Best Wood Router (Top 5 Picks)

If you’re new to using a router, it can be difficult to decide which machine is most
appropriate for your woodworking needs. We’ll step you through what a router is,
the different types you’ll find, and where each type is best suited.

Number 1. Makita RT0701CX7 6.5 Amps, 1-1/4 HP, Combo Kit. The Makita is a
very versatile package. The kit itself includes a fixed base, a plunge routers base, and
an edge guide. That’s a lot of bang for your buck considering the price. The Makita
woodworking router matches the DeWALT for power at 1-1/4 HP and 7.0 amps and still
includes great features such as soft start, fine depth adjustment, and electronic motor
feedback. The features on it are all simple to use such as rack and pinion for the depth
adjustment, easy to read scales, and a quick clamp system for moving the motor
housing between bases. All in all, there isn’t much to dislike about the Makita
RT0701CX7 package except maybe the 1-year warranty. But even then, Makita has a
good reputation for the performance and quality of their products.

Number 2. PORTER CABLE PCE6430 4.5-Amp Laminate Trimmer, Router.

This PORTER-CABLE trim router can tackle a wide range of jobs. It can cut countertop
laminate to shape and also cut profiles in materials like pine, poplar, and cedar. It has a
4.5-amp motor and spins at 31,500 rpms, though it’s not adjustable. It has a quick-
release motor clamp that allows users to make large adjustments quickly and a micro-
adjustment ring to fine-tune the depth of a cut. The quick-release clamp also allows the
user to remove the motor and change bits without working a wrench through the base.
The thick clear plastic baseplate is stable and easy to see through, making trimming
accurately much easier than on some other routers. The single-speed motor limits this
router’s capabilities, but at this price, users still get a lot of capability from a small
router.

Number 3. Milwaukee M18 Fuel Compact Router.

Milwaukee is amongst the oldest and most reliable power tool manufacturers in the
US. The brand has over 95 years of experience in providing both professionals and
DIYers with high-quality tools. As lithium-ion batteries grow more powerful and
compact, more routers are cutting the cord, making these power tools much easier to
handle. The Milwaukee M18 trim router is hands-down the best cordless router I’ve
tested, and I’ve tried most of them. While not quite as powerful as a full-size router, its
brushless motor is incredibly strong and smooth, The 5-amp-hour battery let me rout a
deep profile on 60 feet of hard maple on a single charge, outdistancing the competition,
while the low center-of-gravity keeps the tool steady on any surface. Better yet,
Milwaukee offers two auxiliary bases for this compact powerhouse, one plunge and
one offset, greatly expanding its capabilities.

Number 4. SKIL 14 Amp Plunge and Fixed Base Router.

Skil is a legendary US brand, the inventor of the popular heavy-duty Skilsaw. RT1322-
00 is a combo router with a replaceable base so that you can use it as a plunger and a
lighter fixed-base router. Both modes support precise depth tuning with micro
increments.

The medium-duty 14-Amp motor makes from 10,000 to 24,000 RPM at a consistent
speed no matter what the load is. I think it’s using the same speed controller as
Bosch’s device. The nut accepts 1/4″ and 1/2″ collet without performance downgrade
when you take the largest one. Unlike alternative tools, this one has a bright LCD
display on the top panel so that you can see what speed is enabled and adjust it with a
push of a button. The display will tell you what type of wood can be treated with the
chosen speed.
Number 5. BOSCH POF 1200 AE ELECTRIC 1200W ROUTER.
Durability is important with power tools, and this wood router combo kit from Bosch feels
the part. It uses aluminum construction to provide solid housing that also helps to keep the
weight down. That feature will let you handle this wood router for longer periods without
fatigue. That said, this plunge router packs some advanced features that are typically
associated with more expensive models, such as the Bosch Electronic speed setting
wheel and accelerator switch, the rapid router bit change via an integrated spindle lock
and a SDS system that enables easy, tool-free insertion of template guides. It naturally
doesn't feel quite as hardy as some of the pricier models on this list and the clear chip
guard doesn't offer the peace of mind that chunky metal guards do, but it's a good value
proposition.

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