10 Best Thickness Planer Machines 2025 in the United States

The Powermatic 22-Inch Planer (Model 201HH) is a heavy-duty machine designed for professional woodworking. Its 22-inch cutting width and 0.19-inch cutting depth make it suitable for large projects. The 7-1/2 horsepower motor ensures powerful performance, and with a feed rate of up to 20 feet per minute, it can handle a high volume of work efficiently.

The helical cutterhead with 125 four-sided carbide knife inserts provides smoother and quieter cuts, which is a significant advantage for maintaining a pleasant working environment and achieving high-quality finishes. Additionally, the adjustable bed rollers and cast iron construction contribute to the machine's durability and stability, ensuring smooth operation even with rough or finished workpieces. The dust chute with a 5-inch port is a useful feature for effective dust collection, keeping the workspace cleaner and safer.

However, at 1430 pounds, this planer is extremely heavy, making portability a challenge. It is best suited for a stationary workshop setup rather than being moved around frequently. The Powermatic 22-Inch Planer is a robust and efficient machine ideal for professional woodworkers who require precision and high performance but may not be suitable for those who need a more portable solution.

The JET 12-Inch Planer/Jointer (Model JPJ-12BHH) is designed for serious woodworkers and professionals. With a cutting width of 12 inches, it can handle larger boards, making it suitable for substantial projects. The helical cutterhead with 42 carbide inserts ensures rapid cutting and a high-quality finish, reducing the need for additional sanding.

The motor power is 3 HP, offering robust performance for both planing and jointing tasks. This machine can switch between these functions quickly without removing the fence, enhancing its versatility. The cutting depth of 0.13 inches allows for precise material removal, and the parallelogram design aids in accurate adjustments of the cut depth.

Additionally, the heavy-duty cast iron tables and one-piece steel stand add to its stability and accuracy, which is crucial for maintaining flatness and precision in woodworking projects. However, it's quite heavy at 453 pounds, making portability a challenge. It includes useful attachments like push blocks and a hex wrench. This planer/jointer is best suited for a stationary workshop environment rather than for users needing a portable solution.

The Grizzly G0815 is a heavy-duty thickness planer designed for woodworking enthusiasts and professionals who need a reliable machine with ample cutting capacity. It offers a wide cutting width of 15 inches and can handle stock thicknesses from as thin as 1/4 inch up to 8-1/4 inches, making it versatile for various wood sizes. With a strong 3 HP motor running at 240 volts and 14 amps, it delivers enough power to efficiently plane hardwood and dense materials.

The machine spins its 15-inch blades at 5000 RPM, which allows for smooth, consistent cuts. One thing to keep in mind is the weight—at 380 pounds, this planer is quite heavy and not very portable, so it's best suited for a fixed workshop setup rather than moving around often. The base is made of cast iron, which adds to its stability and durability during operation. The G0815 stands out for its power and cutting capacity but may be less convenient if you need a lightweight, mobile planer.