18V Brushless 3-in-1 Router, 55mm Plunge, 8mm Collet

A cordless router earns its place on the jobs a corded one makes awkward. Trimming a laminate worktop that is already fitted in a kitchen, easing a door edge on the hanging, cutting a hinge housing on a frame that is standing in the opening, or working on a site with no power on yet. There is no lead to catch on the work or to get cut by the bit, which is a real risk when the cable is lying on the piece you are routing.

Three tools in one body is the other half of the argument. It plunges as a router for grooves and housings, works as a trimmer for edges and laminate, and takes a die grinder role for shaping and cleaning up. The brushless motor is what makes that practical on a battery, because it wastes less energy as heat and gets more work from a charge than a brushed motor. Speed adjusts electronically from 8 000 to 26 000 revolutions a minute to suit the cutter, plunge goes to 55mm with a quick release and micro adjustment, and twin LED lights show the line. At 2.4kg it is manageable one handed for trimming.