How to Choose the Best Power Sander for the Job

Belt sanders are heavy-duty, multi-use machines that are available in a variety of styles, including portable, handheld models and heavier-duty, stationary options. Handheld belt sanders are ideal for tackling the first part of a job, when you need to remove large quantities of wood quickly. A belt sander is a great option for sanding hardwood floors, building a deck or working on a large woodworking project.

An orbital sander, also known as a sheet or finishing sander, gets its name from the orbital motion it uses to sand surfaces. This circular motion creates a smooth finish but doesn’t remove as much material as some other power sanders. Typically, this type of sander uses sheet sandpaper that attaches to its flat, rectangular base. Orbital sanders come in many shapes and sizes — the most popular options being the quarter-sheet and the one-third sheet. Some are designed in different shapes that allow you to get into tight corners. These sanders are ideal for making or restoring furniture.

Random orbital sanders move in both a circular and figure-eight type pattern that produces a fine finish without the swirl marks that standard orbital sanders leave behind. Random orbital sanders use sandpaper that’s attached with hooks and loops. They can remove more material than orbital sanders and are commonly used to strip paint and varnish from furniture, smooth countertops and more.

Sheet sanders, also called palm or finish sanders, are compact sanders ideal for light- or medium-duty applications. These sanders are good for tasks like finishing a wood surface or smoothing curved surfaces. As their name suggests, they require the use of cut sheet sandpaper that fastens onto the tool. Sheet sanders are ideal to use as a finishing touch — as in before applying new paint — but if you’re just purchasing one sander, an orbital sander is more versatile.

Drum sanders — commonly referred to as drum floor sanders — are large, heavy-duty machines used for sanding floors. For hardwood flooring with major issues, such as deep discoloration and large pits, this is the best type of sander to restore the surface to its original form. They’re designed with a loop of sandpaper that moves around a drum and rips down wood to your preferred depth. Be careful when using a drum sander to avoid creating large grooves and ruining your floor’s surface.

Disc sanders sit on benchtops and feature a circular sandpaper plate. One of the more unique sanders, they’re often used for fine, detailed work, like toymaking. Choose between either a benchtop or handheld disc sander, depending on how you plan to use it.

Commonly referred to as mouse sanders or corner sanders, detail sanders feature a triangle-shaped tip that allows you to work in tight spaces and on projects that involve small surfaces, such as making furniture.

Ideal for using on spindles of a staircase or fence, these practical sanders use cylindrical drums to sand curved boards. An oscillating spindle sander, which oscillates up and down, reduces the likelihood of scratches and grooves in the material you’re working on.

Depending on your intended use, there are features available to can make working with your sander easier and more productive.

Locking Trigger: The ability to lock the power trigger in the “on” position is essential for extended sanding tasks. Sanders with this option can greatly reduce user fatigue.

Dust Management: More sanders now have this feature as a standard option. Sanders can have a dust collection bag along with the ability to connect to a vacuum hose.

Ergonomic Grips: Padded rubber grips and side handles can help reduce user fatigue while adding balance and a secure hold.

Clamps: This addition locks your sander in an inverted operating position for more detailed work and odd-shaped work pieces.

Portability: A travel case will keep your sander and accessories together and ready to go to work.

There are benefits to both corded and cordless sanders, depending on the setting in which you need to use your tools. If you have easy access to an electric outlet and can work predominantly in one place, a corded sander will suffice. That said, power cords can malfunction, and it’s possible for them to get tangled up while you’re working on certain tasks. However, you don’t have to worry about charging batteries as you would with a cordless sander.  

If you need to move around on a jobsite or already have other tools clogging up your power source, a cordless sander might be a better choice. Some models with maximum-life batteries can hold a charge for several hours. They allow for rapid charging and a longer runtime. With cordless options, it’s a good idea to keep a spare battery around if you anticipate it’ll take you a long time to complete the job. Another benefit of some cordless sander models is their weight. Lightweight cordless models can be easier to use, especially during longer projects. Many tool manufacturers offer cordless power tools with interchangeable batteries that work with multiple tool types.