Even when you are closing in on the end of a project, you should make sure to keep your eyes open for the smaller details. A badly finished project will more often than not leave you or your customer unhappy, and most likely the project needs to be redone.
Among the more common and less liked aspects of finishing a project is sanding down the edges and corners once everything is put together. As irritating as it is to do, there’s no need to get too worried about it. Like most woodworking processes, there are tools to get the job done better and faster.
The tool, in this case, is called the random orbital sander, which uses a disc sander instead of a belt sander to allow you greater freedom of movement and angle. These tools also move the sander in an elliptical motion to give greater coverage and eliminate sanding marks on the finished product.
Power tools are always a crowded market, and there are plenty of random orbital sanders to choose from as well. We’ve picked out the five best options to get your next project looking great.
Related Article: Best Orbital Sander of 2023 [Complete Reviews With Comparisons]
Best Random Orbital Sander – Comparison Table
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
|---|---|---|
TOP PICK | 1. DEWALT DWE6423K
| Check Price |
RUNNER UP | 2. PORTER 7346SP
| Check Price |
  | 3. Bosch 1250DEVS
| Check Price |
  | 4. BLACK+DECKER BDERO100
| Check Price |
  | 5. Makita BO5041K
| Check Price |
Our Best Random Orbital Sander Reviews and Comparisons
1. DEWALT DWE6423K
Product Highlights
DeWalt is sure to pop up in any serious discussion of power tools. This model is so popular that it has won the Amazon’s Choice award for being the most trusted tool in its class.
Features
- Up to 12,000 rpm
- 3 amp motor
- 5” disc
- 4lbs
What We Like About DEWALT DWE6423K
This tool strikes a great balance of all the qualities you might look for in a random orbital sander, including a decent price.
What We Don’t Like About DEWALT DWE6423K
The dust collection in this model is smaller than most, making it a little tedious to use for long-term projects
PROS
- Highly praised by the consumer community
- Good value for money
- Durable construction
- Easy to use
- Comfortable grip
CONS
- Smaller than average dust collection
- Not compatible with many common accessories, even from DeWalt
2. PORTER 7346SP
Product Highlights
A compact tool ideal for sanding and polishing in tighter areas.
Features
- 6” discs
- 4.5 amp motor
- F6lbs/li>
- Up to 6,800 rpm
What We Like About PORTER 7346SP
This sander has a relatively wide 6” pad but a compact body and handles that allow it to work in close confines but still cover larger areas.
What We Don’t Like About PORTER 7346SP
This model is more expensive than similar tools from other manufacturers
PROS
- Polish pad included
- Compact body
- Safety handle
- Ball and roller bearing
- Variable speed dial
CONS
- Hard to use with one hand
- Relatively costly
3. Bosch 1250DEVS
Product Highlights
This sander has impressive motor strength and a broad disc to breeze through larger jobs.
Features
- 6” disc
- 6.5 amp motor
- Up to 6,500 rpm
What We Like About Bosch 1250DEVS
This sander’s exceptionally powerful motor can keep it going through even the toughest paint, corrosion, or hardwood.
What We Don’t Like About Bosch 1250DEVS
High vibrations in the handle, worsening at full power.
PROS
- Exceptionally powerful motor
- Turbo allows for aggressive sanding or quick work
- Internal compensator maintains speed under load
- Parts are compatible with other Bosch products
- Hook and loop sand pad fastener
CONS
- Poor vibration dampening
- More than 100$ beyond similar tools.
4. BLACK+DECKER BDERO100
Product Highlights
Black and Decker’s random orbital sander is highly effective and comes at bargain-basement prices.
Features
- 2 amp motor
- 3.16lbs
- 5” pads
- 12,000 rpm
What We Like About BLACK+DECKER BDERO100
This tool delivers the same quality performance equal to tools that cost nearly four times more.
What We Don’t Like About BLACK+DECKER BDERO100
This tool delivers the same quality performance equal to tools that cost nearly four times more.
PROS
- Exceptionally affordable
- Easy hook and loop system for attaching pads
- Can be used one-handed and in two positions
- Sealed switch assembly to keep debris away
- Lightweight and compact body
CONS
- Awkward grip positions
- Not as resilient as similar tools
5. Makita BO5041K
Product Highlights
Makita has created a sander focused on ease of use and operator comfort, with larger and more conveniently placed controls.
Features
- 3 amp motor
- 5” pad
- 3.09lbs
- Up to 12,000 rpm
What We Like About Makita BO5041K
The control surfaces and handles on this sander have been made deliberately larger than usual and coated with non skid rubber to make them easier to operate.
What We Don’t Like About Makita BO5041K
This sander is noisy enough to require ear protection when in operation, especially if combined with shop vacuums.
PROS
- Easy to grip
- Large buttons
- High rotations per minute, even under load
- Pad brake stops sanding quickly to prevent damage
- Tool case and dust bag included
CONS
- Painfully noisy, especially when vacuum is hooked up
- Poor dust collection performance
Final Verdict
These sanders can help you finish a new project or restore something old, powering through rough wood, paint, or corrosion in no time at all. Many come from the most trusted names in power tools, so you can rest assured you will be getting a tool trusted by professionals around the world.
Although the tool itself should be a sound piece of hardware, take care to use the correct pad. Using a sanding pad of inferior quality can negate the advantage you will gain by investing in a quality sander in the first place.
It may also be worth your time to learn technique, especially if you are new to the random orbital sander. The elliptical motion can be tricky to control at first, and a loose sander can wreck all of your hard work.
Buying Guide: What to Look For
Purchasing the very best random orbital sander is a difficult task with so much choice on the market. Random orbital sanders are helpful power tools when it comes to home improvement projects. They sure are a great way of creating a smooth finish on otherwise rough wood.
We recommend following our buying guide to help you make the best and most informed purchase possible. Below is a list of essential specifications that you should become familiar with prior to making a purchase.
Variable Speed
A random orbital sander with a high amp motor and variable speed is an excellent tool to go for. During its run time, higher orbits per minute equal more productivity and a smoother finish.
Variable Control
Powerful sanders are extremely hard to control. Opting for a sander with variable controls that are easy to change will help you with your work.
Dust Collection
Having a powerful and effective dust collection system is essential when it comes to sanding tools. The random orbital sander should have a dust-sealed switch to keep its components safe and clean, and a large capacity dust canister to keep up with a high workflow.
Weight
Heavy random orbital sanders should weight only a few pounds. If the sander is too heavy, it will be difficult for you to control, and you may sand too much or too little when it comes down to it.
Grip
All power tools must have adequate safety features to prevent accidents. Having a comfortable grip on the sander will not only keep you safe while you use the sander, but a good grip also will help you finish the sanding in a fraction of the time.
Disk Size
Sanding pads come in all shapes and sizes. Small sanding disks are good at tackling intricate sanding tasks, whereas larger disks are great for bigger jobs.
FAQ
Do you still have some unanswered questions that you need clearing up? We understand if you do, and that is why we have put together a frequently asked questions section for you to refer to if needed.
Power tools are important, especially if you are making the purchase for your construction business. These tools should last a few years at the very least, so buying the right item is vital.
Q: What is a random orbital sander used for?
A: People in the construction industry could not do without having a random orbital sander. They are used for smoothing wood in preparation for paint and are sometimes used after the paint has been applied too.
Q: What is the difference between a random orbital sander and an orbital sander?
A: An orbital sander can only move in one direction. It moves in a circular motion and does not move back and forth like the random orbital sander.
Q: Is a random orbital sander better?
A: Yes, they produce fewer cross grains and are able to blast more wood than orbital sanders are capable of.
Q: Is an orbital sander good for wood?
A: Orbital sanders are brilliant for use on wood.
Q: What kind of sander is better for refinished furniture?
A: A palm sander is far better for refinished furniture than orbital sanders and random orbital sanders.
We hope the information that we provided helped you understand a bit more about random orbital sanders and which sander is appropriate for the tasks you need to complete.
