The Best Power Random Orbit Sanders

Random orbital sanders are a vital piece of equipment that provide a refining edge to finished products.  Random orbit sanders another useful tool for the avid woodworker alongside miter saws, circular saws, table saws and jigsaws.  While they are a sander and not a cutting tool as such, they are a much needed finishing tool when fine sanding is needed to complete the look you’re after.  Below we have reviewed the best power random orbit sanders from our own experience and provided a quick question and answer guide to assist those just getting started.

**Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, with no additional cost to you, I can earn from qualifying purchases.

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The Best Power Random Orbit Sanders – Overview of Our Top 5

What is a Power Random Orbit Sander?

Random orbit sanders are hand-held power tools for fine sanding in which the sand blade provides a random-orbit activity. They come in two formats, electrical or battery operated.

How is a random orbital sander different from a belt sander?

Random orbital sanders are different from a typical belt sander because the sanding pattern is created by simultaneously rotating the sanding disk in tiny ellipses whereas the belt sander tracks along the surface.

A random-orbit sander won’t remove wood as swiftly as a belt sander, and it’s a little more difficult to control a belt sander compared to a random orbital one. However, the random-orbit sander is probably one of the most versatile portable electric or battery sanders you can own.

What are the grit ratings used for?

Random orbital sanders utilize sandpaper disks with different grit ratings.  The lower the grit rating the coarser the sand, the higher the grit rating the smoother the sand. Disks are attached using either pressure-sensitive adhesives or a hook as well as loophole system (velcro). On models equipped with a dirt collection feature, a vacuum suck releases the dirt via holes in the paper and pad before feeding it to a bag, store vac, or canister.

What type of handles do they use?

Many random-orbit sanders have a one-handed, palm-grip shape, which most DIYers prefer, but D-handle as well as barrel-grip (similar to a right-angle mill) designs are additionally readily available. Models come with either a 5- or 6-inch-diameter pad; the 5-inch dimension is more than sufficient for DIY projects.

What are some common mistakes made with orbital sanders?

Common Mistake 1: Pushing down hard on wood.  Do not do this!

You do not need to include any kind of pressure to the device to make it cut appropriately. Don’t bear down, even the slightest little bit. Sometimes this can lead to damaging or destroying the internal mechanism of the sander.

Common Mistake 2:  Don’t tilt your sander. Ever!

We’ve all done this, and also, we have actually all regretted it. I get it. When you see a high spot or a burn mark, it’s natural to want to angle that sander a little bit and bear down on the issue area to get it gone quick.

Stay clear of the lure. Random-orbit sanders are created to do something: make a flat plane evenly smooth!

The Best Power Random Orbit Sanders of 2019 – Our Reviews

Below we have reviewed our top 5 best power random orbit sanders, based on price, features and our own personal experience of using them (plus reviews we have read).

As always we list ‘the good’ and ‘the bad’ of each product (nothing is perfect!) to help you find the right product for your needs.

 DEWALT DWE6421K Random Orbit Sander – Top Pick

When I think of quality I think of Dewalt.  It is a brand that has never failed me and if you have read some of my other reviews – you’ll notice that I often choose Dewalt products.

Besides maintaining this site, I am a carpenter by trade so I look for tools that are not only durable but have quality.  When I was looking for a sander, I wanted one that would simply refine my finishes on my woodwork. I do not like seeing sharp  timber edges in my architraves.   The Dewalt DWE6421K Random Orbit Sander creates a nice rounded edge and seems to provide strength in the coating of paint.

I always use to run down the edge by hand but I decided to speed up the process and the Dewalt Random orbital sander has come in very handy.  I also use the sander to provide flush finishes to my mitre joints if the substrate behind is not level.

The painters love me for this as it highlights to them a great finished product! It is a handy tool to have in my toolbox and has been used well in countless builds. I have never had any issues with it and it seems to power on without any effort.    I would definitely recommend it.

To check out the price of the DEWALT DWE6421K Random Orbit Sander, click here.

The Good:

• Short in height to allow the user to get closer to the work piece.
• Counterweight design to reduce vibration
• Switch is dust-sealed to protect against dust ingestion for longer switch life
• Dust port is designed to fit directly to DWVO10 or DWV012 dust collectors

The Bad:

• Electric-corded
• Some reviewers commented that the ‘airflow is low’. I’ve never found this an issue but thought I’d mention it.

BLACK+DECKER BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch – Best Budget

What a bargain for a great little sander.  This budget orbital sander meets the requirements for any novice. It is a handy little sander just for the odd job around the house.  My mate refers to it as a ‘renovators delight!’  He purchases old furniture on the internet and restore them for resale by using this low budget sander to do this.  I actually only found this out recently and always thought he used a more expensive model.  Honestly it’s had so much use and for price, it holds its weight very well.

The unit sands like a pro and powers through to provide a smooth finish.  I did note that the dust extraction collection does fill up quite quickly, but he doesn’t find this an inconvenience to empty – especially when for the low purchase cost.

Overall I personally love it when I find a tool at a budget price that far exceeds what it’s value is (always a bonus!)  Just goes to show you don’t have to buy the more expensive option to have a great tool.  Even if you only use it every now and then, it will beat having to ring around and borrow one.

If you would like to check the price of the BLACK+DECKER BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch, click here.

The Good:

• Compact size to get close to the work surface
• Hook and loop system to make fast paper changes

The Bad:

• Corded (so not portable)
• Dust extraction fills quickly

TACKLIFE Orbital Sander, 3.0A 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander (PRS01A) – Best for Beginners

This review was done by dad when I asked him to write about his sander by Tacklife.  He wrote:

“I do a lot of DIY projects at my house, and I love using my hands. But these days I am a lot older and my hands just can’t do what I have been doing for the past 40 years.  So I decided to bite the bullet and purchased a random orbital sander.  Now that I do not work full-time I had to make sure that I could purchase a sander that was low budget in price.  It was an easy decision.

I found the Tacklife orbital sander.  My main DIY projects that I do is restoring stained or clear timber finishes.  I love seeing the timber grain along the surface of wood.  Highlighting the grain is important to me and I found that tis sander removed clear and stained coatings quite easily and  providing that I used the right sandpaper grit the sander did not fur up the timber surface.

The sander itself offers enough power and I was quite surprised it provided 13000 revolutions per minute. The dust extraction collection is excellent and it sands with low noise and minimal vibration. A fantastic little machine.”

If you would like to check the price of the TACKLIFE Orbital Sander, 3.0A 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander , click here.

The Good:

• A compact size and ergonomic design to maximize user control
• Plenty of power with 13000 orbits per minute
• High performance dust collection to maintain a clean work environment
• A paddle switch at the top of the sander for easy on/off during application

The Bad:

• It is corded
• The filter box slides out of the sander. Then the black cover snaps off for cleaning. It is a tight fit, but does come off.

 Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander – 2.5 Amp 5 in. Corded Random Orbital Sander –Amazon Best Seller

This review was written by one of the tradies I see regularly on jobsites.  He is a painter and swears by Bosch sanders.  This is what Steve had to say:

“Bosch is renowned to offer quality at a great price. Ever since I was a kid Bosch has always been the “go to” tool for professional and at home use. My old Bosch orbital sander died after 15 years of use and I had no hesitation in turning back to it again.

My old sander was well used as a painter and decorator.  I used it mainly on external surfaces especially timber to create adhesion for my paint coatings.

So I bought this new palm orbital sander and it has surprised me with it’s power and drive. It does the job if not better than the old sander I used to have. Depending on which grit I used it still tends to bring the substrate back to a smooth finish.

The other extra added bonus was the price.  It was not priced too low or too high. It met me right in the middle of what I was prepared to pay.  It’s a little beauty that gives a nice finish.”

To check out the price of the Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander – 2.5 Amp 5 in. Corded Random Orbital Sander, click here.

The Good:

• Pad dampening system designed to eliminate swirl marks on both flat and contoured surfaces
• Powerful 2. 5 AMP motor allows speed to work-piece and task matching with ease
• Features a micro filter system for fine dust and trapping particles as small as a 1/2-micron in diameter.
• Durable and compact, the dust canister shows dust level and easily detaches for mess-free tasks

The Bad:

• Like most Bosch products, it only has a 1 year warranty
• Electric-corded

 DEWALT DCW210B 20V MAX Brushless Orbital Sander (Tool Only) – Cordless

Ok as I previously mentioned, I like Dewalt tools and already have a corded one (as reviewed as our Top Pick) but decided a cordless one would be good to have as well.  Plus this way I can have one on the jobsite and keep one at home or wherever.

Actually most of my working life I have been working with tools that have been electrically corded but have been slowly swapping things out for rechargeable models instead.   Turns out, it was a great decision!  I no longer have to drag around any leads. I just have my charging station to recharge the batteries.  There is no drag when using the sander, the only downside is it is slightly heavier with the battery attached and you do notice this after a while when working on a big job.

Plus there is an additional cost initially with the purchase of a charger and extra batteries if you don’t own any.  Really, if these are the only negatives, then I can live with that.  In my case I had other Dewalt tools that I could interchange the batteries with so this cut down the cost for me. Happy days.

The first time I used the Dewalt DCW210B was on some timber floors I was restoring with my dad at his place. I used the orbital sander after I used my edging sander along the skirting boards on the floor. It just smoothes out any burring of the timber floor.  Trust me, I am really fussy with my finishes and the Dewalt orbital sander completes the task with ease. A good option if you’re after a cordless sander and don’t mind the weight of the battery.

To Check out the price of the DEWALT DCW210B 20V MAX Brushless Orbital Sander (Tool Only), click here.

The Good:

• Low height to get you closer to the work surface
• Variable speed dial provides control from 8000 – 12 000 OPM.
• Variable speed to match the speed of the application
• Replacement 8-hole hook-and-loop sanding pad for Quick, easy paper changing.
• Rubber over mold grip provides comfortable sanding.

The Bad:

• You will need to purchase a charger and batteries if you don’t have some already

Final Thoughts…..

At the end of the day any tool should feel comfortable when you use it. Think about the work you need to do and how often you’re likely to use the tool. Not every project will require a random orbital sander and like anything, you get what you pay for.

Of course, the number of times you use the sander and whether or not you’re using it for projects that require high amounts of power will also play an effect in overall durability. If it is for commercial use I would recommend a higher quality tool.  However, if you’re not going to use it that much, then you may as well get a budget model.  I tend to stick with tools that are in the middle of the pack and rarely have issues.

For further information including feedback, comments, suggestions or questions, please contact us as we would love to hear from you.

 Quick Links to Our Top 5 Random Orbital Sanders 

1. Dewalt DWE6421K Random Orbital Sander Kit– Top Pick
2. BLACK+DECKER BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander, 5- Inch– Budget Friendly
3. Tacklife Orbital Sander, 3.0 5-Inch Random Orbital Sander– Best for Beginners
4. Bosch ROS20VSCPalm Sander– Amazon Best Seller
5. Dewalt DCW2108 20V MAX Brushless Orbital Sander-