Best overall Triton TPT125 $429.99
Highest overall score (85/100) — the strongest balance of specs, value and recency in this group.
See on Amazon →Independent · sourced · Updated July 2026
Best Thickness Planers (2026)
The best overall thickness planer is Triton TPT125 ($429.99). The best value thickness planer is Ridgid R4331 ($399). The cheapest is Craftsman CMEW320 at $399. 9 thickness planers compared from $399 to $1099 across 9 brands — every figure sourced, updated July 2026.
9 thickness planers compared on the specs that matter and US price — ranked cheapest-first. Every spec and price links to its source and the date we captured it.
Our data Across the 7 thickness planers we priced, the most expensive lists for 156% more than the best-specced one — Triton TPT125 at $430 — so the premium mostly buys the badge, not better hardware. Premium Myth study, as of July 2026.
Which thickness planer should you buy?
Three buyer-intent picks from the algorithmic ranking below — no paid placement.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified 2026-07-13; live price may differ.
Key takeaways
- Lowest price: Craftsman CMEW320 at $399 (No price on the manufacturer page. Corroboration PowerToolsMag review (dated July 26, 2023) states verbatim "Priced at $349-399" (and again "Priced at $349-399" in overview). Reported priceUsd=399, the upper/typical retail figure of the sourced range (matches the standard Lowe's list price); "399" appears verbatim on the review page.).
- Typical price: from $399, median $429.99, up to $1099 — across 7 priced.
- Tracked: 9 products across 9 brands, current through 2026-07-13.
- Compared on: Max width inches, Max thickness inches, Max depth of cut inches, Cutterhead type, Cutterhead speed (rpm), Feed rate fpm.
Best by the numbers
Objective winners — each is the leader on one measured spec, with the figure. No subjective ranking.
- Lowest price: Ridgid R4331 ($399)
- Highest cutterheadSpeedRpm: DeWalt DW735X (10000 cutterheadSpeedRpm)
- Highest feedSpeeds: DeWalt DW735X (2 feedSpeeds)
- Highest motorAmps: DeWalt DW735X (15 motorAmps)
- Lowest weightPounds: Makita 2012NB (61.9 weightPounds)
Top 3 by quality
An algorithmic overall ranking from the data on this page — value for money, spec strength, and recency. 100% data-driven, no paid placement.
-
Triton TPT125 Quality score 85/100 Best value -
Ridgid R4331 Quality score 71/100 Best value - Craftsman CMEW320 Quality score 59/100 Best value
How we rank: Value 45% · Spec strength 35% · Recency 20%. Scores are computed only within this category from published specs and prices — never influenced by commissions or placement. Method & open data →
What to look for
How to read the comparison — what each key spec means and the range across these thickness planers.
- Cutterhead speed (rpm) — higher is better (this group: 8000 to 10000).
Comparison
| Compare | # | Thickness Planer | Price | Max width inches | Max thickness inches | Max depth of cut inches | Cutterhead type | Cutterhead speed (rpm) | Feed rate fpm | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Craftsman CMEW320 | $399 | 12.5 | 6 | — | straight-knife | 8000 | — | craftsman.com | |
| 2 | Ridgid R4331 | $399 | 13 | — | — | straight-knife | 9000 | 23.5 | powertools.ridgid.com | |
| 3 |  WEN 6552T 13-Inch 3-Blade Benchtop Thickness Planer | $424.6 | 13 | 6 | — | straight-knife | — | 26 | wenproducts.com | |
| 4 | Triton TPT125 | $429.99 | 12.5 | 6 | — | straight-knife | 8750 | — | beavertools.com | |
| 5 |  Cutech 40200H-CT | $669.99 | 13 | 6 | — | spiral | 9000 | 26 | cutechtools.us | |
| 6 | DeWalt DW735X | $859 | 13 | 6 | — | straight-knife | 10000 | — | dewalt.com | |
| 7 |  Makita 2012NB | $1099 | 12 | — | — | straight-knife | 8500 | 28 | pacificpowertools.com | |
| 8 |  Grizzly G0505 | — | — | 6 | — | straight-knife | 10000 | 32 | support.grizzly.com | |
| 9 |  Rikon 25-130H 13" Benchtop Helical Planer | — | 13 | 6 | — | helical | — | 26 | rikontools.com |
Specs are as published by the manufacturer (or a reputable spec source where the official page was unavailable); prices are US launch MSRP. Full per-product records and all spec columns are in our open dataset.
Popular comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest thickness planer?
Craftsman CMEW320 is the cheapest at $399 (No price on the manufacturer page. Corroboration PowerToolsMag review (dated July 26, 2023) states verbatim "Priced at $349-399" (and again "Priced at $349-399" in overview). Reported priceUsd=399, the upper/typical retail figure of the sourced range (matches the standard Lowe's list price); "399" appears verbatim on the review page.), as of 2026-07-13.
How much does thickness planers cost?
Across the 7 thickness planers with a published price, the median is $429.99, ranging from $399 to $1099, as of 2026-07-13.
Which thickness planer is best by the numbers?
Lowest price: Ridgid R4331 ($399). Highest cutterheadSpeedRpm: DeWalt DW735X (10000 cutterheadSpeedRpm). Highest feedSpeeds: DeWalt DW735X (2 feedSpeeds).
How many thickness planers are compared here?
9 thickness planers across 9 brands, with US price and key specs, current through 2026-07-13.
What is the best overall thickness planer?
Triton TPT125 ($429.99) — Highest overall score (85/100) — the strongest balance of specs, value and recency in this group.
What is the best value thickness planer?
Ridgid R4331 ($399) — Most specification per dollar of any thickness planers here at $399.
What is the most capable thickness planer?
DeWalt DW735X ($859) — Leads this group on the measured specs — a premium pick at $859.
More hardware comparisons
How we compiled this
Covers benchtop and portable ('lunchbox') electric thickness planers for wood, sold at a published US MSRP or typical street price in USD. Excludes handheld electric planers, floor-standing/stationary industrial planers wider than 15 in, jointer-planer combination machines, and manual bench planes. Price is US MSRP/typical, USD. maxWidthInches is the maximum stock width the cutterhead can surface in a single pass, in inches. maxThicknessInches is the maximum stock thickness (height) that fits under the cutterhead, in inches. maxDepthOfCutInches is the maximum material removed in one pass at full width, in inches. cutterheadType is an enum: 'straight-knife' (disposable/reversible HSS blades), 'helical' (staggered rows of square carbide inserts), or 'spiral' (inline/spiral rows of inserts). cutterheadSpeedRpm is the no-load cutterhead rotational speed in RPM. feedRateFpm is the automatic stock feed rate in feet per minute; where two feed speeds exist the range is given (roughing to finishing). feedSpeeds is the count of selectable feed speeds (1 or 2). motorAmps is the rated motor current draw at 120 V, in amperes. dustPortDiameterInches is the dust-collection port outer diameter in inches; where two ports ship, both are listed. weightPounds is the bare-tool weight in pounds.
Last verified 2026-07-13. We re-check published specs and prices on a recurring cadence and update this page when they change.
Embed this comparison — free
Add the live cheapest-thickness planers list to your site. It reflects our latest data, and an attribution link is built in.