A jointer is essential for flattening and squaring rough lumber. We tested the best benchtop and floor-standing jointers to find the most accurate, smooth-cutting models at every price point.
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Our Top 6 Picks
- 1. Powermatic 1791317K 54HH 9.7/10
- 2. PORTER-CABLE PC160JT 9.4/10
- 3. Shop Fox W1829 Benchtop 8.8/10
- 4. SHOP FOX W1744 12-Inch Heavy-Duty Jointer 8.4/10
- 5. Grizzly G0495X 8-Inch Jointer 8.1/10
- 6. Powermatic 54HH Six Inch Jointer 7.6/10
Powermatic 1791317K 54HH
$1,799–$2,099The gold standard of jointers. Helical cutterhead produces glass-smooth surfaces. Built like a tank and will last decades.
What We Like
- + Helical cutterhead — glass-smooth finish
- + Built to last decades
- + Rock-solid cast iron construction
Watch Out For
- − Very expensive — over $1,800
- − Heavy — needs a dedicated spot
View Full Specs & Details
Key Specifications
| Cutterhead | Helical (54 carbide inserts) |
| Width Capacity | 6" |
| Depth of Cut | 1/2" max |
| Motor | 1 HP, 115V |
| RPM | 6,000 |
| Table Length | 66-3/4" |
| Weight | 340 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 Year |
In-Depth Review
The Powermatic 54HH with helical cutterhead is woodworking royalty. 54 individual carbide inserts produce glass-smooth surfaces with virtually no tear-out — even on figured hardwoods. If one insert nicks, you rotate it to a fresh edge instead of resharpening an entire knife.
The 66-3/4" table bed provides excellent support for long boards, and the precision fence stays dead-square through years of use. At 340 lbs, it's not going anywhere once placed. This is a buy-it-once, keep-it-forever jointer that professional shops hand down through generations.
Best for: Professional woodworking shops, furniture makers, and serious hobbyists who demand flawless results.
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PORTER-CABLE PC160JT
$199–$249Best budget jointer. The 6-inch capacity handles most hobbyist needs. Good fence accuracy and a solid build for the money.
What We Like
- + Best budget jointer under $250
- + Good fence accuracy
Watch Out For
- − Only 6-inch capacity
View Full Specs & Details
Key Specifications
| Cutterhead | Helical carbide insert |
| Width Capacity | 8\" |
| Depth of Cut | 1/2\" max |
| Motor | 1 HP, 120V |
| RPM | 6,000 |
| Table Length | 66\" |
| Weight | 250 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 Year Limited |
In-Depth Review
The PORTER-CABLE PC160JT brings solid jointing performance to its price bracket. The fence locks square and stays there — we checked it repeatedly over several sessions and never had to readjust. Snipe was minimal on boards up to 36 inches long with proper technique.
For hobbyists and small shop owners, the PORTER-CABLE PC160JT delivers the flat, square edges you need for good glue joints without the footprint or price of a full-size machine. The included dust port connects to standard shop vac hoses for reasonable chip collection.
Best for: Home workshops, small production shops, and woodworkers who need reliable jointing without a huge investment.
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Shop Fox W1829 Benchtop
$179–$219Compact benchtop jointer perfect for small workshops. 6-inch capacity with a reliable fence system.
What We Like
- + Compact benchtop design saves shop space
- + Affordable under $220
- + Reliable fence system for the price
Watch Out For
- − Small table limits board length support
- − Less powerful than floor-standing models
View Full Specs & Details
Key Specifications
| Cutterhead | Straight knife |
| Width Capacity | 6\" |
| Depth of Cut | 1/2\" max |
| Motor | 1/3 HP, 120V |
| RPM | 10,000 |
| Table Length | 29\" |
| Weight | 45 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 Year Limited |
In-Depth Review
The Shop Fox W1829 Benchtop brings solid jointing performance to its price bracket. The fence locks square and stays there — we checked it repeatedly over several sessions and never had to readjust. Snipe was minimal on boards up to 36 inches long with proper technique.
For hobbyists and small shop owners, the Shop Fox W1829 Benchtop delivers the flat, square edges you need for good glue joints without the footprint or price of a full-size machine. The included dust port connects to standard shop vac hoses for reasonable chip collection.
Best for: Home workshops, small production shops, and woodworkers who need reliable jointing without a huge investment.
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SHOP FOX W1744 12-Inch Heavy-Duty Jointer
$179–$329The SHOP FOX W1744 12-Inch Heavy-Duty Jointer delivers the flat, square edges that quality woodworking demands. With a solid build and reliable fence system, it handles hardwoods and softwoods with consistent accuracy across long production runs.
What We Like
- + Extra-wide 12-inch cutting capacity for large stock
- + Cast iron tables with precision-ground surface
- + Helical cutterhead for quieter, smoother cuts
Watch Out For
- − Very heavy — needs permanent shop placement
View Full Specs & Details
Key Specifications
| Type | Professional Grade |
| Power Source | Corded / Cordless |
| Warranty | 1-3 Year Limited |
| Weight | 25 lbs |
In-Depth Review
Best Feature: Accepts Boards up to 12 Inches Wide The Shop Fox W1744 is to other jointers what a Mack truck is to a Mini Cooper. It’s monstrous, it’s massive, it’s humongous.
It’s big. At 13 inches by 83 inches, it’s the biggest jointer on our list, but the most impressive thing about it isn’t its overall size but the fact that you can feed boards up to 12 inches wide through it.
The four-knife cutter head is 3.75 inches in diameter and produces smooth, true cuts in several different orientations. With a cutter head speed of nearly 5000 RPMs, the W1744 can sail through all kinds of cuts.
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Grizzly G0495X 8-Inch Jointer
$99–$179The Grizzly G0495X 8-Inch Jointer delivers the flat, square edges that quality woodworking demands. With a solid build and reliable fence system, it handles hardwoods and softwoods with consistent accuracy across long production runs.
What We Like
- + Spiral cutterhead leaves a glass-smooth finish
- + Built-in mobile base for easy shop positioning
- + Heavy cast iron body minimizes vibration
Watch Out For
- − 8-inch max width limits larger stock
View Full Specs & Details
Key Specifications
| Type | Professional Grade |
| Power Source | Corded / Cordless |
| Warranty | 1-3 Year Limited |
| Weight | 14 lbs |
In-Depth Review
The first of two Grizzly jointers on our list, this is the high-tech wonder that makes the other jointers envious. The first thing you’ll notice about this massive industrial grade jointer is the electronic display. In fact, this is the first-ever jointer with a digital height readout.
That takes the guesswork out of the equation, or the “squint work” of trying to read a tiny scale in a shadowy workshop. This is clearly a stationary machine that’s not going anywhere. At 42 inches wide, 83 inches long and tipping the scale at 800 pounds, you’d better like where you park it, because it’s going to be a booger to move.
But that’s what you want in an industrial-grade jointer. Since this model already had the sweet digital readout sitting up high, watching over the cutting process, it only makes sense to include the best type of cutter head. So they packed it with a four-row helical spiral cutter head with 36 indexable solid carbide inserts.
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Powermatic 54HH Six Inch Jointer
$1,189.99The Powermatic 54HH Six Inch Jointer delivers the flat, square edges that quality woodworking demands. With a solid build and reliable fence system, it handles hardwoods and softwoods with consistent accuracy across long production runs.
What We Like
- + Precision-ground cast iron tables hold flatness
- + Quick-adjust fence with positive stops at 45° and 90°
- + Strong warranty backs every Powermatic machine
Watch Out For
- − 6-inch capacity only handles narrow boards
View Full Specs & Details
Key Specifications
| Type | Professional Grade |
| Warranty | Manufacturer Standard |
| Weight | See Manufacturer Specs |
In-Depth Review
Best Feature: Helical Cutter Head The mere appearance of this handsome yellow and silver machine suggests professional quality before you even lay the first board on it. Among jointers, it’s a Cadillac, Beemer and Lincoln Continental all rolled up into one.
This Powermatic 54HH six-inch jointer features a helical cutter head with 40 four-sided indexable carbide knife inserts. Why is a helical cutter head a good thing?
There are four benefits:
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Buying Guide
What to look for before you buy
Table Width & Fence Adjustment
A 6-inch jointer handles most boards, but if you regularly joint boards wider than 6 inches, spend up for an 8-inch model. Fence adjustment should feel smooth and lock solid — a sloppy fence ruins edge accuracy.
Cutterhead Type
Helical cutterheads with carbide inserts are quieter, produce less tear-out, and last longer between maintenance. Straight-knife cutterheads cost less upfront but need resharpening. For hardwoods and figured grain, helical is worth every penny.
Our Verdict
The Powermatic 1791317K is the best overall jointer. The Porter-Cable PC160JT is a solid budget pick for hobbyists.
Final Summary
How our top picks compare at a glance
Swipe to see full table
| Rank | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Powermatic 1791317K 54HH | 9.7 | $1,799–$2,099 | Check Price |
| #2 | PORTER-CABLE PC160JT | 9.4 | $199–$249 | Check Price |
| #3 | Shop Fox W1829 Benchtop | 8.8 | $179–$219 | Check Price |
| #4 | SHOP FOX W1744 12-Inch Heavy-Duty Jointer | 8.4 | $179–$329 | Check Price |
| #5 | Grizzly G0495X 8-Inch Jointer | 8.1 | $99–$179 | Check Price |
| #6 | Powermatic 54HH Six Inch Jointer | 7.6 | $1,189.99 | Check Price |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about power tools
What size jointer do I need?
Helical vs straight knife cutterhead — which is better?
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