10 Best Thickness Planers 2026 in the United States

The JET BLACK 20-Inch Planer is a robust tool designed for serious woodworkers and professionals. Its 20-inch cutting width allows for handling large workpieces, making it ideal for those who work with wide lumber. The 5 HP motor delivers strong performance, ensuring smooth cuts even with thicker materials. The helical cutterhead is a significant advantage, as it provides a cleaner and quieter finish compared to traditional straight blades, enhancing the quality of your output.

One of its standout features is the positive gear drive that facilitates precise height adjustments, allowing you to make fine cuts with ease. The large handwheel makes it user-friendly, making quick adjustments a breeze. The JET BLACK coated cast iron tables enhance durability and reduce friction, minimizing maintenance needs like waxing or polishing, which is a real plus for busy workshops.

There are a few drawbacks to consider. The weight of 765 pounds makes this planer less portable, which could be an issue for those who need to move their tools frequently. It also requires a dedicated 230V power source, which may not be readily available in all workshops. While the dust collection system is included, its effectiveness can vary based on setup and environment, so users might need to invest in additional dust management solutions.

The JET 12-Inch Planer/Jointer with Helical Cutterhead is a robust and versatile tool designed for both planing and jointing tasks, making it ideal for woodworkers who need precision in their projects. One of its standout features is the 42 four-sided carbide insert cutterhead, which enhances cutting efficiency and provides a smooth finish, catering well to those focused on detail and quality. The ability to quickly switch between jointing and planing functions without removing the fence adds to its user-friendly design, making it suitable for users who may be new to these processes.

With a substantial 3 HP motor and a cutting width of 12 inches, this machine is capable of handling larger pieces of wood while maintaining a cutting depth of up to 0.13 inches. The heavy-duty cast iron tables ensure stability and accuracy, which is crucial for achieving precise cuts. The parallelogram design keeps the table close to the cutterhead, allowing for accurate depth adjustments, which can save time and reduce material waste.

However, one must consider its weight of 453 pounds, making it less portable than some lighter options on the market. If your workspace requires frequent relocation of tools, this may pose a challenge. The dust collection system isn't highlighted, which could be a downside for users concerned about maintaining a clean workspace. The 5-year warranty is a favorable assurance of quality, although it shortens to 2 years for commercial use. This planer/jointer is best suited for serious hobbyists or professionals looking for durability and precision in their woodworking tasks.

The DEWALT DW735 is a solid choice if you're looking for a powerful and reliable thickness planer. It offers a wide 13-inch cutting width, which is great for handling larger boards. The cutting depth maxes out at 0.13 inches, allowing you to remove a good amount of material in each pass without overwhelming the motor. Speaking of power, its 15-amp motor runs at a high speed of 20,000 RPM, making it strong enough for heavy-duty jobs. One of its standout features is the three-knife cutter head that spins at 10,000 RPM. This design gives longer blade life and also makes replacing knives easier, saving you time and effort.

You also get a two-speed feed rate option, letting you choose between 96 or 179 cuts per inch based on the finish you want—slower feed for smoother surfaces and faster for quicker material removal. Dust collection is well thought out with a fan-assisted chip ejection system and a dust hose adapter, which helps keep your workspace cleaner. The base is made from cast aluminum, which is sturdy and helps reduce vibrations, and folding tables provide extra support when feeding long boards. The automatic carriage lock is a handy feature to reduce snipe (those unwanted dips at the ends of boards), without needing manual adjustments.

On the downside, this planer is corded, so mobility is limited compared to battery-powered models. It’s also a bit heavy and bulky, so it’s best suited for a fixed workshop rather than moving around a job site. If you need a planer mainly for larger projects and want durability plus precise control over cuts, the DEWALT DW735 fits the bill well.