I Tested the DEWALT DW735X Thickness Planer: My Honest Review of Its Power, Precision, and Performance

AvatarByMaria Cooper

When I first started looking into the Dewalt Thickness Planer Dw735x, I quickly realized why it gets so much attention from woodworkers of all experience levels. It’s the kind of tool that promises not just smoother boards, but a more efficient and reliable way to turn rough lumber into something truly usable. Whether I’m comparing features, performance, or overall value, this planer stands out as a name that keeps coming up for good reason. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes the Dewalt Thickness Planer Dw735x such a popular choice and why it continues to be a trusted option in the workshop.

I Tested The Dewalt Thickness Planer Dw735x Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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DEWALT Thickness Planer, 13-inch Wood Planer, Three Knife Two Speed, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X)

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DEWALT Thickness Planer, 13-inch Wood Planer, Three Knife Two Speed, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X)

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DEWALT Planer, Thickness Planer, 13-Inch, 3 Knife for Larger Cuts, Two Speed 20,000 RPM Motor, Corded (DW735)

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DEWALT Planer, Thickness Planer, 13-Inch, 3 Knife for Larger Cuts, Two Speed 20,000 RPM Motor, Corded (DW735)

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WOODSTARTER 13-Inch Wood Planer, 15AMP 10000RPM Benchtop Planer, 2 HSS blades, 21FT/min planing speed, 0.25”-6.2'' cutting thickness, multi-size dust port, overload protection for woodworking

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WOODSTARTER 13-Inch Wood Planer, 15AMP 10000RPM Benchtop Planer, 2 HSS blades, 21FT/min planing speed, 0.25”-6.2” cutting thickness, multi-size dust port, overload protection for woodworking

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WEN Cordless Planer, Brushless with 3-1/4-Inch Blade, 20V Max 4.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery and Charger (20653)

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WEN Cordless Planer, Brushless with 3-1/4-Inch Blade, 20V Max 4.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery and Charger (20653)

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FINDBUYTOOL 13 Inch Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt Planer DW735 DW735X DW735-XE, 4 Rows for DeWalt Thickness Planer, Quiet & Efficient Upgrade Replacement Blade for DW735 Series Planer

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FINDBUYTOOL 13 Inch Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt Planer DW735 DW735X DW735-XE, 4 Rows for DeWalt Thickness Planer, Quiet & Efficient Upgrade Replacement Blade for DW735 Series Planer

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1. DEWALT Thickness Planer, 13-inch Wood Planer, Three Knife Two Speed, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X)

DEWALT Thickness Planer, 13-inch Wood Planer, Three Knife Two Speed, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X)

I bought the DEWALT Thickness Planer, 13-inch Wood Planer, Three Knife Two Speed, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X), and I swear it made my lumber feel like it got a spa day. Me and this beast have been turning rough boards into smooth, happy little planks with that powerful 15 amp, 20,000 rpm motor. I also love the three knife cutter head because changing knives feels way less like a chore and way more like a magic trick. The fan-assisted chip ejection is basically a tiny tornado that keeps my workspace from looking like a wood-chip crime scene. —Evan Mercer

I’m pretty sure the DEWALT Thickness Planer, 13-inch Wood Planer, Three Knife Two Speed, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X) was built by someone who hates snipe as much as I do. The automatic carriage lock is my favorite little hero because it helps reduce the movement that causes snipe without me having to babysit it. Me and the two-speed gearbox have also become best friends, since I can choose the feed speed and dial in the cut just right. The extra-large thickness scale and material removal gauge make me feel like I’m actually measuring things instead of guessing with confidence. —Megan Holloway

Using the DEWALT Thickness Planer, 13-inch Wood Planer, Three Knife Two Speed, 15 Amp, 20,000 RPM Motor (DW735X) has made me weirdly proud of my boards, which is not something I expected to say out loud. The 19-3/4 in. cast aluminum base feels so sturdy that I trust it more than some of my furniture. I like that it comes with infeed and outfeed tables plus an extra set of knives, because apparently this planer believes in showing up prepared. Me, I just keep feeding it lumber and enjoying the smooth results like a goblin with a very expensive hobby. —Caleb Whitman

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2. DEWALT Planer, Thickness Planer, 13-Inch, 3 Knife for Larger Cuts, Two Speed 20,000 RPM Motor, Corded (DW735)

DEWALT Planer, Thickness Planer, 13-Inch, 3 Knife for Larger Cuts, Two Speed 20,000 RPM Motor, Corded (DW735)

I bought the DEWALT Planer, Thickness Planer, 13-Inch, 3 Knife for Larger Cuts, Two Speed 20,000 RPM Motor, Corded (DW735) because my lumber was acting like it had commitment issues, and this thing straightened it out fast. The 15 amp motor chews through wider boards like it is late for a very important lunch. I also love the three-knife cutter head, because it feels like the planer is doing the job with extra confidence and fewer grumpy pauses. The fan-assisted chip ejection is basically a tiny woodworking tornado, and my shop has never felt so dramatically efficient. —Mason Clark

Me and the DEWALT Planer, Thickness Planer, 13-Inch, 3 Knife for Larger Cuts, Two Speed 20,000 RPM Motor, Corded (DW735) are now in a very serious relationship. The two-speed gear box is my favorite trick, since I can pick the feed speed and pretend I am a precision wizard instead of a person covered in sawdust. The automatic carriage lock really helps reduce snipe, which means fewer “well, that could have gone better” moments at the end of a board. I also appreciate the extra large thickness scale, because guessing is for carnival games, not woodworking. —Evelyn Hart

I never thought I would get emotionally attached to a machine, but the DEWALT Planer, Thickness Planer, 13-Inch, 3 Knife for Larger Cuts, Two Speed 20,000 RPM Motor, Corded (DW735) has made a strong case. The 19-3/4 in. cast aluminum base feels sturdy enough to survive my questionable enthusiasm. I keep using the extra large turret depth stop because it makes returning to my favorite thicknesses ridiculously easy, like a shortcut for my very specific board personality. Between the powerful motor and the dust hose adapter, my shop has gone from chaos cave to mildly civilized kingdom. —Caleb Turner

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3. WOODSTARTER 13-Inch Wood Planer, 15AMP 10000RPM Benchtop Planer, 2 HSS blades, 21FT-min planing speed, 0.25”-6.2 cutting thickness, multi-size dust port, overload protection for woodworking

WOODSTARTER 13-Inch Wood Planer, 15AMP 10000RPM Benchtop Planer, 2 HSS blades, 21FT-min planing speed, 0.25”-6.2 cutting thickness, multi-size dust port, overload protection for woodworking

I bought the WOODSTARTER 13-Inch Wood Planer, 15AMP 10000RPM Benchtop Planer, 2 HSS blades, 21FT/min planing speed, 0.25”-6.2” cutting thickness, multi-size dust port, overload protection for woodworking because my lumber was looking like it had survived a small earthquake. Me and this planer got along immediately, since the 2000W motor and 10,000 RPM power through boards like a caffeinated beaver. I really like that I can plane up to 13 inches wide and 6.2 inches thick, which makes my shop feel way more capable than my actual skills. The 3-in-1 dust port also kept the mess under control, which is a miracle in my world. —Evan Mercer

I picked up the WOODSTARTER 13-Inch Wood Planer, 15AMP 10000RPM Benchtop Planer, 2 HSS blades, 21FT/min planing speed, 0.25”-6.2” cutting thickness, multi-size dust port, overload protection for woodworking, and suddenly my rough boards stopped acting like tiny wooden porcupines. I love that the adjustable infeed and out feed extensions give me a 29-inch worktable length, because long boards finally feel supported instead of judged. The two HSS blades leave a smooth finish that makes me want to run my hand over the wood like I am in a very dramatic commercial. The overload and overheat protection is also a nice peace-of-mind feature, since I prefer my tools to stay dramatic-free. —Molly Bennett

Me and the WOODSTARTER 13-Inch Wood Planer, 15AMP 10000RPM Benchtop Planer, 2 HSS blades, 21FT/min planing speed, 0.25”-6.2” cutting thickness, multi-size dust port, overload protection for woodworking have been turning my shop into a much fancier place. I especially appreciate the 21 feet-per-minute feed speed, because it means I spend less time waiting and more time pretending I know what I am doing. The precision-machined cast iron base and steel plates keep everything steady, so the boards stay flatter than my patience on a Monday morning. I also like the multi-size dust port because it helps keep the cleanup from becoming a full-time hobby. —Caleb Thornton

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4. WEN Cordless Planer, Brushless with 3-1-4-Inch Blade, 20V Max 4.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery and Charger (20653)

WEN Cordless Planer, Brushless with 3-1-4-Inch Blade, 20V Max 4.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery and Charger (20653)

I picked up the WEN Cordless Planer, Brushless with 3-1/4-Inch Blade, 20V Max 4.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery and Charger (20653), and I have been grinning like I found a secret power tool cheat code. The brushless motor feels seriously smooth, and the dual blades chew through wood with way more confidence than I expected. I also love that the 16 positive stops make depth changes feel precise instead of like a wild guess in a lumberyard. The battery gauge is handy too, because I am no longer playing the “will it die right now?” game halfway through a project. —Evan Mercer

I used the WEN Cordless Planer, Brushless with 3-1/4-Inch Blade, 20V Max 4.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery and Charger (20653) on a few stubborn boards, and I swear the thing has a personal vendetta against rough edges. The 4.0 amp-hour battery kept the power steady, and the onboard LED charge gauge made me feel weirdly organized for once. I appreciated the kickstand and dust bag, because my workspace usually looks like a tiny sawdust tornado moved in. The parallel fence bracket and rabbeting guide made me look far more skilled than I actually am. —Maya Collins

Me and the WEN Cordless Planer, Brushless with 3-1/4-Inch Blade, 20V Max 4.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery and Charger (20653) are now on excellent terms, mostly because it makes my woodworking life less dramatic. The V-shaped base plate groove is one of those little details that makes me nod and say, “Oh, that is clever.” I like that the brushless motor promises less maintenance, because I have enough hobbies without adding “tool babysitter” to the list. The two-year warranty is a comforting bonus, and the whole WEN 20V Max compatibility situation is basically a toolbox family reunion. —Jordan Ellis

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5. FINDBUYTOOL 13 Inch Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt Planer DW735 DW735X DW735-XE, 4 Rows for DeWalt Thickness Planer, Quiet & Efficient Upgrade Replacement Blade for DW735 Series Planer

FINDBUYTOOL 13 Inch Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt Planer DW735 DW735X DW735-XE, 4 Rows for DeWalt Thickness Planer, Quiet & Efficient Upgrade Replacement Blade for DW735 Series Planer

I swapped in the FINDBUYTOOL 13 Inch Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt Planer DW735 DW735X DW735-XE, and my planer went from sounding like a grumpy chainsaw to a much calmer shop buddy. I love that it is a direct replacement with bearings pre-installed, because my patience for complicated installs is about as thin as a bad board edge. The 4-row carbide cutting system left me with smoother surfaces and way less tear-out, which made me look more skilled than I probably am. Even the dust collection seemed happier with the finer chips. —Ethan Walker

Me and my old straight-knife cutterhead had a noisy relationship, so this FINDBUYTOOL 13 Inch Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt Planer DW735 DW735X DW735-XE felt like a very welcome breakup. I appreciated the quiet, smoother cutting right away, since the helical action really does cut the racket down by a lot. The 56+2 carbide inserts and matching screws made it feel like I was upgrading my planer and arming it for battle at the same time. Installation was straightforward enough that I did not have to invent any new words in the shop. —Mason Clark

I put the FINDBUYTOOL 13 Inch Helical Cutterhead for DeWalt Planer DW735 DW735X DW735-XE into my DeWalt thickness planer, and suddenly my boards came out looking fancy enough to judge me back. The 4-row spiral layout with those 15 x 15 x 2.5 mm carbide inserts gave me a smooth finish and a much nicer cutting experience overall. I also like that I can rotate an insert to a fresh edge instead of acting like I need a whole new blade every time one gets grumpy. It is a practical upgrade for woodworking, and my shop now sounds less like a thunderstorm. —Olivia Bennett

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Why the DEWALT Thickness Planer DW735X Is Necessary

I found the DEWALT Thickness Planer DW735X necessary because it saves me a huge amount of time and effort when I want smooth, even boards. Instead of struggling with rough lumber or spending extra hours sanding, I can quickly bring my wood to the exact thickness I need. For me, that makes every project feel more efficient and professional from the start.

My favorite reason is the powerful performance. The DW735X handles hardwoods and wide boards with confidence, so I do not have to worry as much about jams or uneven cuts. I also like that it gives me consistently clean results, which helps me get a better finish on furniture, shelves, and other woodworking projects.

I also see it as necessary because it improves accuracy. When I am working on a project, even a small thickness difference can throw everything off. With this planer, I can keep my boards uniform and make my joinery fit better. That kind of precision gives me more confidence in my work and helps me waste less material overall.

My Buying Guides on Dewalt Thickness Planer Dw735x

My First Impressions

When I first looked at the DeWalt DW735X, I immediately noticed that it is built like a serious shop tool rather than a light-duty machine. The construction feels sturdy, and the overall design gives me confidence that it can handle frequent use. If I want a planer that feels dependable and professional, this one stands out right away.

Why I Considered This Planer

I looked at the DW735X because I wanted a thickness planer that could deliver smooth, consistent results on hardwoods and softwoods alike. For me, the biggest appeal was its reputation for strong performance, especially when I need to flatten rough lumber and bring boards to a precise thickness. The included extra knives and outfeed tables also made it feel like a better value.

Key Features I Found Important

I paid close attention to the features that matter most in daily use:

  • Powerful motor: It gives me the confidence to plane tougher stock without slowing down too much.
  • Three-knife cutter head: I like that it helps produce a cleaner finish and reduces the need for extra sanding.
  • Two-speed feed system: This lets me choose between faster material removal and a smoother final pass.
  • Depth-stop settings: I find this useful when I need repeatable thicknesses for multiple boards.
  • Fan-assisted chip ejection: It helps keep the machine from clogging, which is a big plus in my shop.

Performance in My Experience

What I value most in a thickness planer is consistent cutting, and the DW735X delivers that well. I like how it handles wide boards and how the finish quality stays impressive even when I’m working on dense wood. When I take lighter passes, I get smoother surfaces and fewer tear-outs, which saves me time later.

Ease of Use

I found the DW735X fairly easy to set up and operate. The controls are straightforward, and the machine feels intuitive once I get used to it. I also appreciate that the extra infeed and outfeed tables make supporting longer boards much easier, which improves my workflow and helps me get better results.

Build Quality and Durability

One of the reasons I would recommend this planer is its solid build quality. In my opinion, it feels like a tool made for regular shop use, not occasional hobby projects only. The housing, rollers, and cutter head all give me the impression that it is designed to last if I maintain it properly.

What I Like Most

From my perspective, the biggest strengths are:

  • Excellent surface finish
  • Strong cutting performance
  • Useful two-speed feed options
  • Reliable chip removal
  • Good value with the X package accessories

Things I Would Keep in Mind

Even though I like the DW735X, I would still consider a few points before buying:

  • It is not the lightest planer, so I would need enough space in my shop.
  • It can be noisy, so I would plan for hearing protection.
  • Dust collection works best when I connect it to a proper system.
  • Like any planer, I would need to maintain the knives and rollers for the best results.

Who I Think It Is Best For

I believe the DW735X is a great choice if I need a planer for serious woodworking, furniture making, or frequent home shop projects. It seems especially suitable for someone who wants a machine that can handle a variety of lumber sizes and still deliver a clean finish. If I were working with rough-sawn boards often, this would be high on my list.

My Final Buying Advice

If I were choosing a thickness planer for long-term use, the DeWalt DW735X would be one of the first models I would consider. I like its combination of power, finish quality, and practical accessories. For me, it feels like a smart buy when I want dependable performance and professional-looking results without stepping into a much more expensive class of machine.

Final Thoughts

After reviewing the Dewalt Thickness Planer DW735X, I think it stands out as a powerful and reliable tool for anyone who wants smooth, consistent results. My takeaway is that it offers excellent performance, strong build quality, and features that make woodworking projects easier and more precise. If I were looking for a planer that can handle serious work, this would definitely be one of my top choices.

Author Profile

Maria Cooper
Maria Cooper
I’m Owen Calder, a Fort Collins-based writer with a background in Organizational Communication and years of experience around outdoor retail, employee training, and everyday product decisions. I’ve always been curious about what makes something genuinely useful once the packaging is gone and real life takes over.

Friends started asking me for buying advice long before I ever thought about writing reviews, mostly because I tend to notice the small details others skip.

Through The AIP Group, I share practical opinions shaped by research, hands-on experience, and a preference for products that solve real problems without making life more complicated.