Hand Sanders Buying Guide
| Average Rating | Average Price | Reviews | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
$231.24 | 1759 | 520 |
With such a wide range of sanders available, it may seem a bit overwhelming for some to choose between all of them. But, like mot power tools, each design has a purpose, and can generally achieve that purpose better than the rest.
Here we’ll discuss several of the most popular types of hand sanders: random orbit, belt, sheet and detail.
First, we'll start by talking about the most popular type of hand sanders - random orbit sanders. Random-orbit sanders easily remove paint, prepare new molding, and smooth and clean metal and composite materials. Their unique motion consists of the sandpaper disc spinning in a circle while the whole pad moves in an oval pattern. This motion ensures a swirl-free finish because no single abrasive particle follows the same path twice.
While random-orbit sanders work more quickly than vibrating sanders, they aren’t very aggressive at removing a lot of material – that job is better suited for a belt sander.
When shopping for your new random-orbiter, here are a few things to consider: motor size, body configuration, pad size, and price. A palm-size unit can cost around $50–$100, while heavy-duty ones can cost up to $200.
Like we mentioned earlier, belt sanders are much more aggressive. Since they can easily remove a great deal of material, and it is just as easy for them to remove too much if you’re not careful.
Sheet sanders, on the other hand, work with partial sheets of standard sandpaper, cut into smaller pieces and clamped onto the base of the sander. Sheet sanders motors move the sanding pad in a circular motion at high speed. This motion is unlike that of a random orbital sander because it lacks the secondary elliptical motion.
Because sheet sanders can leave behind swirls (especially when moving against the grain) it is important to keep the sander moving with the grain as much as possible. Another useful tip when trying to reduce the swirls: use progressively finer grits of sandpaper, this will help remove the swirls left behind by the previous sanding.
Sheet sanders are most useful because their sandpaper is readily available at most any hardware store. Plus, they are relatively inexpensive, typically costing one-half to one-third price of a decent random orbital sander.
As for detail sanders, they are for sanding corners and other tight spaces using a small vibrating head with a piece of triangle-shaped sandpaper attached.
Don’t forget, no matter which sander you choose, it is equally important to choose sandpaper with the appropriate grit. No matter how lightly applied, sandpaper with coarse grit will remove a lot of material. Likewise, even the most aggressive use of fine grit sandpaper will not remove a lot of material. Also, belt sanders require a properly sized sanding belt attached to the base with either adhesive or fasteners.
Types of Hand Sanders
5" Random
Random-orbit sanders easily remove paint, prepare new molding, and smooth and clean metal and composite materials. Their unique motion consists of the sandpaper disc spinning in a circle while the whole pad moves in an oval pattern. This motion ensures a swirl-free finish because no single abrasive particle follows the same path twice.
While random-orbit sanders work more quickly than vibrating sanders, they aren’t very aggressive at removing a lot of material – that job is better suited for a belt sander.
When shopping for your new random-orbiter, here are a few things to consider: motor size, body configuration, pad size, and price. A palm-size unit can cost around $50–$100, while heavy-duty ones can cost up to $200.
| Group | Average Rating | Average Price | Reviews | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Sanders | |
$231.24 | 1759 | 520 |
| 5" Random | |
$121.53 | 598 | 113 |
There are 113 products in 5" Random Orbit Sanders with an average ranking of 4. The average price is $121.53. The 520 products in Hand Sanders have an average rating of 4 and an average price of $231.24. The single product links have additional data on each model.
6-8" Random
Random-orbit sanders easily remove paint, prepare new molding, and smooth and clean metal and composite materials. Their unique motion consists of the sandpaper disc spinning in a circle while the whole pad moves in an oval pattern. This motion ensures a swirl-free finish because no single abrasive particle follows the same path twice.
While random-orbit sanders work more quickly than vibrating sanders, they aren’t very aggressive at removing a lot of material – that job is better suited for a belt sander.
When shopping for your new random-orbiter, here are a few things to consider: motor size, body configuration, pad size, and price. A palm-size unit can cost around $50–$100, while heavy-duty ones can cost up to $200.
| Group | Average Rating | Average Price | Reviews | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Sanders | |
$231.24 | 1759 | 520 |
| 6-8" Random | |
$200.08 | 138 | 69 |
The median ranking of the 69 products in 6-8" Random Orbit Sanders is 4 and the median price is $200.08. There are 520 products in Hand Sanders with an median rating of 4. The median price is $231.24. The specific product links have detailed data on each model.
There is one product from 6-8" Random Orbit Sanders that we think stands out. To find out why the Festool ETS 1503 EQ is our favorite, click here.
3" Belt
Belt sanders are aggressive at removing a lot of material. Since they can easily remove a great deal of material, and it is just as easy for them to remove too much if you’re not careful.
| Group | Average Rating | Average Price | Reviews | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Sanders | |
$231.24 | 1759 | 520 |
| 3" Belt |  |
$202.05 | 322 | 52 |
The 52 products in 3" Belt Sanders have an average rating of 3.5 with an average price of $202.05. The average rating of the 520 products in Hand Sanders is 4 with an average price of $231.24. Click on the 3" Belt Sanders product links for detailed reviews and information on the seperate models.
4" Belt
Belt sanders are aggressive at removing a lot of material. Since they can easily remove a great deal of material, and it is just as easy for them to remove too much if you’re not careful.
| Group | Average Rating | Average Price | Reviews | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Sanders | |
$231.24 | 1759 | 520 |
| 4" Belt | |
$965.85 | 102 | 17 |
The median rating of the 17 products in 4" Belt Sanders is 4 and the median price is $965.85. The average rating of the 520 products in Hand Sanders is 4 with an average price of $231.24. The seperate product links have detailed data on each model.
Specialty Belt
Specialty belt sanders include pneumatic, detail, mini and those made specifically to sharpen tools.
| Group | Average Rating | Average Price | Reviews | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Sanders | |
$231.24 | 1759 | 520 |
| Specialty Belt |  |
$302.48 | 61 | 49 |
The median rating of the 49 products in Specialty Belt Sanders is 4.5 and the median price is $302.48. The median ranking of the 520 products in Hand Sanders is 4 with an median price of $231.24. Single product links have more information on the models.
Pneumatic
| Group | Average Rating | Average Price | Reviews | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Sanders | |
$231.24 | 1759 | 520 |
| Pneumatic | |
$168.48 | 19 | 105 |
The 105 products in Pneumatic Sanders have an average ranking of 4.5 with an average price of $168.48. The 520 products in Hand Sanders have an median ranking of 4 and an median price of $231.24. The seperate product links have more reviews and information on each model.
Cordless Detail Sanders
Detail sanders are great for sanding corners and other tight spaces using a small vibrating head with a piece of triangle-shaped sandpaper attached. Cordless versions are even more helpful, as they don't hassle you with the use of a cord.
| Group | Average Rating | Average Price | Reviews | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Sanders | |
$231.24 | 1759 | 520 |
| Cordless Detail Sanders |  |
$86.32 | 3 |
There are 520 products in Hand Sanders with an average rating of 4. The average price is $231.24. The specific product links have additional data on each model.
Cordless Random Orbit Sanders
Cordless sanders are easy-to-use and allow you to move around without having to mess with a cord. Although, like most battery-powered tools, they don't have the same amount of power as their corded siblings.
Random-orbit sanders easily remove paint, prepare new molding, and smooth and clean metal and composite materials. Their unique motion consists of the sandpaper disc spinning in a circle while the whole pad moves in an oval pattern. This motion ensures a swirl-free finish because no single abrasive particle follows the same path twice.
When shopping for your new random-orbiter, here are a few things to consider: motor size, body configuration, pad size, and price. A palm-size unit can cost around $50–$100, while heavy-duty ones can cost up to $200.
| Group | Average Rating | Average Price | Reviews | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Sanders | |
$231.24 | 1759 | 520 |
| Cordless Random Orbit Sanders | |
$34.99 | 2 |
The average rating of the 520 products in Hand Sanders is 4 with an average price of $231.24. Click on the individual Cordless Random Orbit Sanders product links for additional reviews and information on the single models.
Detail Sanders
Detail sanders are great for sanding corners and other tight spaces using a small vibrating head with a piece of triangle-shaped sandpaper attached.
| Group | Average Rating | Average Price | Reviews | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Sanders | |
$231.24 | 1759 | 520 |
| Detail Sanders |  |
$155.79 | 178 | 32 |
The 32 products in Detail Sanders have an average rating of 3 with an average price of $155.79. There are 520 products in Hand Sanders with an median rating of 4. The median price is $231.24. The product links have additional data on each model.
Sheet Sanders
Sheet sanders work with partial sheets of standard sandpaper, cut into smaller pieces and clamped onto the base of the sander. Sheet sanders motors move the sanding pad in a circular motion at high speed. This motion is unlike that of a random orbital sander because it lacks the secondary elliptical motion.
Because sheet sanders can leave behind swirls (especially when moving against the grain) it is important to keep the sander moving with the grain as much as possible. Another useful tip when trying to reduce the swirls: use progressively finer grits of sandpaper, this will help remove the swirls left behind by the previous sanding.
Sheet sanders are most useful because their sandpaper is readily available at most any hardware store. Plus, they are relatively inexpensive, typically costing one-half to one-third price of a decent random orbital sander.
| Group | Average Rating | Average Price | Reviews | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Sanders | |
$231.24 | 1759 | 520 |
| Sheet Sanders | |
$74.78 | 341 | 78 |
The 78 products in Sheet Sanders have an average ranking of 4 with an average price of $74.78. The average ranking of the 520 products in Hand Sanders is 4 with an average price of $231.24. Click on the individual Sheet Sanders product links for more information on the specific models.
