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THE BEST ORBITAL SANDER REVIEW - UPDATED FOR 2022

Are you looking to purchase a random orbital sander, but having trouble deciding
which one is the best sander for your project? Are you finding it hard to
understand the features that come with each sander, what extras you need and
what the different power ratings mean? Are you unsure what type of orbital
sander is most suited to your particular sanding project or what grit sandpaper
you need? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are in the
right place. We have put together a comprehensive review of the best sanders
available. We have listed them along with their best features and we have even
carried out an in-depth review of each sander.

We have listed the advantages and disadvantages for each of the selected
sanders. We have highlighted the best random orbital for various sanding duties
and finally, we have chosen what we believe to be the best orbit sander for
2022. We based our decision on overall functionality, value for money, and
quality of design.

After reading our comprehensive sander review from start to finish you will have
a complete understanding of random orbital sanders. You will have a clear
understanding of the different features, the terminology, and an idea of which
sander is most suitable for the most common sanding projects. We will also tell
you which one we have rated as the best random orbital sander for 2022.

Bob Smith, Sunday 6th January 2022

Teaser, if you don't want to wait, click here to see what product we gave the
award to.


CHECK OUT THE TOP RATED ORBITAL SANDERS

Name/Image Learn MoreBrandRatingWeightPower SourceSizeSpeedFeatures

BLACK AND DECKER ORBITAL SANDER BDERO100

view pricesfull reviews Black & Decker4.5 Star Average Rating
3.16lbMains5"12,000 OPMRandom orbital action, Hook and loop system, Dust sealed
switch, 2 year warranty

DWE6421K DEWALT ORBITAL SANDER KIT

view pricesfull reviews DeWalt4.5 Star Average Rating 4 poundsMains5"12,000
OPMDust collection, 3 year limited warranty

ROS20VSC BOSCH ORBITAL SANDER REVIEW

view pricesfull reviews Bosch4.5 Star Average Rating 3.5 poundsMains5"12,000
OPMVariable sanding speed, hook and loop attachment system, microfilter dust
collection system, 1 year warranty

PORTER CABLE ORBITAL SANDER

view pricesfull reviews PORTER-CABLE4.5 Star Average Rating 3
poundsmains5"12,000 OPM100% ball bearing construction, Dual plane counter,
auto-controlled pad speed, 3 year warranty

BO5041 5-INCH MAKITA ORBITAL SANDER

view pricesfull reviews Makita5 Star Average Rating 3.1 poundsMains5"12,000
OPM3.0 AMP motor, variable speed control, Ergonomic rubberized palm grip, Pad
control system for controlled pad speed upon start-up, Double insulated

BOSCH 3725DEVS – BOSCH RANDOM ORBIT SANDER

view pricesfull reviews Bosch4 Star Average Rating 5.1 lbsMains5"12,000
OPMRugged die-cast aluminum gear housing, dual-bearing pad mount, long-life
design, dual handle, orbits and rotates, Powerful 3.3 amp, variable speed

RYOBI P411 ONE+ CORDLESS BATTERY ORBITAL SANDER

view pricesfull reviews Ryobi4.5 Star Average Rating 3 poundsBattery
powered5"10,000 OPMcordless battery operated, rubber over-grip, dust bag,
battery not included

RIDGID R2601 REVIEW: 5-INCH RIDGID ORBITAL SANDER

view pricesfull reviews Ridgid3.5 Star Average Rating 4.6 poundsMains5"12,000
OPM3 year warranty, dust collection unit, variable speed, soft start and pad
break

MAKITA BO5031/2 RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER

view pricesfull reviews Makita5 Star Average Rating 1.9 kilogramselectric123
millimeters or 4.8 inchesmaximum of 12,000 revolutions per minuteVariable speed,
non-slip grip for better handling, dust-proof switch, integrated suction system

Now that you have an overview of these random orbital sanders as well as a
feature comparison let’s take a deep dive into each product and review each
individual sander. Our aim here is to find the best overall orbital sander, we
will do this first by providing individual orbital sander reviews. After we have
compared each orbital sander we will summarize and select a clear winner.

Bestseller No. 1

BLACK+DECKER Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch...
 * HIGH PERFORMANCE ORBIT SANDER - 2.0 Amp...
 * HIGH EFFICIENCY - Delivers 12000 OPM (orbits...

$29.00
Buy on Amazon
SaleBestseller No. 2

DEWALT Random Orbit Sander, Variable Speed,...
 * 3.0-amp motor of the orbital sander spins the...
 * Separate counterweight design of the hand...

$79.00
Buy on Amazon


1. BLACK AND DECKER BDERO100 ORBITAL SANDER – BEST PALM SANDER FOR LIGHT DUTIES

The Black+Decker BDERO100 is a great entry-level tool. This Black and Decker
orbital sander is ideal for homeowners with small sanding jobs or anyone that is
trying their hand at basic DIY tasks. The Black+Decker sander is very easy to
work with thanks to its lightweight – coming in at just 3.16 pounds and one of
the lightest tools on the market today. This makes it easy to hold and allows it
to glide easily over most surfaces.

black and decker orbital sander model BDERO100

Although the orbital sander from Black and Decker does have a powerful spin rate
(12,000 OPM) we found that the sander isn’t particularly powerful and is best
suited to light sanding work.

Bestseller No. 1

BLACK+DECKER Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch...
 * HIGH PERFORMANCE ORBIT SANDER - 2.0 Amp...
 * HIGH EFFICIENCY - Delivers 12000 OPM (orbits...

$29.00
Buy on Amazon
SaleBestseller No. 2

DEWALT Random Orbit Sander, Variable Speed,...
 * 3.0-amp motor of the orbital sander spins the...
 * Separate counterweight design of the hand...

$79.00
Buy on Amazon
SaleBestseller No. 3

Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander - 2.5 Amp 5 Inches...
 * Smooth Finish: Pad dampening system designed...
 * Easy Disc attachment: Through Bosch's...

$59.00
Buy on Amazon

On small jobs, this sander does produce a very high-quality finish thanks to its
random orbit action. This random action also prevents gauges and other marks
from being made on the surface whilst sanding.

The Black and Decker orbit sander makes use of the hook and loop system for
attaching sanding pads which makes it very easy to attach the pad and also easy
to remove pads when you need to replace them or change the course grade of the
sanding pad.

The Black and Decker model BDERO100 orbital sander comes with a small but
efficient dust container and when you purchase this orbital sander you also get
1 sanding sheet as well as a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.

PROS

 * Lightweight
 * Great design
 * Easy sanding pad change
 * comfortable handle
 * Low cost
 * Best random orbit tool for removing paint from walls

CONS

 * Not very powerful
 * Small dust container
 * Does not have variable speed control
 * Not many advanced features


2. DWE6421K DEWALT ORBITAL SANDER KIT – MOST MANEUVERABLE

The DWE6421k is a 5-inch random orbit sander made by DeWalt. This model,
although not as light as the Black+Decker model, is still pretty light and easy
to use. The orbit sander weighs just 4 pounds and has a relatively comfortable
handle, making it easy to use.

SaleBestseller No. 1

DEWALT 20V MAX* Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch,...
 * Orbital sander with brushless motor provides...
 * Variable-speed control of the hand sander...

$144.89
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 2

DEWALT 20V MAX Orbital Sander, Tool Only...
 * Orbital sander with brushless motor provides...
 * Variable-speed control of the hand sander...


Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 3

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* Random Orbital Sander,...
 * FAST MATERIAL REMOVAL – At 12,000 opm...
 * COMPACT, EASY-TO-MANEUVER DESIGN – Compact...

$59.99
Buy on Amazon



The DeWalt orbit sander can spin the sanding pad at speeds up to 12,000 OPM and
is very nimble when sanding around tight areas and along edges. The DeWalt orbit
sander has a very robust design that makes it more durable than some other
models. This DeWalt model has a rubber over-mold on all of its critical areas as
well as a dust-sealed switch. These features do a good job of preventing dust
from getting inside of the orbit sander. It is fair to assume the sander will
have a long life as a result of these features. This is reflected in the
warranty as well, which provides 3 years of limited cover.

The DeWalt DWE6421K comes with a Velcro attachment system for easily attaching
sanding pads as well as making those pads easy to remove when they need to be
replaced. The sander from DeWalt also comes with a dust collection unit that is
very efficient. The unit is easy to manage and can actually be removed with one
handing thanks to the easy twist removal action.

The DWE6421k orbit sander comes packaged up in a nice kit that includes the
orbit power tool itself, a manual, the dust collection unit, and even a nice
carry bag for the sander.

PROS

 * Lightweight sander
 * Pleasing design
 * Very maneuverable
 * Comes with carrying bag
 * Long warranty (3 years)
 * Best tool for paint removal

CONS

 * No variable speed control
 * Dust collection is average


3. ROS20VSC BOSCH ORBITAL SANDER – MOST ADVANCED FEATURES

The ROS20VSC is a very good contender when it comes to random orbit sanders.
This orbit sander from Bosch really impressed us with its wide range of
features, great design, and ease of use. If we were grading these products on
features alone then we would award the ROS20VSC as the best random orbital
sander simply because it has so many advanced features. This makes it ideal for
the seasoned DIY expert or anyone that wants to take complete control over their
sanding work.

The ROS20VSC orbital sander from Bosch is a 2.5 amp device but despite its low
rating puts out a fair amount of power. The ROS20VSC can spin up to speeds of
12,000 OPM but also has a variable speed control system that allows you to
change the speed setting to as low as 7,500 OPM. This ability to set the speed
is great if you are sanding sensitive areas and you don’t want to end up with an
uneven surface. This tool also has a great feature set for woodworking because
you can gradually reduce sanding speed, and sandpaper course grading, so that
you end up with a very fine and smooth finish.



The Bosch random orbital hand sander also comes with an advanced dust collection
system – like many other models it has a dust collection box that attaches to
the back of the sander. In addition to the Bosch orbit sander comes with a
micro-filter system and Bosch advertises this system as being able to filter
dust particles as small as 0.5 microns in diameter. The result is a very
efficient dust collection system that helps you to work in a dust-free
environment and also allows you to produce much higher finish qualities when you
are sanding.

Bestseller No. 1

WORKPRO 150-piece Sanding Discs Set - 5-Inch...
 * ✅ 150-Piece multi-grit sandpapaer set - Our...
 * ✅ High quality construction - Our sanding...

$19.99
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 2

Mestool 58-AP 100 per box include 60 80 120...
 * 100 per box,20-pieces each of 60 80 120 150...
 * Durable aluminum oxide grain

$17.99
Buy on Amazon

The Bosch ROS20VSC also comes with a pad dampening system which automatically
dampens the sanding pad. This helps to avoid gouges being made on the surface
you are sanding as well as providing consistent sanding over the entire surface
which in turn helps to avoid the problem of surfaces becoming uneven from
over-sanding.

The Bosch orbital sander also has its own signature Hooktight sanding pad
attachment system – although this is very similar to the hook and loop
attachment system offered by most orbital sanders the Bosch variation is very
efficient. The Hooktight system boasts an impressive 35,000 hooks and will
really give the power tool a great grip on the sanding pad. Not only does this
avoid accidents but it also helps to avoid gauges in the surface being sanded as
well as helping to ensure a very smooth and even surface post-sanding.

PROS

 * Comes with everything you need to get started
 * Advanced features such as pad dampening
 * Variable speed control
 * Carrying case included
 * excellent dust collection

CONS

 * Dust unit is quite big
 * Harder to handle than some other models
 * Only 1-year warranty


4. PORTER CABLE 382 5″ ORBITAL SANDER – BEST QUALITY SANDER

The Porter-Cable 382 is an exceptionally well-made random orbital handheld
sander that has some great features. This orbital power tool from Porter-Cable
is a real contender thanks to its high level of engineering. It is the best
random orbit sander in terms of quality craftsmanship.

The Porter-Cable orbit sander features 100% ball-bearing construction and a
dust-sealed power switch to ensure that the inside of the machine stays free
from dust and debris. Although this orbital sander does not have the
best-looking design in the world it is definitely the best quality random
orbital sander. It is clearly very well made and rugged enough to last a long
time.



The Porter Cable handheld orbit sander has an automatically controlled speed
system that allows the sander to speed up gradually when you start sanding and
to slow down as you pull the orbit sander away from the surface. This automated
speed control helps to avoid gauges and other scuff marks on the surface that
can result from a high-speed sander being pushed into or pull away from a
surface.

The Porter Cable random orbit sander also has a dual-plane counter-balanced fan
that works to reduce the vibration that is produced by the device. This results
in a reduction in the vibrations given out by the orbit sander and it really is
noticeable – using this sander for long periods of time is stress-free and does
not leave you with sore arms like other models that don’t have this feature.

The Porter-Cable random orbit sander comes with the common hook and loop
attachment system used by most sanders. However, with this orbit sander, it will
happily accept 5 and 8 hole hook and loop sandpaper making it more compatible
with other sandpaper brands.

The sander does spin up to speeds of 12,000 OPM and comes with a built-in 1.9amp
motor. This sander does pack a fair punch and is more than sufficient for light
to medium sanding jobs.

PROS

 * Very well-made
 * Automatic speed control
 * Dust collection unit
 * 3-year warranty
 * Best quality orbit hand sander

CONS

 * No (Manual) variable speed control
 * Dust collector attachment is unreliable
 * Low powered


5. MAKITA BO5041K 5-INCH ORBITAL SANDER – VOTED BEST RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER 3
YEARS IN A ROW

We love the Makita BO5041K, so much so that we have voted it as the top orbital
sander for 3 years in a row. It is a 5-inch random orbit sander that looks
great, feels great to use, and comes with lots of useful features. As soon as we
started working with this sander we fell in love with it. It has everything that
you need to carry out sanding jobs in your home and is an ideal fit for any DIY
enthusiast. The B05041K has some great features that give this tool great
versatility. It has all of the things you would expect – a dust collection unit,
two handles allowing you to take firm control of the sander (And also providing
greater comfort) as well as a handy carry case. As well as these typical
features, there are some other nice touches that show the quality of Makita
orbital sanders. For example, this particular sander has a double layer of
insulation, making it ideal if you are using your orbital sander for wet sanding
and need to protect the moving parts from water damage. There was no single
reason that made us pick the Makita BO5041K as the best random orbit palm
sander, but rather a series of reasons that made it stand out as the best random
orbit sander on the market.



Makita definitely knows what they are doing when it comes to design; we can see
this from some of their other models, such as the Makita BO5030 series. This
orbital sander looks great, it looks the part and you feel confident as soon as
you see it. It feels great to use as well thanks to the ergonomic design of the
BO5041K. It has a rubberized grip that not only makes it comfortable in your
hand but also reduces the amount of vibration that passed from the device to
your hand as you are sanding.

The Makita BO5041K also has dual hand control – as well as the main handle of
the device it also has another handle at the front. This front handle is
adjustable so you can move it around the device as needed. This was one of the
key factors that helped us when deciding to rate the BO5041K at the top of our
list. Having an additional handle on the front means you can really get complete
control over the device and it’s great for sanding large areas – having two
hands on the sander helps to distribute the strain and prevents you from getting
tired. This provides great versatility if you are sanding a wooden floor and
there is a lot of work involved.

The fact that the front handle is adjustable also means that it doesn’t become a
hindrance. If you are sanding along an edge, or another enclosed area you can
easily move the handle out of the sander’s path.

The Makita random orbit sander comes with a pad control system that will
automatically control the speed of the sander at start-up, helping to avoid
gauges or swirls being left in the surface as you sand. It also features a
variable speed control so that you can control the speed of the sander yourself.
This speed control is on the top of the device, ideally placed near to the main
handle so that you can easily change the speed whilst you are using the orbital
sander. Using this variable speed control you can set the sanding speed anywhere
between 4,000 and 12,000 OPM.

Another reason why we decided on the Makita BO5041K as our top-rated was the
power that it pumps out. Just because a sander can spin at 12,000 OPM does
really mean it is powerful, but in this case and thanks to the 3 Amp Makita
power motor this device really does pack a punch. It is very powerful and very
much sufficient for any home sanding jobs that you can think of.

The best part about this sander is the attention to detail when it comes to the
full package. The palm sander from Makita comes complete with a smart-looking,
and effective, dust bag, an abrasive disk to get you started off and it even
comes with a tool case. For the record, this case is one of the best cases we
have seen coming with an orbital sander and it means that you can tidy the
sander away after use.

In summary, we have rated this as the best orbital hand sander of 2021 in the UK
and USA. We are also keeping it as our clear winner as we lead into the new
year. The BO5041K will maintain its title as the number one orbital sander for
2022 as well.

PROS

 * Automatic speed control
 * Variable speed control
 * Ergonomic grip
 * Additional handle
 * Very powerful
 * Comes with a carrying case
 * Rated best sander for 2020

CONS

 * Dust collection pouch does not hold much
 * Only comes with 1 abrasive pad


6. BOSCH 3725DEVS RANDOM ORBIT SANDER – MOST POWERFUL RANDOM ORBIT SANDER

The Bosch 3725DEVS is a very impressive handheld sander that does a great job of
sanding all different types of material and surfaces. The Bosch portable sander
has a rugged aluminum gear housing that has been die-cast for maximum
durability. The quality of craftsmanship doesn’t stop there either – the Bosch
sander has a dual-bearing pad mount, and a very well-built dust collection unit
that fastens onto the back of the sander. Everything about this sander screams
quality and power.



Speaking of power, the Bosch 3725DEVS really does have lots of it – it sports a
generous 3.3 Amp motor that really gives it that extra boost compared to many
other models which all tend to include a 3 amp motor or less. To go along with
this powerful motor the Bosch orbital sander also has the ability to control the
speed of sanding with a variable setting that ranges from 4,500 OPM right up to
its maximum sanding speed of 12,000 OPM. In terms of power alone, the 3725DEVS
is definitely one of the best random orbital sanders that you can buy.

The Bosch sander is quite heavy, coming in at 5,1 pounds, however, it still
feels ok to use thanks to its dual control – it has the main handle on the top
of the unit as well as an additional handle on the front of the sander. This
means that you can distribute the weight of the orbital sander across both of
your hands. This makes it feel like light work when you are using it, it gives
you better control over the sanding, regardless of the type of surface that you
are using it on, and it also reduces the amount of vibration that comes from the
orbital sander.

The Bosch orbit sander also comes with a built-in dampening ring which helps to
reduce swirl marks on the surface being sanded – it does this by helping to
control the speed and pressure with which the pad spins when it makes contact
with the surface.

PROS

 * Powerful 3.3 Amp motor
 * Rugged design
 * Dual handle
 * Variable speed
 * Best device for decks

CONS

 * Dust collection is not that efficient
 * Very heavy


7. RYOBI P411 ONE+ CORDLESS BATTERY ORBITAL SANDER- MOST PORTABLE

The Ryobi P411 One+ sander is a bit different from all of the other orbit
sanders we have come across in our handheld orbital sander review. It is a
fairly lightweight sander and only spins up to a maximum of 10,000 OPM. However,
it has one unique feature that makes it worth listing among our orbital sander
roundup, it is cordless. The fact that it is battery-powered and cordless makes
it a really useful orbit sander for any jobs that are in a confined space, or if
you are working in a location where there is no reliable power source.



This orbital sander from Ryobi is also a great addition to your toolkit if you
are often working away from your home or workshop. Take this Ryobi P411 orbital
sander with you and you know that regardless of where you end up working, you
have a usable sander to hand.

Even though it is battery operated, and even though it only spins at 10,000 OPM
the sander is still reasonably powerful and it does a decent job when used for
light sanding work on plaster walls and other similar surfaces.

We would recommend this for light sanding work only and if you are taking on
large sanding projects or working on hard surfaces such as wooden flooring then
we would recommend using this alongside a heavy-duty sander as well.

It is also worth noting that this particular orbital sander from Ryobi does not
come with a battery. If it is the first Ryobi tool that you are purchasing then
you need to purchase a Ryobi One+ battery alongside the tool. Batteries can be
purchased from this link. However, if you own any other Ryobi power tools then
you will be pleased to hear that the batteries work across the full range of
tools. So you can take a battery from your existing Ryobi power tool and use it
in the orbital sander with no need for adaptors.

Because there is no power cord required with this sander it is ideal for working
in confined spaces and whilst on the move. If you need to work in different
places and move around frequently whilst sanding this is one of the best random
orbital sanders for you.

PROS

 * Very portable
 * Light-weight
 * Can use any Ryobi battery pack
 * Easy to use
 * Best sander for portability

CONS

 * Does not come with a battery
 * Only spins at 10,000 OPM
 * Not very powerful
 * Limited dust collection abilities


8. RIDGID R2601 – MOST AFFORDABLE ORBITAL SANDER FOR BEGINNERS

The R2601 orbit sander from Ridgid is a mains-powered sander with a 5″ sanding
pad. Although this is not the most powerful sander out of the ones that we
reviewed, it is very small, lightweight and compact. The price point of the
r2601 is also very reasonable considering its quality. For this reason, we have
rated this sander from Ridgid as one of the most affordable sanders and one that
is ideal for beginners. The good thing about the r2601 Ridgid sander is its
size, because it’s small and lightweight it is very easy to handle and this
makes it ideal for small home sanding projects and also for people who have no
previous sanding experience.



PROS

 * Small and easy to handle
 * Lightweight
 * Very affordable
 * Comes with a dust collector unit
 * Comes with a carrying case

CONS

 * Not very robust
 * Not suitable for sanding large areas


9. MAKITA BO5031/2 RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER – BEST ORBITAL SANDER FOR HOME DIY
PROJECTS

The Makita BO5030/31/32(k) range of orbital sanders is probably the most popular
group of orbital sanders made by Makita. There are several models which are very
similar in terms of design, feature set, and quality. We originally reviewed the
BO5031 Makita orbital sander and after using it for a short time decided it was
well worthy of being on our top orbital sander list. However, this particular
model has since gone out of stock and has become difficult to buy online. As
such we have looked at a similar model, the Makita BO5030K, which is available
on Amazon and is very similar to the model that we previously reviewed.



The point is that all of the orbital sanders in the Makita BO50 range are very
efficient, affordable, and extremely functional for most typical DIY home
projects, and for that reason, we have rated it as the best orbital sander for
home DIY projects.

PROS

 * Comes with a dust collection unit
 * Light-weight sander
 * Very powerful for the price
 * Comfortable grip
 * Best sander for home DIY projects

CONS

 * Only has one handle/grip area
 * Too small for sanding very large areas


ORBITAL SANDER REVIEW: BUYER’S GUIDE

Before you start looking for an orbital sander it is a good idea to think about
your requirements. There are many different random orbital hand sanders
available and each of them has different qualities. One sander might be well
suited to a certain type of work whilst another might be ideal in another use
case.

There are some questions you should ask yourself in order to find the best palm
sander for your needs:

 * What are you going to use the random orbit sander for? If it is for a small
   one-off job then you might want to look for a cheaper low-powered orbital
   sander. If you are working as a handyman then you might want a more powerful
   and robust sander, or perhaps even a portable cordless one.
 * What surfaces are you sanding? If you are sanding a plastered wall then a
   low-powered sander will likely be sufficient, however, if you are sanding a
   large wooden floor then you will definitely need a more heavy-duty sander.
 * How often are you going to use the sander? Once again, if you are just
   purchasing for a one-off job then you want to go for the features required
   for that job. If you are going to be doing more sanding in the future then
   you should think about flexibility when looking at orbital sander features.

Once you have some ideas about what you are going to be using the sander for and
what your requirements are, it’s time to start looking at all of the options.
When you start looking at orbital sanders you will notice there are lots of
different metrics and ratings such as RPM, OPM, Amp rating, and many more. It is
important to understand what all of these metrics mean and what you should be
looking for in each one.


SANDING PAD SPEED – RPM VS OPM

The first thing that most users will look at when comparing random orbit sanders
is the speed at which the sanding pad spins. This can be confusing because it is
often referred to by different names.

RPM – RPM stands for revolutions per minute and is actually a very misleading
term. Because of the nature of a random orbit sander – and the fact that it
spins and oscillates it should not be referred to simply by an RPM rating –
because it is not spinning on a fixed axis but rather is oscillating in a random
fashion.

OPM – OPM stands for orbits per minute and is different from RPM. There is a
good explanation of the differences between RPM and OPM in this forum post.
Ordinarily, random orbit sanders should all be measured on OPM and any that have
an RPM rating is difficult to compare to those with an OPM rating.

There are some fixed orbit sanders and also some sanders that can be set to spin
on a fixed axis – and these orbit sanders can be correctly measured by using an
RPM figure.

Having said all of that, it is also important to understand that these speed
ratings are almost always measured when the pad is not in contact with a surface
– in other words when it is spinning freely. In reality, when the pad touches
the surface that is being sanded the speed will be dramatically reduced because
of the friction that results from the contact. So although it’s easy to be drawn
to a higher speed rating it is important to also look at other factors, such as
power.


POWER

The power rating of an orbit sander is normally provided by a motor Amp rating.
The motor Amp rating of most orbital sanders ranges from 2.5 to 3.3 Amp motors
and this gives an indication on the power of the motor inside the orbit sander.
Some sanders with a lower spinning speed (OPM) can actually be more powerful
than sanders with a higher spinning speed if they have a more powerful motor.

If power is your most important requirement then the Bosch 3725DEVS is perhaps
one of the best random orbital sanders you can buy as it was rated the most
powerful in our guide.


DUST COLLECTION

When you are looking for an orbital sander you should consider the dust
collection abilities of the sander as being very important. After the
performance, the ability of an orbital sander to collect dust and debris is
probably the most talked-about feature and the one that most users will point
out when they are unhappy with their purchase. Whilst most orbital sanders that
are on the market today do have a dust collection unit, not all of them are
equal.

The key things you should be looking for when it comes to dust collection are:

 * Size of dust collection unit – there are considerable differences in the size
   of the unit across different makes of sander
 * How easy it is to remove and empty – Many orbit sanders come with a one-hand
   twist removal feature
 * How effective it is at collecting the dust – We rated the Bosch ros20vsc as
   the best mains powered sander for dust collection as it can filter dust
   particles as small as 1/2-micron in diameter


WARRANTY

Warranty details are a very important consideration. The warranty that comes
with a random orbit sander tends to range from 1 to 3 years. This is quite a
substantial difference and could potentially triple the life of your sander.

In addition to the standard warranty, some orbital sanders offer a money-back or
refund guarantee for a short period after you purchase the sander whilst others,
such as the Porter-Cable 382, also offer a period of free servicing.


HOW TO USE YOUR SANDER

Even before you have purchased your orbital sander it’s a good idea that you
understand how to use it. This helps you to really appreciate what features you
might need from your orbital sander as well as informing you on what additional
equipment you may need to purchase with the sander – for example safety goggles,
face mask, and dust sheets.

We recently wrote about how you can get the most from your orbital sander and
what considerations you should take for sanding various types of surfaces. To
find out more, read our guide on how to use an orbital sander.


WHERE TO BUY ORBITAL SANDERS

There are many different places that you can go to in order to purchase your
orbital sander. To make sure you get the best orbit sander to suit your
requirements, you should consider all purchasing options and not be tied to one
location when buying your sander. You can visit your local hardware store to buy
an orbital sander; the advantage of this is that you can physically look at, and
touch, all of the orbital sanders before purchasing. This can be a great
advantage because you get a real idea of how well made the sander is, how it
feels to hold and what it will be like during operation. In addition, you can
actually see the size and shape of the sander, which is often important,
especially if you are sanding in a confined space or in a tight corner. Lastly,
purchasing from a hardware store means that you can also see what type of dust
collection unit the sander comes with and what size it is.

The other option is purchasing online, places like Amazon have a wide range of
orbital sanders and there will often be more choices than in a local store. In
addition, you tend to find that online stores have far more competitive prices
than local stores – largely because they have lower fixed costs themselves. The
biggest advantage to shopping online is the fact that you have so much more
information to hand – when was the last time that you went into a hardware store
and saw a customer review alongside a product? Probably never. Whereas online
you can always look at customer reviews of an orbital sander before you commit
to buying it. These reviews can be invaluable.


CONCLUSION: THE BEST RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER

Congratulations on reading through our guide to power sanders. If you have
reached this point then you should now be very well informed. You should have a
strong understanding of the different types of orbital sanders available on the
market today as well as an idea of all the different features that orbital
sanders have and what they all mean in the real world.

From the research that we have carried out, we rated one sander as the best
overall sander on the market today. In our opinion, the best mains-powered
orbital sander available in 2020 is the Makita BO5041K. We rated this sander as
the best on the market because of its look, ease of operation, impressive
features, and overall performance.

Even though we rated the Makita BO5041K as the top sander on the market today,
it doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily the best sander for you, that is why we
produced such a comprehensive guide and why we spent so much time explaining all
of the different features available as well as in-depth reviews of the top
orbital sanders. Each sander that we have reviewed in this guide is well
deserved for being among the top-rated random orbit sanders of 2020 and each one
has its own unique qualities.

We hope that you can use this guide to pick the best value random orbit sander
or sanders for your use case but if you still have questions at this point, or
you are just not sure which sander is most suited for your needs, don’t hesitate
to get in touch with us – we are here to help and always ready to answer any
questions that you have remaining by this point.

 







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