Know How to Choose the Best Wood Router
A wood router is an inevitable power tool for a woodworker or artisan. There are a lot of things you can do with this power tool but its main function is to bore holes into hard materials like wood and plastics. It is mostly used in making cabinets and doing intricate edges for aesthetics and enhanced functionality.
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Today, this power tool has become more modern with an electric motor that drives the spindle. In order to choose the right wood router, you need to know the essential features and factors it needs to have. Here, we are going to show you a complete guide in choosing the best wood router for 2020. We also included a comparison chart and an in-depth product review for the top 10 best wood router for 2020.
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Best Wood Router (January 2020) – Top 10 Picks & Reviews
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KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR The Best Wood Router
Understanding the quality of a power tool means knowing the essential features and factors which makes it a good product. Here are some of the features and factors you need to look into.
1. Router Type
There are 5 wood router types available in the market and they all have specific pros and cons. You mostly choose which type depending on the nature of your work and the budget you have.
2. Torque, RPM, and Motor Power
These three things are a good determinant for the overall performance for this power tool. It is wrong to just look at the free-load rpm rating to tell if the router is good because some have low torque rate when a load is present.
A straightforward way of telling if the tool has good performance is to see the torque ratings at their minimum and maximum rpm speed.
3. Bit Material
Choosing the right bit material is determined on what workpiece you will most likely be working on.
Top 10 Best Wood Router reviews 2020
1. Dewalt DWP611 Variable Speed Router
FEATURES
pros | cons |
|---|---|
• Variable speed | • Some units have their bits easily worn out when used for long hours |
• Dual LED and clear base | ? |
• Solid housing construction | ? |
• Powerful motor | ? |
Best for Overall
There are several features to admire from this tool and overall it delivers an excellent performance. Two things you would like about this is its dual LED and clear sub-base. These features make your work area very visible to improve precision and adjustment. Other features of the tool such as spindle lock position, motor, plunge stroke, and speed adjustments work totally fine.
Else, the grip handle at the end of the mill is very solid which seems to be a problem when working.
2. Makita RT0701C Compact Router
FEATURES
pros | cons |
|---|---|
• Precise depth adjustment | • Only the fixed base accepts template insert |
• Smooth speed adjustments | ? |
• Spindle lock works well | ? |
• Soft motor start to prevent it from burning | ? |
Best for Depth Adjustment
There are lots of features to admire from this tool and above all, you would love its precise rack-and-pinion depth adjustment function. Other things to love includes its quick release cam lock system. Changing the base from a fixed base to plunger type is easy and quick. Likewise, the soft start of the motor ensures constant rotation and prevents the motor from getting burnt.
Note: It is only the fixed base which accommodates a template insert.
3. Bosch Variable Speed Router
FEATURES
pros | cons |
|---|---|
• Smooth and precise speed and depth adjustment | • Aluminum housing gets easily scratched |
• Spindle lock firmly holds | • ¼” Collet diameter seems to be inaccurate |
• Great precision centering action | ? |
• Comfortable grip handles | ? |
Best for Precise Centering Action
The best thing about this compact router is its precision centering design which keeps the bit centrally aligned with the sub-base. Other things to admire about this tool is its coarse and fine adjustment knobs for precise depth adjustments. Likewise, it can both act as a plunge and fixed base router. Further, it has built-in CNC which keeps your RPM constant through the whole process.
Some things to gripe about this tool include it’s aluminum housing which gets easily scratched. Likewise, the ¼” collet is not that accurate.
4. Bosch Colt Electronic Variable Speed Palm Router PR20EVS
FEATURES
pros | cons |
|---|---|
• Good speed adjustment | • The micro adjustment feature is tedious to use but functional |
• Solid aluminum housing | ? |
• Powerful motor | ? |
• Nice grip handle | ? |
Best for One-Hand Use
If you are a DIYer and mostly do multi-tasking then this compact and strong router is best for one-hand use. It is lightweight and its grip handle smoothly fits your hand for ease of use. Other things worth noting for this one is its precise depth dial adjustment knob and speed adjustments. Likewise, its aluminum housing is decently strong and able to resist impacts.
However, using the micro adjustment function seems to be really tedious.
5. Porter-Cable 690LR Fixed Base Router
FEATURES
pros | cons |
|---|---|
• Powerful and reliable motor | • Some of its adjustment settings need more innovations but still functional |
• Aluminum housing is sturdy | ? |
• Precise and easy height adjustment | ? |
Amazon's Choice
This router is best for medium works like dovetails and round over bits. There are others who have experienced that the collet hits the plate, this is true but when you are running the router down it will not hit the plate. So the conflict might be on how they are positioning the router when using. It has one constant speed which is ideal for a small router tool.
Perhaps they can do some innovations on other adjustment settings that is comparable to other modern units in the market.
6. Triton TRA001 Dual Mode Plunge Router
FEATURES
pros | cons |
|---|---|
• Precise depth adjustment | • Difficult to find the exact hose for its dust collection port |
• Efficient and powerful motor | ? |
• Professional and solid construction | ? |
• Quick and easy mode transition | ? |
Best for Router Tables
This router tool has plenty of power and precision works. You can use it to make some glass panel cabinet doors with so much ease. The tool is easy to set up, use, and adjustments are sleek and easy. You would be able to make a more accurate match for stiles and rails. This is due to its precise adjustments and locking function. The whole housing construction and design look so professional and solid.
The hard part for this router is looking for the right hose for its dust collection port.
7. Dewalt DW618 Variable Speed Fixed Base Router
FEATURES
pros | cons |
|---|---|
• Strong motor | • Collets |
• Solid housing construction | ? |
• Smooth and precise speed adjustments | ? |
Amazon's Choice
This router is a standard power tool with a few innovations to improve user convenience. It is capable of doing light to medium works such as rabbeting, trimming, boring some holes, and finishing a few edges. Speed adjustment works really fine and no complaints about its housing construction.
Else, some experienced loose collets due to intense pressure being exerted on the bit.
8. Festool 574692 Router EQ Imperial
FEATURES
pros | cons |
|---|---|
• Great motor power | • Pricey |
• Effective fine depth adjustment dial knob | ? |
• Solid housing construction | ? |
Best for Smooth Routing
One of the things you will love about this router is its fine dial depth adjustment knob. It works smoothly paired with the parallel guide. Likewise, the dust collection port system of this tool is easy to set up and connect. There's no problem with a loose connection. It also has a powerful motor which can take on heavy duty works. Moreover, the overall housing construction and ergonomic design are sleek and functional.
It is a great tool and the only set back is the price.
9. Porter-Cable 7518 Fixed Base 5-Speed Router
FEATURES
pros | cons |
|---|---|
• Durable and powerful motor | • Runout which can still be corrected |
• Effective torque | ? |
• Solid construction | ? |
One of the important features you need to look for this tool is its motor, torque, and speed. For this one, it made a winning streak. The motor is strong and reliable. The overall housing of this router is sleek and sturdy enough to resist easy wear out.
One flaw for this unit is the runout which can still be corrected.
10. Ryobi Fixed Base Router
FEATURES
pros | cons |
|---|---|
• Economical standard quality | • No added innovations |
• Great for light to medium tasks | ? |
• Solid housing | ? |
Best for Budget
If you are starting out as a woodworker or just exploring a hobby. Then an economical but standard quality router is the best choice for you. This model is a fixed base wood router which can perfectly fit in your router table. Its ball handles are comfortable to use. The motor delivers decent power for light to medium tasks. Likewise, you would love its LED lights to make your workpiece visible always. The overall aluminum housing construction is sleek and solid.
However, it does not have added innovations like the other expensive types.
