🔧 Product Review
Best Palm Routers UK 2026
A palm router is the tool that separates neat edge work from rough cuts. We compared six of the best palm routers available in the UK right now, covering corded budget picks through to cordless 18V flagships, so you can pick the right one for your workshop.
Key Takeaways
- The Bosch GKF 18V-8 is the best cordless palm router for UK woodworking, with fine depth adjustment and dual LED lights for precision edge work
- For a complete starter kit, the Makita DRT50ZJX3 ships with four interchangeable bases covering fixed, plunge, trim and tilt routing
- On a tight budget, the Anesty 710W palm router at under 45 pounds delivers surprising build quality for beginners learning edge profiling
- Cordless palm routers need 18V brushless motors to handle hardwoods without stalling - anything less struggles in oak or walnut
- All six routers accept standard 1/4 inch (6.35mm) shank bits, the most common size for UK trim and profile work
Suggested reading: Best full-size routers for the money | Essential woodworking tools for beginners
Quick Picks
Best Overall Cordless
Bosch GKF 18V-8Best Multi-Base Kit
Makita DRT50ZJX3Best Compact Cordless
Bosch GKF 12V-8Best Budget Corded
Anesty 710WQuick Comparison
| Product | Price | Power | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch GKF 18V-8 | ~220 | 18V cordless | Brushless | Premium edge work |
| Makita DRT50ZJX3 | ~170 | 18V cordless | Brushless, 4 bases | Versatile routing |
| Bosch GKF 12V-8 | ~130 | 12V cordless | Brushless, compact | One-hand detail work |
| Einhell 18V | ~70 | 18V cordless | Brushless | Budget cordless |
| Anesty 710W | ~40 | 710W corded | 30,000 RPM | Beginner corded |
| DeWalt DWE6005 | ~90 | 900W corded | Variable speed | Pro corded work |
In-Depth Reviews
1. Bosch GKF 18V-8 Cordless Palm Router
18V cordless | Brushless motor | Fine depth adjustment | Dual LED lights
The Bosch GKF 18V-8 is the flagship palm router in Bosch's Professional 18V range, and it shows. The fine height adjustment wheel gives you sub-millimetre depth control, which matters when you're routing inlay recesses or profiling edges on finished furniture. Dual LED work lights light up the cut line from both sides, so you can see exactly where the bit meets the wood even in a dim workshop corner.
At 30,000 RPM no-load speed with an 18V brushless motor, it handles oak, walnut and maple without choking. The parallel guide and two routing vacuum adaptors come in the box, which saves buying accessories separately. If you already own Bosch 18V batteries, this is the palm router to buy.
Pros
- Fine micro-adjustment depth wheel
- Dual LED work lights
- Includes parallel guide and vacuum adaptors
Cons
- Premium price, needs Bosch 18V batteries
- Heavier than 12V alternatives
2. Makita DRT50ZJX3 18V Brushless Router Trimmer
18V cordless | Brushless | 4 interchangeable bases | 10,000-30,000 RPM
The Makita DRT50ZJX3 stands out because it ships with four base attachments: a fixed base, a plunge base, a tilt base, and a trim guide. That turns one tool into four different routing setups. The brushless motor delivers variable speed from 10,000 to 30,000 RPM, so you can dial back for delicate materials and push full speed for hardwood profiling.
At 1.6kg bare it's heavier than smaller palm routers, but the top-mounted battery balances well in-hand. The soft-start feature prevents the bit grabbing on switch-on, which matters when you're doing detail work on finished pieces. If you need versatility across edge routing, plunge grooves and trim work, this kit covers all three without buying separate tools.
Pros
- Four bases in one kit
- Variable speed control
- Soft-start for clean entries
Cons
- Bare tool only, no battery included
- Heavier than dedicated palm routers
3. Bosch GKF 12V-8 Cordless Palm Router
12V cordless | Brushless | Compact body | 8mm collet
The Bosch GKF 12V-8 trades raw power for pure portability. At just 900g bare weight, it's the lightest palm router in this comparison, and the compact body fits comfortably in one hand for extended detail sessions. The brushless motor pushes 25,000 RPM, which handles softwood and MDF edge profiling with ease and manages oak at lighter passes.
It uses an 8mm collet rather than the standard 1/4 inch, which gives access to slightly beefier router bits. If you do a lot of inlay work, small chamfers or template routing where weight and manoeuvrability matter more than raw torque, this is the one. The 12V battery also charges faster and costs less than 18V packs.
Pros
- Lightest in class at 900g
- Excellent for detail and inlay work
- Fast-charging 12V battery
Cons
- Struggles with sustained cuts in dense hardwoods
- 8mm collet limits bit selection vs 1/4 inch
4. Einhell 18V Power X-Change Cordless Palm Router
18V cordless | Brushless | Multi-stage depth stop | Power X-Change battery
Einhell's Power X-Change system is one of the most affordable cordless platforms in the UK, and this palm router benefits from that ecosystem. The brushless motor delivers variable speed up to 30,000 RPM, and the multi-stage depth stop lets you set precise cutting depths without eyeballing it.
Build quality is a step below Bosch and Makita, but for occasional edge routing, laminate trimming and hobby woodworking, it does the job. The real value is the battery system: any Einhell 18V Power X-Change battery works across their entire tool range, so if you already own an Einhell drill or saw, you're buying a bare tool only.
Pros
- Cheapest cordless palm router with brushless motor
- Part of affordable Power X-Change ecosystem
- Multi-stage depth stop
Cons
- Plastic base feels less rigid than premium models
- No LED work lights
5. Anesty 710W Palm Router Trimmer
710W corded | 30,000 RPM | 1/4 inch collet | 15-piece bit set included
The Anesty is the cheapest router in this roundup, and for beginners learning edge profiling and trim work, it's hard to fault at the price. The 710W motor spins at 30,000 RPM and handles MDF, plywood, softwood and lighter hardwood edges without issue. It ships with a 15-piece router bit set, a straight guide and a trimmer guide, so you can start routing straight out of the box.
The transparent base gives you decent visibility of the cut line, and the compact body weighs under 1kg. It won't match a Bosch or Makita for sustained heavy cuts in oak, but for learning the fundamentals of edge routing on a budget, this is where to start. An Amazon reviewer noted the build quality exceeded expectations for the price point.
Pros
- Under 45 with 15-piece bit set included
- Transparent base for cut-line visibility
- Lightweight at under 1kg
Cons
- Cord limits workshop mobility
- Stalls on sustained hardwood cuts
6. DeWalt DWE6005 1/4 inch Palm Router
900W corded | Variable speed | 1/4 inch collet | Soft-start
The DeWalt DWE6005 is the corded workhorse. At 900W with variable speed control, it powers through hardwood edge profiling without the stall risk you get from lighter corded models. The soft-start feature ramps the motor up gradually, preventing bit grab on switch-on. The aluminium motor housing and rubber overmould grip give it a professional feel that punches above its price bracket.
If you don't need cordless freedom and want reliable, sustained power for a busy workshop, this is the pick. It handles everything from softwood chamfers to oak edge profiling without breaking a sweat. Multiple Amazon reviewers praised its consistent temperature under load, which matters when you're routing long seams on large panels.
Pros
- 900W handles hardwoods without stalling
- Variable speed and soft-start
- Professional build quality at mid-range price
Cons
- Corded only, needs mains power
- Slightly heavier than budget corded options
How to Choose a Palm Router
Palm routers all look similar, but the differences in motor power, base quality and battery system matter once you start routing. Here are the key factors to weigh before buying.
Corded vs cordless: Corded palm routers deliver consistent power without battery anxiety. If your workshop has mains access and you route regularly, a 700-900W corded model gives you the best sustained performance per pound. Cordless models free you from cables and let you route on-site or around the garden, but you need an 18V brushless motor to match corded power in hardwoods.
Motor type: Brushless motors run cooler, last longer and deliver more torque per watt than brushed motors. Every router in this roundup uses brushless (cordless) or quality brushed (corded) motors. If you see a palm router under 25 with a brushed motor, expect shorter lifespan and more heat under load.
Collet size: Most UK palm routers use a 1/4 inch (6.35mm) collet, which is the standard for trim and profile bits. Some Bosch models use an 8mm collet instead. Check which shank size your router bits use before buying, or budget for a new bit set.
Depth adjustment: Fine micro-adjustment (like the Bosch GKF 18V-8's wheel) matters for inlay work and precision profiling. Cheaper models use a simple screw-lock depth stop, which works for general edge routing but lacks the precision for detailed work. If you plan to do inlay or joinery routing, invest in a model with micro-adjustment.
Weight and grip: For one-handed routing sessions, anything under 1.2kg bare is comfortable. Heavier models (like the Makita with batteries) are better for two-handed operation and longer sessions. Rubber overmould grips reduce fatigue and improve control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict
For most UK woodworkers, the Bosch GKF 18V-8 is the best palm router to buy. The fine depth adjustment, dual LED lights and 18V brushless motor cover everything from edge profiling to inlay work, and if you're already in the Bosch 18V ecosystem, it slots in without extra battery costs.
If you need maximum versatility from a single tool, the Makita DRT50ZJX3 with its four interchangeable bases is hard to beat. And if budget is the priority, the Anesty 710W at under 45 pounds gives beginners a proper entry point into edge routing without a big upfront commitment.
Whatever you pick, pair it with a quality set of essential woodworking tools and you'll have a workshop that can handle any edge routing job that comes its way.
Last reviewed: August 26, 2026 | Evidence-based review | Contains affiliate links