Best Orbital Sander 2024: Reviews + Buying Guide

If you are interested in woodworking of any sort, sanding will be a huge part of the job. In this article, we will take a close look at some of the best orbital sanders on the market right now.

Our top choice is the SKIL SR211601 5 Random Orbital Sander with Cyclonic Dust Box. It has a 2.8 Amp motor that can reach up to 13,000 OPM (Orbits Per Minute). It also comes with a X-flow dust collector which goes into the easy-to-clean container to prevent sawdust from going in your lungs.

Before you decide on a certain tool, we encourage you to learn about each of the following products.

How We Picked The Best Orbital Sander

As we put together our best orbital sander list, there were quite a few things that we thought to check. This includes the total radius of the pad as well as the speeds its motor can handle as the speed of your sander will determine how quickly a job gets done.

We made a point of selecting sanders that have an ergonomic design, this ensures that you will be able to fit the sander into any cracks or crevices in your projects.

A Spotlight On Some of The Best Orbital Sander 2024:

 

DEWALT DWE6421K Orbital Sander Kit, 5 inch, 3 amp, Corded

The DEWALT DWE6421K Orbital Sander Kit, 5 inch, 3 amp, Corded comes with a 3 amp motor that can do up to 12,000 orbits per minute. The design has a separate counterweight to reduce the vibrations when you are sanding as well as improve your sanding experience.

Its build is very sturdy and the switches are dust-sealed to prevent sawdust from going into the machine. This will further improve the longevity of your orbital sander. It also comes with a rubber over-mold on all the critical spots so that you can have a safer experience using it.

The DEWALT DWE6421K Orbital Sander Kit, 5 inch, 3 amp, Corded also includes a dust collection system as well as an on-handed locking dust bag.

Pros:

• Comes with dust-sealed switches for a longer lifespan
• Includes rubber over-mold for more grip and safety
• Has a dust collection system as well as a dust bag that locks into the sander
• The shape of the sander is very comfortable to hold
• It is quite lightweight

Cons:

• Only comes with one speed setting

 

SKIL SR211601 5 Random Orbital Sander with Cyclonic Dust Box

The SKIL SR211601 5 Random Orbital Sander with Cyclonic Dust Box has a small and minimalistic design so that you are able to fit it into every crevice. The handles are molded with rubber so that you have more grip and a more comfortable experience while using it.

It also comes with an X-flow dust collector that goes straight into its transparent dust container. This container is very easy to clean and it also allows you to see when your container is full.

The SKIL SR211601 5 Random Orbital Sander with Cyclonic Dust Box comes with a 2.8amp motor that is able to reach up to 13,000 orbits per minute and it also has an adjustable speed setting for more power to sand different materials.

Pros:

• Small design allows it to fit into every crevice
• Has an adjustable speed setting for easy sanding on every surface
• Comes with dust-sealed switches to improve the lifespan of your sander
• Dust container is easy to clear and transparent so you know when it’s full
• It has a counterweight to reduce vibrations

Cons:

• Some customers had a bit of trouble with the dust collector

 

‎Narbell NT05001 3.0AMP Orbital Sander

The Narbell NT05001 3.0AMP Orbital Sander features a 3 amp copper motor which minimizes the friction loss to make sure that you get a consistent sanding. It also comes with 6 adjustable speed settings ranging from 6000-14,000 rotations per minute.

This sander also comes with a dust collection system that goes into its dust collection bag, on top of that, it also has a vacuum adaptor so wont even have to worry about emptying the dust bag.

Its design also allows for good circulation, more cooling, and less likelihood of your machine overheating.

Pros:

• Has 6 different adjustable speed settings
• Comes with a vacuum adaptor
• Ergonomic design allows for more air to flow
• Copper motor to minimize friction loss and improve consistency
• Has a cap on the switch to prevent dust from seeping into the sander

Cons:

• The cap can be a little difficult to open

 

CRAFTSMAN CMEW231 Corded Orbital Sander, 5 inch

The CRAFTSMAN CMEW231 Corded Orbital Sander, 5 inch features a very durable and compact build that can hold up to your woodworking needs. It uses the hook and lock system to attach the sandpaper pads.

The motor is a 3 amp motor and it can run up to 12,000 orbits per minute. This allows you to control the sander with minimal effort or frustration. It has minimal vibrations and noise so you won’t have to worry about waking anyone up. The perfect sander for any newcomers to woodworking.

Pros:

• Rubber molding to help with grip and comfort
• Powerful motor that can sand any surface effectively
• Build is strong and durable
• Doesn’t make much noise
• Minimal vibrations so you have more control

Cons:

• Can be difficult to fit the vacuum hose onto the sander

 

‎BOSCH ROS20VSC Palm Sander 2.5 Amp 5 Inch Corded Variable Speed Random Orbital Sander

The BOSCH ROS20VSC Palm Sander 2.5 Amp 5 Inch Corded Variable Speed Random Orbital Sander features a 2.5 amp motor that can reach up to 12,000 orbits per minute. This model has rubber molding throughout the sander so that you will have a comfortable grip and less vibrations

The sanding pads are attached with a hook and loop system that has twice the amount of hooks so it has no chance of getting loose while using. This sander also comes with a dampening pad to prevent swirl marks on your wood projects!

Its dust canister contains a micro filter that can capture dust particles up to half a micron in diameter. You will be able to use this sander with the ease of mind that you are breathing in cleaner air. This canister has an anti-spillback design, so no worries about making a mess of your workspace.

Pros:

• Has a dampening pad so you won’t get any swirls
• Comes with a microfilter in its dust canister
• Easy to reach on/off switch that is dust sealed
• Comes with a vacuum hose adapter
• Canister has an anti-spillback design

Cons:

• Can be a little hard to control

 

Best Orbital Sander Buying Guide

When you are trying to find the very orbital sander online, you will have to consider certain things. You’ll find that the list below will help you in narrowing down your options considerably.

Corded vs Cordless

One of the first things to consider is whether you want to get a corded sander or a cordless sander. We should always make sure to consider the pros and cons of both types of sanders before choosing one.

Corded orbital sander can often be more powerful and more consistent as it is getting power directly, while cordless tend to run out of battery quicker and the speed can slow down significantly when the battery is low. This means that it can go on for longer periods of time without having to stop.

Cordless orbital sander has the advantage of being extremely portable and it is handy for a lot of on-site projects. If you do decide to choose a cordless sander, make sure to look for models that have a long-lasting battery life as that will ensure that you can go on longer uses without having to recharge.

Motor

When it comes to the motor, in general, the higher the amp the more powerful your orbital sander will be. We recommend that you look for sanders around 3 amps or more.

Sand pad size

The larger the diameter of your sand pad means the more surface area you can work on at once. Most sanders on the market will have a diameter of about 5-inches. Going any lower than 5 inches can make it so that anything you are sanding will take twice as long.

Dust collection

Dust collection is a very important part of an orbital sander. When you are looking at their dust collection systems, make sure that they have a dust bag/canister. A vacuum attachment is also a very good idea as that can allow you to work on projects for longer durations.

Comfort

The comfortability of your orbital sander is a vital factor in whether you will continue to use that tool. We recommend looking for sanders that have rubber molding around the handles and areas that require holding. This will help to reduce pains and sores as well as make sure that you have a good grip on the tool.

Safety

Safety is also another thing you must keep in mind. When looking for sanders make sure that the On/Off switch can be easily accessible with a single hand and it should not be obstructed by anything.

The handle should also have rubber molding to ensure that you dont lose grip on your sander.

Conclusion

As you look through the best orbital sanders online, it is imperative that you take a very close look at each one.

We recommend buying a sander that has a strong motor that also comes with a dust collector. You should also look into the rubber molding and sealing to ensure for grip and tool lifespan before making a final decision. Feel free to comment below so we know what you think about our list.