Best Electric Hand Planers (2026)

The KP0800K is a 3-1/4 inch planer with a 6.5 amp motor that Makita says delivers more output for stock removal and a superior finish. It planes up to 3-1/4 inches wide and 3/32 inch deep in a single pass, with a two-blade drum.

The 3/32 inch maximum depth is deeper than the 5/64 inch of the Porter-Cable and DeWalt cordless, which means you can take bigger bites when you flatten rough boards. A well-made shoe matters more than any other feature on a hand planer, because the shoe sets the surface you leave behind, and the Makita's is flat and consistent. It is a corded tool, so power is steady.

The case keeps the tool and a spare set of knives together. Rotate or replace the knives when the surface starts to tear out, and always set the planer down on its front shoe or a block. Set depth with a scrap piece first, then take two light passes rather than one heavy one, since the surface comes out cleaner. Keep the cord behind you so the cutter never runs over it.

The WEN 6534 is an 8 amp planer with a 4-3/8 inch cutting width and a speed of up to 32,000 cuts per minute. Sixteen positive stops set the cutting depth, which makes depth repeatable.

A wider cutting width means you can plane a 2x4 in one pass instead of two, which saves time and avoids a step line. The 8 amp motor is the strongest in this guide and holds speed when you take a deep cut in a hardwood. Compared with the Makita KP0800K, the WEN is bigger and heavier, and less refined.

It is a heavier tool, so use two hands and take light passes. Check the blades for nicks and sharpen or replace them. Use both hands and keep the rear shoe pressed down at the start of the cut, because a heavy planer can tip forward. It also works as a quick way to remove the bow from a warped 2x4 before framing.

The DCP580B is a cordless brushless planer that makes 30,000 cuts per minute and removes up to 5/64 inch (2 mm) per pass. A brushless motor gives runtime and power from the 20V MAX battery.

Cordless is the right way to trim a door in place, because you do not drag a cord across the floor. The cutting rate of 30,000 cuts per minute gives a smooth finish, and the maximum depth of 5/64 inch is shallow, which suits finishing more than stock removal. Compared with the corded Makita, it removes less per pass but is easier to carry.

It is a bare tool, so you need batteries. A 5.0Ah pack gives good runtime for door trimming. Check the battery before you start, since planing draws heavily and a half-charged pack gives uneven results. Remove the pack before changing a blade.

The SKIL PL201201 is a 6.5 amp, 3-1/4 inch corded planer with a dual chip exhaust that sends chips out either side, plus a kickstand that rests the blades off the surface when you set the tool down.

Dual chip exhaust is a real ergonomic gain, because you can send chips away from your cutting hand and away from the line you are watching. The kickstand protects the work and the knives. It has the same 6.5 amp rating as the Makita but is less refined, and the depth range is more modest.

Attach a dust bag or a vacuum hose to the exhaust. It suits a homeowner who needs a planer for doors and trim. Point the exhaust away from your cutting hand and toward a vacuum hose if you have one. The kickstand lets you pause mid-cut without marking the board.

The PORTER-CABLE PC60THP is a 6 amp hand planer with 16,500 RPM and a 5/64 inch maximum cut depth. A dust bag can attach on either side.

The 6 amp motor is a step below the Makita's 6.5 amps and the WEN's 8 amps, and the 5/64 inch depth makes it a finishing planer. It works well for doors and trim.

The PORTER-CABLE is a good low-cost choice from a known brand. Check the blades after a few jobs. Because it is a shallow-cut tool, it shines at trimming and fitting rather than rough dimensioning. Rotate the knives instead of replacing the full set when one edge dulls.

The WEN 6530 is a 6 amp, 3-1/4 inch planer with a speed of up to 34,000 cuts per minute and 16 positive stops that set depth from 0 to 1/8 inch. It also makes rabbets up to 1 inch.

Its 1/8 inch maximum depth is deeper than the Makita's 3/32 inch, which makes it more aggressive on stock removal. The high cutting rate gives a smooth surface. It is the least expensive 3-1/4 inch planer in the guide.

Check the shoe flatness and the knife setting when it arrives, since budget planers vary. Use it for light work. Verify the depth stops against a known scrap, because budget stops can differ from the marks. Use the rabbet fence for a clean 1 inch step in a board edge.