A good power/electric hand or portable planer will save you a heap of time over the manual hand planers.
But, finding the best hand planer & portable planer for your needs will depend on on a few things.
Do you want a corded electric planer, or will a cordless power planer with a lithium battery suit you better?
You might also have budget restrictions, preference for a certain brand, or be looking for specific features.
To help you decide, we have reviewed for you some of the top rated handheld planer brands such as WEN, Bosch, PORTER-CABLE, Makita and DEWALT.
If you’re running a little short on time, you can check out the top rated power hand planer list immediately below.
Otherwise, you can read the guide in full.
(*Friendly Disclosure – links to retailers or brands on this page may include affiliate links, and we may receive a commission when you purchase through these links)
Top Rated Hand Planer & Portable Planer List
Best Cheap Power Hand Planer – PORTER-CABLE PC60THP (on Amazon)
Best Power Hand Planer For The Money – Bosch PL1632 (on Amazon)
Best Cordless Power Planer and Best Portable Power Planer (Lithium Ion Battery) – Makita XPK01Z (on Amazon)
Best 6-3/4 Inch Hand Power Planer – Makita 1806B (on Amazon)
Best 12-1/4 Inch Electric Hand Planer – Makita KP312 (on Amazon)
Best Curved Base Hand Planer – Makita 1002BA (on Amazon)
Best Hand Planer & Portable Planer Reviews
WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer, 3-1/4-Inch
The WEN 6530 is a cheap electric hand planer.
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer For?
- People who want a cheap electric hand planer/portable planer
- People who are beginners, performing small tasks or want a casual type planer
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer Not For?
- People who want a heavy duty, super durable planer
- People who want a higher quality planer with minimal design flaws
What’s Good About It?
- A very cheap power hand planer – good value for money
- 6 Amp motor – up to 34,000 cuts per minute
- Cutting width of 3-1/4 Inches
- 16 positive stops adjust the cutting depth anywhere from 0 to 1/8 inches (1/8 inch is maximum cut depth)
- Make rabbets up to 1 inch in size with the 5/16 inch rabbeting guide
- Super lightweight – only 6 pounds
- Comes with parallel fence bracket, champfer groove and rabbeting guide features
- Includes power planer, dust bag, a kickstand and a parallel fence bracket
What’s Not So Great?
- Not a heavy commercial use type planer
- Not the most sturdy construction (more expensive models are built more solidly for the long term)
- Waste bag fills up quickly
- Depth scale is a little bit off
- Dust port isn’t a standard size or shape
What Else Do You Need To Use This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
- You may want a shopvac to deal with excess shavings
Where Can I Check Out This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
View the WEN 6530 6-Amp Electric Hand Planer, 3-1/4-Inch on Amazon
PORTER-CABLE PC60THP 6-Amp Hand Planer – Best Cheap Power Hand Planer
The PORTER-CABLE PC60THP is an electric hand planer.
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer For?
- People who want a cheap electric hand planer/portable planer
- People who are beginners, performing small tasks or want a casual type planer
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer Not For?
- People who want a heavy duty, super durable planer
- People who want a higher quality planer with minimal design flaws
What’s Good About It?
- Great value for money for a cheap power hand planer
- 6 Amp Motor with no load 16,500 RPM
- Dual side dust extraction
- 10 Positive stops for different depths of cut – adjust to a suitable depth for you
- 3 chamfering grooves for edge chamfering
- .47″ max rabbet depth
- 5/64″ depth of cut
- Includes Carbide Cutting Blades, Wrench, Dust bag, Edge Guide, Kit Bag.
What’s Not So Great?
- Makes a bit of a mess with shavings – bag fills up quite quickly
- Not a heavy commercial use type planer
What Else Do You Need To Use This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
- May want to use a shopvac with this planer
Where Can I Check Out This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
View the PORTER-CABLE PC60THP on Amazon
Bosch PL1632 6.5 Amp Planer, 3-1/4″ – Best Power Hand Planer For The Money
The Bosch PL1632 is an electric hand planer.
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer For?
- Those who want a planer that sits somewhere between a cheap and the most heavy duty power hand planer
- Those who want a value for money power hand planer for a good price, with sturdy construction and a good amount of extra features
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer Not For?
- Those who want the cheapest planer
- Those who want a true heavy duty commercial planer (although you could get away with using it commercially for some jobs – it’s a quality planer!)
What’s Good About It?
- Very sturdy construction
- Good value for money – not too expensive, but is still high quality with good range of features
- 6.5 Amp motor and 16,500 RPM speed
- Depth of cut is 0″ to 1/16″ (1.5 mm)
- Spring-loaded stand elevates tool to protect blade
- Dual-mount guide fence with protective shield for steady planing of door edges with plastic overshoe to prevent marring of door face
- Separate inch and metric depth scales for easy setting of planing depth
- Optimally-angled handle for forward motion of tool with soft grip for comfort
- Rabbeting depth and width of 5/16″ and 3-1/4″ respectively
- Ratcheting depth knob
- Only weighs 6.3lbs
- Lock off release button
- Bosch claims their blade lasts 30% longer than standard carbide blades
- Includes Reversible Woodrazor Blade, (1) Dual-Mount Guide Fence, (1) No Mar Plastic Overshoe for Fence, (1) Shavings Bag and (1) Blade Wrench.
What’s Not So Great?
- Produces ALOT of off cuts
- Doesn’t come with carrying case
What Else Do You Need To Use This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
- You may want to purchase a set of replacement blades for down the line
Where Can I Check Out This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
View the Bosch PL1632 on Amazon
Bosch PL2632K Planer with Carrying Case, 3 1/4″
The main differences between this planer and the Bosch PL1632 are that this one includes –
- Double blade system as opposed to the single reversible blade – high speed blades can optionally be added but have to buy the high speed blades separately
- You get two different overshoes instead of one (the extra 3 degree overshoe)
- A carry case is included
- Dust ejection can be on either side as opposed to one side
If these features justify for you the extra price, grab this model.
Where Can I Check Out This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
View the Bosch PL2632K Planer with Carrying Case on Amazon
DEWALT DW680K 7 Amp 3-1/4-Inch Planer
The DEWALT DW680K is an electric hand planer.
It is comparable to the Bosch PL2632K which is also a double blade planer system.
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer For?
- Those who are willing to pay for a dual blade system on a planer
- Those who want a higher quality planer than the cheaper ones on the market
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer Not For?
- Those who only need the single blade system
- Those who want a cheap planer
What’s Good About It?
- 7 Amp motor and 15,000rpm
- 2.5mm or 3/32 inches depth of cut
- 1/2 inch rabbeting depth of cut
- Only weighs 6.2 lbs
- Accepts high speed steel blades and reversible carbide blades – for heavier and finer tasks
- Has kick stand which allows you to rest the planer without the blade being in contact with anything
- 3 sizes of grooves for chamfering
- Two finger trigger – very comfortable
- Depth adjustment knob is calibrated so you don’t need to re-zero
- Includes two reversible carbide blades, rabbeting fence, and carrying case
What’s Not So Great?
- Doesn’t come with a dust bag or collector
- Have to buy high speed blades separately
What Else Do You Need To Use This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
-
DEWALT DW6655 High Speed Steel Blades (On Amazon) – optional high speed blades
Where Can I Check Out This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
View the DEWALT DW680K on Amazon
PORTER-CABLE PC60THPK 6.0-Amp Hand Planer
This is PORTER-CABLE’s answer to the DEWALT DW680K and Bosch PL2632K.
The PORTER-CABLE PC60THPK is also an electric hand planer that has the capability to accept carbide blades for finer tasks and HSS bigger high speed blades for the bigger tasks.
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer For?
- People who want an alternative to the DEWALT DW680K and Bosch PL2632K
- Those who want an affordable mid-level electric hand planer
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer Not For?
- Those who want an extra cheap power hand planer
What’s Good About It?
- 6-Amp motor and 16,500 RPM
- 5/64-Inch max depth of cut
- 0.47-Inch maximum rabbit depth
- Uses carbide or HSS blades – carbide for finer tasks and HSS blades for high speed more demanding tasks
- 11.5-Inch cast aluminum shoe – very sturdy and good for accuracy
- Depth knob has 10 positive steps – no need to re-set
- 3 chamfering grooves allow for options for edge chamfering
- Includes two carbide cutting blades; two HSS cutting blades; wrench; dust bag; vacuum adapter; kit box; hard-sided kit box; operating instructions
What’s Not So Great?
- Not as heavy duty as some of the other similar models for type and price
- Bag fills up super quickly
What Else Do You Need To Use This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
- A shop vac if you find yourself empyting the bag every two seconds
Where Can I Check Out This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
View the PORTER-CABLE PC60THPK on Amazon
Makita KP0810 7.5 Amp 3-1/4-Inch Planer
The Makita KP0810 is an electric corded hand planer.
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer For?
- People who want the best power hand planer on the market that is still affordable
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer Not For?
- People who want the absolute most heavy duty electric planer on the market
- People who want a cordless planer
What’s Good About It?
- Very sturdy construction – designed for framing, window and door installation, and fine woodworking
- 7.5 Amp motor with 16,000RPM
- Planes up to 3-1/4″” wide (wide of cutters) and 5/32″” deep (maximum cut depth)
- 2-Blade cutter head for fast material removal
- Chip ejection can be directed to either side of the tool
- Depth adjust knob has click stops in 0.1mm increments
- Comfortable rubber grip
- Front base features 3 chamfering groove options: approximately 1.4mm, 3mm and 4mm
- Includes blade gauge assembly, wrench, guide rule, depth guide and blade set.
- Only weighs 7.3 lbs
What’s Not So Great?
- Doesn’t come with a bag – will need a shopvac if you want to collect shavings
- Doesn’t come with a case
What Else Do You Need To Use This Hand Planer/Portable Planer ?
- A shop vac or bag if you want one
- A case if you want one
Where Can I Check Out This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
View the Makita KP0810 on Amazon
Makita XPK01Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 3-1/4-Inch Planer – Best Cordless Planer and Best Portable Planer
The Makita XPK01Z is a cordless power hand planer.
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer For?
- People who want a cordless power hand planer
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer Not For?
- People who want the capabilities of a corded power planer
What’s Good About It?
- GREAT performance for a cordless planer – good power and overall performance
- Highly portable – would make a great tool for those looking to plane doors on-site
- Batteries only have a very short charging time
- Quieter than most of the corded models on the market
- Maximum cutting depth of 5/64″
- 2-blade cutter head with double edge carbide blades
- Weighs only 7.4 lbs.
- 18V and 14,000 RPM
- 0″ to 5/64″ range of settings for depth adjustment
- Aluminium base is very high quality – makes for great accuracy
- Star Protection Computer Controls™ to protect against overloading, over-discharging and over-heating
- Rubber handle is very comfortable
What’s Not So Great?
- Tool only – have to buy battery and charger separately
- You may have issues with the battery life if you are looking to plane excessively for longer periods
- Doesn’t come with a bag – need a shopvac if you want to collect chips, OR just clean up afterwards
What Else Do You Need To Use This Hand Planer/Portable Planer ?
-
Makita BL1840B-2 18V LXT Lithium-Ion 4.0Ah Battery Twin Pack (On Amazon) – Twin pack of batteries
-
Makita DC18RD 18V Lithium-Ion Dual Port Rapid Optimum Charger (On Amazon) – charger for your batteries
- Shopvac is optional
Where Can I Check Out This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
View the Makita XPK01Z on Amazon
Makita 1806B 10.9 Amp 6-3/4-Inch Planer – Best 6-3/4 Inch Hand Power Planer
The Makita 1806B is an electric hand planer, and has a wider 6-3/4 inch cutting width than most standard planers.
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer For?
- Those who want the wider 6-3/4 inch cutting width
- The tool is designed for professional construction framing, window and door installation, and fine woodworking.
- Those who are willing to pay more for the above features
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer Not For?
- Those who want a standard 3-1/4 inch cutting width
What’s Good About It?
- Very strong unit and very powerful – for big jobs
- Has a big 10/9 Amp motor and can get to 15,000 RPM – 2-blade cutter head makes 30,000 cuts per minute
- 1/16-inch deep maximum cut depth
- Very comfortable handle
- Strong aluminium base for accuracy
- Lock on button
- Includes sharpening holder assembly, wrench, guide rule, triangular rule, blade set and wooden tool case
What’s Not So Great?
- More expensive than standard power hand planers
- Slightly heavy
What Else Do You Need To Use This Hand Planer/Portable Planer ?
- Shop vac if you think you need one
Where Can I Check Out This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
View the Makita 1806B on Amazon
Makita KP312 15 Amp 12-1/4-Inch Hand Held Planer – Best 12-1/4 Inch Electric Hand Planer
This thing is an absolute BEAST. It’s for people who want to perform the most demanding tasks.
The Makita KP312 has a 12-1/4 cutting width and is an electric hand planer.
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer For?
- Designed for professional timber framers, carpenters, log home manufacturers, boat fabricators, and other heavy duty woodwork
- Those who want the absolute heaviest duty and powerful power hand planer on the market
- Those who want up to 12-1/4 inch cutting width
- Those who are willing to pay more for the above features
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer Not For?
- Those who want a smaller, lighter and less expensive standard hand planer
What’s Good About It?
- Monster 15.0 AMP motor – capable of 12,000 RPM
- Poly “”V”” belt – efficiently transfers power from the motor to the blades
- Max planing depth of 1/8 inch
- Front roller for easy moving over rough materials
- Large ejection chute provides high rate of chip discharge and helps prevent clogging from wet or dry wood chips
- Ideal cord location and length (33 ft.) helps prevent obstruction during long and repeated passes
- Comfortable front handle
- Externally accessible brushes
- Accurate Guide rule
- Comes with wrench, triangular rule and blade set.
What’s Not So Great?
- Weighs a decent amount – 40 lbs
- Because of it’s heavy duty purposes – you may find yourself buying blades for this tool regularly
- One of the most expensive power hand planers on the market
What Else Do You Need To Use This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
- Replacement blades
Where Can I Check Out This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
View the Makita KP312 on Amazon
Makita 1002BA 4-3/8 Inch Curved Base Planer – Best Curved Base Hand Planer
The Makita 1002BA is a curved base planer with a 4-3/8 inch cutting width.
It’s particularly good for smoothing, notching and shaping out logs.
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer For?
- Designed for creating arches and arcs in timbers and working on scarfs in logs – Timber Framers and Log Home builders.
- Those who want a curved based power planer
- Those who want a 4-3/8 inch cutting width
Who Is This Hand Planer/Portable Planer Not For?
- Those looking for a straight base planer
What’s Good About It?
- 9.6 AMP motor capable of 15,000 RPM
- Base is machined for for notching out logs at a 12-5/8″ curved radius
- Large ejection chute for wood debris
- Conveniently located front and rear grips
- Lock-on button
- Adjustable bevel radius to 11-13/16 inch. Bevel base is factory adjusted for notching out logs at a 12-5/8 inch radius.
What’s Not So Great?
- A little heavy but manageable weight overall
What Else Do You Need To Use This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
- Nothing
Where Can I Check Out This Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
View the Makita 1002BA on Amazon
Best Hand Planer/Portable Planer: Buyer’s Guide & FAQ
Other Names For Power Hand Planer/Portable Planer
Power Hand Thickness Planer
Electric Hand Planer
Battery Hand Planer
Portable Thickness Planer
Corded Hand Planer
Cordless Hand Planer
What Is A Power Hand Planer/Portable Planer?
There are manual hand planers (which you power by moving your hand), and there are power hand planers.
Power hand planers can be the corded or electric type, or they can be the portable lithium battery type.
What Is A Power Hand Planer Used For, and What Does It Do?
Power hand planers make planing and cutting much easier than a manual handheld planer.
The base function they carry out is to plane wood surfaces to make them parallel, smooth or even by cutting very thin layers (set by the depth) off the surface.
Homeowners, and professionals like timber framers, carpenters, log home manufacturers, boat fabricators and more use them.
They can be used for cutting, shaping and levelling the surfaces of doors, frames, furniture, cabinets and more.
Types of Hand Planers and Portable Planers
– Straight Base Planers
Most are 3-1/4-Inch wide at the cutter
There are also 6-3/4 inch,
And, 12-1/4 inch
– Curved Base Planers
4-3/8 Inch
Hand Planer/Portable Planer Bits & Accessories – Blades
One thing to note with power hand planers and portable planers is that there are two main types of blades systems –
1. Dual blade system – can take both reversible carbide blades for finer tasks, and large high speed steel blades for straight edging or framing
2. Single blade system – takes just the reversible carbide blades for finer work
How To Choose A Hand Planer or Portable Planer
Determine the following things:
1. Do you want a cheap, mid-tier or workshop/production level power hand planer?
2. Do you want a corded/electric hand planer, OR a cordless battery planer?
3. What width cutter do you want on your power hand planer?
4. Do you want a straight based, or curved based power hand planer?
Best Power Hand Planer or Portable Planer For…
- Best Wood Hand Planer
All of the hand planers above can be used on wood.
- Best Portable Hand Planer
The Makita XPK01Z is the best portable hand planer.
- Best Corded Hand Planer
Value For Money – Bosch PL1632.
- Best Cordless Hand Planer
Makita XPK01Z
- Best Small Hand Planer
The WEN 6530 is quite small and light at only 6lbs.
- Best Cheap or Inexpensive Hand Planer
The WEN 6530 is very cheap and inexpensive for a power hand planer.
- Best Hand Planer For The Money
Our pick would be the Bosch PL1632.
- Best Hand Planer For Woodworking
As mentioned above, all the planers on this list are good for woodworking.
- Best Handplaner for Beginner
If you are a beginner and a casual user, you might want to invest in the WEN 6530.
If you will be using it frequently, the Bosch PL1632 might be a better choice.
- Best Portable Thickness Planer
Makita XPK01Z
Features To Look For In A Hand Planer or Portable Planer
Amperage – 6 Amps is about the normal
Cuttings width – 3-1/4 inch is the standard width
What is the maximum cutting depth and range of depths? Are there pre-set depths so you don’t have to keep re-setting?
What are the rabbeting capabilities
Are there chamfer grooves?
How much does the planer weigh?
Does it come with a dust bag? How big is it?
What is the dust extraction system like if you need to use a shopvac?
Is it more a homeowner, mid-tier or production/workshop type planer
Does it have the capability to accept the carbide blades for fine planning?
Does it have the capability to accept the high speed HSS cutting blades?
Is a carry case included?
Is there a lock on or lock off button
What is the guide and fence like – sturdy and accurate?
If battery operated – does the battery and charger come with the tool?
Corded Electric Hand Planer vs. Cordless Power Hand Planer – Which Should You Get?
The best cordless hand planer on the market at the moment is the Makita XPK01Z – it really is a great cordless tool if you need a cordless power planer for any reason.
However, you should consider that you have the price of the tool to consider, PLUS additional costs for batteries and the charger.
There is then charging of the batteries, and a limited run time compared to the electric corded models.
IF you are constantly moving around and need something portable and are OK with the above, a cordless hand planer could be great for you.
Do You Need A Shop Vac For Your Planer?
Alot of these power planer models do discharge ALOT of shavings and wood debris.
Even the models that come with bags tend to fill up very quickly!
If you don’t want to be emptying the bag frequently, OR you don’t want to have to clean up the area after use, consider investing in a shop vacuum.
Best Electric Hand Planer Resources
1. http://www.wenproducts.com
2. https://www.boschtools.com/us/en
3. http://www.portercable.com/
4. https://www.makitatools.com
5. http://www.dewalt.com/
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