Austin Gallery
Sign In
t@austingallery.org

Austin, Texas

WoodworkingJune 28, 2026Updated June 28, 202616 min read

The Best Wood Routers of 2026

The most versatile tool in the shop — compact, combo, cordless, and table routers from a $114 palm grip to a $400 table beast, plus the tables and bits that complete the picture.

By Justin Park · How we research

Tested in This Guide · Our Top Picks

Bosch Bosch 1617EVSPK (Plunge + Fixed)

Bosch

Bosch 1617EVSPK (Plunge + Fixed)

$239.00 →

Makita Makita RT0701C Compact Router

Makita

Makita RT0701C Compact Router

$159.00 →

Bosch Bosch PR20EVS Colt Palm Router

Bosch

Bosch PR20EVS Colt Palm Router

$113.54 →

Triton Triton TRA001 3¼ HP Router

Triton

Triton TRA001 3¼ HP Router

$399.99 →

Quick Picks

Bosch 1617EVSPK (Plunge + Fixed)

Our Pick

Bosch Bosch 1617EVSPK (Plunge + Fixed)

Best Overall · $239.00

Triton TRA001 3¼ HP Router

Triton TRA001 3¼ HP Router

$399.99

Milwaukee M18 Cordless Compact Router

Milwaukee M18 Cordless Compact Router

$165.00

DEWALT DW618PK (Plunge + Fixed)

DEWALT DW618PK (Plunge + Fixed)

$263.62

The router might be the most versatile tool in the shop. It rounds over and profiles edges, cuts dados and grooves, mortises hinges, trims veneer and laminate flush, makes joinery, and — mounted in a table — does the work of a small shaper. Master a router and a whole world of furniture-grade detail opens up. The catch: "router" covers everything from a $114 palm grip to a $400 table beast, and the right one depends entirely on what you'll do.

This guide covers the best routers across every type — compact/trim, full-size combo, cordless, and the router tables and bits that complete the picture — from a $114 Bosch Colt to a $400 Triton. We explain fixed vs. plunge vs. combo, compact vs. full-size, and when a router table is worth it. Every pick is verified and linked to Amazon, sorted so you buy exactly the router your work needs.

In a Hurry?

The 4 picks that cover most readers. Tap to read the full review or buy direct.

Our Pick

Bosch 1617EVSPK

Bosch 1617EVSPK

$239.00

Both bases, table-capable — does everything.

Check Amazon →Read review

Best Compact

Makita RT0701C

Makita RT0701C

$159.00

The cult-favorite trim router.

Check Amazon →Read review

Best Table

Kreg PRS2100 Router Table

Kreg PRS2100 Router Table

$298.90

Flat, rigid, precise — a real routing station.

Check Amazon →Read review

Best Bits

Whiteside 404 Bit Set

Whiteside 404 Bit Set

$103.61

USA-made carbide that cuts clean and lasts.

Check Amazon →Read review
Best OverallOur Pick
Bosch 1617EVSPK (Plunge + Fixed) by Bosch

Bosch 1617EVSPK (Plunge + Fixed)

Bosch$239.00
4.8(9,000)
Shop on Amazon

Available at Amazon

Power

2.25 HP

Bases

Plunge + fixed

Speed

Variable

Best for

One router that does it all

Pros

  • Comes with both plunge and fixed bases — handheld or table
  • Smooth 2.25 HP with soft start
  • The accuracy and reliability woodworkers trust
  • Mounts in a router table beautifully

Cons

  • Heavier than a compact
  • Two-handed tool
Ask woodworkers for one router and the Bosch 1617EVSPK comes up first. The plunge-and-fixed-base kit covers everything — edge profiles, dados, mortises, freehand work, and table-mounted routing — with 2.25 HP of smooth, controllable power. It's powerful enough to drive big bits in a table yet precise enough for delicate edge work. The default first router for a reason.

Our Pick

The do-everything router — one kit that handles handheld work and a router table for years.

Check Price on Amazon →$239.00 · Bosch
Best Compact RouterCult Favorite
Makita RT0701C Compact Router by Makita

Makita RT0701C Compact Router

Makita$159.00
4.8(12,000)
Shop on Amazon

Available at Amazon

Power

1.25 HP

Type

Compact fixed

Control

Variable speed

Best for

Edge work, daily use

Pros

  • Famously smooth and precise
  • Light, one-handed, easy to control
  • The compact router everyone recommends
  • Great for round-overs, chamfers, and trimming

Cons

  • Less power for big bits
  • Fixed base (add plunge base separately)
The Makita RT0701C is the compact router with a cult following — smooth, accurate, perfectly balanced, and a joy to use for edge profiles, round-overs, chamfers, and flush trimming. It's the second router most people add (or the first, for lighter work). If you want one compact router, this is the one woodworkers point to again and again.
Check Price on Amazon →$159.00 · Makita
Best Budget / TrimBest Value
Bosch PR20EVS Colt Palm Router by Bosch

Bosch PR20EVS Colt Palm Router

Bosch$113.54
4.7(6,000)
Shop on Amazon

Available at Amazon

Power

1.0 HP

Type

Palm router

Features

Soft start, variable speed

Best for

First router, light edge work

Pros

  • Easiest, cheapest way into routing
  • Soft start and variable speed
  • Light palm-grip control
  • Great for round-overs and trimming

Cons

  • 1 HP — light-duty only
  • Small bits only
If you just want to ease edges and try routing without spending much, the Bosch Colt is the friendly entry — a 1 HP palm router with soft start and variable speed for around $115. It won't drive big bits, but for round-overs, chamfers, and trimming it's smooth and confidence-inspiring. The lowest-risk first router.
Check Price on Amazon →$113.54 · Bosch
Best for a Router Table
Triton TRA001 3¼ HP Router by Triton

Triton TRA001 3¼ HP Router

Triton$399.99
4.7(3,000)
Shop on Amazon

Available at Amazon

Power

3.25 HP

Mode

Dual (plunge/fixed)

Feature

Above-table bit changes

Best for

Table-mounted routing

Pros

  • 3.25 HP drives the biggest bits
  • Above-table height + bit changes (no reaching under)
  • Built-in safety and a great table interface
  • The router-table workhorse

Cons

  • Heavy and big for handheld use
  • Overkill outside a table
If you're building a router table, the Triton TRA001 is the motor to put in it. Its 3.25 HP powers the largest panel-raising and door bits, and — crucially — it lets you change bits and set height from above the table, eliminating the worst part of table routing. It's a beast handheld, but in a table it's exactly right.
Check Price on Amazon →$399.99 · Triton
Best Cordless
Milwaukee M18 Cordless Compact Router by Milwaukee

Milwaukee M18 Cordless Compact Router

Milwaukee$165.00
4.7(2,500)
Shop on Amazon

Available at Amazon

Power

M18 18V

Type

Compact

Cordless

Yes

Best for

Round-overs anywhere

Pros

  • Cordless freedom for edge work
  • Compact and controllable
  • Milwaukee M18 ecosystem
  • Great for on-site or far-from-an-outlet routing

Cons

  • Battery sold separately
  • Compact power only
For edge profiles, round-overs, and trimming away from an outlet — on a deck, a jobsite, a big assembled piece — Milwaukee's M18 compact router is the cordless answer. Same controllable compact feel, no cord. If you're in the M18 system, it's an easy add for routing freedom.
Check Price on Amazon →$165.00 · Milwaukee
Best Router TableBest Table
Kreg PRS2100 Bench-Top Router Table by Kreg

Kreg PRS2100 Bench-Top Router Table

Kreg$298.90
4.7(2,000)
Shop on Amazon

Available at Amazon

Type

Bench-top table

Top

Flat, rigid

Fence

Precision

Best for

Serious table routing

Pros

  • Flat, rigid top that stays true
  • Excellent precision fence
  • Portable bench-top size
  • Kreg quality and support

Cons

  • Router sold separately
  • Bench-top (not a full cabinet)
A router becomes far more capable mounted in a table — and the Kreg PRS2100 is the bench-top table to get. Its flat, rigid top and precise fence make repeatable profile, joinery, and edge work easy, and it packs away when you're done. Pair it with the Triton or the Bosch 1617 and you've got a serious routing station.
Check Price on Amazon →$298.90 · Kreg

Austin Art Insider

Free weekly guide to galleries, exhibitions & collecting in Austin.

Best Starter Bit SetBest Bits
Whiteside 404 Router Bit Set by Whiteside

Whiteside 404 Router Bit Set

Whiteside$103.61
4.9(3,000)
Shop on Amazon

Available at Amazon

Origin

USA-made

Type

Compact starter set

Includes

Flush trim, round-over, more

Best for

Quality on a budget

Pros

  • American-made, cult-favorite quality
  • The profiles you'll actually use most
  • Cut cleaner and last longer than cheap bits
  • The set serious routers recommend

Cons

  • Smaller set (add bits as needed)
  • Quality costs a bit more
A router is only as good as its bits, and Whiteside has a near-religious following for a reason: American-made carbide that cuts cleaner and lasts longer than the bargain sets. The 404 compact set covers the everyday profiles (flush trim, round-overs) and is the quality starting point — buy good bits and add specialty profiles as projects demand.
Check Price on Amazon →$103.61 · Whiteside

Head-to-Head

How the top picks compare

The two decisions that define a router purchase.

Bosch 1617 (Combo) vs. Makita RT0701C (Compact)

Do-everything power vs. everyday compact control.

1617EVSPK

Bosch

Winner

1617EVSPK

Both bases, table-capable, 2.25 HP

$239.00
Check Price →
RT0701C

Makita

RT0701C

Light, smooth, perfect for edges

$159.00
Check Price →

Our verdict

Winner: Bosch 1617EVSPK. It's about what you'll do. The Bosch 1617 is the better single router — both bases, enough power for big bits and a router table, truly do-everything. The Makita is lighter, cheaper, and a joy for edge profiles and trimming, but it's not a table router. If you want one router for everything, get the Bosch; if you mostly ease edges and want the smoothest handheld experience, the Makita is sublime. Many woodworkers own both: Bosch in the table, Makita in hand.

Buy the Bosch

Buy the Bosch combo for one do-everything router (handheld + table).

Buy the Makita

Buy the Makita compact for the best everyday edge-and-trim router.

Kreg PRS2100 vs. Bosch RA1181 Router Table

Premium precision vs. best value.

PRS2100

Kreg

Winner

PRS2100

Flatter top, better fence

$298.90
Check Price →
RA1181

Bosch

RA1181

Sturdy and ~$100 less

$200.69
Check Price →

Our verdict

Winner: Kreg PRS2100. Both are solid bench-top tables. The Kreg PRS2100 has the flatter, more rigid top and a more precise fence — the better choice if router-table work is central to what you build. The Bosch RA1181 is a genuinely good table for about $100 less — the value pick to get started. Buy the Kreg if precision matters and you'll use it heavily; buy the Bosch to add table capability affordably.

Buy the Kreg

Buy the Kreg for the flattest top and best fence for serious table work.

Buy the Bosch

Buy the Bosch RA1181 for a solid router table at the best price.

How we
chose

Every router, table, and bit set here is genuinely available on Amazon with verified live pricing and real product imagery, chosen for smoothness, control, power, and value.

  • Organized by type — compact/trim (edge work), full-size combo (do-everything), cordless, and router tables — because the right router is a function of the job.
  • Control and smoothness first — soft start, variable speed, and balance matter more than raw horsepower for most work; we weight them heavily.
  • The table multiplies a router — we cover the best router tables and which motors suit them (big HP + above-table adjustment).
  • Bits make the cut — quality carbide bits cut cleaner and last far longer; we recommend a quality starter set over bargain bulk packs.

Austin Gallery may earn a commission from purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. It never changes our rankings.

Quick Shop

All Products at a Glance

Every product in this guide, with direct links to current prices.

1Bosch 1617EVSPK (Plunge + Fixed)Best Overall · Bosch$239.00Shop on Amazon →2Makita RT0701C Compact RouterBest Compact Router · Makita$159.00Shop on Amazon →3Bosch PR20EVS Colt Palm RouterBest Budget / Trim · Bosch$113.54Shop on Amazon →4Triton TRA001 3¼ HP RouterBest for a Router Table · Triton$399.99Shop on Amazon →5Milwaukee M18 Cordless Compact RouterBest Cordless · Milwaukee$165.00Shop on Amazon →6Kreg PRS2100 Bench-Top Router TableBest Router Table · Kreg$298.90Shop on Amazon →7DEWALT DW618PK (Plunge + Fixed)Best Combo Alternative · DEWALT$263.62Shop on Amazon →8Whiteside 404 Router Bit SetBest Starter Bit Set · Whiteside$103.61Shop on Amazon →

Share this guide

Share

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The Full Guide

The Complete Router Buyer's Guide

Every router, table, and bit set we recommend — sorted by type, table use, and bits. Find what your work needs.

Best Full-Size Combo RoutersBest Compact & Trim RoutersBest Cordless RoutersBest Router TablesBest Router Bit SetsBest Routers for a Table

Have art
to sell?

Austin Gallery specializes in selling inherited art, estate collections, and fine art with zero upfront fees. Get a free evaluation today.

Consign With Ust@austingallery.org