What hand plane should a beginner buy first?

Most newcomers start with either a low-angle block plane for trimming and chamfering or a No. 4 smoothing plane for flattening and finishing surfaces. Verified-purchase reviewers tend to favor an affordable block plane first because it handles end-grain and small jobs with the least setup, while a No. 4 is the more versatile bench-plane starting point if you intend to flatten boards.