Best Electric Sanders

Review & Comparison, Last Update March 15, 2024
In the electric sander review, we bring to your attention the five selected sander tools to help you deal with the tedious sanding job with almost no effort. Read more to find your new helper! ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
TYPE
SANDING SPEED
ABRASIVE
USE FOR
CONVENIENCE
WEIGHT
POWER CAPACITY
WARRANTY
 
PROS
The universal adapter allows connecting vacuum cleaners with different pipes. The sander works with standard sandpaper, providing for extra versatility and convenience.
CONS
The soft bag might not provide enough protection.
OUR VERDICT
This orbital sander is well suited for finish machining of large flat surfaces. It can handle various materials, such as plastic, wood, stone or metal.
detailed parameters
TYPE
Orbital 1/4 Sheet Sander
SANDING SPEED
14000 OPM, 1/16" Orbit Diameter
ABRASIVE
Standard sandpaper sheets
USE FOR
Sanding outer corners and finishes
CONVENIENCE
Cloth dust bag, Vacuum adapter kit, Bent wire clamping system, Textured rubber top and body grip, Dust removal hole punch unit
WEIGHT
3.1 lbs
POWER CAPACITY
2.4 Amp
WARRANTY

3 years (limited)

PROS

The dust port allows attaching bags of other WEN tools.

CONS

The unit may work slowlier with the larger pads attached.

OUR VERDICT

This palm sander is a wonderful pick for processing products with multiple curves and cavities and is irreplaceable for polishing corners from the inside.

detailed parameters
TYPE

Detailing Palm Sander

SANDING SPEED

13500 OPM

ABRASIVE

3.5" х 5.5" sandpaper sheets

USE FOR

Sanding inner corners and finish machining

CONVENIENCE

Velcro base pad, Dust collection port

WEIGHT

2.2 lbs

POWER CAPACITY

1 A

WARRANTY

1 year (limited)

PROS
Combining orbit action with spinning, this random orbital sander boasts quality and simplicity of sanding.
CONS
Because of its round pad, this sander won't cope well with inner corners.
OUR VERDICT
Complex sanding action of this sander allows its use for a variety of tasks, from rough sanding to polishing paint finish or light finishing before painting.
detailed parameters
TYPE
Random Orbit Sander
SANDING SPEED
12000 OPM
ABRASIVE
5" sandstone disk
USE FOR
Crude treatment and finish machining
CONVENIENCE
Hybrid dust canister, Hook and loop system, Rubberized handle
WEIGHT
3.1 lbs
POWER CAPACITY
2 Amp
WARRANTY

2 years (limited)

PROS
The sander provides two different sanding types, ensuring quick result and high-quality surface. The removable miter gauge delivers extra sanding accuracy.
CONS
The sanding disc replacement might seem a bit complicated compared to hook-and-loop backing.
OUR VERDICT
This sander is perfect for quick turning or grinding of the tools, processing edges and corners or smoothing out small surfaces.
detailed parameters
TYPE
Belt Disc Benchtop Sander
SANDING SPEED
1900 SFM, 3450 RPM
ABRASIVE
4x36" abrasive belt, 6" sandstone disc
USE FOR
Sanding small details and flat ends
CONVENIENCE
Dust vacuum attachment port, Easy replacement and adjustment of the belt, Sanding disc attachment with adhesive backing, Adjustable 0-90°stippling bevel, Horizontal and vertical position of the abrasive belt, Supporting table
WEIGHT
41 lb
POWER CAPACITY
4.3 Amp
WARRANTY

2 years (limited)

PROS
The dust bag swivels in all directions, allowing the sander to get to the most hard-to-reach places. The additional handle provides firm two-handed grip of the sander.
CONS
This sander is suitable for quick and rough sanding only.
OUR VERDICT
The high performance of this sander allows it to handle various tasks, such as fast sanding of large surfaces, removing paint from wood or metal and smoothing the surface.
detailed parameters
TYPE
Belt Sander
SANDING SPEED
1640 SFM
ABRASIVE
4"x25" abrasive belt
USE FOR
Rough sanding of large surfaces or smoothing board edges by gang sanding
CONVENIENCE
Swiveling dust bag, Lever control for easy bag replacement, Trigger lock, Extra handle for two-handed operation
WEIGHT
13 lbs
POWER CAPACITY
11 Amp
WARRANTY

1 year (limited)

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DEWALT D26441K

Type

This small hand sander is orbital, designed for delicate sanding. It is perfect for finishing wood and it perfectly copes with plastic, metal, stone or many other materials. The simple design and the features of the sander allow you to remove needless coating or residue and prepare the surface for finishing coating. The working surface of this sander is a heavy-duty plate, which moves in frequent small circles, due to which you get perfect sanding. The square shape of the plate helps you get into the corners for proper sanding.
Review of DEWALT D26441K Orbital 1/4-Sheet Sander

Performance

This electric hand sander has a powerful 2.4 amp motor, which provides the orbital speed of 14000 OPM. Thanks to the high rotating speed, this sander can treat almost any surface fairly quickly. A small radius of the orbit delivers smooth finish without pits and scratches. The square plate base has a small size of ¼ of the universal 4”x4” abrasive sheet, allowing you to quickly handle small surfaces and niches.
DEWALT D26441K Orbital 1/4-Sheet Sander in the use

Convenience

DEWALT D26441K Orbital 1/4-Sheet Sander utilizes universal sheets of sandpaper, one standard sandpaper sheet will be enough to make four sanding pieces to fit the sander. This ensures versatility and allows you to use the most suitable grit for your specific sanding. The two clamps press the sandpaper firmly to the base. Along with the sander, you also receive a handy hole punch that helps you make holes for dust removal in the sandpaper. This will allow you to effectively remove dust from the working surface and improve the sanding quality. Thanks to the universal adapter you can connect vacuums of various pipe diameters to the sander. The sander comes with a cloth dust bag that can be used with or without a vacuum. The anti-slip rubber top and body grip ensure convenient use of the sander for a long time. A handy bag allows you to easily carry and store the tool.
Detailed review of DEWALT D26441K Orbital 1/4-Sheet Sander
Last updated price $94.97
Stock In stock
ASIN B0007XXHGE

VIDEO
DeWalt 26441K Palm Sander Review
 

WEN 6301

Reaches Every Spot

The WEN 6301 is referred to orbital sanders, yet its deltoid shoe is what differs it from many other tools and makes more suitable for processing more complex objects. Thanks to the angle pad tip, the WEN 6301 can slip into the curved pits and into the hollows for detailed processing. The operating principle of the WEN 6301 which is based on a small amplitude vibration suits finishing processes perfectly yet, it doesn't limit its use to this types of work only. With a coarse-grade sandpaper being attached, the WEN 6301 will also help remove rust and paint from various surfaces, sanding them at the same time. Mind that it's best efficient when used on small areas. For processing larger objects like floors and fences, consider buying a belt sander that would cope with the task in a shorter length of time.

Review of WEN 6301 Electric Detailing Palm Sander

Just Plug In

Speaking of the performance, the WEN 6301 is fitted with 1A motor that yields the power of 13500 OPM to drive a sanding pad. This speed is allowable for processing most wooden products, polishing a variety of surfaces wth a plaster or chalk coating, as well as carbon fiber reinforced polymers like those used for cars. Yet, this sander delivers a bit too high speed for finishing lacquered surfaces, hence if that's what you need to do, we recommend using a polisher. The tool's sanding pad is perforated and we consider this as an advantage. That's because the holes capture dust and fine particles and allow the sander to perform evenly without leaving blind spots. The control is super easy as the tool is equipped with the only start button. No adjustments and calibrations, just plug the WEN in and off you go.

WEN 6301 Electric Detailing Palm Sander in the use

Keep Your Workplace Clean

Final machining may take a lot of time, so the WEN engineers have taken care of their sander's convenience of use. The WEN 6301 features no handles, its top is rounded and looks like a mushroom head which allows you to grip the tool firmly applying the pressure evenly across the entire sanding pad. This also provides all-round performance and excellent surface coverage. In addition, the tool comes with a port for connecting to a hoover to clean your working area. What is more, if you own another WEN tool but with a bag, you can attach the latter to this sander. Lastly, we should say that the tool is lightweight, so you will be able to use it during the extended period of time easily.

Detailed review of WEN 6301 Electric Detailing Palm Sander

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $20.71
Stock In stock
ASIN B000EUH4TG

 

Black & Decker BDERO100

Type

Black & Decker BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander works much like orbital sander machines, but there’s one major difference. The sander pad vibrates in circles, but it also spins simultaneously, combining rotary and orbit action. This is, probably, the most versatile electric sander suitable for most sanding tasks. This random orbital sander provides the most even and smoothest sanding thanks to a shock-absorbing pad and even wear of sandpaper. This sander does an excellent job on a variety of curved surfaces and is good for cleaning, sanding, polishing of wood, metal, plastic as well as for particularly fine polishing.
Review of Black & Decker BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander

Performance

This sander has a 2-Amp motor, which allows you to use this machine on small surfaces at minor loads. The rotation speed of 12000 OPM provides high-quality polishing for various sorts of materials, wood in particular. Use fine grits to smooth the surface down and create a high-quality finish. The standard 5” sanding pad allows you to use different sandpaper sheets and change them if needed. Black & Decker BDERO100 is a finish sander, yet its random orbital action also provides efficient material removal — just try using larger grits.
Black & Decker BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander in the use

Convenience

This random orbital sander is small and maneuverable, it allows you to perform fine and precise sanding operations. A convenient rubber palm grip allows you to hold the sander machine firmly in your hands and makes it comfortable to work with. The sander uses 5” sandpaper discs of any grit. The fabric dust container and the dust-sealed switch increase the performance of the sander and extend its service life.
Detailed review of Black & Decker BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $29.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B00MLSS1SW

VIDEO
Review: Black & Decker BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch
 

WEN 6502

Type

WEN 6502 Belt with Disc Sander is a two-in-one tool, combining a belt sander and an orbital disc sander in one stationary desktop sander machine. The abrasive belt located in the upper part of the sander tool allows you to easily treat small flat surfaces or grind edges. The sanding disc located on the side is designed for grinding and precise turning. This sander solution is perfect for sanding small objects and a wide variety of materials.
Review of WEN 6502 Belt and Disc Sander

Performance

This sander machine features a two-in-one structure with two types of sanders combined. Thanks to it design, the machine allows you to manage a wide range of tasks. The top belt can be operated at the speed of 1900 SFM, helping to remove the upper layers of wood, align the ends of details, sharpen the tools. The abrasive disc spins at 3450 RPM. Such a speed provides fast and high-quality corner rounding, burring or sanding small details. The sander is powered by a 4.3-Amp motor, which allows you to complete large amounts of work at an average load.
WEN 6502 Belt and Disc Sander in the use

Convenience

WEN 6502 Belt with Disc Sander features high stability thanks to its large weight. The sander will stand firm on the desktop while performing the sanding tasks. With a number of additional features, this sander is truly universal. The sanding belt can be tilted up to 90 degrees, ensuring comfortable handling for details of different complexity. The belt guard also serves as a stop when sanding large surfaces (such as wood panels). The removable table has its own miter gauge with beveling settings from 0 to 45 degrees. The gauge can be installed on both sanding tools. The sanding disc is attached to the working surface with an adhesive. The 2.5” dust port allows attaching a dust collector for easier clean-up.
Detailed review of WEN 6502 Belt and Disc Sander

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $159.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B00NAXSYT8

VIDEO
Wen Model 6502 Sander
 

Makita 9403

Type

Makita 9403 is a belt sander. The working surface of this sander is a loop of abrasive cloth mounted on 2 drums. The first drum of the sander drives the belt while the other one controls the tension. Such a design delivers high performance of the sander. You can use it to easily remove old paint or remove large bumps of the treated surface. This sander is the best for large flat surfaces. A belt sander can smooth virtually any surface, but it’s hard to get a good-looking finish. So, for a perfect result, use this belt sander with eccentric sanders or orbital sanders.
Review of Makita 9403 Belt Sander

Performance

High performance of this Makita belt sander is provided by its 11-Amp motor, by which the sander can be used for heavy workload. This high-speed sander can effectively remove layers of material or paint as well as smooth out the surface roughness. With 4” working width, the sander allows you to do considerable volumes of sanding works in a quick and easy way. At the same time, the noise level of the sander does not exceed 84 dB, making this belt sander one of the quietest in the class. A removable ceramic wear plate extends the service life of the sander machine.
Makita 9403 Belt Sander in the use

Convenience

Makita 9403 Belt Sander has a large convenient handle for two-handed operation, providing this powerful sander machine with excellent grip, control and comfort for the operator. For convenient prolonged operation, this sander features a trigger lock, which allows you to work without keeping the trigger pressed down for a while. A cloth dust bag used for the efficient removal of sanding dust swivels 360° for comfortable dust collection even in cramped conditions. The design features of this sander machine allow you to grind the surface flush with the wall, which significantly increases the efficiency of the instrument. The sander comes with one abrasive belt that easily fits over the sander drums. Just click off the tensioning lever, put the belt on the drums and snap the lever back — the sander is now ready for operation.
Detailed review of Makita 9403 Belt Sander

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B0000223IY

VIDEO
Makita 9404 Belt Sander - w444w ENG
 

What is an Electric Sander

Those who’ve ever done repairs or made anything of wood faced such tasks as grinding or sanding. This process might not be to your liking, for it requires care, it's pretty monotonous and time-consuming. Previously, high-quality sanding took a lot of time and anyone engaged in the sanding work might have thought much about speeding the process up. Fortunately, responding to the user needs, there are many sander and grinder machines, designed for any occasions and tasks and serving both professionals and home craftsmen. To make sure the result will fit your ideas, it’s important to understand the variety of sanders, to know what the specific sander is for and make the right choice. Check out our shortlist to find the best tools.

If you plan to get engaged in making wooden furniture or carpentry, please, consider buying a jig saw for figural wood cutting and a circular saw for cutting wood boards. 

Best Electric Sanders

What Features to Compare

To choose the right sander, think first about what you’re going to use the tool for. Depending on the task, you’ll need to use the sander of the right Type — an orbital sander, a random orbit sander, a disc sander, a belt sander, a detail sander, you can also choose between a hand sander and a stationary sander machine, a power sander and a simple manual one — the variety of types and applications is immense! Each sander is primarily designed for specific tasks. For example, orbital sander tools are perfect for the finish sanding of large flat surfaces. If you’re seeking for a hardwood floor sander, a wall sander (or maybe both) that will provide you with a neat smooth finish, pay attention to this type of sanders. A belt sander is great for quick rough sanding, the high speed of the belt makes it easy to quickly remove a coat, smoothen or curve the workpiece, remove old paint or rust. However, due to the high speed, there might be chips and scratches on the treated material, which requires further sanding with a more delicate sander polisher. A random orbit sander is a universal sanding tool, it easily copes with the finishing sanding, and if necessary you can use a coarse abrasive to remove old coating or paint, remove bumps or round out the edges. The only thing this sander cannot handle is inner corners where its round sole pad won’t get. A detail sander tool does excellent job finishing corners and other hard-to-reach places. The design of the sole makes it easy to handle furniture and complex shapes. Stationary desktop sanders are well-suited for the treatment and precise shaping of small wooden, metal, plastic, ceramic or composite details. If you’re into professional sanding, make sure to have all the types of sander tools at your disposal.

The Performance of a sander determines the time you spend on sanding and the amount of work. There are several factors affecting the performance. The power and the motion speed of the abrasive surface are common parameters for all the sander types. The power determines the efficiency of the sander motor and the load it can withstand. The time spent on sanding and the quality of sanding. The higher the speed, the faster the sanding, yet the quality decreases. Low sanding speed provides for better quality, but it takes more time to complete the sanding. The speed of a belt sander is usually measured in surface feet per minute (SFM), the operating speed of other sanders is usually measured in orbits per minute (OPM). Another parameter important for any detail, orbital or random orbital sander is the orbit diameter of its pad circular movement. The smaller the sander orbit diameter, the smaller the treated area, but the better the sanding. The adjustable speed will allow picking the optimal parameters for different materials. The size of the sander working surface determines the sanding speed, but the small size will allow you to handle fine details more easily.

Comfortable use of the sander increases productivity and reduces fatigue. That’s why the Convenience of the tool is a very important parameter when choosing the right sander. Be sure to consider the type of the abrasive material and the way it’s attached to the sander. Although most sander tools use specific abrasives with adhesive backing, a number of sanders allow using universal sandpaper fastened with clamps. Make sure that the sander you choose has a dust collector and that you can attach to a vacuum tool. The rubberized grip lets you keep a firm hold on the sander during operation. Extra accessories can facilitate sanding, while a carrying bag or a case will provide convenient transportation or storage of the sander and accessories.

Sources:

1. Joseph Truini Know Your Power Sanders, And How to Use Them, Popular Mechanics. Oct 2, 2012.

2. Selecting the Right Power Sander for the Job, DoItYourself.

3. Kit Stansley Choose The Right Sander for Your Project, LifeHacker. May 9, 2014.

4. Essential DIY Tools — Electric Sander, Addicted 2 Decorating. March 21, 2013.

5. Sander, Wikipedia. April 9, 2016.

6. Lee Wallender 5 Types of Sanders For Your Remodel Project. Thespruce. January 24, 2017.

7. How to buy a sander, Which?

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