A portable thickness planer helps turn rough lumber into boards of consistent thickness without taking up the space of a stationary machine. The right choice depends on the boards you work with, the finish you expect, and how often you need to move or store the tool.
These 10 options span straightforward two-knife models, three-knife workhorses, and spiral-style cutterheads. Use the product details below alongside the buying guide to narrow the field for your workshop and budget.
Best 10 Portable Thickness Planers Picks for 2026
Best Equipped Package
DEWALT DW735X 13-Inch Thickness Planer
- Two feed speeds: 96 or 179 CPI
- Tables and extra knives included
- 102-pound weight limits easy carrying
Best For: Woodworkers seeking a two-speed planer with tables and spare knives
Best for Jobsite Transport
Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Portable Planer
- Compact, transport-focused design
- 83 dB listed noise level
- 11.86-inch cutting width
Best For: Woodworkers moving a planer between jobsites
Best Spiral Cutterhead Option
WEN PL1326 13-Inch Thickness Planer
- 26 rotatable HSS cutterhead blades
- 13-inch width; boards up to 6 inches thick
- Single-speed design
Best For: Woodworkers seeking a 13-inch planer with rotatable blades
Best Two-Speed Core Planer
DEWALT DW735 13-Inch Thickness Planer
- 96 or 179 cuts per inch
- Automatic carriage lock
- Tables and spare knives not listed as included
Best For: Woodworkers wanting two-speed DW735 controls without the DW735X bundle
Best for Snipe Control
Cutech 40700H Spiral Cutterhead Planer
- 12½-inch spiral cutterhead with carbide inserts
- Four-lead-screw snipe minimizer
- Depth indicator and board return rollers
Best For: Smooth finishes and built-in snipe control
Best for Repeatable Depths
DEWALT DW734 Three-Knife Planer
- 15-amp motor and three-knife cutterhead
- Four-column carriage lock
- 33½-inch table support and turret depth stop
Best For: Supported passes at frequently used thickness settings
Best Two-Speed Choice
WEN PL1337 13-Inch Spiral Planer
- 26 and 16 FPM feed rates
- 13-inch cutting width
- 26 rotatable HSS blades and return rollers
Best For: Flexible feed speeds and wider boards
Compact Workshop Pick
CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 12.25-Inch Planer
- 12.25-inch cutting width
- 15-amp motor with Poly-V drive
- Reversible knives and vacuum port
Best For: Straightforward two-knife planing in a home workshop
Finish-Control Pick
Cutech 40800H 13-Inch Spiral Planer
- 13-inch width and 26 carbide inserts
- Two speeds, including 16-fpm feed
- Snipe minimizer and eight-position stop
Best For: Hardwood or figured boards needing controlled passes
Simple Two-Blade Pick
- 12.5-inch width; boards up to 6 inches thick
- 15-amp motor and 26-fpm feed
- Two reversible SK5 blades
Best For: Basic benchtop planing with reversible blades
Best Equipped Package – DEWALT DW735X 13-Inch Thickness Planer
Among portable thickness planers, the DEWALT DW735X is a well-equipped choice for woodworkers who want a 13-inch cutting width and included infeed and outfeed tables. Its 15-amp motor and two feed speeds give you options for larger cuts and finer finishes.
Best For: Woodworkers who want a two-speed planer with tables and spare knives included.
Pros:
- Three-knife cutterhead offers 96 or 179 cuts per inch through the two-speed gearbox.
- Includes infeed and outfeed tables plus an extra set of knives.
- Fan-assisted chip ejection and an automatic carriage lock support cleaner operation and help reduce snipe.
Cons:
- At 102 pounds, it takes planning to move between work locations.
The included accessories distinguish the DW735X from a bare-planer purchase. Choose it when its finish controls and complete package matter more than easy lifting.
Best for Jobsite Transport – Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Portable Planer
If you are comparing portable thickness planers for work away from a fixed shop, the Makita 2012NB prioritizes transport and straightforward blade changes. Its listed 83 dB noise level, four-post design, and table extensions also address day-to-day use.
Best For: Woodworkers who frequently move their planer between jobsites.
Pros:
- Compact design and listed weight of 28.07 kg make transport a clear design priority.
- Disposable double-edge blades are designed for quick changes.
- Four-post construction with diagonal supports adds stability, while table extensions support longer stock.
Cons:
- Its listed 11.86-inch cutting width is narrower than the 13-inch models here.
The 2012NB trades some width for a transport-focused design. It is worth considering when setup across multiple locations matters more than maximum board width.
Best Spiral Cutterhead Option – WEN PL1326 13-Inch Thickness Planer
For shoppers comparing portable thickness planers by cutterhead design, the WEN PL1326 offers a spiral cutterhead with 26 staggered, rotatable HSS blades. It handles boards up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches thick.
Best For: Woodworkers who want a 13-inch planer with rotatable cutterhead blades.
Pros:
- Spiral cutterhead uses 26 staggered blades for a smooth finish.
- Onboard material-removal gauge shows the cutting depth of each pass.
- Includes a depth stop and adjustable dust port.
Cons:
- Its listed 36.74 kg weight makes it less convenient to carry frequently.
- Single-speed design does not offer a selectable feed rate.
The PL1326 is a practical pick if rotatable blades and a material-removal gauge top your list. Plan for a dedicated bench or help moving it.
Best Two-Speed Core Planer – DEWALT DW735 13-Inch Thickness Planer
The DEWALT DW735 brings two-speed feed control to shoppers evaluating portable thickness planers. Its 13-inch width, 15-amp motor, and three-knife cutterhead suit those who want to choose between 96 and 179 cuts per inch.
Best For: Woodworkers who want the DW735’s two-speed cutting controls without choosing the DW735X accessory package.
Pros:
- Two-speed gearbox provides 96 or 179 cuts per inch.
- Automatic carriage lock helps reduce movement that can cause snipe.
- Fan-assisted chip ejection, material-removal gauge, and turret depth stop add useful controls.
Cons:
- The listed included components do not include infeed/outfeed tables or spare knives.
Choose the DW735 for its feed-speed flexibility and built-in adjustment features. If you want tables and spare knives in the box, compare the DW735X package before buying.
Best for Snipe Control – Cutech 40700H Spiral Cutterhead Planer
Among portable thickness planers, the Cutech 40700H stands out for its 12½-inch spiral cutterhead with staggered tungsten carbide inserts and a four-lead-screw design intended to minimize snipe automatically.
Best For: Woodworkers who prioritize a smooth finish and built-in snipe control.
Pros:
- Six rows of staggered inserts are designed for smooth cuts and reduced noise.
- Four lead screws and a patented coupling minimize snipe without a separate carriage lock.
- Front depth-of-cut indicator and top-mounted board return rollers aid repeat passes.
Cons:
- Single-speed operation offers no feed-rate choice.
- 12½-inch cutting width is narrower than a 13-inch planer.
Choose this model if cutterhead design and snipe control matter more to you than adjustable feed speed.
Best for Repeatable Depths – DEWALT DW734 Three-Knife Planer
DEWALT Benchtop Planer, 15-Amp, 12-1/2-Inch, 3-Knife Cutter, 20,000 RPM, Corded (DW734)
Check Price On AmazonThe DEWALT DW734 is a 12½-inch option among portable thickness planers, pairing a 15-amp motor and three-knife cutterhead with gauges and a turret stop for repeatable depth settings.
Best For: Woodworkers who want supported, repeatable passes with a conventional three-knife cutterhead.
Pros:
- Three-knife cutterhead delivers 96 cuts per inch; reversible, disposable knives simplify changes.
- Four-column carriage lock helps reduce movement that causes snipe.
- Infeed and outfeed tables provide 33½ inches of support; the turret stop recalls frequently used depths.
Cons:
- At 36.29 kg, it takes effort to move between work areas.
- 12½-inch cutting width cannot accommodate a 13-inch-wide board in one pass.
Its supported tables and depth-setting features make it a practical choice when consistent repeat passes are the priority.
Best Two-Speed Choice – WEN PL1337 13-Inch Spiral Planer
For shoppers comparing portable thickness planers, the WEN PL1337 offers a 13-inch cutting width and two feed speeds: 26 FPM for quicker dimensioning and 16 FPM for finish passes.
Best For: Woodworkers who want feed-speed flexibility and capacity for boards up to 13 inches wide.
Pros:
- Two feed rates let you choose between faster dimensioning and a finer finish.
- Spiral cutterhead has 26 staggered, rotatable HSS blades.
- Includes a depth stop, material-removal gauge, combination dust port, and return rollers.
Cons:
- At 69 pounds, it is not a lightweight option for frequent moves.
- Its spiral cutterhead uses HSS blades rather than carbide inserts.
Pick the PL1337 when the extra half-inch of width and a choice of feed rates are more useful to you than a lighter machine.
Compact Workshop Pick – CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 12.25-Inch Planer
Among portable thickness planers, the CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 is a practical choice for a workshop that needs a 12.25-inch cutting width and a 15-amp motor for hardwood or softwood.
Best For: Woodworkers who want a two-knife benchtop planer with quick-change blades and a dust-collection port.
Pros:
- 15-amp motor and Poly-V cutterhead drive support stock removal.
- Reversible, double-edged high-carbon-steel knives offer two cutting edges per knife.
- Vacuum port provides a connection for dust collection.
Cons:
- 12.25-inch cutting width is narrower than the other two planers listed here.
- Two-knife cutterhead does not offer the insert-style cutting edges of the Cutech.
Its quick-change knife design and three-year limited warranty make it worth considering if straightforward maintenance matters more than a wider cutting capacity.
Finish-Control Pick – Cutech 40800H 13-Inch Spiral Planer
For buyers comparing portable thickness planers by finish control, the Cutech 40800H pairs a 13-inch capacity with a spiral cutterhead carrying 26 tungsten-carbide inserts and a two-speed feed rate.
Best For: Woodworkers planing hardwood or figured boards who want a slower feed option and features designed to limit snipe.
Pros:
- Six-row spiral cutterhead uses staggered, two-sided inserts.
- Feed rate can be slowed to 16 feet per minute to help avoid tearout.
- Four lead screws and a patented coupling design are intended to minimize snipe.
- Eight-position depth stop and top-mounted return rollers help with repeat passes.
Cons:
- Its insert cutterhead introduces a different cutting-edge maintenance routine than reversible full-length knives.
- The flip dust hood must be positioned for either rear chip discharge or dust-collector attachment.
This is the most feature-focused option of the three, particularly if controlled passes and repeatable thickness settings are priorities.
Simple Two-Blade Pick – WEN PL1252 12.5-Inch Planer
The WEN PL1252 keeps the setup straightforward for shoppers considering portable thickness planers: it has a 12.5-inch cutting width, a 15-amp motor and two reversible SK5 blades.
Best For: Woodworkers who want a two-blade benchtop planer for boards up to 12.5 inches wide and 6 inches thick.
Pros:
- Accepts boards up to 12.5 inches wide and 6 inches thick.
- 15-amp motor is specified at 20,000 cuts per minute with a 26-foot-per-minute feed rate.
- Includes two reversible 12.5-inch SK5 blades.
Cons:
- Single listed feed rate offers less feed-speed choice than the two-speed Cutech.
- Two-blade design does not provide the Cutech’s insert-style cutterhead.
If you prefer reversible full-length blades and do not need multiple feed speeds, the PL1252 covers the core planing specifications without the Cutech’s additional controls.
How We Picked These Portable Thickness Planers
We focused on benchtop models across common 12- to 13-inch cutting widths, with a mix of two-knife, three-knife, and spiral-style cutterheads. The selection includes straightforward budget options, machines with two feed speeds, and models with features intended to help manage snipe. Our comparisons emphasize specifications and practical ownership considerations—not unverified claims about hands-on testing or long-term reliability.
Quick Comparison: Which Type Fits Your Shop?
For occasional projects: A basic two-knife planer can be a sensible entry point if you mainly need consistent board thickness and can allow time for sanding. For frequent work: Three-knife models and machines with two feed speeds offer more flexibility when balancing material removal and finish quality. For figured or difficult grain: A spiral-style cutterhead with replaceable inserts may appeal if you want to change individual damaged edges rather than replace a full-length knife. Check the actual cutterhead design and insert type before buying; “spiral” labels do not guarantee identical cutting action.
Key Buying Factors for Portable Thickness Planers
Capacity and Footprint
Match the cutting width to your usual stock, not just the widest board you might plane once. Also check maximum thickness, minimum planing thickness, overall weight, and the clearance needed for long boards on both sides. A benchtop machine still needs a stable stand or work surface.
Cutterhead and Feed Options
Straight knives are familiar and may cost less initially, while insert-style heads let you rotate or replace affected cutters individually. Compare the price and availability of replacement knives or inserts. If you regularly switch between rough dimensioning and final passes, two feed speeds can be useful; they do not eliminate the need for light finishing cuts.
Snipe, Support, and Dust Collection
Some amount of snipe—slightly deeper cuts near a board’s ends—can occur with any portable planer. Stable infeed and outfeed support, careful setup, and leaving extra length for trimming can help. Check how the planer handles chips and whether its dust port suits your collector: thickness planers produce substantial debris.
Power and Running Costs
A 15-amp rating is common in this class, but it does not by itself predict cut quality. Take modest passes in wide or hard stock, and check your circuit before running a dust collector alongside the planer. Factor consumables and potential shipping weight into the total cost.
Who Should Buy Which Portable Thickness Planers?
Choose a simple 12- or 12½-inch model if storage space and upfront cost matter most. Step up to a 13-inch model if you routinely work with wider stock. Consider a two-speed planer if you want more control over feed rate, or an insert-style cutterhead if replaceable cutting edges suit your workflow. Whichever you choose, prioritize dependable board support, practical dust collection, and readily available replacement cutters over a single headline specification.