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Best DeWalt Planers: Compare Benchtop Models and Cutting Capacity
For most buyers, the DeWalt DW735 is the best all-around dewalt table planer: it accepts boards up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches thick, and its three-knife cutterhead offers a useful balance of finish quality and replacement cost. Choose the DW735X if you want the included infeed and outfeed tables and spare knives; choose the more affordable DW734 if a two-knife head and simpler feed-speed selection suit your work.
DeWalt’s benchtop planer lineup is best compared by capacity, cutterhead and ownership costs—not by width alone. All three models below have a 12.5-inch maximum board width, but their thickness capacity, feed options and included accessories differ. These are thickness planers for reducing board thickness and flattening one face relative to the other; they do not replace a jointer for preparing a reliably flat reference face.
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DeWalt benchtop planers at a glance
| Model | Max. width | Max. thickness | Cutterhead and feed | Standout ownership detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DW734 | 12.5 in. | 6 in. | Two-knife cutterhead; three feed speeds | Three disposable knives; simpler package than the DW735X |
| DW735 | 13 in. | 6 in. | Three-knife cutterhead; two feed speeds | Fan-assisted chip ejection; knives are sold separately |
| DW735X | 13 in. | 6 in. | Three-knife cutterhead; two feed speeds | Typically includes infeed and outfeed tables plus a spare knife set |
Published specifications and included accessories can vary by package or market, so confirm the exact kit before buying. The DW734’s 12.5-inch limit is a little narrower than the DW735 and DW735X, but all three handle stock up to 6 inches thick. Their maximum cutting depth per pass is limited and depends on board width and wood; removing less material per pass reduces strain and can improve the result.
Which model fits your situation?
| Your situation | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional projects or tighter budget | DW734 | Provides the common 12.5-inch capacity and adjustable feed choices without paying for the DW735X accessory bundle. |
| Frequent milling and wider boards | DW735 | Its 13-inch capacity and three-knife head suit regular stock preparation; the chip ejection system helps move shavings away from the cutter area. |
| Buying a DW735 and want a more complete setup | DW735X | Included tables help support long boards, and the spare knives can offset the kit’s higher upfront cost. |
| Small shop with limited storage | DW734, if its capacity is sufficient | Compare the machine’s footprint and weight with your available bench and storage; none of these planers is a lightweight handheld tool. |
DW734 vs. DW735: what changes at the cutterhead?
The DW734 uses two knives, while the DW735 and DW735X use three. With three knives sharing the cutting work, the DW735 models make more cuts per inch at a given feed speed. They also have two feed settings: a faster rate for productive stock removal and a slower rate for a finer finish. The DW734 offers three feed speeds, giving you more choices, though its two-knife arrangement is different from the DW735’s three-knife system.
Neither design is a helical cutterhead. The factory knife systems use straight, disposable knives, so replacement means changing the knife set rather than rotating small carbide inserts. That makes the parts and procedure comparatively straightforward, but knives are a recurring consumable. Check current manufacturer guidance for compatible replacement sets; don’t assume DW734 knives fit a DW735, or vice versa.
Snipe control matters as much as capacity
Snipe is a slightly deeper cut near the leading or trailing end of a board. It commonly happens when a board’s weight tips it as the rollers first grip or finally release it. A planer’s maximum capacity does not prevent snipe, and the included extension tables on the DW735X are supports—not a guarantee of snipe-free results.
- Support long stock: Set the infeed and outfeed supports level with the planer bed, and support the board beyond them if necessary. A sagging or lifting board can change its angle under the cutterhead.
- Keep the board moving: Feed at a steady pace and avoid pushing down on the ends as the rollers take over.
- Plane sacrificial ends: For valuable stock, use a longer board and trim the snipe-prone ends afterward, or run a sacrificial piece before and after the workpiece where practical.
- Take lighter passes: Deep cuts increase load and can worsen finish or feeding behavior, particularly on wide, hard or figured boards.
These habits help with any benchtop planer. If you regularly mill long lumber, budget for stable roller stands or a well-supported bench, not just the machine.
Knife replacement costs and ownership reality
The DW734 has three knives in its set; the DW735-family planer has three as well. Replacement pricing varies by seller and over time, so treat knife sets as a recurring expense rather than relying on a fixed price. As a general market expectation, budget roughly $30–$70 per compatible set, then verify the current price and model fit before ordering. The DW735X’s included spare set can make its initial bundle more appealing if you expect to plane frequently.
Knives wear faster when they encounter grit, staples, nails or abrasive residue. Reclaimed lumber is a common culprit: inspect it carefully and remove metal before it reaches the cutterhead. Keep the bed clean, clear chips as directed in the manual, and disconnect power before servicing or changing knives. Dull or nicked knives can leave raised lines, tear-out or a rough finish; repeatedly taking deeper cuts to compensate is not a good fix.
For a simple ownership comparison, consider how often you plane. If you process a few boards a month, a lower-priced DW734 may be the better value even if you eventually buy knives. If you run stock often, the DW735’s feed options, three-knife head and chip-ejection design may matter more than the initial price difference. Compare the total package cost—including tables, spare knives and dust collection—rather than the bare planer price alone.
Bottom line
Choose the DW734 for occasional work and a lower-cost entry into DeWalt’s benchtop planer range. Choose the DW735 for frequent use, a slightly wider maximum board and its two-rate, three-knife cutting setup. Choose the DW735X when you want the DW735 configuration with support tables and a spare knife set in the package. Before deciding, measure your widest stock, check your available bench space, and account for knife replacements and chip handling—the details that shape the real value of a dewalt planer table.