 12 to 13 inches of capacity. If you regularly work with wider boards, a 13-inch model gives you more flexibility. For typical furniture and cabinetry work, 12 inches is usually sufficient.
Cutterhead Design: Two-knife and three-knife straight cutterheads are most common. More blades generally means a smoother finish. Helical cutterheads with carbide inserts offer the quietest operation and easiest maintenance, but they come at a premium price.
Snipe Control: Snipe — a slightly deeper cut at the board’s leading and trailing edges — is the biggest complaint with benchtop planers. Look for models with locking cutterhead carriages, spring-loaded infeed/outfeed tables, or automated head clamps like the Makita’s Interna-Lok system.
Dust Collection: Planers produce massive amounts of chips and shavings. A fan-assisted dust port that fits standard shop vac hoses (2.5-inch or 4-inch) is essential for keeping your shop clean and your lungs healthy.
Feed Speed: Variable-speed models let you choose between faster stock removal and finer finishes. If you process a lot of rough lumber, a two-speed option like the DeWalt DW735X adds real versatility to your workflow.
Final Verdict
For most woodworkers, the DeWalt DW735X is the best benchtop planer you can buy in 2026. Its combination of power, finish quality, two-speed versatility, and included accessories makes it the clear winner for anyone who planes lumber regularly.
If snipe-free precision is your top priority and you don’t mind paying a premium, the Makita 2012NB is worth every penny. Budget-conscious buyers should look at the WEN PL1303 for a full-featured 13-inch planer under $350, while the CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 is a solid entry point for occasional use at just $300.
Whichever model you choose, a benchtop planer will quickly become one of the most-used tools in your shop. There’s nothing quite like turning rough-sawn lumber into perfectly smooth, dimensioned boards with a single pass.
