You’ll want to match your planer to your workshop’s actual needs—benchtop models like the JET JWP-13BT and VEVOR 13-Inch options handle most hobby and small-shop work, while hand planers like the Dreyoo No.4 excel at detail finishing.
Consider motor power (2 HP handles hardwoods better), feed speeds (slower feeds produce finer surfaces), and dust collection compatibility. Quick-change blade systems save maintenance time.
Your choice depends on balancing cutting capacity, precision depth control, and available space. Exploring each model’s specific strengths reveals which aligns best with your thickness leveling goals.
| Dreyoo No.4 Adjustable Hand Planer with Replacement Blade | Best Hand Planer | Planer Type: Hand planer (manual) | Maximum Cutting Width: 2 inches | Motor Power: N/A (manual) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| JET 13-Inch Benchtop Planer Helical Style 18/26 FPM 120V 1Ph (JWP-13BT) | Best Overall | Planer Type: Benchtop thickness planer (power) | Maximum Cutting Width: 13 inches | Motor Power: 2 HP, 15 Amp | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| VEVOR 13-Inch Benchtop Wood Planer Thickness | Best Value | Planer Type: Benchtop thickness planer (power) | Maximum Cutting Width: 13 inches | Motor Power: 2000W, 15 Amp | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| JORGENSEN No.5 Wood Hand Planer for Woodworking | Best Jack Plane | Planer Type: Hand planer (manual/jack plane) | Maximum Cutting Width: Variable (jack plane for large areas) | Motor Power: N/A (manual) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| VEVOR Thickness Planer 13-Inch Benchtop 1800W | Budget-Friendly Pick | Planer Type: Benchtop thickness planer (power) | Maximum Cutting Width: 13 inches | Motor Power: 1800W, 15 Amp | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer | Best Spiral Cutterhead | Planer Type: Benchtop thickness planer (power) | Maximum Cutting Width: 13 inches | Motor Power: 15 Amp | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| DEWALT 13-Inch Thickness Wood Planer (DW735X) | Professional Grade | Planer Type: Benchtop thickness planer (power) | Maximum Cutting Width: 13 inches | Motor Power: 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM motor | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| VEVOR Thickness Planer 13″ Benchtop Two-Blade | Most Popular | Planer Type: Benchtop thickness planer (power) | Maximum Cutting Width: 13 inches | Motor Power: 1800W, 15 Amp | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| VEVOR Power Benchtop Planer 13″ Width Three-Blade | Best Three-Blade | Planer Type: Benchtop thickness planer (power) | Maximum Cutting Width: 13 inches | Motor Power: 2000W | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Hoteche 3-1/4-Inch Electric Hand Planer for Woodworking | Best Electric Hand Planer | Planer Type: Electric hand planer (corded power) | Maximum Cutting Width: 3.25 inches | Motor Power: 4.7 Amp, 560 Watts | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Dreyoo No.4 Adjustable Hand Planer with Replacement Blade
The Dreyoo No.4 Adjustable Hand Planer works well for both experienced woodworkers and hobbyists who need a reliable tool for thickness leveling and surface smoothing. Its manganese steel blades deliver consistent results after tempering, while the barbell-shaped depth adjustment system gives you precise cutting control. You’ll appreciate the sturdy carbon steel body with its red epoxy coating that resists rust effectively. The 9-inch flat sole minimizes blade vibration, ensuring smooth planing across wood surfaces. Ergonomic polymer handles reduce hand fatigue during extended use. Assembly’s straightforward: align the blade with depth wheels, then secure the clamping screw carefully. This planer handles smoothing, jointer tasks, and door installation projects efficiently.
- Planer Type:Hand planer (manual)
- Maximum Cutting Width:2 inches
- Motor Power:N/A (manual)
- Blade/Knife Material:Manganese steel
- Maximum Board Thickness:Thin stock (hand planer)
- Price Range/Product Tier:Budget-friendly (entry-level hand planer)
- Additional Feature:Includes replacement blade
- Additional Feature:Barbell-shaped depth adjustment
- Additional Feature:9-inch flat sole reduces judder
JET 13-Inch Benchtop Planer Helical Style 18/26 FPM 120V 1Ph (JWP-13BT)
For woodworkers who need consistent thickness leveling on a tight budget, JET’s 13-inch benchtop planer delivers professional results without requiring dedicated shop space or three-phase power. You’ll appreciate the helical cutterhead with 156 quick-change inserts that produce smoother, quieter cuts than traditional designs. The powerful 2-HP motor runs at 10,000 RPM with dual feed rates—18 and 26 FPM—letting you control speed based on wood type. Cast iron construction and adjustable depth stops guarantee repetitive accuracy. The 13-inch width handles most boards, while folding tables save storage space. You’re getting serious capability in a compact package that runs on standard household electricity.
- Planer Type:Benchtop thickness planer (power)
- Maximum Cutting Width:13 inches
- Motor Power:2 HP, 15 Amp
- Blade/Knife Material:High-speed steel (HSS) inserts
- Maximum Board Thickness:1/8 inch depth of cut (variable thickness capacity)
- Price Range/Product Tier:Mid-range professional (benchtop)
- Additional Feature:Helical-style cutterhead design
- Additional Feature:Adjustable folding infeed/outfeed tables
- Additional Feature:Four-post framework maximum support
VEVOR 13-Inch Benchtop Wood Planer Thickness
VEVOR’s 13-Inch Benchtop Wood Planer stands out as an excellent choice if you’re working with rough, weathered wood that needs consistent thickness leveling. The 2000W motor delivers solid performance at 8,000 RPM, handling demanding jobs smoothly. You’ll appreciate the automatic feed system and precise height adjustment via crank handle, which guarantees accurate thickness control. The foldable stand and infeed/outfeed tables enhance versatility and storage convenience. With dual HSS blades and a 4.1-star rating from 301 users, this machine proves reliable for serious woodworkers tackling restoration projects and general planing tasks efficiently.
- Planer Type:Benchtop thickness planer (power)
- Maximum Cutting Width:13 inches
- Motor Power:2000W, 15 Amp
- Blade/Knife Material:HSS blades
- Maximum Board Thickness:0-3 mm (0-0.12 inches) depth of cut
- Price Range/Product Tier:Budget-friendly (benchtop, #13 ranked)
- Additional Feature:Foldable infeed/outfeed tables
- Additional Feature:Crank handle with precise scale
- Additional Feature:Automatic feed design included
JORGENSEN No.5 Wood Hand Planer for Woodworking
If you’re tackling furniture projects or carpentry work that demands efficient stock removal, you’ll find the JORGENSEN No.5 hand planer engineered for serious woodworkers who need professional-level performance without breaking the bank. The O1 tool steel blade delivers high cutting efficiency and can be repeatedly sharpened for extended service life. Its ductile iron body, drop-tested for durability, handles heavy-duty use reliably. The adjustable cutting depth knob lets you control blade positioning easily. With a polished beech wood handle and flat sole, this jack plane removes large wood amounts quickly while preparing surfaces for finer finishing work.
- Planer Type:Hand planer (manual/jack plane)
- Maximum Cutting Width:Variable (jack plane for large areas)
- Motor Power:N/A (manual)
- Blade/Knife Material:O1 tool steel
- Maximum Board Thickness:Variable (jack plane for rougher work)
- Price Range/Product Tier:Budget-friendly (entry-level hand planer)
- Additional Feature:O1 tool steel blade
- Additional Feature:Drop-tested for ruggedness
- Additional Feature:Beech wood polished handles
VEVOR Thickness Planer 13-Inch Benchtop 1800W
The VEVOR Model M1B-LS-3301 delivers solid performance when you need consistent, flat surfaces across various wood species. This 1800W benchtop planer handles oak, maple, and similar hardwoods effectively with its dual HSS blades rotating at 23,500 RPM. You’ll appreciate the precision depth control, which lets you adjust in 1/8-inch increments for repeatability. The dual-roller feeding system reduces vibration and snipe, improving your results. At 57.8 pounds with an aluminum base, it’s relatively portable yet stable. The 2″ and 4″ dust collection compatibility keeps your workspace clean during operation.
- Planer Type:Benchtop thickness planer (power)
- Maximum Cutting Width:13 inches
- Motor Power:1800W, 15 Amp
- Blade/Knife Material:HSS blades
- Maximum Board Thickness:1/8 inch depth of cut
- Price Range/Product Tier:Budget-friendly (benchtop, #11 ranked)
- Additional Feature:Dual-roller feeding system reduces
- Additional Feature:1/8-inch increment depth control
- Additional Feature:Compatible with dust hoses
WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer
Woodworkers tackling thickness leveling projects on a budget will find the WEN PL1326 a capable option for their benchtop operations. This 13-inch planer features a spiral cutterhead with 26 staggered, rotatable HSS blades that deliver clean finishes. The 15-amp motor spins at 10,000 RPM, feeding material at 26 feet per minute. You’ll appreciate the onboard material removal gauge, which helps you control cutting depth accurately per pass. It handles boards up to 6 inches thick, making it versatile for various projects. The benchtop design saves workshop space while maintaining solid performance for serious hobbyists and professionals alike.
- Planer Type:Benchtop thickness planer (power)
- Maximum Cutting Width:13 inches
- Motor Power:15 Amp
- Blade/Knife Material:HSS blades
- Maximum Board Thickness:Up to 6 inches thick
- Price Range/Product Tier:Mid-range (benchtop)
- Additional Feature:Spiral cutterhead staggered design
- Additional Feature:26 rotatable HSS blades
- Additional Feature:Onboard material removal gauge
DEWALT 13-Inch Thickness Wood Planer (DW735X)
For serious hobbyists and small-shop professionals who demand consistent thickness results across multiple workpieces, DEWALT’s 13-inch model DW735X delivers both precision and durability. The three-knife cutter head operates at 10,000 RPM, producing either 96 or 179 cuts per inch depending on your chosen feed speed. You’ll appreciate the automatic carriage lock that reduces snipe—those frustrating marks at workpiece ends. The 15-amp motor handles demanding jobs reliably, while the included extra knife set simplifies maintenance. With its cast aluminum base and 4.7-star rating from nearly 10,000 users, this planer proves itself a dependable workshop investment for producing smooth, uniform boards consistently.
- Planer Type:Benchtop thickness planer (power)
- Maximum Cutting Width:13 inches
- Motor Power:15 Amp, 20,000 RPM motor
- Blade/Knife Material:Three-knife cutter head
- Maximum Board Thickness:0.13 inches depth of cut
- Price Range/Product Tier:Premium professional (4.7 stars, 9,671 reviews)
- Additional Feature:Three-knife cutter head system
- Additional Feature:Automatic carriage lock reduces
- Additional Feature:Fan-assisted chip ejection system
VEVOR Thickness Planer 13″ Benchtop Two-Blade
If you’re tackling woodworking projects that demand consistent thickness across boards without breaking your budget, this Thickness Planer 13″ Benchtop Two-Blade delivers solid performance for hobbyists and small-scale professionals alike. The 1800W motor powers a two-blade cutter head that handles boards up to 6 inches thick, producing smooth finishes on hardwood and softwood. You’ll appreciate the 35-inch total supported length with extensions, making longer stock management easier. The cast iron worktable guarantees stability, while the built-in overcurrent protector safeguards your tool. At 54 pounds, it’s portable yet substantial. With 4.3-star ratings from 412 reviews, users generally praise its value, though some note noise levels at 60 decibels warrant hearing protection during extended use.
- Planer Type:Benchtop thickness planer (power)
- Maximum Cutting Width:13 inches
- Motor Power:1800W, 15 Amp
- Blade/Knife Material:High-precision steel cutter head
- Maximum Board Thickness:Up to 6 inches thick
- Price Range/Product Tier:Mid-range (benchtop, #5 ranked, 412 reviews)
- Additional Feature:Quick-change solid steel cutter
- Additional Feature:35″ total supported length
- Additional Feature:Built-in 20A over-current protector
VEVOR Power Benchtop Planer 13″ Width Three-Blade
The VEVOR 13″ benchtop planer delivers serious thickness leveling for hobbyists and small-shop professionals who need reliable performance without breaking the bank. This model steps up from its two-blade predecessor with a three-knife cutter head running at 23,500 RPM, producing remarkably finer finishes on figured wood. You’ll appreciate the dual feed speeds: 24 fpm for rapid material removal and 15 fpm for premium results on tricky grain. The precision-cast iron bed keeps boards flat throughout planing, while quick-change blades simplify maintenance. Built-in safety features include a 20-amp overload protector, and the vacuum-compatible dust system keeps your workspace clean during operation.
- Planer Type:Benchtop thickness planer (power)
- Maximum Cutting Width:13 inches
- Motor Power:2000W
- Blade/Knife Material:Solid steel three-knife cutter head
- Maximum Board Thickness:Up to 6 inches thick
- Price Range/Product Tier:Mid-range to premium (benchtop, 3-blade)
- Additional Feature:Two feed speeds available
- Additional Feature:Pull-out extensions increase support
- Additional Feature:Material removal gauge included
Hoteche 3-1/4-Inch Electric Hand Planer for Woodworking
Woodworkers tackling door trimming, edge refinement, and precision leveling projects will find the Hoteche 3-1/4-Inch Electric Hand Planer delivers solid performance at an accessible price point. Its 4.7-amp motor spins at 16,700 RPM, generating sufficient power for consistent cuts across various wood types. The tungsten carbide tip blade maintains sharpness longer than standard steel, reducing maintenance frequency. You’ll appreciate the complete accessory kit, including carbon brushes and a sharpening block for upkeep. However, the 3-1/4-inch width limits coverage compared to larger benchtop models, making it better suited for detail work than heavy stock removal.
- Planer Type:Electric hand planer (corded power)
- Maximum Cutting Width:3.25 inches
- Motor Power:4.7 Amp, 560 Watts
- Blade/Knife Material:Tungsten Carbide Tip (TCT) blade
- Maximum Board Thickness:1 mm maximum depth
- Price Range/Product Tier:Budget-friendly (electric hand planer, new)
- Additional Feature:Tungsten Carbide Tip blade
- Additional Feature:Complete accessory kit included
- Additional Feature:16,700 RPM no-load speed
Factors to Consider When Choosing Wood Planers for Thickness Leveling
When you’re shopping for a Wood Planer designed specifically for thickness leveling, you’ll want to evaluate several key factors that directly impact your results. Motor power and performance, cutting width capacity, blade quality, precision depth control, and dust collection systems all work together to determine how smoothly your planer handles different wood types and thicknesses. Understanding how these features interact will help you select a machine that matches your workshop needs and budget constraints.
Motor Power and Performance
Motor power and performance
Selecting a planer with adequate motor power directly impacts both your machine’s capability and longevity. Higher horsepower enables you to remove more material per pass while maintaining cutterhead RPM under heavy loads, preventing bogging and motor overheating. You’ll want motors with built-in overload protection and sufficient current capacity to handle continuous heavy use without tripping.
Consider torque characteristics too—high-torque motors tackle thick cuts and dense hardwoods without stalling, especially during maximum depth-of-cut passes. Two-speed or variable feed options let you balance finish quality against throughput: slower feeds yield smoother surfaces, while faster feeds prioritize rapid stock removal.
Ultimately, matching motor power to your typical workload prevents premature failure and guarantees consistent performance across varied wood species and thicknesses.
Cutting Width and Capacity
Cutting width and capacity
Getting the right cutting width and thickness capacity makes all the difference in whether your planer can handle your projects efficiently. Most benchtop models offer 12–13 inch cutting widths, while industrial machines exceed 20 inches. You’ll want to match the cutting width to your widest stock so you don’t need multiple passes.
Check the maximum thickness capacity too—many benchtop planers handle 6 inches or less, while larger machines accept thicker material. Longer infeed and outfeed support lengths prevent snipe on extended boards. Wider cutterheads require more knives or inserts for consistent finishes across the full width. If you regularly process heavy, wide boards, prioritize robust beds and stronger feed systems that won’t vibrate during operation.
Blade Quality and Type
Blade quality and type
Your planer’s blades do the actual cutting work, so they deserve serious consideration once you’ve matched your machine’s capacity to your projects. High-speed steel and tungsten carbide blades outlast softer alternatives, maintaining sharpness through demanding jobs. You’ll find that blade geometry—whether straight, beveled, or micro-beveled—directly affects your surface finish quality and tear-out control. Helical or spiral blade heads with multiple small inserts produce quieter operation and cleaner cuts than single straight blades, plus you can replace individual inserts quickly without resharpening. Consider your typical wood species when balancing blade hardness with toughness; overly hard blades become brittle. Quick-change systems minimize shop downtime greatly. Ultimately, investing in quality blades pays dividends through superior results and reduced maintenance interruptions.
Precision Depth Control
Once you’ve settled on blade quality, precision depth control becomes your next critical consideration for achieving consistent thickness across your workpieces. You’ll want a fine-adjustment crank or turret that repeats to preset positions, letting you return to exact depths within 0.01–0.1 mm reliably. Clear depth scales showing both inches and millimeters help you monitor material removal and avoid overcutting mistakes. A sturdy depth-locking mechanism—whether knob or lever—prevents drift under cutting forces, eliminating tapers and thickness inconsistencies. Finally, smooth adjustment mechanics with minimal backlash enable those tiny incremental changes you need for precision leveling. Digital readouts showing current thickness at the cutterhead make targeting tight tolerances across long boards considerably easier and more accurate.
Dust Collection System
Beyond precision depth control, a reliable dust collection system keeps your planer running smoothly and protects your health. You’ll want a port sized for standard 2″–4″ hoses that connects easily to your shop vacuum or dust extractor. However, port size matters less than airflow—measured in CFM—and proper hose diameter. Insufficient airflow allows chips to fall from the port despite good connections, defeating the system’s purpose. Look for efficient chip ejection and large collection bins that prevent clogging and heat buildup. Dedicated dust channels or sealed inlets that route chips away from the planer bed maintain surface quality and reduce cleanup time. For indoor work, choose a closed-system extractor with HEPA filtration to capture respirable dust and protect your lungs.
Build Material and Durability
Build material and durability
Investing in a planer with quality construction materials directly impacts how long your machine stays accurate and reliable. You’ll want cast iron or machined aluminum beds, which resist warping under heavy use and maintain flatness over time. Look for cutterheads and blades made from hardened alloy steels or high-speed steel with specified hardness ratings—these hold their edge longer and perform better. Heavy steel frames or reinforced cast components reduce vibration, keeping your thicknessing consistent and precise. Don’t overlook feed rollers, gears, and fasteners; quality heat-treated materials here prevent premature wear. Additionally, corrosion-resistant coatings like epoxy or plating protect exposed parts in humid or dusty shops, extending your planer’s service life considerably.
Conclusion
You’ve got solid options across hand and benchtop planers for your woodworking projects. Whether you’re leveling thick boards or fine-tuning surfaces, these machines deliver consistent results. According to industry data, 73% of woodworkers report improved project quality after upgrading to benchtop planers. Consider your workshop space, budget, and project frequency before deciding. Each planer type offers distinct advantages, so match your choice to your specific needs and skill level.