Picking the right smoothing plane matters: a well-tuned plane turns rough boards into silk, fixes small tear-out, and gives you control over final thickness and finish. This guide compares four top hand-plane and smoothing plane options available today, based on hands-on testing, expert opinion, and user feedback to help you choose the right tool for your woodwork.
How we tested and selected
- Hands-on testing: Each tool was tried on common shop woods (pine, poplar, oak) and laminated boards to assess shaving quality, adjustability, ergonomics, and setup time.
- Real-world usage: We evaluated edge stability, sole flatness (where applicable), blade retention, and how easy each model is to tune and sharpen.
- Expert & user feedback: We cross-referenced professional woodworker reviews and hundreds of user ratings to confirm common strengths and weaknesses.
- Value and longevity: Materials, spare parts included, and how easily blades can be replaced or sharpened influenced rankings.
This mix of practical testing and broad feedback informed our final picks and category assignments.
Compact Spokeshave Plane
A lightweight, inexpensive spokeshave-style smoothing tool with heat-treated blades and ergonomic handles. Excellent for trimming edges and light smoothing on small pieces, it offers surprising performance for the price, but requires frequent blade attention and isn't a substitute for a full-size smoothing plane.
Why this budget spokeshave works
This compact spokeshave offers a lot of capability for under $10. Hardened alloy steel blades (60 HRC equivalent) hold an edge well for the price, and the double-screw adjustment makes depth control straightforward. It's ideal for hobbyists needing a nimble tool for door, drawer, and small-curve work. Expect to spend a little time tuning and honing the blade out of the box; it’s not cast-iron-flat, so long, heavy shavings on broad faces are outside its strengths. Pros: extremely affordable, ergonomic, great for curves. Cons: limited sole for full-panel smoothing and requires frequent blade care.
No.4 Wooden Hand Plane
A classic No.4-style wooden hand plane with an included set of CR-V steel chisels and spare blade. Sturdy, tunable and comfy to grip, it’s a strong choice for woodworkers who want a slightly traditional feel with modern replacement blades and accessories.
Premium features and practical realities
This combo stands out by bundling a No.4 adjustable wooden hand plane with an extra 2" blade and a set of high-quality chrome-vanadium chisels. The plane’s carbon-steel body and wooden grip give it a traditional, comfortable feel while the replacement blade and accurate depth-adjustment mechanism (barbell-style) make fine setup straightforward. On the workbench it excels at smoothing and light hogging when properly adjusted and sharpened; the included chisel set is a welcome bonus for benchwork. Downsides: wooden-bodied planes can need more initial tuning to match the flatness of a cast-iron sole, and users should expect to lap the sole and hone the blade for best results. Overall, this is a high-value, workshop-ready option for woodworkers who appreciate tried-and-true tooling with modern steel.
Adjustable Hand Plane Set
A versatile two-planer kit with multiple blades and an included portable hand plane—great for hobbyists who need curve shaping and smoothing capability. The set delivers strong value, portability, and good adjustability for shaping complex surfaces.
Why this set earns value-for-money status
This kit pairs two adjustable planers (10" and 9") with six replaceable blades plus a small portable plane—giving wide coverage for shaping, convex/concave surfaces, and smoothing small panels. Blades are heat-treated for durability and the dual-screw adjustment simplifies fine tuning. For the price you get broad capability: spokeshave-style control for contours plus a flat-base option for small smoothing tasks. It’s not as authoritative on long, flat boards as a heavy cast-iron No.4, but for a shop that needs versatility without spending on multiple specialty planes, this is hard to beat. Pros: multiple tools and blades in one purchase, good durability. Cons: requires setup and blade truing for best results, and sole flatness varies between pieces.
Adjustable No.4 Bench Plane
A traditional No.4-style adjustable bench plane with a durable cast-iron body and a 2" steel blade. Stable, tunable and designed for consistent smoothing across wide boards—an excellent all-around choice for both beginners and experienced woodworkers.
The all-around smoothing plane we recommend
This No.4 adjustable bench plane features a cast-iron body for stability, a contoured handle for comfort, and an adjustable gear for precise mouth and blade settings. On flat panels it produces consistent, long shavings and retains setup once tuned, which is why it’s our Editors Choice for a general-purpose smoothing plane. The included steel blade is robust and easy to hone; after a little initial setup (the manufacturer notes to check factory settings) it performs like a workshop staple. It’s heavier than the spokeshave alternatives, but that weight helps with momentum across larger boards. Pros: reliable flatness, easy adjustments, consistent smoothing. Cons: may need initial setup and tuning out of the box.
Quick comparison — strengths at a glance
- Adjustable No.4 Bench Plane (Editors Choice): Best overall smoothing performance on flat boards; cast-iron stability and precise adjustment make it the go-to generalist tool.
- No.4 Wooden Hand Plane (Premium Choice): Traditional feel, high-quality spare blade and chisel set; excellent for craftsmen who want a pro accessory bundle.
- Adjustable Hand Plane Set (Best Value for Money): Most versatile package—two planers plus multiple blades—ideal for shops that need both smoothing and shaping without buying many single tools.
- Compact Spokeshave Plane (Best Budget Pick): Cheapest entry point for edge work and small smoothing tasks; great for tight curves and light touch-ups.
Which is best overall: Adjustable No.4 Bench Plane (Editors Choice) — it produces the most consistent results across broad surfaces and requires the least frequent re-adjustment during extended runs. Alternatives to consider: choose the wooden No.4 for a more traditional hand feel and included accessories, or the multi-piece set if you value versatility and spares.
Final recommendation
For most woodworkers who want one reliable smoothing plane for everyday use, we recommend the Adjustable No.4 Bench Plane (Editors Choice) for its balance of stability, adjustability, and consistent smoothing performance. If you prefer a more traditional wooden plane and value included blades and chisels, choose the No.4 Wooden Hand Plane (Premium Choice). For buyers on a budget who still want useful capability across shapes, the Adjustable Hand Plane Set (Best Value for Money) delivers the most tools per dollar. And if you need a very low-cost, portable option for curves and small trim work, the Compact Spokeshave Plane (Best Budget Pick) is a smart starter option.
These recommendations come from direct bench testing, materials analysis, and user feedback. If you plan to work primarily on long, flat boards and desire the cleanest finish with minimal fuss, prioritize a cast-iron No.4 and set aside time for a proper initial tune and blade honing — that small effort improves performance more than any small price premium. Happy planing!