8 Best Palm Routers of 2024

Katsu tools offer a surprising level of build quality and reliability for a brand you may never have heard of. I got hold of their electric wood trimmer and think it’s one of the best budget palm routers you can get for the money.

With a 710 Watt motor, it’s a remarkably similar tool to the best palm router on our list, the Makita RT0700CX4. In fact, it even takes the same spare parts and fits the same accessories. If you’re not bothered about name brands this is an excellent choice to make.

It’s not as refined in comparison with the more expensive palm routers on our list, but for the price, you can forgive this little beast. It uses the same rack and pinion depth controls as the Makita and it’s easy to change out the bits. Even though it has a brushed motor, they include carbon replacements.

Cut from the same quality cloth as the best palm router on our list, Makita’s DRT50ZX4 is a brushless cordless trimmer that gives you all the power you need without the cord to trip over. This little beast forms part of Makita’s excellent LXT range of Lithium-Ion powered tools. You can share the batteries from your drill or saw to power up this palm router, making it brilliantly versatile.

First off, you get a solid aluminium case that holds the 18V-powered brushless motor. There are five selectable speeds from 10,000 – 30,000 rpm and a cutting depth of up to 40 mm with the supplied trimmer base. The start button is illuminated and can be locked on with another soft-touch button next to it as well, rather than the standard rocker switch.

In terms of operation, the DRT50 is almost identical to the corded Makita RTO7, but you have the advantage of being able to use it on-site or away from a power source. It does feel a little bit top-heavy with a battery connected though, especially if you’re using a high Ah one. Also, be aware that this is a “bare” palm router- you’ll have to buy an 18V battery separately.

Budget tool brand DEWINNER have worked out a clever way to make decent quality power tools at remarkable prices. Their electric palm router set is ideal for someone who’s just starting out on their woodworking journey. It includes everything a budding DIYer will need to try out one of the most versatile tools out there.

The unit is similar in its construction to the Katsu and VonHaus palm routers. You get a sturdy plastic case that holds the motor and an aluminium shaft and collar that can be adjusted with a small wheel. The cutting depth is locked in with a lever and you can switch out bits with a small spanner.

There’s a 710 Watt motor on board that can spin ¼” or 3/8” shank bits up from 13,000 to a maximum of 33,000 rpm. Its speed-adjustable as well by turning the wheel on top. DEWINNER have included the normal accessories such as a straight and curved guide, but they’ve gone a bit further than the competition.

What I really like about this palm router set is the five included bits because you can get to work straight away. You get a pair of different diameter straight cut bits, a guided straight cut bit, a cove bit, and a round over bit. Not bad for the price!

No list of the best palm routers would be complete without a Bosch Professional router. The GKF 12V-8 is a radical re-design of the standard shape palm router and forms part of Bosch’s “blue” line of professional 12 Volt tools. This means it’s made with professional users in mind and will be robust, reliable, and ready for anything.

You might not recognise the shape of this palm router. It’s a bit different in design, but the shape makes it comfortable for one-handed use. It’s been designed for one main job – shaping and trimming edges – and it does so quickly and comfortably.

Taking its power from a 12V Lithium-Ion battery, the GKF means you can work at any angle or in any place without worrying about tripping over cables. It’s ideal for working above your head or in awkward spots. It’s incredibly light at just over 1 kg, compared to other palm routers like the DeWalt D26200.

The fact that it’s a lightweight 12V tool means there’s a bit of a compromise though. You only get a maximum 13,000 rpm; you can’t add any other bases and it’s no use for heavy-duty trimming jobs. If you want an ultra-portable tool, this is the best palm router for light duty use.

The Makita RT0700CX4 is probably the best palm router for professionals. It’s powerful, reliable and fits into several different bases, making it an incredibly versatile tool. Makita is a brand famous for robust, professional-level power tools. They’re trusted by professionals as well as savvy DIYers throughout the world, and for good reason.

This is a simple to use, light yet powerful palm router that makes the most of its 710 Watt soft start motor. It can turn cutting bits up to a massive 30,000 rpm. You can select different speeds with the control dial and even use it one-handed if you’re confident.

What makes this one of the best trimmers you can get is the build quality you get from a Makita. The aluminium housing is solid, and all the attachments feel incredibly strong when locked into place. Accuracy is always important when operating a palm router, so the accurate rack and pinion depth adjuster is a joy to use.

To make things even better, you can purchase different bases, depending on the work you need to do. You can swap it for a plunge, offset or tilt base without having to splash out on another motor body.

Manchester-based tool and home improvement gurus VonHaus make an impressive amount of kit from blenders to ladders. Their compact palm router offers impressive performance and incredible value for a DIY tool.

Decked out in VonHaus’s recognisable orange plastic, the first thing you’ll notice about this tool is how solidly built it is. The plastic used is rugged PA6 nylon, and the metal housing below the motor is solid and well-cast with no rough bits on it.

Changing the cutting depth is easy thanks to the rack and pinion adjustment screw, and the collet is compatible with both ¼” and 3/8” shank bits. I really like the rubberised plastic pieces that have been added to the collar, it helps with grip and should make it shock-proof too.

The motor is powerful enough at 580 Watts to get most jobs done, and the light weight means you can do it all one-handed if you’re confident enough. There are six different speeds to choose from, ranging from 1,000 – 32,000 rpm for different size bits.

US brand DeWalt have been making power tools and some of the best routers since Raymond DeWalt invented the radial arm saw all the way back in 1923. Their D26200 is a powerful beast, packing a large motor into a small body that can be operated with just one hand.

With a 900 Watt soft start motor tucked into the aluminium body, this mighty palm router can tackle just about any trimming job you can throw at it. And because it has electronic speed control, you’ll get the right amount of power no matter what material you’re tackling.  In terms of speed, it puts out 16,000 – 27,000 rpm and the bit can be plunged down to an impressive 55 mm.

What I like the most about the DeWalt though is the clever micro adjuster technology. There’s a black nut that sits above the base which screws on. Once the base is attached you simply wind it up and down for incredibly accurate adjustment. It would probably be the best palm router around if it weren’t so heavy.

One of Japan’s best-known power tool brands, Ryobi make one of the best palm routers for DIYers. It’s made even better with their excellent ONE+ system. It allows you to share batteries across their entire range of tools. You can power your lawn mower, drill driver or circular saw without having to spend more money on added extras.

The R18TR-0 is an ideal place to start if you’re getting into woodworking or you know you’re not going to try and use it every day at work. I say this because even though it feels robust, there’s more plastic in the construction. Compared with the all-aluminium body on the Makita DRT50ZX4, it’s just not as durable.

Powered by an 18V Lithium-Ion battery, you get an impressive 29,000 rpm. But it’s a simple router to use with a clever depth adjustment system that also has a nice micro-adjust wheel. The LED work light is useful, as is the clear plastic guide plate for seeing what you’re doing. Just remember, it doesn’t come with a battery.