Here's Our Winners After 65 Hours of Research!!
Top 8" Jointer
Best Budget Jointer
Top 6" Jointer
Alternative Budget Jointer
Best Jointer for the Money
Best Small Jointer
A jointer is one of the top tools that your workshop needs because it takes the place of a variety of other tools. Unlike planers which only strip a small amount of the surface from a piece of wood, these tools strip the surface down to the depth that you selected all the way across the top.
Most have a guide or a fence that you can set the wood against and a cutter head with multiple knives that receives its power from an induction motor.
The best jointer that we found is the PJ-882HH 8-Inch Parallelogram from Powermatic (Check Price on Amazon.com), which features a helical cutter head for faster and more efficient cutting as well as a longer than average work table. This table extends out to reach a length of more than 80 inches. You can see how this model stacks up against some of the other models that made our list.
65 HOURS OF RESEARCHING
58 MODELS CONSIDERED
6 CATEGORIES, 6 WINNER
Best Jointers Comparison Chart
Top 8 Inch Jointer
Jet - JJ-8HH
Though we highly recommend the Powermatic jointer model, we also think that you should consider the Jet JJ-8HH, which is our choice as the top 8″.
This model comes with the helical head that usually only comes on those at a more expensive price point, and with its multiple steel knives, you won’t need to take steps to sharpen the cutter head after finishing a project.
Inserts located around the cutter head and in between those knives increases the speed at which it runs and reduces the sound of the machine.
When working with thick wood boards, you’ll find that you produce a lot of dust as well as small chips that come off that wood, but this model has its own dust port that connects to the dust collection system that helps eliminate that waste. This chute, which measures four-inches across, will work with most collection systems to suck up and collect the waste.
It comes with hand wheels attached to the front of the cabinet too, which help you make quick adjustments and keep the wood moving.
We also like the two-horsepower motor that comes with this one because it manages to run quietly but provide you with lots of needed power at the same time.
The fence included on the top tilts in two different directions and has both a 45-degree and a 90-degree positive stop. Jet gives you extra long and heavy duty cast-iron infeed and outfeed table for longer boards.
Top 8" Jointer on The Market Today!
As you look at jointer reviews, you may want to take a look at some of the other 8 inch options, which we included here.
1. Festool 574422 XL DF 700 Domino
Some thing that the best jointer is this model from Festool called the Domino, which has a cutter head that both rotates and oscillates to create smooth and perfect cuts every time.
A dial on the side lets you make adjustments down to the smallest and most precise measurements that you need to ensure that you can join two pieces of wood together after making your cuts.
It also features larger tenons of more than five-inches long for using the tools on larger wood boards, pins that you can use to index the tool to ensure that you place it on the right spot and a convenient handle on top.
2. Steelex ST1006
Once you get your hands on this Steelex model, you might find that the ST1006 is the best 8 inch jointer for your jobs because it has a more traditional look that features a durable cast iron base with an exhaust system that you can connect to your shop’s collection system.
It has a single-phase, three-horsepower motor that shuts itself down to prevent overheating and can produce up to 3,450 revolutions per minute.
This model has a parallelogram infeed and outfeed table design that is similar to some of the top models on our list and an overload protection feature that keeps the machine from overloading your system.
Top 6” Jointer on The Market Today
1. Shop Fox W1829
Some of the things you might look at when reading a wood jointer review include the size and power of the motor and any safety features, and this Shop Fox model has both a powerful motor as well as safety features like a piece that keeps your hand away from the cutter head and an emergency stop switch.
Its 1.5-horsepower motor produces up to 10,000 revolutions per minute and can make a maximum of 20,000 cuts per minute too.
A cutter head inside features two knives for faster cutting of harder woods.
2. Cutech 40160H-CT
Any list of the top rated jointers on the market today should include some affordable options, and the reviews on this Cutech 6 inches model are fairly positive.
The 10-amp motor on this one is stronger and moves faster than those on other models in this price range, and the cutter head has a spiral design that moves faster across the wood and works with the 12 included inserts.
You’ll also like that this model comes with adjustable beds for changing the size and height of your cuts and that it includes an attached fence that tilts to angles of 90 to 135 degrees.
3. Delta Power Tools 37-071
Another option for those looking for a 6 inches model is the MIDI model from Delta Power Tools, which is a bench tool that you can use on any existing bench, cabinet or table in your workshop that can support its weight.
The base on this one uses cast iron to reduce the vibrations and shaking that you usually experience, and the base has an emergency stop button as well as feet that even out the weight.
Like some other 6 inches jointers, this Delta model had an adjustable fence with positive stops at both 90 degrees and 45 degrees and can make cuts down to 1/8 of an inch deep.
Our Top Picks
RIKON Power Tools 20-600H
After looking at 6 inch jointer reviews and seeing what professionals and others had to say, it didn’t take us very long to settle on the RIKON Power Tools 6” Benchtop as the best option in this category.
As a benchtop jointer, it gives you the freedom to use it on top of a cabinet or table of your choosing and without spending extra on a product that comes with its own table. Small feet located in each of the corners disperse the weight evenly across the tool to keep it from adding too much weight or pressure to your table.
Despite being smaller in size, RIKON added a helical cutter head with inserts that are similar to those found on larger and more expensive tools.
Each of the 12 included inserts have two sides, and those inserts work together with the cutter head to give wood a finish that feels smooth to the touch. An emergency power stop located on the front of the machine has a handle that you pull up on to bring the motor to a stop.
This model also comes with heavy-duty metal fencing on the top that you can tilt to an angle between 90 degrees and 135 degrees, which is helpful when making molding and any type of angled cut. Located on the front side is a mechanism for fast setting of the cutting depth too.
Best Jointer for the Money
Powermatic 1610082 PJ-882HH 8-Inch Parallelogram
The top option for those who have plenty of money to spend is the 8-Inch Parallelogram from Powermatic, which has one of the longest work tables of all models up for sale today. This work table extends to a length of 82 inches and has flat and level plates that keep your wood at the perfect angle against the cutter head.
Those plates ensure that your wood comes out as smooth as possible and that there aren’t any splinters left behind.
Inside this tool is a helical cutter head that features more than 50 knives, each of which have four separate heads, that allow the tool to cut faster in less time.
Weighing in at more than 700 pounds, this is the ultimate choice for anyone who wants a permanent addition to a workshop because once you set it up, you’ll probably never want to move it. The heavy weight of the base reduces some of the shaking and vibrations produced to keep your hands steady too.
With a bed that measures just over 31-inches off the floor, this model also lets you make the cuts and smooth finishes that you want without any discomfort in your back because you do not need to lean over the machine. It comes with fencing that has positive stops up to 90 degrees and a door that opens on the back to give you access to the motor for regular maintenance. Powermatic offers a five-year warranty on this model, which comes with a two-horsepower motor.
Best Budget Jointer
PORTER-CABLE PC160JT Variable Speed 6"
Those on a budget may have a hard time finding a good cheap wood jointer because many of these products cost 1 grand or even more, but we think that the Porter-Cable PC160JT 6-Inch Variable Speed is a great choice because it combines features of expensive jointers with a low price that works within your budget.
As a bench or benchtop jointer, you can use it nearly anywhere in your workshop, including on top of a cast iron base or set on a steel table. Weighing just over 40 pounds, it’s an easy to move model too that you can take to a job site or move to a new spot in your work space.
Metal fencing at the top features thick groves that let you rest your wood against the surface without worrying about it slipping, and this fencing is adjustable to make cuts at different angles. A large exhaust system on the base works with your existing dust collection mechanism to remove the dust that flies off the wood. It also features a cutter head near the center of the top with feed tables on each end that help you feed the wood over and away from that head.
Changing the cutting depth or measurement is easy because of a meter on the front. This piece uses bright white lettering that is easily visible on the black background. It also comes with a hand crank on the front and four feet that spread its weight out evenly across your surface.
Alternative Budget Jointer
DEWALT DW682K 6.5 Amp Plate
An alternative choice for those on a budget is the DEWALT 6.5-Amp Plate, which is a hand tool that you can use and operate with either a single hand or both hands.
Designed for those who have less space, this tool is small enough that you can toss it in your tool chest and carry to the job site, but you’ll find that it’s dependable enough for most projects too.
A large handle on the top lets you keep a firm grip on the tool without vibrations rocking your hands, and this handle is suitable for carrying the tool too.
A 6.5-amp motor provides lots of power, but it’s the revolutions that we really like because this model can produce up to 10,000 revolutions in a single minute. It moves quickly to help you remove a thin strip of wood when finishing a piece or cut down to a deeper depth to remove more of that wood. The plate on the base makes it easy to line up your cuts to get a smoother finish too.
The fence located on this model adjusts to let you pick a tilt or angle between zero and 90 degrees, and you can make flush cuts to even out your wood without removing the fence first. It also comes with an aluminum shoe that you can actually clamp down and into place for making accurate cuts without needing to move the tool. You can move the wood over the cutter head instead of moving the cutter head over the wood.
Check on this link to know about jointer vs. planer reviews on our site.