11 Best Random Orbital Sanders in 2023 [Tested and Reviewed]

Makita's random orbital sander is a corded style sander with 3.0 amps of current. It has a speed control dial that claims to allow for fast progress and prevent swirl marks. We were able to sand down 3/64 of an inch from the surface of a two-by-four in three minutes using this sander. Considering how much material it can remove in a short amount of time, it should allow you to get both small and large jobs smoothly.

Although it is on the heavy side at three pounds, 10 ounces, we felt that the slim handle and lack of sudden vibration while in use still made it easy to manipulate. And it only stays on while you're holding down the trigger, so there's one less step in turning it on and off. The handle is detachable so that you can choose between two grip styles, which should allow you to handle jobs in a variety of environments and situations.

Very little dust slipped out of the dust box and didn't cause us any headache during cleanup. Even with its powerful sanding speed, it produced hardly any dust from the sanding surface, and we didn't notice much in the air either. The inclusion of a speed dial helps to prevent unwanted dust by changing it to a lower setting for jobs that don't require as high of sanding power. The dust bag can be detached simply by twisting the part that attaches to the sander, making cleanup a breeze. 

It's also worth noting that the sanding pad stops rotating quickly once you've turned off the power, which makes going from one job to the next that much smoother. The noise produced during sanding clocked in at 90.2 decibels, which is noticeably loud, so you'll want to have hearing protection on hand for long projects, and of course take into account the time of day and place you use it.

This sander by BOSCH is a corded style sander with 2.5 amps of current. It employs a microcellular backing pad that can supposedly get a smooth finish on both flat and curved surfaces. Using this sander, we were able to shave 1/16 of an inch of material off a two-by-four board in three minutes. This is a respectable sanding speed that would be applicable for both smaller household furniture and projects with larger surfaces like a wall or floor.

In addition to being thick, the handle also lacks any curvature, which didn't lend itself to a comfortable grip. But at least it didn't jerk around unnecessarily or transmit vibration into our arms while in use, so we felt beginners wouldn't have any trouble keeping it under control. We also appreciated that the power button was in an easy-to-reach spot while holding it. 

We didn't notice much dust coming off the sanding surface, which is one less thing to worry about while sanding. The dust box didn't leak, and we didn't feel distracted by dust being kicked up into the air, allowing us to focus on the job at hand. You'll also be happy to hear it comes with attachments for connecting to a dust collector, so people lucky enough to own one will have practically no cleanup at all. As for additional features, it has a speed dial to turn down the sanding power, which helps prevent loose dust and also lowers the amount of noise produced. 

The sanding pad stops turning as soon as the power is turned off for a smooth workflow. But we couldn't help notice that the dust box required quite a lot of force to open, which was a small annoyance when throwing out dust. The amount of noise produced with the speed dial set to maximum power was 84.6 decibels, which is not exactly quiet, but not as loud as many of the other products we tested, so as long as you've got hearing protection ready the damage to your ears should be negligible.

The Chervon SKIL corded random orbital sander has 2.8 amps of current and claims to prevent excess dust while keeping sanding swirls to a minimum. We found it was able to remove 3/64 of an inch of material from the surface of a two-by-four when used for three minutes, which is relatively high sanding power. It should allow you to get through smaller projects like sanding a table or shelf, as well as larger ones like a floor or deck, in a reasonable amount of time. Despite the strong sanding power, the sanding disc still clung to the surface of what we were sanding in a way that made it easy to manipulate. 

The body is a bit heavy at three pounds, six ounces, and we also felt some vibration in our arms when using it, but the curved handle was easy enough to grip that we felt it made work relatively painless. Sanding power of this level means that some dust does get into the air during sanding, but nothing leaked out of the dust box, and we didn't feel it was a major problem. It doesn't come with any adapters to use with a dust collector, so you'll need to check whether your hose size is compatible first if you plan on attaching it to one. The dust case also requires some force to detach, which is a bit tiresome during cleanup. 

The sanding pad takes a while to stop rotating after turning off the power, which can become an annoyance if you're going back and forth between tasks. The good news is this sander has a speed dial, which is a major plus for its ability to lessen the amount of dust and noise. The amount of noise produced during sanding was 88.8 decibels, so you'll want to have hearing protection on hand to save your ears from long-term damage.

The M18TM random orbital sander by Milwaukee is a rechargeable sander with a dust box that includes a filter. It claims the 3.0-Ah battery allows for up to 35 minutes of continuous use. We were able to sand off 5/64 of an inch of material from a two-by-four after three minutes of use. It takes a lot of sanding power to shave off this much material in such a short time, so this sander is suitable for working on smaller furniture items and larger projects like floors or wooden decks alike.

We didn't see any dust leak out of the dust box, and very little escaped from the sanding surface either. You probably won't need to attach it to a dust collector for smaller sanding projects. The tradeoff is that it's quite heavy, coming in at four pounds, five ounces with the battery inserted, and the lack of curvature on the handle made us think it wouldn't be a good choice for sanding ceilings or walls. We also couldn't ignore the fact that the power switch and speed dial are in hard-to-reach places when you're sanding. The vibration was a bit noticeable in our hands, but the weight made it easy to control, so it should make for comfortable work in spots where you'll be sanding from above, like a floor or the top of a shelf.

The speed dial on this sander has six settings, allowing you to match the sanding speed with a wide variety of materials and situations, and it also helps keep the noise to a minimum. It takes a bit of effort to detach the dust box, but thankfully it comes with a universal hose adapter for compatibility with most dust collectors. The amount of noise produced while in use measured at 85.1 decibels, which is around the middle range, so keep hearing protection on hand if you plan on using it for extended periods of time.

CRAFTSMAN claims that its corded random orbital sander is notable for its ease of control and lack of excess vibration. Our tests revealed that this sander could remove 1/16 of an inch of material from the surface of a two-by-four after three minutes. That's enough sanding power to make quick work of both household furniture and objects with larger surfaces like floors or wooden decks.

Additionally, we didn't notice any shavings leaking from the dust box or dust flying off the sanding surface into the air. Even without a dust collector, you shouldn't feel any disturbance when working on relatively small sanding projects. The dust bag can be detached simply by twisting the part that attaches to the sander body, so there's hardly any work involved when throwing shavings away. It doesn't come with its own dust collector adapter, so you'll need to have a one-and-3/4 inch hose if you plan on attaching it to one. 

The sanding pad came to a stop nearly immediately after turning off the power, allowing you to quickly move on to your next task once you're finished sanding. At a mere two pounds 12 ounces, this sander is notable for its light weight. We didn't notice much vibration in our hands while using it, and we also appreciated that the handle could easily fit in one or both hands. 

Unfortunately, the high sanding speed resulted in a lot of unpredictable movement, and with no speed dial, it's intended for intermediate to advanced power tool users. You should also be aware that it produced 92.2 decibels of noise during sanding, the loudest of all the products we tested. You'll need to take the time and place into account when using it, and of course definitely make sure to use hearing protection.

Makita's random orbital sander has 3.0 amps of current. They claim its pad control system helps prevent chipping and sanding patterns. We were able to remove 5/64 of an inch of material from the surface of a two-by-four in three minutes, which demonstrates extremely high sanding power. Both household furniture like tables or shelves and projects with larger surfaces like walls or floors should be no problem for this sander.

At three pounds, one ounce, it's light enough to hold upright for sanding without your arm getting tired, and the curved handle is comfortable to grip. But it produces a lot of excess vibration that would put a burden on your hand after extended use. It also has a tendency to slip around while sanding and can be hard to control at times. There's no speed dial to adjust the sanding power, and it's likely intended for people who are experienced with power tools. 

It doesn't come with an adapter to attach to a dust collector, either, but thankfully you can remove the dust bag simply by twisting it, making it easy to throw away shavings. We noticed that a bit of dust would leak through the dust bag at times. The high sanding speed also resulted in dust getting kicked up from the sanding surface, which adds to the amount of time needed for cleanup. Due to the amount of dust it throws into the air, we highly suggest using it together with a dust collector. The amount of noise produced registered at 91.2 decibels, so you'll need to avoid using it early in the morning or late at night, and make sure to use hearing protection.

This cordless sander by Black & Decker's in-house brand Porter-Cable is a rechargeable sander that claims to have a low-profile build that makes it easy to keep under control while sanding. We found it was able to sand 1/32 inches of material off the surface of a two-by-four after three minutes of use. That's not quite as much sanding power as some of our top-ranking products, so we feel it's best used for smaller household furniture or decorative objects.

This sander didn't score particularly high when it came to dust collection. The amount of shavings that escaped from the dust box made it difficult to stay focused on the job of sanding. If you've already got a dust collector, you'll want to consider shelling out for the separate adapter hose. We felt that overall it was easy to hold in place while sanding. The curved handle made for a comfortable grip, and we didn't notice much vibration while holding it, so it shouldn't put too much strain on your arm even after long work sessions. It's only just over three pounds, so you could probably hold it with one hand and the object you want to polish with the other.

It gained some points for the simplicity of the included dust bag, which can be detached with a single button press to easily clean up shavings left over from sanding. And the sanding pad stops immediately after turning off the power, making for smooth transitions to your next job. There's no speed dial, however, so you could end up sanding more than you intended if you're not used to it yet. The amount of noised produced by this sander registered 89.3 decibels, so you'll want to have hearing protection ready to keep your ears safe if you plan on buying it.

Emerson Electric makes the rechargeable Ridgid random orbit sander, and they claim their AirGuard Technology reduces dust by 90 percent. We found that this sander was able to remove 1/16 of an inch of material from the surface of a two-by-four after three minutes of use. With this much sanding power, you could easily get through a job involving household furniture or one with a larger surface like a wall or floor. It also did an excellent job of collecting shavings and keeping dust to a minimum, with very little coming off the sanding surface. We didn't find any shavings falling out of the dust box, either. For small or mid-sized tasks, you won't need a dust collector to stay focused on the job.

At a whopping four pounds, nine ounces with the battery inserted, there's no getting around the fact that it can be very tiresome to hold. On top of that, it also produces a lot of vibration while sanding, and many people will find it hard to control due to how it moves around erratically. Thankfully, it has a speed dial with six settings, so you can always lower the sanding speed until you've gotten used to it.

The dust bag can be removed simply be twisting the piece that connects to the sander, so throwing your shavings away is a snap. But it doesn't come with an adapter to connect to a dust collector, so you'll need to buy an adapter separately if you plan on using it with one. We also felt a little impatient waiting for the sanding pad to stop spinning after turning off the power. It produces 84.6 decibels of noise while sanding, which we wouldn't call quiet, so be sure to have hearing protection ready if you plan on using it for long periods.

This random orbital sander is part of Stanley Black & Decker's Black & Decker line, which consists of DIY tools. It's a corded model that touts its light weight and compact size as advantages. During our tests, this sander shaved 1/64 of an inch of material off a two-by-four in three minutes. This is quite a bit less than some of the higher-ranking sanders we looked at, so it's a bit lackluster in sanding power. It's best used for sanding household furniture, as opposed to larger surfaces like walls or floors.

The lower sanding speed means that it doesn't toss much dust off of the sanding surface, and we didn't notice any shavings leaking from the cloth dust bag. Taking this into consideration, it should comfortably carry you through smaller projects, even without a dust collector. Due to the lack of jerky movement during sanding, this is an excellent choice for people buying their first random orbital sander. And it produces very little unwanted vibration that would lead to arm fatigue. The handle shape isn't ideal, since it doesn't have any curvature, but it's also one of the lightest sanders we looked at, just two pounds, 8.5 ounces, which adds to the ease of use.

When evaluating additional features, we enjoyed the ease with which the dust bag could be detached and reattached, but the small size of the hole added to the amount of time needed to throw the shavings away. There's no included adapter for connecting it to a dust collector, so be sure to check the size of the hose needed if you plan on using it with one. We also noticed that the sanding pad took some time to stop rotating even after turning off the power, which could test your patience after a while. With no speed dial, there's no way to lower the amount of noise produced by this sander, which we measured at 85.5 decibels. But as long as you've got hearing protection, you should be able to use it without putting too much stress on your ears.

The 20V MAX orbital sander by Stanley Black & Decker's DIY brand Black & Decker is a rechargeable model with a dust box that can be attached with one hand. This is a product with selectable battery capacity, starting from 1.5 Ah up to 12 Ah. In our tests, we were able to shave 1/32 inches off a two-by-four in three minutes using this sander. This comes up short of the sanding power of some of the other more highly-rated products we looked at. Using it to sand something with a large surface like a wall or floor would take an unreasonable amount of time, so it's probably intended for use with smaller household furniture.

We didn't notice much dust coming off the sanding surface, nor did any shavings leak out of the dust box. Even without attaching to a dust collector, cleanup won't cause you much of a headache after use. Considering it only weighs three pounds with the 1.5-Ah battery inserted, it's light and easy to hold, but unfortunately it produces a lot of unwanted vibration that makes it hard to control. At least it has a speed dial, so we recommend you adjust the sanding speed to a level that works for you.

We enjoyed the fact that the sanding pad stopped rotating less than a second after turning off the power, making for quick transitions to your next task. It's also easy to remove the dust bag, so there's no hassle involved with throwing out the shavings. The speed dial has six settings so that you can match the sanding speed appropriately with the job you're doing. At 81 decibels, it's a bit quieter than some of the other products we tested, but still, we can't call it quiet. However, as long as you use it together with hearing protection, it shouldn't be a hindrance.

Ryobi's random orbital sander is a rechargeable model with an ergonomic palm grip design, which is claims prevents fatigue even after prolonged use. We were only able to remove 1/64 of an inch of material from the surface of a two-by-four after three minutes. It's an underwhelming amount of sanding power compared to many of the other products we tested. It would take too much time to sand a wall or floor comfortably, so it's best used for smaller household furniture or crafts. Thanks to the lower sanding speed, it doesn't cause much dust to come off the sanding surface while in use, and the dust box did a good job of keeping the shavings off the floor. Even without a dust collector, you should be able to get through a small project with relatively little cleanup.

It's rather heavy with the 4.0 Ah battery inserted, four pounds, two ounces, to be precise, but the shape of the handle and non-slip material worked together to make for a comfortable grip. We also didn't experience any noticeable vibration in our hands while sanding, nor did it jerk or slip, so it shouldn't make your muscles sore after long work sessions. There's no speed dial to adjust the sanding power, so we think it's geared towards people who are already comfortable with power tools. 

It doesn't come with an adapter to connect to a dust collector either, but the dust bag is very easy to detach and reattach, so there's no hassle involved with throwing away shavings. This sander produced 80.6 decibels of noise while in use, which isn't extremely loud but certainly not quiet either, so make sure you use it together with hearing protection for the best experience.