Updated by Quincy Miller

The 10 Best Cordless Sanders

This wiki has been updated 29 times since it was first published in February of 2017. Free yourself from the restrictions of a power cable with the cordless sanders on our list. Ranked by oscillations per minute, cleanliness of operation, battery life, attachment versatility, and more, one of these is sure to be perfect for your next finishing job. We've included models ideal for woodworking, as well as a few that would be welcome additions to any auto detailing shop. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.

1. Makita XOB01Z

The Makita XOB01Z (around $97) delivers as much oomph as most mains-powered, random orbital models, without the constraints that a cord brings. It is designed to work quickly and, most importantly, leave a clean, swirl-free finish on any surface.

Three speed settings
Ergonomic grip design
Regulated start-up speed

2. DeWalt Oscillating Multi-Tool

This DeWalt Oscillating Multi-Tool (appx. $199) is a sanding, scraping, and cutting tool in one. It can be outfitted with sandpaper pads, chisel-style blades, and a myriad of other attachments that can help you remove all sorts of material, from a fine layer of paint to stubborn tar.

Tool-free attachment changing
Comes with contractor bag
Bright built-in led

3. Milwaukee M12

It's not suitable for large-scale jobs, but if you just need to smooth down a few rough edges, you'll be hard-pressed to do better than the Milwaukee M12 (around $250). It functions as a polisher, as well, so you can buff near-finished pieces to a shine.

Great for auto body work
Convenient carrying case
Includes spare battery

4. Black+Decker Mouse

The Black+Decker Mouse (about $49) likely earned its name due to the fact that it's small, lightweight, and can get into tight corners with ease. It includes a detail finger attachment as well, allowing it to access virtually any nook and cranny you can throw at it.

Two-position grip
Comes with regular and tip sandpaper
Ideal for distressing furniture

5. Ryobi P411 One+

This Ryobi P411 One+ (appx. $47) uses an 18-volt battery to deliver an impressive 10,000 orbits per minute. It's a great choice for work indoors, thanks to its reliable onboard dust collection system, though you'll still want to use a mask over your mouth and nose.

Large comfortable grip
Quiet while in operation
Secure hook-and-loop pad fastening

6. Porter-Cable Random Orbital

The fuel cell in the Porter-Cable Random Orbital (around $60) is cleverly-placed, as it helps add balance to the unit as a whole. When combined with the rubber-molded side handle, it contributes to a comfortable, ergonomic grip that's suitable for extended use.

Dustproof switch
Works with all kinds of grit
Doesn't offer multiple speeds

7. ACDelco ARS2016

The brushless motor on the ACDelco ARS2016 (about $180) is highly efficient, which contributes to a longer life for both your batteries and the tool itself. At a mere 2.4 pounds, you can use it for hours without waking up the next day with sore arms and shoulders.

Variable-speed transmission
Dual-handle grip on the side
Only suitable for small jobs

8. Black+Decker Max

The Black+Decker Max (appx. $57) is one of the most user-friendly options on the market, as all the necessary maintenance, like swapping out batteries or changing pads, can be done quickly and painlessly. Expect to need to empty the dust bin frequently, though.

Backed by two-year warranty
Ideal for outdoor use
Takes a long time to charge fully

9. Ridgid R8606B Gen5X

The Ridgid R8606B Gen5X (about $56) is a powerful, yet clean, machine. It comes with a dust collector that can trap as much as 90 percent of the debris created, but can also be connected to an air hose that actively removes material for an even tidier workspace.

Brake pad prevents gouges
Six speeds controlled by dial
Battery sold separately

10. Skil Octo Multi Finishing

The Skil Octo Multi Finishing (appx. $29) features a quick-changing system that lets you swap a worn-out piece of sandpaper for a fresh one in seconds flat. Its three-position delta pad allows you to concentrate as much force as necessary near the tip of the sanding surface.

Works well on fiberglass
Velcro pad may need to be glued down
Heavy and clunky

An Examination Of The Three Most Versatile Types Of Cordless Sanders

Plus, they don't remove a lot of surface material, which makes them ideal for beginners as it is very hard to damage anything with them.

Sanding is a necessity for pretty much every woodworking project. Traditionally, it was a laborious job that required lots of elbow grease and time. Luckily, these days we have powered sanders that make the job fly by, and with minimal exertion needed. In this section, we are going to take a look at the three most versatile types of powered sanders: belt, orbital, and random-orbit.

Belt sanders use a closed-loop piece of sandpaper that is stretched over a belt sitting on two small drums. The rear drum is driven by a motor, while the front drum spins freely. Belt sanders are the most powerful of the three, which makes them the best choice to tackle really coarse wood and cover larger areas, such as doors and tabletops. In addition to removing layers of wood, they can also quickly remove paint, varnish, and stain. Because of their high power and speed, belt sanders aren't known for their finesse, and while an experienced sander may be able to get a nice, finished surface that is ready for paint from them, most amateurs won't. They are also difficult to use on rounded surfaces or corners.

If an ultra-smooth, finished surface is what you are after, then you should probably turn to an orbital sander. These are lightweight and easy to control. Plus, they don't remove a lot of surface material, which makes them ideal for beginners as it is very hard to damage anything with them. They work best for removing hardened wood putty, rounding out rough or sharp edges, and smoothing out paint or varnish that you plan on simply painting over. Despite their name, orbital sanders don't actually rotate, rather they feature a bad that just vibrates.

Finally, we have random-orbit sanders. These are like the Goldilocks of sanders. They are neither as powerful as belt sanders, nor as weak as orbital sanders. This means you can still remove a lot of stock with one, but will have less chance of accidentally damaging a surface as you might with a belt sander. You can also get a nicely finished, perfectly polished surface with them. Random-orbit sanders feature a round base pad that spins and vibrates at the same time in a random orbit. If you could only buy one sander to use on every job, a random-orbit sander would be it.

Sandpaper — It's Not All The Same

If you've ever walked into a store before to buy sandpaper, you have probably noticed it comes in a variety of grit sizes. You may be wondering what exactly the grit size means, and more importantly, which size you should buy. Grit size refers to the number of sharp particles per square inch of paper. The larger the number, or grit size, the more edges the sandpaper will have and the smoother it will be. The lower the number, the less edges it will have, and the coarser it will be.

Ceramic sandpaper is usually only available in very coarse grits as it is designed for shaping wood.

It is important to buy the correct grit size for the task at hand. If you need to do heavy sanding and remove a lot of material, a very coarse paper is your best option, generally somewhere in the 40- to 60-grit range. If you want to smooth out surfaces while also removing a few layers of wood to get rid of small imperfections, a grit size of 80 to 160 should suffice. If you have already removed any imperfections, and your goal is a polished and completely finished surface, you should use a super-fine sandpaper in the 300- to 600-grit range. On many woodworking projects, you may need to start with a lower grit and work you way up to a finer grit.

In addition to grit size, sandpaper comes in a few different abrasive types. The most common are garnet, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, and ceramic. Garnet wears out the quickest, but is capable of producing the smoothest surface. This makes it best when performing the final stages of sanding. Aluminum oxide has a self-renewing property that allows it to keep its sharpness the longest of any of the sandpaper types. Its sharp particles are designed to crumble quickly, creating new sharp edges as you work. Silicon carbide is the hardiest of sandpaper types and won't wear down very quickly, making it ideal for use on plastics and metals. Ceramic sandpaper is usually only available in very coarse grits as it is designed for shaping wood. If you are working on rough stock and need to remove a lot of layers quickly, ceramic is the right sandpaper for you.

The Many Benefits Of Cordless Sanders

Cordless sanders offer many benefits over their corded brethren. While it may have once been true that cordless tools couldn't equal the power of corded models, with the advancements made in battery technology over the last two decades, this is no longer the case.

With a cordless sander, you can work outside, even if you don't have a 50-foot extension cord to run from that power outlet just inside your front door or garage.

Cordless sanders allow you to work in nearly any location, without having to worry about having an outlet nearby. Since sanding is generally a messy job, sending tons of dust into the air, it is nice to have the option of doing it outside when possible. With a cordless sander, you can work outside, even if you don't have a 50-foot extension cord to run from that power outlet just inside your front door or garage.

Speaking of running a 50-foot extension cord along the ground, let's consider the safety implications of that for a minute. Extension cords are notorious for causing accidents on job sites. It is not uncommon for them to go unnoticed by other workers, who may be walking around carrying heavy objects or sharp tools. This can be very dangerous indeed. Cordless sanders eliminate this potential hazard, without compromising your ability to do your work efficiently.

Cordless sanders are generally lighter in weight and more compact than corded models, which makes it easier to transport or store them. Plus, if you buy one from the same manufacturer as the rest of your cordless power tool set, it will most likely make use of the exact same 12-, 18-, or 20-volt battery as they use, so you can swap them out as needed.

Last updated by Quincy Miller

After getting his bachelor’s from the University of Texas, Quincy Miller moved out to Los Angeles, where he soon found work as a copywriter and researcher, specializing in health and wellness topics for a major online media brand. Quincy is also knowledgeable about home improvement, as he’s had extensive experience with everything from insulation to power tools to emergency room trips, sometimes in that order. Sharing a home with three dogs and a couple of cats has forced Quincy to learn as much as he can about pet supplies, animal nutrition and, most importantly, the best ways to tackle the mountains of fur that accumulate in every corner of your home.

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