10 Best Routers for Woodworking 2020 [Buying Guide]

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Heather
Patton

Jennifer
Trimbee

Samantha
Dewitt

How to Choose the Best Router for Woodworking

If you’re into woodworking then you know you need a lot of different tools to get the job done. You need more than the hammers and saws that most people think of as well. You actually need things like routers to get into the more intricate work. But what is the best router for woodworking? Well, that can be a difficult question for a lot of people. That’s why we’ve compiled these woodworking router reviews, so you don’t have to do all that work for yourself. Just take a look at these features and start from there.

Motor: How strong is the motor? A stronger motor is going to get the job done quicker. It’s also going to make sure you can get through different materials or different strengths of wood. This is a mark of the quality overall.

Variable Speed: Do you get variable speed? This means that you can control how fast the blade moves and that gives you a whole lot more control over the end result of your project. Variable speed is generally a must.

Collets Size: How large of a piece can your system hold? You want something that holds at least the size of piece that you’re looking for. If it’s too small you can’t get the job done and if it’s too large it may not work for you.

Weight: How much does the router weigh? A lighter weight means that you’ll be able to take it with you when you go anywhere. You’ll also be able to more easily move it around within your garage or workshop.

Base Type: What type of base does your router use? A fixed or plunge base is really going to be up to your personal preference, but it’s something that you may want to take a closer look at and at least think about.

Warranty: How long is the warranty that you’re getting? A longer warranty means that the company stands behind the product that they’re selling and that you’re going to get something you can count on to last.

Top 10 Products

If you’re looking for the best options then you definitely need to find woodworking router review options that will help you get there faster. Each of these reviews will help you see some of the top ten products we’ve found. Each one has the features you’re looking for, and they’re going to get you off on the right foot in no time. All you have to do is take a closer look at which one works best for you and your woodworking projects.

Bosch Variable Speed Router

This is possibly the best woodworking router and it comes with everything you need to get started. You get a 12 amp system with 2 ¼ combination horsepower. On top of that, you’re getting a fixed base and variable speed so you can control anything you need. That makes it easier for you to cut through different types of materials and maintain the pattern that you want. Great for micro-fine depth adjustment and even soft starts, you’ll also have up to 25,000 RPM. This system is made with aluminum to make it durable and has wooden handles to make it easier and more comfortable for you to hold and control. This hand router is designed to keep a consistent speed throughout every cut as well.

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Makita RTO701C Compact Router

These router table reviews are designed around the best tools. This one is a great option if you want a budget pick but still all the best features. It has a collets size of ¼” and comes in at less than 4 pounds of total weight, which makes it easy and convenient for you to use any way you want. The variable speed control lets you go anywhere from 10,000 RPM up to 30,000 RPM so you can get the type of cut that you want through any material. This ergonomically designed system is easier for you to control and it has a quick release cam lock that lets you adjust the depth easily. You can also remove the base and you get soft start to keep everything running more smoothly.

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Triton Plunge Router

This 3 ¼ horsepower system gives you dual mode precision. The plunge router design also has variable speed control so you can make sure it’s ready to cut through anything that you need. It also has multiple base types so you can use it in different formats and you can easily change out your wrench bits as well. It uses collets ¼” and ½” and it has a soft start to make sure you have complete control over what you’re doing and the smoothness of your work. There’s a 3-year warranty included on this system so you know you’re getting something you can count on and there’s even side air vents that make sure dust isn’t pulled into the motor casing. This keeps your system running even longer.

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DEWALT Compact Router

This system uses some of the best router bits for woodworking and it has a 1 ¼ horsepower motor to do it. It’s lightweight and small, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t get the job done. The soft start motor gives you full-time electronic feedback so you can maintain the speed that you want all the way through each cut. With the variable speed options, this is definitely an important feature and gives you even more control over what you’re working on. The dual LED’s and the clear sub-base make sure that you can see what you’re doing at all times. Even more, you can adjust the depth to as small as 1/64” to make sure you have exactly the dimensions that you’re looking for.

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Hitachi Fixed/Plunge Base Router

This system has a 2 /14 horsepower motor that offers you variable speed so you can cut through different materials. It works with a fixed or plunge base, depending on what you need for the project at hand and has collets ¼” and ½”. There’s even a 2 stage motor release clamp that makes sure you can quickly change out the depth that you want and even change the base. With a quiet level of volume, this set is great for workshops where you definitely don’t want to drown out everything. You’ll even get a case with this set that lets you carry everything that you want more easily. Complete with a 5-year warranty, you’re definitely going to know that you have something you can count on for all your projects with this one.

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PORTER-CABLE Fixed-Base Router

You want the best router reviews woodworking has to offer and here you’ve got one of the best tools. It’s a fixed base router that has a 1 ¾ horsepower motor. It also has collets of ¼” and ½” so you’re getting some versatility and capabilities. What makes this a simple system, however, is that it’s a single speed option that gives you 27,500 revolutions per minute. Great for just about anything, you can actually adjust the depth down to 1/128”. This system is moderate in weight and comes with a 3-year warranty so you know you’re going to have something you can count on. It’s also made with precision machined aluminum to make sure that it’s durable and not going to rust.

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Craftsman Router and Table Combo

If you’re looking for a whole setup then you’re going to love this one because it’s actually a router table along with the router itself. You’ll be able to set it up to help you with just about any project you want to work on because it gives you the space to do the job. No more having to use your router on your own table or having to rig something else to make it work. You can just hook it into this one and it’s ready to go whenever you are. Here you’re getting a 1 ¾ horsepower motor with a ¼” collet size. It’s a little bit heavier than some of the other routers you’ll find but because you can put it right into the table that’s not going to matter at all.

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Masterworks Compact Router

Here we have a good woodworking router that gives you plenty of options. It’s a 1 ¼ horsepower system that has a fixed base as well as 5 different router bits so you’re ready to get started as soon as you get it. You’ll also have an edge guide and a roller guide, plus a dust hood. All of this means that you can get the job done more quickly, more accurately and a whole lot safer as well. There’s no reason you’ll have to worry about dust getting in your way. This system has variable speed and collets of 3/8” and ¼”. It’s also complete with a 2-year warranty so you know that it’s built to last and definitely built to make sure you can get any job you want done quickly.

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WEN Plunge Router

This system is a variable speed, plunge router that also works as a fixed router, so you can get the versatility that you want. It has a 2 ½ horsepower motor and collets of ½” and ¼” so you get the versatility that you’re looking for. This moderate weight router can get RPM from 8,000 all the way to 23,000 so you get to set it the way you want it to work for any project. It’s also complete with a 7 stop turret that has macro and micro adjustment dials. You’ll even get a carrying case included with this set and you’ll be able to use the multi-function fence and template guide as well as the circle-cutting pin and the fence scale to get the job done right the first time. Add the dust collection duct and you’ve got something even better.

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MLCS 9056 Rocky Trim Router

This system is small but it can definitely get the job done. It does that with the 1 horsepower motor and the ¼” collet. Designed with a fixed base, this system also has variable speed so you can adjust it to work on different projects and with different types of materials. On top of that, you can adjust the height of the rack and pinion and you get the flush trimming attachment and the edge guide to make it easier for you to use right off the bat. Small and lightweight, this is great for smaller projects or for those who want to just get started using a router and aren’t sure how to do it. This is definitely a tool that will get most things done for you and help you get started.

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About the Author

Jennifer Trimbee

Expert Researcher and Writer

Jennifer Trimbee, a lead researcher and writer at GeekWrapped, is an expert writer with many years of experience. Jennifer writes about technology, sports, outdoor, and gear products.

Best Routers for Woodworking

Top 10 Buying Guide

Our Recommendations

Bosch Variable Speed Router

Makita RTO701C Compact Router

How to Choose the Best Router for Woodworking

Top 10 Products

Bosch Variable Speed Router

Makita RTO701C Compact Router

Triton Plunge Router

DEWALT Compact Router

Hitachi Fixed/Plunge Base Router

PORTER-CABLE Fixed-Base Router

Craftsman Router and Table Combo

Masterworks Compact Router

WEN Plunge Router

MLCS 9056 Rocky Trim Router

About the Author

TOP PICK

Bosch Variable Speed Router