The hard case the planer comes in is brilliant. Compared to the cardboard box supplied with the Makita KP0800, I know which one I’d like to own. It’s smart, robust and will keep the planer safe.

Compared with the Makita KP0800, Ryobi include a dust bag with the price. It means you can get to work straight away without ruining the carpets. Like almost all Ryobi tools, the construction is almost all plastic. I’m sure it’ll last well but compared with the metal parts on the DeWalt DCP580N it feels a bit cheap. Just like the other cordless planers on my list, this tool doesn’t come with batteries or a charger. Starting with the build quality. It’s a nicely put together bit of kit that’s heavy enough at 2.8 kg to feel solid in the hand. But it’s not so weighty that it’ll slow you down. The handle is at the best angle and rubberised for a positive, comfortable grip. The trigger and safety button work smoothly, and the depth adjuster is easy to read and turn. PL2632 3-1/4 In. Planer, (1) PA1202 Woodrazor Mini Micrograin Blades (2), (1) Dual-Mount Guide Fence, (1) Straight No-Mar Plastic Overshoe for Fence, (1) PA209 3-Degree No-Mar Plastic Overshoe for Fence, (1) Shavings Bag, (1) Blade Wrench, (1) Carrying CaseThis must be one of the best affordable cordless electric planers available right now. Compared with the DeWalt DCP580N it’s affordable for even casual DIYers. Ryobi’s 18V battery powers the cutting head up to a reasonable 11,000 rpm. It’s not the fastest but should be adequate for most DIY jobs. The tool has an adjustable depth cut from 0 – 1.6 mm and a planing width of 82mm. It can cut up to 2mm per pass in softwood and up to 1mm in hardwood. There’s a cutting width of 82mm and a maximum rebate depth of 9mm. It also has a 0.1mm increment depth adjustment, controlled by a chunky front dial that doubles up as a grippy handle. Also, look for reversible planer blades with a sharp edge on both sides that can be flipped through 180° for longer life.

The double edged carbide blades let you work for longer without needing to re-sharpen. When one side gets blunt or chipped, just switch it around. The 620 Watt motor spins up the twin cutting blades up to 34,000 cuts per minute (CPM) at 17,000 rpm. You can adjust the planing depth down to 2mm. The adjustable front shoe has a neat “V” groove for chamfer cuts. And the rear fixed shoe features a spring-loaded catch to help avoid damaging the workpiece. Planing wood is the secret to tight-fitting joinery, glass-like wood surfaces and getting your doors to fit properly after having new carpets fitted. Let’s see how they can do what they do: Mains Operated and Battery Powered Planers Weighing in at just 2.4kg, it’s not too heavy for any user. Corded power tools need to be lightweight, and this one is just that.The DKP180Z looks like the KP0800. It features the same comfortable anti-vibration grip and accurate depth adjustment. The build quality is what you’d expect from Makita: tough, refined, and easy to use. The large 710 Watt motor spins up the single cutting blade to an impressive 18,000 rpm. You can adjust the planing depth down to 2.6mm. The spring-loaded “parking foot” keeps the fixed rear shoe up off the workpiece. This helps to avoid taking chunks out of your workbench when you put it down. Starting with the ergonomics, Einhell have done a good job with the handle. It’s built at a comfortable angle and has plenty of soft rubberised plastic to help keep vibrations to a minimum. The front handle is rubberised as well and doubles up as the fine adjustment dial.

The other big Japanese tool brand, Ryobi, make one of the best DIY level electric planers I’ve tried out. Famous for their ONE+ series of tools that all share the same battery, it’s a great system to invest in. You can set the blade depth to “P” for “protect” on the front dial. This lifts the blade up above the line of the foot, keeping it out of trouble. No more scratched workpieces too! At 2.4kg it’s one of the lighter electric planers on my list. That makes it easy to use, even with one of Einhell’s high Ah batteries plugged in. Although they’re probably better known for their battery-operated power tools, Japan’s Ryobi make one of the best corded planers, the RPN780-S. It’s a powerful tool that can remove a serious amount of material when it needs to.An incredible no-load speed of 19,500 rpm. Compared to the Bosch Professional GHO 26-82D it’s 1,500 rpm faster. It does it all with a smaller motor than the Makita KP0800 as well. The first thing to note about this planer is the handle. It’s comfortable and uses Ryobi’s signature rubberised GripZone found on most of their tools. It makes up for the fact that this is a heavier planer than some on my list at 3.1kg. It’s not too heavy, but you can feel the difference over longer sessions. Like the Bosch GHO 26-82D, you can choose which side the chips eject from. It’s a premium feature you might only expect to see on more expensive tools. As far as I’m concerned, the best cordless electric planers have brushless motors. They’re more powerful, efficient and you never need to change brushes. VH1035 and VH1635 (by means of VX120 adapter included with those hoses), VAC005 and VAC006 hoses, and most other 35 mm hoses