10 Best Trim Router 2021: Reviews, Buyer’s Guide
10 Best Trim Router Review 2021
Whether you’re into carpentry or you just love working on one or another wood project, you should know that a trim router can make your job super-easy and classy.
With the help of the best trim router that you can find for you project, you can trim laminate, remove uneven patterns of wood and even cut out a patch with clean and neat results.
Considering multipurpose uses of routers, it is not far from the truth that this tool is something that everyone should have in their toolkit or workshop. People who love working on woodworking projects: either for money or as a hobby, can definitely make use of this high-quality wood cutting machine.
In this guide and detailed compact router review, you will get to know about top ten routers and what to look for when buying it. So, without further ado, here is the review.
Quick Picks
Before we take each and every router separately and dissect each of them to find out its merits or demerits, for those of you who want to cut it to chase and quickly find out the 10 best trim routers, here is an outlook of the best of them.
This is a category-wise break down to help you pick the best based on popularity, your budget or other concerns.
Bestseller – Bosch PR20EVS
If something is a bestseller with amazing reviews, Amazon’s Choice tag and the biggest number of reviews for a product within that category, it is common sense to buy that product. So this is why I picked the first best router from Bosch.
Best Value – Makita RT0701C
Makita RT0701C is the smallest and cheap wood router that is picked based on a combination of all qualities that someone expects from a top of the line machine. Neither this or nor Bosch’s bestseller can be declared better than others, but they have an edge because of their balanced qualities.
Best Package – Avid Power
Isn’t this very tempting for people to buy something when it comes with the full shebang? You’d always prefer a product that comes with all the accessories to a product that will depend on aftermarket accessories. This router is the whole deal with all accessories ever needed for the router.
Best Budget – Cozyel
Let us admit it, you cannot buy world’s best router in case it costs more than what you can afford. This is why I added Cozyl’s trim router to this list, because it costs way less than top of the liner – and still does the job.
Best Fixed Base – DeWalt DWP611
What is a fixed-base? A fixed base is a router with a big base and some people prefer it because it can reach every nook and corner of your wooden project. You have the preset depth and an easy functionality to play with.
Best Rated Trim Router
1. Bosch PR20EVS – Best Rated Router
As you must have noticed, this is the bestseller that I picked for this compact router review. What makes this Bosch small router better than other is the trust that buyers put in Bosch. As the Bosch is the name of trust and there are certain amazing qualities that brought this big number of sales for this machine.
Stand-out Features Include
- 16,000 – 35,000 RPM Motor – The kind of work that you do with this tool does not only require precision, but it also requires power. This is why this router comes with a 1.0 horsepower and 5.6amp speed motor that delivers work at a maximum of 16,000 to 35,000 RPM. As a rule of thumb, if it’s motor is anywhere between 10,000 to 30,000 RPM, it is considered powerful enough to do a hard core job.
- Straight Edge Guide – This Bosch small router comes with a straight edge guide. What is a straight edge guide? It keeps the router from running amok on your wooden project and keep it straight. This is why you trim with accuracy at a distance of 3 to 5/8 inches from the edge.
- Angled Cord Exit – What I specifically love about this, is the attention to details. What do I mean by attention to details? Take their angled cord exit feature that keeps the cord out of the why while you use it.
- Rugged Aluminum Body – This is a heavy machine with rugged aluminum body which adds to the durability, strength and trim quality of the router.
- Precise Depth Adjustment – Since it is a fixed base router, it is very important for it to have a precise and fast, preset depth adjustment system.
Best Value Palm Router
2. Makita RT0701C – Best Value Palm Router 2021
Makita’s RT0701C is what I consider the best overall because of the combination of much needed features and qualities that this electric gadget offers. It is also a fixed based palm router with powerful motor and many features that reflect attention to details. And it is the best palm router of 2021.
Stand-out Features Include
- Plunge Based Router – There are two types of routers – the plunge base ones do not have a preset depth and you can easily adjust that when you lower the bit. However, the fixed base ones have a preset depth. Plunge ones have better power management and they offer better control.
- 10,000 to 30,000 RPM – As you can see, this apparatus seems to have hit the sweet spot when it comes to power. Its powerful battery creates masterpieces at an RPM range starting from 10,000 and ending on 30,000 RPM.
- Rack and Pinion Depth Adjustment System – Since it is a plunge based router you can easily adjust the bit’s depth before you start using it. The rack and pinion adjustments system helps you with that. With few parts, light weight and simple functionality, this system offers precise and quick depth adjustment.
- Slim and Ergonomically Designed Body – Unlike bestseller model, this one is not a heavy, fat and unergonomic router. The slim and ergonomic profile of this router makes it super easy for the user to control it the way they want.
- Quick Release System – To have this router have a strong grip on the wood, install it and then remove it easily, they introduced a quick release cam lock system. This cylindrical system provides secure locking and unlocking.
- Electronic Speed Control – While working on a wood project, delicacy is everything and you want to be in total control of how the project moves further. To allow you to have better control, this machine lets you choose from speed settings.
- Soft & Smooth Start – With one single push on the power button, this machine starts softly and smoothly.
Fixed-Base Trim Router
3. DeWalt DWP611 – Variable Speed Fixed-Base Trim Router
In case you love the ease of preset depths and you’re new into woodworking, you should get a fixed base router. With their present depths, these routers take away the worry of manually controlling the depth. Another plus is that they are the best type of palm routers for shaping the edges. A DeWalt router table can be recognized from a distance.
Stand-out Features Include
- 10,000 to 30,000 RPM Speed – This fixed base router from Avid Power comes with a powerful 6.5amp motor that works awesomely at a maximum of 1.25 horsepower. You can use it for all routing and laminate trimming gigs that require this much power. The RPM that you can have varies from 10,000 minimum to 30,000 maximum.
- Variable Speed Control – Why do they make sure that these routers can deliver work at such a huge variable RPM range? It is because you do not need the similar amount of power or same type of bits for two different jobs. This is where variable speed trim router comes into play. You can choose the speed you want for a particular material.
- Rack and Pinion Depth Adjustment System – As you might have noticed in case of the above palm router reviews, this one also has a rack and pinion depth adjustment system. This model (rack and pinion) is used in many other tools, equipment and even in cars because of its simplicity and ease of use.
- Dual LED Lights – Just like in case of DeWalt compact router, this one also has dual LED lights to illuminate your work area and make it easy for you to work out the delicate details.
- Ergonomic Design – This machine is smaller than most of the routers on this list. It has a compact and sleek profile with an ergonomic design. It reflects attention to the details. For example, it has a rubber covered handle for strong and comfortable grip. You can easily manage it with one hand.
- Quick Locking System – With Avid Power MW104’s quick locking system, it is very convenient and quick to go through base change or depth adjustments.
- Aluminum Body – The Body of this device is also made of industry-grade aluminum. It can definitely withstand rough use and countless rounds of trimming.
- Dust Hood – Since a router accumulates a lot of dust – mostly wooden dust, they added a dust hood to this trim router. It makes easy to remove the dust and keep the workspace clean.
Speed Base Trim Router
4. Avid Power MW104 – Best Power & Speed Base Trim Router
In case you want to own a router in your workshop, but you do not like big and heavy that most of the companies make, Avid Power’s MW104 will surprise you. It is the best compact router of 2021.
Stand-out Features Include
- 10,000 to 30,000 RPM Speed – This fixed base router from Avid Power comes with a powerful 6.5amp motor that works awesomely at a maximum of 1.25 horsepower. You can use it for all routing and laminate trimming gigs that require this much power. The RPM that you can have varies from 10,000 minimum to 30,000 maximum.
- Variable Speed Control – Why do they make sure that these routers can deliver work at such a huge variable RPM range? It is because you do not need the similar amount of power or same type of bits for two different jobs. This is where variable speed trim router comes into play. You can choose the speed you want for a particular material.
- Rack and Pinion Depth Adjustment System – As you might have noticed in case of the above palm router reviews, this one also has a rack and pinion depth adjustment system. This model (rack and pinion) is used in many other tools, equipment and even in cars because of its simplicity and ease of use.
- Dual LED Lights – Just like in case of DeWalt compact router, this one also has dual LED lights to illuminate your work area and make it easy for you to work out the delicate details.
- Ergonomic Design – This machine is smaller than most of the routers on this list. It has a compact and sleek profile with an ergonomic design. It reflects attention to the details. For example, it has a rubber covered handle for strong and comfortable grip. You can easily manage it with one hand.
- Quick Locking System – With Avid Power MW104’s quick locking system, it is very convenient and quick to go through base change or depth adjustments.
- Aluminum Body – The Body of this device is also made of industry-grade aluminum. It can definitely withstand rough use and countless rounds of trimming.
- Dust Hood – Since a router accumulates a lot of dust – mostly wooden dust, they added a dust hood to this trim router. It makes easy to remove the dust and keep the work-space clean.
Single Speed Trimmer
5. Porter Cable PCE6430 – Single Speed Trimmer
When your wood project requires you to be tough, handle a more powerful machine and deal with materials that require a strong, sturdy and super-potent trim machine, you go for Porter Cable’s PCE6430. This best rated laminate router creates more than enough power for any type of project that you have and the cast-aluminum fixed base stays sturdy.
Stand-out Features Include
- 10,000 to 31,000 RPM – With a 4.5amp motor and maximum RPM of 31,000 you can use this machine for any type of wood project that you have. However, I doubt that with a mere 4.5amp machine you can reach this trim router’s maximum RPM threshold.
- Precision Machined – This is a precision machined router. Now what does this mean? Well, as the name suggests, a precision machined trim router is a piece of close tolerance machining that trims wood with great precision and as per accurate specifications.
- Extra Large Locking Clips – It has extra-large locking clips that make it easy and convenient to quickly release the motor or adjust the depth.
- Quick and Accurate Bit Height Adjustments – A big concern for a carpenter in the midst of a wooden project is to quickly and accurately adjust the height of the bits. It is crucial, because not only bits change from time to time, but their height adjustment is also subject to certain needs. The depth ring of this machine makes it convenient to adjust bits’ height.
- Single-Wrench Bit Changes – Now this is what I was talking about. All bits are not made to do the same job. From time to time a carpenter needs to change the bits to deliver a particular type of job. With the spindle lock button you wrench the bit and change it easily.
- Perfect for Multipurpose Projects – Because of its usability and the RPMs that it can hit, this machine is ideal for all sorts of trimming, hinge routing and small edge forming jobs.
- Ergonomic Single-Handed Control – The ergonomic design of this device makes it easier to control it single-handedly and trim the laminate.
- LED Light and Clear Base – This router too has a transparent base and an LED light functionality that enables the user to work easily.
Best Cordless Battery Powered Wood Router
6. Ryobi P601 – Best Cordless Battery Powered Wood Router
Ryobi trim routers are best known for best cordless routers and Ryobi’s P601 looks like a miniature spacecraft, but this fixed base trim router is one of the best on Amazon. It is one of the few that I’ve noticed so far with such a great and easy depth adjustment mechanism. While’s top is massive, the ergonomic design and rubberized grip makes it easy to have a hold on it.
And top of that, it is battery powered wood router which gives you more flexibility and convenience in woodworking projects.
Stand-out Features Include
- 29,000 RPM – This machine is a powerful routing tool that delivers great quality trim routing at a maximum power of 29,000 RPM. This an 18V router that is perfect for all sorts of trimming, hinge routing and edge forming jobs.
- LED Lights – Just like all other high-quality trim apparatus on this list, this one also has LED lights to illuminate your workspace. It could be better to have a transparent base to have a better lighted workspace, but these lights still do the job.
- Rubber Coated Grip – This machine has a rubber overmold, Ryobi’s proprietary Gripzone rubberized grip that leaves no space for this router to slip out of your hands.
- Depth Adjustment Knob – This is a micro-adjustment trim router which means that because of the depth adjustment knob on this router, you can easily and precisely control the depth of the cuts that you make.
- Aluminum Body and Base – Entire router is made of industry-grade aluminum and the base is also made of the same material. Due to aluminum base you enjoy better control on gravity while using the router.
- Works with Ryobi 18V Lithium Ion Batteries – This apparatus is compatible with all Ryobi 18V lithium Ion batteries. Models of the batteries that you can use this with router are P100, P102, P103, P104, P105, P107 and P108.
- 600 Linear Feet/Charge – With batteries fully charged, in one go you can perform 600 linear feet cuts with amazing precision and accuracy.
One Hand Router
7. CtopoGo – One Hand Router
CtopoGo’s compact router is not the top one on Amazon – it is more like an entry-level machine (when you look at number of reviews etc.), but in terms of features and the trim routing options that it provides, this router can be matched with any top of the line router on this list.
Stand-out Features Include
- 30,000 RPM – As I said, this might be a new trim router when compared with those that have an established footing, it is not under powered or substandard. Take the RPM for example; this trim router can make 30,000 turns in a minute. This provides ample speed for any project.
- Trimming Guide – You can use this device in two different ways. One of them is to use it with a trimming guide. The trimming guide, as the name suggests, is an apparatus that keeps the compact router running along the curve so it can cut with accuracy.
- Straight Guide – The other accessory that allows a different type of function is the straight guide. As we have discovered already, a straight guide is used to keep the trim router straight and stable while one works on a piece of wood.
- Accessories Included – Just like Makita’s best package deal trim router, this one also comes with almost all needed accessories. It is good because you won’t likely have to buy anything aftermarket. Included accessories are wrenches, chucks, trimming guide, straight guide, adapter and sub-base plate etc.
- Dust Cover – Sawdust is one of the biggest problems that a craftsman faces while trimming wood. This palm router takes care of that with a transparent cover that contains the sawdust.
- Transparent Base – To make it easy for the user to see the wood and have a clear view of the workspace, they gave this router a transparent base. I personally believe that adding an LED light or two could be even better.
- Multipurpose – This is by all means a multipurpose router that one can use in many different types of word projects such as wood processing, cabinet processing, handicrafts, wood veneer, plastic sheeting and with many other materials that need cutting and trimming etc.
Best Laminate Trimmer Router
8. Ridgid R2401 – Best Laminate Trimmer Router
As you can see, now I’m moving from Amazon’s most favorite and top-selling trim routers to those that do not have a big number of sales/reviews, but they compete big brands with their superb quality and features. This is the first laminate trim router on my list that provides options in terms of bases.
Stand-out Features Include
- 20,000 – 30,000 RPM – As you can see, this a very powerful 1-1/2 horsepower palm router that provides an amazing RPM of 20,000 minimum to 30,000 maximum. With greater speed you can trim wood in less time. It is better than Ridgid cordless laminate trimmer.
- Square and Round Bases – To add versatility to the way you use your trim router and make it more convenient for you, this trim router does not only come with a round base, but a square one too.
- LED Light – This trim router also has LED light. Illuminate your workspace before you make a wrong cut or curve.
- Micro Adjust Dial – This small router allows you to adjust the depth of the trim router bits in a very easy way. The easy access micro-adjust dial can be used to precisely adjust the depth.
- Overmold Grip – Just like Ryobi’s trim router, this one also has a rubberized overmold grip. The overmold grip – as the name suggests – cover the top material with the material used in the grip. In this case it is rubber. Rubberized grip boosts better control on the router.
- Spindle Lock – For easy, quick and convenient bit changes, this router has a spindle lock. As you might have noticed on a similar machine or a drill machine, the spindle lock locks the bit and secures it until a change is required.
- Flat Top for Easier Bit Changes – What I loved about this router is the manufacturers’ attention to details. For example, the intentionally made it a flat top so the user can place it upside down and easily change the bit. This is not this easy in case of other trim routers.
- No Mar Top – Since the top is deigned to be placed on the surface to change the bits, they covered it with rubber so the metal would not mar the fine texture of wood underneath it.
- Soft Start – This small router presents a soft and quick start operation. Just press the button and see how motor starts up gradually.
- Quick Release Lever – There is a quick release lever, just like you notice in case of other such routers, that you can use to easily remove motor from the base.
- Variable Speed – As we know, variable speed settings are important when you transit from slow to fast or fast to slow trimming based on the nature of the material.
Best Cheap Trim Router
9. Cozyel – Best Cheap Trim Router
In case you still remember, Cozyel is the best budget trim router on my list. At the moment it costs less than $40. And although the price is roughly half the price of a high-quality, top of the line, trim router, its performance is still satisfactory. It has all the bells and whistles that you expect from your trim router.
Stand-out Features Include
- 800 Watts Powerful Router – The motor in this powerful router takes 800 Watts of power. When you consider that a trim router’s wattage can be anywhere from 400 to 3000 watts, you see that this trim router is definitely not underpowered.
- Dressing Guide – This trim router comes with two guides. One of them is the dressing guide. Dressing guide is what you use while working on the curve and you use it to ensure that cutting is precise and accurate.
- Straight Guide – The other accessory is straight guide. Straight guide, as we know by now, is used while working on a big or thick piece of wood. It helps keeping the small router straight and stable.
- External Carbon Brush – The carbon brush on this machine is an external carbon brush. Since it is a universal brush it can be replaced easily – anytime and anywhere.
- Quick Release Lever – Just like in case of all other trim routers, this one also has a quick release level to remove motor from the base.
- Multipurpose – This is a multipurpose trim router. It means it can be used in tasks other than laminate trimming. You can use it for wooden processing, cabinet project, handicrafts and other such projects.
Plunge Base Router
10. Grizzly Industrial T27139 – Plunge Base
In case you were wondering whether all of tools on this list are fixed base ones or there is any plunge base router, do know that Grizzly Industrial’s T27139 is one of the best plunge base routers that you can find on Amazon.
Stand-out Features Include
- 10,000 – 30,000 RPM – This plunge base router comes with a 1 horsepower and 6.5amp motor. This motor completes 10,000 to 30,000 turns in a minute. This means that you get to do wood trimming at an incredible speed.
- 3 Step Turret Plunge Adjustability – With a 3-step turret you can easily adjust the depth of plunge. The turret, as the name suggests, is the part of router on top of the bit. 3-step process allows you 3 adjustments to play with.
- Micro-Adjustable Guide Bearing – The micro-adjustable guide bearing of this machine can guide the machine in a better way and provide more precise and micro adjustments.
- Fence – One of the accessories that you get with this router is a fence. A fence can be used in a few different ways, but its job is to make trimming flawless. It can be found at the bottom of the router and it improves the trim router’s functionality.
- Collet Wrench – Last, but not the least, there is another accessory worth mentioning here. A collet wrench is included in the package. Collet is the nut that is needed to replace one bit with another and the collet wrench is what you use to loosen or tighten the collet.
Buyer’s Guide
So …
We’re done reading the detailed reviews of the best trim routers of 2021.
However, there are people who always want to know what to look for when buying trim routers.
Here is the guide that will help you if trim router reviews for fine woodworking won’t suffice.
Make sure to read the answers to the FAQs as well.
Power
A trim router is nothing, but a machine. If it is underpowered, you would be helpless trying to use that trim router on a thick piece of wood or a material that is very tough and resilient.
Power is defined by watts. Always pick a trim router that is anywhere between 600 watts to 3000 watts.
Speed
Remember:
You do not only want enough power to cut a piece of wood or trim it, you also want to do this at maximum possible speed because this is a professional-use machinery.
What defines speed?
Well, RPM (Revolutions per minute) is actually how many rotations or turns a machine can make in a minute.
Make sure to buy a trim router with a ballpark RPM range of roughly 10,000 to 30,000. I recommend this because this is the ideal limit noticed in best performing corded and cordless laminate trimmer.
Type
What type of trim router are you interested in?
Is it fixed base or plunge base?
How experienced you are with fine trimming of wood?
All these questions matter a lot. Fixed base router is one where depth is pre-set and user does not need to be an expert. Get this if you’re new into this.
Get plunge base if you want to control the depth while trimming.
FAQS
Avid Power MW104 is the best small router. It is compact and easy to hold with one hand.
The most usual Trim router uses are fine trimming of wood, hinge mortises, edge rounding, cutting and similar activities.
A trim router is a low horsepower tool mostly used for trimming, while a plunge router is a big horsepower tool for bigger purposes than just trimming.
Yes, they are good because they are easy to handle, lightweight and mostly compact in size. Makita cordless router kit is an example.
DeWalt router 20 (DWP611) is one of the best routers for sign making.
Trim routers can be best used for trimming the laminate. They can bring edging into alignment.
Ryobi cordless router is the best trim router – at least one of the best. Second best in my opinion is Bosch cordless router.
All these routers are more or less the same. It is just that trim router is small, single-handed and compact version of regular routers.