Random Orbital Sanders are the easiest and the quickest way to sand wood smooth. It is a powerful tool used by most of the professionals and hobbyists to remove unwanted materials from the wood in the shortest period of time.
While not a popular hobby in the DIY community anymore, there are still a lot of people who work on wood at home and at offices. Here, we present the 7 Best Random Orbital Sander reviews.
Dewalt D26453K – Our Top Pick
Dewalt D26453K performed exceptionally well during our time of testing. It gets a variable speed motor which makes very little noise, has an excellent vacuum adapter which sucks in all the dust and features a mechanism which lets you switch disks in a fly.
Above all, the Dewalt D26453K comes with a three-year limited warranty which definitely gives a piece of mind to the customers.
Black+Decker Bdero 100 – Best Value for Money
Good doesn’t always have to be expensive. Black+Decker Bdero 100 is a perfect example of that. Priced at under $30, this is a perfect buy if you do sanding just once in a while.
It is compact and can remove unwanted materials in a matter of minutes. It also features the hook and loop system for quick sandpaper changes. You will also love the fact that the machine is dust sealed which dramatically reduces the failure rate of the machine. It’s also worth mentioning that there are over 1000 Amazon customer reviews of this specific sander with an average rating of 4.4/5.
Best Random Orbital Sanders Of 2021
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1) DEWALT D26453K Kit – Best Orbital Sander
The Dewalt Random Orbital Sander Kit comes with the sander, a dust bag, and a high-quality tool bag. The sander features a 3-Amp motor with varying speed. You can use the dial on the sander to change the speed ranging from 7000-12000 orbit per minute (OPM).
If you are planning to sand for an extended period of time, you will love the Dewalt D26453K. It is relatively silent and the vibration is well-controlled.
Sanding produces a lot of heat and dust which can be hard on the various parts of the tool. Thanks to the Dewalt Sander’s dust-sealed switch and sealed ball-bearing construction, you can expect it to last for a long while.
Its dust collection mechanism is also very effective. While it doesn’t suck in all the dust, it does it better than 90% of the competition. During our test, after finishing up with woodwork, there was some dust left on the floor and some floating in the air but the attached vacuum did catch a lot of the mess.
The sander also has a good design which makes handling it a breeze.
Pros:
- Excellent after-sales support
- Portable and comes with a high-quality tool bag
- Powerful variable speed motor
- Effective Dust Collection
2) BLACK+DECKER BDERO100
Black+Decker makes all kinds of electronic appliances and we were not surprised when we saw the BDERO100 at the Home Depot. But what surprised us was its price. Priced at under $25, it is undoubtedly the best budget option.
If you are a hobbyist who is just getting into wood-working, you will love this tool. It’s compact, has enough power to work on furniture and is very reliable. The hook and loop system also makes changing sandpapers really easy.
It also features a dust collector which while not very effective does collect a lot of dust. If you’re health conscious, it’s best if you use this tool outdoors. Alternatively, you can also hook it up to a vacuum with a hose and work it that way. Also, this produuct is quite loud but given the price, we really can’t complain.
Anyone who is brand loyal will choose this product with their eyes closed. Black & Decker has made quite a good reputation in the power tools and home improvement products department. And there’s really no reason why people shouldn’t buy the BDERO100 especially since it comes with a 2-year warranty.
Pros:
- Unbeatable Pricing
- Doesn’t heat all that much
- Good construction
- Compact and Portable
- 2-year warranty
Cons:
- Dust collector not very effective
- Makes a lot of noise
3) Makita BO5041K – Best Random Orbital Sander for Woodworking
The Makita BO5041K is a 5-Inch sander which comes with a heavy-duty tool case. The complete kit set includes the orbital sander itself, an abrasive disc, a dust bag and a hard case.
Makita is a Japanese manufacturer which sells power tools all around the world. If you are looking for a tool that will last a long while, you will want to have your eyes on Makita products. The Makita BO5041K comes with a 30-day return policy and is backed up by 1-year product warranty.
Talking about the product itself, the BO5041K comes with a high-speed motor whose speed can be seamlessly changed using the speed control dial. Users can select speeds ranging from 4000-12,000 OPM.
The ergonomics of this particular Orbit Sander is great. It fits in the hand extremely well and the two-finger trigger switch is a joy to use. The lock-on button is also conveniently placed and comes handy when you want to use the tool for an extended period of time.
As with most of the other sanders in the list, the BO5041K comes with a 5-inch eight-hole hook and loop disc which can be swapped quickly. The holes make the dust collection process effective. But even then, we found the tool unable to collect dust as effectively as its more expensive counterparts.
Pros:
- Includes a second-hand grip
- Very comfortable to hold even for an extended period of time
- Lightweight and portable
- Quiet with little vibration
Cons:
- Average dust collection capability
4) Makita XOB01Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 5″
The Makita XOB01Z is the only orbit sander in the list which can run on battery power. It can run for 40 minutes in low speed or 20 minutes in full speed setting before needing a recharge.
Many will start criticizing the performance of this product is just because it’s battery-powered. But from our tests, we found that this specific model performs just as well if not better than its competition.
What you will not like however is the fact that you can’t freely change the speed of the motor. You are stuck with fast, medium or low-speed settings which translates to 7,000 OMP, 9,500 OPM, and 11,000 OPM respectively.
Another disappointing part about this product is what you get in the box. Let alone a portable bag for carrying the sander around, you don’t get even a battery or a charger in the box for the sander.
Pros:
- Cordless
- Can run for up to 40 minutes on a single charge
- Pad control system for controlled pad speed during start-up
- Quick Disc Change feature
Cons:
- Heavy thanks to the use of a large Li-Ion Battery
5) Ingersoll-Rand 328B Heavy Duty Air Geared Orbital Sander
Anyone who is looking for a sturdy random orbital sander that is capable of performing heavy-duty tasks, the Ingersoll-Rand 3288B should be your top pick. The sander is built like a tank and can work on large wood surfaces for a long time.
It is an air geared option which is capable of removing unwanted materials from large, flat surfaces leaving you with a smooth finish wood without any prominent swirls.
The ergonomics of the 328B is also worth a mention. It’s designed in a way that it fits perfectly in your hands. The throttle lever is also positioned in a way that you don’t have to apply much pressure, if at all.
You get a year warranty with the Ingersoll-Rand 328B but we have been using this particular sander for over 3 years now and it has given us no issues whatsoever. You will find other reviewers share the same experience across the Internet.
Pros:
- Priced exceptionally well
- Motor is comparatively silent
- Low vibration
Cons:
- Not very portable
6) Bosch 120-V 6-Inch Sander/Polisher with Vibration Control ROS65VC-6
Bosch ROS65VC-6 is a popular choice among enthusiasts and professionals who want a tool that can work for hours without giving any issues. It is not a cheap orbit sander but if you use it daily at your work, you can get a return on your investment in a very short period of time.
It is powered by a 3.3-Amp motor whose speed can be easily changed with a variable speed dial. It comes in handy when you have to work in different kinds of materials and depending on the thickness of the work. You will want to choose a slow speed setting if you are working on a fragile piece of furniture.
The tool can take either 5-inch or 6-inch sanding pads. The pads can be easily swapped with the microcellular hook and loop backing pad mechanism. It features a dust collection system which has a microfilter dust canister with an integrated paper filter. The paper filter can last a very long time and is easily user replaceable. It’s also just as easy to clean.
It also comes with a pad-dampening braking system which reduces swirl marks and creates a smooth well-blended finish.
In the box, you get a removable front handle, a tubular dust canister, a vacuum hose adapter, a 6-inch soft backing pad, a 5mm pad wrench, a sanding disc and the sander itself.
Pros:
- Great ergonomics
- Well weighted
- Vibration Control feature
- Dust collection is effective
- Lets you quickly change pads
Cons:
- Packaging is mediocre
7) Bosch ROS20VSC Sander/Polisher
The ROS20VSC is an entry-level Random Orbital Sander from Bosch which can be purchased for less than half the price of the aforementioned Bosch sander. It features a less powerful 2.5-Amp motor but like its more expensive sibling, it offers variable-speed control.
It is quite compact and the soft top grip allows you to use multiple grip positions. You will appreciate this feature especially if you work for an extended period of time. This feature dramatically reduces fatigue and discomfort you get from sanders which allow for only one grip position.
The dust collection features, however, doesn’t work very well. It does a decent job at collecting the dust for 2-3 minutes after which, it doesn’t suck in the dust that well. It may be a deal breaker for some. It’s no fun stopping the work to remove the filter and clean it every once in a while. Thankfully, the sander is compatible with standard 1-1/4-inch and 1-1/2-inch vacuum hose which means it is possible to connect to external vacuum systems.
If you can live with that, there’s not much to complain. It does sanding really well and can last a long while. You will also love the fact that the sander comes with 1-year warranty, 30-day money back guarantee and a 1-year service protection plan.
Pros:
- Priced well
- Highly controlled vibration
- Perfectly flat sanding pad
- Sanding more precise and much more accurate
Cons:
- Produces a lot of noise
- Cartridge filter not very effective
- Dust collection works well only for a short period
How to Use a Random Orbital Sander?
Things to Consider While Buying a Random Orbital Sander
You will find that Random Orbital Sanders are available in all shapes/sizes and not to mention in various price points.
Today, thanks to the advancement of Internet technology, you will find that there are very few products that are total garbage. If a product is just a rip-off, it doesn’t take much time for people to realize and abandon it. So, there’s really no need to worry if you are getting a product that is not genuine or not up to the industry standard.
But that doesn’t mean you don’t do your homework before making your purchase decision. As we discussed earlier, there are different types of Random Orbital which may or may not have the features that you need. So, here are a few things you will need to consider before buying yourself a new Random Orbital Sander.
1) Size and Portability
Size plays a big role in sanding and I would go as far as to say it is the first feature you should look for while buying a new sander.
Typically, when you sit down to sand a furniture, it takes a considerate amount of time. So, you will want to make sure that the device that you hold fits well in your hand. You may want to avoid any sander which weighs a lot and makes your arms sore.
You should also check if the Sander you are buying has rubber grips or not. If it has, it will definitely help you work for longer.
2) Performance
It goes without saying that performance should be on the top of your priority list when looking for them. You will find sanders which feature motors with 2-5 Amps of power. That’s the input power. The output depends on the quality of the sanders. Some of them will have better performance even though they have the same amount of electricity input. The pad vibrations vary from 4000 to 14000 orbit per minute. The higher the number, the better.
You may also want to have a look at the Sanders which has a dial for varying the speed of the motor. While you will find yourself running the motor at the maximum speed most of the time, the slower speed comes in handy when you are working on a fragile piece of furniture.
3) Noise and Vibration
This is another important feature you can’t simply miss. You won’t find information regarding the noise or the vibration it produces in the specs sheet of the tool. To know details regarding it, it’s best to look at user reviews and customer feedback.
It is one feature people don’t think much about but something that will make them go nuts if they have made a bad purchase decision.
4) Grips
A good grip is essential for crafting any furniture. A rubberized grip will make sure that you can hold the sander comfortably and in place. Usually, smaller sanders are held from the top and bigger ones have barrel grip handles.
A more professional option gets two handles, one on either side of the sander. It gives you more control while doing the woodwork. What’s also great about such wood sanders is the fact that you can remove the additional handle when you don’t need them or while working on a furniture glued to a wall.
5) Trigger Lock
A trigger lock can be compared to the cruise control on a car. When you know you have to work on a wood for a long time, you can just pull the trigger switch lock and the machine functions without you needing to hold your finger on the trigger.
6) Sawdust Collection
You will find most of them come with some sort of sawdust collection system. There’s a hole in the base plate through which all the sawdust is passed to the dust container. A vacuum adapter is used to suck in all the dust. A more advanced system will also include a connector which will let you connect the sander to a dedicated vacuum system.
7) Base Plate and Sanding Paper
They use sanding disks (sanding papers) which attaches to the base plate with a use of hook and loop system. You can attach different size sand disc as per your work.
The disks also feature holes which help in dust removal. Depending upon the system you purchase, you can quickly swap between different size sanding discs.
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