5 Best Orbital Sanders Review

An orbital sander is a very popular tool in most workshops and households. It helps in making the sanding process faster and easier. Investing in a good quality orbital sander should enable you to tackle all the necessary sanding jobs without any problem.

To ensure you get the best orbital sander in the market, you have to ensure that it is durable, versatile, and easy to use. If you are wondering which orbital sander is best suited for you, then you have come to the right place.

In this review guide, we will be looking at some of the best orbital sanders in the market together with important factors you should consider. Also, remember to click on the buttons below each product to get their best Amazon deals.

Table of Contents

Best Orbital sanders Comparison & Rating

Orbital Sanders	Features
1. Makita BO5041k Random Orbital Sander	3 amp motor 4000-12000 OPM 1/8” random orbital radius
2. Bosch ROS20VSC Orbit Sander	2.5 amp motor 7,500 - 12,000 OPM accepts a variance of backing pads
3. Black & Decker BDERO600 Orbital Sander	2.4 amp motor power 14000 OPM paddle switch
4. Black & Decker BDERO100 Orbit Sander	2 amp motor 12000 OPM lightweight
5. Porter-Cable 382 Orbital Sander	1.9 amp motor 12000 OPM 5-inch pad and loop system

1. Makita BO5041k Random Orbital Sander

Makita BO5041 3-Amp 4000-12000 OPM D-Handle Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch

Specifications:

97% Overall

Brand	Makita
Dimensions	10.8 x 4.8 x 6 inches
Weight	2.1 pounds
Power Source	Corded Electric

98%

durability

97%

performance

96%

value for money

95%

features

Pros:

A perfect tool for both commercial and home use.
Comes with a 3 amp motor that has enough power and added pressure ensuring it never gets hot or bogs down.
This orbital sander is variable (4000-12000 OPM) and can be adjusted with ease to match different types of tasks.
Quite lightweight and made using high-quality materials making it easy to carry around and it also lasts for long.
Very comfortable to use and comes with a smooth sanding action, thanks to the low vibrations.
Controlling it is very easy and offers an extra fore grip.
Comes with a 1/8” random orbital radius that offers you smoother results and few swirl marks together with reducing the possibilities of over sanding and wood-burning.
It is among the quietest when you are using it at a low speed and comes with a great dust collection together with a shop vac attached to it.

Cons:

You will have to pay extra for the case.

Final Take:

Makita BO5041k is suitable for any person who is in need of a reliable tool in their collection. It has more power which ensures faster sanding and a smooth finish. Its 3.0 amp motor and a variable speed control dial make it possible for the user to match the sanding speed to the application. This orbital sander also has an ergonomic rubberized palm grip together with a handle for improved operator comfort and control. The front handle is adjustable to allow the sanders in corners and confined areas.

Check Price

2. Bosch ROS20VSC Orbit Sander

Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander - 2.5 Amp 5 in. Corded Variable Speed Random Orbital Sander/Polisher Kit with Dust Collector and Soft Carrying Bag, Blue

Specifications:

95% Overall

Brand	BOSCH
Dimensions	9 x 5 x 6 inches
Weight	3.5 pounds
Power Source	Corded Electric

97%

durability

96%

performance

93%

value for money

92%

features

Pros:

Comes with a 2.5 amp motor together with a variable speed that runs between 7,500 and 12,000 OPM. The variable speed allows you to adjust it to a specific task.
Accepts a variance of backing pads such as the RS033, RS034, RS032 backing pads together with a buffing pad like the RS014 buffing pad. With this, even when you are not into woodworking, you will be in a position of using it.
Comes with a dust collection which makes it rank high among the wide variety of orbital sanders in the market. It also has a microfilter system that is able to catch particles measuring up to ½ micron.
Has an integral dampening system that ensures it runs smoothly and lets you achieve smooth finishes.
Rubberized and ergonomically shaped as well as reduced vibrations that allow for longer sessions without much fatigue.

Cons:

Its case does not have lots of storage space. However, it is very durable making it cost-effective in the long term.

Final Take:

Bosch ROS20VSC is suitable for people who are in need of a perfect, reliable, and efficient orbital sander. Its pad dampening system is made to eliminate swirl marks on flat and contoured surfaces. The dust collection system comes with a microfilter system that is meant for fine dust and trapping particles measuring up to ½ micron in diameter. Its dust canister indicates the level of dust and can easily detach from mess-free tasks. This product also has variable speed control and a power motor measuring 2.5 amps which allow for speed to workpiece and task matching with ease.

Check Price

3. Black & Decker BDERO600 Orbital Sander

BLACK+DECKER Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch (BDERO600)

Specifications:

93% Overall

Brand	BLACK+DECKER
Dimensions	8.81 x 5.13 x 6.31 inches
Weight	3.13 pounds
Power Source	Corded Electric

96%

durability

93%

performance

92%

value for money

91%

features

Pros:

Comes with a 2.4 amp motor power and a 14000 OPM which ensures it works well on smaller projects.
Comes with a paddle switch that works smoothly.
The handle size is quite small which makes it fit well even on individuals having small hands.
Comes with a dust collector that works well making it reliable and efficient in its work.
The compact is designed and made using lightweight materials making it comfortable to use and carry around. This ensures one can use it for longer hours.

Cons:

Though efficient, the dust collection system is noisy.
Comes without a variable speed but it does not affect its reliability.

Final Take:

This Black & Decker BDERO600 is a top-performing orbital sander that has up to 14,000 orbits per minute. It comes with a high performing dust collection system that ensures the work surface is always clean. The paddle switch activation of this product helps in ensuring easy on/off during application. This BDERO600 comes with a 2.4 amp motor that aids in material removal. Its components include 1 dust bag, 1 sheet of paper, and 1 BDERO600 sander.

Check Price

4. Black & Decker BDERO100 Orbit Sander

BLACK+DECKER Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch (BDERO100)

Specifications:

92% Overall

Brand	BLACK+DECKER
Dimensions	7 x 5 x 6 inches
Weight	3.15 pounds
Power Source	Corded Electric

94%

durability

92%

performance

91%

value for money

90%

features

Pros:

Best suited for individuals who are on a tight budget or just who are just upgrading from hand sanding.
Uses a 2 amp motor and 12000 OPM which means it is not that powerful although it does run very smoothly and is very easy to use.
A very compact and basic orbital sander making it perfect for a beginner.
Made using lightweight materials which makes it quite lightweight hence.
There are no fancy features which mean the price is quite low making it perfect for an individual on a low budget.

Cons:

The hook and loop system are not of the best quality. However, it still performs better than most of the hook and loop systems of different orbital sanders in the market.

Final Take:

Black & Decker BDERO100 is perfect for individuals who are in need of a simple but effective orbital sander. This is because it does not have lots of fancy features. It uses a random orbital action that ensures a high removal rate and a high-quality finish. There is also a dust-sealed switch that helps in ensuring all debris and dust are kept out. It also uses a look and hooks system that ensures easy and fast paper changes. It comes with one sanding sheet, one dust bag, and one BDERO100 sander.

Check Price

5. Porter-Cable 382 Orbital Sander

PORTER-CABLE Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch (382)

Specifications:

91% Overall

Brand	Porter-Cable
Dimensions	8 x 9 x 7 inches
Weight	3.6 pounds
Power Source	AC / DC

93%

durability

92%

performance

90%

value for money

89%

features

Pros:

Powered with a 1.9 amp motor that is in a position of producing up to 12000 OPM.
Comes with a 5-inch pad and loop system that ensures easy sanding disc changing and is well balanced and very easy on the hands.
Uses a multi-port and large adapter that fits perfectly well and you can use a dust-free working environment.
Comes with dual-plane counterbalance fans and performs a perfect job when it comes to reducing vibrations.
A perfect orbital sander as it is made using sturdy materials and is well-balanced making it easy on the hands.

Cons:

Quite slow when used on coarse grits but does an effective work when compared to other orbital sanders in the market.

Final Take:

This Porter-Cable 382 offers maximum sanding speed for smooth finishes. It has a dual plane counter and offers a longer switch life. The finishing system is well controlled which ensures it maintains a controllable pad speed and minimizes gouging whenever it is turned on. Porter-Cable 382 dust-sealed switch helps protect the sander against ingestion of dust ensuring longer switch life. It also has a 100% ball bearing construction.

Check Price

Best Orbital Sanders - Buyer's Guide

power source

The orbital sanders are available in 3 different types of power sources. There is corded, cordless, and pneumatic. You need to know that the power source is a very important factor as it will determine the motor power of the sander together with the weight of the tool.

Whenever you are shopping for a top-quality orbital sander, ensure that you take your time and check on the type of power source a particular orbital sander uses before you splash your cash to purchase it.

motor speed and power

You need to look for the input and output power. However, be very keen on the output power since that is the actual power that is used in operating the sanding pad. Orbital sanders of better quality do consume less input power and still have the same output power.

base plate

This is a very crucial feature for people who are interested in an excellent flat surface finish. Base plate refers to the place where you always attach the sanding paper to the hook and loop system. The majority of the models which currently exist do have holes at the base for sawdust removal.

You need to consider the base plate together with the cost of replacing the pad before you make any purchase.

Dust collection system

The sanders do come with different types of dust collection systems in place. It can either be a dust bag with or without a shop vacuum adapter/attachment or a microfilter dust canister. The sawdust will always be collected through the holes in the base plate. The better the dust collection system is, the smoother the sanded surface will be and that will mean lesser sanding dust will get in between the surface and the sander.

Best Orbital Sanders - FAQs

What is the difference between an orbital sander and a random orbital sander?

The sanding pad motion when the equipment is in use is the main difference between the two. For the orbital sanders, the sanding pad will create a smooth finish by moving in a circular motion only while the random orbital sander, sanding pads turns in a small elliptical loop with the equipment moving in circles.

Is orbital sander great for use on woods?

The orbital sanders are a great tool when it comes to the generation of smooth finished and curved edges on wood. All this can be attributed to the typically small sanding pad that is found on the orbital sanders making them unsuitable for use in the sanding of large wood pieces.

Is it possible to use the orbital sander on drywall?

Yes, you can always use the orbital sander to help in smoothing drywall enabling you to achieve an even surface. Use the 150 or 180-grit sandpaper to achieve this. Never let your equipment linger a lot on the spot.

Why do the orbital sanders have holes?

The orbital sanders do have holes to extract the dust particles produced whenever you are sanding. The dust will pass through the holes which are always found on the sanding pad onto the dust bag. This explains why you have to purchase the sanding discs with holes matching those on your tool.