I N C E P T I O N A I
  1. Home kitchen garden
  2. Home improvement
  3. Tools
  4. Power tools
  5. Planers

Top 5 Planers in Canada 2025: Expert Picks for Precision, Power, and Value - Find the Right Model for Your Workshop

Published on Sunday, August 24, 2025

Planers power tools are designed to smoothly shave and level wood surfaces, providing a precise finish and consistent thickness for various woodworking projects. These versatile tools are essential for both craftsmen and renovators, enabling seamless edge work and material preparation with ease and efficiency. In Canada, consumer preferences favor models that deliver reliable performance in varied climates, strong dust control to protect indoor air quality during year-round projects, solid warranty and service networks, and either portability for jobsite work or wide capacity for shop-based milling. Professional woodworkers typically prioritize cutterhead design, two-speed capability, and material removal rate, while hobbyists and renovators often choose compact, cordless, or lower-cost benchtop options that balance ease of use and accuracy.

Top Picks Summary

1. Best Heavy-Duty Two-Speed Planer

2. Best Professional 12-Inch Benchtop

3. Best Compact Benchtop Value

4. Best Handheld Finish Planer

5. Best Cordless Jobsite Planer

Top Picks Summary

  1. DEWALT DW735X 13-Inch Two-Speed Planer
  2. Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer
  3. DEWALT DW734 12-1/2-Inch Benchtop Planer
  4. Makita KP0810 3-1/4-Inch Planer
  5. DEWALT DCP580B 20V MAX Cordless Planer
1
BEST HEAVY-DUTY TWO-SPEED PLANER

DEWALT DW735X 13-Inch Two-Speed Planer

DEWALT

The DW735X secures the top spot for Planers Power Tools with a two-speed cutter head and 13-inch capacity that provide industry-leading throughput and finish quality for production and professional shops. Compared with smaller or single-speed benchtop models in this list, it carries a higher upfront cost but delivers faster stock removal and reduced finishing time, which can lower per-piece labor costs over time.

4.8
★★★★☆
  • Two-speed muscle

  • 13-inch capacity

  • Two-speed muscle

  • 13-inch capacity

Review Summary

94%

"Users praise its powerful motor, two-speed cutterhead, and consistently smooth finish for production work; it's heavy and expensive but widely regarded as a professional, reliable machine."

  • Silky finish!

  • Two-speed gearbox for coarse stock removal and fine finishing cuts.

  • Silky finish!

  • Two-speed gearbox for coarse stock removal and fine finishing cuts.

Optimized Work Efficiency

Skill Development & Mastery

Aesthetic & Personal Appeal

The DW735X secures the top spot for Planers Power Tools with a two-speed cutter head and 13-inch capacity that provide industry-leading throughput and finish quality for production and professional shops. Compared with smaller or single-speed benchtop models in this list, it carries a higher upfront cost but delivers faster stock removal and reduced finishing time, which can lower per-piece labor costs over time.

  • Two-speed muscle

  • 13-inch capacity

  • Silky finish!

  • Two-speed gearbox for coarse stock removal and fine finishing cuts.

  • 13-inch cutting capacity to handle wider boards and panels.

  • Two-speed muscle

  • 13-inch capacity

  • Silky finish!

  • Two-speed gearbox for coarse stock removal and fine finishing cuts.

  • 13-inch cutting capacity to handle wider boards and panels.

Order Now
From 1233.00$
2
BEST PROFESSIONAL 12-INCH BENCHTOP

Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer

Makita

The Makita 2012NB is a market-leading 12-inch benchtop planer that balances precise cutting performance with a competitive price, making it a strong choice for small shops and serious hobbyists. Versus the heavier-duty DEWALT DW735X it offers a lighter footprint and better value for mid-volume work, while still outperforming compact handheld units for flat-surface finishing.

4.6
★★★★☆
  • Smooth 12-inch

  • Quick-change knives

  • Smooth 12-inch

  • Quick-change knives

Review Summary

90%

"Owners like its quiet operation, smooth cutting and excellent finish with minimal tear-out; it's a solid, well-built 12" planer though heavier and pricier than some budget alternatives."

  • Whisper-quiet!

  • 12-inch width capacity designed for shop and jobsite thicknessing tasks.

  • Whisper-quiet!

  • 12-inch width capacity designed for shop and jobsite thicknessing tasks.

Optimized Work Efficiency

Skill Development & Mastery

Time-Saving Convenience

The Makita 2012NB is a market-leading 12-inch benchtop planer that balances precise cutting performance with a competitive price, making it a strong choice for small shops and serious hobbyists. Versus the heavier-duty DEWALT DW735X it offers a lighter footprint and better value for mid-volume work, while still outperforming compact handheld units for flat-surface finishing.

  • Smooth 12-inch

  • Quick-change knives

  • Whisper-quiet!

  • 12-inch width capacity designed for shop and jobsite thicknessing tasks.

  • Powerful motor and stable feed system for consistent, smooth passes.

  • Smooth 12-inch

  • Quick-change knives

  • Whisper-quiet!

  • 12-inch width capacity designed for shop and jobsite thicknessing tasks.

  • Powerful motor and stable feed system for consistent, smooth passes.

Order Now
From 839.00$
3
BEST COMPACT BENCHTOP VALUE

DEWALT DW734 12-1/2-Inch Benchtop Planer

DEWALT

The DW734 is the value-oriented 12-1/2-inch benchtop planer that provides dependable performance for budget-conscious woodworkers and small shops. It forgoes the two-speed versatility of the DW735X in exchange for a lower purchase price, and it delivers more consistent full-width planing than handheld options like the Makita KP0810, making it a pragmatic economical choice.

4.5
★★★★☆
  • Compact 12.5-inch

  • Snipe reducer

  • Compact 12.5-inch

  • Snipe reducer

Review Summary

88%

"Reviewers find it a dependable benchtop planer that offers good value and respectable performance for hobbyists and small shops; some report more tear-out and strain under heavy continuous use compared with higher-end models."

  • Worksite tough!

  • 12-1/2-inch cutting width in a compact benchtop footprint for small shops.

  • Worksite tough!

  • 12-1/2-inch cutting width in a compact benchtop footprint for small shops.

Optimized Work Efficiency

Time-Saving Convenience

Skill Development & Mastery

The DW734 is the value-oriented 12-1/2-inch benchtop planer that provides dependable performance for budget-conscious woodworkers and small shops. It forgoes the two-speed versatility of the DW735X in exchange for a lower purchase price, and it delivers more consistent full-width planing than handheld options like the Makita KP0810, making it a pragmatic economical choice.

  • Compact 12.5-inch

  • Snipe reducer

  • Worksite tough!

  • 12-1/2-inch cutting width in a compact benchtop footprint for small shops.

  • Reliable cutter assembly with easy-access blade changes and solid performance.

  • Compact 12.5-inch

  • Snipe reducer

  • Worksite tough!

  • 12-1/2-inch cutting width in a compact benchtop footprint for small shops.

  • Reliable cutter assembly with easy-access blade changes and solid performance.

Order Now
-24%499.00$
Suggested Price 659.00$
4
BEST HANDHELD FINISH PLANER

Makita KP0810 3-1/4-Inch Planer

Makita

The Makita KP0810 excels in the handheld planer category with a compact 3-1/4-inch design that is ideal for edge work, trim and on-site adjustments where portability and control matter most. It cannot match the stock-removal rate or depth capacity of benchtop planers, but its low cost, light weight, and precision make it the preferred tool for contractors and finish carpenters who need mobility and fine control.

4.6
★★★★☆
  • Pocket-sized precision

  • 3¼-inch accuracy

  • Pocket-sized precision

  • 3¼-inch accuracy

Review Summary

89%

"Users appreciate the KP0810's compact size, smooth finish, and precise depth control, making it ideal for trim and portable work; it can feel underpowered for heavy stock removal."

  • Chamfer pro!

  • 3-1/4-inch cutting width tailored for edge planing and finish work.

  • Chamfer pro!

  • 3-1/4-inch cutting width tailored for edge planing and finish work.

Skill Development & Mastery

Optimized Work Efficiency

The Makita KP0810 excels in the handheld planer category with a compact 3-1/4-inch design that is ideal for edge work, trim and on-site adjustments where portability and control matter most. It cannot match the stock-removal rate or depth capacity of benchtop planers, but its low cost, light weight, and precision make it the preferred tool for contractors and finish carpenters who need mobility and fine control.

  • Pocket-sized precision

  • 3¼-inch accuracy

  • Chamfer pro!

  • 3-1/4-inch cutting width tailored for edge planing and finish work.

  • Ergonomic, slim body for comfortable two-handed control and precision.

  • Pocket-sized precision

  • 3¼-inch accuracy

  • Chamfer pro!

  • 3-1/4-inch cutting width tailored for edge planing and finish work.

  • Ergonomic, slim body for comfortable two-handed control and precision.

Order Now
From 344.29$
5
BEST CORDLESS JOBSITE PLANER

DEWALT DCP580B 20V MAX Cordless Planer

DEWALT

The DEWALT DCP580B stands out as the top cordless planer by leveraging the 20V MAX battery platform to give contractors cordless convenience without requiring a generator or extension cords. While its sustained power and heavy-duty removal capability trail corded benchtop units like the DW735X, it offers clear financial advantages for users already committed to the DeWalt battery ecosystem through tool interoperability and improved jobsite efficiency.

4.3
★★★★☆
  • Cordless freedom

  • Brushless power

  • Cordless freedom

  • Brushless power

Review Summary

84%

"Buyers like the convenience of cordless operation and the brushless motor for light to medium tasks, but many note limited runtime and noticeably less power than corded planers for heavy-duty work."

  • On-the-go smooth!

  • Cordless 20V platform offering mobility for jobsite and remote work.

  • On-the-go smooth!

  • Cordless 20V platform offering mobility for jobsite and remote work.

Tech-Savvy Living

Time-Saving Convenience

The DEWALT DCP580B stands out as the top cordless planer by leveraging the 20V MAX battery platform to give contractors cordless convenience without requiring a generator or extension cords. While its sustained power and heavy-duty removal capability trail corded benchtop units like the DW735X, it offers clear financial advantages for users already committed to the DeWalt battery ecosystem through tool interoperability and improved jobsite efficiency.

  • Cordless freedom

  • Brushless power

  • On-the-go smooth!

  • Cordless 20V platform offering mobility for jobsite and remote work.

  • Brushless motor efficiency for longer runtime and reduced maintenance.

  • Cordless freedom

  • Brushless power

  • On-the-go smooth!

  • Cordless 20V platform offering mobility for jobsite and remote work.

  • Brushless motor efficiency for longer runtime and reduced maintenance.

Order Now
From 260.99$

What Research Says About Planing: Performance, Safety, and Finish

Scientific and occupational research supports the benefits of using well-designed planers for both finish quality and worker health. Studies in tool ergonomics and industrial hygiene show that features like effective dust extraction, reduced vibration, and stable infeed/outfeed surfaces improve both final surface quality and reduce long-term strain or exposure risks for users. Material science research also demonstrates that cutter geometry and feed speed influence tearout and surface smoothness, so selecting the right planer and settings matters for consistent results.

Dust control matters: occupational health research indicates that wood dust exposure is linked to respiratory irritation and long term risks; integrated dust collection or good extraction reduces airborne particles during planing.

Vibration and ergonomics: ergonomic studies show that reduced vibration and comfortable tool handling lower fatigue and improve control, which leads to more accurate planing and fewer surface defects.

Cutter geometry and feed rate: woodworking research finds that sharper blades, correct cutterhead speed, and the proper feed rate minimize tearout and produce smoother finishes, especially on figured or cross-grain boards.

Moisture content and material stability: wood science explains that moisture levels affect how cleanly wood planes; conditioned, stable stock combined with a consistent cutting strategy produces the best thickness uniformity.

Power and heat management: engineering studies suggest that higher motor power and efficient chip removal reduce clogging and heat buildup, allowing higher removal rates without compromising surface quality.

Across Canada, these planers cover the full range of needs: the DEWALT DW735X 13-Inch Two-Speed Planer excels for heavy shop use where capacity and smooth finish matter, the Makita 2012NB 12-Inch Planer balances power and precision for serious DIYers, the DEWALT DW734 12-1/2-Inch Benchtop Planer is a compact choice for garage shops, the Makita KP0810 3-1/4-Inch Planer offers portability for trim and edge work, and the DEWALT DCP580B 20V MAX Cordless Planer gives battery-powered convenience for small tasks and tight spaces. If you want one clear recommendation for a blend of capacity, finish quality, and long-term value, the DEWALT DW735X 13-Inch Two-Speed Planer stands out as the best overall choice for Canadian shops. I hope you found what you were looking for — use the search to refine by size, power source, or price if you want to narrow or expand your options.

Copyright © 2025 InceptionAi Inc.

Trademark Policy

Articles

About Us

Contact Us

Careers

Sitemap