Comparison Summary
The DEWALT DW735X is the strongest all-around choice for a home shop that needs a wide, capable thickness planer. Its 13-inch capacity, three-knife cutterhead, two feed-speed settings, chip ejection, support tables, and automatic carriage lock give it a well-rounded feature set for repeated board milling. The WEN PL1326 is the best alternative for buyers who prefer a spiral cutterhead with 26 staggered, rotatable HSS blades, while the DEWALT DW734 remains a capable three-knife option with long material support. For localized work, the DEWALT DCP580B is the clearest cordless pick when the buyer already owns DEWALT 20V MAX batteries. The Makita KP0800K is a strong corded handheld choice when a tool case, 3/32-inch depth capacity, and simple blade-setting system matter more than cordless mobility.
Buying Guide
Sizing and Capacity
Start with the stock and task, not the motor rating. The DEWALT DW735X and WEN PL1326 handle boards up to 13 inches wide, while the DEWALT DW734 covers 12-1/2 inches and the CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 12.25 inches. The WEN PL1326 is also specified for stock up to 6 inches thick. Handheld tools usually cover 3-1/4 inches per pass; the WEN 6534 is the specialist exception at 4-3/8 inches. Depth matters too: the Makita KP0800K lists 3/32 inch, while the DEWALT DCP580B and Makita XPK01Z list 5/64 inch. A maximum depth is a ceiling, not a promise that every board should be cut that aggressively.
Feature Tradeoffs
Three-knife benchtop cutterheads, such as those in the DEWALT DW735X and DW734, suit repeated thicknessing and provide more cutting edges per revolution. The WEN PL1326 instead uses 26 staggered, rotatable HSS blades, an attractive format for buyers who prefer insert-style maintenance. Two-knife handheld designs keep tools compact and are better for localized work. Feed-speed choice gives the DW735X a distinction between faster material removal and a finer listed cut rate. Cordless models trade outlet independence for battery ownership, runtime planning, and tool-only packages.
Best For, Avoid If
| Profile |
Recommended Product |
Why It Fits |
Avoid If |
| Home-shop woodworker milling wide rough or reclaimed boards |
DEWALT DW735X 13-Inch Thickness Planer |
The 13-inch capacity, three-knife cutterhead, two feed-speed choices, support tables, and automatic carriage lock make it the most complete benchtop choice in this group. |
You need a tool that can be carried frequently or used for localized door and edge trimming; its listed 102-pound weight is a real handling limitation. |
| Woodworker who prefers a spiral-style benchtop cutterhead |
WEN PL1326 13-Inch Spiral Benchtop Thickness Planer |
The 26 staggered, rotatable HSS blades, 13-inch width, 6-inch listed thickness capacity, depth stop, and adjustable dust port suit repeatable shop work. |
You need selectable feed speeds or a genuinely lightweight portable tool; it remains a heavy benchtop machine. |
| DEWALT 20V MAX owner fitting doors or trimming edges on site |
DEWALT DCP580B 20V MAX XR Cordless Planer |
Its cordless brushless design, 3-1/4-inch width, 5/64-inch depth, fine depth adjustment, and low listed weight favor mobile localized work. |
You need to thickness wide boards or do not already own the battery and charger; the package is tool only. |
| Handheld user who needs more than a standard 3-1/4-inch cutting width |
WEN 6534 4-3/8-Inch Electric Hand Planer |
The 4-3/8-inch capacity, 8-amp motor, two-way dust port, reversible blades, fence bracket, and rabbeting guide give it a broad handheld role. |
You expect to work overhead or carry the tool for long periods; its listed 9.5-pound weight is comparatively high for a handheld planer. |
| Corded handheld user who wants a case and deeper listed cuts |
Makita KP0800K 3-1/4-Inch Planer |
The Makita KP0800K combines a 3-1/4-inch width, 3/32-inch depth, spring-loaded stand, blade-setting system, and included tool case. |
You need cordless operation or place a high priority on longer listed warranty coverage; this model lists one year. |
Key Specs to Compare
Compare maximum width, maximum stock thickness, depth per pass, cutterhead type, feed speed, weight, and support equipment. For benchtop machines, table length and carriage stability matter when boards extend beyond the cutterhead. For handheld machines, look at guide fences, kickstands, handle shape, depth-scale precision, and whether the package includes a case or dust accessories. A cordless planer should be evaluated with its battery platform: the DEWALT DCP580B and Makita XPK01Z are tool-only products, so the total purchase includes compatible batteries and a charger if you do not already own them.
Setup and Handling Considerations
Benchtop planers need a stable work surface and enough clearance for infeed and outfeed movement. Their listed weights range from about 61 pounds for the CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 to 102 pounds for the DEWALT DW735X, so portable means movable between jobs rather than effortless to carry. The WEN PL1326 and DEWALT DW734 are also heavy shop tools. Handheld planers are easier to transport, but the workpiece must be supported and controlled as the tool enters and exits the cut. Fences, kickstands, spring-loaded stands, and depth scales help, but they do not replace a stable grip and properly supported stock.
Maintenance and Longevity
Cutterhead design determines the maintenance routine you should expect. Reversible knives in the DEWALT DCP580B, Makita KP0800K, and CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 can provide another usable edge, while the WEN PL1326 uses rotatable HSS blades. The DEWALT DW735X includes an extra knife set, which reduces the need to source a replacement set immediately. Dust and chips also affect ownership: the DW735X has fan-assisted chip ejection, the benchtop models include dust or vacuum connections, and handheld choices vary from dust bags to dual-direction ports. Before buying, confirm replacement knife availability and the dust-collection connection that matches your shop.
Reliability Signals
Warranty length and mechanical design are useful support signals, but neither guarantees service life. The DEWALT DW735X and DW734 list three-year limited warranties, as do the DEWALT DCP580B and Makita XPK01Z. The WEN PL1326, WEN 6530, and WEN 6534 list two years. The Makita KP0800K and Bosch PL1632 list one-year coverage, while the CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 lists three years. Also consider wear parts and adjustment hardware: three-knife systems, reversible blades, rotatable inserts, ball-bearing cutterhead mounting, carriage locks, and Poly-V drives can make ongoing ownership more practical for different users.
How to Compare Reviews
Compare comments for the exact model and the same class of work. A review about flattening long rough boards should not be used to judge a handheld planer intended for door fitting. For benchtop models, look for recurring observations about snipe, tear-out, feed consistency, table support, chip evacuation, and knife changes. For handheld models, focus on depth-control accuracy, fence stability, balance, edge quality, and ease of entering or exiting a board. For cordless tools, check which battery was used and whether the review evaluates runtime under repeated cuts. Do not treat a bare-tool product as a complete kit when comparing ownership cost.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is buying the wrong tool class: a handheld planer is not a compact thickness planer, and a benchtop machine is inconvenient for trimming an installed door. Another mistake is comparing RPM or cuts-per-minute figures across different cutterhead designs without considering width, depth, and feed rate. Confirm maximum stock dimensions rather than assuming a 13-inch planer handles every thickness. Check battery compatibility before choosing a cordless model, and remember that tool-only packages may exclude the battery, charger, and dust accessories. Finally, plan chip collection and board support before judging portability; a heavy benchtop planer still needs a practical place to operate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy a benchtop or handheld planer?
Choose a benchtop planer for making rough boards uniformly thinner across their width and length. Choose a handheld planer for door fitting, edge trimming, rabbets, jambs, scribing, and localized stock removal. They are different tool classes rather than interchangeable sizes.
Is the DEWALT DCP580B ready to use out of the box?
It is a tool-only 20V MAX product. DEWALT documentation identifies the battery, charger, and dust bag as separate, while a guide fence and wrench are included. It makes the most sense for buyers who already own compatible DEWALT 20V MAX batteries.
Does a higher cuts-per-minute number mean a better planer?
Not by itself. Cutterhead design, feed rate, cutting width, depth adjustment, support surfaces, and carriage stability also affect suitability. A benchtop model with a lower headline number can be more appropriate for repeatable thicknessing than a fast handheld model.
What should I check before choosing a cordless planer?
Confirm the battery platform, whether the listing includes a battery and charger, the tool’s width and depth capacity, and how much material you expect to remove per charge. Both the DEWALT DCP580B and Makita XPK01Z are tool-only products, so existing battery ownership materially changes their convenience.
Final Recommendation
The DEWALT DW735X is the best portable electric wood planer overall for buyers who need repeatable thicknessing, wide board capacity, feed-speed choice, strong chip handling, and useful support features in a home shop. Choose the WEN PL1326 instead if a spiral cutterhead with 26 rotatable HSS blades is more important than selectable feed speeds. For a different use case, the DEWALT DCP580B is preferable for mobile door fitting and edge work when you already own DEWALT 20V MAX batteries.
