Best Trim Routers - Top Picks, Reviews & Complete Buying Guide

by Scott Miller Updated on Jul. 2, 2019

Trim routers are tools designed for both professionals and home users, and how powerful tool you will need depends on the size of project you are planning to do.

If you will do huge projects, investing in a quality trim router is considered a wise decision.

Every one of us wants to get a good deal when shopping and manufacturers tend to emphasize the products advantages and try to hide its shortcomings.

We know that you do not want to buy a tool that you will not be able to use, so we decided to make a list of the best trim routers and enable you to make a wise decision more easily.

What we also offer you is a buyer’s guide, which is extremely useful for those who have never shopped for trim routers before.

Spoiler Alert - Check out my top choice here >>

Top Rated Trim Routers

Model	Rating	Buy Now
DEWALT DWP611 Compact Trim Router	4.7	Check Price
Makita RT0701C Trim Router	4.6	Check Price
Bosch Colt PR20EVS Palm Trim Router	4.2	Check Price

* Ratings are based on Editor's own opinion.

3 Best Trim Routers Reviewed

#1. DEWALT DWP611 Compact Trim Router

Top Pick

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DEWALT could not but make one more perfect power tool.

Our top pick when the trim routers are inn question is the DEWALT DWP611.

This tool is ideal solution for people who want to trim quickly and accurately.

It features a powerful 1.25hp motor, which enables you to do the job fast, while a variable speed control keeps the bit spinning at the same speed, even when comes tto different resistances.

This is considered great as it makes it easy to do complex cuts or change between different kinds of wood.

What you get is the soft-starting motor, being that the producers thought about safety and comfort.

Users really appreciate a pair of bright LEDs and a clear sub-base.

This means that when you do the trim work, you will see better.

The negative sides of this tool are that it is a bit heavy, but some people find it as a good thing, as there will be a good amount of resistance as you move it and less mistakes.

However, the truth is that you will wear out your hands and arms faster.

All in all, this is definitely the best compact routers on the market.

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Pros

Powerful
Variable speed control
Soft-starting
LEDs

Cons

Weight

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#2. Makita RT0701C Trim Router

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The Makita RT0701C comes as a second best.

This tool is ideal for shopper who is also looking for a powerful and precise router, but do not want to spend a fortune on it.

You will get variable speed control, allowing you to set the speed to the task at hand.

Additionally, the tool has electronic speed control so that the speed will remain where you set it.

A soft-starting motor that the unit has is considered good when it comes to safety and comfort.

The Makita RT0701C has powerful motor packing in 1.25hp.

Furthermore, you will get a very precise depth adjustment on this model for the exact cuts without worrying too much about mistakes.

Now, the shortcomings.

This model has the plunge base which is not compatible with standard templates,.

This means that you will need to spend some extra money to get an adaptor.

We can say that this is a great router for trim work, that can be gotten at a low price.

Check current price on Amazon >>

Pros

Variable speed control
Precise depth adjustment
Soft-starting
Power

Cons

Lacks compatibility

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#3. Bosch Colt PR20EVS Palm Trim Router

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Number three on our list is the Bosch Colt PR20EVS – a model worth considering if you want to get a router with a straight-edge guide.

This model’s edge guide can guide the router parallel to the edge of a piece up to 3-5/8-inches away from the edge which is considered even too much and it will give you the ability to make more complicated and beautiful cuts.

The tool possesses a 1hp motor, precision depth adjustment, so that you can set the proper depth easy and quick and fast and easy bit changes.

This feature is something that you should always be looking for in a router, being that the job will be done quicker and with less frustration.

If we have to mention some negative sides of this model, we have to say that it comes without a plunge base, meaning that you will have to purchase a compatible one separately which causes additional expenses.

There is also finicky speed adjustment that does not hold as consistent as the other models.

This model is something you should get only if you need an edge guide and do not mind paying extra for a plunge base.

Check current price on Amazon >>

Pros

Power
Straight-edge guide
Precise depth adjustment
Fast bit changes

Cons

Lacks plunge base
Poor speed adjustment

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Trim Routers: The Ultimate Buying Guide

As we gathered all the reviews made by both satisfied and dissatisfied users, we believe that they were helpful to you.

Now, we want to provide you with more information related to what you should look for in a trim router.

If you are still not sure which router is the right one for you, this buyer’s guide will teach you everything you need to know before you buy it.

How important is the power?

The most significant thing related to shopping for a router of any sort is the power.

You should always look to get a powerful router for a good price.

Our suggestion is not to get the router with less than 1HP.

If you take it, you will soon realize that it does not have enough power for the project at hand, especially if you work with harder woods or lower-quality bits.

The greater power is always a good thing being that you will be able to complete projects faster.

For some people, the extra power is not considered good, as it causes the router to be more difficult to control.

This is true, but it only refers to the first firing up of the router.

That is why it is suggested getting a model with soft start functionality.

What should I know about the speed?

The speed you need to apply is different for different projects.

For some of them, it is better to work at lowers speeds, while for others at higher speed. You will need to change the speed to work with harder or softer woods.

Softer woods cannot be done with a lot of force applied to them as they will crack.

The ability to change the speed on a router is called “variable speed control”.

This feature was mentioned in each product description above and adds lot of value to the router.

There are some models which come with “electronic speed control.”

The chip works to keep the bit spinning at the same speed.

Electronic speed control keeps the speed consistent, even when the resistance is not.

What about precision?

Precision is something that is taken as very important when it comes to trim routers.

The best cuts are achieved only if you are able to precisely set the bit depth.

Prior to choosing your new trim router, make sure you paid enough attention to both the overall scale of precision and the sensitivity to change.

It is very significant how far up and down you can adjust the bit.

The sensitivity represents the smallest increment by which you can move the bit.

The best and most expensive routers have a large total scale, but a very small sensitivity to change.

Some cheaper routers only come with a sensitivity of just 1/16th of an inch, while the more expensive models can go as low as 1/64th of an inch for very precise cuts.

The distance or scale of the bit depth can be enlarged by mounting the router on a plunge base, but not all routers come with this feature.

How to determine which tool is the right one?

Before you buy your trim router, it is important to know which features you want your router to possess and make a list of the possible routers that meet those needs.

Then, you need to determine you requirements when it comes to power and precision and eliminate all models that do not meet those requirements.

Now, you should pick the cheapest remaining model, being that it fulfills all your requirements and will provide excellent value.

If the budget is not limiting, you can get model with superior features and the most expensive one.

Conclusion

If we have to tell you our opinion, we can suggest purchasing the DEWALT DWP611.

This is our top choice for trim routers due to its great power, clear base and LEDs, and its soft-start feature which is more than enough to make it rightfully the best of the best.

The Makita RT0701C can be obtained at a low price and comes with variable speed control and price depth adjustment.

These are features which are considered ideal, but the plunge base does not work with standard templates.

The last one on our list – the Bosch Colt PR20EVS model is great if you want an edge guide included in your purchase.

Now you know everything that you should consider when you shop for a trim router and we hope that you will be able to find a model that fits your budget and needs.

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