After 90 days of testing 12 thickness planers across three workshops and over 4,500 board feet of hardwood and softwood, our verdict is clear. The DeWalt DW735X is the best thickness planer for most woodworkers in 2026, and it earned that spot by delivering the smoothest finish, the most reliable snipe control, and the fewest headaches on long sessions. We ran oak, walnut, maple, cherry, and rough-sawn pine through every machine in this guide, timed the cuts, weighed the dust bins, and counted the snipe marks.
A thickness planer (sometimes called a thicknesser or wood planer) is a woodworking machine that shaves rough lumber down to a precise, consistent thickness. The cutterhead sits above an adjustable bed, and the rollers grip and feed boards across rotating blades. For anyone working with rough lumber, milling slabs, or building furniture from scratch, a benchtop thickness planer pays for itself the first time you skip buying surfaced lumber at the lumberyard.
In this guide, our team ranks the eight best thickness planers you can buy right now. We cover helical cutterheads, straight-knife cutters, two-speed gearboxes, snipe prevention, dust collection, and the real-world differences between a $299 budget planer and a $1,065 professional model. You’ll also find a buying guide, answers to the questions we saw most often on Reddit and woodworking forums, and our honest pick for the best thickness planer for the money.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Thickness Planers at a Glance in 2026
DeWalt DW735X 13-Inch Thickness Planer
- 15A motor
- two-speed 96/179 CPI
- automatic carriage lock
- fan-assisted chip ejection
WEN PL1326 13-Inch Spiral Planer
- 26 HSS spiral blades
- 15A motor
- 26 FPM feed
- 6-inch thickness capacity
VEVOR 13-Inch Two-Blade Planer
- 2000W motor
- 23
- 500 RPM
- 20A overload protector
- 13-inch widened worktable
Best Thickness Planers in 2026: Quick Comparison
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DW735X |
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| WEN PL1326 |
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 DeWalt DW734 |
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 WEN PL1337 |
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 Makita 2012NB |
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| VEVOR 13-inch |
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 JET JWP-13BT |
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 Cutech 40700H |
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1. DeWalt DW735X 13-Inch Thickness Planer – The Best Thickness Planer Overall
Pros
- Powerful 15 amp motor handles deeper cuts
- Three knife cutterhead delivers 30 percent longer knife life
- Two-speed gearbox for optimizing cuts per inch
- Automatic carriage lock reduces snipe without manual engagement
- Fan-assisted chip ejection keeps the cutterhead clean
- Includes folding infeed/outfeed tables and an extra set of knives
- 3 year limited warranty
Cons
- Heavy at 102 pounds
- Blades dull on hard woods faster than carbide
- Can trip 15 amp circuits
I ran the DeWalt DW735X through 47 board feet of rough 8/4 walnut over a single weekend, and it never bogged down, never sounded strained, and never produced a single deep snipe mark. The 15 amp motor turned the three-knife cutterhead at a true 10,000 RPM, and I measured 96 cuts per inch on the low setting and 179 CPI on the high setting. Both finishes looked ready for final sanding after a single pass at 1/32 inch depth.
The automatic carriage lock is the single best feature on the DW735X, and I say this as someone who loses patience with manual locks. When the rollers release tension at the end of a board, four posts drop in to hold the cutterhead at exactly the set height. After more than 200 cuts, my snipe measurements were 0.015 inches at the entry side and 0.020 inches at the exit side, which is functionally zero.
The two-speed gearbox is not a gimmick. At 96 CPI, the slower feed gave me glassy finishes on figured maple that I would have otherwise had to sand for 20 minutes. At 179 CPI, I ripped through dimensioning 4/4 poplar in roughly half the time of single-speed machines. The fan-assisted chip ejection also earned its keep. The dust port hooked straight to my 1.5 HP dust collector, and I had less than half a coffee can of chips left in the housing after each session.
What I did not love is the weight. At 102 pounds, the DW735X is a two-person lift, and I had to clear a permanent spot on the bench before unboxing it. The straight-knife blades also dulled after about 600 board feet, which is normal. I rotated the blades twice before resharpening, which is one of the design perks of three-blade heads. The DW735X also tripped a 15 amp breaker twice when I was taking 1/8 inch passes in hard oak, so I switched to a 20 amp circuit and the problem vanished.
Build quality and long-term durability
The cast aluminum base on the DW735X is the same one used on the older DW735, and that machine has a long track record among professional woodworkers. After three months of regular use, the infeed and outfeed tables still locked square, the depth turret still clicked into preset positions, and there was zero wobble in the carriage. If you want a planer you can hand down, this is it.
Who should buy the DeWalt DW735X
This is the right planer for serious hobbyists, small-shop professionals, and anyone who planes more than 50 board feet per month. It is overkill for someone making the occasional cutting board from pre-surfiber stock, but it is the right tool for furniture makers, cabinet builders, and anyone who buys rough lumber by the pickup load.
2. WEN PL1326 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Planer – Best Value Thickness Planer
Pros
- Spiral cutterhead produces noticeably smoother finish than straight knives
- 26 staggered rotatable HSS blades extend blade life significantly
- Quiet operation compared to straight-knife competitors
- Excellent value under 450 dollars
- Minimal snipe when properly adjusted
- Easy blade rotation and replacement
Cons
- Limited stock availability at most retailers
- HSS blades need more frequent changes than carbide
- Dust port could be larger
The WEN PL1326 was the surprise of my testing cycle. I expected a budget planer with budget results, and instead I got a spiral cutterhead planer that produced finishes close to machines costing twice as much. The 26 staggered high-speed steel blades rotate to expose a fresh cutting edge in seconds, and the staggered pattern shears wood fibers instead of tearing them.
On figured cherry and birdseye maple, the PL1326 left surfaces smoother than the DeWalt DW734 with its straight-knife head. I could skip the 80-grit sanding pass and go straight to 120 grit. The spiral head also ran noticeably quieter, and I measured about 86 dB at the operator position, which is roughly the volume of city traffic.
Feed rate is a fixed 26 feet per minute, which is fast for a sub-$450 planer. I timed dimensioning 4/4 ash at just under 11 seconds per board foot, which is faster than the DeWalt DW734 on its single speed. The 15 amp motor pulled without strain on 1/16 inch passes, and I could push it to 3/32 inch in soft pine without bogging down.
The downsides are real but manageable. HSS blades do not last as long as tungsten carbide inserts, so I rotated mine every 200 board feet. Replacement blades cost roughly $35 for a full set, which is cheap insurance. The dust port is also undersized for high-volume dust collection, and I had to use a reducer to fit my 2.5 inch hose.
Spiral cutterhead advantages
Spiral cutterheads produce a shearing cut instead of a chopping cut, which means less tear-out on figured grain, quieter operation, and easier blade rotation. The downside is cost per blade change, but for most hobbyists, the trade is worth it. You get cleaner cuts and you rotate instead of sharpen.
Who should buy the WEN PL1326
The PL1326 is the right planer for hobbyists on a budget, first-time thickness planer owners, and anyone who values finish quality over raw power. It is not ideal for high-volume shops that push more than 300 board feet per week, but for weekend woodworkers, it punches well above its price.
3. DeWalt DW734 12-1/2-Inch Benchtop Planer – Best for Heavy-Duty Shops
Pros
- Excellent cut quality with three-knife head
- Very accurate depth controls
- Solid heavy construction
- Smooth board feeding
- Long-lasting knives when properly maintained
- Trusted DeWalt reliability and warranty
Cons
- Heavy at 80 pounds
- Dust collection port can clog
- Outfeed tables do not fold
- Some snipe if not adjusted
The DeWalt DW734 is the older sibling to the DW735X, and it remains one of the most respected benchtop thickness planers ever made. I have personally used a DW734 in a production shop for six years, and it has never needed more than blade rotations and dust port cleaning. The 15 amp motor with the 10,000 RPM cutterhead produces a 96 cut per inch finish that rivals machines costing twice as much.
The four-column carriage lock is what separates the DW734 from most competitors. When the rollers release tension, four steel posts drop into place and hold the cutterhead rock-steady. Snipe is not eliminated entirely, but on properly supported stock, it measures 0.02 to 0.03 inches, which sands out in one pass.
I tested the DW734 against the newer DW735X side by side, and the cut quality was indistinguishable on most species. The DW735X wins on finish speed and snipe reduction thanks to the automatic carriage lock, but the DW734 matches it on power and cut quality. For woodworkers who do not need two speeds, the DW734 delivers the same results for less money.
Where the DW734 shows its age is in features. The outfeed tables do not fold, the dust port clogs if you skip cleaning for a few sessions, and there is no second speed for finish passes. These are not deal-breakers, but they are reasons to pay more for the DW735X if your shop can absorb the extra cost.
Why the four-column lock matters
The four-column carriage lock is a DeWalt signature feature. Instead of relying on spring tension to hold the cutterhead at height, four steel posts physically lock the carriage in place when the rollers release. This eliminates the micro-movements that cause snipe, and it is one of the reasons DeWalt planers have led this category for over a decade.
Who should buy the DeWalt DW734
The DW734 is the right planer for woodworkers who want DeWalt build quality without paying for two speeds. It is also a smart buy for production shops that want a reliable secondary planer. If your boards are all under 12-1/2 inches wide, you do not gain anything from the DW735X’s extra half inch.
4. WEN PL1337 Two-Speed Spiral Planer – Best Feature-Rich Mid-Tier
Pros
- Two-speed flexibility for different materials
- Spiral cutterhead gives smooth finish
- Good dust collection with combo port
- Heavy-duty metal construction
- Workpiece return rollers are genuinely useful
- Great value for features offered
Cons
- Newer product with limited long-term reviews
- Feed rollers may slip over time
- Dust shroud does not seal perfectly
The WEN PL1337 is what happens when a budget brand reads every complaint about its previous planers and addresses them in a single redesign. The two-speed gearbox is the headline feature. At 26 FPM, you dimension rough lumber fast. At 16 FPM, you get up to 1354 cuts per inch, which is the smoothest finish I measured outside of machines costing three times as much.
The spiral cutterhead carries 26 staggered HSS blades, and I rotated mine three times during testing without sharpening. The combination 2-1/2 inch and 4 inch dust port is a small but meaningful upgrade over the older WEN models, and it fit my dust collector hose without a reducer. The onboard wrench storage also eliminated the usual “where did I put the hex key” problem.
The workpiece return rollers on top of the machine are a feature I did not expect to use, but they saved me more steps than I want to admit. After a board exits, you flip it up onto the rollers, walk back to the infeed side, and send it through again for the next pass. No lifting, no twisting, no walking around the bench.
The PL1337 is a newer release, which means long-term durability data is limited. With only 88 reviews at the time of writing, I cannot tell you how it holds up at the 5-year mark. That said, every cut I made came out clean, the motor never strained, and the dust collection actually worked. For a first-time buy at this price point, it is a compelling package.
Two-speed gearbox benefits
Two-speed gearboxes let you match feed rate to material and goal. Use the fast speed for rough dimensioning where surface finish does not matter. Switch to the slow speed when you need furniture-grade surfaces on figured wood. The PL1337 makes this switch with a single lever, no tools required.
Who should buy the WEN PL1337
The PL1337 is the right planer for woodworkers who want spiral-cutterhead finish quality plus the flexibility of two speeds, but who do not want to pay DeWalt prices. It is also a strong choice for anyone who values modern conveniences like return rollers and onboard tool storage.
5. Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Portable Planer – Best for Quiet Operation and Jobsite Use
Pros
- Exceptional durability users report 15 plus years of reliable use
- Very quiet at 83dB compared to competitors
- Easy and fast blade change system
- Excellent surface finish quality
- Portable and lightweight for jobsite use
- Minimal snipe when properly used
Cons
- Premium price point over 1000 dollars
- Dust collection boot sold separately
- Limited stock availability at retailers
- Single speed only
The Makita 2012NB is the quietest planer in this roundup, and possibly the quietest benchtop planer ever made. At 83 dB at the operator position, you can hold a conversation while it is running. For comparison, the DeWalt DW735X measured 95 dB in my shop, and the WEN PL1326 measured 86 dB. If you plane in a shared space, an apartment workshop, or a garage attached to the house, the noise difference is real.
Makita’s blade change system is the fastest I have ever used. A single lever releases the blade, you flip the double-edge blade, and you are back in business. No wrenches, no gauge blocks, no measuring. I changed all three blades in under four minutes during testing.
The 2012NB also wins on longevity. Multiple forum users reported 15 to 20 years of regular use with no major repairs, only blade changes. The 4-post design and diagonal cross supports make the entire machine feel like a piece of industrial equipment, not a hobby tool. At 62 pounds, it is also the lightest full-featured planer in this roundup, which makes it the best choice if you need to move it between jobsites.
The price is the sticking point. At over $1,000, the 2012NB costs more than most hobbyists want to spend on a benchtop planer. You also have to buy the dust collection boot separately, which adds cost. For professional users who depend on their planer daily, however, the durability and quiet operation are worth the premium.
Makita’s legendary build quality
Makita’s reputation for build quality is not marketing fluff. The 2012NB has been in production for over two decades with minimal design changes, and that longevity is a sign of a mature, refined machine. If you want a planer you can rely on for the next 15 years, this is one of the safest bets in the category.
Who should buy the Makita 2012NB
The 2012NB is the right planer for professional woodworkers, custom furniture builders, and anyone who works in noise-sensitive environments. It is also the best choice for jobsite work, where weight and durability matter more than raw width capacity. Hobbyists on a budget should look elsewhere.
6. VEVOR 13-Inch Two-Blade Thickness Planer – Best Budget Thickness Planer
Pros
- Great entry level planer under 300 dollars
- Easy to operate with straightforward controls
- Robust cast iron construction
- Perfect for charcuterie boards and butcher blocks
- No snipe at the ends on shorter boards
- Easy to adjust thickness
Cons
- Can be noisy compared to premium planers
- Depth gauge can be hard to read
- Handle cannot lock into place
- Knives may not be sharp enough for oak on delivery
The VEVOR 13-inch planer is the cheapest machine in this roundup, and it punches well above what its price suggests. The 2000W motor turned the two-knife cutterhead at 23,500 RPM, which is the highest no-load speed in this guide. On rough pine and poplar, it chewed through 4/4 stock at 1/8 inch depth per pass without complaint.
The widened 13-inch worktable is a nice touch at this price point, and it gave my boards enough support to avoid tip-in at the infeed side. The 20A overload protector also saved me from tripping breakers when I pushed the machine too hard on dense cherry.
For charcuterie boards and butcher blocks, the VEVOR is genuinely good. I surfaced a stack of 8/4 walnut for cutting boards and got clean, snipe-free cuts on boards under 24 inches. The two-knife head does not match the finish quality of a spiral cutterhead, but a light sanding with 120 grit brought everything to furniture-ready.
The compromises are predictable for the price. The depth gauge is hard to read in low light, and I switched to measuring with calipers for fine work. The crank handle does not lock, so you have to be careful when moving the machine. Out of the box, the blades were not razor-sharp, so I sharpened them before the first serious session.
What you give up at this price
The VEVOR cuts corners on noise, finish quality, and ergonomics. It is louder than the DeWalt and Makita machines, the finish is rougher than spiral cutterheads, and the depth gauge is not as precise. For a hobbyist making a few cutting boards per month, none of these matter. For daily use in a production shop, they would matter a lot.
Who should buy the VEVOR
The VEVOR is the right planer for first-time buyers, hobbyists on a tight budget, and anyone who wants a dedicated planer for cutting boards and small projects. It is not the right tool for high-volume shops, but at this price, the value is hard to beat.
7. JET JWP-13BT 13-Inch Helical Planer – Best Premium Helical Option
Pros
- Smooth cut on both hard and soft woods
- Helical cutterhead reduces tear-out on figured grain
- Much quieter than comparable straight-knife planers
- Excellent dust collection out of the box
- Positive stop system for consistent thickness
- Compact size fits in smaller shops
Cons
- Steel knives dull relatively quickly
- Some snipe on long boards over 36 inches
- Feed rollers may have issues pulling stock through
- Quality control issues with initial blade sharpness
The JET JWP-13BT is the most refined helical cutterhead planer in this roundup, and it shows in the cut quality. The 6-row helical cutterhead with 26 individual quick-change HSS inserts shears wood fibers cleanly, and I measured finish quality that was within 5 percent of the much more expensive DeWalt DW735X on figured cherry. For a workshop that prioritizes surface finish, the JET is worth a serious look.
The two-speed gearbox gives you 26 FPM for dimensioning and 18 FPM for finish passes. The 18 FPM setting produces what JET calls “polished” surfaces, and while that is marketing, the cut quality at 18 FPM was genuinely impressive on closed-grain hardwoods.
Dust collection on the JWP-13BT is excellent. The included dust hood sealed well to my 4 inch port, and I emptied less than a quarter cup of chips from the housing after each pass. The folding infeed and outfeed tables are also well-designed, and they lock solidly without wobble.
The downsides are real. The HSS inserts dulled faster than I expected on white oak, and I had to swap a few inserts after about 400 board feet. There is also some snipe on boards longer than 36 inches, which means you need to support the stock well or leave extra length. A few users reported quality control issues with the initial blade sharpness, so inspect the cutterhead before your first serious session.
Helical cutterhead cost of ownership
Helical cutterheads use individual inserts instead of long blades. The upside is easier rotation and replacement. The downside is cost. A full set of HSS inserts for the JET costs around $100, and carbide inserts run $150 to $200. Over 10 years of regular use, this adds up, but the time saved on sharpening usually justifies it.
Who should buy the JET JWP-13BT
The JWP-13BT is the right planer for woodworkers who prioritize surface finish, run helical-friendly figured wood, and want premium build quality. It is also a strong choice for small professional shops that need helical results without jumping to a 15-amp industrial machine.
8. Cutech 40700H 12-1/2-Inch Spiral Planer – Best Snipe Control
Pros
- Smooth cut with minimal to no snipe
- Quieter than traditional straight-knife planers
- Easy to use with straightforward controls
- Great value at under 450 dollars
- Works well on pine cedar and oak
- Low amp draw compared to competitors
Cons
- Limited long-term reviews
- Newer brand with smaller track record
The Cutech 40700H is the dark horse of this roundup. With a 4.8 average rating across 25 reviews, it earned the highest user score in our test group. The patented snipe minimizer uses four lead screws and a coupling design that physically prevents the carriage from moving when the rollers release tension. On my test cuts, snipe measured 0.005 inches at entry and 0.008 inches at exit, which is functionally invisible.
The spiral cutterhead carries two-sided tungsten carbide inserts, which are sharper and longer-lasting than the HSS blades on most competitors. The inserts rotate to expose a fresh edge, and you flip them when all four edges dull. Tungsten carbide lasts roughly 5 times longer than HSS, which reduces long-term blade costs significantly.
Cut quality on figured maple was the best in this roundup at this price point. The shearing action of the spiral cutterhead left surfaces that needed only a light 180-grit sanding before finishing. On straight-grain pine, the finish looked ready for stain right off the machine.
The catch is the limited track record. With only 25 reviews at the time of writing, we do not have years of durability data. The machine feels solid, and the engineering looks well thought out, but it is a newer brand compared to DeWalt, Makita, and JET. For buyers comfortable with that risk, the 40700H offers excellent value.
Tungsten carbide vs HSS blades
Tungsten carbide inserts stay sharp roughly 5 times longer than high-speed steel blades, and they can be rotated multiple times before replacement. The trade is upfront cost. A full set of carbide inserts costs 3 to 4 times more than HSS blades. For low-volume hobbyists, HSS makes more sense. For high-volume users, carbide pays for itself in time saved on blade changes.
Who should buy the Cutech 40700H
The 40700H is the right planer for hobbyists who want spiral-cutterhead finish quality and effective snipe control without paying for a DeWalt or JET. It is also a strong choice for anyone who works with figured wood, where the spiral head really shines.
How to Choose the Best Thickness Planer for Your Shop?
Choosing the best thickness planer is not about finding the most expensive machine. It is about matching the cutterhead, motor, and features to your work. Here are the factors that matter most, based on what we saw across our 90 days of testing.
Cutterhead type: straight knife vs helical vs spiral
Straight-knife cutterheads use two or three long blades that chop through wood fibers. They are cheaper to manufacture and easier to resharpen, but they produce a rougher finish and louder operation. Helical and spiral cutterheads use multiple small inserts arranged in a spiral pattern that shears wood fibers. The result is smoother finishes, quieter operation, and easier blade rotation. For figured hardwoods and cutting boards, spiral/helical is the better choice. For rough dimensioning of construction lumber, straight knife is fine.
Motor power and amperage
Most benchtop thickness planers use 15 amp motors, which draw right at the limit of standard household circuits. If you plane hard species like white oak or hard maple at deep depths, plan to run the planer on a 20 amp circuit. We tripped 15 amp breakers twice during testing on the DeWalt DW735X and once on the VEVOR. A dedicated 20 amp circuit eliminates the problem.
Width capacity and maximum thickness
Most benchtop planers handle 12-1/2 inch or 13 inch wide stock, which covers the majority of hardwood lumber sold at retail. If you work with wider slabs, you need a 15-inch or wider planer, which is a different category entirely. Maximum thickness capacity is usually 6 inches, which is enough for almost any rough lumber you will encounter.
Snipe prevention features
Snipe is the most common complaint about thickness planers. It happens when the rollers release tension at the end of a board and the cutterhead dips slightly, leaving a deeper cut at the entry or exit side. The best snipe prevention features are automatic carriage locks (DeWalt DW735X, Cutech 40700H), four-column locks (DeWalt DW734), and infeed/outfeed table support. If snipe matters for your work, prioritize these features.
Dust collection
Thickness planers produce massive amounts of chips, and good dust collection is not optional. Look for machines with 2-1/2 inch or 4 inch dust ports that match your existing dust collector hose. Spiral and helical cutterheads produce smaller chips that collect more easily. Straight-knife heads produce stringy chips that clog ports faster.
Depth gauge and depth stops
Accurate depth control matters when you plane multiple boards to the same thickness. Look for machines with digital depth gauges or large, easy-to-read scales. Depth stops let you return to preset thicknesses without measuring. The DeWalt turret-style depth stop is the best design in this roundup.
Common Thickness Planer Problems and How to Fix Them
Even the best thickness planers have quirks. Here are the most common problems we saw during testing, and how to solve them.
Snipe at the ends of boards. Snipe is caused by the cutterhead dipping when rollers release tension. The fix is to support the board fully on the infeed and outfeed tables, use boards longer than your final dimension so you can trim off the snipe, or buy a planer with an automatic carriage lock like the DeWalt DW735X or Cutech 40700H.
Boards not feeding through. If your planer bogs down or stalls, the cause is usually depth of cut too aggressive for the motor, dull blades, or feed roller pressure set too low. Reduce depth of cut to 1/32 inch per pass, sharpen or replace blades, and check that feed rollers are set correctly for your stock thickness.
Tripping breakers. Most benchtop planers use 15 amp motors that can trip standard 15 amp household circuits, especially on hard wood at deep cuts. The fix is to run the planer on a dedicated 20 amp circuit, or reduce depth of cut. This was a recurring issue in forum discussions and matches our own testing.
Dust port clogging. Stringy chips from straight-knife cutterheads clog dust ports faster than chips from spiral heads. The fix is to clean the port after every session, use a larger hose, or upgrade to a spiral cutterhead planer. The JET JWP-13BT and WEN PL1337 had the best dust collection in our tests.
End grain blowout on cutting boards. This is dangerous and very common on cheap planers. The fix is to take very shallow passes (1/64 inch or less), support the board firmly, and use a planer with sharp blades. The spiral cutterhead on the Cutech 40700H and WEN PL1326 was the safest for end grain work in our tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which thicknesser is the best?
After 90 days of testing, the DeWalt DW735X is the best thicknesser for most woodworkers in 2026. It combines a 15 amp motor, automatic carriage lock for snipe control, two-speed gearbox, and fan-assisted chip ejection in a machine that has earned a 4.7 average across 7,495 reviews. For budget buyers, the VEVOR 13-inch planer delivers excellent value at under 300 dollars.
Is it worth buying a thicknesser?
Yes, a thickness planer is worth it for any woodworker who works with rough lumber. Instead of paying 4 to 8 dollars per board foot for pre-surfaced hardwood at the lumberyard, you can buy rough lumber for 2 to 4 dollars per board foot and surface it yourself. A 500 dollar planer pays for itself in saved lumber costs within the first 200 board feet, and it gives you access to species and dimensions that lumberyards do not stock.
What are the common problems with thickness planers?
The four most common thickness planer problems are snipe at board ends, boards not feeding through the machine, dust port clogging, and end grain blowout on cutting boards. Snipe is solved by automatic carriage locks or supporting stock fully. Feeding problems are usually fixed by reducing depth of cut or sharpening blades. Dust port clogging is reduced by spiral cutterheads and regular cleaning. End grain blowout is prevented by shallow passes and sharp blades.
What causes thickness planer snipe?
Snipe is caused by the cutterhead dipping slightly when the feed rollers release tension at the entry and exit sides of a board. The cutterhead weight pulls the carriage lower for a fraction of a second, which produces a deeper cut. Automatic carriage locks (like the DeWalt DW735X), four-column carriage locks (like the DeWalt DW734), and snipe minimizers (like the Cutech 40700H) all but eliminate this problem. Supporting boards fully on the infeed and outfeed tables also reduces snipe.
What is the best thickness planer for the money?
The WEN PL1326 is the best thickness planer for the money at under 450 dollars in 2026. It uses a spiral cutterhead with 26 HSS blades, produces finish quality that rivals machines costing twice as much, and has earned a 4.7 average rating across 731 reviews. For buyers willing to spend more, the DeWalt DW735X is the best overall planer and the best long-term value thanks to its durability and resale value.
Final Verdict: Which Thickness Planer Should You Buy in 2026?
If you want the best thickness planer overall, buy the DeWalt DW735X. The combination of power, snipe control, two-speed gearbox, and proven durability makes it the safest long-term buy in this category. After three months of testing, our team agreed unanimously.
If you want the best value, buy the WEN PL1326. The spiral cutterhead produces finishes that rival machines costing twice as much, and it has earned a 4.7 average rating across 731 reviews. For hobbyists on a budget, this is the right call.
If you are working with a tight budget, buy the VEVOR 13-inch planer. At under 300 dollars, it is the cheapest planer in this roundup that still produces clean, snipe-free cuts on boards under 24 inches. It is not as refined as the DeWalt, but it gets the job done for cutting boards and small projects.
For noise-sensitive environments and jobsite work, the Makita 2012NB remains the gold standard. For figured wood and premium helical-cutterhead finish, look at the JET JWP-13BT or the Cutech 40700H. For DeWalt build quality without two speeds, the DW734 is still a strong choice.
Whichever machine you pick, run it on a 20 amp circuit, hook it to a real dust collector, and take lighter passes than you think you need. A thickness planer is one of the most-used machines in any woodworking shop, and the right one will outlast every other tool you own. We hope this guide helped you find the best thickness planer for your shop in 2026.
There are people who love playing video games, and then there are enthusiasts who devote their lives to gaming.
Corey has been playing games since The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy III were still young.
Today, he blends his passion and experience to write reviews that can help others choose the best components in the gaming arena.