Best Power Handheld Planers of 2026
* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Power handheld planers are versatile tools that can be used for a variety of woodworking applications. These handheld planers are designed to quickly and easily shave off thin layers of wood from the surface of a board, allowing for precise and smooth finishes. They are ideal for leveling uneven surfaces, chamfering edges, and creating rabbets or grooves. With their powerful motors and adjustable blade depths, power handheld planers can handle a wide range of materials, from softwoods to hardwoods. They are a must-have tool for any serious woodworker or DIY enthusiast looking to achieve professional-level results.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Power Handheld Planers
WEN 6530 Electric Hand Planer
The WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer is a powerful tool with a 6 Amp motor that can provide up to 34,000 cuts per minute. This electric hand planer has 16 positive stops that allow you to adjust the cutting depth anywhere from 0 to 1/8 inches. With the included 5/16 inch rabbeting guide, you can make rabbets up to 1 inch in size. The lightweight design of this planer weighs in at a mere 6 pounds, making it easy to handle and transport.
BOSCH PL2632K Woodworking Hand Planer
The Bosch PL2632K Jointer Planer is a lightweight and powerful tool that features a 6.5 amp Planer and 16,500 RPM speed for fast stock removal and smooth finish in both soft and hard wood. It is convenient with an ambidextrous lock-off release button and a lock-on button for extended operation. The aluminum front and rear shoes are precision-machined for accuracy, and the tool has a machined groove for chamfering and sanding. The versatile two-blade hand plane system can be converted for use with large high-speed steel blades, and the dual-mount guide fence can be mounted on either side of the tool.
WEN 6534 8-Amp Electric Hand Planer
The WEN 6534 8-Amp Electric Hand Planer is a powerful tool with a motor that can provide up to 32,000 cuts per minute. With a 4-3/8-Inch cutting capacity, it can easily handle planing 2x4s and 4x4s. The 16 positive stops allow the user to adjust the cutting depth anywhere from 0 to 1/8 inches. The two-way dust port shoots loose shavings to either the left or right depending on user preference, making cleanup easier.
WEN 6528 Electric Hand Planer
The WEN 6528 Electric Hand Planer is a powerful and lightweight tool that is perfect for any woodworking project. With its 3.8-amp motor, it can provide up to 32,000 cuts per minute, ensuring smooth and precise cuts every time. The nine positive stops allow you to easily adjust the cutting depth anywhere from 0 to 1/16 inches, giving you complete control over the thickness of your wood. Weighing only 4.3 pounds, this planer is easy to maneuver and reduces fatigue during extended use. It also features an onboard storage slot for the blade adjustment wrench and a kickstand to prevent damage to your workpiece. Backed by a two-year warranty, the WEN 6528 Electric Hand Planer is a reliable and convenient tool for all your woodworking needs.
Ryobi 18V ONE+ Cordless Planer P611
The Ryobi 18V ONE+ Cordless Planer P611 features an automatic kickstand that prevents marring of workpiece, and can cut up to 1/16 inch per pass for maximum versatility. Its convenient on-board blade wrench storage makes blade changing easy. Battery and charger are sold separately. This item is shipped in a generic box, removed from retail packaging.
DEWALT 20V MAX Planer with Brushless Motor
The DEWALT 20V MAX Planer is a powerful hand planer that features a brushless motor, providing both power and runtime. With a fast removal rate of 30,000 cuts per minute, this planer has a maximum depth of cut of 5/64-inch (2 mm.). The calibrated depth adjustment knob allows for precision cuts, and the precision-machined front and back aluminum shoes ensure parallelism. The planer also has a kickstand for resting on work surfaces and a precision-machined groove for edge chamfering. The ergonomically designed handle provides comfort, and the poly-V drive belt provides increased belt durability. Replacement blades are available with the part number DW6654.
SKIL 6.5 AMP Electric Corded Planer
This SKIL 6.5 AMP Electric 3-1/4 Inch Corded Planer is a powerful handheld tool that can help you with your woodworking projects. It has a compact size and lightweight design, making it easy to maneuver and store. The planer comes with a package dimension of 34.9 H x 17.5 L x 20.9 W (centimeters) and a weight of 3.483 kilograms, which makes it portable and convenient for outdoor projects. This corded planer is made in China and is a great choice for DIY enthusiasts and professionals in the woodworking industry.
VEVOR Electric Hand Planer 3-1/4-Inch 710W
The VEVOR Electric Hand Planer is designed to make your woodworking easier and more precise. Its powerful motor lets you plane wood smoothly and evenly, reducing effort and giving you better control. You can make precise cuts up to 3-1/4 inches wide and 0.20mm deep, helping you achieve detailed and accurate results. It also features dual dust extraction slots that let you connect to dust bags or a vacuum, keeping your workspace clean and free of debris. Plus, the polished aluminum baseplate and V-shaped guide groove help the planer glide smoothly without getting stuck, giving you a seamless finish every time.
Makita GA9060RX3 Concrete Surface Planer
The Makita Concrete Planer is designed to make your concrete surfacing tasks cleaner and more efficient. Its dust extraction shroud helps capture dust right at the source, keeping your work area cleaner and reducing airborne particles. The powerful 15.0 AMP motor runs at 6,600 RPM, giving you reliable performance and durability for tough jobs. With the soft start feature, the planer starts smoothly, preventing sudden jolts and extending the life of its gears. Additionally, the anti-restart protection ensures the tool won’t accidentally turn on after a power outage, keeping you safe and in control.
PORTER-CABLE Hand Planer, 6-Amp
The PORTER-CABLE Hand Planer, 6-Amp, 5/64-Inch (PC60THP) is a powerful electric hand planer with a heavy-duty 6 amp motor, 16,500 rpm for smooth material removal, and dual side dust extraction. The overmold depth knob with 10 positive steps and 3 chamfering grooves allow for better planer control and multiple depth control settings, while the 11.5-inch cast aluminum shoe provides added control and better finish quality. With a 5/64-inch depth of cut, this hand planer can remove excess material in less time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are electric hand planers worth it?
Yes, electric hand planers are worth it. They have powerful motors and can handle larger tasks, allowing for faster completion with less effort compared to traditional hand planers.
2. What is the difference between a hand planer and a planer?
An electric planer operates similarly to a hand planer but uses electric power. Electric planers are larger and heavier than hand planers and are designed for smoothening surfaces to achieve an even and smooth finish.
3. What is better, a hand planer or an electric planer?
While hand planers are generally cheaper, electric planers offer more power and convenience. Electric planers are recommended for larger tasks and provide faster results with less physical effort.
4. What should you not use a planer for?
Planers are designed specifically for flattening a board's top and bottom surfaces. They are not suitable for creating square edges or cleaning up the sides of a board. For these tasks, a jointer or table saw would be more appropriate.
5. What should you not do with a planer?
When using a planer, never run materials containing nails, screws, or other metallic objects. Do not remove debris unless the planer has come to a complete stop and is locked out. Avoid looking into the planer while it is running, and never stand in front of or behind stock going through the planer.
6. What is the best wood for a hand planer?
Various woods can be used for making hand planers, including beech, goncalvo alves, apple, pear, hornbeam, cherry, ash, oak, and birch. Some woodworkers also add a separate sole of rosewood or pau ferro for added stability and durability.
During our power handheld planer research, we found 24 power handheld planer products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 94,336 customer reviews through our big data system to write the power handheld planers list. We found that most customers choose power handheld planers with an average price of $101.27.
The power handheld planers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of power handheld planers, including WEN, Bosch, RYOBI, DEWALT, Skil. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Harry Stack owns a small hardware store, his career landed him a depth of knowledge in categories such as tools, equipment, machinery and hardware. In his spare time, he usually repairs furniture, safes and appliances, and he knows how to make simple repairs to plumbing or electrical fixtures. His hobbies also include woodworking and fishing.
Power Handheld Planers Comparison Table
|
#TOP1
|
#TOP2
|
#TOP3
|
#TOP4
|
#TOP5
|
#TOP6
|
#TOP7
|
#TOP8
|
#TOP9
|
#TOP10
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | WEN | Bosch | WEN | WEN | RYOBI | DEWALT | Skil | VEVOR | Makita | PORTER-CABLE |
| Material | Aluminum, Plastic | Plastic | Metal | Wood | Plastic Metal | Blend | Metal, Plastic | Aluminum | Metal | Aluminum |
| Color | Orange | Black | Black | Black | Greyyellow | Multi | Multi | Black | Teal | Hand Planer |
| Item Weight | 6.5 Pounds | 14.53 Pounds | 9.5 Pounds | 4.3 Pounds | 5.6 Pounds | 7.4 Pounds | 5.99 Pounds | 6.6 Pounds | - | 8.19 Pounds |
| FTB Score |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Where to Buy |