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The Best WEN Planer

Last updated on January 4, 2023

We looked at the top 6 WEN Planers and dug through the reviews from 21 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best WEN Planers.

Best WEN Planer

Our Review Process

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If you enjoy taking on a few side projects or completing most of your home repairs and renovations yourself, you’ll want to invest in a quality planer. This woodworking tool has a wide range of uses. It works to fix stubborn doors and uneven joints and can even be used to assist in making homemade cutting boards. When you’re ready to begin shopping, you’ll find WEN’s line of planers are among the most desirable.

Determine whether you’d like a handheld planer or a benchtop planer. Handheld models are more lightweight and easily portable. They are ideal if you need to complete a few quick tasks away from home. Benchtop planers, on the other hand, are designed to stay put. Some of the models even come with pre-drilled holes so you can mount them to your worktable.

Once you know which type of planer you need, you’ll want to review the specifics of each WEN model. Some models have a 15-amp motor that is able to make 17,000 cuts per minute using a two-blade cutting system, while other planers feature an 8-amp motor that can make as many as 32,000 cuts per minute. You’ll even find planers with a three-blade design that are capable of handling tough woods.

Check that the planer has a proper dust port. Certain planers use a fan-assisted dust port to remove sawdust. You will need to connect a dust extraction device to the hose, however, if you don’t want the shavings to end up on the floor of your workspace. Other models come with a two-way dust shoot that lets you choose whether the sawdust is expelled to the left or to the right.

Consider any extras that come with the WEN planer. For instance, some planers are sold with a protective kickstand, reversible dust chute, an adjustment wrench and a rabbeting guide. When the accessories are included, you don’t have to spend money purchasing them later on.

Our Picks For The Top WEN Planers

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

WEN Adjustable Dust Port Cast Iron Planer, 13-Inch

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

WEN

Adjustable Dust Port Cast Iron Planer, 13-Inch

Give worn wood new life with this reliable cast iron WEN planer. The machine is capable of handling boards of up to 13 inches in width and 6 inches in thickness. The adjustment knob makes using the planer a breeze, while the dust port keeps your workspace free of sawdust.

Overall Take

Most DurableThere's also the option to purchase this WEN planer with a disc sander, jointer, reducer or with extra blades.

 Runner Up

WEN PL1252 Reversible Blade Electric Planer, 12.5-Inch

WEN

Reversible Blade Electric Planer, 12.5-Inch

You'll get up to 25,500 cuts per minute with this WEN planer. The 3-blade design can tackle even the hardest woods. At 88 pounds, it's lightweight enough to transport but also sturdy enough to do a reliable job.

Overall Take

Precision is KeyNot only does this planer's 3-blade design allow for precise cuts, but it also powers through the toughest wood.

Pros
" stands out for it's precise cuts and long lasting durability"
Cons
"Size and power not suited for professional use."
 We Also Like

WEN 6530 16-Position Lightweight Planer, 4-Inch

WEN

16-Position Lightweight Planer, 4-Inch

Splinters and misshapen edges are no problem for this WEN planer. Its lightweight design makes it easy to hold, which in turn allows for better control. The unit also features a powerful motor that is able to make 34,000 cuts per minute.

Overall Take

Lightweight DesignIf you're looking for a WEN planer that is more lightweight, this handheld model comes in at just six pounds.

Pros
" The planer comes with amazing features such as a good number of depth stops, depth level, dust bag and a kickstand. The blades are super sharp and they work like a charm to shave old wooden logs and make them..."
Cons
"It comes with a dust bag which can hold some chaff, but it won’t be sufficient for a full collection."
 Strong Contender

WEN 6534 2-Way Dust Ports Automatic Kickstand Planer, 8-Inch

WEN

2-Way Dust Ports Automatic Kickstand Planer, 8-Inch

When it comes to handheld planers, this WEN planer is a top choice. It has a powerful 8-amp motor and a handy two-way dust port. You'll also find this model comes with a host of extras, such as two fully reversible HSS planer blades, two V-shaped chamfer grooves, a parallel fence bracket and an automatic kickstand.

Overall Take

Powerful MotorThanks to this WEN planer's two-way dust port, users will be able to select whether they want the shavings to shoot out the left or the right port.

Pros
" This is a budget-friendly heavy-duty hand planer suitable for both commercial and light home projects. It has tremendous motor power at 8-Amps and 15,000RPM suitable for handling very rough pieces of lumber. It has a durable aluminum cast base"
Cons
"Concerns were raised about the depth scale being inaccurate. Dust bag fills up very quickly."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
13

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the wen planers available to purchase.
6

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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21

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: BestReviews, Strawpoll, Best Reviews Guide, Tool + Bark, Drilly.

14,828

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 6 WEN Planers and also dug through the reviews from 21 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best WEN Planers.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

WEN 6530 16-Position Lightweight Planer, 4-Inch

Our Expert Score

5.0
4 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.0
2,487 user reviews

Our Take

Splinters and misshapen edges are no problem for this WEN planer. Its lightweight design makes it easy to hold, which in turn allows for better control. The unit also features a powerful motor that is able to make 34,000 cuts per minute.

What other experts liked

The planer comes with amazing features such as a good number of depth stops, depth level, dust bag and a kickstand. The blades are super sharp and they work like a charm to shave old wooden logs and make them look like new.
- The Best Power Toolz
This is a great recommendation for both beginners and professionals designed to handle almost any type of board. It has a 6-Amp brushed motor rated at 17,000rpm which makes it suitable for very tough lumber applications. It comes with high-speed steel blades. You can finish your work very fast with...
- Drill & Driver
This is a great cheaper option for the amateur woodworker that just needs to smooth out some smaller projects around the house.
- Best Planers Review

What other experts didn't like

The dust bag that comes with the product fills up pretty fast and it needs to be emptied frequently. So, if you plan to use the tool for a long time, the work area can get very messy.
- The Best Power Toolz
It comes with a dust bag which can hold some chaff, but it won’t be sufficient for a full collection.
- Drill & Driver
At a 3 and a quarter inch width capacity it isn’t quite wide enough to cut a 2 x 4 in a single pass.
- Best Planers Review

What to Look For

  • WEN planers that come with a dust bag tend to fill up quickly. If you choose to use the dust bag, you’ll need to stop often to empty it. Instead, consider placing a trash can under the dust port.
  • Some planers are quite noisy. Consider purchasing an affordable pair of ear protection headphones to wear while you work.
  • WEN recommends that you dress for safety when operating any of their planers. This includes avoiding loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in the machine, as well as wearing a dust mask and goggles.
  • Never use power tools in damp areas or in locations where flammable liquids or gasses are used.
  • Always turn the planer off and unplug it from the outlet before making adjustments or leaving the room to attend to another task.
  • To extend the life of your planer, it’s best to stick with using quality lumber. You’ll also want to keep up with any routine maintenance as outlined in the planer’s product care manual and inspect the tool often to look for dull blades or frayed cords.
  • If you intend on using your planer outdoors, and you need an extension cord, make sure you consult the “Required Gauge for Extension Cords” chart in the planer’s owner’s manual. It’s imperative that you use the correct cord and that you follow all of the safety instructions.
  • When it comes to the cost of a WEN planer, you’ll find handheld models have the lowest price tag. Naturally, you’ll pay more for a planer that includes a table.

WEN Planer Rankings

1. WEN Adjustable Dust Port Cast Iron Planer, 13-Inch

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 1

2. WEN PL1252 Reversible Blade Electric Planer, 12.5-Inch

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 8

3. WEN 6530 16-Position Lightweight Planer, 4-Inch

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 7

6. WEN 6552T Fan Assisted Height Adjusted Planer, 13-Inch

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 8

More to Explore

Nick Anton founded WEN back in 1951. Anton and his team were dedicated to creating tools that utilized electricity for more power. Although their goal was to produce high-quality products, they also wanted to keep the tools affordable. The company started off making chainsaws, wet wheel sharpeners, electric soldering guns and electric engravers. Since then, they have expanded to include planers, miter saws and generators.

WEN currently has its company headquarters in Elgin, Illinois. Their products continue to remain popular with an astounding 50 million units already sold. If you have any questions about the company’s products, you can speak with a customer service agent by calling 847-429-9263 during business hours.

More to explore