The Best Wood Routers for 2021
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Best Wood Router
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For this post, I have put together a collection of the best wood routers currently available.
UPDATED: July 20, 2021.
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall, I recommend the DEWALT DCW600B because it features a versatile 20V cordless design, precise depth adjustment, and an LED-lit transparent base to clearly see the bit.
A router is a hand tool or power tool that a worker uses to rout (hollow out) an area in a relatively hard material like wood or plastic. Routers are mainly used in woodworking, especially cabinetry and are typically handheld or fastened with the cutting end-up in a router table.
The typical spindle router usually consists of a base housing a vertically mounted universal electric motor with a collet on the end of its shaft. The bit is height-adjustable to allow protrusion through an opening in a flat sole plate, usually via adjusting the motor-mounting height (the mechanism of adjustment is widely varied among manufacturers).
There are two standard types of routers: plunge and fixed.
When using a plunge-base router, the sole of the base is placed on the face of the work with the cutting bit raised above the work, then the motor is turned on and the cutter is lowered into the work. With a fixed-base router, the cut depth is set before the tool is turned on. The wood being cut should be securely clamped to a workbench or table to reduce movement.
The sole plate is then either rested flat on the workpiece overhanging the edge so that the cutting bit is not contacting the work (and then entering the work from the side once the motor is turned on), or the sole plate is placed at an angle with the bit above the work and the bit is "rocked" over into the work once the motor is turned on. In each case, the bit cuts its way in, but the plunge router does it in a more refined way, although the bit used must be shaped so it bores into the wood like a drill press.
Depending on the desired result the profile can be finished up with sanding or shaping with a wood chisel.
So here is my list of The Best Wood Routers for 2021.
Enjoy!
Best Overall: DEWALT DCW600B 20V Max XR Cordless Wood Router
The DEWALT DCW600B is powered by the 20-Volt MAX XR system that provides corded performance with the flexibility of a cordless tool.
Equipped with variable speed control to adjust from 16,000 to 25,500 RPM.
Allows up to 1-1/2 inches of travel depth with the standard base.
Equipped with dual LED's and clear sub-base to easily see the workpiece.
Includes an adjustment ring to control the bit depth changes to within 1/64".
Features a spindle lock button to change the bit with one wrench.
Equipped with spring-loaded release tabs to quickly remove the base.
Features an electronic brake that quickly slows the motor for safe use.
Features an aluminum motor housing for long-lasting durability.
Note: the battery and charger are not included.
Optional accessory: a plunge base that uses the quick-change system is also available separately:
Check out this brief video that provides an overview and demonstration of the DCW600B:
Runner-up: Bosch 1617EVSPK 2.5 HP Wood Router
The Bosch 1617EVSPK features a variable speed motor that is controlled with a dial.
Features a soft-start design and maintain a constant speed while under load.
Includes a quick clamp system on both bases.
Includes a fixed base system that allows the bit heigh to be adjusted from above a router table.
Features microfine bit depth adjustment system on either base.
Equipped with a fixed base with Bosch four and three-hole patterns for mounting to a router table.
Features wide base openings to easily view the workpiece.
Includes contoured soft grip handles for comfort.
Best Cordless: Makita XTR01Z 18V LXT Wood Router
The Makita XTR01Z 18V LXT features a cordless design with variable speed control from 10,000 to 30,000 RPM.
Equipped with a rack-and-pinion system for fine depth adjustment and accuracy.
Features an aluminum housing for long-lasting durability.
Includes an LED light to help illuminate the project being worked on.
Includes a cam lock system to easily make depth adjustments.
Features an ergonomically designed rubberized grip for comfort while working.
Equipped with a soft start system.
Uses 1/4 inch shank router bits
Best Kit: DEWALT DW618B3 2.25 HP Wood Router
The DEWALT DW618B3 features electronic variable speed with full feedback control for constant speed under load from 8,000 up to 24,000 RPM.
Includes fixed, plunge, and D-handle bases.
Equipped with a micro-fine depth adjustment ring provides for adjustments in 1/64" increments.
Features a soft start system to reduce the start-up torque.
Includes an adjustable, tool-free steel motor cam lock for quick base changes.
Features a through-the-column dust collection system to increase the visibility of the workpiece.
Includes a detachable that removes the need for a 'shorty' cord motor pack.
Constructed with machined brass bushings and case-hardened steel guide rods.
Features easy motor pack removal for bit and base changes.
Incorporates a trigger switch with lock-on feature in the D-handle.
Best Palm Grip: Bosch Colt PR20EVSK 1-HP Wood Router
The Bosch PR20EVSK features a variable-speed motor and a palm-grip design.
Features a soft-start that reduces start-up torque.
Maintains speed under load for consistency and overload protection.
Equipped with a quick-clamp system to quickly remove the base from the motor assembly.
Features a front spindle lock for quick one-wrench changes.
Equipped with a soft grip for comfort and control while working.
Best Compact Design: Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless 1.25 HP Wood Router
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel is powered by a 1.25 horsepower brushless motor that can provide up to 31,000 RPM.
Equipped with a dial to adjust the speed from 10,000 up to the maximum of 31,000 RPM.
Uses the M18 REDLITHIUM XC5.0 battery for cordless flexibility.
Offers fast adjustments for up to and 1-1/2 inches of overall movement.
Features a micro-adjustment screw system that for precision down 1/64 of an inch.
Includes two LED lights to help light the work area in low-light conditions.
Equipped with Milwaukee’s Redlink Plus system that reduces the incidence of overloading.
Works with 1/4 inch shank router bits.
Available accessories: an offset base and a plunge base are sold separately.
Most Powerful: Triton TRA001 3.25 HP Wood Router
The Triton TRA001 features a rack and pinion height adjustment system.
Features a powerful 3.25 HP variable speed motor with a soft start system.
Equipped with fine depth adjustment via the micro winder.
Features a multi-function fence to provide additional control when cutting.
Equipped with a removable plunge spring for bit adjustment when it is table mounted.
Features an enclosed guard to provide protection while cutting.
Equipped with side air vents to reduce the intake of dust into the motor, specifically when table mounted.
Includes safety switch shutter that locks closed to prevent turning on when changing bits.
Best Value: DEWALT DW616 1.75 HP Wood Router
The DEWALT DW616 features a micro-fine depth adjustment ring for precise depth adjustments in 1/64-inch increments.
Includes eight-slot self-releasing collets for reliable bit retention.
Equipped with quick-release motor latches for fast changes and adjustments.
Features a detachable cordset and a dust-sealed switch
Features a nickel-plated for motor housing for durability and smooth action.
Includes a sub-base concentricity gauge to help with bit concentricity.
Equipped with over-molded rubber handles for comfort.
Best Lightweight Option: Bosch GKF12V-25N Wood Router
The Bosch GKF12V-25N features a convenient cordless lightweight design for flexibility when working.
Features an ergonomic design that has places the gripping areas over the workpiece for maximum stability when edge-forming.
Equipped with an EC brushless motor to help provide a long runtime.
Provides 23 feet of routing per battery Amp hour (a project example is routing 0.2 inches of beech).
Equipped with an easy-change spindle lock.
Features both a macro and fine depth adjustment.
Includes a drop-detection sensor that automatically stops the motor if the tool is dropped.
Equipped with finger barriers to reduce the risk of accidentally touching the bit.
Note: the battery and charger are sold separately.
Best Premium Option: Festool 574692 Wood Router
The Festool 574692 includes a dial for micro-adjustability for increased precision.
Includes dust extraction ports to quickly remove dust to help with visibility when cutting.
Equipped with a swiveling chip deflector for use with edge forming bits to help remove debris even round corners.
Features a tool-free spring clip system to quickly attached and remove.
Designed to work with the FS Guide Rail system and the MFS multi-routing templates.
Includes an ergonomically designed handle for increased comfort while working.
I hope this list of the best wood routers was helpful.
If you think I left out one that is important or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
