Best Random Orbital Sander

Alex Clarkson
Alex Clarkson

All woodworkers know that one of the essential tools that you could possess in this business is a random orbital sander. These power tools save up a lot of time and also make your life much easier since you don’t have to sand your workpieces manually. But as is the case with any other woodworking tool, to buy the perfect one, you need to know what you plan on doing with it.

Because there are a lot of different models and types on the market, it’s a bit difficult to find the best random orbital sander for your needs. That is why we’ve created this list to help you on your quest for finding the perfect tool. If you still don’t know what to look for, we’ve also compiled a buyer’s guide that you can find later in the article.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into our list and see what are the best random orbital sanders on the market right now.

Our Top Pick

DEWALT Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch...

DeWalt DWE6432K

  • Powerful motor
  • Great dust removal
  • Ergonomic design

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Best for Beginners

PORTER-CABLE Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch...

Porter-Cable 382

  • Ideal for almost any task
  • Lightweight
  • Strong motor

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Most Affordable

SKIL 5” Random Orbital Sander,...

SKIL SR211601

  • Great dust collection
  • Good value
  • Variable speed

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Porter-Cable 382

PORTER-CABLE Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch...
  • Dual plane counter
  • Provides longer switch life

The 382 is a very powerful corded model manufactured and brought to us by Porter-Cable, a well-known brand when it comes to power tools. This model is among the best sanders available right now, and it’s designed to handle almost any woodworking project that you might think of doing. It earned the first spot on our list because it’s excellent for both light and heavy-duty sanding, and we’re quite impressed with its performance.

This model is equipped with a powerful 1.9-amp motor, which is capable of producing an impressive no-load speed of up to 12000 OPM. Other than that, the 382 comes with great features that include a system for controlled finishing that allows the user to control the disc speed. This feature is especially useful during startup because it prevents any unwanted damage to the workpiece.

Another useful feature is the hook-and-loop system, which makes replacing sandpaper and the overall use of the tool much more manageable.

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The Good

  • Powerful motor
  • Great for a wide range of tasks
  • Compact and lightweight

The Bad

  • No variable speeds

Black+Decker BDERO100

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BLACK+DECKER Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch...
  • Random orbital action for high removal rate and a high quality finish
  • Hook and loop system for fast and easy paper changes

The BDERO100 from Black+Decker is another very compact and lightweight sander that comes at a quite reasonable price. It earned the second spot on our list because it offers some great features that can usually be found on more expensive models. Even though it’s small in size, this is a competent tool that’s designed to deliver superior and smooth finishing results.

This model comes with a 5” disc; even though this is pretty much the standard size, it might take some time for you to finish more significant projects. But don’t let that discourage you, the BDERO100 is equipped with a powerful 2-amp motor that can deliver a no-load speed of around 12000 OPM. So, even if it takes a bit of time to complete a project, this tool is strong enough to power through it without any issues.

Other amazing features of this model include a hook-and-loop system and a dust bag to keep your tool easy to use and your workspace nice and clean. Also, because it weighs only 3.16lbs, you won’t have any problems wielding this tool around your shop for a better part of the day.

The Good

  • Great dust removal
  • Compact and highly portable
  • Amazing finish

The Bad

  • Single-speed motor

DeWalt DWE6423K

DEWALT Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch...
  • 3.0 Amp motor spins the pad at 8,000 - 12,000 OPM
  • Shorter height minimizes the distance between user and work piece

The DWE6423K is a random orbital sander brought to us by DeWalt, and it’s one of the best sanders available right now. Its speed, power, and excellent dust removal system make it very popular among many professional woodworkers and hobbyists alike. This model is designed to handle almost anything you plan on doing while keeping your workplace free of dust and debris.

Equipped with a competent 3-amp motor, the DWE6423K can develop a no-load speed of up to 12000 OPM. Unlike the previous two products on our list, this one features a variable speed setting that ranges from 8000 OPM to 12000 OPM. This gives you the ability to control how much scraping off you want to do and how detailed your work needs to be.

When it comes to comfort, you can’t go wrong with this model; it’s ergonomically designed to be very easy to work with and prevent user fatigue. Also, it features an excellent vibration suppression system that further increases the overall comfortability.

The Good

  • Powerful motor with variable speeds
  • Effective dust removal system
  • Very comfortable to use

The Bad

  • No grit paper included

Makita BO5041K

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Makita BO5041 3-Amp 4000-12000 OPM...
  • More Power for Faster Sanding and a Smooth Finish
  • Smooth and fast sanding with 3.0 AMP motor

When it comes to power tools, you can’t go wrong if you buy a product from Makita, one of the best manufacturers in the world. They’ve designed and produced a lot of excellent machines over time, and their BO5041K model is a true testament to that. This model is intended to be quite powerful and, at the same time, very comfortable and easy to use.

The overall comfortability is a direct result of an ergonomic design that features a rubberized palm grip on the top and an adjustable handle in the middle. Other than that, the BO5041K is powered by a robust 3-amp motor, which can develop speeds from 4000 to 12000 OPM thanks to the variable speed setting.

Other than offering very smooth results, this model also comes with some fantastic features that include a disc control system and an effective dust disposal system. So, if you’re looking for a comfortable and versatile sander that offers excellent results, this might be the perfect product for you.

The Good

  • Variable speed setting
  • Ergonomic and lightweight design
  • Comes with a case

The Bad

  • Starter plug sold separately

SKIL SR211601

SKIL 5” Random Orbital Sander,...
  • Powerful– with a 2. 8 amp motor and 13, 000 orbits per minute, it’s able to...
  • Easy to clean dust container– The x-flow dust collector uses cyclone force to...

The SR211601 is a random orbital sander from SKIL, and it’s regarded as a great bargain when it comes to this type of power tool. If your goal is to find a basic random orbital sander that doesn’t cost much, then this could be the one for you. This model offers decent power as well as some great features at a very reasonable price.

Equipped with a 2.8-amp motor, it doesn’t provide too much power, but it’ll be enough for your basic sanding tasks. It has a variable speed setting, and it’s capable of developing speeds from 7000 OPM to 13000 OPM. This model isn’t ideal for sanding down stock wood, but it is excellent for finishing projects if you don’t own a more professional finishing sander.

One great thing about this model is the dust removal system, which is designed to keep your workplace as clean as possible. So, if you need a basic sander for occasional use, you can’t go wrong with this one.

The Good

  • Great value
  • Amazing dust collection
  • Affordable

The Bad

  • Not ideal for a wide range of tasks

Tacklife PRS01A

Sale
TACKLIFE 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander 3.0A...
  • ▲【Strong Applicability】 6 Adjustable speed dial supports you to monitor...
  • ▲【12Pcs Sandpapers】 Supplied Sanding Discs 5-inch 12pcs (6Pcs X 80 & 6Pcs...

When it comes to brands that manufacture power tools, Tacklife is one of the newer ones on the market. But they’re gaining high popularity thanks to their high-quality products and also the great features that they come with. Products from Tacklife offer fantastic power and attributes for a very reasonable price, and their PRS01A model is an excellent example of that.

Because this is a corded random orbital sander, it’s able to preserve such an affordable price tag. Other than being cost-effective, it’s also quite powerful thanks to the very capable 3-amp motor that’s built into it. The PRS01A can develop a no-load speed of up to 13000 OPM, and it also comes with a variable speed knob that has six different settings.

Unlike the majority of other budget-friendly power tools, Tacklife products offer multiple accessories that the user can benefit from. For example, this model comes with 12 sanding pads, which is quite impressive, and it also includes a dust bag.

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The Good

  • Affordable
  • Great performance
  • Amazing value

The Bad

  • None for this price range

Craftsman CMEW231

CRAFTSMAN Random Orbit Sander, 3-Amp,...
  • 3.0 Amps and 12, 000 OPM gives you the power to complete tasks with ease
  • High performance dust collection featuring onboard dust bag and connection to...

Craftsman manufactures power tools for both high-end users and industrial needs as well as budget woodworkers. One of these budget-friendly tools is a random orbital sander named CMEW231, and it offers excellent performance as expected from this brand. This model could be the perfect choice for you if you’re searching for a highly powerful sander that also provides excellent build quality.

Probably the best thing about the CMEW231 is that its equipped with a highly capable 3-amp motor. This motor can generate a no-load speed of up to 12000 OPM, which should be enough to satisfy the majority of users out there. As we said earlier, other than great power, this model also features impressive build quality, so it’s durable enough to withstand some abuse.

The CMEW231 comes with a dust bag, but it can also be hooked up to a vacuum cleaner for more convenient dust removal. Since this model is built to last, it comes with a 3-year warranty.

The Good

  • Amazing build quality
  • Highly capable motor
  • Budget-friendly

The Bad

  • Motor is a bit loud

Bosch GET75-6N

Bosch Power Tools - GET75-6N - Electric...
130 Reviews
Bosch Power Tools - GET75-6N - Electric...
  • Dual mode: Provides 2 sanding modes, random orbit mode for normal stock removal...
  • Variable speed: The GET75 6N comes with a powerful 7. 5 amp variable speed motor...

It’s well-known that Bosch produces some of the best power tools that you can find on the market right now. One of these amazing power tools is their GET75-6N random orbital sander, and it found a spot on our list for a good reason. This model is a high-performance tool that offers excellent power and even better results.

This model is equipped with a highly capable 7.5-amp motor and a variable speed setting that ranges from 3300 OPM to 7300 OPM. This might not sound like a lot when compared to other models on our list, but it’s powerful enough to handle almost any sanding task.

The GET75-6N features two sanding modes; one is for normal stock removal that operates at a normal rate. The other mode is the eccentric orbit mode, and its turbo-driven; this mode is used for more aggressive stock removal that works at a 5x bigger rate than the regular one.

The Good

  • Two sanding modes
  • Variable speed setting
  • Uses a 6” pad

The Bad

  • A bit pricey

Makita BO5030K

Makita BO5030K 5" Random Orbit Sander,...
  • Smooth and fast sanding with 3.0 AMP motor (12,000 OPM)
  • Rubberized grip for improved operator comfort and control

As we said before, Makita is among the best power tool manufacturers, and you can rest assured that their products will serve you for a long time. One of their amazing products is the BO5030K model that offers decent power for your various sanding tasks. This product has two different models that you can get, the main difference between them is that one has a variable speed setting; we’ll be discussing the one that doesn’t have this feature.

Equipped with a powerful 3-amp motor, the BO5030K can develop a no-load speed of up to 12000OPM, making it strong enough to sand almost anything in your smaller workshop. Other than that, this model is ergonomically designed to increase comfort during work. This design includes a rubberized handle and a vibration suppression system to reduce user fatigue over longer sanding sessions.

The overall durability is increased thanks to the all ball-bearing construction that keeps the wear-and-tear to a minimum.

The Good

  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Durable build
  • Comfortable and ergonomic

The Bad

  • Dust bag can come loose easily

DeWalt DCW210B

Sale
Neiko 03727A 1/4-Inch Drive Beam Style...
  • Universal: standard and metric readings; no need for conversion charts
  • Precise torque: 0-80 in/lb in 1 in/lb increments, 0-9 nm in .25 Newton meter...

You truly can’t go wrong when you purchase a power tool from DeWalt; their high-quality products are amazing and offer excellent performance. The DCW210B is a battery-powered random orbital sander, and it’s one of the most powerful ones on our list. Even though it’s a cordless model, the battery doesn’t affect the overall weight of the tool, so the sander weighs only 2.5lbs.

DeWalt’s 20V MAX battery powers the DCW210B, and it’s capable of developing speeds of up to 12000 OPM. It also features a variable speed dial that allows you to control the rotation of the pad, so you don’t have to worry about any damage. Other than that, the motor inside this tool is brushless, prolonging its lifespan and ensuring it serves you for a long time.

Since this is a product from DeWalt, you can rest assured that the tool features high-quality build and an ergonomic design to reduce user fatigue.

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The Good

  • Long battery life
  • Comfortable and ergonomic design
  • 3-year warranty

The Bad

  • Battery and charger are not included

Buyer’s Guide

Whether you’re a professional woodworker or just a hobbyist, you already know how important it is to possess all the right tools in your arsenal. One of the essential power tools you should have at your disposal is a random orbital sander. These tools allow you to smooth out your workpieces, thus making them look great once they’re finished; they also save you a lot of time because you don’t have to sand the wood manually.

As we said at the beginning, and from what you can gather from our list, there are a lot of different models available right now. This can make your search for the perfect sander quite tricky if you’re new to this and don’t know what to look for. That is why we’ve compiled this somewhat comprehensive, but concise, buyer’s guide to help you find a perfect random orbital sander.

In this guide, you’ll find some of the vital information that you should know before making a purchase. We’ll start with different types of sanders and work our way through the essential features that you should take into consideration.

Knowing how to choose a perfect random orbital sander for your needs is based on understanding how they work and why they’re named like that. Simple orbital sanders only spin around their axis and tend to leave marks that resemble the spinning of the sanding paper. On the other hand, random orbital sanders use a mechanism to spin the sanding paper in random patterns, preventing it from leaving any marks.

Corded vs. Cordless – Not all random orbital sanders are powered by electricity, but the two main types that you can choose from are, and they can be corded or cordless. When it comes to choosing between the two, it all comes down to your needs and where you work.

Cordless – These models are battery-powered, but that doesn’t affect their efficiency or their overall weight. Battery-powered models tend to be heavier than their corded counterparts, but this is not the case with these tools because they weigh almost the same. Cordless models are great if you work a lot on remote job sites without a decent power source; they’re also ideal if you’re working on ladders because there’s no cable to hang and weigh them down.

Corded – Getting a corded model is highly recommended if you’re working long hours at a bench and especially if you have access to a direct power source. In this case, you don’t have to worry about battery life or your tool dying on you in the middle of work.

Random orbital sanders come with many different useful features, and we’ll discuss them further below.

Power – People often want power tools that are powerful enough to do almost anything they plan on doing. When it comes to power, it’s always referred to as how strong is the tool’s motor, with higher amperage, you get more power. A powerful sander is excellent if you need to remove a lot of material, and you don’t want to spend an entire day on one workpiece.On the other hand, if you plan on doing some finishing work, it’s not recommended to buy a very powerful sander. Heavy-duty sanders usually require both hands to be operated appropriately, while finishing sanders generally require a light one-handed operation.

Variable orbits – The speed of a random orbital sander is measured in OPM (orbits per minute), and with a higher orbit number, you can do more detailed work. On the other hand, the lower speeds are used in the beginning when you need to scrape off the material rather than making it smooth. Having the ability to change the speed of your sander can genuinely be useful in some situations.

Comfort – User fatigue is probably the leading cause for the random orbital sanders to make pattern marks. After a long session of sanding, people tend to get tired and pay less attention to their work. This is why you need to look for a model that offers an ergonomic design and a comfortable grip.

Vibration – Like any other sander type, random orbital sanders also produce a certain amount of vibration while they’re working. Because these tools both rotate and oscillate the circular disc, there can be a lot of vibration, which can be bad for both the workpiece and the user. This is why we recommend that you buy a model that features a vibration suppression system to increase your comfort as well as your productivity.

Dust removal – The majority of woodworking projects generate a lot of dust; the same goes when working with these tools. Whether the dust particles are big or small, they’re very harmful when inhaled or if they get into your eyes. This is why you need to look for a model that comes with a dust collection system or the ability to be attached to a vacuum.

Weight – If you only plan on doing horizontal work, then the weight of your tool might not be of great importance to you. But if you plan on sanding some vertical surfaces like furniture or shelves, then you should consider buying a model with a lower weight. Sanding vertical surfaces requires you to move your tool up and down, and you can get tired pretty quickly; this will significantly affect your productivity, and it’ll also cost you a lot of time.

Conclusion 

Now that you know what we think are the best sanders, we hope that our list has helped you in your search for the perfect tool. In case you haven’t found what you need, we hope that you at least learned what to look for when searching for a sander. Remember, always do your research before purchasing, and if you’re able to buy a tool with features you don’t need right now, you should go for it; you never know what future task might require from you.

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