Updated October 2026
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A wood router on this page is a compact/trim (palm) router or a full-size fixed/plunge combo for edge profiles, flush trim, dados, and template work. It is not a CNC spindle. Cut the workpiece first on a table saw or circular saw; hang trim with a finish nailer.
We do not hand-test these tools. We use manufacturer ratings, then check that the Amazon listing is a real US product page (or Home Depot for Milwaukee). Prices move, so this page does not print street prices; check current price and seller on Amazon before you buy.
Milwaukee is a Home Depot exclusive in the US. We do not send you to an Amazon third-party listing for that line. Same shop: Best Table Saws, Best Circular Saws, Best Finish Nailers.
Quick verdict
Best compact (corded): DeWalt DWP611 — 1-1/4 HP max, 7 A, 16,000–27,000 RPM, 1/4 in collet, dual LED. Check price on Amazon
Best compact + plunge: DeWalt DWP611PK — same motor, fixed + plunge, bag. Check price on Amazon
Best palm (Colt): Bosch PR20EVS — 1.0 HP, 5.6 A, 16,000–35,000 RPM. Check price on Amazon
Best Makita compact: Makita RT0701C — 1-1/4 HP, 6.5 A, 10,000–30,000 RPM, 3.9 lb. Check current price and seller on Amazon. Check price on Amazon
Best full-size combo: DeWalt DW618PK — 2-1/4 HP, 12 A, 8,000–24,000 RPM, 1/4 and 1/2 in collets. Check price on Amazon
Home Depot exclusive: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2723-20 — cordless compact, 10,000–31,000 RPM, 1/4 in collet. Tool only at Home Depot. Not an Amazon buy. Marketplace listings are third-party. We are not linking those.
Comparison
| Model | Best for | Power | Collet / bases | Notes | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DWP611 | Everyday compact | Corded 7 A, 1-1/4 HP max | 1/4 in, fixed | Dual LED; soft start | Check price on Amazon |
| DeWalt DWP611PK | Compact + plunge | Same motor | 1/4 in, fixed + plunge | Plunge base + bag | Check price on Amazon |
| Bosch PR20EVS Colt | Light palm / laminate | Corded 5.6 A, 1.0 HP | 1/4 in, fixed | Constant Response; soft start | Check price on Amazon |
| Makita RT0701C | Slim compact | Corded 6.5 A, 1-1/4 HP | 1/4 in, fixed | 3.9 lb; cam-lock base | Check price on Amazon |
| DeWalt DW618PK | Full-size + table | Corded 12 A, 2-1/4 HP | 1/4 + 1/2 in, fixed + plunge | Table-capable; soft start | Check price on Amazon |
| Milwaukee 2723-20 | Already M18 | M18 FUEL | 1/4 in, fixed | HD exclusive; tool only | Home Depot only |
Bosch 1617EVSPK (B00005RHPD) is a real 2-1/4 HP combo. We picked the DeWalt DW618PK for the full-size slot.
DeWalt DWP611 — best compact / trim
If you want one corded palm-class router for laminate, roundovers, and flush trim, this is the default. DeWalt: 1-1/4 HP max, 7 A, variable 16,000–27,000 RPM, soft start, electronic feedback, dual LEDs, clear sub-base, 1/4 in collet, about 4.1 lb. Amazon catalog ASIN B0048EFUV8. Check current price and seller on Amazon.
Who it’s for. Edge profiles, flush trim, small dados, and anyone who already has 1/4 in bits.
Who it’s not for. Need a plunge base in the box — DWP611PK. Need 1/2 in shank and a table — DW618PK. Already on M18 — Home Depot 2723-20.
Specs that matter. Model DWP611. Amazon B0048EFUV8. Skip B01M3PD3IR and B07NZXRMVK.
Caveats. HP and amp figures are DeWalt’s.
DeWalt DWP611PK — compact plus plunge
Same motor can as the DWP611, plus a plunge base and bag. DeWalt: 1.5 in travel on the standard base, 2 in on plunge, 1/64 in ring on the fixed base. Check current price and seller on Amazon. Amazon catalog B0049ZFUK2. B07KSQ8WKT is a second real listing of the same model — we are not using it as the money link.
Who it’s for. Mortises, stopped dados, and anyone who will actually use the plunge base.
Who it’s not for. Fixed-base-only budget — DWP611. Full 1/2 in table work — DW618PK.
Specs that matter. Model DWP611PK. Amazon B0049ZFUK2. Skip B01F9MNJ88 and B01F9MM0YC.
Caveats. Confirm kit contents (fixed + plunge + bag), not an accessory bundle.
Bosch PR20EVS Colt — best palm
Bosch: 1.0 HP max, 5.6 A, 16,000–35,000 RPM, Constant Response, soft start, aluminum fixed base, bits up to 1-5/16 in diameter (Bosch). Amazon B01M0J08MF. Check current price and seller on Amazon. Skip Renewed B07YGSPFSQ. Read our full Bosch PR20EVS review.
Who it’s for. Light laminate and edge work when you want a true Colt, not a 1-1/4 HP compact.
Who it’s not for. Heavy 1/2 in bits. Cordless — Milwaukee at HD.
Specs that matter. Model PR20EVS. Amazon B01M0J08MF.
Caveats. Confirm new, not Renewed. Speed-hold claims are Bosch’s.
Makita RT0701C — slim compact
Makita: 1-1/4 HP max, 6.5 A, 10,000–30,000 RPM, 3.9 lb, rack-and-pinion depth, cam-lock base swap, 1/4 in shank. Amazon B00E7D3V4S. Check current price and seller on Amazon.
Who it’s for. Already teal, or you want optional tilt/offset/plunge bases later.
Who it’s not for. Plunge in the carton — DWP611PK. Skip B0923DBZ4M (tilt-base bundle).
Specs that matter. Model RT0701C. Amazon B00E7D3V4S. Weight and RPM are Makita’s.
Caveats. Check current price and seller on Amazon.
DeWalt DW618PK — best full-size combo
This is the 2-1/4 HP class: table-capable motor, 1/2 in collet, fixed + plunge. DeWalt: 12 A, 8,000–24,000 RPM, soft start, 1/4 and 1/2 in collets. Amazon B00006JKXE. Check current price and seller on Amazon. Read our full DeWalt DW618PK review.
Who it’s for. Raised panels, larger bits, a router table after you cut parts on a table saw.
Who it’s not for. One-hand laminate trim — stay compact. Three-base DW618B3 (B0000CCXU3) is real; we are not making it the pick.
Specs that matter. Model DW618PK. Amazon B00006JKXE. Skip B07NYT2CMG, B07P49C4PD, B01MA3C5YY.
Caveats. Confirm the title is still DW618PK, not a bit-kit ASIN. HP is DeWalt maximum motor HP.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2723-20 — Home Depot exclusive, not an Amazon buy
Check the price at Home Depot for the tool-only compact. Internet #310179064.
Milwaukee: POWERSTATE brushless, 10,000–31,000 RPM, 1/4 in collet, max bit 1-1/2 in (operator manual), dual LED, micro/macro depth. Tool only — M18 pack sold separately. Plunge base 48-10-5601 and offset 48-10-5602 are extra SKUs. Milwaukee’s “power of a 1.25 HP corded trim router” and “250 ft of 3/8 in roundovers on XC5.0 in red oak” are manufacturer figures, not tests from us.
Who it’s for. Already on M18. Same packs as other jobsite tools. No cord over a finished cabinet.
Who it’s not for. Anyone we would send to Amazon. Marketplace listings are third-party. We are not linking those.
Caveats. Confirm the Home Depot price. Tool only. RPM and cut-length claims are Milwaukee’s.
How to pick a wood router
Compact vs full-size. Compact/trim (DWP611, Colt, Makita, Milwaukee) is 1/4 in shank, one-hand edges and laminate. Full-size (DW618PK) is 1/2 in shank and table work.
Fixed vs plunge. Fixed for edges. Plunge for mortises and stopped cuts. Buy the PK if you know you will plunge.
Cord vs M18. Corded is cheaper and never dies mid-pass. Milwaukee if the rest of the truck is red.
Same shop. Rip on a table saw or circular saw, profile with the router, hang casing with a finish nailer.
FAQ
Which wood router should I buy in 2026? The DWP611 if you want one compact. The DWP611PK if you want plunge in the box. The Colt if you want a lighter 1.0 HP palm. The RT0701C if you are already Makita. The DW618PK if you need 1/2 in and a table. Milwaukee 2723-20 at Home Depot if you already live in M18.
Do I need a 1/2 in collet? Only for larger bits and a router table. The compact picks are 1/4 in only.
Why no Amazon link for Milwaukee? Home Depot exclusive. We will not send you to a third-party Amazon listing.
Best Table Saws · Best Circular Saws · Best Finish Nailers
Prices and Amazon offers change. We don’t list live prices; check Amazon for the current price and seller. Manufacturer HP, amp, RPM, and runtime claims are the manufacturers’ published ratings, not tests we ran. Buy Home Depot exclusives at Home Depot, not from third-party Amazon sellers.