Best Cordless Planers UK 2026
A cordless planer lets you trim doors, smooth rough-sawn timber, and clean up edges without dragging a mains lead across your workshop floor. We compared five of the best cordless planers available in the UK right now, looking at cutting depth, build quality, battery compatibility, and real-world value for money.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Best overall: DeWalt DCP580N - brushless motor, 2mm depth, 9mm rebating, and the lightest body in this group at 3.1kg
- Best for professionals: Makita DKP180Z - the proven workhorse with 14,000rpm and metal soleplate, backed by Makita's LXT ecosystem
- Deepest cut: Bosch GHO 18V-26 - 2.6mm per pass, the most material removal of any cordless planer here
- Best budget entry: Ryobi R18PL-0 - under £90 body-only, works with 200+ ONE+ tools you might already own
📚 Suggested Reading: Electric Planer vs Hand Plane · How to Build a Simple Workbench
Quick Comparison
| Model | Width | Depth | Motor | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DCP580N | 82mm | 2.0mm | Brushless | 3.1kg | £125 |
| Makita DKP180Z | 82mm | 2.0mm | Brushed | 3.3kg | £280 |
| Bosch GHO 18V-26 | 82mm | 2.6mm | Brushless | 3.2kg | £236 |
| Ryobi R18PL-0 | 82mm | 1.6mm | Brushed | 3.0kg | £89 |
| Einhell TE-PL 18/82 | 82mm | 2.0mm | Brushed | 3.4kg | £60 |
Prices are body-only (no battery) and were checked on Amazon UK in August 2026. All five share 82mm planing width - the UK standard for handheld electric planers.
1. DeWalt DCP580N - Best Overall Cordless Planer
The DeWalt DCP580N was the world's first brushless cordless planer, and it still sets the standard. The brushless motor delivers smooth, consistent power while extending battery life compared to brushed alternatives. At 3.1kg it's the lightest planer in this roundup, which matters when you're holding it at awkward angles trimming a door edge.
The 2mm depth of cut handles most jobs in two passes, and the 9mm rebating depth is the deepest here - useful for cutting rabbets in shelving or window frames. The aluminium shoe stays flat and the spring-loaded kickstand protects the blades when you set it down. DeWalt's 18V XR battery platform is one of the most popular in UK workshops, so if you already own XR tools, this is a natural addition.
Best for: DIYers and tradespeople who want a reliable all-rounder without paying Makita money. The brushless motor pays for itself in battery savings over a year of regular use.
2. Makita DKP180Z - Best for Professionals
The Makita DKP180Z has been the go-to cordless planer for UK tradespeople since it launched. The 14,000rpm no-load speed and 2-blade carbide cutter head produce a finish that's hard to distinguish from a corded machine. The metal soleplate is machined flat and stays that way - plastic soleplates on cheaper models can warp over time.
At £280 body-only it's the most expensive option here, and the brushed motor means shorter runtime than the brushless DeWalt or Bosch. But Makita's LXT battery ecosystem is enormous, and the build quality is industrial-grade. If you're planing doors on site every week, this is the tool that'll still be working in ten years.
Best for: Professional joiners and carpenters who need a planer that survives daily site use. The premium buys durability, not features.
3. Bosch GHO 18V-26 - Deepest Cut
The Bosch GHO 18V-26 stands out for one spec that matters: 2.6mm depth of cut per pass. That's 30% more material removal than the DeWalt or Makita, which means fewer passes on thick stock or when you need to remove a lot of material quickly. The brushless motor keeps runtime competitive despite the deeper cut.
Bosch's dual-blade TC changing system lets you swap blades without adjustment - a genuine time-saver when you're working through hardwood that dulls edges fast. The parallel guide fence is included in the box (some competitors charge extra), and the L-BOXX case keeps everything organised. At £236 it sits between the DeWalt and Makita on price, but the extra depth and blade-change system make it the best value for heavy planing work.
Best for: Woodworkers who regularly dimension rough stock or need to remove material fast. The 2.6mm cut depth genuinely saves time on bigger projects.
4. Ryobi R18PL-0 - Best Budget Option
The Ryobi R18PL-0 is the planer you buy when you want cordless planing without the cordless planer price tag. At £89 body-only, it costs less than half the DeWalt and roughly a third of the Makita. The 1.6mm depth of cut is shallower than the others, so you'll need more passes on deeper jobs, but for occasional door trimming and surface cleanup it does the job.
The real value is the ONE+ battery platform. If you already own a Ryobi drill, impact driver, or any of the 200+ ONE+ tools, you can use the same batteries. That eliminates the hidden cost of buying into a new battery ecosystem. The brushed motor and plastic soleplate won't match the Makita's durability, but at this price, durability expectations should match the investment.
Best for: Home DIYers who own Ryobi ONE+ tools and need a planer for occasional use. Not for daily site work, but perfect for the weekend workshop.
5. Einhell TE-PL 18/82 Li - Best Value
The Einhell TE-PL 18/82 Li is the cheapest cordless planer in this comparison at around £60, and it's surprisingly capable for the money. The 2mm depth of cut matches the DeWalt and Makita, and the aluminium soleplate with V-groove is a nice touch for chamfering edges - something the Ryobi doesn't offer.
Einhell's Power X-Change battery system is less established than DeWalt or Makita, but the batteries are affordable and the 18V range is growing. The automatic blade stop is a safety feature you'd normally only find on more expensive models. Build quality is solid for the price, though the plastic components won't survive the same abuse as a Makita metal soleplate.
Best for: Budget-conscious makers who want a functional planer without committing to a premium battery platform. A good starter tool that punches above its price.
What to Look For in a Cordless Planer
Not every cordless planer suits every job. Here are the specs that actually matter when you're choosing between models.
Depth of Cut
This determines how much wood you remove per pass. Most cordless planers range from 1.6mm to 2.6mm. A deeper cut means fewer passes, but it also demands more from the motor and battery. For occasional door trimming, 1.6mm is fine. For dimensioning rough stock, look for 2mm or more.
Motor Type
Brushless motors (DeWalt DCP580N, Bosch GHO 18V-26) run cooler, last longer, and extract more work from each battery charge than brushed motors. If you're choosing between two planers at similar prices, the brushless one is the better long-term investment. The trade-off is a higher upfront cost.
Battery Ecosystem
This is the hidden cost most people overlook. A body-only planer at £125 needs a battery and charger - adding £80 to £150 depending on the brand. If you already own tools from the same platform, you're set. If not, factor the battery cost into your total budget. See our guide to cordless drill voltage and brushless technology for more on battery platforms.
Soleplate Material
Aluminium soleplates (Makita, Einhell) stay flat and resist wear. Plastic soleplates (Ryobi) are lighter and cheaper but can warp under heat or heavy use. For occasional home use, plastic is fine. For regular workshop use, aluminium is worth the extra weight.
Weight
All five planers in this comparison weigh between 3.0kg and 3.4kg. That's close enough that weight shouldn't be the deciding factor - but if you're planing at overhead angles or in tight spaces, every 100 grams matters. The Ryobi is lightest at 3.0kg; the Einhell is heaviest at 3.4kg.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cordless planer used for?
A cordless planer shaves thin layers off wood surfaces to smooth, flatten, or resize timber. Common jobs include trimming doors to fit frames, cleaning up rough-sawn lumber, levelling uneven edges, and tapering stock for joinery. Unlike a hand plane, a cordless planer removes material quickly and consistently without physical effort.
Can a cordless planer replace a thicknesser?
Not entirely. A cordless planer is a handheld tool for surface work and edge trimming, while a thicknesser feeds boards through to produce uniform thickness across the full width. For occasional door trimming or surface cleanup, a cordless planer does the job. For dimensioning rough lumber to exact thickness, you still need a thicknesser.
How deep can a cordless planer cut?
Most cordless planers cut between 1mm and 3mm per pass. The Ryobi R18PL-0 manages 1.6mm, while the Bosch GHO 18V-26 reaches 2.6mm. The Makita DKP180Z and DeWalt DCP580N cut 2mm per pass. Deeper cuts require multiple passes regardless of which model you choose.
Do I need to buy batteries separately?
Most cordless planers are sold as body-only units, meaning you need a compatible battery and charger. If you already own tools from the same battery platform (DeWalt XR, Makita LXT, Ryobi ONE+, Bosch Professional 18V), you can use those batteries. If you're starting fresh, budget an extra £80-£150 for a battery and charger kit.
Are cordless planers as good as corded?
Modern brushless cordless planers match corded models for most tasks. The Bosch GHO 18V-26 and DeWalt DCP580N deliver corded-equivalent power with the convenience of no mains lead. For sustained all-day planing in a workshop, corded still wins on runtime. For site work, DIY, and intermittent use, cordless is the better choice.
Our Verdict
If you're buying one cordless planer and want it to handle everything from door trimming to stock preparation, the DeWalt DCP580N is the best all-rounder. The brushless motor, light weight, and deep rebating capacity make it the most versatile tool in this group - and at £125 body-only, it's not even the most expensive.
For professionals who need industrial durability, the Makita DKP180Z justifies its premium through build quality and the vast LXT ecosystem. For heavy material removal, the Bosch GHO 18V-26 with its 2.6mm cut depth saves real time on bigger projects.
On a budget, the Ryobi R18PL-0 gets you into cordless planing for under £90 - and if you already own ONE+ batteries, it's a no-brainer for occasional use. The Einhell TE-PL 18/82 offers surprising value at £60, with a V-groove soleplate that the Ryobi lacks.
Whichever you pick, a cordless planer is one of those tools that transforms how you work once you own one. The freedom to plane a door edge without unplugging half your workshop is worth more than any spec sheet captures.
Alex writes about tools, tech and DIY projects for MakerUK. He has a fully equipped workshop and has been building and repairing things for over 12 years. He has compared over 30 cordless tools across multiple battery platforms.
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Last reviewed: 27 August 2026 · Evidence-based content · Contains affiliate links