Trim router or 2 horsepower plunge kit, and why most shops want both eventually.
Verdict
The compact router is the one you reach for constantly: roundovers, chamfers, hinge mortises, edge work, all one-handed. The full-size router takes half-inch shank bits, has the power for large profiles and panel raising, and is the one that belongs in a router table. Buy the compact first for general work; buy the full-size when you need a table or big bits.
~$220
Check Bosch 1617EVSPK 2.25 HP Kit Price| Makita RT0701C Compact Router | Bosch 1617EVSPK 2.25 HP Kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | About 1.25 HP | 2.25 HP |
| Bit shank | 1/4 in only | 1/4 in and 1/2 in |
| Handling | One-handed | Two-handed |
| Router table | Workable but limited | Designed for it |
| Large profiles | No | Yes, including panel raising |
| Best for | Roundovers, mortises, edges | Table work, joinery, big cuts |
You want the router you will actually use every session. Most router work is small edge treatment, and doing that one-handed with a light tool is far more pleasant and more accurate than wrestling a big one. It is also the cheaper entry by a wide margin.
Check Makita RT0701C Compact Router on Amazon
You are mounting it in a table, cutting large profiles, or you want access to half-inch shank bits. Half-inch shanks deflect far less, which matters as bits get bigger, and a full-size motor will not bog in hardwood the way a trim router does.
Check Bosch 1617EVSPK 2.25 HP Kit on Amazon
It flexes more, and on large-diameter bits that becomes a real accuracy and safety issue. For small edge bits the difference does not matter, which is why compact routers get away with quarter-inch only.
You can, and many people do for small work, but you lose depth-adjustment convenience and power. If the table is the main use, buy a full-size motor for it.
Plunge for mortises and stopped cuts, fixed for edges and table mounting. Combination kits like this one include both bases for a single motor, which is usually the best value.
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these units side by side. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.