10 Best Wood Planers With Two Speeds for Cleaner, Faster Stock Prep in 2026

If you want cleaner surfaces, less tear-out, and more control over feed rate, wood planers with two speeds are a smart upgrade. They let you balance speed and finish quality based on the board and the job.

This roundup focuses on models that offer a practical mix of cutting power, feed options, and shop-friendly features for both hobby and pro woodworking.

Best 10 Wood Planers with Two Speeds Picks for 2026

Top Pick – DEWALT 13-inch 2-Speed Thickness Planer

If you want wood planers with two speeds for a serious benchtop shop, the DEWALT DW735X is built for bigger stock and repeatable results. Its 13-inch capacity, two-speed gearbox, and fan-assisted chip ejection make it a practical choice when you need to move between faster material removal and a smoother finish.

Best For: Woodworkers who want a high-capacity thickness planer with adjustable feed speed and strong chip evacuation.

Pros:

• Two-speed gear box lets you choose 96 or 179 CPI for faster cuts or finer finishing.
• 15 amp, 20,000 rpm motor is made to handle larger cuts in wider materials.
• Three-knife cutter head is designed for longer knife life and faster knife changes.
• Automatic carriage lock helps reduce movement that can cause snipe.

Cons:

• Large 102-pound build is less convenient if you need to move it often.
• Requires benchtop space for the 13-inch planer and folding tables.

The DW735X stands out if you want a robust planer that balances speed and finish quality. The included infeed and outfeed tables, extra knives, and rigid aluminum base make it especially appealing for frequent thicknessing work.

Compact Choice – Makita 3-1/4" Corded Hand Planer

The Makita KP0810 is not one of the wood planers with two speeds, but it is a compact corded option for quick surface cleanup and light stock removal. Its 3-1/4-inch capacity, 16,000 rpm cutter head, and side-selectable chip ejection make it a practical hand tool for smaller tasks.

Best For: Quick handheld planing, trimming, and light material removal where compact size matters more than dual-speed control.

Pros:

• Planes up to 3-1/4 inches wide and 5/32 inches deep in a single pass.
• Two-blade cutter head runs at 16,000 rpm for smooth finish and fast stock removal.
• Chip ejection can be directed to either side for convenience.
• Depth adjustment scale with click stops supports precise setting changes.

Cons:

• Not a benchtop thickness planer and does not offer two feed speeds.
• Smaller cutting width than the 13-inch benchtop models in this roundup.

If you need a portable planer rather than a thickness machine, this Makita is straightforward and easy to control. It is best treated as a specialist handheld tool for narrower jobs, not as a two-speed shop planer.

Best Value – VEVOR 13-inch Two-Speed Thickness Planer

For shoppers comparing wood planers with two speeds, the VEVOR 13-inch thickness planer offers a feature-rich setup with a wider worktable and adjustable feed rate. It is designed to handle boards up to 13 inches wide, with two speed settings that let you choose faster rough planing or a slower pass for a smoother finish.

Best For: Woodworkers who want a 13-inch benchtop planer with two feed speeds, extended support, and dust collection.

Pros:

• Two speeds let you plane at 24 f/m or 15 f/m depending on the finish you want.
• 13-inch widened worktable and pull-out extensions help support longer stock.
• Three-knife cutter head is built for smooth, consistent performance.
• Vacuum port and chip ejection setup support cleaner dust collection.

Cons:

• At 28.1 kg, it is not the lightest benchtop option.
• Requires a 20A over-current protector to guard against overload conditions.

This VEVOR model covers the core needs of a two-speed thickness planer without leaning on a stripped-down design. The wider bed, feed-speed choices, and large thickness scale make it a practical fit for general shop use.

Shop Favorite – CRAFTSMAN 15 Amp Benchtop Planer

The CRAFTSMAN CMEW320 is a straightforward benchtop planer for hard and soft wood material removal, but it does not have two feed speeds. If you are shopping specifically for wood planers with two speeds, this model is more of a simple, power-focused alternative with a compact footprint and a cleaner workspace setup.

Best For: Users who want a basic 15 amp benchtop planer with solid steel cutters and vacuum-port dust collection.

Pros:

• 15 amp motor is intended for hard and soft wood material removal.
• Two-knife, quick-change solid steel cutter head aims for smooth operation and long life.
• High carbon steel, double-edged reversible knives are built for extended cutting life.
• Vacuum port helps keep the workspace cleaner.

Cons:

• Does not offer a two-speed feed system.
• 12.25-inch cutting width is smaller than 13-inch models.

For buyers who can live without adjustable feed speeds, the CRAFTSMAN is a practical benchtop planer with a durable cutter head. It makes sense when simple operation and dust collection matter more than dual-speed control.

Heavy-Duty Precision Pick – 13-Inch 2-Speed Helical Planer

If you want wood planers with two speeds for both fast stock removal and cleaner finishing, this 13-inch benchtop model is built around that workflow. The 21 FPM and 12 FPM feed settings let you switch between quicker roughing and slower, smoother passes, while the helical cutterhead and carbide inserts are aimed at reducing tear-out on hardwoods and softwoods alike.

Best For: Woodworkers who want a high-power 13-inch planer with a smoother finish option and precision depth control.

Pros:

• 2-speed feed rate lets you choose 21 FPM for faster removal or 12 FPM for smoother finishing
• 40-carbide-insert helical cutterhead is designed for smoother cuts and longer blade life
• Ball-screw height adjustment and dual-scale depth gauge support precise setup
• Extendable feed tables, LED work lights, and a 4-inch dust port add shop convenience

Cons:

• At 70 pounds, it is not a lightweight benchtop tool
• Best suited to users who need more than basic planing features

Overall, this planer stands out for pairing two-speed flexibility with a helical cutterhead and pro-oriented controls. It makes the most sense for buyers who want a more refined finish without giving up strong material removal.

Smoother Finish Choice – 13-Inch 2-Speed Spiral Planer

Among wood planers with two speeds, this Cutech model is aimed at users who want smoother results and easier handling of figured wood. The 2-speed feed rate gives you a slower 16 FPM setting for reducing tear-out, while the spiral cutterhead, staggered inserts, and snipe-minimizing design focus on cleaner cuts and easier day-to-day use.

Best For: Beginners and hobbyists who want a quieter spiral cutterhead and a slower feed option for smoother results.

Pros:

• 2-speed feed rate includes a 16 FPM slower setting for hardwoods and figured wood
• Spiral cutterhead with staggered, two-sided carbide inserts helps produce smoother finishes
• Patented coupling design and 4 lead screws are built to minimize snipe
• Board return rollers and flip dust hood add practical convenience

Cons:

• Slower feed speed is the main finishing advantage rather than maximum throughput
• More feature-rich than a basic planer, which may be more than some users need

This is a strong fit if your priority is finish quality over raw speed. The cutterhead design, snipe reduction, and two-speed control make it especially appealing for careful thicknessing work.

Budget Workhorse Pick – 13-Inch Benchtop Planer, 2-Speed

If you need wood planers with two speeds but want to keep the setup straightforward, this 13-inch benchtop planer covers the basics well. It uses a 21 feet-per-minute feed speed, a 2-blade HSS cutter head, and a heavy cast iron base with steel plates to help keep boards steady while you plane.

Best For: Buyers who want a straightforward 13-inch planer with solid capacity and basic dust control.

Pros:

• Handles boards up to 13 inches wide and 6.2 inches thick
• 2-blade HSS cutter head is designed for smooth, consistent results on hardwoods
• 21 FPM feed speed supports efficient material removal
• 3-in-1 dust port and overload/overheat protection add practical value

Cons:

• Uses standard HSS blades rather than a spiral or helical cutterhead
• Lacks the more advanced two-speed finishing controls found on higher-end models

This model is best viewed as a practical shop planer with a strong capacity-to-feature ratio. It gives you the core performance needed for everyday thicknessing without the complexity of more specialized premium units.

Heavy-Duty 15-Inch Pick – JET 15-Inch Thickness Planer with 2-Speed Feed

If you’re comparing wood planers with two speeds for a serious shop setup, this JET 15-inch thickness planer stands out for its helical cutterhead and dual feed settings. The 16 FPM and 20 FPM options let you balance cut quality and throughput, while the cast iron table and four-post design are built for stability.

Best For: Woodworkers who want a heavy-duty 15-inch planer with adjustable feed speed and a smoother helical cut.

Pros:

• 2-speed feed rate lets you choose 16 fpm or 20 fpm based on the job
• Helical cutterhead uses 48 staggered carbide knives for self-aligning setup
• PASS system helps reduce board snipe by keeping upward pressure consistent
• Precision-ground cast iron table and four-post frame add stability

Cons:

• Requires 230V power, so it is not a plug-and-play 120V option
• At 285.5 pounds, it is not a portable choice

This is a strong fit if you want a shop planer that prioritizes cut quality, durability, and feed-speed flexibility over portability. The 15-inch capacity and 1/8-inch max cut make it practical for larger woodworking tasks.

Budget-Friendly Benchtop Pick – VEVOR 13-Inch Thickness Planer with Stand

For shoppers looking at wood planers with two speeds of performance in a broad sense, this VEVOR benchtop planer is built around straightforward feeding and compact shop use rather than multiple feed-rate settings. It pairs a 13-inch cutting width with a 6 m/min planing speed, a foldable design, and an included stand for easier setup in a small workspace.

Best For: DIYers and hobby woodworkers who want a compact 13-inch planer with an included stand and easy storage features.

Pros:

• 13-inch cutting width suits common benchtop woodworking tasks
• Included stand and foldable extension plates help with storage and setup
• Automatic feeding design supports easier material handling
• Dust exhaust interface helps keep the work area cleaner

Cons:

• Uses a single listed feeding speed rather than a true dual-speed system
• Not as robust as larger cast-iron heavy-duty planers

This model makes sense if you want a practical, space-saving planer with useful convenience features. It is more about compact functionality and cleanup support than high-end speed versatility.

Compact Two-Speed Option – JET 13-Inch Benchtop Planer with 2-Speed Feed

If you want wood planers with two speeds in a smaller benchtop format, this JET 13-inch model gives you 18 FPM and 26 FPM feed choices along with a helical-style cutterhead. The cast iron bed, steel cover, and four-post design are aimed at keeping boards flat and improving control during cutting.

Best For: Woodworkers who want a benchtop planer with dual feed speeds, compact storage-friendly tables, and a smoother cut.

Pros:

• 2-speed feed rate offers 18 fpm or 26 fpm depending on the task
• Helical-style cutterhead uses 26 quick-change HSS inserts for smoother, quieter cutting
• Cast iron bed and four-post support improve board control
• Folding infeed/outfeed tables help with leveling and storage

Cons:

• 13-inch width is smaller than full-size 15-inch alternatives
• Heavier than some benchtop units at 75 pounds

This is a solid middle-ground pick if you want dual-speed convenience without jumping to a larger 15-inch machine. It focuses on cut quality, snipe reduction support, and shop-friendly storage.

How We Picked the Best Wood Planers with Two Speeds

We prioritized planer performance, feed-speed range, cutterhead design, motor strength, capacity, and everyday usability. For Wood Planers with Two Speeds, the best choices combine reliable stock removal with a slower setting for cleaner finish passes and a faster setting for productivity.

Quick Comparison

In general, benchtop 13-inch models are the best fit for small shops and serious DIY users, while 15-inch machines suit larger boards and higher throughput. Helical or spiral cutterheads usually deliver quieter operation and better surface quality, while straight-knife designs can be more affordable and easier to maintain.

Key Buying Factors for Wood Planers with Two Speeds

Feed Speed

Two-speed planers are most useful when one setting favors smoother cuts and the other favors faster material removal. If you often move between rough lumber and finish-ready boards, choose a wider gap between speeds so the slower setting meaningfully improves surface quality.

Cutterhead Type

Helical and spiral cutterheads with carbide inserts generally reduce tear-out and noise. Straight-knife models can still work well, especially if you value lower upfront cost and simple blade changes, but they may require more attention to knife sharpness.

Motor and Capacity

Match the motor to the kind of hardwood and board width you plan to run. Stronger motors handle heavier cuts more confidently, while wider planers are better for shelving, tabletops, and larger panels. Check maximum thickness and depth-of-cut limits before buying.

Snipe Control and Dust Collection

Good infeed and outfeed support helps reduce snipe, especially on longer boards. Dust collection matters too; planers move a lot of chips, and a strong exhaust system keeps the machine cutting consistently and your workspace cleaner.

Who Should Buy Which Wood Planers with Two Speeds?

If you want the best finish quality and run a small to medium shop, choose a two-speed helical planer. If budget matters more than premium surface quality, a straight-knife benchtop model can still be a solid value. For larger stock and frequent use, step up to a wider 15-inch planer with a robust motor and better feed control.

Overall, Wood Planers with Two Speeds are ideal for users who want flexibility: fast rough dimensioning when time matters and slower, cleaner passes when the final surface does.