Hand Planer vs Table Planer – Which is Your Best Choice?

Close up A man with work clothes and a cap carpenter scouring a wooden board on an thicknessing machine in a light workshop

Buying the best planer for the job at hand is something that every woodworker has to consider. When deciding between a hand planer vs table planer, you need to consider what you intend on using your planer for.

Let us explain the difference between the hand planers, electric planers, and table planers in this article.

With this information, you should be able to determine which planer is going to be your best option, and by the end, you should know exactly which type of planer you should be looking to purchase.

First up- Benchtop Planers

Bench planers are portable machines that fulfill a specific purpose and can save you quite a lot of money when buying lumber for DIY furniture projects.

Often referred to as a thickness planer, bench planers allow you to size boards to the correct thickness accurately and easily. You adjust the depth of cut to size boards to the desired thickness.

You then pass the boards through the infeed rollers and it comes out the opposite side square and at the desired thickness. This saves a lot of time, especially if you’ve joined, or laminated, several pieces to make one surface.

Buying unfinished lumber, which is wood that has not been finished to a flat uniform surface, is much cheaper than wood that has been flattened beforehand. Over the years, a bench planer could pay for itself. By doing the finishing yourself, you will be saving a bundle of cash on lumber costs.

If you intend on making your own furniture, I would consider a bench (table) planer as an essential tool in your home shop. It is the most efficient way to get your boards to the perfect thickness and create perfectly flat surfaces for joining and laminating.

Once you’ve passed the wood through the planer, there is very little sanding required, especially if you use a high-end planer that leaves a nearly perfect surface.

There are two very important factors when deciding on the best bench planer. The first would be the size of the machine. The width of the planer determines what size boards you can pass through. A 12” bench planer will only accommodate boards that have a width of 12” or less.

The other thing to consider is the cutting knives. Scallop is a wave-like finish to the surface of the board. A table planer works by using knives fitted to a rotating shaft. This can result in the curve of the blade angle leaving indentations in the wood surface, which is scallop.

Most of the best table planers make use of three knives. More knives reduce the effects of scallop. Many may use only two knives and the effect of fewer knives can be overcome by a higher rotation speed, but three knives tend to be the best.

Benchtop planers are usually the best table planers for a home shop, they are not too large, and are portable. However, these machines are generally limited to a width of 13” or less.


Our Best Recommended Table Planers At Amazon

Image
Top Pick
DEWALT Thickness Planer, Two Speed, 13-inch, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X)
Runner Up
DEWALT Benchtop Planer, 15-Amp, 12-1/2-Inch, 3-Knife Cutter, 20,000 RPM, Corded (DW734)
Best Value Pick
WEN 6552T 13 in. 15 Amp 3-Blade Benchtop Corded Thickness Planer
Industrial Grade
Grizzly Industrial G0505-12-1/2" 2 HP Benchtop Planer
Delta Power
Delta Power Tools 22-555 13 In Portable Thickness Planer
Product
DEWALT Thickness Planer, Two Speed, 13-inch, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X)
DEWALT Benchtop Planer, 15-Amp, 12-1/2-Inch, 3-Knife Cutter, 20,000 RPM, Corded (DW734)
WEN 6552T 13 in. 15 Amp 3-Blade Benchtop Corded Thickness Planer
Grizzly Industrial G0505-12-1/2" 2 HP Benchtop Planer
Delta Power Tools 22-555 13 In Portable Thickness Planer
Price
$779.00
$456.47
Price not available
$578.95
$395.55
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
-
-
Amazon Prime
Top Pick
Image
DEWALT Thickness Planer, Two Speed, 13-inch, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X)
Product
DEWALT Thickness Planer, Two Speed, 13-inch, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X)
Price
$779.00
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Buy On Amazon
Runner Up
Image
DEWALT Benchtop Planer, 15-Amp, 12-1/2-Inch, 3-Knife Cutter, 20,000 RPM, Corded (DW734)
Product
DEWALT Benchtop Planer, 15-Amp, 12-1/2-Inch, 3-Knife Cutter, 20,000 RPM, Corded (DW734)
Price
$456.47
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Buy On Amazon
Best Value Pick
Image
WEN 6552T 13 in. 15 Amp 3-Blade Benchtop Corded Thickness Planer
Product
WEN 6552T 13 in. 15 Amp 3-Blade Benchtop Corded Thickness Planer
Price
Price not available
Prime Status
-
Buy On Amazon
Industrial Grade
Image
Grizzly Industrial G0505-12-1/2" 2 HP Benchtop Planer
Product
Grizzly Industrial G0505-12-1/2" 2 HP Benchtop Planer
Price
$578.95
Prime Status
-
Buy On Amazon
Delta Power
Image
Delta Power Tools 22-555 13 In Portable Thickness Planer
Product
Delta Power Tools 22-555 13 In Portable Thickness Planer
Price
$395.55
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Buy On Amazon


 Hand Planers And Electric Planers

The biggest advantage of owning a hand planer is that you can take it anywhere and use it on pre-installed woodwork. Unlike a table planer, where the wood has to be passed through the planer, you pass the planer over the wood that you’re working with.

Using a hand planer to finish large boards or tabletops, is time-consuming and not too accurate. For these jobs, a table planer is the best option. Finishing narrow pieces like table legs is a perfect way to utilize a hand planer.

Probably the best case to be made for the hand planer is when it comes to maintenance and site work. Trimming doors to size is one of the main purposes of a hand planer.

This could be when you’re installing a door for the first time, or when a door swells after being exposed to moisture. You can remove thin layers of wood until the door fits perfectly, and the surface will be smooth and square.

For building projects, a hand planer is essential. Fitting cabinets and balustrades usually require some final cutting to obtain a perfect fit. The fact that a hand planer will remove a very thin layer with each pass, allows you to get pieces to fit into corners with perfect precision.

Getting shelves to fit and other site joining projects, will almost always require some degree of planning.

Traditional manual hand planers are still very popular because you can use them anywhere without the need for an electric outlet. They are relatively easy to use and don’t require much physical effort.

Manual hand planers are also cheaper and are virtually indestructible if you buy a quality planer.

Electric hand planers use rotating knives and can save you a lot of time when you’re doing a lot of planning. They are often easier to use than hand planers and they are now available in cordless models so these are now a very popular tool.

Most woodworkers own some type of electric planer and you can pick one up for as little as $41 on Amazon so there’s really no excuse to have one in your workshop


Best Recommended Manual Hand Planers

Image
Top Pick
STANLEY Hand Planer, No.62, Low Angle Jack (12-137)
Great all rounder
WoodRiver Standard Block Plane with Adjustable Mouth
Low Angle
STANLEY Hand Planer, Low Angle, No. 60-1/2 (12-139)
Great Value
Taytools 469607 Jack Smoothing Bench Hand Plane #5, 14-1/4 Inch Sole, Ductile Cast Body, Lapped Sides and Bottom, Blade RHC 55-60, Sapele Handle and Tote
Trade Quality
WoodRiver No. 1 Bench Hand Plane V3
Product
STANLEY Hand Planer, No.62, Low Angle Jack (12-137)
WoodRiver Standard Block Plane with Adjustable Mouth
STANLEY Hand Planer, Low Angle, No. 60-1/2 (12-139)
Taytools 469607 Jack Smoothing Bench Hand Plane #5
WoodRiver No. 1 Bench Hand Plane V3
Price
Price not available
$126.98
$74.99
$119.99
$171.98
Prime Availability
-
-
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
-
Top Pick
Image
STANLEY Hand Planer, No.62, Low Angle Jack (12-137)
Product
STANLEY Hand Planer, No.62, Low Angle Jack (12-137)
Price
Price not available
Prime Availability
-
Buy On Amazon
Great all rounder
Image
WoodRiver Standard Block Plane with Adjustable Mouth
Product
WoodRiver Standard Block Plane with Adjustable Mouth
Price
$126.98
Prime Availability
-
Buy On Amazon
Low Angle
Image
STANLEY Hand Planer, Low Angle, No. 60-1/2 (12-139)
Product
STANLEY Hand Planer, Low Angle, No. 60-1/2 (12-139)
Price
$74.99
Prime Availability
Amazon Prime
Buy On Amazon
Great Value
Image
Taytools 469607 Jack Smoothing Bench Hand Plane #5, 14-1/4 Inch Sole, Ductile Cast Body, Lapped Sides and Bottom, Blade RHC 55-60, Sapele Handle and Tote
Product
Taytools 469607 Jack Smoothing Bench Hand Plane #5
Price
$119.99
Prime Availability
Amazon Prime
Buy On Amazon
Trade Quality
Image
WoodRiver No. 1 Bench Hand Plane V3
Product
WoodRiver No. 1 Bench Hand Plane V3
Price
$171.98
Prime Availability
-
Buy On Amazon

Best Recommended Electric Hand Planers

Image
Best Overall -Top Pick
Makita KP0810 3-1/4" Planer
Most Powerful
WEN 6534 8-Amp Electric Hand Planer, 4-3/8-Inch
Best Quality
DeWalt DW680K Heavy-Duty 3-1/4" Planer Kit with 3/32" Depth of Cut
Best Budget
PORTER-CABLE Hand Planer, 6-Amp, 5/64-Inch (PC60THP)
Best Well-Rounded Option
Ryobi HPL52K 6 Amp 16,500 RPM 3 1/4" Corded Hand Planer w/ Kickstand and Dual Dust Ports
Best Bang for Your Buck
CRAFTSMAN Wood Planer, Hand Planer with Blades, Wrench and Edge Guide, 5/64-inch, 16,500 RPM, 6 Amp, Corded (CMEW300)
Product
Makita KP0810 3-1/4" Planer
WEN 6534 8-Amp Electric Hand Planer, 4-3/8-Inch
DeWalt DW680K Heavy-Duty 3-1/4" Planer Kit with 3/32" Depth of Cut
PORTER-CABLE Hand Planer, 6-Amp, 5/64-Inch (PC60THP)
Ryobi HPL52K 6 Amp 16,500 RPM 3 1/4" Corded Hand Planer w/ Kickstand and Dual Dust Ports
CRAFTSMAN Wood Planer, Hand Planer with Blades, Wrench and Edge Guide, 5/64-inch, 16,500 RPM, 6 Amp, Corded (CMEW300)
Corded
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Price
Price not available
$60.96
$235.06
$74.99
$101.50
$79.00
Prime
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
-
Amazon Prime
-
Amazon Prime
Best Overall -Top Pick
Image
Makita KP0810 3-1/4" Planer
Product
Makita KP0810 3-1/4" Planer
Corded
No
Price
Price not available
Prime
Amazon Prime
Buy On Amazon
Most Powerful
Image
WEN 6534 8-Amp Electric Hand Planer, 4-3/8-Inch
Product
WEN 6534 8-Amp Electric Hand Planer, 4-3/8-Inch
Corded
Yes
Price
$60.96
Prime
Amazon Prime
Buy On Amazon
Best Quality
Image
DeWalt DW680K Heavy-Duty 3-1/4" Planer Kit with 3/32" Depth of Cut
Product
DeWalt DW680K Heavy-Duty 3-1/4" Planer Kit with 3/32" Depth of Cut
Corded
Yes
Price
$235.06
Prime
-
Buy On Amazon
Best Budget
Image
PORTER-CABLE Hand Planer, 6-Amp, 5/64-Inch (PC60THP)
Product
PORTER-CABLE Hand Planer, 6-Amp, 5/64-Inch (PC60THP)
Corded
Yes
Price
$74.99
Prime
Amazon Prime
Buy On Amazon
Best Well-Rounded Option
Image
Ryobi HPL52K 6 Amp 16,500 RPM 3 1/4" Corded Hand Planer w/ Kickstand and Dual Dust Ports
Product
Ryobi HPL52K 6 Amp 16,500 RPM 3 1/4" Corded Hand Planer w/ Kickstand and Dual Dust Ports
Corded
Yes
Price
$101.50
Prime
-
Buy On Amazon
Best Bang for Your Buck
Image
CRAFTSMAN Wood Planer, Hand Planer with Blades, Wrench and Edge Guide, 5/64-inch, 16,500 RPM, 6 Amp, Corded (CMEW300)
Product
CRAFTSMAN Wood Planer, Hand Planer with Blades, Wrench and Edge Guide, 5/64-inch, 16,500 RPM, 6 Amp, Corded (CMEW300)
Corded
Yes
Price
$79.00
Prime
Amazon Prime
Buy On Amazon

So there you have it, Basically, if you are going to do a lot of woodworking Involving boards that will need to be a certain thickness then a benchtop planer is what you will need.

If your a handyman on the go and you do a lot of small renovation jobs then an electric hand planer would better in your situation.

Although having a benchtop planer at home would still give you access to one should you need it and they are not that hard to transport to a job site if required.

We know most woodworkers in this day and age have all three types of planers so it really depends on your specific situation and how often you participate in woodworking.

It doesn’t really matter what level you’re at we just hope this article has helped you understand the differences in the two machines and which one, will benefit you and your woodworking ventures.

Help us out by spreading the word!!

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