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Best Wood Planer 2026: 8 Thickness Planers for Home Shop and Production Work

Choosing among Woodworking is noisy. We cut through it with a research-driven shortlist of 8 standouts for 2026, ranked by real-world value.

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Our top picks

Short on time? Our top recommendation is the DeWalt DW735X 13-Inch Thickness Planer (best overall). Here's how the shortlist breaks down.

  1. #1 · Best Overall

    DeWalt DW735X 13-Inch Thickness Planer

    Three-knife cutter head produces a smoother surface than two-knife heads

    Check price

  2. #2 · Best Helical

    Powermatic 15HH Helical Head Planer

    Helical (spiral) cutter head with carbide inserts -- dramatically quieter than straight knife heads

    Check price

  3. #3 · Best Value

    Ridgid R4330 13-Inch Thickness Planer

    Significantly lower price than DeWalt for the same 13-inch capacity

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  4. #4 · Best Budget

    WEN 6552T 15-Amp 13-Inch Benchtop Planer

    The lowest-price 13-inch planer with a 15-amp motor

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  5. #5 · Best Portable

    Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer

    The most compact and lightest 12-inch planer-- portable for job site use

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  6. #6 · Best Grizzly

    Rikon 25-130H 13-Inch Planer with Helical Head

    Helical cutter head at a fraction of the Powermatic price

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  7. #7 · Best Shop Fox

    Shop Fox W1742 15-Inch Planer

    Belt drive transmission is quieter and smoother than gear-driven planers

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  8. #8 · Best Jet

    Jet JWP-15BHH Helical Planer

    Jet helical head with segmented carbide inserts

    Check price
Jump to the full breakdowns
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At a glance

The specs and traits that separate these picks, side by side.

How to read this table
Why it stands out: its biggest strength
Keep in mind: the main trade-off
Best for: the buyer it suits
Comparison: Best Wood Planer 2026: 8 Thickness Planers for Home Shop and Production Work
PickWhy it stands outKeep in mindBest forPrice
DeWalt DW735X 13-Inch Thickness Planer		Three-knife cutter head produces a smoother surface than two-knife headsHeavier than competitive 13-inch planers -- difficult to move alonebuyers who want the best overall packageCheck price
Powermatic 15HH Helical Head Planer		Helical (spiral) cutter head with carbide inserts -- dramatically quieter than straight knife heads15-inch capacity is more than most home shops needmost buyers in this categoryCheck price
Ridgid R4330 13-Inch Thickness Planer		Significantly lower price than DeWalt for the same 13-inch capacityTwo-knife head produces a rougher surface than three-knife headsvalue-focused buyers who want the most for their moneyCheck price
WEN 6552T 15-Amp 13-Inch Benchtop Planer		The lowest-price 13-inch planer with a 15-amp motorLower quality than DeWalt or Ridgidvalue-focused buyers who want the most for their moneyCheck price
Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer		The most compact and lightest 12-inch planer-- portable for job site use12-inch capacity -- narrower than 13-inch alternativesmost buyers in this categoryCheck price
Rikon 25-130H 13-Inch Planer with Helical Head		Helical cutter head at a fraction of the Powermatic priceSmaller capacity than 15-inch professional machinesmost buyers in this categoryCheck price
Shop Fox W1742 15-Inch Planer		Belt drive transmission is quieter and smoother than gear-driven planersLess common than DeWalt or Ridgid -- fewer user reviewsmost buyers in this categoryCheck price
Jet JWP-15BHH Helical Planer		Jet helical head with segmented carbide inserts15-inch size requires a dedicated machine stationmost buyers in this categoryCheck price
In depth

The 8 best woodworking, explained

Why each made the cut, where it falls short, and who it suits best.

Best Overall

1. DeWalt DW735X 13-Inch Thickness Planer

DeWalt

Best overall thickness planer. It stands out for three-knife cutter head produces a smoother surface than two-knife heads and two-speed feed: 96 cuts per inch at low speed for finish quality, 179 CPI at high speed. One caveat, heavier than competitive 13-inch planers -- difficult to move alone.

  • 13-inch width
  • Three knife cutter head
  • Two-speed feed
  • Dust chute

Pros

  • Three-knife cutter head produces a smoother surface than two-knife heads
  • Two-speed feed: 96 cuts per inch at low speed for finish quality, 179 CPI at high speed
  • Dust chute ejects chips to both sides or forward for vacuum connection
  • The most commonly recommended 13-inch planer for home shop use

Cons

  • Heavier than competitive 13-inch planers -- difficult to move alone
  • Fan-assisted chip ejection is noisy

Best for: buyers who want the best overall package

Product details Check price on Amazon
Best Helical

2. Powermatic 15HH Helical Head Planer

Powermatic

Best helical head planer. It stands out for helical (spiral) cutter head with carbide inserts -- dramatically quieter than straight knife heads and helical cutting produces the best surface quality of any planer type -- equivalent to a hand plane finish.

  • Helical cutter head
  • 15-inch width
  • Very low noise
  • Professional grade

Pros

  • Helical (spiral) cutter head with carbide inserts -- dramatically quieter than straight knife heads
  • Helical cutting produces the best surface quality of any planer type -- equivalent to a hand plane finish
  • Carbide inserts rotate to expose fresh cutting edge when dull
  • The professional production standard for furniture shops

Cons

  • 15-inch capacity is more than most home shops need

Prices and availability change, so confirm on Amazon.

Product details Check price on Amazon
Best Value

3. Ridgid R4330 13-Inch Thickness Planer

Ridgid

Best value 13-inch planer. It stands out for significantly lower price than DeWalt for the same 13-inch capacity and ridgid Lifetime Service Agreement covers the tool for life when registered. One caveat, two-knife head produces a rougher surface than three-knife heads.

  • 13-inch width
  • Two-knife head
  • Three-year warranty
  • Budget price

Pros

  • Significantly lower price than DeWalt for the same 13-inch capacity
  • Ridgid Lifetime Service Agreement covers the tool for life when registered
  • Three-year warranty beyond the standard period
  • The most affordable 13-inch planer from a recognized brand

Cons

  • Two-knife head produces a rougher surface than three-knife heads
  • Chip ejection is less effective than DeWalt's fan-assisted system

Best for: value-focused buyers who want the most for their money

Product details Check price on Amazon
Best Budget

4. WEN 6552T 15-Amp 13-Inch Benchtop Planer

WEN

Best budget thickness planer. It stands out for the lowest-price 13-inch planer with a 15-amp motor and adequate for planing softwood and moderate hardwood in home shop use. One caveat, lower quality than DeWalt or Ridgid.

  • 13-inch capacity
  • Two-knife head
  • Budget price
  • 15 amp motor

Pros

  • The lowest-price 13-inch planer with a 15-amp motor
  • Adequate for planing softwood and moderate hardwood in home shop use
  • 15 amp motor handles the load of surfacing 13-inch boards in hardwood
  • The correct entry planer for woodworkers milling their own lumber for the first time

Cons

  • Lower quality than DeWalt or Ridgid
  • Two-knife head and rougher planed surface

Best for: value-focused buyers who want the most for their money

Product details Check price on Amazon
Best Portable

5. Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer

Makita

  • 12-inch width
  • Low noise
  • Compact
  • Makita precision

Pros

  • The most compact and lightest 12-inch planer-- portable for job site use
  • Low noise compared to other planers in its class
  • Makita quality and precision -- consistent knife height settings
  • The correct planer for woodworkers who move the tool between job sites

Cons

  • 12-inch capacity -- narrower than 13-inch alternatives
  • Higher price than Ridgid for less capacity

Prices and availability change, so confirm on Amazon.

Product details Check price on Amazon
Best Grizzly

6. Rikon 25-130H 13-Inch Planer with Helical Head

Rikon

One caveat, smaller capacity than 15-inch professional machines.

  • Helical head
  • 13-inch capacity
  • Lower price than Powermatic
  • Carbide inserts

Pros

  • Helical cutter head at a fraction of the Powermatic price
  • 13-inch capacity handles the large majority of home shop boards
  • Carbide inserts that rotate rather than replacing full knives
  • The correct helical head planer for woodworkers who want helical quality without Powermatic pricing

Cons

  • Smaller capacity than 15-inch professional machines
  • Rikon dealer and service network is smaller than DeWalt or Ridgid

Prices and availability change, so confirm on Amazon.

Product details Check price on Amazon
Best Shop Fox

7. Shop Fox W1742 15-Inch Planer

Shop Fox

Best belt-drive planer. It stands out for belt drive transmission is quieter and smoother than gear-driven planers and cast iron in/out feed tables hold their flatness better than stamped steel. One caveat, less common than DeWalt or Ridgid -- fewer user reviews.

  • 15-inch capacity
  • Cast iron in/out feed tables
  • Mobile base
  • Belt drive

Pros

  • Belt drive transmission is quieter and smoother than gear-driven planers
  • Cast iron in/out feed tables hold their flatness better than stamped steel
  • Mobile base for shop positioning flexibility
  • Shop Fox (Woodstock) offers strong value for the price

Cons

  • Less common than DeWalt or Ridgid -- fewer user reviews
  • 15-inch capacity and weight require a dedicated floor space

Prices and availability change, so confirm on Amazon.

Product details Check price on Amazon
Best Jet

8. Jet JWP-15BHH Helical Planer

Jet

Best Jet helical planer. It stands out for jet helical head with segmented carbide inserts and digital readout for precise depth setting.

  • 15-inch helical
  • Jet quality
  • Segmented cutterhead
  • Digital readout

Pros

  • Jet helical head with segmented carbide inserts
  • Digital readout for precise depth setting
  • Jet brand support and warranty service in the US
  • The premium professional planer alternative to the Powermatic

Cons

  • 15-inch size requires a dedicated machine station

Prices and availability change, so confirm on Amazon.

Product details Check price on Amazon

How we chose these picks

This shortlist is the product of research, not advertising. We cross-checked manufacturer specs against independent reviews and long-term owner feedback, then ranked by value for real use cases.

Mistakes buyers often make

  • Choosing the cheapest option without checking warranty and support quality.
  • Assuming all models work with your existing setup, verify compatibility first.
  • Skipping the measurements: returns most often come from fit surprises.
  • Chasing the newest release when last year's model does the same job for less.

How we chose these picks

  • We started from manufacturer specifications and feature lists, the verifiable foundation.
  • We weighed reputable independent reviews from established tech and consumer publications.
  • We read large volumes of verified-owner feedback to find patterns in reliability and satisfaction.
  • We scored value: what you get for the price, not just absolute performance.
  • We excluded products with thin, suspicious, or heavily incentivized review profiles.

We don't claim hands-on testing we haven't done. Assessments synthesize manufacturer specifications, reputable independent reviews and documented owner feedback. Read our methodology.

Before you buy

Buying guide

How to choose: the factors that matter

  • Capacity and sizing, Measure your space and your actual use before falling for bigger-is-better. The right size is the one that fits your routine, not the spec sheet's maximum.
  • Build quality and materials, Heavier-gauge materials, tight tolerances, and solid joints outlast thin, rattly construction. In reviews, look for longevity comments over first-impression praise.
  • Ease of use and setup, Clear instructions, intuitive controls, and minimal assembly separate daily drivers from garage ornaments.
  • Maintenance and cleaning, Whatever you buy will need cleaning. Removable, dishwasher-safe, or wipe-clean parts get maintained; fiddly ones get neglected.
  • Warranty and support, A multi-year warranty signals the manufacturer expects it to last. Check what's actually covered, motors and frames matter more than accessories.

The bottom line

If you want the short answer: the top pick above suits most buyers, the value pick suits tight budgets, and the specialist picks suit specific needs. Match the pick to your use case, not to the hype.

Answers

Frequently asked questions

What are the best wood planer 2026 right now?

Our top pick is the DeWalt DW735X 13-Inch Thickness Planer (best overall), because three-knife cutter head produces a smoother surface than two-knife heads. The runner-up is the Powermatic 15HH Helical Head Planer (best helical), followed by the Ridgid R4330 13-Inch Thickness Planer.

What is the best budget option among wood planer 2026?

Our best-value pick is the Ridgid R4330 13-Inch Thickness Planer: significantly lower price than DeWalt for the same 13-inch capacity. Check the current price on Amazon, since deals change often.

Which of the wood planer 2026 should I buy?

It depends on what matters most to you. For overall, choose the DeWalt DW735X 13-Inch Thickness Planer. For helical, choose the Powermatic 15HH Helical Head Planer. For value, choose the Ridgid R4330 13-Inch Thickness Planer. For budget, choose the WEN 6552T 15-Amp 13-Inch Benchtop Planer.

Is the DeWalt DW735X 13-Inch Thickness Planer worth it?

For most buyers, yes. It ranks #1 in our wood planer 2026 research, though heavier than competitive 13-inch planers -- difficult to move alone.

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