Wood Routers

Types of wood routers

Wood routers are categorized by the way the motor is attached to the base:

• Plunge routers attach the motor to a spring-loaded base, so you can plunge the bit safely and accurately into the middle of a piece of work.

• Fixed-base routers lock in the depth of cut by raising or lowering the motor on the base. They're often considered the easiest for beginners to learn to use, especially when mounted in a router table.

• Trim routers (also called laminate trimmers or palm routers) are just extra-small fixed base routers, using bits with quarter-inch shanks, powered by 1-hp or smaller motors.

• Combo router kits come with one motor plus both a fixed base and a plunge base.

You can use both types of wood router (plunge and fixed-base) in either of two modes: handheld or mounted upside down in a router table. This is more or less like the difference between using a circular saw and a table saw, or a jigsaw versus a scroll saw. In one mode, you hold the wood steady while moving the tool; in the other, you hold the tool steady while moving the wood.

Expert reviews find that within each type, the best handheld router is usually not the very best choice for use with a router table -- so it's a good idea to think ahead about how you are most likely to use a router. Handheld routers are useful for a variety of tasks -- for example: rounding the edges of wood, making grooves, trimming laminate or cutting mortises for hinges. Table-mounted wood routers are used for precise cuts (as for joinery) and production runs.

Although experts say to take horsepower and even current draw (amp) specifications with a grain of salt, router size is specified in horsepower and type. Trim routers are best for small jobs, with one horsepower or less. Mid-size routers of 1.75 to 2.25 horsepower (or 10 to 13 amps) are best for general use. Router combo kids are usually of this size. Heavy duty routers are meant for continuous use or making deep grooves in hard woods. These are usually 3-hp (15-amp) routers.

Plunge routers

Plunge routers, though a little top-heavy compared with fixed-base routers, are usually considered the safer type, because they keep the sharp cutting bit above the base when you're not actually routing. Plunge routers excel at any type of inside grooving or cutting, either freehand or following a template. It's easier to make several passes to deepen a groove with a plunge router, since you can change the depth with the motor turned on.

Since a plunge router can do the same tasks as a fixed-base router, some expert reviews advise buying a plunge router if you must choose only one, even though they're a bit more complicated to learn to use. Plunge routers have two spring-loaded columns that retract the cutting bit above the base, and then let you plunge the bit down straight into the wood. Most plunge routers now use a soft-start EVS motor to maximize your control. Quick depth adjustments are also important, since you can make them on the fly while the motor's running.

The 10-amp Craftsman 17517 (*est. $140) is the first plunge router to offer a digital display showing the depth setting. We found no comparison reviews that include this new router, but Popular Woodworking tests it in the November 2006 issue, finding that this feature works well only when the wood router is handheld rather than mounted in a router table. The Craftsman wood router also loses points for a dust chute that clogs right away. A Wood Magazine review rates it higher, finding no problem with dust collection, but noting some play that makes repeated cuts gradually lose accuracy. However, owners reviewing the Craftsman 17517 plunge router at Sears.com give it a near-perfect rating, praising the way the digital readout makes it easier to set the depth of cut.

The 10-amp DeWalt DW621 plunge router (*est. $220) , which collects dust through the column, is a favorite at Popular Woodworking and an Editors' Choice in an earlier review at American Woodworking. Owners reviewing it at Amazon.com give it mixed reviews, however, finding it nice for freehand use but inconvenient when mounted in a router table. As a budget choice, Popular Woodworking recommends the Firestorm FS1200RP plunge router (*est. $80), giving it a relatively high rating of 4 (out of a possible 5). The Firestorm wood router also collects dust through the column in a convenient way, but is bulkier and less accurate than the DeWalt router.

In past years, fixed-base rather than plunge routers have been recommended most for use in a router table. However, a plunge router is the top pick for router table use in the most recent Fine Woodworking review. Editors give both the Editors' Choice and Best Value awards to the new 2.25-hp (12-amp) Triton MOF001KC (*est. $200) . A survey of over 9,000 readers of Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding magazines also gives this Triton plunge router top ranking as the best router overall.

Owners reviewing the 2.25-hp Triton plunge router at Amazon.com also give it top marks for its superior dust control, low runout (for accurate cuts) and easy adjustments even when table-mounted. It's also a relative bargain, with templates, edge guide and circle-cutting guide included in the price. Triton wood routers carry a three-year warranty. Overall, the 2.25-hp Triton plunge router is a natural ConsumerSearch Fast Answers choice for general router use. However, router guru Pat Warner warns that mid-sized routers like this aren't powerful enough for more than brief table-mounted use.

If you want to work mainly in a router table, the larger 3.25-hp (15-amp) Triton TRC001 plunge router (*est. $330) has similar features to the Triton MOF001KC, with more power for heavy-duty continuous use or for deep cuts in hardwood. However, instead of coming with two collets (half-inch and quarter-inch), it comes with a half-inch collet plus a quarter-inch adapter. This seems like a minor difference, but a 2006 comparative review in Workbench magazine finds that it does cause some bit slippage -- a major drawback in a wood router.

In this bigger size range, reviews prefer the 15-amp Bosch 1619EVS (*est. $310) , although the Triton gets points for better dust control, easier bit-changing and a longer warranty. The Bosch 1619EVS has a big 3.75-inch base opening for excellent visibility and ease of use with large bits, while the Triton base opening is 3.125 inches, just above the minimum that reviews recommend. Like the Triton wood routers, Bosch routers have variable-speed and soft-start motors with electronic speed control, but the Bosch carries only a one-year warranty. Owners at Amazon.com praise both routers.

As a budget choice for a big "monster" router, reviewers like the Hitachi M12V2 (*est. $210) , which updates the Hitachi M12V by adding dust collection and self-releasing collets. It carries a five-year warranty and has a big 3.5-inch base opening. The Hitachi handles rotate to any of three positions, which for some people could make a significant difference in comfort and control.

This newer Hitachi plunge router hasn't been included in any comparative reviews, but the older Hitachi M12V didn't perform as well as the Bosch 1619EVS in tests at Wood Magazine. Owners reviewing routers at Amazon.com give the Bosch a slightly higher average rating than the Hitachi M12V2. Some Hitachi router owners report quality control problems, with parts arriving defective or broken, or breaking soon after the purchase. The height adjustment knob seems to be an especially vulnerable part.

Reviews recommend the Worx WT600K (*est. $200) plunge router as an alternate budget choice in this size range for router table use. Editors at Workbench Magazine give the Worx router their Top Value award, finding it not only affordable but compact and uncomplicated to use, though tests show "some slop in the plunge." The Worx router uses two ports for dust collection -- one in the base and one in an edge guide included in the kit. Either port connects with a shop vacuum, but Worx includes a dust bag too. Not surprisingly, an in-depth review of the Worx router at American Router magazine finds the dust collection efficient. The Worx WT600K carries a two-year warranty.

Expert reviews note that few people try to use a router of this size as a handheld router, but Wood Magazine editors recommend the DeWalt DW625 (*est. $240) for this purpose. The review notes that mounting the DeWalt wood router in a table makes adjusting the bit height tedious. However, this router gets high marks for smooth plunge action, and an older review at American Woodworker gives it the Editors' Choice award.

Judging by earlier reviews of Festool routers praising their dust control, precision and quality build, we'd have expected the 3.25-hp Festool OF 2000 E router (*est. $430) to do well in comparative tests. However, four different comparison reviews rank other routers a better buy. The Festool plunge routers are designed for handheld use, while the routers discussed above also work well mounted in a router table. Workbench Magazine finds the Festool router's controls and depth adjustment awkward, too. The Festool router doesn't come with a quarter-inch collet, and has only a single-stage depth adjustment, which slows the process.

Fixed-base routers

Expert reviews differ as to whether plunge routers or fixed-base routers are more convenient to use in a router table. As noted above, the most recent Fine Woodworking review recommends the 2.25-hp (12-amp) Triton plunge router (*est. $200) as the most convenient router for table-mounted use. For heavy-duty routing, reviews recommend the Bosch 1619EVS plunge router (*est. $310) .

Among big, fixed-base routers for continuous use or work in hardwoods, reviews recommend the 3.5-hp Milwaukee 5625-20 (*est. $275) , though it lacks dust control and vibrates more than the Bosch and Triton wood routers. The Milwaukee's maximum depth is smaller, too -- 1.75 inches compared with 2.56 inches for the Bosch 1619EVS and 2.31 inches for the Triton MOF001KC. Milwaukee routers carry a longer five-year warranty, though, and reviews say the Milwaukee 5625-20 makes table-mounted depth adjustments easier (though you have to support the router with one hand underneath the table). In the 2008 Taunton Tool Guide, the readers' survey ranks the Milwaukee 5625-20 router third, after a Triton and Bosch fixed-base router.

Like the Bosch and Triton routers, the Milwaukee 5625-20 router has a soft-start EVS motor and two-stage depth adjustment that can zero out for accuracy. It comes with two bases, one clear and another ready for Porter-Cable guide bushings. It comes with both D-handles and ball-shaped handles.

The Woodworker's Journal review also recommends the 3.5-hp Porter-Cable Speedmatic 7518 (*est. $340) . Owners praise this Porter-Cable wood router in reviews at Amazon.com. It gets top marks for low vibration in the Wood Magazine review, but loses points for lack of dust control. The controls are located better on the Milwaukee fixed-base router, which also has more power. The Porter-Cable warranty is for only one year.

For handheld use, reviews recommend the lighter 1.75-hp (11-amp) Milwaukee 5615-21 (*est. $155) , often called the Milwaukee Body Grip router. Though designed for one-handed use, the Milwaukee can also be gripped around the body with both hands. Popular Mechanics names this model its top choice -- editors say bit-height adjustment when mounted in a table is especially easy, and the motor pops out for bit changes. Shaft and collet nuts are heavy-duty and easy to use. The Journal of Light Construction likes the way the Milwaukee fastens to your hand with a Velcro-type strap, making one-handed routing safer and easier.

The motor, an older model (that some would call a classic) on the Milwaukee 5615-21 Body Grip is not soft-start. Getting that feature requires moving up to the 2.25-hp (13-amp) variable-speed Milwaukee 5616-21 (*est. $190) , which also has the body-grip design. Owners reviewing this "improved" Milwaukee router at Amazon.com give it mixed reviews, with some complaints about problems requiring repairs. One owner notes that the variable speed has an overload cutout that tends to shut down the router a lot, making the single-speed Milwaukee 5615-21 easier to use. It has a longer track record with a much lower percentage of complaints at Amazon.com.

Both professional and owner-written reviews also recommend the 2.25-hp (11-amp) Makita RF1101 (*est. $200) router, but with some reservations about accurate depth adjustments. Editors at Wood Magazine say the quiet-running Makita woodworking router has a conveniently located switch. However, dust collection is optional, base changes require a screwdriver and turning the router on/off requires releasing one handle -- undesirable when routing freehand. Editors at Popular Woodworking agree that the Makita is unusually quiet for a wood router, but like several other reviewers, they note that it's difficult to accurately adjust the depth. The Makita only comes with a one-year warranty, compared with five-years for Milwaukee routers.

Router combo kits

For mid-size routers with 1.75- to 2.25-hp motors, reviews often recommend router combo kits as the best buy. The motor can mount on either the fixed or the plunge base, usually with quick release levers for easy changes. Some woodworkers keep the fixed base mounted in a router table, using the plunger base for freehand work. Since you're only buying one motor, this option costs less than buying two separate routers, but there are some drawbacks. It takes extra time to switch bases, the bit size is usually limited to about 2 inches and the motors are usually 2.25-hp or less -- too small for heavy-duty jobs or continuous use.

Four 2.25-hp router combo kits, all with soft-start variable-speed motors, get the best reviews: The Bosch 1617EVSPK (*est. $220) plus the more expensive DeWalt DW618PK (*est. $240) , the Porter-Cable 895PK (*est. $270) and the new Milwaukee 5616-24 (*est. $250) . The most recent review we found of router combo kits is in the June 2007 issue of Popular Woodworking, where the 13-amp Milwaukee 5616-24 router kit gets top ranking. Woodworker Troy Sexton praises it as the smoothest running, with the least vibration. Controls are easy to reach whether the router is used handheld or table-mounted, and it's easy to change bits.

The Milwaukee 5616-24 router kit is not included in comparative reviews at Fine Woodworking or Taunton's Tool Guide issues, but a brief single product report at FineWoodworking.com praises it for low vibration and smooth plunge action. A review at Tools of the Trade Online also praises the plunge action, but notes that the depth adjustment can slip a little due to an undersized thumb screw. It can be tightened with pliers, but that could eventually strip the threads. The cord placement also requires extra care to avoid an accident.

In Taunton's 2007 Tool Guide, Bosch and Porter-Cable router kits share the Editors' Choice award. A few models are also included in the more recent Fine Woodworking review of wood routers for table-mounted use. The Bosch 1617EVSPK kit (*est. $220) includes the router ranked second by readers of Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding. (Readers' top choice is the Triton MOF001KC plunge router, but Triton doesn't make a router combo kit.)

Taunton Press editors recommend the Bosch 1617EVSPK router kit if you plan to use the router as a handheld, especially for plunge routing -- though the fixed base has excellent depth adjustment too. The Bosch 1617 router has less vibration and better plunge performance than the Porter-Cable woodworking router, as well as more comfortable handles. The Bosch's fixed base offers easier bit changing and depth adjustment too.

For table-mounted use, the Taunton Press review recommends the Porter-Cable 895PK wood router combo kit (*est. $270) , since a long T-wrench makes it easy to adjust the depth from above the table. It also has two switches: one easier to reach when the router is table-mounted, the other easy to reach when using it freehand. It's also easier to change bases on the Porter-Cable wood router than on any of the other five routers tested, and the depth stop system is better. Tests at Fine Woodworking also rate it the quietest router combo kit, though at 87 decibels you still need ear protection. Reviews at About.com give top rating to the similar Porter-Cable 893PK router kit (*est. $260) , which adds a spindle lock for one-wrench bit changes.

Workbench Magazine's review of router combo kits praises the smooth plunge action and tool-less base changing on the Bosch 1617EVSPK wood router, but notes that the plastic chip shield fills quickly, obscuring the view. Owners complain about this at Amazon.com, too, along with some repair problems, though the Bosch router kit gets slightly higher ratings there than the Porter-Cable 895PK. Owners complain even more about a variety of quality-control problems at Porter-Cable, and both it and Bosch get low marks for customer service and repair time. Both brands carry only a one-year warranty.

The DeWalt DW618PK (*est. $240) carries a three-year warranty and gets top ranking at Popular Woodworking based on editors' two-year "endurance tests" for durability. Router expert Pat Warmer also recommends it, and owners reviewing router combo kits at Amazon.com give the DeWalt DW618PK higher average ratings than either the Bosch or Porter-Cable router kits. Changing bases is easy, and Wood Magazine's review of router combo kits praises the bit adjustment and self-releasing collets. An optional D-handle base (*est. $80) is designed for one-handed routing. The kit comes with two clear Lexan bases, one that accepts Porter-Cable bushings and another with a larger opening for bigger bits. Since the DeWalt has a better track record for durability (based on the available reviews), we've included it in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers for a mid-sized router combo kit.

The 12-amp Ridgid R2930 (*est. $200) is tested in the Fine Woodworking review of wood routers for router tables, where tests show the bit has only slightly more runout than the top-ranked Triton MOF001KC plunge router (*est. $200) . The drawback is that bit changing is quite inconvenient when it's mounted in a router table. A single-product review in the Woodworker's Journal eZine praises the Ridgid wood router as "smooth, powerful and feature-rich," with minimal vibration and a quiet soft-start motor. Like all Ridgid power tools, it carries a lifetime warranty once registered.

In addition to dust control ports on both bases, the Ridgid R2930 router kit features LED lights to illuminate handheld routing, plus a lighted plug so you can tell when it's plugged in. Another single-product review in Workbench Magazine praises the Ridgid R2930 router kit for these extra features plus excellent cutting-depth adjustment, smooth plunge action and comfortable handles and controls. It gets a lower rating in a Wood Magazine review; dust collection is deemed excellent but plunge action is stiff, and changing the base is awkward.

As a budget choice, the 2.25-hp Skil 1825 (*est. $100) is recommended in more reviews than any other in its price range. This router kit has variable speed and a work-activated LED light, and you can zero in the depth adjustment. However, at this price you do lose a lot of features. The maximum depth is only 1.5 inches, an inch less than many others (such as the DeWalt router kit above). The Skil 1825 doesn't have a soft-start EVS motor or self-releasing collets, and adjusting the depth can be tedious. Instead of a separate quarter-inch collet, it just has an adapter. Reviews say that adapters like this often don't grip as well or last as long. Tests at Popular Woodworking show more collet runout than the ideal, so the bits wobble a little. Dust control requires buying accessories (*est. $45) which would bring the price close to that of a better router.

Ratings in the Taunton 2006 Tool Guide review show the Skil 1825 performs better with its fixed base -- it's only "fair" for plunge performance, changing bit depth in the plunge base and changing bases. On all other factors, though, the ratings are higher, and switch location and handle comfort are excellent. It comes with a two-year warranty, and though the average rating at Amazon.com isn't impressive, most of that is due to criticisms of customer support; owners agree that the Skil 1825 is a good deal for the money. Professional reviews recommend it if you only need a wood router for occasional use.

Trim routers (palm routers, laminate trimmers)

For light routing tasks using bits with quarter-inch shanks, and where light weight and maneuverability in tight spaces take priority, the 4-amp single-speed Porter-Cable 310 (*est. $160) had been the favorite for years. However, the newer 5.7-amp Bosch Colt PR20 Palm Router series has now swept the field. The trim routers in this series are the first to offer self-releasing collets and two-stage depth adjustment (fast coarse adjustment, plus fine adjustment). Reviews say they're comfortable for both right- and left-handed users, whereas the Porter-Cable 310 is not as good for lefties. The Porter-Cable also has a smaller hole in the sub-base, making it harder to see the work.

Top-ranked in more reviews than any other trim router, the Bosch Colt PR20EVSK (*est. $120) has variable speed with electronic speed control. In the Taunton 2006 Tool Guide, the Bosch Colt Palm Router is not only the top choice in the readers' survey, but both the Editor's Choice and the Top Value winner as well. Editors praise its comfort for both right- and left-handed users, low noise even at high speed and ease of adjustment and bit changing. At 3.3 pounds it even weighs slightly less than the Porter-Cable 310 (weighing in at 3.75 pounds).

The single-speed Bosch Colt PR10E (*est. $100) has all the same features except the variable speed and electronic speed control. Reviews note that a single high speed is usually all that's needed for a trim router. However, the difference in price is relatively small.

A larger kit is also available for the variable-speed Bosch Colt PR20EVSK. That kit, the Bosch PR20EVSNK (*est. $190) , includes an offset base and several other attachments. Reviews say most woodworkers will find the fixed base sufficient, but if you need the specialized bases this kit also gets high marks for performance.

Important Features: Wood routers

Reviews can compare woodworking routers based on important factors, but it's still important to see how a router feels in your own hands. If at all possible, test drive a router before buying it, or make sure the retailer offers a full refund on returns.

Being able to test or return a router is important because quality control seems to be a problem in general. Router expert Pat Spielman says that "…any two routers of the same brand and model may perform quite differently," and user-reviews certainly confirm this. Be sure to check all aspects of your router as soon as you buy it, using a top-quality bit. Don't wait until the last minute to buy a router you need for a project. Give yourself time to check it out and if necessary, keep exchanging routers till you get one that works as it should.

Expert reviews recommend considering the following features when selecting a wood router:

• Look for power that matches your usage. High-speed, low-torque routers make the smoothest cuts that need the least sanding, but they're not designed for heavy-duty or continuous use. Mid-sized 1.5- to 2.5-hp routers may be able to make deep cuts in hardwoods, but only by straining the motor and shortening the router's life. Larger routers of 3-hp and up are better suited for heavy jobs and production work. For most jobs, though, mid-sized routers have plenty of power, and for small jobs, a lightweight trimmer is apt to be easiest to use.

• Consider the accessories you'll need. Some routers make it very easy to buy or make a wide range of accessories (collets, bases, etc.) for different tasks, while owners complain about great difficulty finding any accessories for others.

• Be sure you can reach controls without letting go of the handles. A trigger switch in a D-handle is ideal, with a safety switch to prevent accidental turn-ons, plus a lock-on switch to prevent trigger-finger fatigue. For a router you'll also use table-mounted, a second switch mounted on the motor itself is ideal.

• Choose handles that give you good control. Most experts like D-handles mounted low, especially with optional auxiliary knobs, but the main thing is to find the handle style that feels most comfortable. It's also nice to be able to use a small or mid-sized router with one hand, but there will be times when you need to control the router with both hands. For use with some accessories, it's nice to have removable handles.

• For use in a router table, is it convenient to reach the switch, change bits and adjust the height? Some routers place controls more conveniently than others -- for example, allowing you to adjust height without reaching under the table. However, an auxiliary switch can be mounted on the router table to solve this problem.

• The cord should be flexible and kept out of your way. A cord that comes out the back of a D-handle is most convenient; second best is a cord that comes straight out the top of the motor. Check to be sure the rubber insulation doesn't leave dark marks on wood.

• A flat top on the housing makes it easier to set the router upside down for bit changes. Self-releasing collets (which grip the bit) and spindle locks also make it easier, so only one wrench is needed for bit changes (though some woodworkers prefer the two-wrench system).

• Two-stage depth adjustment makes fine adjustments easier. This means that a fast coarse adjustment is supplemented by a micro-adjustment. Look for an easy-to-read scale. The best routers have scales you can "zero out," setting the scale to zero when the bit's point touches the surface of the workpiece. Be sure you can also adjust the depth easily when the router is mounted in a table -- a long depth-control knob makes this easy.

• Soft-start EVS motors are safer and easier to use. These eliminate the wrist-wrenching jar when the router is first started, which experts say can twist a handheld router right out of your hands. Routers with soft-start motors use EVS (electronic variable speed) technology, with electronic feedback to keep the cutting speed constant even when the load varies.

• Variable speed allows you to run the router at a lower speed when using especially large bits. The speed dial has numbers to indicate the relative speed. It's ideal to be able to read the corresponding rpm from a chart right on the router; second best is a chart in the router's manual.

• Look for a large hole in the base to accommodate medium to large bits. Expert reviews prefer a 4-inch hole (except on trim routers), with 3 inches as the minimum. If this is the only problem with a router you like otherwise, several reviews recommend making your own base out of clear Lexan, with whatever size hole you need. For some projects, especially on the edge of a workpiece, a base with a large hole may not leave enough support.

• Be sure the base is machined precisely, lets you see the work well and has good mounting areas. LED lights are a plus. More important is a base that's truly flat, with the circular edge at the same distance from the bit at all points, so the bit is precisely centered. So many accessories mount to the router's base that it's important to have plenty of sturdy threaded holes.

• Look for high quality self-releasing collets made of tempered steel. Longer collets with more slits will grip the bit better and keep it centered even if its shank isn't precisely machined. (If the router vibrates excessively, this is often a sign of a worn or poor-quality collet or bit.)

• Two separate collets are better than one with an adapter. Most mid-sized and larger routers come with both a half-inch collet and a quarter-inch one, but a few just include an adapter for the quarter-inch bits. Expert reviews say this solution isn't as precise or secure. Some small routers only take quarter-inch collets.

• Guide bushings are essential accessories. These are metal sleeves that lock into the base of a router for cutting with a pattern or using various jigs. It's an advantage to choose a router that accepts industry-standard Porter-Cable bushings or at least offers an adapter that makes this possible. However, the Bosch system makes changing guides faster.

After you buy a router and check its build and performance, experts say these factors are important:

• Use high quality bits for safety and performance. Poor-quality bits can not only produce poor-quality work, but may bend, chip or break. Pat Spielman’s "The New Router Handbook" (see Best Research) has an excellent section on how to examine and test a bit; he also recommends buying anti-kickback bits. For bits that are available with either half-inch or quarter-inch shanks, half-inch bits are recommended because they vibrate less and produce less runout.

• Be sure to use hearing and eye protection. Even using top-quality bits, a chip could damage your eyes. Woodchips and sawdust can get in your eyes, too. Ear protection is also a must, since even the quietest routers are still noisy enough to damage hearing.

• Maintenance is important. This should be obvious, but some of the owner-written reviews that say a router worked well at first, then started sticking or slipping or stopped working, may possibly be due to a lack of maintenance. Various parts of the router need regular cleaning and/or lubrication. If this is neglected, you can't expect the router to keep performing well. Pat Spielman's "The New Router Handbook" has a fairly long list of router maintenance tasks.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
5	Hitachi M12V2 (*est. $210)	details
4	Triton MOF001KC (*est. $200)	details
4	Bosch 1619EVS (*est. $310)	details
4	Freud FT2000EPK (*est. $190)	details
3	Triton TRC001 (*est. $330)	details
2	Festool OF 2000 E (*est. $430)	-
2	Festool OF 1400 EBQ (*est. $400)	-
2	DeWalt DW625 (*est. $240)	details
1 each	Craftsman 17517, DeWalt DW621 , Festool OF 1000 E (now the Festool OF 1010 E), Firestorm FS1200RP Ryobi RE180PL, Worx WT600K
# of picks	Fixed-base Routers	Details from Amazon.com
6	Milwaukee 5625-20 (*est. $275)	details
5	Milwaukee 5615-21 Body Grip (*est. $155)	details
3	Porter-Cable Speedmatic 7518 (*est. $340)	details
3	Bosch Colt PR20EVSK trim router (*est. $120)	details
3	Porter-Cable 9690LR (*est. $160)	details
2	Makita RF1101 (*est. $200)	details
2	Bosch 1618EVS (*est. $175)	details
1 each	Bosch 1617 , Craftsman 17542, Makita RD1101 , Milwaukee 4625-20, Porter-Cable 690 , Ryobi R161K
# of picks	Combo Kit Routers	Details from Amazon.com
5	DeWalt DW618PK (*est. $240)	details
5	Bosch 1617EVSPK (*est. $220)	details
5	Skil 1825 (*est. $100)	details
4	Porter-Cable 895PK (*est. $270)	details
2	Ridgid R2930 (*est. $200)	-
2	Craftsman 26620 (*est. $200)	-
2	Porter-Cable 693LRPK (*est. $170)	details
2	Milwaukee 5616-24 (*est. $250)	details
1 each	DeWalt DW616PK

The Bosch 1619EVS is the top-ranked big plunge router, but recent reviews favor the smaller Triton MOF001KC if you don't need that much power, with the Hitachi M12V2 a budget choice. The two top-ranked Milwaukee fixed-base wood routers are also tops in reviews. Among combo kits, the DeWalt DW618PK is recommended in as many professional reviews as the Bosch 1617EVSPK, but has a longer warranty and fewer user complaints about breakdowns. The Bosch Colt PR20EVSK gets the nod among trim routers, also called palm routers or laminate trimmers.

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