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Last updated June 2, 2021
A real woodworker knows how to work wood in order to create their own pieces of furniture. If you are new to this field, you should know that the best tool to make your tasks as easy as possible is a wood router. Buying the best one can be tough, given the variety present in the market. There are certain qualities that wood router tend to possess and below, you are going to find out exactly what these qualities are. You are also going to find a list of the best wood routers that are worth your while as well as a detailed description of why they are the best of the best.
There are many models of wood routers with different characteristics on the market. We have selected for you the best models that you can buy in the USA. Check our list of the 10 best wood routers and choose an assistant to suit your needs! We are sure that you will be satisfied!
- Best Versatile Router: Bosch 1617EVSPK Wood Router
- Best for the Money: DeWalt DW618PK Wood Router
- Best Plunge Router: Triton TRA001 Wood Router
- Best for General Use: Porter-Cable 690LR Wood Router
- Best for Router Table: DeWalt DWP611PK Wood Router
- Best for Carving: Bosch 1617EVS Wood Router
- Best Trim Router: Bosch PR20EV Colt Wood Router
- Best Professional Router: Festool 574692 Wood Router
- Best Cordless Router: Makita XTR01Z Wood Router
- Best CNC Router: BobsCNC E3 Wood Router
BUYER’S GUIDE
The thing about working with wood is that there are a number of different scenarios you are going to face. Cutting wood is pretty simple. Carving it would be a little more complicated, but it is also important to keep in mind the fact that there are a lot of wood carving tools that would help you get the job done in no time at all. Then comes the all-important task of wood routing.
Wood routers come in handy when you are using a particularly hard piece of wood. If you need to hollow it out, the various tools you might have at your disposal are going to be more or less worthless. You are going to need something a little more precise and powerful. This combination of power and precision can only be found in wood routers.
Hence, a wood router is a machine that is used to hollow out tough woods so that you can give them the shape you want. Hence, they are useful in a variety of situations such as the creation of cabinets which tend to use very hardwood and also tend to require intricate paneling and hollowing out in order to be actually useful.
There are a variety of wood routers out there, so you need to make sure that you buy one that is right for you.
Types of Wood Routers
As mentioned before, there are a variety of different routers that you can get. One of the most popular types is a fixed based router that is useful if you want something that is portable, compact and easy to use because you would not have difficulty moving it around.
However, this router is more about maneuverability rather than anything else. Therefore, if you want something portable, you should get a wood router that has interchangeable bases. This would enable you to keep a set of bases with you at all times that you can take with you everywhere you go, thus saving you the trouble of carrying multiple wood routers and decreasing your load by a large margin. These wood routers are generally more affordable as well, which is important for people who don’t have an enormous budget.
These two are the main types of routers that you would be able to buy. There are other types as well such as the laminate trimmer which is well known for its precision, but these types of wood routers are not as popular as the two that have been mentioned above.Plunge Routers
The chest area of the router grips the router bit and can be pushed downwards more than two spring-stacked columns that channel the router bit’s way, enabling it to slice the exterior of an object from above.
- The spring-stacked top half, router bit included, can be pushed downwards, bringing down the exterior part of the materials. It builds a wide range of cuts you are able to construct and makes them more appropriate for different templates and jigs.
- When the router is plunged to a specific depth and locked in place, the plunge routers work just like the fixed base models, securing the bit in place when working, thus ensuring consistency.
Fixed Based Routers
Accordingly, fixed base routers can’t plunge cut outside of materials from the top; it can just begin from the edges.
- On fixed base routers, the knobs are at times positioned farther down the body, this implies that your hands are nearer to the machine’s base and the workpiece.
- One of the disadvantages of fixed base routers is, it doesn’t permit pushing the router’s bit outside of materials. That is, the cuts made over the surface must begin from the edge.
- The demerit of the fixed base router is that it doesn’t enable you to plunge the router bit outside of materials. It implies cuts made over the surface must begin at an edge and makes it unacceptable for use with most templates and jigs.
Combo router kits
A few routers come with an interchangeable base. They comprise of the upper half of the router (the collect assembly and the engine) with a detachable base, and some of the time at least one extra bases for various applications.
Heavy-duty routers, medium-duty routers, and light-duty routers
A router’s ‘duty’ is the size and intensity of the router, and influences the effectiveness of the router for particular jobs
Heavy-duty routers
A heavy-duty router is the most significant and most dominant of all hand routers. As a rule, it has the biggest collet size, and this implies that it can hold in place router cutters of over 38mm or 1½ inches.
Medium duty routers
These types of routers are neither heavy nor light. They are not heavy like the heavy-duty models; as such they are suitable for fragile work. However, they are heavier and larger than light-duty routers, this makes them more suitable for regular use and they are often used with bigger cutters more than light-duty models.
Light duty routers
Light duty routers are grouped as semi-proficient devices, perfect for specialists, and light exchange work. Occasionally used over shorter timeframes. They are small and lightweight and usually are capable of accepting bits whose cutting diameters are limited, under 38mm or 1½ inches because of their small collets.
Listed below are the kinds of routers out there and the model, which will be most appropriate for you when you desire to buy a router.
LAMINATE ROUTERS/ TRIM ROUTERS/ COMPACT-SIZE ROUTERS/ PALM ROUTERS
The wood routers that are outfitted with consumer-grade engines putting out at most 1 hp are the smallest in the router family.
- The Ergonomic designs allow you to hold the palm router with a single-handed grip comfortably, stretching out upward starting from the base. A few brands are inherently much balanced over others, so attempt them personally whenever possible.
- Beautiful depth modification dials put you in absolute control of most complex routing tasks, for example, decorative inlays.
- Macro depth modification controls, and then again, gives you a chance to switch depths quicker in case you are moving on to another task.
- Brushless electric engines run calmer and help spare battery control on the cordless models, this is exceptionally fundamental for the turning bits and extremely productive.
- Safety features, for example, the finger guards and the spindle locks are essential and must be included (standard).
- The Edge guards are essential for directing routers along passes, particularly over the table.
- The Chuck wrenches provided with the unit helps to change the chuck toss bits with no additional tool.
The type of router you can carry along, are genuinely compact, and function admirably for fast jobs like mortising entryway pivots or making window patterns are called the palm routers.
CORDLESS PALM ROUTERS
Cordless palm router model is the most efficient kinds of routers available for small, petty jobs and nothing beats the comfort it gives.
The CORDLESS PALM ROUTER is pricier and heavy because of the battery pack, yet for routing the edges and trimming the laminates, only a few power instruments can carry out the task instantly like a cordless router. Like a good number of battery-powered apparatus, running time is gauged in Amp per hour (Ah) also, cordless routers require bigger Ah batteries to run optimally.
Sizes of Wood Routers
One aspect of the wood router that you should pay particular attention to is the shank size. There are multiple shank sizes, and each size will have a different impact on your wood routing experience. Sizes go from 6 mm all the way to 10 mm, so if you want the most precision possible, you should make sure that you get the right kind of size based on your requirements. Shank size can also affect depth of penetration, and getting the right shank size can also mean that you would not have to use as much power as might be necessary otherwise.
Medium-sized routers
Medium-sized routers provide a decent harmony among power and control and regularly come in two models; it could be one-handed or two-handed, depending upon the base design.
Unlike the palm routers, that typically come in grasp style models, these routers can plunge based, fixed based, or combo based for multiple uses.
Moreover, owning a medium-sized router impressively gives you more room to choose the router bits you can utilize.
Both weekend specialists fiddling with carpentry to genuine star shops will locate a medium-sized router helpful for practically any routing job– from edge cutting and finishing to dovetailing and profiling cut tasks.
- Dust accumulation feature helps to keep your shop clean and also shield you from breathing in particles and dust that may cause medical issues later on. Make it a necessity if you want to be routing composite boards and lots of plastic pieces.
- The easy handle design is an absolute necessity. To correctly use a router, you need strategy and some training, so ensure you get tools you can handle comfortably.
- Variable speed gives you a chance to alter your router’s speed. It is necessary for using particular individual bits or dealing with hardwood or different objects.
- Soft star: rather than spinning your router at maximum RPM when you switch it on, gently start and gradually revs the motor up to the fixed speed. This keeps the router consistent as you begin your pass, and also keeps it from twitching out of your hands.
- The Built-in LED light can lighten your working zone for enhanced visibility.
Full-Sized routers
The Full-sized router possesses a specialty with regards to this classification of power tools. It is costly and too cumbersome to operate manually. As a general rule, a full-sized router is commonly used on the router table.
A Full-sized router runs on three or more hp motor range. It is quite helpful when you need to route using large measurement router cutters, particularly if you are going to push pieces of hardwood against them. If you intend to utilize any shaper more than 38mm, consider putting resources into a Full-sized router machine.
- Electronic velocity control causes the router to make up for the weight thus keeping the bit spinning at a consistent rate. This very important for guaranteeing steady cuts as well as finishing.
- Electric brakes let you switch between removes quicker by cutting the time trusting that the bit will quit turning.
- Chip diverters shield your face from flying garbage.
Wood Router Accessories
Extensions and Chucks
If you want precision, you might want to get a few extensions and chucks that would allow you to get the most precise routing possible without having to increase your power. Check out as many chucks as you can so that you can buy one that is perfect for your needs.
Storage Boxes
Whatever accessories you get, you are going to need a box to store them in. Getting a large box is also useful if you plan to get a wood router that offers interchangeable bases. You would need a place to store these bases, and a storage box would allow you to keep all your things in one place which is extremely useful for people who tend to move around a lot.
Allen Keys
Allen keys are going to be your tool of choice if you want superior depth adjustment. Wood routing is not just about power and speed; your depth of penetration matters a lot as well. Hence, if you truly want the best precision, you should get an Allen key to help make that happen.
How to Choose a Router
Now that you have educated yourself on the various types of wood routers that are out there, you need to try and choose the right type of router for you. In order to do this, you need to first assess your own needs in order to ascertain which type of wood router would fulfill your requirements. There are also certain overall features that you should look for.
Motor Type
There are two basic types of motors that you can get when it comes to wood routers. The first type of motor is a single-speed motor. The thing about this option is that you can’t really control the power output, but the fact that you generally get a lot more power output, to begin with makes up for this disadvantage quite a bit. Single-speed motors are perfect for individuals who have the need for intense power more than anything else, and people who need precision might be a little disappointed here.
The other type of motor that you can get is the variable speed motor. The main benefit of this motor is that you would be able to customize the power output of your machine to a large extent, thus allowing you to be a lot more precise with your routing.
Durability
Wood routers deal with some pretty tough woods, so getting one that is durable makes a lot of sense. After all, you don’t want a wood router that would end up breaking down after you have used it for only a year. This is the sort of thing that you would want to get several years out of at least because it is the best woodworking router and such things are meant to last. When you are looking for a high-quality wood router, durability should be one of the things that you look for the most. It would help ensure that your routing experience is a lot more affordable in the long run because you would not have to pay for repairs as often, nor would you have to buy a replacement when your wood router breaks down.
Price
One of the biggest mistakes that people tend to make when it comes to wood routers is one that they make with a variety of other products as well. This mistake is assuming that price is somehow indicative of quality. Right off the bat, you should know that this is not true at all. An expensive product is not necessarily going to be top-notch. Indeed, some of the more expensive products out there can be quite low in quality because their price is the result of big brands trying to get a big profit while offering subpar products.
This is not to say that you should go for the cheapest wood router available either. Try to find a middle ground; this way you would be able to get something that won’t break the bank but would be top-notch in quality regardless of this fact.
Brand
Wood routers are the sort of products where you need to be conscious of the brand that you are purchasing from. There are two main brands out there that are considered the best of the best, which are Bosch and DeWalt. Both are comparable in terms of power, precision, and durability. It is in the accessories and customization that they give each other some competition.
Bosch is known to have an edge in the power department, albeit a very small one, and is also well known for providing excellent products that are very portable. DeWalt is slightly more affordable than Bosch and is important because it provides a unique number of features, many of which have to do with its astounding variable motors.
While it is true that both of these brands have something or the other that gives each an edge over the other, it is also important to realize that they are both excellent choices. Whichever brand you go for, you can rest assured that you are going to be well satisfied.
Best wood router list in 2021 year
Bosch 1617EVSPK Wood Router
- 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch collet chucks
- 8,000-25,000 RPM
- Diameter: 6 inches Fixed/ 6-11/16 inches
BOSCH 1617EVSPK is a fixed base router kit that has a product of 2.25HP plunge which features a 25,000RPM that gives power when needed for smooth routing. This Bosch machinery is for woodworkers who are on a budget but needs everything a wood router does with the added benefit of finding a single router motor with a plunge as well as a fixed-based combined together in one kit.
This product protrudes a versatile kit board of application, that involves slot cutting, dovetail cutting, and more. It also has an in-built constant response circuitry. Both the plunge and fixed bases have a quick clamp feature which helps the motor move between bases without having to rely on tools.- It has a variable speed system which ranges from 8,000RPM to 25,000RPM.
- The Bosch 1617EVSPk kit has a quick clamp system that helps users shift bases.
- It is compact and lightweight.
- It has a good height adjustment control.
- The fixed base handles are quite slippery which is quite dangerous for its users.
DeWalt DW618PK Wood Router
- 2-1/4 HP (maximum motor HP)
- 8,000-24,000 rpm
- Integral, through-the-column dust collection collects 95% of the dust
The DEWALT DW618PK features a 12-Amp variable-speed, soft start motor which has a fixed and plunge base for a variety of woodworking jobs. The 2¼-HP motor gives off variable speeds from 8,000 to 24,000 RPM for various applications. The Dewalt combo kit is built for durability and consistency.
Each base of this combo kit contains ergonomic and comfortable rubber over-molded handles which improved control and balance for a long period of time. Dewalt DW618PK also included a 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch collect for extra bit retention and added improved versatility.
- It has an ergonomic grip to lessen fatigue.
- It has a good dust collection system.
- It has a compact and durable design.
- The center of gravity of this device is very low.
- This router is very easy to use.
- It has amazing variable speed dial.
- Collet nut is difficult to reach sometimes.
- The cord is not long enough.
- It doesn’t come with an edge guide but it can be purchased separately.
Triton TRA001 Wood Router
- 3 1/4 Horsepower Motor
- 8000-21000 RPM
- Plunge range 0 – 2 3/5″
Weighing about 13 pounds, this Triton TRA001 plunge router is made to be very durable and heavy for better longevity. It is made up of totally high-grade steel which is very sturdy allowing its users to handle heavy-duty applications. It has a very powerful 3.5 HP motor which is capable of delivering speeds from about 8,000 RPM to 21,000 RPM.
With this plunge router, professionalism is guaranteed because it comes with multi-functional Fence’s which allows its users to have more accurate and precise cuts. The Triton TRA001 features an automatic spindle lock, a single button switch and a micro winder.
- It is easy to use.
- It has a soft start feature for easy start-up.
- It is a great value for the price.
- It is sturdy in nature and also durable for a long period of time.
- It has a very powerful motor that can handle most jobs.
- The safety cover gets in the way.
- Suitable for only professionals.
- Faulty on and off switch.
Porter-Cable 690LR Wood Router
- 11-amp motor producing 1-3/4 peak horsepower
- 27,500 revolutions-per-minute single-speed motor
- Micrometer depth adjuster accurate to 1/128-inch
The Porter-Cable 690LR is an efficient and powerful tool that utilizes a hefty 1¾-Hp motor to generate up to 27,500 RPM for precise woodworking cuts. This tool features two ergonomic handles which are strategically placed to make woodworking easy and comfortable as much as possible. The router is made easy to use by adding collects which can take ¼-inch and ½-inch shank bits.
- It has a powerful 11-amp motor.
- It can be used for high precision cuts.
- It has an auto-release collet system for easy bit removal.
- It has dual bases that can be versatile for use.
- It has a compact design.
- It does not have a variable speed system.
- The bits need to be changed with a 2-wrench system.
DeWalt DWP611PK Wood Router
- Durable 1.25HP motor
- 16,000-27,000 rpm
- Collet Diameter: 1/4 in
The Dewalt DWP611PK is a maximum torque variable router combo kit that has an LED and a motor of about 1.23HP which delivers its best during application. It has an optimal speed variation which can be changed depending on the application.
This product has a plunge base that makes use of a fine-tune adjustment rod for a precise depth setting.
- It has an efficient and comfortable design which helps prevent hand and arm fatigue.
- It has a lightweight and dense design.
- It provides for an easy change of bits.
- This product has an adjustable speed and clamp.
- Fluid and quiet operation.
- The Dewalt DWP611PK performance can be improved with the use of accessories.
- The Dewalt DWP611PK does not include an edge guide.
- This product doesn’t possess a side handle.
- Its ¼ inch collet nut is a bit difficult to reach.
Bosch 1617EVS Wood Router
- 12 Amp router motor
- 8000-25,000 RPM
- 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch collets
With the Bosch 1617EVS 2-1/4HP Variable Speed Router, customers and consumers can take care of the toughest routing jobs with a 12-Amp 2.25 hp motor, and a versatile speed that ranges from 8,000 RPM to 25,000 RPM. The body of this router is made to support durability with motor housing and bases which is made up of aluminum and the power switch of this router is dustproof, meaning that dust particles can’t get to it.
The Bosch 1617EVS 2-1/4HP Variable Speed Router kit gives its users all the components which is required for fixed-depth routing. The fixed base of this router contains threaded holes for mounting to a qualified router table and it also has a bit-height adjustment system that lets you adjust the bit height from the table.- This router has a very powerful 12-Amp motor.
- It is made up of aluminum which increases durability.
- Operation is very easy and effective.
- Variable speed dial present for speed variation.
- It has a compact design.
- It does not come with a plunge base.
Bosch PR20EV Colt Wood Router
- 16,000 to 35,000 RPM
- 1.0 Horse Power 5.6 amp variable speed motor
- Includes a self-releasing 1/4 In. collet chuck
When it comes to this router, Bosch combined precision, power, and versatility to give you a masterpiece. The Bosch PR20EV Colt has a 1 hp 5.6-Amp motor that ranges speeds from about 16,000 RPM to 32,000 RPM. The dial which controls the speed is mounted at the top of the router.
This Bosch product features a soft start technology that controls how the machinery torque during startup. It has a precise and fast depth adjustment system which allows both micro and macro adjustments to be made.
- It has an ergonomic grip.
- It has an air vent to keep the router cool.
- It has a 7-step adjustment depth.
- It has a compact design.
- It is a versatile tool for various woodworking jobs.
- It doesn’t have side handles except on the plunge base.
- It accepts only ¼-inch collets.
- There is no dust cover on the power switch.
Festool 574692 Wood Router
- Micro-adjustable depth control to 1/256″
- It accepts 1/2″, 1/4 inches or 8 mm bits
- A 3 position depth stop turret
Being designed to increase control and reduce fatigue amongst its users, the Festool 574692 plunge router is said to be the best overall router. This device is a one-handed operation because of the integrated switches found on the device. It also features a dust extraction mechanism that clears and protects the tools from dust and debris which can affect them later.
- It has a perfect dust collection system.
- It is very quiet when in use.
- The fine adjustment system is very accurate and simple.
- The plunge height adjustment is easy to use.
- It has a durable and compact design.
- It is a bit expensive.
- It doesn’t come with an edge guide.
Makita XTR01Z Wood Router
- 10,000 to 30,000 RPM
- Compatible with Makita 18V Lithium-Ion batteries with a Star symbol
- Quick release cam lock system for convenient depth adjustments
The Makita XTR01Z is designed for a full range of various woodworking and carpentry applications. The XTR01Z is a cordless compact router that has an efficient Makita BL Brushless Motor that runs 50% longer with longer tool life and increased power and speed.
The Makita XTR01Z has a variable control speed dial that can range from about 10,000 RPM to 30,000 RPM to match the desired speed needed for woodworking applications. It also has a soft start feature for better start-ups and a fine depth adjustment system for a more precise and accurate cut.- It has a compact and ergonomic design.
- It has a fair price.
- It is lightweight and easy to use.
- It utilizes efficient power management.
- The LED lights offer extra visibility.
- It has a powerful engine.
- It is cordless meaning you have to invest much in batteries.
BobsCNC E3 Wood Router
- SG20U supported rail system
- GT2 belt drive on X and Y axis
- ACME TR8 on the Z axis
Taking one look at the BobsCNC E3 CNC, you will find out that the primary material used in the production of this product is wood. Each of the BobsCNC E3 CNC comes with a DeWalt 660 router and a large cutting area where all the jobs required are done. The cutting head and gantry run on an SG20U support system.
The control of the router, on the other hand, is done by an Arduino-based microprocessor that runs the GRBL motion control software. This engraved kit and router can be connected to a computer that is compatible with it running Mac, Windows, and Linux as well.
- It has good customer service.
- It is easy to assemble.
- It is compatible with any OS.
- It is perfect for newbies and enthusiasts.
- It has a powerful engine.
- It is constructed with wood.
- Difficult to run accurately.
- Does not include software.
Comparison Table
| Product Name | Horsepower (hp) | Router Type |
|---|---|---|
| Bosch 1617EVSPK | 2.25 | Fixed & Plunge |
| DeWalt DW618PK 12 | 2.25 | Fixed & Plunge |
| Triton TRA001 | 3.25 | Plunge |
| Porter Cable 690LR | 1.75 | Fixed |
| DeWalt DWP611PK | 1.25 | Fixed |
| Bosch 1617EVS | 2.25 | Fixed |
| Bosch Colt 1HP Trim Router | 1.0 | Trim |
| Festool 574692 | 1.8 | Plunge |
| Makita XTR01Z | <1.0 | Trim |
| BobsCNC E3 CNC Router | - | CNC |
