13 Best Electric Hand Planers of 2020 Reviewed | Buyer’s Guide

Did you know hand planers, like most other woodworking tools, date back thousands of years in history?

We aren’t kidding. It’s known for a fact that wooden planers were found in early Roman excavations. It is also believed that ancient Egyptians may have used a certain form of hand planing tool in their times.  

While the basic design of planers have changed very little since the Roman times, today with the inclusion of cutting edge features, the accuracy of this power tool has improved significantly.

From shaving off unwanted protrusions to trimming edges, wood planers are extremely useful tools, and a must to create a comprehensive, personalized workspace. 

However, finding a good hand planer is quite a task. There’s a vast sea of options available on the internet, and you want to make sure you get your money’s worth. But how do you come across an ideal one? We’re glad you asked!

We have prepared this extensive review to shed some light on the best planners available. At the end of this list, you will also find a Buyer’s guide that will definitely solve all the questions you have in your mind right now. 

So, let’s begin, shall we?

Best Electric Hand Planers

1. DEWALT(DW680K) Hand Planer

Dewalt Tools Co. is a brand globally renowned for manufacturing innovative power tools. And the DW680K carries the legacy forward with its versatile features. With this planer in your workbench, you can bet to get clean, smooth, and undamaged surfaces when you sharpen your boards.

Why Did We Like it?

Despite minor faults, we have no problem saying, among all the electric hand planes we tested, Dewalt was one of the most comfortable ones we came across. The model has been specially engineered with a heavy-duty 7.0 amp motor that is capable of tackling both soft and hardwood finishes.

Coming to its core features, its unique brushless motor provides 32000 cuts per minute, allowing you to achieve a smooth surface within just a few minutes. Also, we were happy to see that the tool is equipped with twin blade drums and reversible carbide blades that are ideal for working on frames with straight edges. 

DeWalt comes adorned with an ergonomically designed handle for greater comfort and minimal operational fatigue. The molded grip of the handle fits securely in hand most of the time and stays put, and that seemingly small touch goes a long way in terms of increasing safety.

What Could’ve Been Better? 

What made us really upset with this model is the fact it doesn’t come with a dust extractor, which means it can create quite a mess. We would recommend you to buy one separately if you don’t want to spend hours cleaning the workplace after each woodworking session. 

2. WEN 6530 Electric Hand Planer

WEN is one of those top-class reliable brands which manufacture affordable products that deliver great value for money. So, it’s safe to say; for the professionals in search of precision blades, the 6530 electric hand planer can be a go-to tool. It’s pocket-friendly, has garnered great consumer reviews, runs quite smoothly, and comes equipped with all the essential features for fluid maneuverability. 

Why Did We Like it? 

To begin with, WEN hand Planer comes with everything you need to smoothen out the irregularities from the surface of your boards and make them perfectly aligned.

It sports a decent 6-AMP motor that can plane away rough edges quickly and efficiently. Also, this product comes with a promise of delivering more than 34,000 cuts to your workpiece, making it ideal for fixing stubborn joints of wooden doors.

Impressively, the 16 positive stops increment of the machine helps it deliver a cutting width of 3-¼ inches and a cutting depth of ⅛ inch. This makes the 6530 a perfect tool for squaring out pieces of wood. 

Adding to your convenience, the product also features a multi-directional dust chute. You can attach it on any one side of the device as per your preference, and it will pick up all the loose wood chips and sawdust, keeping your workspace clean.

What Could’ve Been Better? 

While the 16-stops knob is quite a handy feature, it has one problematic aspect. The knob cannot be locked in a specific setting, and you will need to be extremely careful about not twisting it while you work. That would automatically change the depth settings, and you will end up with an uneven surface.

3. Makita KP0800K Electric Hand Pruner

Speaking of best value recommendations, Makita makes an ideal tool for professionals on the lookout for dependable and versatile electric planers. It is one of the most reliable brands you can trust when it comes to polishing and smoothing accuracy. This compact planer is also affordable and has everything in store to deliver an impressive polish.

Why Did We Like it? 

Makita is apt for professional construction framing, window installations, and delicate woodworking tasks that demand precise cutting actions.

Coming to its core features, the manufacturers have designed the tool with a powerful 6.5 Amp motor that delivers 17,000 RPM output for increased stock removal. Additionally, the device is equipped with double edge carbide blades that can plane up to 3/32 inches deep and 3-1/4 inches wide boards, in each pass.

Speaking of user-friendly construction, the tool weighs only 5.7 lbs and comes with an ergonomically-centered front and rear handles for comfortable operation. Also, it features a machine balanced planer drum, engineered for reducing vibration during work, which adds to the product’s durability. 

Promoting ease of use, the product has also been engineered with a conveniently designed on/off lock button that can be operated from both sides of the planer. 

What Could’ve Been Better? 

Though Makita delivers everything it promises, we were disappointed to see that it doesn’t function well when used in full power. When operated at the maximum potential, the raging planer tends to vibrate and shift from the place, damaging the wood in the process. 

4. Porter-Cable PC60THP Hand Planer

Ideal for DIYs and contractors alike, the Porter-Cable Electric hand planer is another cost-effective and versatile option to look out for. Though it isn’t a superbly advanced tool for professionals, it offers some pretty decent features as compared to standard hand planers.

Why Did We Like it? 

Honestly speaking, the PC60THP might seem to be a bit of a disappointment at first glance. It does not come with a wide array of cutting-edge features that most professionals expect from their electric planers. However, it can be an ideal assistant for first-timers/ DIY-ers seeking great control and accuracy over their shaping and cutting projects. 

The first thing that caught our attention was its enormous 6 Amp motor. It is capable of generating 165000 RPM and gives an accurate depth of cut of 5/64 inch so that you can slide effortlessly across softwood. However, we would advise against pushing its limits with hardwood as that might damage its blades and decrease its productivity in the long run.

The model also features 3 chamfering grooves, allowing you to try out a hand in edging as well. Moreover, you get 10 positive depth stops, for versatile cutting and increased planer control. 

What Could’ve Been Better?

As per the concerns raised by some of the buyers, the small size of the dust bag hampers the workflow as it needs to be emptied frequently. This is the only aspect that makes it inconvenient for professional projects. Other than that, the tool offers superb value for money.

5. Bosch PL2632K Electric Hand Planer

Our next recommendation comes from one of the world’s leading manufacturers of woodworking appliances, Bosch. Accuracy of cutting is everything when it comes to smoothing and finishing work in carpentry, and Bosch excels in manufacturing power tools that deliver precise cuts every time. 

Why Did We Like it? 

Chief among its core features is the ambidextrous lock-off release button that prevents the planer from getting started accidentally. Also, we would like to mention it is the first power tool in the market that was introduced with this useful feature. 

As we all know, even the most efficient and experienced woodworkers get fatigued from prolonged shaping sessions with standard hand planers. But the 6.5 Amp motor of Bosch PL2632K cuts at a speed of 165000 RPM, ensuring fast removal, thereby letting you work for hours to come without straining your hands.

Adding to your convenience, the product also boasts of featuring a spring-loaded stand that keeps the tool elevated and protects the blades from damage. 

What Could’ve Been Better?

While the product sets the bar higher for user convenience in most of its aspects, we were really disappointed to notice it does not include the most essential one; the dust bag. Also, the depth knob doesn’t click into place, increasing the chances of getting changed to a different mode while in use.

6. DeWalt D26676 Portable Hand Planer

DeWalt returns in our list with another fantastic unit, designed especially for the ones looking for a mid-ranged durable product. After testing this unit personally, we were very impressed to see it comes with efficient reversible carbide blades that are not only durable but also user-friendly and convenient. 

Here’s a quick glimpse of what more this tool has to offer. 

Why Did We Like it? 

To begin with, the goodwill of DeWalt itself speaks for the durability and convenience of this tool. Coming to the nitty-gritty, the resharpenable high-speed steel blades of this model sets the bar higher for even the premium counterparts. And, thanks to the 5.5 Amp motor, the large high-speed steel blades get the optimum power needed for providing smooth and even finish in the hardest of woods. 

The D26676 is a compact and lightweight model, but it will be a great mistake to underestimate its efficiency only by judging its size. Despite the compact construction, the ergonomic tool is capable of delivering 34,000 cuts per minute. It also comes with a depth adjusting knob that can be calibrated to 1/16 inch approximately, allowing faster and efficient removal. 

Moreover, the tool is also adorned with a kickstand that allows you to rest the device on the top of your work surface without worrying about gouging the material in the process. 

What Could’ve Been Better? 

Well, we were disappointed to see the tool does not feature a collecting bag and leave piles of mess on the work floor. Moreover, some of the users also complained that the adjustment knob is a bit flimsy and can be a bit difficult to operate. 

7. Makita KP0810 3- ¼ inch Hand Planer 

If you don’t mind spending some extra bucks on getting yourself an innovative and high-end hand planer, Makita KP0810 can be your way to go. As we have already seen with the KP0800K, the company excels in the arena of manufacturing efficient and durable planers that comes equipped with top-notch technologies. 

 Why Did We Like it? 

We enjoyed the comfortable vibration dampening grip of the product, which helps you tackle the planer in slippery conditions. Furthermore, it also comes with the provision of adjusting cutting depths of the passes with simply a quick twist of the control knob.

What we really appreciate about the adjusting knob is that it click stops in every 0.1 mm increments and comes with an easy-to-read scale for delivering perfectly measured cuts.  

Also, we were pleasantly surprised to find the tool comes equipped with double edge carbide blades for efficient performance. Thanks to these super-fine blades, the device can deliver up to 3- ¼ inch wide and 5/32 inch deep cuts in a single pass. 

Plus, keeping in mind the longevity factor, the blade drums of the tool comes covered with robust die-cast aluminum housing that adds to its overall durability.  

What Could’ve Been Better? 

The only flipside of the tool is that it does not come with a case or storage bag, which is simply unacceptable. 

8. VonHaus Electric Wood Hand Planer Kit

Are you a first-timer who wants to try out a hand in carpentry? If yes, you are going to need a budget product that comes with all the necessary specifications. And, on that note, VonHaus can be an excellent option to consider. 

Why Did We Like it? 

This all-in-one unit is best suited for individuals looking for a durable and functional hand planer but does not wish to spend a fortune buying their workbench essentials. We were pretty surprised to notice that despite being one of the cheapest options in our list, The VanHaus kit manages to outperform some of the most of the premium disposers in the market. 

Firstly, this powerful tool comes adorned with a massive 7.5 Amp motor and can resurface 3 ¼ inches wide and 0″ – 1/16″ deep boards with utmost accuracy every time. And, add into the mix a drum speed of 16,000 rpm that delivers 33,000 cuts per minute, and you will soon be able to shape even the toughest of hardwood in just a simple pass.

Best of all, the extra auxiliary ergonomic handle with soft grip padding allows you to easily shave off the exact amount of wood from the surface.

What Could’ve Been Better?

We were disappointed to find the manufacturers did not pay much attention to the durability of the blades. Many users have also raised complaints against its irregular cutting edge. But we choose to ignore this minor issue in our review as the cuts it produced were pretty decent. 

What really upset us is that the blades tend to lose its sharpness after a couple of cutting sessions and need to be resharpened every once in a while.

9. GoPlus Electric Hand Planer

GoPlus is one of those brands that have become quite popular amongst professional contractors and craftsmen. We recently tested its 1000 W Power planer, and we’re quite impressed to observe how much efficiently it can cut despite its compact size. 

Why Did We Like it?

Despite having no connection with the brand whatsoever, GoPlus is almost globally acknowledged as a distant cousin of the high functioning Makita. This alone speaks for the brilliant efficiency of the tool doesn’t it! 

And judging its sturdy construction and the cutting edge functionalities, this tool appears to be more of a preferable option to us than the Makita unit. That too, considering how reasonably priced it is. 

Speaking of construction, GoPlus is designed with a rigid die-cast aluminum housing for increased durability. It also includes a sturdy foot on the planer base for protecting the workpiece and planer blades from damage. The thoughtful inclusion of the foot lessens the chances of accidental damage significantly, generating smooth finishes without ruining the varnish.

Also, we won’t deny that the promise of being 10x more efficient and productive than standard planers was very intriguing. And after a series of tests, we are glad to confirm that this tool does not disappoint a bit and lives up to its words.

As a bonus, it comes with all the necessary accessories you might need for optimum performance.

What Could’ve Been Better? 

On the flip side, the revolving power of the device is a bit lower as compared to the other models. Also, the adjustment knob is a bit tricky to use for which it loses a few stars when it comes to reviewing its user convenience. 

10. SKIL PWRCore Brushless Hand Planer

Although SKIL PWRCore is a freshman in the power tools market, this brand comes with quite a few trailblazing innovations. From flattening to smoothing features, SKIL PWR Core 20 has everything packed together in a single model and comes with a promise of quality, durability, and cutting edge performance. 

Why Did We Like It?

Functionality wise, the SKIL PWR Core 20 isn’t any less than our premium recommendations and has every capability of becoming one of your most handy wood tools. Whether you need to smoothen out rough pieces of lumber, bevel edges, or even reclaim old wood, the Brushless 20V 3-1/4 Inch Planer can be your way to go.

We used it on both soft and hardwood and found it to be equipped with user-friendly features that allow you to level wood thickness as per your project’s requirements. It comes with a digital brushless motor that provides 14, 000 RPM for efficient woodwork, making it a favorite among the professionals.

And, the most significant advantage of the tool is that it comes with a 4. 0Ah Lithium Battery battery backup so that you can move around with the device without worrying about electrical hazards. 

Adding to your convenience, its automatic PWR Jump Charger completes charging the battery within just 50 minutes and also features a patented cooling system. Each cell is engineered with a temperature management material that keeps the battery cool and boosts the run time by 25%. 

What Could’ve Been Better?

After going through a series of customer reviews and spending days scrutinizing its specifications, we could figure out only one negative aspect of this mind-blowing tool. That is, it’s a bit on the heavier side. However, it still doesn’t strain your hands even after prolonged working hours, thanks to its ergonomic grip handle.  

11. Hitachi P20ST Portable Hand Planer

If you’re on the lookout for a decent and affordable planer that wouldn’t disappoint, we couldn’t have a better suggestion than Hitachi. For years, they have helped woodworkers maintain the accuracy of their work while also ensuring they can do so at optimum investment.