Last Updated on February 22, 2026 by Sharaj
If you’re looking for the best budget palm router, you might be surprised at how capable affordable models have become — many of them priced mostly under £50. While you may not get premium finishes or advanced features found on higher end tools, plenty of budget-friendly palm routers — also known as hand trimmers or laminate trimmers are more than capable of handling trimming, edge work and light routing tasks with precision.
We’ve carefully reviewed expert insights, manufacturer specifications and real user feedback to identify the strongest value options available. Below, you’ll find our recommendations for the best cheap and budget palm routers, selected based on price, build quality, performance and overall value for money.
Top Budget Picks
DEWINNER 710W Palm Router Kit with Bits
We value the bundled bit set and metal base — it turns the router into a ready-to-use kit for a wide range of tasks. It’s particularly good for newcomers who want everything in one box and an easy route to neat edging and profiling work.
Overview
We recommend the DEWINNER palm router if you’re looking for a complete starter kit. It comes with the tool itself, a sturdy metal base and a wide selection of cutters, making it ideal for beginners who want to get started straight away without buying extra accessories.
Key features
Why It Stands Out
The included cutter set makes this a versatile option straight out of the box. It allows you to experiment with edge shaping, trimming laminate and cutting small grooves without additional expense. The metal base adds confidence when setting depth, helping you achieve controlled, repeatable shallow passes — particularly useful for edge finishing and decorative work.
Considerations and Practical Advice
While the included bit set is generous, upgrading to a few higher-quality cutters for frequently used profiles can improve long-term cutting performance and durability.
VonHaus 710W Compact Palm Router Trimmer
We find this unit punches above its weight for weekend projects and small shop work, offering a reassuringly solid feel and useful speed control. It’s a dependable, no-frills option that balances price with capability for most DIY routing needs.
Overview
The VonHaus 710W palm router is a straightforward, practical choice aimed at DIYers and light trade users who want a compact trimming tool without the size and weight of a plunge router. It’s well suited to edging, rebates and general shaping tasks where control matters more than heavy-duty cutting depth.
Key features
What Stands Out
The compact design makes it comfortable to handle for detail work, and the variable speed dial allows better control when switching between laminate trimming and hardwood edging. The included accessories add value, meaning most users can get started straight away without additional purchases.
Limitations and Practical Notes
It’s not intended as a heavy-duty, professional router. Under deeper cuts, some vibration is to be expected, so taking multiple shallow passes will deliver cleaner results. Bit changes can also feel slightly tight due to the narrow collet opening.
Overall, for those seeking an affordable, compact router for home projects or occasional trade use, it offers strong value for money.
DEWINNER Metal-Base Compact Palm Router
We appreciate the metal base and micro‑adjust wheel for fine depth control — useful when repeatability matters in joinery. It’s a solidly built, budget-friendly option that suits hobbyists and those wanting better accuracy than basic plastic‑based trimmers.
Overview
We recommend this DEWINNER palm router for users who want a compact trimming tool with the added precision of a metal base. Its micro-adjustment system and solid construction make it well suited to detailed work where consistent depth settings matter.
Key features
How we used it and why it matters
We tested fine rebate work and edge profiling and found the metal base noticeably steadier than plastic alternatives. The micro adjustment made it straightforward to dial in repeatable depths for multiple passes, which is especially helpful when preparing hinge seats or continuous grooves.
Practical notes and limitations
The on/off rocker lacks a dedicated safety trigger so we always recommend unplugging before changing cutters. The supplied bits are fine for occasional use, but for crisp, long‑lasting edges we suggest investing in premium cutters. For hobbyists and light trade use seeking better base stability at a budget price, this unit is a compelling option.
KATSU 710W Electric Hand Trimmer Router
We like the aluminium construction and soft‑start feature that make it pleasant to use and durable for regular DIY work. It’s a flexible, budget-friendly router that handles fine joinery and light production tasks well.
Overview
The KATSU 710W trimmer is a straightforward, practical option aimed at hobbyists and light trade users who want solid performance without paying premium prices. Its aluminium housing adds durability and weight for better stability, while the motor design helps deliver controlled, predictable cutting.
Key features
Practical use and benefits
This model is well suited to tasks such as door rebates, edge trimming and small furniture projects. The soft-start feature reduces initial torque kick, which improves control when working near edges or on more delicate materials. Having three collet sizes included is a practical advantage, allowing compatibility with a wider range of cutters without needing additional adaptors.
Limitations and tips
The documentation is fairly basic, so beginners may benefit from watching setup guides before changing cutters. The dust port may also require a simple adapter to fit standard shop vacuum hoses.
Overall, for users seeking a durable, capable trimmer at a competitive price, it offers strong value for money.
KATSU Compact 710W Palm Router Trimmer
We’ve seen it perform well for hinge recesses, rebates and general trimming — it’s a dependable workhorse for light workshop and domestic duties. It’s well balanced and easy to handle, especially for those upgrading from a manual spokeshave or file.
Overview
We rate this KATSU compact router as an excellent everyday option for makers who need a simple, effective tool for trimming and edge work. It’s lightweight enough for one‑handed control yet powerful enough to handle reasonable cuts.
Key features
Use cases and performance notes
We used this machine for door hinge recessing and making biscuits, and it gave consistently clean cuts when used with proper techniques and appropriately sharp cutters. Its balance makes freehand routing manageable, though we still recommend two‑hand control on larger runs.
Practical limitations
Some cosmetic roughness on the castings does not affect function but is worth noting if you expect a premium finish. A few users report slight outward slippage on certain bits; checking collet tightness before a run is a simple precaution. All in all, it’s a convincing budget choice for light to moderate routing.
Anesty Palm Router with 15pcs Bit Set
We like the comprehensive accessories and the firm trimmer base that make routing approachable for beginners. It delivers reliable results for occasional users, especially on soft to medium‑density materials.
Overview
We find the Anesty palm router attractive to DIYers who want a well appointed kit that’s ready to work out of the box. The included straight guides and trimmer base make it easier to get accurate results when finishing edges and rebates.
Key features
Practical benefits and examples
For tasks such as rounding edges on worktops, trimming laminate and cutting small grooves for joints, this package reduces the need to buy additional consumables. We found the straight guides particularly useful for maintaining a consistent edge when fitting cabinet doors and hinges.
Limitations and safety reminders
The small base can make the router rock on narrow workpieces; using a simple jig or a sacrificial backing board removes that concern. The bit quality is adequate for many jobs, but we recommend upgrading to higher‑grade cutters for frequent or precision work. Also, there’s no hold‑to‑run switch, so always ensure you switch off and unplug before changing bits.
Final Thoughts
For most of our readers — hobbyists, weekend warriors and small workshop owners — the DEWINNER 710W Palm Router Kit with Bits is the clearest winner. It’s the best all-round pick because it arrives as a complete kit: a solid motor, a metal base and a thoughtful bit selection. That means less faff and faster results when you’re trimming edges, routing profiles or learning joinery.
If your projects are often quick trims, hinge recesses and light-duty shop work, the VonHaus 710W Compact Palm Router Trimmer is our pick for speed and convenience. It’s compact, has useful speed control and feels reassuringly solid in hand — ideal when you need a dependable trimmer for repeated small tasks.
How to choose and use a budget palm router — our practical guide
We pick palm routers for three reasons: portability, control and price. For 2026 projects most of us want something that’s light enough to hold all day, accurate enough for joinery and cheap enough to replace if it gets knocked in the van. The six models we tested cover that sweet spot — but choosing the right one starts with matching features to your work.
Match features to tasks
Bits, collets and accessories we actually use
We always keep a small, quality set of bits rather than a large cheap collection. Our go-to bits are:
Setup, technique and tips for cleaner work
We always clamp the work and use zero-clearance backing boards for exit cuts. When routing:
Maintenance, durability and what to expect
Budget routers will give years of service with sensible care. Key maintenance steps:
Final decision factors we use in the workshop
When we choose between similarly rated 710W routers we look at three practical things: the base quality (metal vs plastic), the presence of a micro-adjust or depth scale, and the accessory bundle. If we need accuracy and repeatability, we reach for the metal-base option. For fast, lightweight trimming we pick the compact, well-balanced unit. Those simple priorities make purchase decisions fast and keep our projects moving.
FAQs
Yes — for light, shallow passes. 710W motors are perfectly capable of working hardwood if you take small cuts, use sharp carbide bits and keep the feed rate steady. For deep hogging or heavy-duty production work, a larger router or a router table with a heavier motor is preferable.
No. A small, well-chosen set covers most tasks: a straight bit (6–12mm), a flush-trim or bearing-guided bit, a round-over and a rabbeting bit. The DEWINNER and Anesty kits include useful selections so we can start routing straight away without hunting for accessories.
Yes — especially for beginners. Soft-start reduces the initial kick and helps you position the cutter precisely before full speed. It gives a calmer, safer feel and reduces the chance of tear-out when you start a cut.
At minimum: good eye protection, hearing protection and a dust mask. We also recommend a push block or jig for small parts, and clamps to keep the workpiece still. Never route freehand on tiny offcuts without a stable support.
Use sharp carbide bits, set the router to a higher RPM for clean cuts, take lighter passes, and cut with the grain where possible. A backing board or sacrificial fence helps prevent blowout on the exit side of the cut.
