10 Best Router Lift Of 2023 [Reviews & Top Pick]

JessEm Tool Company invented the router lift and other manufacturers followed in.

As if today, a great number of router lifts made available to the market that pretty much alike.

JessEm again leads the way by introducing JessEm Mast-R-Lift II with some unique features that makes it the best router lift of 2018

Its unique carriage clamping system makes it the top router lift in the market.

You only need to adjust the clamp by moving a couple of screws to fit in almost all the popular routers on the market.

Making you stop worrying about fitting and prevents you from choosing a lift that won’t work with your router. That’s a huge benefit.

You don’t need to dedicate a router for the lift either.

You can change bits, adjust heights, lock the lift all from above the table saving your precious time, and ease the work.

However, only fixed base routers are compatible with JessEm Mast-R-Lift, it’s the norm for router lifts. Check our guide to the best routers for router lifts.

It’s unique tab-loc insert rings provide a quick bit changing function but Jessem provides only one ring with this lift.

So, you may need to buy additional rings.

But it’s not a deal breaker, considering the unique clamping feature and brand of Jessem it’s one of the best router lift available on the market.

Kreg PRS5000 is a rugged and simple to operate lift which is supplied with three self-levelling twist lock insert rings.

Out of the box it fits only with Porter Cable-75, but can be used with other routers using a mounting adapter.

Coarse height adjustments of the bit can be easily made to within about half inch using the spring assisted lift wrench.

After that any micro-adjustments need to be made with a thumb wheel, which can be tiresome on your thumb.

Fine adjustments can be made too within one or two thousandths of an inch.

Once you’re all set a manual brake can be set with an Allen key, ensuring the bit stays at required height during routing.

The above table bit changes and adjustments of the Kreg PRS5000 Lift eliminate the dreaded task of trying to adjust a heavy router under the table, while trying to measure those adjustments at the same time.

Bosch RA1165 is the best router lift to add to your cart, if you are on a tight budget.

It has threaded holes for fixing it onto a router table and the wide 3 ¾ inch base opening allows for the use of larger router bits.

Check the base is compatible with your model of router and table, and that you can obtain a suitable adaptor if you need one.

This is a robust value solution for those who want the ease of above table bit management for a benchtop router (and who doesn’t want that?),without it costing the earth.

Woodpeckers PRL-V2-420PRL is the best high end router lift: that is easy to install on your table and easy to setup for cutting.

You will love being able to fit bits and adjust the depth of cut from above.

There is a spring assisted lift wrench to elevate and lower the router colletto within 3/8th inch of your final height setting.

Finer precise height adjustments can then be made with a thumb wheel, which has a scale on top.

Once you’ve got the right height a manual brake is set with an Allen key, to prevent slippage from spoiling your routing.

It fits a Porter Cable 7518 router and, as with many lifts, you should check it fits your router and table.

As it is said you get what you pay. If you have the money to spend this is the best router lift to have.

Rockler Lift FX is certainly not the best router lift out there. But, it's price tag is the reason for it to be included in the list.

It has a sag-free heavy duty plate that is made to fit Rockler’s new router tables.

The lift housing accepts a range of small to medium sized routers.

Be sure to check the lift will fit your router and table before you purchase.

The lift is supplied with a plastic insert ring with a 1.5″ bit opening, although other insert rings can be purchased separately.

The bit can be adjusted quickly and easily from the top of the router table with the crank handle provided.

The lift height setting is maintained with a tension screw.

To ensure smooth operation of the crank you do need to be careful to keep the socket recess free from dust and debris

Benchdog 40-150 is a sturdy and powerful router lift that’s easy to set up, adjust and fine tune.

Bit changes are fast and simple: remove the insert plate and raise the collet for above table changes.

It’s much easier than trying to scrabble about to change bits from beneath the router table.

Adjustments are easily made to 1/1000th inch, ensuring precision cuts to the finest of standards.

The bronze pre-load nut ensures that once you’ve set the height it stays put, giving you precise and consistent cuts.

The ProLiftis suitable for fixedbase routers with 4.2″ diameter motor housings.

Routers with smaller motors require the purchase of an additional adaptor.

The cast iron plate is compatible with Bench Dog router tables, as well as some others, such as the new Rockler router tables.

Only one plastic insert ring is supplied, so you may need to purchase others.

With the Bench Dog Tools 40-150 ProLift Router Adjustment System routing is easier, quicker and more precise, helping you to be more productive and consistent with your work.

Incra and JessEm collaborated to build INCRA Mast-R-Lift-II Router Lift whose router carriage is identical to JessEm Mast-R-Lift II.

Hence, you get all the benefits of the unique clamping system that you would’ve got on the JesseEm lift.

It comes with the unique feature of 5 different size metal insert rings that are locked down in place rock solid by magnets something the JessEm lift lacked.

You may call this lift a well-upgraded version of JessEm lift.

You can easily level the rings accurately with router plate as it provides you height adjustment screws in the four corner tabs.

It also helps you keep the table clean by allowing the dust to suck down through the dust slots.

You can smoothly raise and lower the router thanks to its exclusive ball bearing mechanism and can have a precise height adjustment of 0.001-Inch giving you the finest cut.

It has a plate size of 9-1/4-Inch x 11-3/4-Inch x 3/8-Inch that fits in all the Incra tables you may need to buy additional insert plate for other brands.

If you have decided on this lift, make sure to check the table top opening size before going ahead.

Considering the quality of the lift, it will be a good investment to buy additional insert plate.

The JESSEM Mast-R-Lift Excel II is a router lift built into a large solid phenolic table top.

This gives you the advantage of having no table insert to deal with, either for installation or, more importantly, while routing.

The tab-lock insert rings are easily removed to change the bit from above.

Height adjustments are made with a wheel and there’s an optional digital readout for fine adjustments to 1/1000th of an inch. 

A cam lock prevents the setting from changing during routing, ensuring a neat and consistent job, from the first pass to the last.

A four inch shop-vac fitting will help you keep your workshop tidy and dust free, so you’re not breathing in sawdust.

The JESSEM Mast-R-Lift Excel II can be used with 18 of the most common fixed base routers.

The only drawback is that the phenolic has a tendency to scratch easily.

It will however turn your router use from awkward to delightful, with beautiful rabbets and finishes.

These router lifts  are made for easy above table bit changing and height adjustment.

The JessEm Mast-R-Lift II 02120 fits most fixed based routers, compared with the Kreg PRS3000 Precision Router Table Lift which fits routers like Porter Cable 75, but may require an adapter with other routers.

With the Kreg lift fine adjustments to depth of cut are made with a thumb wheel.

This can be tiring and fiddly and the JessEm is easier to adjust.

Both lifts have locking systems which prevent those annoying changes in the depth of cut during routing.

While the Kreg comes with three self-levelling twist lock rings the JessEm has just one ring, so you might want to buy additional rings with this lift.

George Vondriska of Woodworkers Guild of America explains the necessity of having a router lift quite amazingly check the video.

Long gone the days when router lift considered a luxury in the list of router accessories.

Nowadays frequent router table users who crave for quality and quick work considers router lift near-necessity as it’s provide unmatchable convenient by giving you mainly two benefit

• Precise bit height adjustment with ease and
• Hassle free quick bit changes

Now, the best part:

You can do the both from above the table giving you respite from the awkward moments that you would have passed under the table.

Also, adjusting the bit to a precise height gives you the perfect cut you always wanted.

The more precise the bit height the more perfect cut you get.

Is it a must to have a router lift?

No, it's not. But the ease of operation it provides will make you go for it. The above table bit change and height adjustment are essential for precise work. It will also amp up your productivity. If you don't have the budget you can always DIY a router lift. Also, there's a new generation of routers like Triton TRA001 that comest with a built-in lift system.

Router lift vs router with above table adjustment?

Router lifts provide you more accuracy while working with a good router fence compared to a router with above table height adjustment. If you have the budget you should always consider buying a router lift. The adjustable routers are only good enough for dados and rabbets.

Can you put a plunge router into a router lift?

I won't recommend it. The best option is to use a fixed base router with a lift.

There are a wide range of router lifts on the market to suit different preferences, router models, tables and budgets.

Whichever you choose you will wonder why you didn’t buy one sooner!

So rather than grappling with the hassle of below table bit changes and height adjustments,or grumbling as slippage spoils yet another woodworking project, take action now.

Treat yourself by picking up one of the best router lifts from above list.

It will transform your routing, improve your productivity and give an accurate and beautiful finish to your work.