Best Makita Routers: Compact, Plunge and Cordless Models Compared

The Makita RT0701CX7 is the most versatile router in the brand's lineup. It is the RT0701C compact router motor supplied with a set of bases (fixed, plunge, tilt and offset), so one motor covers edge routing, shallow grooving, template work and awkward-angle trimming. Owner feedback commonly mentions the smooth speed dial and the rack-and-pinion fine depth adjustment on the fixed base.

The 6.5-amp motor is rated by Makita at 1-1/4 HP with a speed range of 10,000 to 30,000 RPM, which suits small profile bits, flush-trim bits and laminate work in both hardwood and softwood. It is a compact router, not a substitute for a full-size plunge machine, so keep passes shallow and let the bit clear the chips. For hobbyists and trades who want one small router that adapts to several jobs, it is the sensible starting point.

The Makita XTR01Z is the cordless equivalent of the compact routers above, not a bigger machine. It runs on a single 18V LXT battery with a brushless motor and the same 10,000 to 30,000 RPM variable speed range, and it takes 1/4 in. shank bits. Makita does not offer this tool with a 1/2 in. collet, so if you own large 1/2 in. shank bits you need a corded plunge router instead.

Where it earns its place is trimming, edge profiling and flush-cutting away from an outlet: fitting worktops, easing door edges on site, or working on a piece that is already installed. The electronic speed control holds RPM as the bit loads up, and the LED helps when you are following a line in poor light. Runtime depends heavily on bit size, depth of cut and battery capacity, so plan on a spare pack for a full day.

The Makita RP0900K is a compact plunge router, not a fixed-base trimmer. That distinction matters: because the motor rides on spring-loaded columns, you can start a cut in the middle of a board for stopped grooves, housings and simple mortises, which a fixed-base router cannot do. Its 8.0-amp motor is rated at 1-1/4 HP and runs at a single 27,000 RPM.

That fixed speed is the main limitation. High RPM is fine for small-diameter straight and profile bits, but large bits need slower speeds to avoid burning, so keep this router on modest cutters and shallow passes. For a first plunge router used for shelf housings, cable channels and light joinery, it does the job at a low price with Makita's usual fit and finish.

The Makita 3612C is a professional-grade plunge router built for heavy material removal. Its 15-amp, 3-1/4 HP motor is sized for large-diameter bits used in raised panel doors, deep fluting and full-depth mortising, and the 1/2 in. collet keeps those bits stable where a 1/4 in. shank would chatter or flex.

The variable speed range of 9,000 to 23,000 RPM is the important part: big cutters must be run slow, and this is the only router in the lineup that can dial down far enough to do it safely. Soft start reduces the twist in your hands at switch-on, and electronic speed control holds RPM as the cutter loads. It is a workshop machine rather than something you carry up a ladder, and note that it is an older model, so check current availability before committing to it.

The Makita RT0700C is the earlier generation of the same compact router platform as the RT0701C, with the same 6.5-amp motor, 10,000 to 30,000 RPM variable speed and 1/4 in. collet. It is usually offered as a bare fixed-base unit rather than a multi-base kit, which is why it lands here as the straightforward trim-and-edge option.

For laminate trimming, edge banding, chamfers and roundovers it does everything the newer model does. The only real reasons to pick it over the RT0701C are price and availability, so compare the two before buying, and check what bases and guides are in the box because sellers list several different bundles under this model number.