The Best Benchtop Jointers, Reviewed

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Benchtop Jointers, Reviewed and hope the blog can help you.

Don’t let warped boards and uneven edges ruin your woodworking projects. One of these benchtop jointers can help.

Instead of throwing warped or uneven wood into the scrap bin, DIYers could benefit from equipping their workshop with a jointer machine―or, more specifically, one of the best benchtop jointers.

These power tools mill completely flat and square edges on boards, allowing users to make perfect cuts and joinery. Keep reading to learn about the key features to consider when shopping, and then explore the picks for some of the best benchtop jointers on today’s market. An in-depth review of the market and thorough product vetting went into assembling the list of top picks.

1. BEST OVERALL: Craftsman CMEW020 Electric Benchtop Jointer
2. RUNNER-UP: Delta 37-071 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Wen JT630H 10-Amp 6-Inch Spiral Benchtop Jointer
4. UPGRADE PICK: Porter-Cable PC160JT 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer
5. BEST W/ SPIRAL CUTTERHEAD: Wahuda 10-Inch Benchtop Jointer
6. BEST WITH PLANER: Jet JJP-8BT 8-Inch Planer/Jointer
7. BEST W/ HELICAL CUTTERHEAD: Rikon Power Tools 20-600H 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer
8. ALSO CONSIDER: Shop Fox W1829 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer

How We Chose the Best Benchtop Jointers

Benchtop joints are one of the foundations to a good woodworking project, so putting together a list of the best was a challenge. First, we drew on all of our experience with woodworking and DIY projects to determine the features and abilities we thought were most important for benchtop power jointers.

Once we knew what to look for, we performed extensive product research and came up with a pool of potential candidates. Then, we compared additional features, safety items, power, and price to determine which power tools truly met our criteria. We threw out those that didn’t, and the ones that did received awards based on their strengths.

Our Top Picks

We’ve researched the most popular and innovative benchtop jointers on the market from the top tool brands and many niche tool makers and have selected this list of some of the best benchtop jointers on the market for specific categories. One of these may be perfect for your woodworking requirements.

Best Overall

Craftsman CMEW020 Electric Benchtop Jointer

Craftsman’s CMEW020 benchtop jointer is certainly worth a look when hunting for a benchtop jointer with plenty of cutter head speed. Considered our best jointer, the CMEW020’s 10-amp motor to cutterhead has an adjustable speed control from 6,000 to 11,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). The top cutter head speed on this Craftsman jointer turns the two-knife cutterhead to create up to 22,000 cuts each minute on a 6-inch-wide board.

This Craftsman benchtop wood jointer has some other attractive features as well. The center-mounted aluminum fence offers plenty of support for edge-jointing and squaring boards. It has an oversize stop switch and spring-loaded blade guard, as well as a standard 2-inch dust port for tying into a dust collection system. The built-in cutterhead lock will hold the Craftsman jointer’s cutterhead in place, making blade changes safe and easy. Do keep in mind that while two blades are sufficient, a benchtop jointer could benefit from a 3-blade cutterhead (but we’re splitting hairs).

Product Specs

• Capacity: 6-inch-wide board
• Amps: 10 amps
• Blade type: 2 straight blades

Pros

• 22,000 cuts per minute when at max cutter head speed; suitable for heavy-duty use
• Built-in cutterhead lock for safe blade changes; also prevents unwanted cutting and injury
• Built-in 2-inch dust-collection port to reduce materials and particles in the air

Cons

• 3-blade cutterhead would be better than a 2-blade cutter

Get the Craftsman benchtop jointer at Amazon or Lowe’s.

Runner-Up

Delta 37-071 6-Inch Bench Jointer

Delta’s 370-071 6-inch benchtop jointer is worth checking out for those looking for a sturdy jointer with plenty of speed for a workshop. This benchtop jointer features a 12-amp motor that produces up to 10,000 rpm. The bed measures 28½ inches long by 6¼ inches wide. This jointer has a straight-blade cutterhead and a maximum depth of cut of ⅛ inch. It also comes with a 2¼-inch dust port with a 45-degree elbow and a built-in chip blower.

The fence, base, and bed of the 37-071 are cast iron, adding extra weight—total weight is 76 pounds—to keep the tool grounded while using it. It also has a tall, adjustable fence with positive stops at 90 and 45 degrees. It comes with two push blocks, a spring-loaded blade guard, and an oversize stop switch with a removable key that allows users to safely lock it in the “off” position.

Product Specs

• Capacity: 6 inches
• Amps: 12 amps
• Blade type: 2 straight blades

Pros

• 10,000-rpm design is suitable for light- to medium-duty jointing tasks
• Maximum depth cut of ⅛ inch for larger pieces of wood and cutting projects
• 2¼-inch dust port collects unwanted materials and particles, preventing air pollution and mess
• Comes with 2 push blocks, a spring-loaded blade guard, and an oversize stop switch
• A removable safety key allows users to store it without worry of accidental use

Cons

• Some users have reported difficulty while using; leveling and adjusting the knives on the jointer may be tricky
• Dust port needs to be connected to a hose to ensure safety while operating tool

Get the Delta benchtop jointer at The Home Depot, Acme Tools, or Delta.

Best Bang For The Buck

Wen JT630H 10-Amp 6-Inch Spiral Benchtop Jointer

For precision while working with hard and soft wood types, consider the Wen corded benchtop jointer. With a 10-amp motor and a 6-inch-width cutting capacity, this jointer is capable of 12,000 cuts per minute. This model also has an adjustable infeed table that removes from 0 to ⅛ inches deep of material in one pass.

An onboard scale, spacious jointer table space, a spring-loaded blade guard, and a bevel fence that reaches 45 degrees also make this Wen jointer easy to use for precision cutting as well as safe for the user. As for easy cleanup after use, the 2½-inch built-in dust port, push stick and block, and a filter bag prevent dust particles from entering the air and making a mess in the workshop.

Product Specs

• Capacity: 6 inches
• Amps: 10 amps
• Blade type: Straight blade

Pros

• Capable of 12,000 cuts per minute; suitable for quick cutting in the workshop or on the jobsite
• Adjustable infeed table is suitable for many cutting depths
• Spring-loaded blade guard prevents unwanted injury and keeps wood in place
• Built-in dust port and filter bag prevents unwanted dust particles from circulating
• Affordable compared to many other benchtop jointers on the market

Cons

• May not be suitable for long-term use; limited durability compared to similar options

Get the Wen benchtop jointer at Lowe’s or The Home Depot.

Upgrade Pick

Porter-Cable PC160JT 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer

DIYers and woodworkers hunting for a jointer that can shave wood and save cash may want to check out Porter-Cable’s benchtop jointer. This benchtop jointer features a 6-inch capacity, as well as a twin straight-blade cutterhead. The 10-amp 120V motor powers this Porter-Cable benchtop jointer to up to 22,000 cuts per minute, with variable speeds from 6,000 to 11,000 rpm.

This Porter-Cable benchtop jointer features a depth of cut of up to ⅛-inch deep, allowing users to tune up their milling while still working quickly. It also has a wide aluminum adjustable fence and a spring-loaded blade guard. It comes with a built-in dust collection port that works with a standard 2-inch vacuum hose, as well as a blade lock for safe blade changes. However, this Porter-Cable benchtop jointer has a simple on/off switch, not an oversized switch that might be easier to hit in an emergency.

Product Specs

• Capacity: 6 inches
• Amps: 10 amps
• Blade type: 2 straight blades

Pros

• Versatile construction; adjustable speeds between 12,000 and 22,000 cuts per minute
• ⅛-inch depth of cut for working quickly when necessary; suitable for heavy-duty cutting needs
• Built-in dust port collects particles and materials, preventing unwanted air particles in the workshop

Cons

• Small on/off switch; not as safe as other benchtop jointer options

Get the Porter-Cable benchtop jointer at Amazon or Acme Tools.

Best W/ Spiral Cutterhead

Wahuda 10-Inch Benchtop Jointer

For DIYers whose woodworking projects frequently call for wide boards, check into the Wahuda Tools benchtop spiral cutterhead jointer. This 12-amp heavy-duty benchtop jointer is capable of milling boards up to 10 inches wide—much wider than most benchtop jointers. It has a 33½-inch-long cast-iron bed with two pullout extensions that provide up to 51 inches of total length. The helical-style cutterhead features 20 blades, producing a smooth and relatively quiet cut.

The Wahuda 10-inch jointer offers some other attractive features, including a 4-inch dust port with a 2½-inch adapter, ensuring it can tie into most dust collection systems. It has a 24-inch fence that tilts from 90 to 135 degrees for milling angles on workpieces. For safety, it has a spring-loaded blade guard and an oversize stop switch with a removable key. If there’s a complaint, it’s that this model can take up some space on a workbench.

Product Specs

• Capacity: 10 inches
• Amps: 12 amps
• Blade type: 20 carbide 4-sided spiral cutterheads

Pros

• Helical-style cutterhead with 20 blades; produces smooth and quiet cuts
• Wide 10-inch capacity and 33½-inch cast-iron bed; much wider than many other benchtop jointers
• 24-inch-long fence that tilts for improved control and for preventing unwanted injury

Cons

• Not small for a benchtop model; may take up a lot of space in a workshop

Get the Wahuda benchtop jointer at Amazon.

Best With Planer

Jet JJP-8BT 8-Inch Planer/Jointer

For those who need the best benchtop jointer/planer combo, the one from Jet may be the right pick. This planer-jointer combo has a large aluminum-extruded fence to ensure that the joining process is accurate and stable. The 13-amp motor is also heavy-duty enough to take on a variety of joining and planing tasks.

This pick is compact enough to fit into a typical workshop or transport to the jobsite, and it can prep small boards that are up to 8 inches wide. Finally, this pick has an integrated cord wrap that makes transporting easy while the large, built-in knobs are easy to use and control for added safety.

Product Specs

• Capacity: 8 inches
• Amps: 13 amps
• Blade type: Straight blade

Pros

• Large aluminum-extruded fence prevents misuse and provides accurate and stable jointing
• Heavy-duty construction is suitable for long-term use and durability
• Compact; suitable for transporting around the jobsite or in the workshop
• Large knobs allow for user-friendliness and advanced control

Cons

• At 58 pounds, it’s on the heavy side (but light compared to other Jet jointers)
• Boards longer than 24 inches need infeed and outfeed table support
• Can only plane boards up to 8 inches wide

Get the Jet benchtop jointer at Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., or Acme Tools.

Best W/ Helical Cutterhead

Rikon Power Tools 20-600H 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer

If shoppers are after a helical-style cutterhead-equipped benchtop jointer, they will want to check out the 20-600H benchtop jointer from Rikon Power Tools. This jointer has a six-row helical-style cutterhead with double-edged cutters, providing a well-tuned smooth cut across a workpiece. It also has a maximum cut of ⅛ inch and a 10-amp motor, making quick work of thick and uneven boards.

Possibly one of the best features of the Rikon 20-600H is its bed. It measures 30 inches long by 6-3/16 inches wide, allowing users to mill longer boards accurately. This Rikon Power Tools jointer also has an oversize stop switch with a removable key and a spring-loaded blade guard. The 2½-inch dust port will work with many shop vacuums as well. Keep in mind that this Rikon Power Tools model is expensive compared to other jointers, but the capacity may be worth it for some.

Product Specs

• Capacity: 6 inches
• Amps: 10 amps
• Blade type: 6-row helical cutterhead

Pros

• Helical blades for smooth cuts and quiet operation volumes
• Long bed for milling longer workpieces; suitable for heavy-duty use
• Built-in 2½-inch dust port collects dust particles and prevents unwanted dust in the air

Cons

• Aluminum fence may warp or lose its form with wear and tear

Get the Rikon Power Tools benchtop jointer at Acme Tools.

Also Consider

Shop Fox W1829 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer

Shop Fox’s 6-inch benchtop jointer is certainly worth checking out for woodworking DIYers. This benchtop jointer features a 6-inch capacity that allows for milling most common boards flat and smooth. It has a two-blade cutterhead and a 10-amp motor that combine for a cutting speed of up to 20,000 rpm. It also has a cast-iron infeed table as well as outfeed table for durability and accuracy.

This Shop Fox W1829 benchtop jointer features a multi-positional aluminum fence for accurate planing. It also has a spring-loaded blade guard, as well as an oversized shut-off switch that can be easy to find in an emergency. The main downside is that this jointer doesn’t have a depth gauge for easier adjustments.

Product Specs

• Capacity: 6 inches
• Amps: 12 amps
• Blade type: 2 straight blades

Pros

• Cast-iron bed for accuracy and durability; suitable for long-term use and heavy-duty use
• Comes with a cast iron infeed table and outfeed table for added convenience
• Oversize shut-off switch is easy to find to prevent unwanted cutting or injury
• Up to 20,000 rpm; suitable for quick and accurate cutting

Cons

• No depth gauge for quick adjustments; may be tricky for some users

Get the Shop Fox benchtop jointer at The Home Depot or Acme Tools.

Jump to Our Top Picks

What to Consider When Choosing a Benchtop Jointer 

Before striking out to find the best benchtop jointer for the shop, it’s important to learn a bit about what to look for. The following section will point out the most important considerations to keep in mind while on the hunt for the best benchtop jointer.

Power and Amps

Woodworkers use carpentry jointers to flatten boards, removing wide swathes of wood at a time until the resulting surface is an ideal plane ripe for woodworking projects. Between woodworkers’ and DIYers’ affinity for hardwoods and the amount of wood a jointer removes at one time, jointers need sturdy, powerful motors to get the job done.

While it might seem important to know how much horsepower a motor has, speed and amperage are actually more important. The motor has to fight the friction and stress created by the blade against the wood’s surface, and that can wear an inferior motor down quickly. Jointers with 10-amp (or more) motors are ideal. They have tougher components that can handle the stress and cool themselves to prevent overheating while doing heavy-duty jointing. They can also run faster, producing up to 20,000 or more cuts per minute.

Cutterhead

A woodworking jointer’s cutterhead is the spinning drum with blades attached that removes the wood. Jointers come with one of two types of cutterheads: helical (or spiral) and straight-blade cutterheads