Best Benchtop Jointer [2024 Review]

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A quality benchtop jointer will enable you to create polished or even edges on wood. It also helps straighten pieces of wood. However, there are several aspects to consider when choosing the right model from the many units available on the market.

I have compiled a list of the best benchtop jointers and a buying guide to help you make the right power tool choice.

Best Benchtop Jointer Reviews

Jet JJP-10BTOS 10″ Benchtop Jointer Planer

The Jet JJP-10BTOS is an excellent benchtop jointer planer combo offering you the best of both worlds. This benchtop jointer is lightweight and portable without compromising performance.

The unit combines a planer and a jointer. It means that you will not have to buy separate equipment. The combination is also ideal for people with limited storage space. The jointing and planing tables are locked to ensure you get accurate cuttings.

The Jet JJP jointer boasts a 10-inch cutting width and 18,000 CPM cutting speed to handle both small and large pieces of wood with ease. The benchtop jointer’s maximum cutting depth is 1/8 inches, while that of the planer is 0.8 inches.

This model is equipped with a steel stand to enable you to convert it from a benchtop to a standing jointer effortlessly. The benchtop jointer features an adjustable outfeed table to accommodate different sizes of wood.

If you want to get stability for smooth and effective cutting, adjust the fence up to 45 degrees. Another incredible feature is the pointer and scale on the planer, allowing you to precisely determine the distance between the table and the cutter heads.

The benchtop jointer also comes with two accessible knobs for comfortable and safe operation, along with a spring loaded blade guard. The control knob is user-friendly and large to enable easy access.

Overall, this benchtop jointer has high-quality features and offers excellent performance. It’s also versatile as it’s designed to perform as a planer and a jointer in a single unit while offering high-quality performance. I rate this Jet 10BTOS model as the best benchtop jointer on the market.

What I Like

  • Converts from a benchtop to a free-standing jointer
  • 18,000 CPM cutting speed
  • Easy controls
  • Includes a planer and jointer combo
  • Larger cutting width
  • Adjustable fence and outfeed table
  • Two accessible knobs

What I Don’t Like

  • Fence can only be adjusted to 45 degrees
  • Fence is constructed with aluminum

Jet JJP-8BT 8″ Benchtop Jointer Planer

The Jet JJP-8BT is another model from Jet that combines a planer and jointer and maximizes the workspace. The benchtop jointer is lightweight enough to be moved from one location to another. Weighing only 58 pounds, it’s small enough to fit in a home shop.

The 13 amperage motor provides adequate power to ensure you finish working on your woodworking projects. However, you may experience some difficulties in achieving smooth cuts while working on soft materials.

The planer is located below the jointer outfeed table and is perfect for light-duty jobs. The JJP-8BT benchtop jointer is equipped with a two knife cutter head setup that rotate at 9,000 RPM and 18,000 CPM cutting speed.

It is important to note that the 19.5 feet per minute feed rate depends on the type of wood being worked on. When resurfacing weathered material or when working on hardwoods, the benchtop jointer will strain.

The adjustment knobs are positioned well. However, the adjustment hardware is small, which makes it difficult to lock things down.

The Jet JJP jointer planer comes with an effective dust collection fan; however, you will have to connect it to a shop vacuum.

When it comes to durability, this jointer has a cast iron table with a fully adjustable aluminum fence.

Though this benchtop jointer has many incredible features due to its lightweight design, you may find it hard working on bigger pieces of wood. However, you can adjust the fence and bevel the pieces of wood. That said, this Jet 8BT is one of the best benchtop jointers for small shops.

What I Like

  • Only 8-inch benchtop jointer available on the market
  • Jointing and planing capability in a small model
  • Compact benchtop design
  • 13 amperage motor
  • 2 high-speed steel knives
  • Adjustable fence
  • Powerful

What I Don’t Like

  • Setup requires a lot of time
  • Small footprint

Porter-Cable PC160JT 6″ Benchtop Jointer

The Porter-Cable PC160JT benchtop jointer features a 6,000 to 11,000 RPM variable speed. This allows you to choose the correct speed for the size of the pieces of wood being cut.

The HSS knives can be adjusted or changed easily while manoeuvring the fence. This is essential for first-time woodworkers who may want to go easy with the flexible fence.

While making the changes, you will love the HSS cutter head lock since it is designed to ensure you are safe. One of the most notable features of the Porter-Cable variable speed jointer is its 30-inch table that will enable you to work with thick boards. However, the fully adjustable aluminum fence will need to be re-squared after every use.

This benchtop jointer boasts of positive stops that will simplify your work, allowing you to adjust the fence between 45 degrees and 90 degrees.

The 4-inch dust port is another notable feature; it sucks off dust and debris from the jointer, ensuring your working environment is safe and clean. This model also features a large tabletop that accepts big and smaller pieces of wood.

Though this unit is not made of high-quality cast iron material and is not ideal to joint boards that are long, it offers great value. I was impressed at how it performs considering its made for beginners.

The PC160JT is one of the cheapest benchtop jointer available, ideal for meeting the needs of amateur woodworkers. If you are looking for a lightweight benchtop jointer you can carry to different project sites, opt for this model as it only weighs 35 pounds. Porter-Cable backs this model with a 3-year warranty.

This Porter Cable is one of the best benchtop jointers for both affordability and portability.

What I Like

  • Variable speed for cutting several sizes of wood
  • Readily available spare parts for replacement
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Adjustable blade speed
  • Easy to assemble

What I Don’t Like

  • Non-durable table top
  • Flimsy fence

Cutech 40160H-CT 6″ Benchtop Jointer

The Cutech 40160H-CT 6 inch benchtop jointer is ideal for both professional and beginner woodworkers. It is one of the popular portable options available as it weighs just 40 pounds.

You may not enjoy the same stability from this benchtop jointer as you would from a free-standing machine. However, you can still store it in your wood shop after use or carry it to the job site.

The model is equipped with double-sided HSS inserts and a spiral cutter head that offers an efficient, quick, and accurate planning process.  

Another remarkable feature of this unit is that it is equipped with a powerful motor running at 11,000 RPM maximum speed.

Additionally, the 30-inch table is wide enough to enable you to effortlessly plane small pieces of wood. The table’s size can also be adjusted to an angle that will enable you to work on your projects comfortably.

You can also tilt the fence easily; it can be adjusted to angles between 90 to 135-degrees. This comes in handy when you want to flatten boards at various angles.

The 2.5-inch dust collection system helps to get rid of chips while extending the life of the knives. The model also has a 6 inch spiral cutter head to ensure less friction and smooth cuts. While the 40160H-CT benchtop jointer may not handle boards over four feet, it works efficiently on smaller pieces.

This machine works flawlessly, provides quiet operation, and rarely bogs down. If you are tackling a light project or have a small workshop, this unit is ideal. It’s also powerful and portable to meet the needs of professional or beginner woodworkers.

What I Like

  • Produces great finishes on the wood
  • Ease of use and easy setup
  • Spiral cutter head
  • Fast and powerful motor
  • Extra-wide jointer
  • Dust collection system that makes it easy to clean

What I Don’t Like

  • Unsuitable for hardwoods
  • Table angle can only be adjusted above 90 degrees

Delta Power Tools 37-071 6″ Benchtop Jointer

If you are interested in a jointer that can give you flattened and smoothed wood edges, the Delta Power-37-071 6 inch benchtop jointer delivers. It’s equipped with a sturdy and stable build. The table and fence are also designed to ensure your operation is comfortable and safe.

It may take a lot of time before aligning the fence. Once you get over that, it remains fixed. Its ease of use is also commendable. Changing the blades of this model is also a breeze.

Unlike many jointers built from aluminum, the Delta Power model uses cast iron construction to enhance its sturdiness and durability. The sturdy construction helps the benchtop jointer to withstand the vibrations that may mess up your material while cutting.

One of the things I liked about this unit is its 1.5 horsepower motor that spins the cutter head at 10,000 RPM. You may not find the 76 pounds weight very impressive. However, it helps the benchtop jointer to remain stable during planing.

The design is also crafted to handle pieces of wood measuring 6 inches with ease. Also, the model has a 1/8-inch cutting depth at 20,000 CPM maximum cut-rate. The package includes straight blades to enable you precise and even cuts.

The fence can be tilted at angles between 45 to 90 degrees and be adjusted easily. The 37-071 model is also equipped with a dust collection system to keep your working environment dust-free and safe.

Overall, this benchtop jointer is built to tackle small pieces of wood and offers accurate and smooth operation.

Unlike other models with spiral cutter head that reduces performance, the straight knives of this unit provide high performance. Delta Power backs this benchtop jointer with a 5-year warranty.

What I Like

  • Cast iron to enhance its durability and sturdiness
  • Built-in dust collector to ensure a safe working environment
  • Powerful 1.5 horsepower motor
  • Fence and table can be adjusted easily
  • Ideal for hardwood
  • 5-year warranty

What I Don’t Like

  • Manual operation
  • Comes with two blades for cutting

Benchtop Jointer Features and Considerations

There are several factors you need to pay attention to when shopping for one of the best benchtop jointers. Here are the essential features that will help you pick the best benchtop jointer:

Type of Jointer

There are three types of jointers. They all work the same but vary when it comes to stability and size.

Benchtop Jointers

This jointer is used on a bench-top and has holes drilled into the base to enable you to attach it to a workbench for maximum stability. The best benchtop jointers are perfect for small wood shops or people who don’t work with large pieces of wood.

Closed Stand Jointer

This jointer is the largest and perfect for professional workshops. The closed stand jointer has an enclosed base and the capacity to accommodate the biggest pieces of wood.

The enclosed base prevents debris and dust from getting into the jointer’s internal components and the motor. The size of this jointer allows for increased stability and safety, reduced noise and vibration control.

Long Bed Jointer

This jointer is smaller than the closed stand jointer and bigger than the bench-top jointer. The long bed jointer doesn’t take up workbench space as it stands on the ground. The jointer can also accommodate bigger pieces of timber.

The jointer is an excellent choice for woodworkers who want a bigger jointer and can’t afford to invest in a closed stand jointer.

A jointer sits ready for use in a garage

Size of Jointer

It is crucial to consider the normal and actual size of the pieces of wood you intend to cut before choosing your benchtop jointer. This will help you to decide on the correct size for you. It is important to note that the size of your jointer is determined by the length of the knives.

The measurement is usually used to determine the length of the wood that the jointer can tackle comfortably. However, a jointer can tackle with ease pieces of wood that are twice the length of the bed.

Therefore, bear in mind that blades and bed lengths determine the size of a jointer and the workpieces it can handle. Here are the different sizes of jointers.

6 Inch Size

The 6 inch is the smallest jointer and is great for professional applications and home use.

They are also easy to use, affordable and portable. However, if you intend to work on pieces of wood bigger than 6 inches, trim them first.

8 Inch Size

These types of jointers are equipped with longer beds to handle large workpieces. However, they are a bit expensive.

16 Inch Size

This is the largest benchtop jointer. The jointers are ideal for industrial applications and large wood shops. They have longer blades to tackle bigger sizes of wood and are highly versatile.

Cutter head

The cutter head ensures you have a functioning jointer. It consists of more than two blades that are located above the infeed table. The blades are usually arranged radially in the cutter head to ensure they come in contact with the workpieces and slice off the protruding areas when the cutters spins.

Top view of woodworking area

Type of Cutter head

The most important element for how a bencthop jointer performs is the number of cutter heads and the overall cutter head speed.

Spiral

Spiral cutter heads are spiral in shape and use 4-sided cutters. A top spiral cutterhead jointer is effective and highly innovative when it comes to cutting wood pieces with precision.

It is also easy to change the spiral heads and require less power to run. Due to this reason, they are quiet during operation. They also save a lot of time and leave few marks on the boards.

Helical

A helical style cutter head operates like a sheer cut as the cutters are usually positioned to the feed rate at an angle. The sheering action produces a superior finish as it does on a hand plane with a sheer cut.

Cutter head Speed

The cutter head speed is determined by cuttings per minute (CPM). The faster the cutting speed, the faster you’ll complete your task. In most cases, the cutter head speed is usually higher than the speed of the motor.

Cutting Depth

The cutting depth is another crucial factor you should not ignore. Although most benchtop jointers will allow you to adjust your blade as deep as you may want, some will not. The inability to adjust can affect the number of projects you can handle.

Cutting depth can determine the number of times you can cut and the speed at which you can cut. Remember, if your depth of cut is large, the blade will cut through fewer passes and save you a lot of time.

However, it is advisable to go for a benchtop jointer that provides a wide range of cutting depths. Different cutting depths can be useful for various purposes.

Power

This varies from one machine to another and is something most woodworkers overlook. Before picking the benchtop jointer you go with, ensure you are getting the speed you need from this power tool.

Many benchtop jointers run on one or two horsepower, while some benchtop jointers run on one horsepower. This doesn’t mean they can’t get the job completed faster; it means there are times you may be unable to cut some wood.

A one horsepower motor is enough to flatten most wood. When it comes to power outlets, benchtop jointers will use standard power outlets. Large stand up jointers may need to run on two horsepower motors or more.

A jointer sits in a garage, ready to be used

Outfeed and Infeed Tables

Outfeed tables and infeed tables are essential things to check. First of all, you need to check the length of the tables. Longer tables will provide better support for larger pieces of wood.

The length of benchtop jointers is usually 28 inches. If you are looking for extra long tables to prepare boards for tables and doors, you may have to opt for a stand-mount model.

The width of the feed tables is another factor worth considering. Benchtop jointers usually measure between six and eight inches wide. You can do more with the jointer if the table is wider.

It’s also important to check the materials used to build the tables. A heavy duty benchtop jointer is made from materials like stainless steel with cast tables iron. These are great since accidental bumps and a lot of pressure can damage the jointer. If the table is warped, the table may not be able to flatten the surface of your wood pieces.

Dust Collection Port

I recommend getting a benchtop jointer equipped with a dust extraction port or dust collector where you can connect it to your shop vacuum. Jointers produce a lot of wood debris and sawdust.

If you don’t want to purchase one, you can also make your own DIY dust collector.

Consider a benchtop jointer with a big dust collection bag to minimize the rate at which you will be emptying the filter bag.

Fence

Each benchtop jointer is equipped with a fence that facilitates smooth, quiet, and efficient operation. The positive stops enable you to adjust the angles of the fence effortlessly. When choosing your model, ensure the fence is flat, rigid, and durable.

The size of your fence will also determine whether you will have clean cuts.

For instance, some of your tasks may need support at tilted angles. For this reason, you will want to look for a fence that is capable of making stops at certain angles to make accurate cuts. Some fences can make stops at 45 degrees and others at 90 or 135 degrees.  

Cutting Blade

The type of cutting head will determine the way the blade should be. For example, a benchtop jointer with a spiral cutting head operates without noise and comes with a maximum of four cutting blades. The most popular types of jointers are those equipped with a double blade.

The blades vary when it comes to quality, and you may need to replace them within a short period if you buy low-quality blades.

Planer vs Jointer

A planer and a jointer are similar when it comes to functions and purposes. However, the results they deliver differ. A planer will enable you to have equal thickness while you cut straight woods.

A man using a planer on a wood plank

With jointers, you will straighten the edges of curved or twisted wood pieces. After a few runs, you will get a straight edge from the baldes cutting. The bigger jointers are designed to carry out the duties of a planer and jointer.

There are also some affordable benchtop jointers that efficiently perform the duties of a planer and jointer.

Table

The main reason for investing in a benchtop jointer is to create flat and straight surfaces. That is why it is mandatory to have a flat table. Ensure the cutting head of the outfeed table you pick is parallel to enable you to make precise cuts. Also, consider the table length.

If you are handling long pieces of wood and want to straighten them, look for a longer infeed and outfeed table.

Budget

Generally, the best benchtop jointers are inexpensive compared to free-standing jointers. That said, you should spend more and invest in a jointer that is equipped with high-quality features to give you the results you desire.

Build Quality

The quality of the material used to construct a jointer will impact its durability and ease of use. The best jointers are equipped with a sturdy cast iron table.

Jointer vs Planer: When To Use Each of These Woodworking Tools for Your Projects

Wrap Up

Choosing the best benchtop jointer can be challenging when you don’t know the features to look for. The basic factors you should consider before choosing a particular benchtop jointer include ease of maintenance, your wood shop size, and your budget.

Raised with a fix-it and improvement mindset, my wife and I completely restored our Craftsman-style home. Learning how to DIY a variety of home improvement projects, I started SawsHub with my father. He's the fine woodworker, I'm the DIYer!