Are Benchtop Planers Worth It? 13 Reasons Every Shop Needs One

Is a benchtop planer worth the investment when pre-surfaced lumber already exists at every hardware store?

You’re spending $500-700 on a machine that seemingly duplicates what stores provide for free with finished boards. Every trip to the lumber yard reminds you how expensive quality wood has become lately. Meanwhile, your projects suffer from inconsistent board thickness, wasting hours on sanding and creating frustrating alignment problems. A benchtop planer transforms rough lumber into perfectly dimensioned boards at 30-50% less cost than pre-surfaced alternatives.

This investment pays for itself within months while opening access to premium woods previously beyond budget. Professional results become achievable immediately regardless of experience level or shop size today.

Quick Recommendation: Top Benchtop Planers Compared

Model	Width	Motor	Price	Best For
DeWalt DW735X	13″	15A	$600-700	Best overall performance
WEN PL1303	13″	15A	$450-550	Best value for money
Makita 2012NB	12″	15A	$700-800	Best finish quality
Grizzly G0505	12.5″	15A	$350-450	Best budget option
Craftsman CMEW320	13″	15A	$350-400	Best for beginners

Who Is a Best Benchtop Planer For?

 Furniture Builders: Weekend builders creating tables and cabinets benefit tremendously. These tools transform expensive hobbies into affordable pursuits unlocking rough-cut lumber saving hundreds annually.

Small Shops: Cabinet makers running one-person operations find planers essential for profitability by dramatically reducing material costs.

Home Renovators: Homeowners tackling built-ins and trim discover planers enable custom millwork matching existing dimensions perfectly.

Budget-Conscious Wood craftsmen: Anyone feeling lumber prices squeeze budgets needs planers accessing affordable rough lumber from local sawmills.

13 Reasons You Need A Benchtop Planer

1.Massive 30-50% Savings on Lumber Costs

Pre-surfaced lumber carries premium pricing reflecting the milling work already performed at lumberyards. Rough-cut lumber from sawmills costs dramatically less since you’re buying unprocessed wood direct from source.

Real Cost Comparison:

• Pre-surfaced walnut: $18/board foot
• Rough-cut walnut: $11/board foot
• Savings: 39% per board

A single dining table project requiring 40 board feet saves $280 immediately. Cabinet projects using 100+ board feet save $700 or more on materials alone. These savings accumulate rapidly.

Most people recoup their planer investment within 12-18 months through lumber savings exclusively. Everything beyond that point represents pure profit keeping hundreds annually in your pocket instead.

2.Consistent Thickness Creates Professional Results

Store-bought “3/4-inch” boards measure anywhere from 23/32″ to 25/32″ realistically. This 1/16″ variation creates visible problems destroying professional appearance despite perfect technique otherwise.

Problems from Inconsistent Thickness:

• Visible lips at glue joints requiring excessive sanding
• Cabinet doors sitting crooked in frames permanently
• Table legs showing different heights despite careful measurement
• Drawer fronts misaligning despite precise joinery work

With a benchtop planer, every board measures exactly identical within 0.001″ tolerance. When clamping glue-ups, surfaces align perfectly without gymnastics. The professional appearance comes from proper preparation, not exceptional skill alone.

Learn more about wood planers for achieving professional results. Click here. 

3.Access to Local Sawmills and Premium Woods

Owning a planer completely changes your lumber sourcing options dramatically. Pre-surfaced wood limits you to whatever big-box stores stock at inflated prices.

New Sources:

• Local sawmills selling premium hardwoods wholesale
• Specialty dealers offering exotic species
• Estate sales featuring vintage lumber
• Salvage operations with reclaimed wood

4.Custom Thickness Capabilities for Specialized Projects

Standard lumber comes in predictable thicknesses limiting design creativity. Furniture plans often specify non-standard dimensions creating sourcing headaches.

Custom Thicknesses Enable:

• Tapered furniture legs graduating from thick to thin
• Matched drawer fronts in graduated thicknesses
• Custom moldings matching antique trim
• Lightweight furniture using 1/2″ or 5/8″ stock
• Delicate boxes requiring 1/4″ material

I built a jewelry box requiring 1/4″ sides. This thickness doesn’t exist pre-surfaced anywhere. The planer made an impossible project straightforward.

5.Time Savings Compared to Hand Methods

Hand-planing boards to consistent thickness demands years of practice achieving competent results. Physical effort limits how much stock you can realistically prepare per session too.

Time Comparison:

• Hand-planing 20 boards: 8-12 hours of exhausting work
• Benchtop planer for 20 boards: 45-60 minutes comfortably

The time savings lets you focus energy on enjoyable parts like joinery and assembly. Weekend builders especially benefit since preparation happens quickly leaving more building time available.

6.Complete Quality Control Over Materials

Pre-surfaced lumber hides defects beneath planed surfaces preventing quality assessment before purchase. Rough-cut lumber shows every knot, check, and figure pattern clearly. You select exactly what you want while rejecting problematic boards.

Quality Control Advantages:

• Inspect wood for hidden defects before purchasing
• Verify moisture content preventing warping problems
• Select matching grain patterns for visible surfaces
• Choose figure and color matching project aesthetics

This control produces superior finished projects consistently. Better raw materials create better final results regardless of skill level.

7.Enhanced Project Quality Through Better Surfaces

Finishing products apply more evenly on properly planed surfaces requiring fewer coats. I used to need three polyurethane coats hiding surface irregularities. Now two coats over planed surfaces give better protection and appearance. Stains penetrate uniformly without blotching.

The improved finishing makes projects look dramatically more professional immediately. 

Compare different planer brands and their surface quality to find your best match.

8.Environmental Sustainability

 Milling exact thicknesses reduces waste compared to buying dimensional lumber. Salvaged lumber often hides perfect wood under damaged surfaces. Resawing thick boards maximizes expensive hardwood use. Supporting local sawmills keeps money in communities while reducing shipping emissions.

9.Long-Term Investment

 Quality benchtop planers last 20-30 years with proper maintenance. The tool doesn’t depreciate like purchases. Used planers retain significant resale value if upgrading later.

10.Skill Development

 Operating planers teaches feed rates, depth management, and grain direction. These skills transfer to understanding other machinery better overall.

11.Enables Bigger Projects

 Ownership enables project types previously beyond capabilities. Large furniture, millwork, and production work become possible. I recently built a complete bedroom set that would’ve been prohibitively expensive with pre-surfaced lumber.

12.Business Opportunities

 Planers make custom furniture economically viable by reducing preparation time. Small shops compete effectively. Income opportunities open for custom and restoration work.

13.Competitive Edge

Professional shops value time efficiency impacting profitability. Planers transform what’s economically possible for cabinet and furniture making entirely.

Benchtop Planer Buyer’s Guide

Cutter Head Type: Straight knives are traditional and affordable. Helical/spiral heads with carbide inserts produce superior finish, quieter operation, easier maintenance but cost $200-400 more.

Motor Power: Look for minimum 13-15 amp motors (approximately 2 HP). This provides adequate power for softwoods and hardwoods. Insufficient power bogs down creating burn marks.

Cut Capacity: Most handle 12-13″ width and 1/8″-3/16″ depth per pass. This accommodates furniture building adequately.

Snipe Reduction: Quality planers include extended tables, four-post design, automatic head locking, and adjustable pressure rollers.

Dust Collection: Look for 2.5″ minimum ports. Integrated blowers improve chip evacuation significantly.

Discover more about choosing the right planer size for your needs.

Benchtop Planer Comparison: With vs Without

Aspect	With Benchtop Planer	Without Planer
Lumber Cost	30-50% savings	Full retail pricing
Thickness Control	Within 0.001″ accuracy	Varies 1/32″+
Time (20 boards)	45-60 minutes	8-12 hours by hand
Custom Sizes	Any thickness 1/8″-6″	Standard only
Lumber Sources	Sawmills, salvage, local	Retail stores only
Quality Control	Inspect before milling	Hope for the best
Project Scale	Unlimited	Limited by budget

Top 3 Benchtop Planers from Amazon – Best Models for 2025

1. DeWalt DW735X Two-Speed Thickness Planer 

The DeWalt DW735X represents the gold standard in benchtop planers with professional-grade performance perfect for serious work.

Key Features:

• 15-amp motor with 20,000 RPM for powerful cutting
• Two-speed gearbox: 96 or 179 cuts per inch
• 13″ width capacity handles most furniture projects
• Three-knife cutterhead for smooth finishes
• Fan-assisted chip ejection with excellent dust collection

Pros:

• Best-in-class finish quality requiring minimal sanding
• Two-speed option perfect for rough dimensioning and fine finishing
• Extended tables significantly reduce snipe problems
• Powerful enough for hardwoods like oak, walnut, maple

Cons:

• Premium pricing at $600-700 range
• Heavy weight (92 lbs) requires dedicated stand or cart
• Fairly loud during operation,hearing protection recommended

2. WEN PL1303 13-Inch Three-Blade Benchtop Planer 

The WEN PL1303 delivers impressive performance at a budget-friendly price making it perfect for value-conscious builders.

Key Features:

• 15-amp motor generates 30,000 cuts per minute
• 13″ width and 6″ thickness capacity
• Three reversible blades for extended life
• 26 FPM feed rate for efficient stock removal
• Adjustable infeed/outfeed tables included
• Dual dust ports (2.5″ and 4″) for collection flexibility
• Weighs only 63 pounds for easier portability

Pros:

• Excellent value pricing at $370-450 range
• Three-blade design produces smooth finishes
• Lighter weight than premium models for easier moving
• Two-year warranty with responsive customer support

Cons:

• Some units experience more snipe than premium planers
• Dust collection less effective than DeWalt models
• Occasional quality control issues reported by users

3. Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Portable Planer 

The Makita 2012NB stands out for exceptional finish quality and remarkably quiet operation at only 83 decibels.

Key Features:

• 15-amp motor with 8,500 RPM speed
• 12″ width capacity for most furniture work
• Interna-Lok automated head clamp eliminates snipe
• Quietest planer in class at just 83 dB
• 28 FPM feed rate balances speed and quality
• Four-post design with diagonal cross supports for stability
• Large table extensions (13″ x 30-3/8″) support workpieces

Pros:

• Industry-leading quiet operation perfect for residential shops
• Interna-Lok system dramatically reduces snipe problems
• Fastest, easiest blade change system on market

Cons:

• Higher price point at $700-930 range
• 12″ width limits use with wider boards
• Disposable blades cost more than reversible alternatives

Check our detailed planer brand comparisons for recommendations.

How to Choose the Right Benchtop Planer?

Consider Your Budget

Entry-level planers ($350-450) work fine for occasional use with softer woods. Mid-range models ($450-600) balance performance and affordability. Premium planers ($600-930) deliver accurate results justifying higher investment for frequent use.

Evaluate Your Projects

Furniture building requires 13″ capacity for tabletops and wide panels. Small projects and trim work manage fine with 12″ capacity. Consider maximum board width you’ll regularly plane.

Weight and Portability Needs

Job site work demands lighter models (60-65 lbs) with handles. Dedicated shop setups benefit from heavier units (90+ lbs) providing better vibration dampening and stability.

Noise Considerations

Residential shops benefit from quieter models like Makita (83 dB). Commercial shops tolerate louder operation for other performance benefits.

Two-Speed vs Single-Speed

Two-speed planers justify extra cost if you regularly work hardwoods needing slower speeds for better finish quality. Single-speed units suffice for mostly softwood projects.

Note: Prices fluctuate on Amazon. Check current pricing and availability before purchasing. All models listed are available with Prime shipping options.

Conclusion

Are benchtop planers worth it for your shop and project aspirations long-term?

Absolutely yes if you build furniture regularly or want professional results from every project attempted. The 30-50% lumber savings pay back investment rapidly while opening access to premium woods previously unaffordable. Consistent thickness, perfect flatness, and parallel surfaces elevate project quality to professional standards immediately. Custom thickness capabilities, time savings, and creative freedom make impossible projects suddenly achievable for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Is a benchtop planer worth it?

Yes, benchtop planers are worth it for anyone building furniture regularly or using hardwoods frequently. 

2.What is the best benchtop planer?

The DeWalt DW735X leads overall performance, WEN PL1303 offers the best value, and Makita 2012NB delivers the finest finish quality.

3.What does a benchtop planer do?

A benchtop planer smooths one side of a board and brings it to an even, consistent thickness.

4.Will a planer fix cupped boards?

No, planers cannot fix cupped boards. Planers only flatten one face while creating parallel opposite faces.

5.What should you not do with a planer?

Never plane boards shorter than 12 inches,they can kick back dangerously. Don’t exceed maximum depth cuts.