Top 10 Benchtop Thickness Planers in 2027 — Best Overall plus Best Value

Direct Answer

For 2027, the Best Overall benchtop thickness planer is the DEWALT DW735X at $729, the 13-inch, 15-amp, three-knife workhorse whose 19-3/4-inch cast-aluminum base, two-speed gearbox (96 or 179 cuts per inch), and built-in fan-assisted chip ejection make it the most reliable lunchbox planer money can buy — and it accepts a drop-in helical cutterhead when you want quieter, tear-out-free finishes.

The Best Value pick is the WEN PL1326 at $397, a 13-inch spiral-cutterhead planer with 26 staggered, rotatable HSS inserts that delivers finish quality close to premium machines for roughly half the price. This list is for hobbyist and pro woodworkers running a one-car-garage or small-pro shop who need to dimension hardwood and softwood boards up to 13 inches wide without buying a stationary planer.

Bold picks below name real, currently shipping models with real specs and realistic street prices.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted the things that actually separate a great benchtop planer from a frustrating one: surface finish, cutterhead type, capacity, power, build, and price. We cross-checked specs and field reports against Pro Tool Reviews, Wood Magazine, Fine Woodworking, ToolGuyd, and active woodworking forums (Woodworking Talk, Festool Owners Group), then validated dimensions and prices against manufacturer spec sheets from DEWALT, Makita, WEN, RIKON, Cutech, and Grizzly.

• Finish quality (snipe, cutterhead) — 25%
• Helical vs straight knives — 20%
• Width and depth capacity — 15%
• Feed speeds and power — 15%
• Build and dust collection — 15%
• Price-to-performance — 10%

1. DEWALT DW735X 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Price: $729 | Best for: Serious hobbyists and pros who want the most proven 13-inch lunchbox planer

The DW735X is the planer every other model gets measured against. It runs a 15-amp, 20,000 RPM motor spinning a three-knife cutterhead at 10,000 RPM, with a two-speed gearbox letting you pick 96 or 179 cuts per inch for either fast stock removal or a glass-smooth finishing pass.

Max width is 13 inches, max thickness is 6 inches, and the 19-3/4-inch cast-aluminum base is roughly twice as rigid as a standard 10-inch base, which keeps snipe under control. The DW735X bundle adds folding infeed and outfeed tables plus an extra set of knives, and its fan-assisted chip ejection blows shavings straight out the dust port instead of clogging.

A drop-in helical cutterhead upgrade (about $280 to $435 aftermarket) converts it to a quiet, tear-out-free machine when you work figured grain.

Pros:

• Two feed speeds dial in finish vs speed on the fly
• Fan-assisted chip ejection clears shavings most planers leave behind
• Rigid cast base and tables minimize snipe better than most lunchbox units
• Huge accessory and helical-upgrade ecosystem

Cons:

• Heaviest and loudest in the class with the stock straight knives
• Premium price before you even add the helical head

Verdict: The default recommendation for almost everyone — buy it once, run it for a decade.

2. RIKON 25-135H 💎 (premium helical alternative)

Price: $599 | Best for: Buyers who want a true helical-style head out of the box

The RIKON 25-135H plane is a 13-inch portable that ships with a 6-row helical-style cutterhead carrying 26 HSS inserts in an alternating pattern, which produces very smooth surfaces with minimal tear-out on curly and quartersawn stock. Because each insert shears rather than chops, it runs noticeably quieter than a straight-knife unit, and a nicked insert rotates or swaps individually instead of replacing a full-width knife.

It handles boards up to 13 inches wide and roughly 6 inches thick with a 15-amp motor. For woodworkers who want helical performance without the DW735X plus aftermarket-head math, the RIKON arrives ready to cut figured hardwood cleanly.

Pros:

• 6-row helical-style head for tear-out-free figured grain
• Quieter than straight-knife competitors
• Individually rotatable inserts lower long-term knife cost

Cons:

• HSS inserts dull faster than tungsten carbide
• Snipe control trails the DEWALT on long boards

Verdict: The best out-of-the-box helical buy if you do not want to upgrade a head yourself.

3. Cutech 40600H

Price: $549 | Best for: Heavy hardwood users who want carbide inserts

The Cutech 40600H is a 13-inch spiral-cutterhead benchtop planer running 26 two-sided tungsten-carbide inserts at a 10,000 RPM cutterhead speed, with a 1/8-inch max depth of cut, 6-inch max stock thickness, and a 26 feet-per-minute feed rate. Its standout feature is a patented snipe-minimizer system using four lead screws and a coupling design that keeps the head parallel and automatically tames snipe at board ends.

Carbide inserts hold an edge far longer than HSS under heavy use, making this the pick for shops planing a lot of dense hardwood.

Pros:

• Tungsten-carbide inserts for the longest edge life in the class
• Four-lead-screw snipe minimizer keeps ends flat
• True spiral head for clean, quiet cuts

Cons:

• Single feed speed limits finish-pass tuning
• Smaller dealer and parts network than DEWALT

Verdict: Buy it if you plane figured hardwood by the hundreds of board feet and value carbide.

4. WEN PL1326 💎 BEST VALUE

Price: $397 | Best for: Home shops wanting spiral-head quality on a budget

The WEN PL1326 delivers spiral-cutterhead performance at a price that makes sense for most home shops. It carries a spiral cutterhead with 26 staggered, rotatable HSS blades, a 15-amp motor spinning the head over 10,000 RPM, a 26-feet-per-minute feed rate, and capacity for boards up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches thick.

You get most of the quiet, low-tear-out benefit of a helical head — and the cheap-to-rotate inserts — for roughly half the cost of premium machines. For occasional-to-regular weekend woodworking, it is the easiest planer to recommend on price-to-performance.

Pros:

• Spiral head with 26 rotatable inserts at a budget price
• Quieter and cleaner than straight-knife units near this cost
• Full 13-inch width and 6-inch thickness capacity

Cons:

• HSS inserts wear faster than carbide
• Lighter build shows more snipe than the DEWALT

Verdict: The smartest dollar-for-dollar planer in 2027 — our Best Value without hesitation.

5. Makita 2012NB

Price: $689 | Best for: Finish carpenters who prize quiet operation and portability

The Makita 2012NB is the quietest mainstream lunchbox planer, operating around a remarkably low 83 dB, with a reputation for decades-long durability. It is a 12-inch, straight-knife machine with Makita's Interna-Lok automated head clamp that meaningfully reduces snipe — long a benchmark for end-of-board flatness.

Its lighter weight makes it the friendliest to move between jobsite and bench, and its disposable double-edged knives swap fast. You give up the helical option and a bit of width, but you gain class-leading noise and refinement.

Pros:

• 83 dB operation — by far the quietest here
• Interna-Lok head clamp delivers excellent snipe control
• Light and durable for portability

Cons:

• 12-inch width is narrower than 13-inch rivals
• Straight knives only — no factory helical option

Verdict: The pick when noise and portability matter more than raw width.

6. Ridgid R4331

Price: $449 | Best for: Value buyers who want a 3-blade planer with a built-in stand

The Ridgid R4331 is a 13-inch, three-knife planer that boards up to 13 inches wide and roughly 6 inches thick, driven by a 15-amp motor. Ridgid pairs it with an integrated handle and stand design, plus an indexed thickness scale and repeat-cut depth stop that make returning to a target thickness fast.

It is a straight-knife machine, so finish is good rather than helical-smooth, but its capacity, depth stop, and warranty make it a strong mid-budget contender for general shop work.

Pros:

• Repeat-cut depth stop for fast, consistent thicknessing
• Full 13-inch capacity with a 15-amp motor
• Strong warranty and parts support

Cons:

• Straight knives mean more tear-out on figured grain
• More snipe than the DEWALT on long stock

Verdict: A practical, well-supported straight-knife planer at a fair price.

7. Craftsman CMEW320

Price: $399 | Best for: Beginners building a first shop on a tight budget

The Craftsman CMEW320 is a 12.5-inch benchtop planer with a 15-amp motor and a two-knife straight cutterhead spinning around 10,000 RPM. It covers the fundamentals — a thickness scale, depth adjustment, and dust port — for woodworkers dimensioning softwoods and mild hardwoods.

It is not a finishing showpiece, but for the price it reliably flattens and thicknesses construction lumber and simple project stock, making it a sensible entry point before stepping up to a spiral or helical machine.

Pros:

• Approachable price for a name-brand 12.5-inch planer
• 15-amp motor with adequate stock-removal power
• Simple controls that are easy for beginners

Cons:

• Two straight knives leave more tear-out and snipe
• Narrower 12.5-inch capacity

Verdict: A fine first planer; plan to upgrade once you are hooked.

8. Grizzly G0505

Price: $425 | Best for: Jobsite users who want a tough, simple straight-knife planer

The Grizzly G0505 is a 12.5-inch, 2 HP benchtop planer with a 10,000 RPM cutterhead and a fast 32 feet-per-minute feed rate — the quickest mover here. It uses two heat-treated HSS knives that are 1/8-inch thick rather than the thinner 1/16-inch knives on most portables, so they hold up to jobsite abuse.

Extra-large infeed and outfeed table extensions plus top-mounted return rollers help with longer boards. At about 78 pounds, it is solid without being immovable, and it can take an aftermarket spiral head (Sheartak and others) later.

Pros:

• Thick 1/8-inch HSS knives built for abuse
• Fast 32 FPM feed clears stock quickly
• Large tables and return rollers for long boards

Cons:

• 12.5-inch width and straight knives
• Heavier and louder than refined rivals

Verdict: A rugged, fast straight-knife planer that upgrades to spiral when you are ready.

9. JET 13-inch Helical-Style Benchtop Planer

Price: $799 | Best for: Shop owners who want JET helical refinement on the bench

JET's 13-inch helical-style benchtop planer brings the brand's stationary-tool engineering down to a lunchbox footprint, pairing a multi-row helical-style cutterhead with a 15-amp motor for clean, quiet cuts on 13-inch-wide, roughly 6-inch-thick stock. The helical inserts shear the grain to limit tear-out on figured wood, rotate individually when nicked, and run quieter than straight knives.

It is the priciest benchtop here, but buyers already invested in the JET ecosystem get matching fit, finish, and dealer support.

Pros:

• Helical-style head for low tear-out and quieter cuts
• JET build quality and dealer network
• Full 13-inch capacity

Cons:

• Highest price on the list
• Heaviest helical benchtop option

Verdict: A premium helical bench planer for buyers who value the JET name and support.

10. PORTER-CABLE PC305TP

Price: $369 | Best for: The cheapest entry into a 12.5-inch name-brand planer

The PORTER-CABLE PC305TP is a 12.5-inch, 15-amp benchtop planer with a two-knife straight cutterhead, a thickness scale, and a basic dust port. It is the budget floor of this list — light, simple, and adequate for softwood and occasional hardwood dimensioning. Finish and snipe control trail every spiral and helical option above, but for someone who needs a planer a few weekends a year and will not push it hard, it gets boards to thickness without much fuss.

Pros:

• Lowest price for a name-brand 12.5-inch planer
• Light and easy to move and store
• Simple to learn for first-time users

Cons:

• Straight knives and modest snipe control
• Least refined finish in the lineup

Verdict: The bare-budget choice when a spiral head is just out of reach.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Buying a Thickness Planer

• Finish quality and snipe control — The single biggest differentiator. Look for a rigid base, an automated head lock (like Makita's Interna-Lok) or a multi-lead-screw system (like Cutech's), and supportive infeed/outfeed tables to keep board ends from dipping.
• Helical or spiral cutterhead — Carbide or HSS inserts arranged in rows shear the grain for quiet, tear-out-free cuts, and a nicked insert rotates or swaps individually instead of forcing a full-knife change. This is the upgrade most owners value most.
• Width and depth capacity — A true 13-inch width handles most glue-up panels; 12.5-inch units cover the majority of furniture stock. Confirm max thickness (usually around 6 inches).
• Feed speeds and power — A 15-amp motor is standard; a two-speed gearbox (like the DEWALT's 96/179 cuts per inch) lets you trade speed for a finer finish.
• Build and infeed/outfeed tables — Heavier cast bases and longer tables tame snipe; return rollers help when feeding long boards solo.
• Dust collection — Fan-assisted ejection (DEWALT) clears chips far better than a passive port; pair any planer with a real dust collector.
• Knife cost — Rotatable inserts are cheap to refresh; full-width straight knives cost more per change.

Matters less than marketing implies: A helical head costs more up front, and budget guides love to argue it is optional. It is not a gimmick — for figured hardwood it genuinely earns its keep in quieter cuts and far less tear-out — but if you only plane softwood and construction lumber, a good straight-knife planer with strong snipe control will serve you fine and save real money.

FAQ

What is the best benchtop thickness planer in 2027? The DEWALT DW735X at $729 is our Best Overall for its two-speed gearbox, rigid cast base, fan-assisted chip ejection, and the option to drop in a helical head later.

What is the best value thickness planer? The WEN PL1326 at $397 is our Best Value — a 13-inch spiral cutterhead with 26 rotatable HSS inserts that delivers near-premium finish for roughly half the price of helical machines.

Is a helical or spiral cutterhead worth the extra money? For figured hardwood, yes. The inserts shear the grain for quieter, tear-out-free cuts and rotate individually when nicked. If you only plane softwood, a good straight-knife planer is fine.

How do I stop snipe on a benchtop planer? Use supportive infeed/outfeed tables, lift the board slightly as it enters and exits, take light final passes, and favor planers with head locks or multi-lead-screw designs like the Makita 2012NB and Cutech 40600H.

What width and thickness can these planers handle? Most 13-inch models accept boards up to 13 inches wide and about 6 inches thick; 12.5-inch units like the Grizzly G0505 and Craftsman cover most furniture stock.

Can I add a helical head to a straight-knife planer? Yes. The DEWALT DW735X and Grizzly G0505 both accept aftermarket helical or spiral cutterheads (roughly $280 to $435), letting you upgrade finish quality without buying a new machine.

Bottom Line

For 2027, buy the DEWALT DW735X at $729 if you want the most proven, upgrade-friendly 13-inch benchtop planer — it is our Best Overall and the safe choice for nearly every shop. If budget leads, the WEN PL1326 at $397 is our Best Value, giving you spiral-cutterhead finish for about half the money.

Want a true helical head out of the box, the quietest machine, or the cheapest entry instead? Run the Buyer Decision Tree above to route yourself to the right pick.

Sources

• Pro Tool Reviews — benchtop and thickness planer coverage
• Wood Magazine — planer reviews and tool tests
• Fine Woodworking — thickness planer tool guides
• ToolGuyd — JET 13-inch helical-style benchtop planer
• DEWALT DW735X spec sheet (Amazon listing)
• Makita 2012NB and RIKON lunchbox planer discussion (Festool Owners Group)
• WEN PL1326 spiral benchtop planer (Slickdeals listing)
• RIKON 25-135H 6-row helical-style portable planer (Amazon spec page)
• Cutech 40600H 13-inch spiral cutterhead planer spec sheet
• Grizzly G0505 12.5-inch benchtop planer spec sheet

*Thickness planer review — benchtop planer reviews, rating, best thickness planer 2027, and a review of the top woodworking picks for buyers.*