Best Electric Hand Planer of 2024 UK – Buyer’s Guide

If you want your wood to have a smooth, flat surface then an electric hand planer is a great way to achieve this. These tools will remove wood in small increments usually not exceeding ⅛ inch meaning you will get something pretty precise. However, if you are new to these tools, then it can be pretty confusing when looking to find one that is reliable, powerful and will get the job done right. We have tried and tested a variety of tools and feel confident that the ones featured in this guide offer everything you will need. Check out our buyer’s tips for more help in choosing the best model for your needs.

What Should I Look For In An Electric Hand Planer?

Before you make a commitment to any particular planer, it is important to consider a few factors. While all planers are designed to do the same job, each tool may have features that are specific to it and this will alter how you can use it.

Corded vs Cordless

One of the biggest things to think about when choosing your electric planer is whether you want a corded or cordless tool. Both offer several advantages but there are also drawbacks to each and depending on how and where you wish to use the tool, this will affect your decision.

For example, people who are going to be using the planer in one location may prefer to choose a corded tool. This is because of the continued power which means you won’t need to worry about recharging batteries in the middle of a job. However, while battery power can be frustrating when it runs out, the lack of a power cord tethering you to the spot means that a cordless model may be better for people using the tool in various locations such as contractors.

How Many Irons Does It Have?

A planer’s blades are known as irons and the number of irons will tell you a lot about the quality and effectiveness of the tool. For example, some of the best electric hand planers come with at least two irons, sometimes more. However, if you look at a more basic model, you might find that it only has one.

Dual Purpose Planers

There are some electric hand planers that double up as a sander which is great if you want something that will help you finish a project in its entirety. In this case, you will get a sanding cylinder with the tool as well as more complex settings to use this.

Ease Of Use

The last thing you want is a planer that is uncomfortable to use, especially if you intend on getting a lot of use out of it. For this reason, you will want to look for something that features a soft-grip handle as well as other user-friendliness features like easy to reach controls.

When you use your planer, you will notice that it gives off a lot of vibrations and having comfort features such as soft grips will help to bear the brunt of some of these.

Can It Be Converted Into A Bench Planer?

A hand planer offers excellent convenience, however, there may be times that it would be easier to use a bench planer. Rather than purchasing two pieces of equipment, there are several planers that come with attachments that mean they can be mounted to a bench when the moment calls for it.

Cutting Depth

Most electric planers will come with a depth scale which is imperative in altering how deep the irons cut on each pass. Depending on the brand, this may be given in mm or inches but it is important to understand these increments and ensure that the settings are easy to adjust.

Wood Chip Disposal

Nobody wants pieces of wood flying around as they work. For one thing, it creates an unnecessary mess but more importantly, it’s dangerous. Different models of electric planers will come with different disposal methods.

Some will feature an attachment that allows for suction removal and these will normally be compatible with your vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, there are some planers that feature side chutes to dispose of the wood chippings so that they do not come near your face. In this instance, you’ll usually be able to choose which side you’d like to eject from.

What Are The Best Electric Hand Planers?

There are a lot of electric hand planers out there. Of course, we would always advocate following the buying tips we have discussed above but we found that the following planers were among the very best.

Makita DKP180Z LXT 82mm 18 V Li-ion Cordless Planer – Best Cordless Planer

Cordless planers offer incredible convenience and thanks to the innovations in modern technology, these tools are becoming more comparable in terms of power to their corded cousins. This one from Makita is a great option for anyone looking for something reliable for their DIY projects. It is relatively compact and lightweight making it nothing short of a pleasure to use.

In terms of power, this model takes an 18v lithium-ion battery but since this is a bare tool, you will need to purchase this separately. With up to 14,000rpm, it’s a pretty intense piece of equipment. Couple this with dual carbide blades and it’s not difficult to see what an effective tool this is.

The Makita DKP180Z LXT comes with buttons on either side of the handle making it suitable for both left and right-handed users. What’s more there is a lock button so you can use the tool continuously but the shoe on the base prevents the planer from being put down when still running so you can also feel confident in how safe this is to use.

Check the latest price of the Makita DKP180Z LXT 82mm 18 V Li-ion Cordless Planer

Makita KP0800 240V 82mm Planer – Best Corded Planer

Much like the cordless Makita hand planer we have just looked at, this corded version comes with many of the same features. This is indeed a brand you can feel confident in purchasing since it comes with a three-year warranty as standard, provided you register the tool within 30 days of purchase. But much more than this, Makita offers durable and reliable tools.

For example, this one is encased in a die-cast plastic shell making it lightweight yet incredibly robust. What’s more, the carbide blades are protected by aluminium plates demonstrating excellent robustness on the underside of the tool.

This planer cuts up to 2.0mm and has a fine depth adjustment click knob that is beautifully easy to use. This, coupled with the rubber soft grip means that the Makita KPO800 is one of the most user-friendly planers out there.

Check the latest price of the Makita KP0800 240V 82mm Planer

Bosch PHO 1500 Planer – Best Budget Planer

For around half the price of the Makita planers we have explored, Bosch delivers this amazing tool that is perfect for anyone looking for something that won’t break the bank. It comes with a very easy to use combined guide and blade system making it a great choice for beginners who want a tool that can be easily adjusted. What’s more, when it comes to changing the blades, the woodrazor system means that this is uber simple!

Moreover, the BOsch PHO 1500 offers safe and convenient planing thanks to the parking rest on the underside. It will make light work of most DIY tasks and boasts quick and clean cuts. The 550-watt motor is only just less powerful than the Makita KPA800 which boasts 620 watts, so for the price, you’re still benefiting from a decent amount of power.

If that wasn’t enough, this is a multipurpose tool that quickly converts into a sander allowing you to totally finish off a project without the need for multiple tools. There is also a dust extraction port for the clean and hassle-free disposal of waste wood.

Check the latest price of the Bosch PHO 1500 Planer

Conclusion

Buying a hand planer might feel a little overwhelming at first but when you get to grips with the jargon and make a decision regarding which features will benefit you the most, it becomes a lot easier to find the best tool for you. We think that these electric planers are some of the most superior whether you’re on a tight budget or want something a little more high-end.

If, however, you are looking to resurface larger pieces of material, then read my guide to Thickness Planers and see which, in my opinion, are the best thickness planers to buy.