The Best Plunge Routers Tested in 2023

Take the plunge and bring your woodworking to the next level with the right routing tool for your projects.

By Tom Scalisi | Updated Feb 16, 2023 12:51 PM

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The Best Plunge Router Option

Photo: amazon.com

Whether it’s rounding off the edge of a shelf board or creating a mortise in the center of a piece of hardwood, woodworkers often reach for a plunge router power tool to get many kinds of carpentry jobs done. This versatile, high-speed power tool makes boring accurate patterns and creating tight-fitting joinery a faster process than hand tools can manage.

A plunge router tool is ideal for building bookshelves, cabinetmaking, and creating mortise-and-tenon joinery, but for those in the market for one, it’s important to purchase a plunge router that balances skill level, budget, and the types of planned projects. This guide explains the important fundamentals and features of plunge router tools and offers some top-notch options to add to a carpentry kit of essential tools to work wood.

  1. BEST OVERALL: Bosch 120-Volt 2.3-HP Electronic Plunge Base Router
  2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Skil 14-Amp Combo Plunge and Fixed Base Router
  3. UPGRADE PICK: Makita RP2301FC 3¼-HP Plunge Router
  4. BEST FOR BEGINNERS: DeWalt Fixed/Plunge Base Router Kit
  5. BEST FOR SMALL PROJECTS: Bosch GKF125CEPK Colt Palm Router
  6. BEST CORDLESS: Makita XTR01T7 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Router Kit
The Best Plunge Router Option

Photo: amazon.com

Our Top Picks

From beginner models to professional gear, the plunge routers and other wood shop tools on this list are among the best in class. Check out their features, capabilities, and pros and cons so you can choose the best tool for your shop.

Best Overall

The Best Plunge Router Option: Bosch 120-Volt 2.3-HP Electronic Plunge Base Router
Photo: amazon.com

This Bosch plunge wood router (MRP23EVS) is a true workhorse, capable of tackling any job. It boasts 10,000 to 25,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) of run speed, thanks to its 2.3-horsepower (hp) 15-amp electric motor. It’s not all brawn, though, thanks to features like a handle-mounted trigger, soft-start tech, electronic feedback control, and the ability to make micro adjustments with consistent results. It also offers the flexibility of using both ¼-inch and ½-inch collet chucks, as well as a built-in LED light for visibility.

The only drawback is this large model may be too much router for newbies, particularly those who are attempting intricate or delicate work like carving patterns or routing thin pieces of wood.

Product Specs

  • Max speed: 25,000 rpm
  • Style: Dedicated
  • Size: ¼ or ½ inch

Pros

  • Speed range from 10,000 to 25,000 rpm allows flexibility for the user
  • Soft-start technology provides the user with added safety; helps prevent injury
  • Adjustable collet sizes for a variety of bits; suitable for multiple tasks and projects
  • Heavy-duty 15-amp motor can withstand heavy-duty and long-term use

Cons

  • Could be a bit much for new woodworkers; high power output can be hard to control

Get the Bosch 120-volt plunge router at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Acme Tools.

Best Bang for the Buck

The Best Plunge Router Option: Skil 14-Amp Combo Plunge and Fixed Base Router
Photo: amazon.com

This Skil 14-amp plunge and fixed base router kit comes ready to go with both fixed and plunge router bases for optimal flexibility. Though a value pick, it doesn’t fall short on capability, including such attractive features as an LCD screen for speed control that also adjusts speed settings according to the collet size installed (¼-inch or ½-inch collet).

The Skil router for wood has a top speed of 25,000 rpm, allowing it to tackle all sorts of wood species. It also has soft-start tech for safety and electronic feedback technology, as well as an edge guide for controlled routing. While the edge guide isn’t terribly robust, it’s fine for the price point.

Product Specs

  • Max speed: 25,000 rpm
  • Style: Swappable
  • Size: ¼ inch and ½ inch

Pros

  • Digital display for precise speed and control is ideal for beginners
  • Electronic feedback to modulate output when working with different wood densities; provides added safety
  • Plunge and fixed bases included for user-friendliness and versatility

Cons

  • Edge guide is a bit cheap; may break under heavy-duty use

Get the Skil plunge router at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Acme Tools.

Upgrade Pick

The Best Plunge Router Option: Makita RP2301FC 3¼-HP Plunge Router
Photo: amazon.com

For DIYers and pros shopping for a router with some serious power, the Makita RP2301FC 3¼-hp plunge router ought to fill the bill for many, thanks to its 15-amp electric motor that produces from 9,000 up to 22,000 rpm. Plus, several user-friendly features really help get the job done, like swappable ¼-inch and ½-inch collets, an ergonomic two-finger switch, a lock-on trigger, and twin LED lights for illuminating the project.

The Makita is a dedicated plunge-router, which allows for the smoothest possible plunging action. It offers accurate micro-adjustments (along with macro adjustments for quickly getting to size). It features a grip-mounted trigger and soft-start technology, the combination of which provides secure starts, while the electric brake quickly brings the spindle to a rest after releasing the trigger.

These types of features do drive up the cost, of course, and this router doesn’t have the flexibility of a router kit with a swappable plunge base for router tasks.

Product Specs

  • Max speed: 22,000 rpm
  • Style: Dedicated
  • Size: ¼ and ½ inch

Pros

  • Micro and macro adjustments for quickly dialing into the correct depth
  • Grip-mounted lock-on trigger for continuous use and limited vibration
  • Soft-start tech for safely starting the large bits this machine can handle
  • Electric brake and LEDs for added safety; helps prevent injury

Cons

  • Might be too expensive for some DIYers; can be tricky for first-timer users

Get the Makita RP2301FC plunge router at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Acme Tools.

Best for Beginners

The Best Plunge Router Option: DeWalt Fixed/Plunge Base Router Kit
Photo: amazon.com

This DeWalt kit covers nearly all bases—a boon to newer woodworkers who might not have the budget to purchase several routers. It comes with both plunge and fixed bases (a nice feature that makes this model suitable for a router table), plus a reasonable price considering its professional pedigree.

This model’s speed adjusts between 8,000 and 24,000 rpm, with its 12-amp motor getting the job done on many types of woods. It also features micro-adjustability, which makes dialing in the perfect depth fast and accurate. Collet sizes include both ¼-inch and ½-inch models, and the kit comes with a wrench, dust adapter, and soft carrying case (a point of contention for some DIYers used to DeWalt’s legendary hard cases).

Product Specs

  • Max speed: 24,000 rpm
  • Style: Swappable
  • Size: ¼ and ½ inch

Pros

  • Swappable bases for improved versatility during multiple routing tasks
  • Micro adjustments make nailing the proper depth easy and quick
  • ¼-inch and ½-inch collets offer finishing options for woodworkers

Cons

  • Soft carrying bag doesn’t offer the protection of DeWalt’s legendary hard case

Get the DeWalt plunge router kit at Amazon or Lowe’s.

Best for Small Projects

The Best Plunge Router Option: Bosch GKF125CEPK Colt Palm Router
Photo: amazon.com

Another high-quality option from Bosch, this smaller palm-style router is an excellent choice for light-duty work and doubles as a laminate trimmer. This kit comes with a plunge base, as well as a fixed base, edge guide, and ¼-inch collet chuck.

Despite its small size, this hand router is very fast with a maximum top speed of 35,000 rpm. The plunge base features easy-to-use depth adjustments and operates very smoothly. Thanks to its size, it’s relatively easy to control. Speed is variable, but without a soft-start feature built in, a large bit in its collet can cause the Bosch Colt to jump a bit when starting.

Product Specs

  • Max speed: 35,000 rpm
  • Style: Palm with swappable bases
  • Size: ¼ inch

Pros

  • Very high maximum speed of 35,000 rpm for quick and easy use for experienced users
  • Compact size makes it easier to control than larger models for added safety
  • Swappable bases add versatility and user-friendliness during multiple routing tasks

Cons

  • Powerful plunge router at up to 35,000 rpm may be tricky for first-time users

Get the Bosch Colt palm plunge router at Amazon, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Acme Tools.

Best Cordless

The Best Plunge Router Option: Makita XTR01T7 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Router Kit
Photo: amazon.com

Swapping to a cordless plunge router might be the move of the future, as DIYers may enjoy not having to worry about tripping over a cord. For those on board, the Makita XTR01T7 18V LXT brushless cordless router kit might be of interest. This kit features a cordless router with both fixed and plunge bases, as well as a 5.0Ah battery, charger, edge guide, and hard carrying case.

This cordless router features a top speed of 30,000 rpm, giving it more speed than most corded models. It features an electronically controlled brushless motor that will modulate output based on material density for smooth, consistent results. The bases have micro and macro adjustments for dialing in the correct depth, and the on-off button locks to prevent accidental starts. Dual LED lights make seeing the workpiece convenient, as well. As far as inconvenience goes, the only thing worth mentioning is this model only accepts ¼-inch router bits.

Product Specs

  • Max speed: 30,000 rpm
  • Style: Swappable
  • Size: ¼ inch

Pros

  • Long-lasting 5.0Ah battery can be used for multiple projects
  • High top speed of 20,000 rpm for a cordless option
  • Electronic motor control for smooth, consistent results; limited vibration compared to similar options
  • Cordless design allows for maximum portability; suitable for transporting to a jobsite or around the workshop

Cons

  • Less versatile than comparable options; available with ¼-inch collet only

Get the Makita XTR01T7 plunge router kit at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Acme Tools.

Jump to Our Top Picks

 

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Plunge Router

Routers are rotary tools that spin specialty bits at very high speeds. The user tightens a bit into the collet and either flips a switch or presses a trigger to turn the machine on and start carving.

While a fixed router’s bit is always exposed (but can be adjusted for height), plunge routers have suspended bases that allow the user to lower the bit into the workpiece while still being under control—essential for routing in the middle of a board.

Woodworkers rely on a plunge router to not only cut dados, grooves, and mortises in the center of a board but also to mill profiles on the side of a board and flush-trim a piece of laminate to size. Here are a few things to consider when looking for the best plunge router.

Style

Plunge router styles include standard, palm, and laminate trimmer. Standard routers are typically larger, powerful yet heavy models that can receive both ¼-inch and ½-inch style bits. They’re commonly used for routing designs, grooves, or dados in the field of a piece of wood, but they’re also capable of routing the edge of a board.

Laminate- and palm-style routers (designed to be held in the palm of a hand as opposed to using handles) are smaller, lighter, and less powerful. They’re suitable for use with smaller router bits that don’t require the maximum speed a larger model can provide. They’re handy for flush-trimming laminate and thinner (½ inch thick or less) wood as well.

Size

Router size refers not to the size of the machine but the diameter of the collet, which is the mechanism that holds the router bits in place. Because of the high speeds involved and the type of work routers do, collets must be machined to hold the bit securely and perfectly centered.

The two standard woodworking collet sizes are ¼ inch and ½ inch. Most routers are compatible with both sizes, allowing the users to swap out the collet with an included replacement—a real value.

However, some palm-style routers or laminate trimmers don’t have an interchangeable collet and use ¼-inch collets only; for the most part, these are lighter-duty models with less powerful motors that require a smaller bit to function properly. But there are high-quality models that are simply compact and designed for these smaller bits.

Speed

Routers of all sorts come with different speeds and speed settings. Low speeds (used for extremely hard woods or with large bits) tend to be in the 8,000- to 10,000-rpm range. On the other end of the spectrum, the average top speed for the best router is closer to 22,000 rpm—sufficient for all wood-routing needs. Anything higher than that is considered extremely fast and would be primarily used for projects like trimming laminate on a countertop.

Speed adjustment is usually determined by a dial, knob, or digital gauge. Users can choose their desired speed by twisting the knob or dial to the correct setting, or by pushing the buttons to adjust the digital readout’s setting.

Soft Start

Soft-start technology allows a power tool to get up to speed gradually—a potentially important safety feature on a router. Routers lacking this feature tend to twist or jump when first turned on. If the tool isn’t held securely, this sudden jolt can cause the router to spin out of the user’s hand, potentially causing serious injury.

This jolt upon start-up can be particularly pronounced with a larger router bit chocked in the collet. Soft-start technology ramps up the speed slowly, allowing it to minimize the initial torque, decreasing the likelihood of a jump or twist when the switch or trigger is activated. This can be a much safer option for a beginner unaccustomed to routers and their running speeds.

Router Table Compatibility

For very detailed and consistent work, some users install a router in a router table, which provides a flat service for manipulating the wood across the bit, as opposed to the users holding the router in their hands.

Plunge routers without swappable bases don’t typically lend themselves well to universal router tables. The main issue is height adjustment, as a plunge router will naturally hang at the top of its travel, away from the tabletop—which makes it difficult to adjust the height of the bit and maintain consistent results.

As an alternative to a dedicated plunge router, consider purchasing a kit with swappable bases. These models use both a base that plunges and a fixed base, offering the flexibility of two routers.

Spindle Lock

To safely work with a plunge router, the collet must be finely machined and tightly grip the router bit. As a result, it can be challenging to loosen. To make it easier to swap out bits, look for a router with a spindle lock.

Spindle locks (typically buttons on the side of the router) snap into a groove in the router’s spindle to keep it from turning. The user can press the spindle lock and place a wrench around the collet to loosen or tighten it. When done with the task at hand, simply release the button and the spindle will spin freely again. All modern routers offer some type of spindle lock.

Pro Tip: Spindle locks are not safety features. Whenever a router bit change is necessary, unplug it from its power source before considering it safe to handle.

Electronic Feedback Circuitry

For the best plunge router technology, look for a model with electronic feedback circuitry. This technology continually monitors the workload the router is experiencing, making necessary adjustments to maintain the proper speed.

This is important because bits operate differently at different speeds. As a rule, the higher the rate, the smoother the cut. If the load increases—say, through a denser section of wood—a router with electronic feedback circuitry will compensate and attempt to maintain the proper speed. Electronic feedback circuitry provides a more consistent result and a more pleasant user experience.

Swappable Kits vs. Dedicated Plunge Routers

There are two types of plunge routers available: Kits with swappable bases and those with dedicated plunge routers. Kits with swappable bases are excellent for DIYers or woodworkers who want the best of both worlds, as these kits come with both fixed bases and plunge bases. The user simply unlocks the router body from the base and fits the new base in its place.

Dedicated plunge routers don’t have removable bases. These models are forever-fitted with plunging bases. The benefit of a dedicated model is that the plunging action tends to be smoother than a kit model.

How We Chose the Best Plunge Router

When it comes to woodworking and renovations, routers (whether fixed or plunge) can be a vital part of the project. Knowing that, it was important that we put together a list consisting of only the best plunge routers on the market. Here’s how we did it:

First, we stood on years of woodworking and construction experience to not only choose trusted brands but also pick out the features we felt are most important in a plunge router. Next, we performed extensive product research to compare the top models from each brand, eliminating ones we felt didn’t offer enough capability. Finally, we compared the models’ prices to ensure that they offered the type of value a DIYer or pro would expect from a tool. The plunge routers that remained were given awards, and our list was ready.

FAQs

There’s a lot of information available on plunge routers, and it can seem overwhelming to try to take it all in at once. Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions that come up about these tools. If you have a question not resolved below, call your model’s manufacturer for answers.

Q. What can I do with a plunge router?

Plunge routers can cut dados, mortises, or even patterns in the middle of a board, as well as route edges and cut tenons in the ends of boards.

Q. How do you use a plunge router with a table?

A plunge router may require a custom table or retrofit if it doesn’t come off of its base. Fixed-base routers are better suited for router tables.

Q. Can a plunge router be used as a fixed router?

A plunge router can certainly do everything a fixed router can, just potentially less accurately. Fixed routers have few moving parts, making it easier to precisely dial them in.

Q. How deep can a plunge router cut?

This depends on the model, but the deepest plunging router on our list plunges 2¾ inches. Some lighter-duty models will have less travel.

Why Trust Bob Vila

Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.

Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.