Best Hand Planer for Woodworking [2022 Review]

A hand planer is a great tool to add into your workshop. It allows you to plane, level, and smoothen off the surface of any type of wood or rough lumber that may not fit well in a standard planing machine.

This can help make life easier for a lot of the projects that you would like to use. Choosing the right one that has enough power while still being easy enough to use will help make this a reality.

Our Top Hand Planer Reviews

Hand planers can make life easier for a lot of the projects you want to complete. Choosing the right one will be a challenge because you need to figure out what works the best for you. High-quality and affordability are always on the list, but having a hand planer that works well and fits for the projects that you want to get done is always a positive.

Hand planers come in all different sizes and types based on what you would like to get done. Some electric options are more portable, helping to free up space in your workshop or can help you take it along to get a project done. Others have tables and are meant to work on your benchtop.

These often last longer, but will take up more space and will be heavier as well. Knowing which one is the best for you is important. Researching all the different hand planers is the first step to making sure you get a good hand planer to help get all your woodworking projects done.

Some of the best hand planers that we recommend include:

Makita KP0810 Electric Hand Planer

If an electric hand planer is on your list, then the Makita KP0810 is a great option to consider. It has a very strong motor that can provide 7.5-amps and 16000 RPM to make all of your work as fast as possible.

The blades that come with this planer are double-edge carbide blades which are able to stay sharp for longer periods of time, even when you use the planer often.

It is also able to plane up to 3 ¼ inches in width and 5/32 inches in depth with just one pass over the piece of wood. Be ready for a lot of power when you work through with this planer.

When it comes to the weight of this planer, you will find that the 7.3 pounds is not too bad. While this is a bit heavier than some of the other planers, it is light enough to make work easier and can hold all the power that you would expect.

This tool also brings in the ease of use and ergonomics to make life a little bit easier. And with the lock-on button, you will be able to continuously work without having to hold down the button at the same time.

Pros

• Powerful motor
• Carbide blades that will last a long time
• Strong RPM to get the work done fast

Cons

• Does not have as many accessories as other options
• The weight is a bit heavier than other options

WEN 6550

The WEN 6550 hand planer is a great option to have around your home to make sure that you are able to get a planer that does the work well.

One thing that you will quickly notice about this planer is the granite table. This is an extra layer that will help the boards move smoothly through the machine without marking or scarring on the boards. It also helps to reduce any risks that the board is going to get lodged in the center.

This hand planer has a strong motor at 12-amps, making it much stronger than many of the other options on the list. And with 18,000 cuts in one minute, you can able to cut through 26 feet of wood boards in less than 60 seconds.

The device is set up to handle boards that are up to 12.5 inches wide and six inches thick and it will remove up to 3/32 of an inch with one plane.

There are a lot of features when you choose to go with the WEB 6550. First, the dust port is a nice option that will help pull dust off the machine so you do not end up with a mess.

And the adjustable depth feature will make it easier to decide just how much of the board you would like to cut off.

Pros

• Works with boards that are up to 125 inches wide
• Can handle 26 feet of board every minute
• Removes up to 3/32 of an inch with one plan
• Easy cleanup when you are done with the project

Cons

• The gears and other parts are not as durable as some of the other planers

Bosch PL1632 Electric Hand Planer

Bosch is one of the best power tool companies out there and you will be able to see that is the Bosch PL1632 hand planer. The motor is at 6.5 amps, which means it has a little less power than the Makita KP0810, but still enough to get the work done.

The RPMs are a little faster though at 16,500, which is plenty to help the you cut and plane any wood they want. You will also like the dual-mounted fence that comes with a protective shield to help get door edges and more done with ease.

Setting the depth adjustment is going to be easier than ever before since this planer has a metric scaled depth adjustment knob that lets you be fully in control.

With just a little movement, you are able to change up the depth of the project you are working on so you get the perfect piece each time. The handle is equipped with a soft rubber grip that helps you use it with ease and makes it comfortable to hold.

The safety features on this option will make it a great one to use. It has a lock off button to make sure the hand planer is not going to start without your knowledge, but there is also the lock on button that can be useful when you plan to use the hand planer for a long time.

And thanks to the dust collection bag, cleanup can be easy in any workshop. One feature that is particularly nice is that the cord is able to swivel on the end, making it easier to position and prevent damage.

Pros

• Sturdy and easy to use
• Allows you to control the direction of the shavings
• Safety features for both on and off
• Effective for many different depths

Cons

• The carrying case is hard to use
• Have to disassemble in order to get it into the case

Dewalt DW680K

The Dewalt DW680K comes equipped with a powerful motor at 7.0 amps, which will put it right between the Bosch PL1632 and the Makita KP0810 when it comes to the amount of power that you are able to get.

The RPMs are a little bit slower than both of those options at 15,000, but it will still get the job done working through hard lumber while producing some smooth and consistent results along the way. The cutting width of this planer is set at 3 ¼ inches and then it has a maximum cutting depth at 3/32 inches, allowing you to take out more materials with one pass over them compared to other planers.

If you want a hand planer that has a lot of accessories, then this is the one that you need to choose. It comes with an attachment to allow for perfectly squared rabbets, three precision machined guides that can be put at the front of the planer for chamfering edges and making those beveling channels, and reversible carbide blades to get those sharp edges.

You can even make easy depth adjustments thanks to the easy to use adjustment knob on the planer. Another thing that you will love about this planer is that it does not come with one of the ordinary v-belts. This may make it harder to find a belt, but you will love the substitution.

The poly-v drive belt is used in this one instead, which can actually add more durability to the whole machine compared to other belts. Finish it off with a sturdy carrying case and you are set to go.

Pros

• Has a lot of power for being very small
• Easy to adjust the debt for cutting
• A hard carrying case for easy transport

Cons

• For all the great features, it does not have a dust bag or collection adapter

Ryobi HPL52K Electric Hand Planer

When you want a hand planer that can not only make your work easier, but is also comfortable no matter how much you use it, then the Ryobi HPL52K is the hand planer that you should choose.

It includes a unique GRIPZONE rubber overmold that makes it easier to hold this tool, even when the conditions get a bit slipper. And with a 6-amp motor and 16,5000 RPM, you will find that you can get all types of projects done in no time.

There are many features that you will love with this hand planer. It comes with a 6 foot cord to get more range of space so you can cover a bigger area on the wood without needing an extension cord.

It also has dual exhaust ports on both sides so you can choose where to blow out the chips and dust that are present in the machine. This can make cleaning up the mess when you are done planing a little bit easier to work with.

Ryobi did not forget some of the safety features on this hand planer either. The lock-off button will make sure that the machine is never accidentally activated and no damage is going to happen to the machine, or the workpiece.

While this planer may have fewer features and less power than some of the other planers on our list, it is still a great hand planer to get the job done.

Pros

• Comfortable to hold, even in slippery conditions
• A lock-off button for safety
• Choose the side that the dust will go out
• Long power cord

Cons

• Lower on power than other options

Triton TRPUL Unlimited Rebate Planer 750W

When you want to make large and wide cuts, then the Triton TRPUL Unlimited Rebate Planer 750W is going to be the one to choose. It is designed to have a cutting width up to 7 inches and a o to 3/32 cutting depth capacity to help you handle more projects than you can do with the Dewalt D1680K.

It also has a 1500 watt motor and a no load speed of 15,000 RPM. This helps it to produce a maximum of 45000 cuts per minute.

Unlike some of the other hand planers that you can choose, this one comes with 3 blades that will help you produce a superior cutting action and finish on the type of wood you use it on.

You also get the benefit of changing the cutting depth along the way. With the 10-position depth control dial, you can increase or decrease your depth by 0.25 inch increments.

Both of the handles provided on this hand planer are wrapped with a non-slip rubber overmoulds to help with comfort and friction, which will help you hold it easier and can keep the planer safe while you work on it. Adjust the secondary handle for more support while controlling the tool.

Add in a nice dust connector, carbide blades, a wrench to adjust the blades, and a guide fence and this hand planer has all of the things you need for the best in hand planing.

Pros

• Can take on wide cuts
• A strong motor that lasts
• Comes with three blades to get the work done
• Handles allow for a combination of comfort and friction

Cons

• Not a good option for beginners

SKIL PL201200

When you choose the SKIL PL201200, you not only get a planer machine, but you also get to enjoy a parallel guide, dust bag, rebate fence, spanner, and adapter. This provides you with everything that you need to get any wood planing project done in your home.

You will be able to choose which features you would like to use based on the cuts and finishes that you would like done with the wood planer.

For the size, you will be impressed with the 6.5 amp motor and a no-load speed of 16000 RPM. This makes it a good contender, those it does have less power compared to the Makita KP0810. The planing width is pretty standard at 2 ¼ inches and the maximum planing is going to be 5/64, which allows for you to cover up more ground with one pass.

There are a few features that you will love with this planer as well. It has a smooth kickstand which makes it easier to rest the hand planer on the piece you want to do without any scratching showing up on the finished surface.

The lock-off switch is amazing because it will prevent any kind of accidental startup of the planer that could cause harm or ruin the piece. Add in the dual exhaust port to collect chips and dust from any part of the planer and this is a great option you can use.

Pros

• Easy to operate with a lot of power
• Allows you to collect dust and chips form both sides
• Lock-off switch for a lot of safety
• Lots of additional accessories with it

Cons

• The motor is a bit weaker than other options

Hand Planer Considerations

When it comes to getting the right planer for your needs, there are many things to consider. Each consumer will have their own requirements when it comes to choosing a good hand planer to get any woodworking job done.  While pros and cons is up there on the list, a few other things you should consider include:

Types of Planers

There are actually several types of planers on the market that you are able to choose. While they can be divided up in different ways, the five most common categories for hand planers include:

1. Electric handheld planers: These planers are going to provide you with the benefits of hand planing along with a power tool. The top design is going to have a comfortable hand hold that helps you keep the grip as the planer goes along the wood. These are more affordable while still giving you a lot of power.
2. Thickness planers: Most home workshops will not have these because they are more common in a professional workspace. They will include a cutter, roller, and table. You can adjust the table to help cut through thinner or thicker pieces of wood and the roller helps to slowly move along the cutting area.
3. Portable planers: For some of the more serious jobs, a portable planer is a good option. They will weigh more than other options, but you can use it on many worksites and it usually comes with a variety of options to help you get the work done.
4. Benchtop planers: A benchtop planer is a good option. They are going to be heavy and will take up more space than some of the other models. Most are durable and can handle more weight and will handle some of the bigger projects you want to do.
5. Jointer planers: This is a combination of a hand planer and a jointer. It will do the job of two tools so that you can save some time and funds while keeping your workshop free of clutter along the way.

Learn more about the differences in a jointer and a planer.

How to Choose the Perfect Planer

There are several steps that you can take to help you pick out the right hand planer for your needs. As you are looking at some of the examples that we have above, you need to consider what parts are important to you before making a purchase.

Overal Size

The firs thing to look at the size of the model you want. When you are limited on the amount of space available, a combo joint planer or even a power hand held planer is a good choice.

Keep in mind that a benchtop and other models of hand planers will take up more space, even though they have the benefit of lasting a bit longer.

Table Size

The second thing to consider is the table size. Look at the size of the table and the size of the cutting area so there are no surprises. Many of the more affordable models that you will find are about 15 inches thick or wide.

For most basic projects, this will be enough. If you want to complete a bigger project, you need to go for a board that is 20 inches long or more.

Cutting Area

Do not forget to consider the cutting area specifically. While the table size is important, you can’t forget the cutting area. The blades for this will come in a variety of styles and shapes.

Most prefer planers that have a helical head, which allows the boards to go through it faster than some of the other options.

Then there are some that like a spiral design that will give them a smoother surface on the finished board. Choose the one that will go the best for your project.

Noise and Sounds

You should also consider the noise and sounds. While you may not mind the noise that comes with it as much, your neighbors may not be as happy about the situation.

A hand held electric planer is going to produce more noise on average compared to a benchtop model. The downside is that it may not have some of the strength that you need to handle the bigger and heavier woods. Balancing out the power and the noise will be important while you do this process.

Other Considerations

Other factors that you will need to consider is the motor that is inside the machine and the overall size of the planer. Many of the less expensive models will have a universal motor. These can be effective and lightweight, but they are not going to be strong enough to handle harder wood types.

If you need something that goes through the bigger types of wood, then an induction motor is a much better option in your hand planer.

Choosing the Right Hand Planer for Your Needs

When it comes to choosing a planer for your project, you will find that there are a lot of options out there to go with. Picking one that will get the work done, has all of the features and accessories that you want, and will be comfortable to use for all of your projects. And you want one that is affordable and will last a long time.

When you are ready to purchase a new hand planer, take the time to look at some of our options above and see which one is right for you.