Wood routers are a must have for any workshop or garage. Routers come in a variety of styles, from plunge routers to fixed base options. If you are looking for some in-depth reviews and selections of the best wood routers in 2022, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are 10 of the best Wood Routers in 2022.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| DEWALT Router Fixed/Plunge Base Kit | Best Overall |  |
| 11-Amp 2 HP Fixed-Base Wood Router | Budget Pick |  |
| Triton TRA001 3-1/4 HP Dual Mode Precision Plunge Router | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. DEWALT Router Fixed/Plunge Base Kit
Pros:
- 3-Year Limited Warranty
- Two-Sided Base
- Low-Vibration Technology
- Easy Change
- Precision Depth Adjustments
- Soft-Grip Handles
- Additional User-Friendly Features
- Quick-Release Plunge Mode
- Emergency Spindle Lock
- Two Speed Selections
The DeWALT DWP611PK is one of the most versatile models around. Even though it’s small and lightweight, it is still heavy enough to provide plenty of stability for smooth cutting. Plus, this base is compatible with a wide variety of accessories.
This base also makes it very easy to control the depth of the cut. So, if you need to make detailed adjustments, you’ll quickly be able to do so with the precision depth adjustment feature.
The DeWALT DWP611PK is also incredibly user-friendly. That’s because it’s designed with dual side handles that are easy to grip and soft-grip handles. These handles not only make it easier to cut out the perfect piece, they also help to absorb a large portion of the vibration that’s produced by the motor.
2. Makita RT0701C 1-1/4 HP Compact Router
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight
- Cuts cleanly through a variety of materials, including MDF, engineered lumber, softwood, hardwood, and plywood
- Onboard variable speed, soft start, and easy depth adjustment
- Quiet
- Hardened, precision-ground steel cutter
- Comes with an edge guide
- Quick release on the base
- Can use a template guide
- Runs on a standard 115 V household outlet
- Standard 1-inch and 1/4-inch collet capacity
Cons:
- Less powerful than some other models of its size.
- On/off switch position can be reversed by mistake.
- Although included, a base wrench needed for the on/off switch is not common and not easy to find.
- The speeds are labelled by diamond and triangle shapes on the switch, which can be hard to see.
Each year, various wood router manufacturers release new router models. I have done some research and created a list of best wood router options which you can choose from for your woodworking projects.
The Makita RT0701C is a compact, lightweight, powerful and relatively quiet router. It is specifically designed for trimming, routing and edge-shaping in hardwood and softwood.
3. Bosch 1617EVSPK Wood Router Tool Combo Kit
The Bosch 1617EVSPK is a mid-priced router kit that includes a fixed base and a plunge base. It is designed with a powerful 2.3-horsepower motor, with a variable speed of between 8,000 RPM and 24,000 RPM. The motor allows you to cut through a solid piece of wood or a block of metal very quickly. With this router, you can create a lot of decorative designs in your project. It is one of the most useful tools to help you in your woodwork.
The plunge base has a depth adjuster that allows you to control the depth at which the router should cut. It has a 1/4” micro-fine depth adjuster knob. The fixed base has a collet size of 1/4”. It is great for cutting intricate pinstripes or inlays. It allows for a broader range of uses. The collet size of the fixed base for the Bosch 1617EVSPK router is 1/4”.
The Bosch 1617EVSPK router has soft start, and the huge vibration damping on the plunge base and the fixed base. These features allow the router to have full system control even when working on the hardest woods. It prevents premature router failure in the fixed base and the plunge base.
4. Festool 574692 Router OF 1400 EQ Imperial
Pros:
- 5-in-1 Woodworking Machine
- Versatile Router
- The plunge base can be converted into a handheld router
- Can cut table and edges precisely
- The plunge base easily attaches to the router base
- Comes with two-year factory warranty
The Lifetime Tools 25140K is an 8-1/4 carbide wood router. The router table lies flat on the machines base so the user won’t have to line the router up with the table. Since the router table is rectangular, the user may rotate it 180 degrees. The table has a retractable vertical fence, for cutting the edge of the workpiece.
The 25140K is a 3-horsepower router with a fixed 3/4-inch woodworking base and an easy to adjust steel fence. It has high-speed 19,000 RPM and uses 3/4-inch collet to accept the router bit. The motor has a quick-release feature for the router base in case you need to change bits quickly. It has a pre-set micro-adjustable depth gauge that makes it easier to achieve an accurate depth adjustment.
5. DEWALT Router
Pros:
- Can comfortably use in tight corners
- Easy to mount ball bearing router lifts
- One of the most suitable models for tight places
- Three years limited warranty
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with attachments
- Dust collection doesn’t work well
- Flimsy power switch
This double-duty router is good for both the hobbyist and the professional. It has a fixed base and a plunge base that the user can use as needed. It is equipped with a soft grip, which makes this model ideal for working in tight spaces. The motor is 2.25HP and 12amp. and has a 120V power. The size of the router is 9 x 8 x 7.8 inches and weighs 75.2 ounces.
The stand is professional quality and can be adjusted to up to a 37 degrees angle. The 110V power is perfect for the user’s convenience.
The router has a collet size of 1/2 inch. The router has a good dust collection with an integrated collector. It has a good design, is easy to transport, and has great overall features.
6. 11-Amp 2 HP Fixed-Base Wood Router
Pros:
- * HP – Dual Speed Function
This professional grade wood router features an extremely powerful 19 amp motor. The Bosch 2.25 hp wood router has two different speed modes making it excellent for both beginners and advanced users.
The Bosch also features a fixed, powerful 1/4 inch collet that holds 1/2 inch shank bits. The collet is also adjustable for up to a 6/4 inch round over bit. The collet can also utilize 1/8 inch shank bits as well.
The Bosch 2.25 hp fixed base wood router is also made from a solid steel with heavy plastic casing. The wood router is extremely durable and can handle a wide variety of jobs. You can easily use the rugged, wood router to rout both soft surfaces and solid, tough wood surfaces.
7. Bosch Router Tool
Pros:
- Good warranty
- Has a dust extraction port
- Easy lock and release lever
- Precision bit location
- Provides wide range controls
- Pocket-friendly
- Durable construction
- Highly functional
- Compact design
- Replacement parts available
Cons:
- Some important information on the manual is not well translated
- Some parts feel a little flimsy
- Feet are not perfect for flooring applications
- LED light is not powerful
- Some parts may not last for a few years
This Bosch PR20EVS is a new generation palm router. It comes with the high-end features which make it one of the best plunge routers for both amateurs and professionals.
As a new router, it comes a lot of benefits. This includes a compact and or lightweight design that offers you the ease of use and portability. It is also ideal for flooring applications.
Even though it might seem a little pricey, it is a top rated router that comes well with a one-year warranty.
8. Triton TRA001 3-1/4 HP Dual Mode Precision Plunge Router
Pros:
- Unique Tilting Table
- Variable Speed And Plunge Modes
- Smooth Operation
- Push/Pull Table Mechanism
Cons:
- A little bit heavy – 18.9 lbs
- Plate covering the motor can be a little bit flimsy
Talking about wood routers, the Triton TRA001 is one of the top choices in the market. Many people say that this machine is so good that it's a shame it doesn't have higher reviews on Amazon. I've come to understand that this is because most woodworkers are very behind the word of mouth. They're such a tight-knit community that they love to talk about the good stuff, but they won't really put in their 10 cents if a woodcutter product is bad. Thus, I would like to take this oportunity and say: The Triton TRA001 wood router is nothing less than amazimg.
This machine can be used in both handheld and table mounted manner, which means that you're gonna use it either for smaller projects or big ones. The blueprint it comes in is a really simple to follow, so you're going to have a fun time in both mount and handheld sessions.
9. PORTER-CABLE Router
Pros:
- Simple to assemble
- Solid base is easy to fix in place on a wood surface
- Can be mounted on a mobile cart
- Sturdy router with great power
- Includes a two-year limited warranty
Porter-Cable is one of the most popular brands on the market, producing a range of excellent power tools. The PORTER-CABLE 690 LR has a powerful 11-amp motor to offer outstanding performance, including in larger pieces of wood. This makes it ideal for users who want to invest in an additional router for big or long projects such as furniture making or door making.
The 690 LR can be fixed in place on a table or mounted to a mobile cart. The base is heavy and is able to be clamped into place on the work surface for a firm fit.
Most routers use handles to control the position of the bit. This offers a large amount of control but can be difficult to manage on larger cuts and depth alterations. The PORTER-CABLE 690 LR has a control dial which offers finer control than the handle. This is useful for makes and quick alterations.
10. PORTER-CABLE Router
Pros:
- Can be moved around easily
- Compact and lightweight
- Affordable for most homeowners
- Additional bit storage
Cons:
- Fussy depth gauge
- Flimsy motor
- Can be hard to drill out
- Not suitable for production use
The Porter-Cable router is great for the home woodworker. It’s fairly light and very easy to move around, making it very portable. The router also includes a fixed base and a plunge base along with three different bits.
The router is easy to operate, and changing bits is a breeze. The plunge base is especially great for difficult cuts such as mortises. And the large handles make the router comfortable to hold. The router can even be used for edge routing or flush trim.
There are a few things that could be improved on this router however. One of them being the depth gauge. The depth gauge can be hard to read, especially in dim lighting, and what’s more, it broke on us after a few uses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best woodworking router on the market?
The best wood router is one that meets your needs. If your primary use for one is to trim wood, then the size and dimensions are the most important things to focus on. If you're a hobbyist that makes furniture, then you're going to want a larger size with a decent amount of power.
However, if you just need one for light trimming, then one of the smaller sized units will do. In this case, consider the weight of the tool as well since these tend to be harder to hold. To get even more specific, we recommend looking at details such as the speed control as well as power. If you are going to tackle a few different tasks with your router, investigate what speeds and power the tool is capable of delivering.
Options like these can give you a lot of versatility; you'll just need to spend a little extra time simply learning how to use them versus the typical rotary tool you might already be used to.
What are the best wood routers?
To help you make the best choice with your hard earned money, we'll take an in-depth look into some of the highest rated wood routers that are currently on the market. Alongside a wide variety of wood routers, we'll analyze each within a variety of contexts, including safety features, unique features, motor power, and many more.
What is the best router for a beginner?
The most important thing to consider before purchasing a router is that a basic model will get the job done. A basic router will cut curves and simple profiles, and it will help you improve your woodworking skills as you use it to make more challenging projects.
Rather than opting for a fancy, expensive model, choose a simple router that has the features you need and is offered for an affordable price. Also, consider the special features that come with the router. If you need to be able to perform one-handed switching between bits, or if you need a higher-level router that has telescoping capabilities, then you need to be sure your woodworking router has those features.
What are the different types of wood routers?
The final option is a palm router that is easy to hold and comes with a smaller size. This is great for precision cutting and clean cuts without much dust. In fact, sometimes, they are so small that they are meant for detailed work that requires more accuracy.
So, keep in mind that the type of wood router you choose comes down to what you intend it to do. If you need it for large, straight pieces of wood, you'll probably want to go with the fixed-base routers. These routers offer a lot of surface area, so if you're doing a lot of straight cuts, it's a good choice. The plunge-base wood routers are useful for flex cuts, precision, and depth control that is needed in certain situations.
Conclusion
Wood routers have become quite popular in the last few years, and they are now essential in any woodworking shop. The fact that they allow otherwise inaccessible wood joints to become accessible has increased their appeal, but the sharp and precision bearings available in the modern wood routers have only increased their use. Many people assume that routers are incredibly difficult to use, but the truth is that it is an incredibly versatile piece of equipment that provides a lot of valuable services in a woodworking shop. This guide will help a new wood router user get started quickly, but even long-time woodworkers will find knowledge that they didn’t have to help them solve annoying problems.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| DEWALT Router Fixed/Plunge Base Kit | Best Overall | |
| 11-Amp 2 HP Fixed-Base Wood Router | Budget Pick | |
| Triton TRA001 3-1/4 HP Dual Mode Precision Plunge Router | Upgrade Pick | |