If you have been woodworking for a while now, you must know the importance of jointers in your daily jobs. They can make warped, bent, or twisted boards completely flat.
And since all the wood coming into woodworking stations isn’t always of the right thickness and flatness, benchtop jointers can come in handy more often than you think.
But there are many options available in the market, and choosing the best benchtop jointers for the job isn’t always easy.
Many users aren’t aware of the good features to look out for in jointers and often face difficulty choosing the best one. Usually, selecting the best jointer with all the good features and within the affordable price range is similar to finding a needle in the hay.
With this point in mind, we set ourselves to testing all the best jointers available in the market and, after years of careful research, have found some that can indeed be called the cream of the crop.
Top Benchtop Jointers At a Glance:
- Porter-Cable Benchtop Jointer
- WEN Spiral Benchtop Jointer
- Craftsman Benchtop Jointer
- Shop Fox Benchtop Jointer
- Rikon 20-800H Joiner
- Vevor Benchtop Jointer 6-inch
- Wahuda 10-inch Benchtop Jointer
List of Best Benchtop Jointers
Porter-Cable Benchtop Jointer
Best Value Benchtop Jointer
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: PC160JT | Power Source: Corded | Voltage: 110 V | Weight: 35 Lbs | Warranty: 1 year | Amazon Rating: 4.4 / 5 |
REASONS TO BUY
✓Cutter head lock
✓Jack screw knife mechanism for more accessible knife arrangement
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Blade reversal or changing can be difficult
Porter-Cable has been around for more than a hundred years at this point. The company started by making lathes and power tools and has expanded its expertise in all areas of the woodworking and tools industry since then. Its circular saws, jointers, planers, and orbital sanders are famous.
This benchtop jointer from Porter-cable certainly hits the nail when it comes to offering the best features within a specific price range.
With this price factor, the jointer is the perfect tool for all DIYers and some professionals looking for an easy and quick solution to making their boards completely flat.
The jointer uses a powerful motor to generate cutting speeds ranging from 6000 rpm to 11,000 rpm. It also has a variable speed setting, allowing users to adjust the rates according to their specific jobs. This makes all DIY projects easy, fun, and smooth and saves the energy and time of users.
The cutter head in this jointer has two knives which can easily be adjusted accordingly using the leveling arrangements, which use a jack screw knife mechanism. The knife arrangement can also be locked using the cutter head lock mechanism built into the jointer.
It also has a large table that allows cutting up to 6-inch wide boards. Using this jointer, you can produce the correct size and thickness boards in no time.
Thus you can easily do the modifications to your kitchen drawers or porch areas. All in all, this jointer is the best value benchtop jointer from Porter-Cable and can easily handle all types of nasty work.
WEN Spiral Benchtop Jointer
Best Budget Benchtop Jointer
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: JT630H | Power Source: Corded | Voltage: 110 V | Weight: 36.9 Lbs | Warranty: 2 year | Amazon Rating: 4.6 / 5 |
REASONS TO BUY
✓Spiral cutter head
✓12 HSS blades
✓45-degree bevelling fence
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Adjusting the blades according to your preference can be tricky
WEN has also been around for quite a while now. Founded in 1951, the company started by making electric power tools, i.e. they brought electricity to power tools. If this isn’t pioneering an entirely new set of power tools, we don’t know what is.
This benchtop jointer from WEN is the perfect example of the thought process WEN puts into its power tools.
With this jointer in your hands, you can flatten out all the rough boards and planks. When you are done with flattening, there won’t be any need to sand the boards.
The powerful 10 amp in this jointer can produce speeds up to 12,000 rpm. With this much speed, all your board flattening jobs can be quickly done.
The panels can go together without you getting the slightest idea of the location of the seem.
One of the unique features of this jointer is its spiral cutter head system which features 12 staggered HSS saw blades.
The lost seem, and the most premium finish given by the jointer comes from these high-quality blades.
The jointer allows you to cut from 0 inches to about ⅛ of an inch to get some of the best possible results. It also comes with a fence which can be beveled to about 45 degrees.
With just a little bit of customization to make the jointer your own, it can be one of the best budget benchtop jointers available.
Craftsman Benchtop Jointer
Best Benchtop Jointer For Professionals
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: CMEW020 | Power Source: Corded | Voltage: 110 V | Weight: 39.7 Lbs | Warranty: 3 year | Amazon Rating: 4.3 / 5 |
REASONS TO BUY
✓Variable speeds ranging from 6000 rpm to 12000 rpm
✓Jack screw leveling arrangement for accuracy
✓Cutter head locking system
REASONS TO AVOID
✗The outfeed table can have flatness issues
As the name suggests, Craftsman is among the ultimate power tools, garden equipment, and work wear manufacturers.
They started by making farming equipment for farmers and agricultural workers. But with time expanded to making chrome plates for automobiles and power tools for professional workers.
This benchtop jointer by the company is one of the best examples of the legacy the company has left behind.
With this jointer on their side, the professionals can get the best versatile performance, and the DIYers can also easily use the machine for their home projects.
The jointer comes with a powerful 10 amp motor which can produce variable speeds ranging from 6000 rpm to about 12000 rpm.
Using this variable speed setting, you can use the jointer according to the preferred speed for cutting the materials according to their size and thickness.
The cutter head in this jointer also comes with a two-knife system which the jack screw leveling arrangement can adjust, and the cutter head can also be locked in place using the lock mechanism. The leveling arrangement also makes replacing the blades very easy.
The jointer also has a center-mounted fence which allows some of the most accurate and precise cuts. With these features, the jointer can easily become the best benchtop jointer for professionals.
Shop Fox Benchtop Jointer
Best Benchtop Jointer for the Money
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: W1876 | Power Source: Corded | Voltage: 120 V | Weight: 42.9 Lbs | Warranty: 1 year | Amazon Rating: 4.5 / 5 |
REASONS TO BUY
✓10 amp and 1 ½ horsepower motor
✓Carbide inserts in the cutter head
✓Cut depth indicator
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Cutter inserts can be challenging to replace.
This jointer from Shop Fox is a complete package in a small body. With a 10 amp and 1-½ horsepower motor, which can produce speeds up to 12000 rpm, this jointer is the beast you would absolutely need in your wood workshops.
The jointer comes with a spiral cutter head which has 12 carbide inserts. The maximum width of the boards this jointer can support is 6 inches.
The infeed table is knob-adjusted, so accurate cuts can be made with the most precise settings. The cut depths are indicated in both inches and the metric system so that maximum accuracy can be achieved with no bounds.
To improve the accuracy, the jointer also has an aluminum fence, which is very easy to adjust. With all these features and some more hidden ones, this jointer is the best benchtop jointer for the money.
You can get all the premium features of the best jointers without putting much strain on your pockets
Rikon 20-800H Joiner
Best Benchtop Jointer With a Helical Cutter head
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: 20-800H | Power Source: Corded | Voltage: 120 V | Weight: 49 Lbs | Warranty: 5 year | Amazon Rating: 4.5 / 5 |
REASONS TO BUY
✓Helical style cutter head
✓Adjustable fence
✓Expandable table
✓Lightweight
✓It can work on 8 inches wide boards
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Setting the device is difficult.
✗Expensive than competitors.
Rikon’s name may be new to you if you don’t look for tool reviews more often. But we can assure you Rikon has quite a name in the market for making bandsaws and other industrial tools.
While most of the jointers are limited by their ability to work on lumber more than 6 inches wide, it can work on 8 inches wide boards, giving it an advantage over the other jointers.
As all the benchtop tools have the problem of a small floor that limits you to work on smaller boards, Rikon provides an expandable table that can expand up to 51-1/2 inches from the default 30-1/2 inches.
The best thing about it is the helical cutter head, having 16 carbide blades arranged in 6 rows for clean cutting. These knives are durable and relatively easy to change; that will happen only if you use this machine for years.
It weighs 50 pounds, much less than most of the jointers. It makes it portable and suits the people who are on the road and don’t have a specific workshop. Setting up the machine frustrated us, but once we did it, everything went smoothly.
The other things to talk about are the adjustable fence, dual dust port system, and safety on/off switch to prevent accidental startups. The final words are it is the best benchtop jointer with a helical cutter head.
Vevor Benchtop Jointer 6-inch
Best Heavy-duty Benchtop Jointer
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: VEVOR Woodworking Benchtop Jointer 6-inch | Power Source: Corded | Voltage: 110 V | Weight: 36 Lbs | Warranty: 2 year | Amazon Rating: 3.7 / 5 |
REASONS TO BUY
✓Strong build quality
✓Over-current protector
✓Less expensive
REASONS TO AVOID
✗No replacement blades
✗Capable of cutting 6 inches-wide logs
This piece from the VEVOR is the younger brother of the 8-inch jointer. As mentioned in the name, it can only plane the 6 inches wide wood.
If you desire to work on lumber wider than this, you can always have the option of its bigger brother or the ones mentioned above with 8-inch or 10-inch capacity.
It is equipped with a 110V motor that runs at 50hz and has no load speed of 9000 rpm, ensuring a smooth finish. Adjustment of height and width of the cutter head is easier as it comes with two handles specialized for adjustment purposes.
When we review the build quality, it is pretty solid as the whole body is made of aluminum, and the stand is manufactured from steel.
Considering this kind of build, one thinks it will be pretty heavy, but it is quite the opposite as it weighs only 36.11 lbs making it portable and easy to handle.
One thing that distinguishes it from the rest of the benchtop jointers we talked about is its over-current protector, which automatically trips as soon as the current overshoots, ensuring the machine’s safety.
You may come across a few problems if you expect it to work like an expensive jointer. You can expect some issues with the blade, but this is not it as there are no replacement blades with the machine, and Vevor does not sell them separately. So keep this in mind; things can go south if you somehow manage to damage its blades.
Even though this is a problem, still, in our opinion, it is the best heavy-duty benchtop jointer at this price tag.
Wahuda 10-inch Benchtop Jointer
Best Benchtop Jointer With a Spiral Cutter Head
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Wahuda 10-inch Benchtop Wood Jointer | Power Source: Corded | Voltage: 120 V | Weight: 70 Lbs | Warranty: 2 year | Amazon Rating: 4.5 / 5 |
REASONS TO BUY
✓Spiral cutter head
✓10-inch capacity
✓Powerful motor and good build quality
✓Adjustable fence
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Occupies large space
✗Bulky
Wahuda specially designed the model for heavy-duty tasks as it has the capacity of 10-inch. It has a powerful motor of 120V delivering a constant no load speed of 12000 rpm, which you may notice is the highest of all. You can keep feeding the logs at this speed, and it will skim through them.
The build is solid as you would expect. The table is made of cast iron which is expandable, as we discussed in the Rikon 20-800H model, which gives you more space to work on larger boards which means it will also take more space in your workshop.
It has a spiral cutter head consisting of 4-sided 20 carbide blades that can cut through any surface. The spiral arrangement produces less noise and increases the blades’ work life. There is also an easy blade replacement system.
It comes with a 24-inch fence which is quite solid and adjustable. It tilts 90 degrees and 135 degrees quite easily from precise edge jointing.
With all these features, we can easily say it is the best benchtop jointer with a spiral cutter head.
Shopping Tips for Benchtop Jointer
We have described the best jointers in the market, but you must know what you should be looking for in a benchtop jointer in case you go shopping. Following is the list of the things you should consider while buying a benchtop jointer
Build quality
The build quality should be on the top of your list as you don’t want something that keeps shaking while you are working or breaks down after a short time, and you keep buying the same tool repeatedly. So a benchtop jointer made of an entire metal body like aluminum should be your go-to option.
Motor
A powerful motor is a must-have for the benchtop jointer for an excellent and smooth finish. You should be clear about the intensity of work you will use it for and buy the jointer accordingly.
Size
The size of the jointer means the widest piece of wood it can handle. These are in four varieties, including 6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, and 16-inches.
The planer with a 6-inch capacity is perfect for home usage as it is lightweight, less expensive, and can do routine tasks.
The 8-inch planer is a bit bigger but used mainly by DIYers and hobbyists. It costs more than 6-inch one and takes more space.
While we talk about the 10-inch and 16-inches, these are more focused on professionals and used for heavy-duty tasks. These are not portable at all and take a lot of space.
Fence
A fence is a part of the benchtop jointer that keeps the workpiece in line. These are usually of two kinds; fixed and adjustable. So a better choice is the adjustable fence as it tilts to some degrees and gives you more space.
Table
The length of the table may limit you, but there are specific models which come with an expandable table that almost extends to almost default size giving you more space. So a jointer with an expandable table.
Weight
It is best to consider the weight of the jointer as the lower weight makes it portable and easy to carry around. You can quickly move them from one place to another. But these should not be so light that it shakes during work.
Head
There are three types of cutter heads available in the market. The most old school is the straight cutter head, followed by the helical cutter head. The most advanced system is the spiral cutter head which contains four-sided blades that give a smooth finish and are easy to replace.
Dust collection
Working with a jointer or a planer always generates a lot of dust and wood chips. So go for a jointer with a dual dust port system with a dust bag to collect the flying chips and dust.
How To Use Benchtop Jointer
You must use it correctly to get the most out of your jointer. Otherwise, you risk wasting time and energy in getting the jobs done right. Here’s a complete video explaining how to use the jointers
Conclusion
Now you know everything needed to know about some of the best benchtop jointers available on the market. Whenever you spend your hard-earned money on these heavy machines, check out all the features you need to work with.
After all, getting a costly machine is useless when you can’t even do the required work. But when you find the best engine for your jobs and it comes out to cost a little extra, don’t hesitate to spend a little extra money on those additional features. If spending those extra few bucks gives you peace of mind, there should not be a second thought. Happy woodworking!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are WEN jointers any good?
WEN has been making these machines for quite a while, and they know their way around them. WEN jointers are the best in versatility, weight, and general use for DIY and professional jobs
What is the difference between a jointer and a joiner?
Both words sound somewhat similar, but the actual machines are very different in terms of their functions. As the name suggests, a joiner can join two pieces of wood together. While on the other hand, a jointer is a tool used for flattening unlevel and irregular wood boards.
What size jointer do I need?
The general rule is that the jointers can handle a lumber board twice their table size. So if you want to work on big lumber boards, it would be good to get a jointer having a big table. Some extensions can also be used, allowing the users to work on longer boards without increasing the table size. The size of the blade also plays a role in this regard.
In what direction does a jointer work?
A jointer has an infeed table and an outfeed table. You put the boards to be flattened into the infeed table. The jointer cuts the panels using the blades, and the flattened pieces of wood come through the outfeed table.
