The tool set of any woodworker is not complete without a wood router. The best wood router will enable you to create intricate designs, shape the edges of the wood, create joints, and hollow out grooves distinctly.
It is essential that the router you are working with along with your set of bits be of the very best quality. However, if you’re here and reading our wood router reviews, then you can rest assured–after reading this, you’ll know exactly what to pick.
In this article we review the best wood routers found on the market in 2017, but we’ll also empower you to make an educated decision by offering you a buying guide.
1 – Jump to Comparison Table
2 – Jump to Wood Routers Reviews
3 – Jump to Wood Routers Buyer’s Guide **HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**
Contents
- 1 Best Wood Router Reviews – Comparison Table
- 2 Best Fixed Base Router
- 3 Best Plunge Wood Router Reviews
- 4 Best Variable Speed Wood Router
- 5 Woodworking Routers Buying Guide
- 6 What does a Wood Router Do
- 7 Importance of a Wood Router
- 8 What to Look at When Selecting a Wood Router
- 9 Some Top Brands
- 10 Maintenance Tips and Tricks
- 11 Frequently Asked Questions about Wood Routers
- 11.1 My router operates with ¼-inch bits. How do I scale it to accommodate ½-inch bits?
- 11.2 How often should I replace my collets, what are the indications that they are worn out?
- 11.3 What is the difference between a router table and a shaper?
- 11.4 Are variable speed wood routers fixed base or plunged base?
- 11.5 Fixed Base versus Plunge Base Wood Router
- 12 Conclusion
Best Wood Router Reviews – Comparison Table
| Wood Router | Type | Horse Power | RPM | Amps | Collet Diameter | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DW616 | Fixed Base | 1-3/4 | 8,000-24,000 | 11 | 1/2″,1/4″ | 7.1 lbs | |
| BOSCH PR20EVSK | Fixed Base | 1.0 | 15,000-35,000 | 5.6 | 1/4″ | 3.3 lbs | |
| PORTER-CABLE 690LR | Fixed Base | 1-3/4 | 27,500 | 11 | 1/4″ | 9.4 lbs | |
| PORTER-CABLE 892 | Variable Speed Router | 2-1/4 | 10,000-23,000 | 12 | 1/2″, 1/4″ | 9 lbs | |
| DEWALT DWP611PK | Plunge Base | 1.25 | 16,000-27,000 | 7 | 1/4″ | 10.3 lbs | |
| MAKITA RT0701CX3 | Plunge Base | 1-1/4 | 10,000-30,000 | - | 1/4" | 19.7lbs |
If you want a more details about the aforementioned routers, please check the following reviews. The wood routers buying guide can be found at the end of the article.
Best Fixed Base Router
DEWALT DW616 1-3/4-Horsepower Fixed Base Router **OUR TOP PICK**
If you are looking for the best wood router for both soft and hardwood work pieces, then the DEWALT fixed base router makes a great choice.
Smoothing has never been made easier with this 1-3/4-Horsepowered fixed base router. In addition, it comes with a micro-fine depth adjustment ring which adjusts up in 1/64-inch increments for that accurate and desirable finish.
Features
- 1-3/4 horsepower
- 11.0 Amp steel motor
- Quick-release motor latches for easy motor pack removal during bit and base changes
- Adjustable, tool-free steel motor cam lock
- Precise depth adjustments in 1/64-inch increments
- Sub-base concentricity gauge included to ensure bit concentricity for best-in-class accuracy
- Eight-slot, self-releasing collets
The DEWALT DW616 router is a durable unit given that it has been built with nickel, which is known for its toughness. Versatility detail hasn’t been left out either. Its DW616M 1-3/4 horsepower and an 11amp motor keep it at its best performance and with sufficient power for the overly stubborn hardwoods. Any professional looking for the best wood router for different tasks will definitely appreciate the convenient offerings that come with this router. In addition, wood dust while working is totally taken care of by dust sealed switch integrated in this unit. The adjustments and base changes are tool-free, thanks to the steel motor cam lock along with the quick release motor clutches that sets it ahead in performance and precision as the best fixed base router. Switching tasks has never been easier. Bit concentricity is always a plus for the professional or amateur wood worker looking for precision because it allows for a firm grip of the bit on the self-releasing collet for accurate results. To protect your palms during long hours of work, this unit comes with rubber handles and a level top for easy bit and depth adjustments. You can’t talk about custom carpentry, mortising hinges, dovetailing, trimming laminate flooring and more without thinking about the versatility and workability of the Bosch router PR20EVSK Colt Variable Speed Router with Edge Guide. Despite its small size, this unit is loaded with massive power and comfort while working and guaranteed accuracy. Features This is one of the smallest routers yet it possesses up to 1.0-horsepower, a 5.6-amp motor, and spins at a speed of 16,000 to 35,000 Rotations per Minute (RPM) with a soft start hence reducing the torque. This is by far the best fixed base router, as it makes depth adjustment to be quite a simple task. Additionally, it comes with a manual that guides on the recommended speed at every dial position. Operation is easy provided you make use of the manual. For job flexibility, its collet accepts ¼ inch bits and an operating diameter range of 1- 5/16 inches. For an easy one-wrench bit change, this unit comes equipped with a front spindle lock and a shaft wrench for two wrenches. As far as speed is concened and perhaps the most outstanding feature about this wood route is its Constant Response Circuitry system which helps to monitor and as well maintain the speed under load for uniform work with several pieces and as well keep it from overloading. When tough loads are detected, the Constant Response swiftly increases power, and in turn, maintains the required PRM. An ergonomically designed router with a high rotating speed of 27,500RPM along with 1- ¾ horsepower is superiority at its best. The Porter-Cable 69-LR base router offers these advantages and much more. If you are looking at safety and are still expecting precision from a base router, then this one makes a suitable choice. Features For long and frequent woodworking and routing, the PORTER-CABLE wood router comes ergonomically designed with soft molded grips to take care of your hands and an under-table stop to keep it firmly fixed for a safer working environment. To add to its versatility, this router comes with collets accept 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch shank bits along with a cam-lock lever Auto-release collet system to allow for easy bit removal. An aluminum base and housing makes it a sturdy light weight that you can move around with and which guarantees you years of service. What’s more, it is designed with a sealed-ball bearing to protect it from wear and tear. Finally, for a dust free workspace, this unit comes integrated with a dust sealed switch. Some additional important features worth mentioning are its 12×5.5×8.62-inch dimensions and its 8-pound light weight. The 1617EVSPK is perhaps the best Plunge wood router since it handles a broad range of routing applications. It is versatile and comes with a powerful motor with alongside top-class speed control technology. It also comes with a precision base plus several other added advantages for utmost convenience while working and precision on your work pieces. Features Perhaps the most outstanding feature about this router is its ability to operate on different routing speeds depending on the requirements of your specific task. With a speed range of between 8000 to 25000 RPM, nothing could be off limits. It comes with an inbuilt Constant Response Circuitry that keeps the power and rotation speed at an all-time constant. Any wood worker will go for a durable tool and this one is just that. It is constructed with aluminum on both the fixed and plunge bases, which is known for its light weight and durability properties. The Bosch 1617EVSPK router’s switch is entirely sealed to stop dust from reaching the inside hence a smooth uninterrupted routing and enhanced utility. For anyone desiring versatility and that professional feel, this unit makes the best plunge wood router choice. The DEWALTDWP611PK compact router Combo Kit is an all time tool that comes with double LED for those dark days when work still has to be done. On the overall, it is a great lightweight performer with 1.25hp motor at power speeds ranging between 16,000 and 27,000RPMS. What’s even better is that it comes with speed control technology to adjust speeds to different applications. Features The DEWALT DWP611PK is a remarkable tool with a soft-staring motor that features a unique full time electronic feedback that monitors and maintains a constant speed while you work on your masterpieces. It has a great 1.25hp motor speed range at between 16,000 and 27,000RPM allowing you to work with precision on a range of applications. Perhaps a unique feature that you won’t find in many others is the dual LED and a clear sub-base built with it to ensure proper visibility on your pieces as you work. It makes an ideal for those dull or dark days when precision is hard to achieve. Bit depth adjustability is a feature in any router that anyone, whether it is the professional wood worker, the DIY enthusiast, or the novice who’s just starting out will appreciate. This feature actually defines the best plunge wood router and tops the list of essential factors in wood router reviews. However, this feature only works with the fixed base and not the plunge base. The RT0701CX3 router by Makita comes packed with every imaginable feature you can attach to exceptional performance. A variable control speed dial over a wide speed range, depth adjustments, four bases, and two wrenches are features that together contribute to the utmost versatility of this router. Features Given its high functionality and for several different applications, safety is a detail that hasn’t been assumed. The Makita RT0701CX3 router kit boasts an ergonomic design featuring a high visibility base, a flat top design and a shaft lock for ease of changing bits, and smooth rack-and-pinion fine depth adjustments. Its bases are a feature to reckon with if you are the person that deals with different routing applications. Apart from its fixed base, this router comes with three additional bases. The plunge base comes with a 0 – 1 3/8 – inch range and a dust nozzle for convenient wood working. The tilt base comes in handy if you are routing at angles of -30o to 45o. The offset base on the other hand is for routing tight corners/joints or hard to reach areas that are too close to the wall. Perhaps an added advantage is that this router is compatible industry standard guides. Of all the useful features, the bases make the RT0701CX3 router the best plunge wood router of all time not to mention its powerful 1-1/4 HP motor operating at between 10,000 and 30,000 RPM. Talking of durability, you can expect that this router will give you years of service with its double insulate of heavy aluminum motor housing. Porter-Cable 892 Horsepower router presents convenience at its best with its ability to adjust depths for cut changes from above the router table. Simply unlock the base, make your adjustments, and then lock it again. Features A combination of 12AMP, 2-1/4-horsepower motor power with a wide range of 10,000 and 23,000RPM power range and a soft-starting mechanism with fulltime electronic feedback qualifies the 892 for the best variable speed wood router for the hardy molds and woods. If you are considering quality cuts in reasonably shorter periods and with less effort, you can count on the 892. What’s more, its design accommodates quick and easy bit height adjustments, spindle lock, and clamping the motor from above the table using a 3/16-inch hex socket. In this same position you can release the motor while still controlling your router with both of your hands, a convenient offering that you’ll never find in most other routers. While on this, the spindle lock feature allows you to loosen the collet using a single wrench, while the cam lever is quite handy when you need a fast coarse depth adjustment. For safety, comfort, and a no-slide grip during those long woodworking hours, this unit comes equipped with rubber coated handles. All the beautifully patterned wood pieces you see around you are as a result of the quality work of a wood router. This tool is indispensable for the serious professional, the DIY wood worker, anyone just trying their hand in wood work or someone who is trying to improve their garden. The best wood router will deliver power, precision, speed, and most importantly convenience while working. As always, our review isn’t complete without a top pick. The DEWALT DW616 is our best fixed base router because of the extra bit concentricity offering it gives compared to others in the same category. If you are considering having a plunge base router, then consider Bosch 1617EVSPK your best wood router based on its ergonomic design and convenient offerings. Knowing that routers come in different varieties and as well knowing their differences is important so that you are in a position to select the best one for the work at hand.After all, the quality of your work will depend on the router you choose at the time. Sometimes, depending on your work, you may need to have several different routers to get the task completed to your desired finish.There are certain factors that you will need to take into consideration in order to figure out which router to work with. These factors include the size of bits you require to get the job done and whether or not you will need mount your selected router on a table. It is also important to know if you will be doing any plunge cutting and if portability is feature that will be vital to your work. Once you have figured this out, selecting the best wood router or routers for your routing and smoothing tasks will be much easier. That said, a router is an indispensable tool right at the center of the woodworker’s chores. I believe that if you have ever tried working without a router, you will attest to its utmost importance. The history of the wood router is not complete without the mention of its inventor, Onsrud. In 1915, when Onsrud together with his son experienced some challenges making a groove on the bottom plane of a chair, the router plane he had joined with an endmill, which they had named Onsruter, was not as effective because it operated at 3000 RPM rather than the needed 30,000RPM. Onsruter derives from ‘onsrud’ the inventor and ‘router’ the power tool. This first innovation was what saw to the invention of the plunge router, developed by ELU, now a part of DeWalt. Wood routers have been known to be some of the most versatile tools which any serious professional woodworker must consider having have. Nevertheless, since we understand that some maybe new to this very interesting DIY art, let’s go through some of the specific tasks a wood router tackles. Bear in mind that there are two different types therefore some tasks will be better handled by a specific router type. It is important to know that the plunge base router has many more tasks compared to the fixed base router. In general, fixed base routers are perfect on edges, grooves and rabbet joints while the plunge base can work right at the middle as well as on the edge of a woodworker’s platform. Ø Making mortises – a plunge base router is especially ideal for this function. Together with a spiral cut bit, you may not need a hollow-chisel mortiser. Routing patterns in the interior of work pieces – it takes the right bit to route patterns in the interior of your work piece. If you realize that your bit is not deep enough, a collet extension helps you achieve the routing depth you need as it fits into your router collet. Ø Creating dadoes for cabinets, book cases and more: While a dado set can be quite handy for this task, the wood router with the right bit and jig does equally well, only a little patience will apply. Be sure to use a guide bushing for precision. Ø Creating circular work pieces – this is perhaps one of the major functions of a wood router. It does really well creating round over corners on your work pieces. This eliminates the use of a saw, especially when you really don’t have one. Ø Creating signs – have you ever wondered just how letterings on signs are created? Well, thanks to the router and the plunge base router works this out perfectly because it allows for micro-depth adjustments. Ø Cutting out inlay recesses – these are some of the most difficult to root out however, with steadiness you will achieve precise cuts. Recesses can be decorative or be used to patch up holes or cracks in wood. Ø Rout Key Holes – this is one of the most common uses of a router. The market is flooded with specific router bits for key holes so this shouldn’t be a difficult task. Ø Route templates – templates display the skill of any wood worker and can be used over and over by different people. Wood routers are good for creating routing templates. Routers fall into two main categories: fixed base routers and plunge routers. How the router is designed informs how it should be used and the type of work it can perform. Here are the different types of routers. Router table – Provides a working surface on which to set your router and other router accessories. If you need a reliable router table, we also did a best router table reviews article. Bits – Router bits are arguably the most important accessories so that without them you can’t possibly use your router. There are varieties of bits for different uses. For instance, the 1/8” round over bit is useful for smoothing sharp corners, ½” down cut spiral bit for jointing, while the ¼” straight bit is handy for mortises and grooves. Router Jig – When cutting hinge recesses, box joiners, dado and dovetail joints, the router jig helps with holding your work piece firmly. Switch – The power switch that comes with your router is not exactly permanent. It goes through the usual wear and tear and its replacement is inevitable. Router fence – For that non-shifting piece, guide to slide your wood along, and desired accuracy during cuts, the route fence is a must have. Clamps – Clamps play the same role as jigs only that their role is a bit more general. Again, they can help hold the jigs in place while you are at work. Speed Control – A speed control, sometimes known as a footswitch, helps you adjust the router speed for different applications particularly when your hands are engaged and you don’t want to keep switching the router on and off. It is not enough to go through wood router reviews, knowing the important factors to consider when selecting a router will go a long way into helping you make an informed choice. These 6 factors are the most important to consider when selecting a router for your woodwork: Ø DeWalt has defiantly made some strides in the development of some of the powerful and top performing wood routers. This perhaps, owes to the fact that they started perfecting their products way ahead of others. Most DeWalt wood routers are known to manufacture versatile plunge and fixed routers. Therefore, if you are considering variable speed, speed control, and other important extras then you can’t go wrong with DeWalt routers. You may also opt for the combo kit like the DEWALT DW618PK which apart from its remarkable power, can handle both plunge and fixed router tasks. Ø BOSCH is also a good brand if you are looking at power and durability. This company has a history of producing some sturdy yet durable power tools and has certainly done well with their wood routers. Bosch fixed routers come with more than 2HP power and up to 25000 RPM which is quite a remarkable speed for any power tool. The Bosch 1619EVS Plunge router at 3.25 HP is perhaps the most powerful, and is quite ideal for heavy duty routing tasks. Our review today is packed with rich insight about top wood routers in the market based on their performance and outstanding features. You have learnt about the top brands and have decided to acquire a wood router. You’ve even gone through the entire buyer’s’ guide and have decided it’s time to get yourself one. The selection process is over and done with but you are still wondering how you’ll take care of your precious DIY tool. What are CNC wood routers used for? Referring to a Computer Numerical Control Wood Router, is a router related to the handheld router which operates by computer rather than manual controls. These wood routers cut out objects from wood that have been designed using CAD/CAM computer programs. These routers are ideal for engineering prototyping, art, product development, hobbyist design work, and production works. Ideally, you need a router that works both with the ½-inch and ¼-inch bits because they accommodate both. While there is likely a way to fix the ½-inch on your ¼-inch router, its power is not designed to handle larger bits. We already know that a collet along with its shaft and nut are what hold bits on your router. Collets should be changed after 400-600hrs of use. Look out for signs of metallic damage such as burrs or bell mouths which are an indication that they are worn out. While both have common functionalities, they are different as some woodworker would prefer one over the other. While router tables operate using a router bit with a shank fixed to the cutter together with a router mounted underneath the table, shapers use a spindle fits a cutter head sliding along on the spindle. Spindles will handle heavier tasks compared to a router which is designed to be more versatile. Shapers are better comparable to a router than to a router table. Actually, they are both. Speed is a factor that categorizes different routers regardless of whether they are fixed or plunged base. Some will come with single speed while others, particularly those that work with larger size bits, will be designed with variable speed. The fixed base router was the first to be developed. While it comes with a fixed base, literally, some people might find it a bit cumbersome to use especially when they need to make depth adjustments within operation, because this is not possible. However, it presents a good option for beginners because it is much safer and easier to operate. In addition, the fixed base router gives the user better control given the base’s lower center of gravity. Plunge base routers on the other hand are quite versatile and can handle all the tasks of a fixed base router and much more. However, first timers had better practice with the fixed base routers first before opting for this one. The plunge base makes an ideal for experienced wood workers. These units also tend to be much heavier than their fixed counterparts. Well both are packed with power so expect some noise. Whether you are a DIY person or a woodworking pro, getting the best wood router for your specific needs is imperative. We believe that this review along with the buyer’s guide has given you some insight into the best routers in the market and that you will have a good time selecting what’s best for you.Bosch PR20EVSK Fixed-Base Variable-Speed Router
PORTER-CABLE 690LR 11-Amp Fixed-Base Router
Best Plunge Wood Router Reviews
Bosch 1617EVSPK Fixed Base Variable Speed Router
DEWALT DWP611PK Variable Speed Compact Router
Makita RT0701CX3 1-1/4 HP Compact Router Kit
Best Variable Speed Wood Router
PORTER-CABLE 892 2-1/4-Horsepower Router
ConclusionWoodworking Routers Buying Guide
A bit of history…
What does a Wood Router Do
Importance of a Wood Router
Types of Wood Routers
Essential Accessories in a Wood Router
What to Look at When Selecting a Wood Router
Some Top Brands
Maintenance Tips and Tricks
Here are a few handy tips that will help you keep your unit strong and going.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wood Routers
My router operates with ¼-inch bits. How do I scale it to accommodate ½-inch bits?
How often should I replace my collets, what are the indications that they are worn out?
What is the difference between a router table and a shaper?
Are variable speed wood routers fixed base or plunged base?
Fixed Base versus Plunge Base Wood Router
Conclusion
