Top tools
Routers
A corded plunge-and-fixed-base router kit for edges, dados and joinery, chosen from independent tests and reviews.
Safety first: read the safety notes before you use one.
Our picks
Router kit with a plunge base and a fixed base
Bosch 2-1/4 HP plunge and fixed-base router combo kit
Our pick for a first full-size router: one 12 amp motor that drops into either a fixed base or a plunge base, with 1/4 in. and 1/2 in. collets.
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Photo credits
- Bosch 2-1/4 HP plunge and fixed-base router combo kit: Image: Bosch product image
Each price is the one we saw at that store on the date beside it. Prices change, so check the store before you buy.
What to look for in a router
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Full-size or compact. A full-size router takes 1/2 in. shank bits and heavier cuts; a compact router is light enough for one hand and suits edge profiles and flush-trimming (Bob Vila).
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Plunge and fixed bases. A fixed base is simple to set for edge work and router tables; a plunge base lowers a spinning bit into the middle of a board for mortises and stopped grooves. A combo kit gives you both (Bob Vila).
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Speed control. A speed dial lets you slow down larger bits (Bosch).
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Depth adjustment you can trust. A fine depth adjustment and a collet that holds the bit without slipping matter more than raw power (Fine Homebuilding).
How we picked
We didn't hands-on test these. We picked it by reading independent tests and reviews (Bob Vila, Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding), checking Bosch's spec page and manual, and checking prices at Home Depot, Woodcraft and Amazon. The pick has three independent sources from three different outlets, including independent tests and reviews. They're all linked with the pick, along with what each one found. We also searched the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall database on Oct 25, 2026 and found no recall for this router. Prices, review counts and links were last checked on ; prices and stock change, so check the store before you buy.
No paid links. Every link on this page is a plain link: no affiliate codes or tracking, and no company paid or asked to be listed (disclosure). Links open in a new tab.
Some outlets we cite get review samples from tool makers; we don't use pieces a maker paid for or sponsored.
We pick tools from independent tests and reviews, not our own testing.