Best Biscuit Joiner [2024 Review]

A biscuit joiner is an essential tool that will help you join two pieces of wood accurately and quickly. The top biscuit joiner will enable you to join the pieces using less effort and time than it would take you to join them manually. It’s also the perfect tool for professionals and hobbyists that want to simplify their woodcutting projects. 

However, the wrong joiner can make your woodworking experience less enjoyable. To help you find the right tool, I have created a biscuit joiner comparison, which includes most models available today. I have also considered the factors that set them apart, such as cutting speed and blade diameter to ensure you get the right tool for your needs.

My Top Biscuit Joiner Reviews 

Porter-Cable 557

Porter-Cable 557 is a favorite among woodworkers. This biscuit joiner comes with all the essential features that professional woodworkers may find useful to handle complex joining projects.  

This joiner has four inches cutting blade in diameter. It’s also important to note that Porter-Cable provides separately two inches diameter of the blade for this model that will allow you to make small cuts measuring 1.5 inches when necessary. The good thing about the blades is that they can spin at 10,000 RPM effortlessly, thanks to the robust seven amperage motor.

Another thing you may like about this joiner is its ability to cut easily through the knottiest hardwoods. One remarkable feature that makes the Porter-Cable biscuit joiner an excellent choice for both beginners and professional woodworkers is the adjustability option. The model boasts of seven depth stops that will allow you to cater to your different cutting needs. The settings accept the four less common joiner sizes and the three most common sizes. 

However, it’s worth mentioning that creating manual cuts can be challenging because there is no adjustment knob for cutting depth. The fence is sturdy and comes with a pivot point uniquely designed to ensure precise height readings at any cut angle. 

Also, you can adjust the fence from 0 to 135 degrees with a positive stop at 90 degrees. This is an incredible feature as it will allow you to create angled biscuit joints using this joiner. Another advantage of the 557 biscuit joiner is that it comes with a dust collection bag to help you keep your woodshop clean. 

You can also connect the dust port to your shop vacuum to ensure you breathe in clean air. The lock-on trigger function is another notable feature you may find helpful, especially if you intend to use your biscuit joiner for a long period. It will minimize fatigue on your fingers.

Even though this Porter-Cable model offers a lot of high-quality features, it also has some minor drawbacks. First, changing the blades is challenging, while the initial setup is a bit difficult. Also, you may find it difficult to make manual cuts. However, its powerful motor and high-performance make it perfect for tough woodcutting projects.

What I Like 

• Four inches diameter cutting blade
• The blades spin at 10,000 RPM
• Powerful seven amperage motor
• Seven depth stops
• Fence adjustment and durability

What I Don’t Like

• Difficult to create manual cuts
• Difficult blade changing
• Complicated setup

Dewalt DW682K

Beginner woodworkers looking for a biscuit joiner that is easy to use while making joints may find the Dewalt DW682K an excellent choice as it has a short learning curve. The tool controls are streamlined to ensure beginners do not experience any difficulties using it immediately after the purchase.

It’s also extremely lightweight as it only weighs 11 pounds, which makes it easy to carry around. The joiner comes with a powerful 6.5 amperage motor that can deliver up to 11,000 RPM blade speed. When it comes to consistent results and accuracy, this model has anti-slippage pips located in front of the joiner to ensure it does not slide during use.

This power makes the joiner safer by minimizing kickback while cutting through hardwoods. Additionally, the joiner comes with four inches diameter of the blade that stays sharp even when slicing through knotty hardwoods. The built-in adjustable fence can pivot from 0 to 90 degrees, which makes cutting straightforward biscuit joints a breeze.

The fence also features three preset depth stops that accept the most common biscuit sizes including #0, #10, and #20. However, it’s important to note that the Dewalt biscuit joiner cannot pivot to 135 degrees. In addition, the lack of stops for less popular biscuit sizes makes this joiner unsuitable for professional woodworkers due to limited applicability.

One outstanding feature of this biscuit joiner that you may like is the dual rack and pinion fence. The function makes it easy to check whether the fence and blade are parallel for precise cuts. There is also no need to remove the fence from the joiner to make standard cuts.

It’s easy to scratch up your working environment when you are cutting biscuit joints. However, the non-marring shoe on this joiner ensures you end up with quality finishes and not just raw power as it prevents this from happening. 

Like the other joiners on my list, the DW682K biscuit joiner also has its flaws. However, they are minor. The major problem is that the blade is not in line with the bottom plate. This can create consistency issues for some woodworkers.

What I Like 

• Perfect for beginner woodworkers
• Robust motor for cutting hardwoods
• 11,000 RPM blade speed
• Compact and lightweight
• The fence and blade remain parallel 

What I Don’t Like

• Limited to a 90-degree angle
• Small dustbag
• Noisy operation

VonHaus 

VonHaus manufactures provide quality power tools. So, if you are shopping for an entry-level biscuit joiner to tackle simple biscuit cutting, the VonHaus model offers an absolute bargain. This inexpensive joiner is an ideal choice for woodworkers that do not require a joiner frequently as it can handle most simple cuts perfectly. 

Although the 8.5 amperage motor adds a bit of weight to this model, it can still spin the four inches diameter blade up to 10,000 RPM with ease and manage to cut through pieces of hardwoods without kicking.

In addition, many professional woodworkers may not find this biscuit joiner the perfect fit as it does not accept two inches diameter blade that is necessary for creating small cuts. Plus, the fence lacks the durability that woodworkers are accustomed to from expensive models. However, it’s still stable enough for occasional use.

The fence comes with preset depth stops perfect for the three most popular biscuit sizes to enable you to create cuts effortlessly with minimal cuts. While those depth stops are essential, the gauge mount is fragile. So, you will have to be careful to avoid breakage. In addition, you can lock the fence in between at any angle even though it does not come with preset angle stops. 

Also, you can adjust the fence from 0 to 90 degrees. There is also a large handle on the fence that you may appreciate, as it will enable you to maintain a firm grip on the biscuit joiner while cutting. The 4 inches blade will give you plenty of options as it is ideal for butt, corner, miter, and T-joints.

One major issue with this joiner is that even though it has a built-in dust collection system, it can get clogged with sawdust as the blade tends to lock up. It may be a hindrance to professional woodworkers that need to use the joiner extensively.

What I Like 

• Preset depth stops for the fence
• Powerful 8.5 amperage motor
• Oversized handle for stable grip
• Dust bag for easy cleanup
• Inexpensive

What I Don’t Like 

• Does not accept two inches diameter blade
• Flimsy depth gauge mount
• Blade dulls quickly

Ryobi -JM83K-AC Biscuit Joiner Kit

If you are looking for a tool that joins two pieces of wood accurately and quickly, then the Ryobi -JM83K-AC Biscuit Joiner Kit may be the perfect choice for your wood-cutting projects. Its 1010 wattage motor is powerful enough to spin the four inches diameter of the blade with ease. However, it does not accept two inches diameter blades that are ideal for creating small cuts.

When it comes to power, the biscuit joiner delivers an impressive blade speed of 10,000 RPM, capable of cutting effortlessly through knotty hardwoods without kicking or sticking. The adjustable fence on this biscuit joiner comes with preset depth stops that are ideal for the three most popular biscuit sizes. 

However, it is important to note that the fence can only pivot from 0 to 90 degrees, which can limit its applicability. So, if you are a professional woodworker, you may find this joiner limiting as you won’t be able to make 135 degrees, especially when working on complex joints. 

One advantage of the Ryobi -JM83K-AC Biscuit Joiner Kit is that the angle knob it comes with will enable you to adjust the angle of the fence and help you tackle miter to miter and edge to edge biscuit joints. The model also boasts of a large D-handle that makes stabilizing the joiner easy when making cuts. 

This biscuit joiner also comes with a dust extraction port and a dust bag to ensure you work in a safe environment without inhaling harmful sawdust. I recommend cleaning the dust collection bag after every four or five cuts to prevent it from clogging.

Another issue that you need to be aware of is the quality of the carbide-tipped blade included in the package. It sometimes burns delicate softwoods while making cuts. However, you can upgrade the blade after buying the joiner to deal with this issue.

If you are looking for a powerful biscuit joiner that you can use to make precise and quick cuts, then this high-performance model from Ryobi may be an excellent addition to your collection of reliable power tools. 

What I Like 

• Ergonomic handle for comfort
• Impressive performance 
• High cutting speed
• Preset depth stops
• Adjustable fence

What I Don’t Like

• Not compatible with two-inch blades
• The fence angle is limited to 90 degrees
• Unsuitable for professional woodworkers

Makita PJ7000 /1

The Makita PJ7000 can withstand the needs of a hobbyist woodshop. Although this lightweight and compact biscuit joiner comes with a smaller motor than other joiners on my list, don’t let this make you think less of this tool that packs a lot of high-quality features.  

The 5.6 amperages and 700 wattage motor can still rotate the four inches diameter blade effortlessly at 11,000 RPM. Keep in mind lithium-ion batteries are required. The joiner delivers adequate power even when slicing through knotty hardwoods. However, the model does not accept two inches diameter cutting blades ideal for making small cuts.

This makes them unsuitable for professional woodworkers. That said, you may like the joiner’s blade cover as it does not require other tools to access and change the blade for fresh cuts. The fence has a large ergonomic grip handle that comes in handy when using the biscuit joiner for a longer period. 

The fence can only pivot from 0 to 90 degrees in the positive direction, with a positive stop at 45 degrees. Professional woodworkers may find this limiting as they may not be able to create complex cuts at 135 degrees. However, the fence comes with six depth settings to allow you to cover the three biscuit sizes that are not used frequently and the most common sizes.

One advantage of using this joiner is that you can adjust the height cut even though the joiner has no adjustment knob. There are also the rubber inserts located on the shoe that help prevent the Makita model from slipping. This makes creating the perfect cut a breeze, especially when using the biscuit joiner without a clamp or vise to hold it in place securely.

The joiner comes with a built-in dust bag to minimize the amount of sawdust and other debris the tool produces in your woodshop. Like the Makita XJP03Z, this model also features a rack and pinion fence to help you achieve proper alignment easily before making your cuts.

Additionally, the model cuts smoothly to ensure you minimize errors while cutting. So, if you are a DIY enthusiast, the high-performing PJ700/1 may be the best plate joiner for you. I also recommend it to professionals as a backup tool. 

What I Like 

• Ability to cut through knotty hardwoods
• Ergonomic handle for added comfort
• 11,000 RPM blade speed
• Six depth settings
• Adjustable height cut

What I Don’t Like

• Unsuitable for professional woodworkers
• Does not accept two inches diameter blades
• Can only pivot up to 90 degrees

Biscuit Joiner Features and Considerations

Although biscuit joiners have similar designs, several features differentiate them, which can affect whether the tool you pick is the right one for your woodworking tasks. I am going to cover essential features to consider when looking for the top-rated biscuit joiner to help choose the perfect tool.

Power

Typically, more power is better. However, the amount of power you need will depend on the toughness of the pieces of wood you intend to cut. For example, low-power biscuit joiners are an excellent choice for softwoods as they will provide enough blade and motor speed to complete the job.

However, if you try to cut knots in hardwoods, the same motor power may not be adequate. On the other hand, more powerful biscuit joiners will have no issues, although it’s important to note that powerful joiners are bulkier. Also, adding power will increase your energy bills, especially if you plan to use your joiner frequently. 

Cutting Angle

Another important factor to check while looking for a biscuit joiner is its maximum cutting angle. While some complex tasks will require cuts that you can only achieve at higher angles of up to 135 degrees or more, most simple joints require 90-degree angle cuts to fit two pieces of wood together using the joiner. If you think your woodworking skills may improve with time or intend to use your joiner professionally, I recommend looking for a tool that can go beyond 90 degrees like the Porter-Cable joiner.

Cutting Depth

Generally, biscuit joiners will enable you to cut material to your preferred depth and create several depth halts that you can use to cut repeatedly and precisely to the depth you want. The size of the biscuit joiner you intend to use will determine the cutting depth you need. This depends on the type of wood you will be working with and the characteristics of the joint.

The diameter of the blade is another essential feature of a biscuit joiner. It determines the length of the joints you can make in your wood pieces. The most common joiners are those that measure four inches in length. However, there are two inches blades that you can find useful when you are worried about splitting your material with a longer cut or when working with small wood pieces. If you want to work with smaller joiners, look for models that allow you to use two inches blade.

Tool Dimensions

While shopping, it’s important to check the dimensions of your joiner as it will determine whether your tool can fit easily around narrowly shaped pieces of wood. You should also check if it’s easy to store the biscuit joiner in your woodshop. So, a good idea would be to go for the smallest joiner that offers the features you need as well as power.

However, do not overlook the essential features in favor of size. It’s also important to note that joiners that come with a collection bag such as those from Makita and Porter-Cable are usually a few inches longer compared to other biscuit joiners that don’t have dust collection bags.  

Intended Use

Before picking any biscuit joiner, you should think about the types of jobs you will be using it for. For instance, if you plan to use your tool to cut small pieces of wood, you will have to find a joiner that will allow you to adjust its blade inch, from the standard four inches blade to two inches blade. Also, if you work on a lot of complex or custom wood projects, the VonHaus biscuit joiner may be an excellent choice for you as it offers customizable cutting depth. 

Another factor you should think about is the types of wood you will be working with. If you will be cutting softwoods, choosing a less powerful cordless biscuit joiner will be a good idea. On the other hand, if you often work with hardwoods, buying a biscuit joiner with a powerful motor and higher cutting speed that exceeds 10,000 RPM will be an excellent option.

Cordless vs Corded

Both cordless and corded joiners have their disadvantages and advantages. Most professional woodworkers prefer using corded biscuit joiners because of their ability to cut slots easily and quickly. Corded joiners also have large motors that translate to higher cutting speeds. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about drained batteries while working on your projects. 

The only issue with these joiners is that they are less portable. On the other hand, their cordless counterparts are more portable and do not require a backup like a generator if you are using them on a project site without power. However, you will have to invest in another battery you can use when the other battery runs low since the batteries on these biscuit joiners last for a short period. 

Dust Collection System

A dust collection system integrated into your biscuit joiner can make a big difference, especially if you will be working in enclosed spaces like your workshop. Although the joiners do not cut through large piles of wood, with time, they tend to create a large amount of sawdust which is harmful.

Without a dust collection mechanism in place, you will have to wear a dust mask and goggles to prevent sawdust and other debris from getting into your mouth and eyes. Dust collection bags are important as they minimize the amount of sawdust being released into the air, which saves you time cleaning up the working environment.

Types of Handle

There are two main types of handles on biscuit joiners:

• D-Grip: This grip is ideal for woodworkers that plan to use their joiners for an extended period. The handle has a D-shape.
• Barrel Grip: This type of grip will allow you to hold the body of the joiner and wrap your hand through it. A barrel grip will also enable you to have more control and be able to get down to the blade.

Wrap Up

A biscuit joiner is a great addition to your woodshop as it will help you create professional-looking joints using little effort. However, you should opt for a quality tool that will do the job perfectly. The biscuit joiners I have reviewed above are of high-quality and come with all the essential features to help you achieve great results. Any pick from my list will be an ideal choice for your wood-cutting projects.