Real data, ranked. No fluff, no filler.

The 10 Best Benchtop Thickness Planers

Benchtop planers for milling rough lumber to thickness, ranked from live Amazon data.

Ranked by ToolboxTop10 from Amazon data captured Oct 10, 2026. How we rank

A benchtop thickness planer turns rough or uneven boards into flat, parallel stock at the exact thickness you want. We ranked 10 best-sellers from DEWALT, WEN, CRAFTSMAN, JET, RIKON and Cutech on rating, review volume and features (a helical cutterhead, two feed speeds, snipe control and 13-inch capacity). The DEWALT DW735X is the long-running favorite; helical heads cost more but cut quieter and smoother.

Best Overall DEWALT 13-Inch Two-Speed Thickness Planer with Tables and Extra Knives (DW735X)
DEWALT
DEWALT 13-Inch Two-Speed Thickness Planer with Tables and Extra Knives (DW735X)
4.7 (7,511)
$659
View on Amazon →
Best Budget CRAFTSMAN 12.25 In. Benchtop Thickness Planer, 15 Amp, Two Knife (CMEW320)
CRAFTSMAN
CRAFTSMAN 12.25 In. Benchtop Thickness Planer, 15 Amp, Two Knife (CMEW320)
4.6 (1,507)
$299
View on Amazon →
Money No Object JET JWP-13BT 13-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer, Helical Cutterhead, 2-Speed, 2 HP
JET
JET JWP-13BT 13-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer, Helical Cutterhead, 2-Speed, 2 HP
4.2 (175)
$934.99
View on Amazon →

Which one is for you?

Where the deals are

The tools ranked here come from DEWALT, WEN, JET, RIKON, CRAFTSMAN, and Cutech. Prices on these brands move week to week on Amazon, and the deepest cuts usually land around Prime Day and Black Friday. Every price button on this page opens the live listing, so you always see today's number, not the one we captured on 2026-10-10. If your pick is over budget right now, check back in a few days — DEWALT and WEN rotate through sales and bundle deals often.

Side-by-side comparison

Swipe the table sideways for more columns →

#ToolPriceRatingReviewsWidthCutterhead2-speedHelicalScore
1DEWALT DW735X$6594.77,51113 in3 knivesYesNo90
2DEWALT DW735$6594.72,21413 in3 knivesYesNo85
3WEN PL1326$438.984.773613 inSpiral, 26 HSS insertsNoYes78
4JET JWP-13BT$934.994.217513 inHelical, 26 HSS insertsYesYes78
5DEWALT DW734$450.544.72,75912-1/2 in3 knivesNoNo77
6RIKON 25-135H$6994.65413 inHelical, 26 HSS insertsYesYes77
7WEN PL1337$604.994.69113 inSpiral, 26 HSS insertsYesYes75
8CRAFTSMAN CMEW320$2994.61,50712.25 in2 knivesNoNo70
9Cutech 40700H$424.994.82512-1/2 inSpiral, carbide insertsNoYes67
10WEN PL1252$296.124.652412.5 in2 knivesNoNo66
✕WOODERS PL13-15AB$279.994.2502,000 W from a 15 A motor; '4 blades' is 2 plus sparesAVOID

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The full ranking

#1
DEWALT 13-Inch Two-Speed Thickness Planer with Tables and Extra Knives (DW735X)
Best Overall
DEWALT

DEWALT 13-Inch Two-Speed Thickness Planer with Tables and Extra Knives (DW735X)

4.7 7,511 reviews
Score 90/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score94/100 → 42 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score99/100 → 35 pts
  • Features 20% of score65/100 → 13 pts

Has: a 2-speed gearbox, snipe control, width 13. Missing: helical.

Total: 90/100. How the score works

$659
Check price on Amazon
500+/mo

The best-selling and most-reviewed planer here. It has a two-speed gearbox, a three-knife head, fan-assisted chip ejection, an automatic carriage lock against snipe, and the X kit adds infeed and outfeed tables and a spare set of knives.

Best for: Serious hobby shops that mill rough lumber regularly.

Skip it if: You want a helical head; this uses straight knives.

Max width
13 in
Cutterhead
3 knives
Feed speeds
2 speeds (96 or 179 CPI)
Extras
Infeed/outfeed tables, extra knives, fan-assisted chip ejection, auto carriage lock

Pros

  • 7,511 reviews; 500+ sold last month
  • Tables and spare knives included
  • Automatic carriage lock, 3-year warranty

Cons

  • Straight knives, not helical
  • Loud, like every knife planer
#2
DEWALT 13-Inch Two-Speed Thickness Planer, 3 Knife (DW735)
DEWALT

DEWALT 13-Inch Two-Speed Thickness Planer, 3 Knife (DW735)

4.7 2,214 reviews
Score 85/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score94/100 → 42 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score86/100 → 30 pts
  • Features 20% of score65/100 → 13 pts

Has: a 2-speed gearbox, snipe control, width 13. Missing: helical.

Total: 85/100. How the score works

$659
Check price on Amazon

The same DW735 planer without the tables and spare knives of the X kit. At this capture both listed at the same price, so the DW735X is the better buy.

Best for: Buyers who find the DW735 cheaper than the DW735X at the time they shop.

Skip it if: The DW735X is the same price; it includes more.

Max width
13 in
Cutterhead
3 knives
Feed speeds
2 speeds (96 or 179 CPI)
Extras
Dust hose adapter, fan-assisted chip ejection

Pros

  • Same planer as the top pick
  • 2,214 reviews

Cons

  • No tables or spare knives
  • Same price as the DW735X when captured
#3
WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer
WEN

WEN PL1326 15-Amp 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer

4.7 736 reviews
Score 78/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score94/100 → 42 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score73/100 → 26 pts
  • Features 20% of score50/100 → 10 pts

Has: helical, width 13. Missing: a 2-speed gearbox, snipe control.

Total: 78/100. How the score works

$438.98
Check price on Amazon
50+/mo

The cheapest helical-style planer here: a spiral cutterhead with 26 staggered, rotatable HSS inserts, a 13-inch width and an onboard removal gauge.

Best for: Woodworkers who want a spiral head's smoother finish and easier blade care on a budget.

Skip it if: You want two speeds; the PL1337 adds them.

Max width
13 in
Cutterhead
Spiral, 26 HSS inserts
Feed speeds
1 speed (26 ft/min)
Extras
Material removal gauge

Pros

  • Spiral head with 26 rotatable inserts
  • 13 in width
  • 4.7 stars

Cons

  • Single speed
  • HSS, not carbide inserts
#4
JET JWP-13BT 13-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer, Helical Cutterhead, 2-Speed, 2 HP
Money No Object
JET

JET JWP-13BT 13-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer, Helical Cutterhead, 2-Speed, 2 HP

4.2 175 reviews
Score 78/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score84/100 → 38 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score58/100 → 20 pts
  • Features 20% of score100/100 → 20 pts

Has every feature we score: helical, a 2-speed gearbox, snipe control, width 13.

Total: 78/100. How the score works

$934.99
Check price on Amazon

A premium benchtop planer with a helical head, two speeds, a cast iron bed and four-post head support to keep boards flat and reduce snipe.

Best for: Shops that want the most solid benchtop planer here.

Skip it if: You're price-sensitive; it's the most expensive here and rates 4.2 stars.

Max width
13 in
Cutterhead
Helical, 26 HSS inserts
Feed speeds
2 speeds (18 / 26 ft/min)
Extras
Cast iron bed, four-post design

Pros

  • Helical head, two speeds
  • Cast iron bed, four posts

Cons

  • Most expensive here
  • 4.2 stars
#5
DEWALT 12-1/2-Inch Benchtop Planer, 15-Amp, 3-Knife Cutter (DW734)
DEWALT

DEWALT 12-1/2-Inch Benchtop Planer, 15-Amp, 3-Knife Cutter (DW734)

4.7 2,759 reviews
Score 77/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score94/100 → 42 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score88/100 → 31 pts
  • Features 20% of score20/100 → 4 pts

Has: snipe control. Missing: helical, a 2-speed gearbox, width 13.

Total: 77/100. How the score works

$450.54
Check price on Amazon
100+/mo

DEWALT's smaller single-speed planer, with a three-knife head that gives 96 cuts per inch and a four-column carriage lock to reduce snipe.

Best for: Hobby woodworkers who want DEWALT quality and don't need two speeds.

Skip it if: You plane figured hardwood often; the DW735's slow speed gives a finer finish.

Max width
12-1/2 in
Cutterhead
3 knives
Feed speeds
1 speed (96 CPI)
Extras
Four-column carriage lock, reversible knives

Pros

  • 2,759 reviews; 4.7 stars
  • Four-column carriage lock
  • Reversible knives

Cons

  • Single speed
  • 12-1/2 in width
#6
RIKON 25-135H 13-Inch Portable Planer with Helical-Style Cutterhead
RIKON

RIKON 25-135H 13-Inch Portable Planer with Helical-Style Cutterhead

4.6 54 reviews
Score 77/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score92/100 → 41 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score45/100 → 16 pts
  • Features 20% of score100/100 → 20 pts

Has every feature we score: helical, a 2-speed gearbox, snipe control, width 13.

Total: 77/100. How the score works

$699
Check price on Amazon

A helical, two-speed planer with a threaded four-post head, depth gauge and repeat-cut stops, for less than the JET.

Best for: Woodworkers who want JET-level features for less money.

Skip it if: You want lots of reviews; it has 54.

Max width
13 in
Cutterhead
Helical, 26 HSS inserts
Feed speeds
2 speeds (16 / 26 ft/min)
Extras
Four-post head, depth gauge, repeat-cut control

Pros

  • Helical head, two speeds
  • Four-post head support
  • 4.6 stars

Cons

  • Only 54 reviews
#7
WEN PL1337 Two-Speed 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer
WEN

WEN PL1337 Two-Speed 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer

4.6 91 reviews
Score 75/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score92/100 → 41 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score50/100 → 18 pts
  • Features 20% of score80/100 → 16 pts

Has: helical, a 2-speed gearbox, width 13. Missing: snipe control.

Total: 75/100. How the score works

$604.99
Check price on Amazon

WEN's two-speed spiral planer: the same 26-insert head as the PL1326 plus a slow 16 ft/min feed for a finer finish.

Best for: Woodworkers who want helical and two speeds for less than JET or RIKON.

Skip it if: You want a long track record; it has 91 reviews.

Max width
13 in
Cutterhead
Spiral, 26 HSS inserts
Feed speeds
2 speeds (26 / 16 ft/min)
Extras
Up to 1,354 cuts per inch

Pros

  • Spiral head plus 2 speeds
  • 13 in width

Cons

  • 91 reviews
  • HSS inserts
#8
CRAFTSMAN 12.25 In. Benchtop Thickness Planer, 15 Amp, Two Knife (CMEW320)
Best Budget
CRAFTSMAN

CRAFTSMAN 12.25 In. Benchtop Thickness Planer, 15 Amp, Two Knife (CMEW320)

4.6 1,507 reviews
Score 70/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score92/100 → 41 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score81/100 → 29 pts
  • Features 20% of score0/100 → 0 pts

Missing: helical, a 2-speed gearbox, snipe control, width 13.

Total: 70/100. How the score works

$299
Check price on Amazon
100+/mo

A budget brand-name planer with a two-knife head on ball bearings and reversible high-carbon steel knives.

Best for: First-time planer buyers milling pine and poplar.

Skip it if: You need it now; Amazon listed it as shipping in 1 to 2 months when we checked.

Max width
12.25 in
Cutterhead
2 knives
Feed speeds
1 speed
Extras
Poly-V drive, reversible high-carbon knives

Pros

  • Lowest-priced brand-name planer here
  • 1,507 reviews; 4.6 stars

Cons

  • Two knives
  • Long shipping delay listed
#9
Cutech 40700H 12-1/2-Inch Spiral Cutterhead Benchtop Planer with Carbide Inserts
Cutech

Cutech 40700H 12-1/2-Inch Spiral Cutterhead Benchtop Planer with Carbide Inserts

4.8 25 reviews
Score 67/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score96/100 → 43 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score36/100 → 13 pts
  • Features 20% of score55/100 → 11 pts

Has: helical, snipe control. Missing: a 2-speed gearbox, width 13.

Total: 67/100. How the score works

$424.99
Check price on Amazon

The only planer here with tungsten carbide inserts, which stay sharp far longer than HSS. Four lead screws minimize snipe, and rollers on top return boards to the front.

Best for: Woodworkers planing hardwoods who hate changing blades.

Skip it if: You want 13 in width or two speeds.

Max width
12-1/2 in
Cutterhead
Spiral, carbide inserts
Feed speeds
1 speed
Extras
Snipe minimizer, board return rollers

Pros

  • Carbide inserts
  • Snipe minimizer
  • 4.8 stars

Cons

  • Only 25 reviews
  • Single speed, 12-1/2 in
#10
WEN PL1252 15-Amp 12.5-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer
WEN

WEN PL1252 15-Amp 12.5-Inch Two-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer

4.6 524 reviews
Score 66/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score92/100 → 42 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score70/100 → 24 pts
  • Features 20% of score0/100 → 0 pts

Missing: helical, a 2-speed gearbox, snipe control, width 13.

Total: 66/100. How the score works

$296.12
Check price on Amazon

A basic WEN planer with two reversible blades and a 12.5-inch width for boards up to 6 inches thick.

Best for: Occasional planing on a budget.

Skip it if: You want a smoother finish; spiral or three-knife planers do better.

Max width
12.5 in
Cutterhead
2 knives
Feed speeds
1 speed (26 ft/min)
Extras
Up to 1/8 in per pass

Pros

  • Low price
  • 4.6 stars, 524 reviews

Cons

  • Two knives
  • Single speed

How we rank

Every tool gets one score from 0 to 100, weighted 45% on its star rating, 35% on how many people have reviewed it (more reviews = more confidence the rating is real), and 20% on the features that matter for the job. The list is ordered by that score. Best Overall is our pick for the best all-around, ready-to-use tool; Best Budget the best value at or under $310; and Money No Object the one to buy if price is no object.

The features score is built from helical (35%), a 2-speed gearbox (30%), snipe control (20%), width 13 (15%), capped at 100. The review-count score is on a log scale, so each tenfold jump in reviews adds the same amount, and 8,000 or more reviews gets full marks. Open Why this score on any tool to see its numbers.

What changed

We re-check every listing on this page on a rotation. The most recent changes:

Buyer's guide

Do I need a thickness planer?

If you buy rough or uneven lumber, yes. A planer makes the top face flat and parallel to the bottom and brings boards to an exact thickness. It doesn't flatten a warped board on its own; that's a jointer's job, or a planer sled.

Straight knives or helical cutterhead?

Straight knives (two or three long blades) are cheaper and fine for pine and poplar. Helical or spiral heads use many small inserts that cut with a shearing action, so they're quieter, tear out less on figured wood, and you rotate one nicked insert instead of replacing a whole knife.

What is snipe?

Snipe is a slightly deeper cut at the start or end of a board. Carriage locks, four-post heads and infeed/outfeed tables reduce it. You can also feed boards end to end or leave them long and cut the ends off.

Do I need two speeds?

A slower feed takes more cuts per inch for a smoother finish on hardwood. DEWALT's DW735 goes from 96 to 179 cuts per inch on its slow setting. For softwood and rough stock, one speed is fine.

What about dust?

Planers make a lot of chips. Hook one to a shop vac with a cyclone separator or a dust collector. The DW735 has a fan that blows chips out, but it still needs a hose.

Tools to avoid

Not everything in the search results deserves your money. This one would rank dead last on our scale — here's the listing to walk past, and exactly why.

✕ Avoid
13-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer, 15A Wood Planer with 4 HSS Blades, 2000W All Copper Motor, Overload Protection
WOODERS

13-Inch Benchtop Thickness Planer, 15A Wood Planer with 4 HSS Blades, 2000W All Copper Motor, Overload Protection

4.2 50 reviews   $279.99

The listing's power and blade claims don't add up, and it rates 4.2 stars on 50 reviews. The WEN PL1252 and CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 cost about the same with hundreds more reviews.

Why we'd skip it

  • It claims a '15-AMP 2000W' motor. On a 120V outlet, 15 amps is 1,800 watts, so the 2,000 W figure can't be a continuous rating.
  • The title says '4 HSS Blades', but the bullets describe a 'dual-blade system' and the included-parts list shows 2 spare blades: it's a two-knife planer with a spare set, not a four-knife head.
  • It has 50 reviews, far fewer than the similarly priced WEN and CRAFTSMAN planers.
See the listing on Amazon (so you recognize it)
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