Best Sanders

Best Sanders

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.


Ideal for a host of home improvement projects, a sander makes it easy for DIY enthusiasts to create their own furniture, shelves, and various other items. These tools are a must-have for carpenters, hobbyists, and professional builders alike. The challenge for most consumers is choosing the ideal product to suit their various needs. We created this list to help.

How We Compared Sanders

To find the right sanders, we considered multiple factors, including:

  • Ergonomics
  • Ease of Use
  • Feature Sets
  • Power Levels

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews, and comparing features to come up with this list.

Sander Reviews

Ryobi R18ROS-0 (Editor’s Choice)

Flexible and versatile, this sander makes short work of complicated projects with its simple, ergonomic design. The convenient palm grip handle allows users to work on projects for long periods without pain or discomfort. What’s more, the powerful 18-volt motor delivers all the phenomenal performance of a corded sander without the need for pesky wires.

Ideal for beginners, the Ryobi R18ROS-0 requires minimal initial setup, so you can start working on your tasks faster. The cyclonic dust collection system keeps unwanted mess to a minimum and helps to protect your eyes while you work. Moreover, a live tool indicator lets you know when you’re running out of energy.

This device comes with a large orbital motion for quick and efficient work and a swirl-free finish. This product offers up to 45 minutes of battery life for detailed tasks, with no unnecessary cords. If you have one, you can even charge the battery with an existing charging system.

Pros:

  • large orbit diameter for fast and efficient work
  • Excellent 18 volt motor with no cables
  • Ergonomic palm grip design
  • Live indicator for tracking battery life
  • Built-in dust extraction system

Cons:

  • The device may not be ideal for larger tasks
  • You may have limited control over speed and power

Bosch Professional GEX 125-1 AE (Luxury Choice)

Suitable for both professional tasks and DIY jobs, this high-quality sander makes it easy to transform any wood-based project. It has a 240-volt motor and a convenient cable, so it won’t run out of energy when you need it most. This ensures you can work on your furniture or crafts for as long as you like without a break.

The Bosch Professional GEX 125-1 AE combines an ergonomic, compact design with phenomenal performance. The rubberised surface on the top of the device allows for an excellent grip as you work. In addition, there’s a sanding pad brake to reduce the risk of damage to your piece. The product also includes a patented microfilter system for efficient dust extraction.

This appliance comes with the option to adjust the speed of your sanding system before you begin working to provide users with more control over their sanding experience. The 125mm sanding pad also ensures you can cover large areas in a short amount of time.

Pros:

  • Lightweight and compact
  • Ergonomic grip for ease of use
  • Powerful mains-operated motor
  • Large sanding pad for good area coverage
  • Microfilter dust extraction system

Cons:

  • The device may not have enough power for some projects
  • The dust box may fill up too quickly

Einhell TC-DS 19 (Best Value)

Users can make even the most complex sanding jobs easier with this powerful device. A high-quality and durable machine, this product combines a streamlined ergonomic grip with a lightweight structure for comfort. The 190-watt motor can also deliver up to 20,000 oscillations per minute to smooth out the wood in as little time as possible.

With an innovative extreme-fix Velcro fastening system, the Einhell TC-DS 19 makes it easy to change your abrasive paper in seconds. The triangular-shaped pad helps users to get into corners and tight spaces, while the device’s design makes one-handed use possible. This powerful product comes with three sheets of paper, so you can get to work immediately.

This item includes a built-in dust extractor adapter to minimise mess and help keep you focused on the task at hand. The solution is also suitable for various sanding jobs on materials like plastic, wood, and even metal.

Pros:

  • Multi-functional sanding abilities
  • Convenient ergonomic design
  • Triangular sanding pad for precision
  • Built-in extractor adapter included
  • Easy paper removal system

Cons:

  • The device might be a little too slow for some tasks
  • This product may not be ideal for larger projects

Bosch PSM 200 AES (Best Lightweight)

This sander features a 200-watt motor, making it ideal for professional and home DIY tasks. The product comes with a set of two sanding plates, so you can choose between an orbital or multi-sander solution depending on your needs. What’s more, the item only weighs around 1.4kg in total, making it more comfortable to work with for extended periods.

With a comfortable ergonomic grip, the Bosch PSM 200 AES helps users to make the most of every project. The multiple sanding surfaces are compatible with a range of paper options, so you can complete different tasks without having to change between devices. As an orbital sander, this solution can deliver a phenomenal 6,000-26,000 rpm.

This corded electric model includes a Velcro-type fastening system to make switching between abrasive papers quick and painless. It also comes with a microfilter box to collect dust as you work and improve visibility. There are even six-speed options to choose from, giving you more control over your piece.

Pros:

  • Two sanding plate options to choose from
  • Velcro-style fastening system
  • Ergonomic and lightweight structure
  • Six-speed levels
  • Built-in dust extraction system

Cons:

  • The sanding pads may feel a little loose at times
  • It might be difficult to remove the collection box

Einhell TC-BS 8038 (Best for Sturdiness)

Designed to make sanding quick and simple when working on larger tasks, this product comes with a convenient belt-style mechanism. The device includes a precision adjustment system, so you can choose the exact position on the sanding belt you want to use. The toolless technology also allows for rapid belt changes.

The Einhell TC-BS 8038 is a strong, reliable sander with 800 watts of power. The solution’s compact but efficient belt system includes a dust extraction tool to remove the mess as you work. There’s also a comfortable ergonomic handle to keep your hand from cramping.

This corded machine requires no battery or recharging, so you can continue your projects for as long as you choose. What’s more, there’s an extra grip component on the front of the machine to give you more control when applying certain pressure levels.

Pros:

  • Excellent ergonomic grip system
  • High-performance belt sander
  • Quick and easy belt changes and adjustments
  • Lightweight structure
  • Built-in dust extraction system

Cons:

  • The dust bag may fill too quickly
  • The device could be quite noisy

Bosch PEX 220 A (Best Manoeuvrability)

This random orbit sander comes with a reliable 220-watt motor to help boost the efficiency of any sanding job. The device has a palm-style grip at the top of the machine, so you can apply the right amount of pressure to each project. Moreover, the compact design makes the product excellent for professionals on the move.

This Bosch PEX 220 A sander is a reliable and efficient device which gives users plenty of control over their sanding motion. The large orbital plate is great for covering bigger areas in a short space of time. The 125mm pad can deliver an orbital stroke rate of up to 24,000 opm. This item also comes with velcro-type fastening to make replacing paper and pads easy.

A built-in dust extraction system collects debris directly from the workpiece, reducing the mess and helping visibility. The device is also designed for minimal vibration, so you can polish wood for long periods without any discomfort.

Pros:

  • Low vibration for reduced hand strain
  • Excellent ergonomic grip
  • Suitable for large surfaces
  • Electric mains operation so you don’t run out of energy
  • Velcro-type fastening for pad replacement

Cons:

  • It could be difficult to fit the discs to your sander
  • The dust extraction may be somewhat limited

Jellas Belt (Best for Large Areas)

This device covers large areas in no time and is ideal for professionals working on complex sanding projects. The belt-style sander comes with a 1000-watt motor and six adjustable speeds, suitable for de-rusting, paint stripping and polishing. It can work with metallic and non-metal surfaces and has a 3m power cord for easy movability.

This Jellas Belt sander offers a larger grinding area than most products, with a 75 x 533mm sandpaper belt. There’s also the option to choose between six different types of grit, with 12 sheets included to suit different needs. The electric sander can also be directly attached to a vacuum cleaner without an adapter to remove excess debris.

The self-locking switch prevents users from having to hold a button while working. What’s more, this product comes with rubber-wrapped handles for ergonomic grip and reduced vibrations. The kit also features a pair of carbon brushes and an extra belt to enhance the life of your purchase.

Pros:

  • Extra-long power cord
  • Large sanding area
  • Six variable speed options
  • Powerful 1000-watt motor
  • Self-locking switch

Cons:

  • The tension lever might break with regular use
  • Finding spare brushes could be quite difficult

How to Choose a Sander

The perfect sander will often depend on what kind of projects you plan on tackling. Professionals working on carpentry pieces for long periods may need a high-power device. Alternatively, simpler, lightweight solutions may be more appealing for home DIY tasks.

When choosing the ultimate sander, there are a few points you may want to consider, such as:

Ergonomics

Powerful machines like sanders can be uncomfortable to use for long periods. An ergonomic design will make it easier to complete tasks with minimal discomfort. The best products come with rubberised grips to dampen vibration and extra components to hold onto when you need to apply different pressure levels to your piece.

When considering how comfortable you’ll be using your product, it may also be worth thinking about the sound level, as high decibels can cause hearing problems.

Ease of Use

Most top sanders are designed to be simple for beginners to master. The best options come with straightforward instructions and convenient components. For instance, many top devices include a velcro-style fastening system for adding and removing new papers and pads. This ensures you can quickly replace the sanding utensils you’re using without having to resort to other tools.

Feature Sets

The exact functionality of your sander will depend on the features included within the machine. Some solutions have multiple sanding plates, so you can switch between orbital or multi-use systems. Many products will also come with a built-in dust extraction system.

In some cases, it’s also possible to directly connect your tool to your vacuum, so you can rapidly remove any debris from your workpiece.

Power Levels

A sander’s performance usually depends on many factors, including whether you choose a battery-powered or mains-operated device. An electric corded model will last longer without the need for charging but can be harder to manoeuvre.

Alternatively, a cordless option can be more versatile but may lack power and consistency. Some devices will also have the option to switch between different speed levels. Higher rotation levels are often ideal for larger projects.

Summary

Our top pick from this list was the Ryobi R18ROS-0. This lightweight, ergonomic sander comes with a strong 18-volt motor and a cordless design. There’s a live power indicator to tell you when you’re running out of energy, and the large orbital motion system can speed through tasks in no time. There’s also a fantastic grip for comfort and control while you work.

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