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The best DeWalt power planer depends on whether you need a portable tool for fitting doors and joinery, or a benchtop thickness planer for removing material from wide boards: choose the cordless DCP580 for mobility, the DW680K for continuous corded hand-planing, the DW734 for compact batch work, and the DW735 for the fastest, most controlled stock removal.
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DeWalt power planers compared
| Model | Tool type | Cutting width | Maximum cut depth | Speed or power | Approximate weight | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DCP580B | 20V MAX cordless hand planer | 3-1/4 in | 5/64 in per pass | 15,000 rpm no-load | 6.8 lb bare | Door fitting, scribing, site work, mobile joinery |
| DW680K | Corded hand planer | 3-1/4 in | 3/32 in per pass | 7.0 amp motor; 15,000 rpm | 6.2 lb | Long sessions and repeatable edge correction |
| DW734 | Benchtop thickness planer | 12-1/2 in | 1/8 in per pass | 15 amp motor; 10,000 rpm cutterhead | 80 lb | Wide boards and small-shop thicknessing |
| DW735 | Benchtop thickness planer | 13 in | 1/8 in per pass | 15 amp motor; two feed speeds | 92 lb | High-volume stock removal and fine finishing |
Published specifications can vary slightly by market and kit configuration. The cutting-width and depth figures are the useful comparison points; actual removal also depends on wood species, grain direction, board width, cutter sharpness, and feed rate.
Best cordless choice: DeWalt DCP580B
The DCP580B is the most versatile DeWalt power planer for joinery performed away from a permanent bench. Its 3-1/4-inch width covers common door edges, cabinet parts, trim, and framing stock, while the front depth-adjustment knob changes the cut from a light shaving to a maximum 5/64-inch pass.
Its advantages are balance and freedom from a power cord. The brushless motor keeps the tool relatively compact, and the adjustable front shoe includes V-grooves for starting on chamfered edges. A left-or-right chip-ejection arrangement is useful when working against a wall or beside a finished surface.
The limitation is runtime. DeWalt does not specify a universal minutes-per-charge figure because cutting load changes dramatically with material and depth. A 5Ah battery can support useful intermittent work, but repeated maximum-depth cuts in hardwood will consume charge much faster than trimming a few doors. For production-sized batches, keep a second charged battery available or use a corded machine.
Edge-control accuracy
The DCP580 can produce a straight, clean edge, but accuracy depends more on technique than on the depth dial alone. Keep the front shoe flat before the cutter reaches the work, maintain even pressure through the middle, and keep the rear shoe supported as the cut finishes. If the tool is rocked toward either side, it can create a hollow or tapered edge.
For joinery, begin with a shallow pass of approximately 1/64 inch. Mark the high area with pencil, take one controlled pass, and check with a straightedge or combination square. This is slower than using the full depth setting, but it greatly reduces overcutting at a shoulder or hinge recess.
Best corded hand planer: DeWalt DW680K
The DW680K is the better hand planer when you expect long, uninterrupted sessions and already have reliable access to an outlet. Its 7-amp motor avoids battery changes, and its maximum 3/32-inch cut gives slightly more capacity than the DCP580 for rough correction.
Compared with the cordless model, the cord is the main handling compromise. Route it over your shoulder or behind the work so it cannot drag across the freshly planed edge. The corded design is especially practical for a workshop where the planer is used to flatten door edges, reduce oversized stock, or prepare rough boards before more precise joinery.
The DW680K still requires a stable stance. A larger cut is not automatically faster if the motor bogs down or the operator has to correct a wandering edge. On figured hardwood, two or three moderate passes usually produce a better result than one aggressive pass.
Best for wide-board stock removal: DW734 or DW735
Neither benchtop machine replaces a hand planer for fitting one door or correcting a local shoulder. These are thickness planers: they remove material across the width of a board and establish consistent thickness after one face has been flattened.
DW734: compact batch work
The DW734 has a 12-1/2-inch capacity, a three-knife cutterhead, and a 1/8-inch maximum cut. It is the sensible choice when shop space and purchase cost matter more than maximum throughput. It can prepare cabinet stock, shelving, and furniture components, but its fixed feed arrangement gives less finishing flexibility than the DW735.
DW735: faster removal and better finish control
The DW735 increases width to 13 inches and adds two feed speeds. The faster setting is useful for rough dimensioning; the slower setting increases cuts per inch for a smoother finish. This does not eliminate sanding or remove the need to manage grain direction, but it gives a meaningful advantage when processing many boards.
The DW735 is also substantially heavier. That mass helps it stay planted during cuts, yet it makes storage and setup more demanding. Plan on a dedicated stand or a strong mobile base, with enough infeed and outfeed space to support long boards. The optional dust-collection arrangement is worth considering because a thickness planer produces chips rapidly and can clog a small shop area within minutes.
Choose by situation
| Your situation | Best choice | Why | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occasional door, trim, or hinge fitting | DCP580B | Portable, light, and quick to set up | Battery runtime limits extended work |
| Frequent hand-planing in one workshop | DW680K | Continuous corded operation and strong removal | Power cord can interfere with movement |
| Small shop with moderate board preparation | DW734 | 12-1/2-inch capacity in a simpler benchtop format | Less feed-speed control |
| Regular furniture production or wide stock | DW735 | 13-inch width, heavy construction, and two feed speeds | High weight, noise, and space requirements |
| Beginner learning edge correction | DCP580B or DW680K | Direct visual feedback and shallow depth control | Requires careful hand technique |
Depth setting and pass planning
A practical way to choose a setting is to divide the required removal into controlled passes. Suppose a door edge is 1/16 inch too wide. With a hand planer, start with a 1/64-inch pass, inspect the edge, then make additional 1/64-inch passes until the door fits. This four-pass plan is more predictable than starting at the tool’s maximum depth and risking an uneven edge or an oversized gap.
For a benchtop thickness planer, remove the same total amount from both faces when possible. For example, to reduce a board by 1/8 inch, take two 1/16-inch passes from opposite faces after establishing one reference face. This balances internal stress and reduces the chance that grain tear-out or board movement will spoil the final dimension.
Consumables, maintenance, and ownership costs
- Replace or rotate knives when the edge dulls. Dull knives increase motor load, leave burn marks, and encourage the operator to push harder. The DCP580 and DW680K use reversible planer blades; match replacements to the exact model.
- Clean the sole and cutter area. Resin and dust on the shoe can make the tool drag or sit unevenly. Unplug corded tools and remove the battery before cleaning.
- Inspect the drive belt and rollers on benchtop planers. Feed problems often come from dust buildup, worn rollers, or an overloaded cut rather than a failed motor.
- Use dust extraction where possible. Chips can obstruct airflow, cover the workpiece, and create a slipping hazard. Never reach near a moving cutterhead to clear a blockage.
- Support long stock. Infeed and outfeed sag can cause snipe at the ends of a board. Keep tables level with the planer bed and support the board without lifting it into the cutter.
Plan for general market pricing rather than a single fixed figure: cordless bare tools usually cost less initially but require batteries and a charger, corded hand planers are often the lowest-cost complete option, and benchtop thickness planers typically cost considerably more because of their larger capacity and feed systems. Replacement knives, dust collection, a stand, and spare batteries can materially change the ownership cost.
Final recommendation
Choose the DCP580B when mobility and quick joinery corrections matter most. Choose the DW680K for extended corded hand-planing. If your priority is removing thickness from boards rather than shaping an edge, the DW734 is the compact-value option and the DW735 is the stronger production choice. For the most accurate result with any model, use shallow passes, support the work properly, and verify the edge with a straightedge instead of relying on the depth scale alone.