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Random orbital sanders come in many varieties, but ultimately all achieve the same task: making sanding easier for woodworkers by creating a smooth finish without concern for the direction of the grain. To help you select the random orbital sander that’s right for your next project, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best random orbital sanders on Amazon. You can also use our tools buying guide as an additional resource to finding the best tools for you.
Best Random Orbital Sander Comparison
| Product | Power | Variable Speed | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita BO5041 5″ Random Orbit Sander | 3.0 AMP | 4,000-12,000 OPM | 2.1 pounds | 1 year |
| DEWALT 20V MAX Random Orbit Sander | 2.0Ah battery | 8,000-12,000 OPM | 4.3 pounds | 3 years |
| BLACK+DECKER Random Orbit Sander | 2.0 AMP | 12,000 OPM | 3.2 pounds | 2 years |
| Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander | 2.5 AMP | 7,500-12,000 OPM | 3.5 pounds | 1 year |
| SKIL 5″ Random Orbital Sander | 2.8 AMP | 7,000-13,000 OPM | 3.44 pounds | 1 year |
| Product | Power | Variable Speed | Weight | Warranty |
Most Versatile: Makita BO5041 5″ Random Orbit Sander
Makita BO5041 5″ Random Orbit Sander
Key Features
- Power: 3.0 AMP
- Variable speed: 4,000-12,000 OPM
- Weight: 2.1 lbs
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who liked this product said that it was easy to hold, highly maneuverable, and that it was quiet. While many woodworkers found this tool to be well-designed, some mentioned that the dust port was a bit too small and that it was difficult to attach to a shop vac.
Best Cordless: DEWALT 20V MAX Random Orbit Sander
DEWALT 20V MAX Random Orbit Sander
- $180.5
- $229
- 22% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Power: 2.0Ah battery
- Variable speed: 8,000-12,000 OPM
- Weight: 4.29 lbs
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who were pleased with this product liked its portability, comfortable grip, and that it was powerful for a cordless unit. While many appreciated the convenience of this tool, some people said that the battery didn’t last long enough for big projects and recommended getting a second battery unit or a larger battery.
Best For Small Jobs: BLACK+DECKER Random Orbit Sander
BLACK+DECKER Random Orbit Sander
- $30.66
- $66.65
- 54% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Power: 2.0 AMP
- Speed: 12,000 OPM
- Weight: 3.16 lbs
What Customers Are Saying
Those who left positive reviews for this product said that it was durable, easy to grip, and worked quickly. Though this is a great budget option if you only need an orbital sander for occasional use, some people wished that it had variable speeds, and others noted that its dust collection was not the best.
Best Dust Collection: Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander
Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander
- $76.32
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Power: 2.5 AMP
- Variable speed: 7,500-12,000 OPM
- Weight: 3.5 lbs
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who left satisfactory reviews liked that this product had a low amount of vibration, had a wide range of speed control, and was easy to operate. While many were impressed with the dust collection capabilities, they noted that it needed to be emptied fairly often, and that it was somewhat difficult to disassemble.
Highest Speed: SKIL 5″ Random Orbital Sander
SKIL 5″ Random Orbital Sander
- $34.99
- $39.99
- 13% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Power: 2.8 AMP
- Variable speed: 7,000-13,000 OPM
- Weight: 3.44 lbs
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who left positive reviews for this sander said that it had excellent dust containment, high maneuverability, and was easy to change sandpaper grits. Although many liked the power and ease of use, they noted that it was often messy and that it was more effective to hook it up to a shop vac than using the included dust bin.
Buyer’s Guide
When deciding on which random orbital sander is best for your needs, it’s important to consider some of the following factors.
Power Source
There are pros and cons for both cordless and corded random orbital sanders. Cordless sanders are convenient because they can be brought anywhere, including outside. However, you are limited by the amount of battery life that a cordless sander has, and this may cause you to take unwanted breaks if you need to wait for it to charge.
Corded sanders need to be within operation of a power outlet, or have a long extension cord in order for them to work where you need. However, once they are plugged in, they will work for as long as you need without interruption.
Weight
Most random orbital sanders weigh between two and four pounds. Lighter devices create less wrist and hand fatigue, but may be less powerful than heavier devices.
Disc Size
Most random orbital sanders use discs that are five or six inches in diameter, but some heavy-duty sanders may have discs up to eight inches, and smaller devices may go as small as one inch. For large projects such as sanding a hardwood floor, you’ll want to focus on devices with large disc sizes. Small disc sizes, on the other hand, can give you more flexibility and can fit into tighter spots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are random orbital sanders used for?
To properly choose and use a random orbital sander, you first need to know exactly what it is designed for. Random orbital sanders are versatile and can work to sand and smooth items due to their unique shape. The disc in a random orbital sander spins in a circle while the pad moves in an oval loop, resulting in a swirl-free finish no matter if you’re sanding with or against the grain.
What’s the difference between a traditional and a random orbital sander?
The main difference between standard and random orbital sanders is the shape of their pad. Traditional orbital sanders have a square sanding pad that moves in an orbital manner, while a random orbital sander has a circular pad and moves in an elliptical manner.
What are the differences between an orbital sander and a palm sander?
Palm sanders traditionally have a different shape, size, and motion than random orbital sanders. Random orbital sanders are best for sanding large surfaces and smooth larger pieces of wood. Palm sanders, on the other hand, are best for sanding small pieces and are also effective at sanding edges.
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