An electric hand planer is a handy tool, which provides immense value to many woodworkers.
You can use it to smooth pieces of wood or remove material from them with superior precision. Electric hand planers are a great improvement from the traditional manual ones, which were inefficient and tiresome to use.
Your electric hand planer will come with a powerful motor, which drives cutting blades at high speed for fast and efficient sanding. It will also have a depth gauge, which allows cutting at different depths.
Dive into our top 7 electric hand planer reviews and buying guide to help you choose the best tool for your woodworking projects.
In this post:
- 7 Best Electric Hand Planers – Reviews
- 1. Wen 6530 – Best Budget Hand Planer
- 2. Porter-Cable PC60THP – Dual Dust Extraction Electric Hand Planer
- 3. Makita 1806B – Best Heavy-Duty Electric Hand Planer
- 4. DeWalt D26677K – Fastest Electric Hand Planer
- 5. Bosch PL1632 – Best Electric Hand Planer for Door Edges
- 6. Makita KP0810 – Powerful Electric Hand Planer
- 7. DeWalt DW680K – Versatile Electric Hand Planer
- How to Buy the Best Electric Hand Planers
- How to Use Electric Hand Planer
- Conclusion
7 Best Electric Hand Planers – Reviews
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Wen 6530 (Best Budget) |
| |
 | 2. Porter-Cable PC60THP (Dual Dust Extraction) |
| |
 | 3. Makita 1806B (Best Heavy-Duty) |
| |
 | 4. DeWalt D26677K (Fastest) |
| |
 | 5. Bosch PL1632 (Best for Door Edges) |
| |
 | 6. Makita KP0810 (Powerful) |
| |
 | 7. DeWalt DW680K (Versatile) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Wen 6530 (Best Budget)
|
2. Porter-Cable PC60THP (Dual Dust Extraction)
|
3. Makita 1806B (Best Heavy-Duty)
|
4. DeWalt D26677K (Fastest)
|
5. Bosch PL1632 (Best for Door Edges)
|
6. Makita KP0810 (Powerful)
|
7. DeWalt DW680K (Versatile)
|
1. Wen 6530 – Best Budget Hand Planer
Photo: Wen
- Power: 6 Amp, 120 volts
- Speed: 17,000 RPM
- Cutting width: 3-1/4 inches
- Weight: 6 pounds
You will love the Wen 6530 for being a reasonably priced and budget hand planer. This affordable tool is within the reach of most buyers with different levels of experience.
Despite its low price, this tool boasts of some impressive features, including a powerful 6-amp, 120-volt motor, which rotates at a speed of 17,000 RPM. This is one of the highest speeds we have recorded from any tool planer on our list.
Weighing only 6 pounds, this tool is one of the lightest in the market. Its low weight makes it easy to handle especially when planing long blocks of wood. If you are working in a site away from home, this planer proves to be highly portable.
It also boasts of 16 positive stops for depth adjustment, which accommodates a range of 0 to 1/8 inch.
Although Wen 6530 is the ideal hand planer for people who are on a budget but require a high-quality and powerful tool, it’s worth noting that this model does not always achieve level between the back and front plates.
Also, it is not ideal for heavy-duty cutting, especially when working with hard boards or wood. The blades can rupture with continues intensive use.
More Detailed: Click here
Pros:
- Reasonably priced and affordable
- Powerful motor
- High cutting speed
- Lightweight and portable
Cons:
- Does not always cut level
- Not ideal for intensive cutting
2. Porter-Cable PC60THP – Dual Dust Extraction Electric Hand Planer
Photo: Porter-Cable
- Power: 6 Amp, 120 volts
- Speed: 16,500 RPM
- Cutting width: 3-1/4 inches
- Weight: 8.6 pounds
Porter-Cable PC60THP is a high-quality hand planer, which has dual side dust extraction, allowing you to select either side for extraction. This system is designed to make the planing task simple and more convenient.
This flexibility is especially important if you wish to connect the planer to a dust extraction tool. You won’t have to keep changing the position of your tool or wood to align with that of the ducting system in your workshop.
Besides the convenient dual exhaust system, this tool is built for power. It boasts of a powerful 6-amp, 120-volt motor, which rotates its blade at 16,500 RPM for fast and efficient cutting.
It cuts a standard width of 3-1/4 per stroke, which is the most commonly used. If you need to cut several strokes for a wider width, the tool’s efficiency promises to achieve a straight and level surface.
You also get flexibility with edge chamfering as this tool has 3 chamfering grooves compared to others that have one.
At 8.6 pounds, it is not the lightest, but it is lighter and easier to handle compared to heavier models such as the Makita 1806B and DeWalt DW680K.
Although Porter-Cable PC60THP is built for convenient and flexible planing using its dual exhaust features, some may find it a bit big and heavy given its weight. However, it is significantly lighter than models such as Makita 1806B so it’s a worthy buy.
More Detailed: Click here
Pros:
- Dual side dust collection for flexibility and convenience
- Powerful and fast motor for efficient cutting
- Standard cutting width for most common planing
- 3 grooves for diverse chamfering options
Cons:
- Might feel heavy
3. Makita 1806B – Best Heavy-Duty Electric Hand Planer
Photo: Makita
- Power: 10.9 Amp, 120 volts
- Speed: 15,000 RPM
- Cutting width: 6-3/4 inches
- Weight: 19.3 pounds
Makita 1806B is the best heavy-duty electric hand planer on our list. It has the most powerful motor, has a fast blade speed, has the widest cutting width, and is a top-rated electric hand planer.
This planer is ideal for heavy-duty and professional projects because it packs the most powerful motor. It has a powerful 10.9-amp, 120-volt motor, which the most powerful of all the models on our list.
The power drives the cutting blade at a speed of 15,000 RPM, which is high enough for fast and efficient cutting. Combined, the power and speed of this tool make it the best for heavy-duty and intensive projects mostly executed by professionals.
It also has the widest cutting angle 6-3/4 inches per single pass. This is the largest cutting width of all the tools we have reviewed.
To ensure continuous operation for those intensive planing projects, the planer has a lock-on button. It also has a large sole plate for additional stability during operation.
Although Makita 1806B is built for heavy-duty and professional projects, all its advanced features do come at a steep price as it is the most expensive model on our list. At 19 pounds, it is also heavy and can be straining to hold for long.
Pros:
- Very powerful motor heavy-duty planing
- Fast blade speed for efficient cutting
- Wide cutting angle for maximum coverage
- Continuous operation feature
- Large sole plate for stability
Cons:
- Heavy
- Expensive
4. DeWalt D26677K – Fastest Electric Hand Planer
Photo: DeWalt
- Power: 5.5 amp, 120 volts
- Speed: 17,000 RPM
- Cutting width: 3-1/4 inches
- Weight: 6 pounds
DeWalt D26677K is an electric hand planer famed for its fast blade speed. It rotates at 17,000 RPM, which translates to 34,000 cuts per minute because the tool has dual blades.
This high speed is made possible by an equally powerful 5.5-amp, 120-volt motor, which ensures fast and precise cutting even on the toughest pieces of wood.
The two carbide blades are reversible to maximize their durability and preserve their material finish.
Comfort and ease of use are a major priority for this tool. It comes with an ergonomic handle, which maximizes your hand’s comfort while minimizing fatigue.
You will also appreciate its low weight and portability as it weighs only 6 pounds.
Despite DeWalt D26677K being one of the fastest electric hand planers in the market, its motor is not the most powerful. Although it has a 5.5-amp output, its power is significantly lower compared to other models we have reviewed.
Pros:
- Very fast cutting speed
- Revisable blades with a high cutting rate
- Lightweight and portable
- Ergonomic handle for comfort and less fatigue
Cons:
- Power is in the lower range
5. Bosch PL1632 – Best Electric Hand Planer for Door Edges
Photo: Bosch
- Power: 6.5 amp, 120 volts
- Speed: 16,500 RPM
- Cutting width: 3-1/4 inches
- Weight: 9.88 pounds
Bosch PL1632 is a great hand planer for removing material off door edges with its advanced dual-mount guide fence.
The fence has a protective shield, which helps achieve steady door edge planing. The guide fence also has a plastic overshoe, which will prevent the accessory from marring your door’s face.
This tool is very powerful. It has a 6.5-amp, 120-volt motor, which rotates a cutting blade at 16,500 RPM for fast material removal and smooth finishes in both softwoods and hardwoods.
Depth planing is made easy by separate inch and metric depth scales.
Also, ease of handling has been enhanced by an optimally-angled handle for effective forward motion. The handle has a soft grip for the comfort of your hand during operation.
Although Bosch PL1632 is built for efficient material removal from the edges of your doors, we did notice that at almost 10 pounds in weight, it is not the lightest, and if you embark on intensive planing, you are bound to feel its bulkiness.
Pros:
- Advanced fence guide for steady planing
- Powerful and fast motor for smooth finishes
- Easier depth planing
- Comfortable and easy to handle
Cons:
- Can feel heavy with extended use
6. Makita KP0810 – Powerful Electric Hand Planer
Photo: Makita
- Power: 7.5 Amp, 120 volts
- Speed: 16,000 RPM
- Cutting width: 3-1/4 inches
- Weight: 7.3 pounds
Makita KP0810 is popular for being a powerful electric hand planer from its motor and speed combination, making it ideal for professional construction framing, installation of doors and windows, and for fine woodworking.
The planer packs a powerful 7.5-amp, 120-volt motors, which produces a blade speed of 16,000 RPM, one of the highest we have recorded.
Its power is translated into superior cutting capabilities through two premium double-edge carbide blades for enhanced performance. The tool also boasts of 3 chamfering groves at the front base for robust chamfering options.
At 7.3 pounds in weight, this planer proves to be one of the lightest models on the market. You will appreciate its low weight and portability, especially during extended use when you must hold and shift it around for long.
Although Makita KP0810 stands out as a powerful electric hand planer, its price is on the higher range and budget users may feel locked out.
Pros:
- Powerful and fast motor
- Dual-edge carbide blades for enhanced performance
- Multiple chamfering groove options for robustness
- Lightweight and portable at 7.3 pounds
Cons:
- Not the cheapest
7. DeWalt DW680K – Versatile Electric Hand Planer
Photo: DeWalt
- Power: 7 Amp, 120 volts
- Speed: 15,000 RPM
- Cutting width: 3-1/4 inches
- Weight: 6.2 pounds
DeWalt DW680K is a versatile electric hand planer, which can accept both steel and carbide cutting blades.
You can fit this planer with large resharpenable high-speed steel blade for your framing and edging projects, or you can fit it with reversible carbide blades for precision and more detailed woodworking.
The blades are driven by a powerful 7-amp, 120-volt motor, which produces a 15,000 RPM speed for smooth and even wood finishes.
To reduce the number of passes you make on your material, the planer has a 3/32-inch maximum cutting depth in a single pass.
We did note, however, that although the DeWalt DW680K is a highly versatile tool, the electric hand planer does not come with a standard dust collection bag, and its odd-shaped dust port won’t fit other bags. You may have to purchase an additional accessory to help fit a dust bag to this tool.
Pros:
- Accepts both steel, and reversible carbide blades for versatility
- A powerful and fast motor
- Optimal material removal per pass
- A calibrated depth adjustment knob
Cons:
- No dust bag included
How to Buy the Best Electric Hand Planers
1. Corded or Cordless Electric Hand Planer
Corded electric hand planers are the most common in the market today, and are largely popular with many woodworkers.
They have a power cord you hook into an AC power source, and then proceed to operate the tools. Corded hand planers are useful when you don’t want your workflow to be interrupted by power interruptions.
Corded hand planers are typically more powerful than cordless ones. Thus, if you have a carpentry workshop or busy worksite with intensive woodworking tasks, a corded model is the best tool.
Cordless hand planers are suitable for people who desire mobility without restrictions. They operate on a battery, hence eliminating the power cord, which is prone to damage or limited tool mobility.
If you opt for a cordless planer, it’s worth noting that the battery may add some extra weight to the tool making it bulky.
2. Power
When shopping for an electric hand planer, it is critical that you get a model whose power output corresponds to the woodworking tasks you intended to execute.
The models we reviewed had power outputs in the range of 5 – 11 amp, 120 volts. 5-amp models have enough power for small or hobby projects. Such planers are also ideal for planing small surfaces.
As you go higher in power output, the planer becomes more suited for heavy-duty and intensive work, for example, when your woodworking projects involve the use of hardwoods. In such a case, a 10-amp planer will deliver exceptional results.
3. Cutting Width
Most electric planers have an industry-standard cutting width of 3-1/4 inches. This is the width you are likely to encounter in almost all the planers we reviewed.
However, some electric hand planers, do have non-standard cutting width. We reviewed one such model with a 6-3/4-inch cutting width. The larger width is ideal if you wish to cover a large surface with each pass of the planer.
Wider cutting widths are ideal for intensive projects that demand continuous planing over a large wood surface.
Cutting width tends to go together with depth. Thus, ensure you consider the cutting depth rating of your tool before buying it.
4. Blade
The cutting blades on your electric planer can be made from different types of metals, the two common ones being high-speed steel and carbide.
Carbide is the most preferred blade material because it is sturdy and retains its sharpness longer than other metals.
Another key consideration to make when it comes to blades is the number. Models with more cutting blades are superior to those with one.
In our review, we encountered models with 2 blades, which enable the planers to cut at a rate twice their RPM. Such cutting efficiency is superior to that of a single blade.
5. Accessories: fence, beveling, sanding, etc.
There are certain key accessories that accompany your planer, which you shouldn’t overlook when buying the tool.
One such accessory is a rabbeting guide, which enables you to make clean rabbets along the edge of your wood. A fence bracket is also a handy accessory that provides more control and accuracy when cutting your wood.
Beveling, or what is popularly known as chamfering in woodworking, also requires a special feature called a chamfer groove. Your planer should have 1 or more chamfer grooves to enable you to create bevels.
Another important accessory is a dust collection bag. The bag catches all the dust ejected from the planer by the blades rotating at high speed.
6. Price and Value
It is important to consider how much you are willing to spend and the value that you derive from the planer you buy.
Planers have a diverse price range based on the brand and the features they offer. We found that the most expensive models are the ones with the most powerful motors or non-standard cutting widths.
If you want a planer for professional and industrial projects, then an expensive one with more power and agility is your best bet.
However, there are many other inexpensive models in the market, which are very powerful and fast. They can deliver equally excellent results, especially on your DIY woodworking projects.
The value you should look for includes a powerful and fast motor, a standard cutting width, a rabbeting guide, chamfer grooves, and depth gauges. If you can get all these features in one tool at an affordable price, then that will be a worthy purchase.
How to Use Electric Hand Planer
Photo: Wen
So, you’ve successfully purchased a high-quality electric hand planer, but how do you maximize on its many benefits? Read the guide below to learn how to use your new tool.
Step 1: Secure your piece of wood firmly on a bench or other surface using clamps. Also, ensure that the wood or workpiece surface has no protruding objects such as nails or screws as they may damage the planer and its blades.
Step 2: Use the knob to adjust the planing depth you wish to apply to the piece of wood.
Step 3: Use the switch provided to select the desired side for the wood chip outlet or dust extraction. This step is possible only if your tool supports dual side extraction. Otherwise, you can attach a dust collection bag or the hose that connects to a dust collector.
Step 4: Place the front of the electric planer on the workpiece (wood) you wish to plane. Ensure the blade is not touching the wood yet.
Step 5: When you switch on the planer and begin planing, apply some more pressure on the front of the tool. Then guide the planer forward in a continuous movement.
When you reach the end of the end, apply more pressure at the back of the planer, and then lift the tool gently after the blades are no longer touching the piece of wood.
Step 6: Use the parking foot at the rear of the planer’s base to prevent the blades from damaging the piece of wood after planing.
Conclusion
Having covered the major planer brands and models extensively, you are now set to purchase your desired tool.
Remember some important factors to consider before making your purchase. Ensure you get a tool with enough power to meet the demands of your woodworking projects.
You may want a corded or cordless planer depending on your preferences. Although most planers have a standard cutting width, custom-width ones are also available.
Finally, check the blade count and material. More blades on our planer translate to more cutting efficiently.
Our top 7 electric hand planer reviews and buying guide will help you pick the best model for your projects and budget.