Our Top Picks
Premium Compact Router Reviewed in Detail
Best Overall
This compact router is ideal for workshops who need a versatile router from a trusted brand. The kit includes the compact router, a fixed base, a straight guide, and other accessories.
Pros
- It is very versatile.
- It is lightweight and powerful.
- It is highly ergonomic and convenient to use.
Cons
- It is a little pricey.
- Its other compatible bases and bits are sold separately.
Key Features
The Makita compact router comes with a corded 1.25 HP brushless motor that runs between 10,000-30,000 rpm, and a rack and pinion system for precise depth adjustments. It features an overall ergonomic design, an aluminum construction, and boasts of soft starts. Also included in the pack is a fixed base for the most accurate depths that locks in and is easily replaced via a cam lock system, and comes with a high visibility base so you can see your work. It also comes with a straight guide to ensure straight cuts and two wrenches for easy assembly.
Runner Up
This compact router kit comes as a basic kit and is best for simple tasks. It comes with the compact router, router bits, a straight and roller guide, and other accessories.
Pros
- It is very compact and handy.
- It is excellent as an entry-level router.
- It includes cutting bits and extra accessories.
Cons
- It does not come with any base.
- It may not be ideal for complex cuts.
Key Features
The AVID Power compact router features a 1.25 HP 10,000-32,000 rpm motor, features a fine depth adjustment system, and is armed with LEDs for the most visibility. Making cuts and trims is as easy as it gets and the straight guide and roller guide included in the pack ensure this. It also comes with five router bits for different applications, gloves, a carrying bag, a wrench, and a dust extraction nozzle that can be merged with a vacuum hose.
Honorable Mention
This compact router packs close to the power of corded routers into a sleek, eco-friendly, cordless unit. It comes as a stand-alone bare router and is ideal if you want a router that’s truly reliable.
Pros
- It is exceptionally reliable.
- Its range is not limited by cords.
- It boasts of long battery life.
Cons
- It doesn’t come with any accessories including the battery.
- It may not be as powerful as corded routers.
Key Features
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel compact router includes a powerful 18V 10,000-31,000 rpm motor, 6-level speed adjustment, and a 1.5’’ depth adjustment. It draws its power from the M18 Redlithium XC5.0 battery, can cut up to 250 feet of 3/8-inch round overs in red-oak, and delivers excellent battery life. The compact router also features LED lights for maximum visibility and is compatible with plunge and offset bases.
Contender
This compact router is the best choice for the woodworker on a budget. It comes as a basic yet versatile kit that can be used right out of the box.
Pros
- This compact router is very versatile.
- This is the best compact router for the woodworker on a budget.
- It is easily integrated with cleaning systems.
Cons
- It doesn’t come with bases.
- Its brushed motor is quite noisy.
Key Features
The Dobetter trim compact router itself packs 1.2 HP of power, comes with a fine adjustment system, and runs at speeds between 10,000-32,000 rpm controlled by a 6-step switch. Included in the kit are one straight cut guide and trim roller guide, replacement carbon brushes for the motor, and a dust collector for easy cleaning. The kit also comes with 12 router bits for different cut profiles and is versatile to both home and industrial use.
Also Consider
This compact router kit comes as a complete set versatile to different applications. All the included accessories avail the full functionality of the compact router.
Pros
- It is exceptionally versatile.
- It is great for detailed work.
- It is budget-friendly as a kit.
Cons
- It doesn’t come with cutting bits.
- The whole kit is a little heavy.
Key Features
The Goplus compact router kit runs on a corded 1.25 HP motor with an adjustable 10,000-32,000 rpm speed. It comes with four bases – a fixed base, a plunge base, a tilt base, and an offset base, that grant it exceptional versatility to tackle a host of materials. It also comes with guides, wrenches, a pulley, carrying bag, among other accessories.
Best Compact Routers Buying Guide
The compact router is easily one of the most versatile tools used by woodworkers. Its cutting profile in which the cutting bit rotates in a plane parallel to the material surface, similar to milling machines, allows the cordless router to create detailed profiles and make cuts in ways and at angles other cutting machines can’t.
Earlier on in this guide, we gave you a list of five compact routers that stood out to us with exceptional features and performance. But you may still be in a fix as to which exactly to choose for your DIY needs. Fret not. We’re still here to help.
In the rest of this buying guide, we will take a look at some of the deciding factors we considered and which you should too so that you can zero in on the best cordless router for your needs. We will also take a look at some must-haves for compact routers before you make a purchase.
What Are the Different Types of Compact Routers?
Fixed base vs. plunge base routers
In your search for a compact router, you will quickly find that compact routers are generally classified as fixed base and plunge base routers. In a way, this convention is wrong. Compact routers are used with bases or housing platforms that may be fixed or plunge, so the base design makes the type of compact router.
A fixed base cordless router comes with a base that holds the router at a fixed position once set and is excellent for very accurate and replicative work.
A plunge base compact router comes with a base that can plunge the router into the material, usually within set ranges, even while it’s cutting. However, most compact routers on the market today come with both types of bases for versatility.
Other types of bases used with cordless routers include tilt bases and offset bases.
Corded vs. cordless compact routers
Eco-emphasized innovation has caught up with compact routers. Today, compact routers come as either corded units that connect to a mains supply or cordless units that run on a rechargeable battery.
Corded compact routers boast the most power and run consistently at a constant output.
Cordless compact routers offer the advantage of dependability when there is no electricity supply and are typically more compact. Cordless compact routers also usually come with interchangeable batteries with other machines from the same brand.
However, cordless compact routers still run on battery and will need to be recharged.
What Factors Should I Consider When Buying a Compact Router?
Power rating
Perhaps the first factor you should consider is the power rating on the cordless router you want to buy. The power rating will usually be specified in Horsepower (HP) or Watts and is a representation of the power capacity on the main motor. The motor provides all the cutting power by spinning the bit at high speed to eat at the work material. The more powerful the compact router, the easier it will cut the material and the quicker it would too.
However, a motor that is overly powerful will usually come as a unit that is too bulky and defeat the point of being ‘compact’. For most compact routers, a power rating between 1.0-1.25 HP is good enough.
Weight
Compact routers are handheld and as such need to be as lightweight as possible. The ideal compact router should combine low weight with high power for the most maneuverability. A cordless router that is too heavy, will be difficult to move and will quickly cause fatigue. A good weight range for a compact router will be between 3-7 lbs.
Ergonomics
Convenience is a watchword when considering compact routers. Any cordless router you should come with features that make for the most comfort when working. It should feature large anatomical handles for a solid hold and non-slip coatings made from materials like rubber, PU, or foam for a good grip and won’t slip as the router vibrates. The compact router should also be designed in a way that the power cable doesn’t interfere with your work.
Included accessories
The versatility of a particular compact router is directly determined by the number of accessories it can be used with and more importantly, those included in the pack. The ideal cordless router should come with different types of bases to enable different cut profiles, guides for accuracy wrenches for quick assembly, and if possible, a bag for carrying convenience.
Another area where some compact routers stand out from others is in the inclusion of cutting bits. If the cordless router you are buying doesn’t specify any of these included you will be spending extra to bring your machine to life.
Noise
For a compact router used at home, noise levels should play an important determinant in your final decision. You want a compact router as quietly as possible. The noise levels of a compact router is mostly determined by whether it comes with a brushed or brushless motor. Brushless motors don’t have any electric contact between the stator and rotor, making them the ideal quiet units. The noise rating on any machine will typically be specified in decibels (dB).
How Much Do Compact Routers Cost?
There is a compact router for most budgets. However, you should expect to spend between $50-200 for low-end compact routers to higher-end models that will still require extra accessories respectively. No matter your budget, the best compact router for your needs is out there.
How To Use a Router
If you don’t know how to use a router, you may want to familiarize yourself with the process before you buy one. This video from Training Hands Academy will show you how:
People Also Asked
Should I have multiple routers in my workshop?
Having different routers in your workshop is a great idea if you are willing to spend. For examples, you could have a full-sized router for cutting thick and large wood pieces while another compact router will come in handy for basic light-duty or detail cuts.
What extra accessories should a compact router come with?
A compact router should come with or be compatible with different base designs. It should also come with wrenches, guides, and LEDs for maximum visibility. Another extra accessory that is very helpful is a vacuum attachment adapter. This suction tube attaches and provides a path for a vacuum cleaner to suck out the fine dust while the compact router is working.
