2017 Best Router Table Reviews & Ratings

Published by Mark Beckson at January 29, 2017

Top 5 Router Tables Comparison

	1. Bosch RA1181 Bench Top	2. Bosch RA1171 Cabinet Style	3. SKIL RAS900	4. CRAFTSMAN Combo	5. PORTER-CABLE 698 Bench Top

	BEST CHOICE	OUR CHOICE
Specifications
Brand	Bosch	Bosch	Skil	Craftsman	Porter-Cable
Model	Bench Top	Cabinet Style	Bench Top	Bench Top	Bench Top
Dimensions (D x L x W)	18″ x 22.75″ x 27″	15-7/8″ x 15.875″ x 25.5″	9.5″ x 17.7″ x 27.7″	14.7″ x 15.9″ x 26.3″	9.6″ x 19.7″ x 30″
Working Length	27″	25-1/2″	26″	11/16”	N/A
Weight (lbs)	34.4	35	32	25.4	37
Amperage	15	15	N/A	9.5	N/A
Maxim Throat Opening	3-5/8″	3-5/8″	3-5/8″	3-5/8″	3-5/8″
Material	Clear-coated aluminum top, plastic legs	MDF work top and metal base	Smooth laminated MDF top	Plastic, metal, wood	Lightweight machined aluminum
Color	Blue, Black, Gray	Black, Gray	Black, Gray, Red	Black, Gray, Red	Black, Gray
Features&Accessories
Foldable Design				N/A
Storage Compartments
Dust Collection
Mounting Plate Instert Rings	3	3	N/A	3	N/A
Number of Featherboards	2	2	2	2	N/A
Adjustable Clear Guard			N/A	N/A	N/A
Starter Pin&Guard				N/A	N/A
Miter Gauge
Accessories	Two 1/16″ Thick Outfeed Fence Shims	Two 1/16″ Thick Outfeed Fence Shims	A Wrench, a Fence w/ Adjustable MDF Faces, Outfeed Shims for Jointing	5/8″ Thick Tabletop w/ a Laminate Surface	19-3/4″ x 16-3/4″ Machined Aluminum Top w/ Cast-In Lip
	Hardware for Mounting Bosch and Other Competitive Routers	Hardware for Mounting most Bosch Routers	Dual Outlet Switch w/ Overload Protection and Lockout Key	Hardware for Mounting Routers	Multiple starting pin locations
				1/4″ Collet, a Wrench, a 1-3/4 HP Motor, a Dust Guard	Quick-Adjust Split-Fence w/ Independently Adjustable Halves
				Fence that Adjusts for Proper Bit Clearance
				Double Outlet Power Strip w/ a Safety Lock
Warranty&Support
Product Warranty	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year
30-Day Money Back Guarantee
Customer Support

Top Rated 2017 Router Table Reviews

When it comes to woodworking, it is highly recommended to use a tool like tool like this. By choosing one of the models available on the market today, you will definitely be provided with a great accuracy that will certainly help you obtain excellent results.

Bosch RA1181 Bench Top

1. Bosch RA1181 Bench Top

One of the best models that you can purchase these days is, without a doubt, the Bosch RA1181 Bench Top. You will certainly like the fact that it has a large work surface for routing and woodworking as well so that you feel very comfortable at all times and be able to do your projects with ease. This unit has been built to fit most routers. It is a versatile piece of equipment that will certainly serve as an indispensable part of any woodworking shop. It comes equipped with a 2-1/2 inch dust collection port that will provide a great dust collection for a very clean work environment. The large top is made of aluminum, and therefore, it is very durable and portable as well. The Bosch RA1181 Bench Top includes a mounting hardware, an aluminum router mounting plate, a tall aluminum fence with adjustable MDF face plates, and 2 outfeed shims. It also includes the starter pin and a guard for curved workpieces in addition to the built-in cord wrap for a great storage and portability. The manufacturer offers for this product a 1-year limited warranty, a 30-day money back guarantee and a 1-year service protection plan so that customers all over the world can be completely satisfied. With this unit, you will definitely be able to work with a variety of materials while a great precision with every cut will be ensured.

Bosch RA1171 Cabinet Style

2. Bosch RA1171 Cabinet Style

The Bosch RA1171 Cabinet Style is one of those models that will help you improve your skills and obtain great results in woodworking. It comes equipped with a tall fence made of aluminum, with adjustable MDF face plates 4-7/8″ x 25-1/8″ that will easily and efficiently support taller work pieces. Furthermore, the outfeed can be offset for jointing. There is also an aluminum mounting plate that is quite rigid and it will stay completely flat and precise so that you can obtain the most accurate results. The Bosch RA1171 has an accessory slot that accepts feather boards and also 3/4-inch optional accessories such as the miter gauge and 2 dust collection ports for standard 2-1/2-inch vacuum hoses so that you can have the working surface clean and clear at all times. You should also take into account the fact that this product has a dual outlet switch with 6-foot power cord, and the clever lock helps prevent unauthorized use. In order to know exactly what you are buying, here is what you will find in the box: a mounting hardware, a starter pin, a guard, a set of 3 mounting plate insert rings, 2 adjustable feather boards, an adjustable clear guard, and 2 1/16-inch thick outfeed fence shims.

SKIL RAS900

3. SKIL RAS900

If you are looking for a high-quality model that will help you with your woodworking business, then the SKIL RAS900 is exactly what you need. The unit comes pre-assembled and it has accessory storage containers that will protect and store all your accessories. The SKIL RAS900 has an efficient folding design, which means that the legs fold for an easy storage, and as mentioned earlier, the unit comes pre-assembled with a minimal setup needed. The starter pin and guard help support your workpiece when routing curved edges, and the bit height gauge will help simplify set-up and also improve the accuracy of cuts. Thanks to the 2 feather boards that this unit has, you will be able to guide the workpiece more accurately. Very easy to use, quite versatile, and made of high-quality materials, this product will definitely satisfy you 100%.

CRAFTSMAN Combo

4. CRAFTSMAN Combo

Craftsman is one of the most reliable brands available on the market today. It has only high-quality products such as the CRAFTSMAN Combo. This unit will definitely give you everything you need to get started on quality woodworking. It has a 1 3/4 horsepower motor that is robust enough to even work through hickory. The table provides 334 square inches of a working surface, on top of a quite sturdy cast aluminum base. This model has been built with permanently lubricated and sealed ball bearings in order to increase the durability of the motor. The fence can easily be adjusted for a proper bit clearance, with the infeed and outfeed extending up to 2 inches, and the miter gauge can also be adjusted up to 60 degrees in both directions. Furthermore, this product comes equipped with a dust extraction port, and 3 insert rings that have opening diameters of 1-1/4″, 1-1/2″, and 1-3/4″. Overall, anyone who is interested in this product must know that the whole set includes a router, a fence, a 1/4″ collet, 2 feather boards, a wrench, a dust guard, a miter gauge, 3 insert rings, and a manual as well, and it does an absolutely amazing job.

PORTER-CABLE 698 Bench Top

5. PORTER-CABLE 698 Bench Top

This is without a doubt one of the best models you can find on the market today. It comes equipped with a large machined aluminum top with a cast-in lip for supporting extensions, a 3/4-inch miter gauge slot, and several starting pin locations. Furthermore, the PORTER-CABLE 698 Bench Top also has a quick-to-adjust split-fence design with independently adjustable halves and a large hole that will allow the use of 3-1/2-inch diameter router bits. This unit is without a doubt a versatile and an adjustable one, that it is ideal for home improvement enthusiasts and woodworking novices. You will absolutely love the fact that it can be attached with ease to a work table for added stability. Furthermore, due to the fact that it is a portable unit, you will easily move it from site to site as well. All in all, the PORTER-CABLE 698 Bench Top is one of those products that will certainly help you obtain wonderful results in a short period of time, with little effort, and in a very safe way as well.

Goplus New Electric Aluminum Benchtop

6. Goplus New Electric Aluminum Benchtop

If you are planning to purchase a reliable and easy to use router table that can help you accomplish all your projects, have a look at the Goplus New Electric Aluminum Benchtop model. Designed for routers with up to a 6 inches diameter base plate is without a doubt one of the most versatile tables available in the consumer market. The main table is made of aluminum, while the extension table is made of steel. When purchasing such a product, it’s important to know both dimensions. Therefore, the main table measures 450×335mm(13.1″x17.7″) and the extension table measures about 200x335mm(7.8″x17.7″). Whether you are designing a project for your home or you are working on a project for your full-time business, this model is exactly what you are looking for. It is versatile, compact and very easy to use. Furthermore, it is an affordable model that will surely help you complete all your projects.

Important Things You Must Know About These Routing Tools

These items have become very popular nowadays due to the fact that they are extremely useful. Woodworkers all over the world confidently use them in order to obtain wonderful results easily and quickly as well. Since you will actually have maximum control, most of the operations will be much easier. Due to the fact that the router is mounted securely onto the table, you will also be able to do some things that you cannot safely do with a handheld model such as routing narrow stock and so on.

These days, you will find on the market models of different sizes and with different features as well. Take into account the fact that these units come equipped differently, and this is why it is essential for you to purchase a model that will meet all of your needs. In order to obtain excellent results, it is very important to choose a product that will offer you precision, perfection, an incredible workflow. Also, it’s important to look for a model that comes with great features such as a large working surfaces that will provide the most comfortable working condition, a heavy-duty aluminum fence with adjustable sub-fences, a dust port so that the unit can keep the work area clean at all times, a meter gauge that can be adjusted according to your needs for a perfect fit, and an accessory t-slot for mounting feather boards or any other equipment.

Furthermore, you should look for a unit that it is capable of reducing the dust and noise as well. All in all, these products are different as they can come equipped with these features or not. Therefore, what you need to do is to take into consideration these aspects in order to make the best choice.

The Benefits of Using a Good Model

If you’re a DIY type of person but you’re not too inclined to spend money on new items, then you need to read this section of the article. Here, you will find out what are the advantages that make these units a must have for any woodworker and why they’re worth your money.

High Accuracy

This type of item offers a high precision, especially when it comes to small pieces. Due to the fact that the router is actually mounted very well, you will be able to use both your hands, allowing you to obtain only perfect results. Such a high accuracy is absolutely necessary for all woodworkers in order to be able to sell with ease their items.

Easy to Use

When it comes to woodworking, you definitely want to obtain the desired result with ease and in a short time as well. The good news is that you can do this if you use a such a product. This unit is very easy to use, and you will quickly learn how to maneuver it. Furthermore, it is extremely safe to use as well, and therefore, you will not need to worry about any sort of injuries.

You Will Obtain Excellent Results

If you have a woodworking business, then in order to attract increasingly more clients you need to make sure that all of your products look impeccable. What can you do in order to achieve this? It is very simple, you need to use a high-quality routing tool. With a unit like this, you can be sure that all your masterpieces will be highly appreciated.

You Will Quickly Obtain the Desired Results

Since the router is very well mounted on the table, the user can actually move the piece of wood at a very rapid pace and still obtain a decent cut. Therefore, this will definitely highly improve the output of the woodworker substantially.

It is Great for Complex Cuts

In case you deal with complex cuts, then a unit like this is absolutely perfect for your needs. Irregular pieces of wood require a fixed bit that actually allows the users to maneuver the wood to their liking, without adjusting the router in any way. Therefore, with a modern unit like this, you will certainly not have to worry when making complex cuts anymore.

How to Choose the Best Rated Unit

Are you planning to purchase a routing tool like this in the near future, but you are kind of confused and you do not know what model would be best to choose? If so, then what you must actually do is to take into consideration the following details that will help you choose a high-quality product. Therefore, here is how to choose the best-rated model.

Go for a flat, solid top

It is without a doubt very important that the table surface is solid, rigid, and as close as possible to perfectly flat so that you can obtain very precise cuts. In many operations, treating the edge of a board or cutting joinery, requires a great precision, and therefore, you need to make sure the top is, as mentioned earlier, solid and flat as well. Opt for a top made of MDF, which is a very popular material these days. It is quite practical, and it will provide years of light to medium-duty service. Another excellent choice you could make would be an MDF top surfaced on both sides with HPL, which will definitely remain flat throughout its life. This is a more expensive option, but of you want a high-quality product, then you should go for it.

Opt for a rigid, flat base plate

The layout and the quality of the base plate will have a huge impact on the functioning of the table. Therefore, if you want to purchase one of the best-rated units, then you must choose one with a rigid, flat base plate. Furthermore, it needs to be solid and substantial as well, as it will have to remain flat while supporting the weight of the router. Make sure the base plate is compatible with the router, and if you want to use the router in and out of the table, then you must consider how much work is actually involved in getting the router mounted.

The fence must be accurate and easy-to-position as well

A high-quality product will definitely come equipped with an accurate and easy-to-position fence. In most operations, you will need to control the cut by keeping workpiece pressed against the fence, while you are advancing it past the bit, and for that, the fence must be up to the task. There are 2 types of fences: a 1-piece and a 2-piece fence. Both of them can be extremely useful. All in all, as long as the fence of the chosen unit is accurate and easy-to-position, you will definitely obtain only wonderful results.

A sturdy, stable base is essential

For crisp, clean cuts, the user must keep the workpiece in consistent contact with the cutter. While he does this, he must advance it at a smooth, fluid rate. This is very hard to obtain if the table is shifting and wobbling. Working on an unsteady base is quite difficult and it will not help you achieve your goals. Therefore, keep in mind that a high-quality routing tool will definitely come equipped with a sturdy, stable base.

The Most Popular Brands

There are many units in this category on the market these days, and choosing one can be quite hard for many people, especially if they buy a product like this for the first time. Therefore, in order to ease your choice, we have actually chosen the most reliable brands that you can confidently go for.

Bosch

This is an excellent manufacturer that has on the market these days only top quality products. The Bosch tools are made of durable materials and they are extremely easy and safe to use. Most of the products in this category come equipped with a hardware for mounting most Bosch routers, adjustable feather boards, and adjustable clear guard as well so that you can easily obtain the desired results.

Skil

Skil has a large range of products on the market today, that come in different dimensions, and with a different equipment as well. Depending on what you actually need, you will definitely find a unit that will meet all your needs. Furthermore, you will absolutely love the fact that Skil products are not as expensive as others are.

Craftsman

Another great brand that you should confidently go for is Craftsman. Its products are without a doubt high quality, and they are very appreciated all over the world. They come with a 1-year warranty against any defects in material or workmanship. By choosing a Craftsman unit, you will definitely not regret.

What’s Behind Our Ratings

After we have reviewed several router tables, we have decided that some of them are high-quality units due to a few important aspects. If you want to purchase a product like this as well, but you don’t know which one is best to get, then by having a look at the following information you will certainly make the best choice. Therefore, here is what are the aspects that stood behind our router table reviews.

The features

When you want to buy a product, you first look at its features. This is exactly what we did as well. We looked at the features at several router tables that are available on the market these days, and we found the CRAFTSMAN Router and Router Table Combo, which is a wonderful unit, which comes equipped with several features that will help you obtain the desired results. The CRAFTSMAN Router and Router Table Combo has a table, a 1/4″ collet, a 5/8″ thick tabletop with a laminate surface that will ensure a smooth work area, a wrench, a 1-3/4 HP motor that runs at 27,000 RPMs, 3 insert rings that have opening diameters of 1-1/4″, a fence that adjusts for proper bit clearance, with the infeed and outfeed extending up to 2 inches, a dust guard, 2 feather boards, a miter gauge that adjusts up to 60 degrees in both directions, 1-1/2″, and 1-3/4, a double outlet power strip with a safety lock, a hardware and a manual as well. All these features play a very important role. They make the unit extremely accurate, and easy&comfortable to use.

Durability

Once you decide to invest in a router table, you certainly want your investment to be a long-term one. Therefore, we took into consideration this detail as well, and we found the PORTER-CABLE 698 Bench Top, which is a unit made of a lightweight machined aluminum that will increase durability and mobility as well.

The warranty

The warranty is absolutely essential when you buy a product. Therefore, we have chosen a unit that has a great warranty. The Bosch RA1181 Bench Top is available on the market with a 30-day money back warranty, 1-year limited warranty, 1-year service protection plan, so that customers all over the world can be completely satisfied.