Palm routers, trim routers, laminate routers — compact routers go by a lot of names.
And like the names, there’s a lot of buying options out there.
So how do you choose?
Well, I’m here to give you my candid, unsponsored, and unsolicited advice.
I tested palm routers from seven different brands to find out which are the best, and which are best left to stirring your coffee.
To reiterate, this tool review is NOT sponsored.
I bought these routers with my own money to help develop a jig we’ll soon be releasing with Tamar Hannah from 3x3 Custom.
(This jig is EPIC. You can see how the prototype works here, and make sure to sign up for our email list to get your hands on one as soon as it’s released).
So if you’re looking to buy a compact router, here’s what you need to know.
Jeff G.
May 03, 2022
I first purchased a Rigid cordless palm router when cordless routers were first available. Used it twice and was sorry I had purchased it just because it was cordless. I now have purchased a Milwaukee cordless which I have used a number of times for various projects and love it. The Milwaukee router’s workmanship, fit and finish I found to be better all around, however, the depth adjustment is it’s Achilles heel. It would change as the machine was used until I found the hex key adjustment to tighten the depth. Yes it makes depth of cut setting a little more difficult but the quality of the tool makes it bearable. An added bonus is the dust collecting port supplied with the tool. I also am now keeping all my cordless tools to one brand (Milwaukee) to eliminate the multiple battery brands and charger issues of the past. Hopefully, tool manufacturers will wake up at some point to the necessity of a universal battery!