Last Updated on February 25, 2026 by Sharaj
A good electric hand planer helps you smooth rough wood, trim doors and tidy up edges quickly and neatly. A handheld electric planer makes these jobs much faster than using a manual tool and takes the effort out of everyday woodworking.
Whether you’re fitting doors, working on furniture or tackling general DIY, a wood planer gives you clean, even results you can rely on. Below, we’ve picked the best electric planer models based on ease of use, cutting quality and value for money.
Our Top Picks
Bosch Professional GHO 26‑82 D Corded Planer
A well‑engineered, powerful corded planer that balances torque and accuracy for professional workloads. Its dual chip extraction and user‑friendly ergonomics make it a dependable choice for demanding planing tasks.
We rate the Bosch Professional GHO 26-82 as a top choice for serious DIYers and trade users who want a dependable corded electric planer with effective dust extraction. It’s especially well suited to workshop use and on-site jobs where clean working and consistent results are important.
Strengths in use
The 710W motor provides plenty of power for softwood and most hardwood tasks. Its adjustable dual chip extraction system allows you to direct shavings to either side, depending on your setup, or connect to a vacuum to keep the workspace tidy.
The planer feels balanced and steady in hand, making it easier to maintain control during longer passes. The well-sized front shoe also helps you achieve a smooth, even start every time.
Considerations and practical advice
A minority of users find factory calibration slightly off and need to fine‑tune the blade setting before the first use — it’s an easy fix but worth checking on arrival. The single blade makes replacement simpler but some users who favour the feel of two‑blade machines may perceive a different tactile finish. Overall, the machine’s power and dust management give it a clear edge where performance matters.
Use cases and recommendations
We’d recommend this machine for carpenters trimming door frames, joiners prepping pieces for finishing and renovators who need a robust, dust‑managed planer. Pair it with a good vacuum and you’ll cut down cleanup time substantially while enjoying a smooth planed finish.
DeWalt DCP580N XR Brushless Cordless Planer
A top cordless option if you already run a compatible battery system — it’s light, well engineered and the brushless motor keeps runtime and maintenance efficient. It’s ideal for tradespeople who prioritise cordless freedom and compatibility with existing tools.
We see the DeWalt DCP580N as an excellent cordless choice for users invested in an 18V battery ecosystem — best choice for those who need portability without sacrificing the cut quality that brushless motors deliver.
Core features and benefits
The brushless motor gives improved efficiency and longer runtime compared with brushed motors, and users report good performance on plywood, kitchen carcasses and typical on‑site materials. DeWalt includes a collapsible collection container which captures a lot of the shavings, although it’s not a full replacement for a hoover connection in a workshop.
Practical limitations and tips
As with many cordless planers, performance depends on your battery bank — we recommend 4 Ah or 5 Ah packs for sustained work. The depth setting feels slightly imprecise at the lowest settings so we advise marking cut lines and making light practice passes before committing. If you need near‑dustless operation, budget for a dust bag or vacuum adapter.
Who should buy it
If you already own DeWalt batteries this becomes an easy recommendation — it reduces the faff of leads and offers fast, predictable results for door trimming and carpentry on site. For full‑time workshop planing where dust control and continuous power are essential, a corded professional planer remains worth considering.
Makita KP0800K/2 Heavy Duty Corded Planer
A robust, mains‑powered planer that combines high RPMs and a two‑blade cutter head for excellent stock removal and a smooth finish. It’s aimed at serious DIYers and professionals who want consistent performance from a corded tool.
We consider the KP0800K/2 ideal for workshops and site users who prefer corded performance — best choice for heavy‑duty planing where constant power and sustained stock removal are priorities. The two‑blade cutter head and high rpm give both speed and a good surface finish.
Why it stands out
This Makita’s 620 W motor drives a two‑blade cutter head capable of high rpm and many cuts per minute, delivering up to 82 mm width and 2.0 mm depth in one pass. The fine depth adjustment and easy blade setting system make setup straightforward, and the supplied carry case keeps everything together between jobs.
Practical tips and limitations
We recommend this unit where mains power is available and you need reliable, repeatable results. The machine is a touch heavier than the lightest planers, but that weight contributes to stability and a cleaner cut. Keep spare blades and basic dressing tools in your kit — knocking a blade on a nail or rough reclaimed timber will require replacement to retain the finish quality.
How we’d use it
For trimming solid doors, jointing edges and prepping timber for finishing, this Makita is a go‑to. Its combination of power, finish quality and practical accessories makes it a long‑term workshop asset rather than a disposable DIY toy.
Makita 18V LXT Cordless Hand Planer
A compact, well‑balanced cordless planer that delivers precise cuts and good site mobility. It’s ideal for tradespeople who already run an 18V battery platform and want a reliable cordless option with useful control features.
Key speciality and best choice for
We find this Makita stands out for cordless convenience and precision depth control — best choice for users who want a portable planer that integrates into an existing 18V LXT battery ecosystem. It’s an excellent pick for on‑site trimming, door fitting and spot planing where a mains lead would be inconvenient.
What it does well
We like the positive feel of the click depth adjustment which gives repeatable, fine control between 0 mm and 2.0 mm. The electric brake improves safety and workflow by stopping the cutter quickly after you lift your finger. The carbide reversible blade is tougher than standard steel blades and stays sharper for longer, reducing the need for frequent changes.
Practical benefits and limitations
We appreciate the portability — without a cord you can move freely around the job. That freedom comes with two practical caveats: batteries and a charger are not included, so cost rises if you don’t already have compatible Makita batteries; and the planer is a little heavier than some battery tools at 3.5 kg, which matters for long sessions. The 2.0 mm maximum single pass depth is fine for trimming and finishing but not for heavy stock removal.
How we’d use it and tips
For door trimming and collaring up skirting, this is a superb companion. We recommend starting on a low depth setting and working in multiple light passes for the best finish, and keeping a spare set of blades on hand if you work with reclaimed or contaminated timber. If you already own Makita 18V batteries, this becomes a very efficient and practical addition to your kit.
Bosch PHO 1500 Compact Electric Planer
A straightforward, affordable planer that handles common DIY tasks well and is easy to control. It’s a sensible choice for homeowners and hobbyists who want decent performance without a big outlay.
Key speciality and best choice for
We see the Bosch PHO 1500 as the go‑to economy planer — best choice for DIYers and occasional users who need reliable results without professional price tags. It works well for trimming doors, planing small furniture pieces and light renovation tasks.
What it offers
The unit is compact and feels comfortable in the hand; the calibrated depth adjustment helps you make consistent cuts and the single‑sided chip ejection allows easy connection to a vacuum cleaner for a tidier workspace. The Bosch WoodRazor blade system is designed to give a good surface finish quickly for everyday jobs.
Practical considerations and usage tips
While it’s very competent, the PHO 1500 isn’t aimed at heavy, daily professional use. The 550 W motor is suited to softwoods and moderate hardwood work, but you’ll want to take lighter passes at the ends of a board to avoid splits. We advise using an end block on door edges or masking tape on painted edges to reduce chipping when you’re learning the tool.
Final take
For the price this Bosch is hard to fault for home workshops. If you need more aggressive stock removal or heavy daily use, a more powerful corded or two‑blade machine is a better long‑term investment, but for many users this strikes a very practical balance between cost, weight and performance.
Einhell TC‑PL 750 Budget Electric Planer
A very affordable, competent planer that handles occasional workshop and home tasks with ease. It’s a good entry‑level tool for hobbyists and light jobs where cost is a primary concern.
Key speciality and best choice for
We view the Einhell TC‑PL 750 as the smartest cheap option for DIYers who need a functional planer without a big spend — best choice for occasional door trimming, small woodworking projects and hobby‑level tasks.
What you get for the price
It packs a 750 W motor and a large knife shaft that give surprisingly capable results for the money. The aluminium soleplate helps keep results flat and accurate and the inclusion of a carbide planning knife means the cutting edge will last longer than plain steel in general DIY use.
Practical limitations and user advice
Don’t expect the refinement or volume of accessories that come with premium models — this is a value tool. We recommend it for intermittent use rather than daily professional workloads, and suggest you check for any missing spare blades before starting a larger project. For routine home repairs and occasional woodworking it performs very well and represents a smart budget buy.
Final word
If you’re building a starter toolkit or need a replacement for light planing tasks, this Einhell offers excellent bang for your buck. For heavy, continuous planing, upgrading to a more robust corded or professional model will pay dividends in longevity and finish quality.
Quick Hand Planer Comparison
Final Thoughts
For most professionals we recommend the Bosch Professional GHO 26-82 D. It combines real-world power, precision and ergonomics so you can plane longer, cleaner and with fewer passes — ideal for production work, cabinetry and site tasks where finish quality matters.
If cordless freedom and tool-platform compatibility are your priority, the DeWalt DCP580N XR is our pick. The brushless motor and XR battery system give excellent runtime and mobility, making it the best choice for tradespeople who move between sites and already own DeWalt batteries.
FAQs
Yes. Brushless motors run cooler, draw battery power more efficiently and need less maintenance. For cordless planers that translates to longer runtime and steadier power under load — especially useful on dense hardwoods.
For a small workshop where you want continuous power and maximum torque, corded planers like the Bosch GHO 26-82 D or Makita KP0800K/2 are better. If you need portability or already use an 18V/XR system, a cordless Makita 18V LXT or DeWalt XR offers convenience without huge compromise.
Take shallow passes for the cleanest finish — typically 0.5mm to 1.5mm per pass for final smoothing. Use deeper cuts only for stock removal, and reduce blade depth as you near the final thickness to avoid tear-out.
Keep blades sharp and balanced, clean chip extraction channels, and check the soleplate for nicks. For corded models, inspect the power cable; for cordless, follow battery care guidelines. Regularly align the fence and roller to maintain an even cut.
Yes — but go slow. Knotty or irregular timber can cause tear-out. Use sharp blades, reduce depth of cut, and approach knots with extra care. For heavily figured or brittle woods, a scraper or card scraper may still be needed for the final finish.
Ergonomics, dust extraction, blade-change simplicity and service/support matter. A planer that’s comfortable to hold and easy to clear of chips will be more efficient on long jobs. Also factor in blade availability and whether you can quickly swap knives on-site.
