Sander reviews and sanding guides

For furniture & cabinets

DEWALT DWE6411K

1/4-sheet palm sander

Best for: Anyone who wants one sander to take a piece from coarse stripping to final 220-grit prep.

For a deck

Makita 9403

4" x 24" belt sander

Best for: Large, heavily weathered decks where you want the fastest removal from a handheld sander.

For wood floors

Makita 9403

4 x 24 belt sander

Best for: Initial heavy-cut passes on rough, worn or previously finished hardwood floors.

For walls & drywall

Festool Planex LHS 2 225

Pro drywall sander

Best for: Finishing contractors and serious renovators doing whole rooms.

For old paint

Bosch GET65-5N

Dual-mode orbital

Best for: One sander to strip and prep for primer on furniture, doors and curves.

For stairs

Bosch OS50VC

1/2-sheet orbital sander

Best for: A serious staircase refinish, from heavy stripping to the final passes.

For doors

Mirka DEOS 343X

3 x 4-inch sheet sander

Best for: One premium sander for every door type, from flush to panel and glazed.

For a car body

Mirka DEROS 650CV

Electric DA sander

Best for: Home-garage restorers who want a pro DA without buying a large compressor.

For curves & edges

RIDGID EB4424

Belt and spindle sander

Best for: Home shops that want one machine for curves and edges and plan to keep it for years.

For wide boards & panels

JET JWDS-1020

Benchtop drum sander

Best for: Flattening wide boards, panels, tabletops and glue-ups.

For corners & trim

BLACK+DECKER BDEMS600

Mouse detail sander

Best for: Homeowners and DIYers sanding corners, trim, cabinets and furniture detail.

For rough lumber

Makita 9903

3 x 21 belt sander

Best for: Woodworkers of every level who want one all-round corded belt sander.