Best Cheap Sanders 2024

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All claims are strictly my personal opinion.

Cheap Sanders While a lot of the so called “budget” tools are often sub-part and disappointing, some of them manage to blow our minds and thankfully, over the course of my career, I’ve found a few machines that positively impressed me by delivering fantastic value for the price. They are the models that I personally consider to be the very best cheap sanders you can get and today I’m going to show you the top rated ones of the most popular types of sander. From belt and palm all the way up to drum, we’ll find the perfect one for you without breaking the bank!

While this article will focus solely on affordable choices, you can read the main best sanders article to see the overall top rated machines. Now without further ado:

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Index

Overall Best-Of and Comparison

  1. Cheap Belt Sanders
  2. Cheap Orbital Sanders
  3. Cheap Detail Sanders
  4. Cheap Palm Sanders
  5. Cheap Drum Sanders

Cheap Sanders

The units below are in my opinion the very best cheap sanders for sale on the market right now. I’ve taken the overall “winners” of each type found below and compared them in a clear way to help you find the right one.

Sander Hitachi SB8V2 Belt Sander Bosch 3725DEVS RO Sander BLACK+DECKER BDEMS600 Detail Sander Makita BO4556 2 Amp Finishing Sander Jet JWDS-1632 Plus Drum Sander
Picture
Type Belt Sander Orbital Sander Detail Sander Palm Sander Drum Sander
Pad Size 3" x 21" 5" Diameter 3.9" x 5.5" 4-1/4" x 4" 32" Double Pass
Power 9 AMP 3.3 AMP 1.2 AMP 2 AMP 20 AMP - 1.5 HP
Max Speed 1,475 FPM 12,000 OPM 14,000 OPM 14,000 OPM 1,725 RPM + 10 FPM
Warranty 5 Years 1 Year 2 Years 1 Year 5 Years
Availability Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon

Keep in mind that while I reviewed even less expensive units (which you can see and read about in the reviews section below), these are the ones that in my view offer the best value for the price or as I like to call it – “bang for the buck”. To put it simply, by giving up a couple more dollars instead of going for the cheapest option, you get a ton more of power, performance, durability and overall quality which is more than worth it in my book.

Cheap Sander Reviews

Here you can read in-depth reviews of the models that are, in my view, the best cheap electric sanders of each type – belt, orbital, detail, palm and drum – giving you a complete idea of what each one has to offer.

Cheap Belt Sanders

Offering powerful motors, rugged construction and wide belts at incredible prices, these are – in my opinion – the best cheap belt sanders on the market. Due to their awesome power and wide sanding belts, they can also be considered the best cheap floor sanders out of all types.

WEN 6321 7-Amp 3 in. x 21 in. Corded Belt Sander with Dust Bag

While WEN’s popular 6321 unit is, in my view, a cheap belt sander it’s also a very basic solution in both quality and performance, even though it still makes up for its flaws by having what I consider to be a ridiculously low price-tag. It features a pretty good 7 AMP motor that makes the 3″ x 21″ sanding belt run at 820 FPM which is a solid amount of power. The main drawbacks are with the overall quality and comfort as they were cut down alongside the cost. For example, the plastic body won’t endure extended heavy use and it’s not very comfortable to use at all due to the lack of a contoured grip but these compromises are to be expected from budget units. The dust extraction is decent enough but again, other advanced features such as variable speed and auto-belt tracking are missing. It also comes with 2 years of warranty. In short, it’s an extremely basic unit that provides only the essentials in a very raw manner but at such a low price you really couldn’t ask for more. It’s a decent choice for rookies or casuals that won’t use it extensively.

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SKIL 7510-01 Sandcat 6 Amp 3-Inch x 18-Inch Belt Sander with Pressure Control

Trading a bit of width for more speed and featuring a level of quality that’s above its similarly-priced competition, SKIL’s Sandcat is a solid choice all around. With a 6 AMP motor coupled with a 3″ x 18″ sanding belt, it manages to produce up to 1050 FPM – great power for the price – and the clear dust canister is not only handy but the dust extraction itself is also quite good. The construction quality is solid from the design to the durability, giving you a contoured grip that makes it comfortable to use while the sturdy body ensures it can handle some damage such as the occasional fall. It also features the brand’s trademark pressure control – handy for beginners since it gives a light signal to indicate the perfect amount of pressure – and a useful auto belt tracking system. Still no variable speed but with 1 year of warranty to boot, it’s a pretty good package all around, especially at such a reduced price.

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BLACK+DECKER DS321 Dragster 7 Amp 3-Inch by 21-Inch Belt Sander with Clot

Black and Decker’s Dragster is, in my view, a cheap belt sander that offers the quality you’d expect from the brand in a simple, well-built package that’s very affordable. While it doesn’t offer advanced features such as variable speed or mind-blowing power, its construction quality is better than most which ensures that it’ll last years of use. Comfort-wise it’s also great, featuring a full D-handle that makes it very comfortable to use for extended periods of time and gives you a lot of control over the machine’s track with ease. Its 7 AMP motor gives off 800 FPM on the 3″ x 21″ belt – a respectable amount of power for the belt’s size – and the dust collection is decent too. Two years of warranty are included with the purchase. While it doesn’t offer any mind-blowing features, it offers the essentials in an inexpensive, solid and very well-designed manner, making it the best belt sander under $100.

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Hitachi SB8V2 9.0 Amp 3-Inch-by-21-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander with Trigger Lock and Soft Grip Handles

My favorite budget belt sander of all time, Hitachi’s super popular SB8V delivers professional quality at an incredibly attractive price, making it – in my opinion – not only the best cheap belt sander you can get but one of the best in general. Starting with its power, it features an outstanding 9 AMP motor that makes the 3″ x 21″ belt run at an impressively fast 1,475 FPM which is an insane amount of power for the price. It doesn’t stop there, setting itself as a pro-worthy machine, it also gives you an easy to use variable speed function that ranges from 820 to 1,475 FPM, allowing you to match the speed to the task. Somehow, even with all this power, it’s still surprisingly quiet even at full speed which is something you’ll absolutely love if you’re a woodworker. With a solid dust collection system and an incredibly rugged, ergonomic body to boot, Hitachi achieved an excellent machine that sets the bar extremely high for the competition. As a bonus, you also get a long 5 year warranty. If you want a serious, professional-quality machine at a budget price – look no further. This is it.

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Cheap Orbital Sanders

Offering the versatility and ease of use that they’re famous for at incredibly reduced prices, these are  in my opinion the best cheap orbital sanders you can get.

BLACK+DECKER BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch

A small and simple option, Black and Decker’s extremely affordable random orbit sander – the BDERO100 – is a good option for those that want a solid tool to use on easy sanding tasks. While the body’s made of plastic and can’t take much punishment, it still features a comfortable textured grip and a dust-sealed power switch. It lacks a bit of power and the dust collector is mediocre but for the jobs that it’s made for these aren’t really big issues. The 2 AMP motor powers the 5″ sanding disc up to a good amount of speed and due to its very lightweight body, it’s easy to maneuver and use for extended periods of time. It comes with 2 years of warranty as well. It’s a very inoffensive and basic unit but at such an insanely low price it still stands as a good choice for those that want a quick solution.

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PORTER-CABLE 382 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander

Offering a more rugged construction than the previous unit at a similar price, Porter Cable’s 382 is, in my view, a cheap random orbital sander delivers the essentials in a fairly well built and decently powerful package. Its 5″ sanding pad runs at 12,000 OPM due to its 2 AMP motor, giving you just enough power for most regular tasks, but sadly the dust collector is, much like the previous unit, a total letdown as dust goes flying everywhere and it detaches by itself often. The quality of the construction and design are both good, making for an easy to use and decently durable unit plus it comes with 3 years of warranty. While it doesn’t impress in any particular aspect, it’s still a solid unit for the price, much like the B+D shown above.

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Bosch Random Orbit 5 inch Sander/Polisher ROS20VSC with Carrying Bag

Now we’re talking. Small but potent and incredibly well crafted, this beauty by Bosch gives you fantastic performance and great features at an insanely low price, hence its popularity. Featuring a nice and strong 2.5 AMP motor that runs the 5″ pad at 12,000 OPM, this thing packs a punch plus with its awesome variable speed function (7,500 to 12,000 OPM) you can adapt the speed to your task, giving you better results. The dust collection is also impressive, being a rare case where it actually works as intended and prevents dust from flying around everywhere. The accompanying dust canister is also durable and super useful due to its transparency, letting you know when it’s full and if you prefer you can replace it with a regular vacuum hose. When it comes to construction quality, it blows its similarly priced competition out of the water. From the super comfortable grips to the robust materials and perfect finish, this looks and performs like a quality tool. Even then, it maintains a lightweight and stunning vibration control so that it’s nimble and easy on the arms even when used for hours on end. It’s also backed with 1 year of warranty. Striking the perfect balance between a beginner and professional tool, Bosch’s ROS20VSC is a great success. With such a fantastic price to boot, you can’t miss it if you want an affordable 5″ orbital sander that doesn’t compromise on quality.

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Makita BO5041 3-Amp 4000-12000 OPM D-Handle Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch

If the Bosch shown above is great then this Makita is fantastic. Delivering the brand’s trademark mix of high-quality and mind blowing affordability, the Makita BO5041 is a professional-level tool at an entry-level price. It’s got a potent 3 AMP motor that makes the 5″ sanding pad run flawlessly against any surface and with its variable speed function that ranges from 4000 to 12,000 OPM, you can choose the perfect speed for the task. The construction quality is beyond great, giving you a rugged, hefty and perfectly well-finished tool that’ll last for years and years on end. Comfort-wise it’s also a treat, offering you incredibly comfy grips and a fantastically useful front handle that can be adjusted to fit your needs. The dust collection is efficient and the dust-bag that comes included is very well-made and can be replaced to fit a vacuum hose if you wish (it includes a vacuum attachment). With 1 year of warranty to boot, this just might be the very best bang for the buck cheap random orbital sander you can get.

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Bosch 3.3 Amp 5-Inch Random Orbit Variable Speed Sander with Dust Canister 3725DEVS

When it comes to affordable random orbital sanders, the Bosch 3725DEVS is king. While the Makita shown previously comes close, Bosch takes it another step further and completely demolishes the budget competition by offering stunning value for the price. Starting with its impressively powerful 3.3 AMP motor, it offers you a variable speed range of 4,500 to 12,000 OPM on its 5″ sanding pad and no matter how rough it gets this thing’ll keep going without choking while also being able to deliver fantastically smooth, swirl-free finishes at the highest speed setting (in great part due to its excellent random orbital motion). The through-the-pad dust collection is effective and the dust canister offers an incredible 0.5 micron filtering which ensures a breathable work space. It’s stunningly well-built through and through, from its robust die-cast aluminum gear housing to the incredibly durable body, it’ll offer you years upon years of service with ease. The grips are also very comfortable in both shape and texture plus the whole machine comes backed with 1 year of warranty. Re-defining what affordable orbital sanders are capable of, this beast of a machine can’t be missed if you’re looking for a high-quality, professional choice.

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Cheap Detail Sander

Reaching those pesky corners and getting a perfect finish has never been easier or cheaper. Any of these models are, in my view, great cheap mouse sanders as they’ll do their job smoothly without breaking the bank, so let’s take a look!

Genesis GPS080 Corner Palm Sander, Grey

Super simple and equally as inexpensive, Genesis’ GPSo8o is the most basic unit on the list but since it’s nearly free, it’s an adequate choice for those that want a quick solution for some occasional soft work. It has a 0.8 AMP motor that produces 14,000 OPM, making it quite fast but somewhat weak and as such can’t handle rough stock removal. The body quality is average but it still features a dust-sealed switch and it comes with 2 years of warranty. If you want the cheapest possible option while still getting decent quality, in my view this is it.

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WEN 6301 Electric Detailing Palm Sander

The main competitor to the Genesis seen above, WEN’s super popular 6301 is – in my opinion – a cheap detail sander that is a step above in terms of quality and power while maintaining an insanely low price-tag. While the size of the pad is the same – 3.9″ x 5.5″ – and runs at nearly the same speed at 13,500 OPM, it’s slightly stronger and can handle more pressure without slowing down. The body’s a bit more durable and well designed as well, making it more comfortable to use than the Genesis. It features a dust-sealed switch too and comes with 1 year of warranty included. It’s equally as simple and affordable as the competition but a better machine overall, making this cheap mouse sander a solid choice.

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BLACK+DECKER BDEMS600 Mouse Detail Sander

At just a slight price increase from the others, you can get the excellent Black & Decker BDEMS600 which is not only – in my opinion – the best cheap detail sander you can get but one of the best overall, regardless of price point. It ups the motor’s power up to 1.2 AMPs, making it capable to deliver a rock-solid speed of 14,000 OPM even under pressure and the build quality is unmatched. The dust collection and container are both effective and you also get an insanely useful detail finger that allows you to perfectly sand even the tightest, hard-to-reach spots. The body’s solidly built, as mentioned above, but also smartly designed and comfortable to use, offering 3 different grips and a great fit and finish to ensure durability. It also comes backed with 2 years of warranty, making it in my view the best cheap detail sander you can get – by far. Highly recommended.

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Cheap Palm Sanders

While most of the machines above fit in this category due to their shape, size and weight, here we’ll focus solely on the models that are, in my opinion, the very best cheap palm sanders you can get. Two of which are square sheet sanders with the last one being a circular orbital.

BLACK+DECKER BDEQS300 1/4 Sheet Orbital Sander with Paddle Switch Actuati

Quite under-powered and overly simple but available at a truly inexpensive price to compensate, Black+Decker’s BDEQS300 is a basic tool for the basic user. While the construction quality isn’t bad at all, especially for the price, the main drawback is in its power – the 2 AMP motor can only put out 1,600 OPM on the 1/4 sheet sanding pad which is a lackluster amount of speed. It’s still comfortable to use and easy to maneuver plus the dust collection is surprisingly good as well. With a heavily reduced price and 2 years of warranty to make things sweeter, it sets itself as a fairly good choice for beginners or the occasional user that doesn’t need that much power.

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Makita BO4556 2 Amp Finishing Sander

Striking a fantastic balance between quality and affordability, Makita’s extremely popular BO4556 is a beautiful model that, in my view, is a cheap palm sander that redefines excellence for the price. The 1/4 sheet sanding pad runs at an outstanding 14,000 OPM, powered by it small but potent 2 AMP motor, and the dust collection is impressively effective which makes using it all the more comfortable. Speaking of comfort, the comfy contoured grip is a pleasure to use and it gives you perfect control over the machine due to the incredible weight balance. The clamping system is effective and easy to use, making switching papers a breeze, and the rest of the body is a work of art in terms of durability, ensuring that it’ll last years upon years of use. Makita even managed to heavily reduce the vibration and noise production so that it’s easier on your arms even with extended uninterrupted use. It also comes backed with 1 year of warranty. In short, it delivers an insane amount of value for the price, making it – in my opinion – one of the very best cheap palm sanders money can buy.

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DEWALT DWE6421K Random Orbit Sander Kit, 5″

Another option that’s equally as fantastic as the one shown above, DeWalt’s DWE6421K captures the same “bang for the buck” perfection of the Makita but delivers it in a circular pad instead of a rectangular one and adds more power to sweeten the deal. It offers a 3 AMP motor that runs the 5″ circular pad at a never-slowing 12,000 OPM and it produces absolutely stunning finishing results, especially for the price. The dust collection’s on par with the cheap wood sanders competition, giving a welcome helping hand in fighting the dust clouds, and the build quality is as good as you’d expect from the brand – rugged, well designed and built to last. Easy on the hands and arms as well, the comfortable grip makes it a breeze to use and maneuver. As a bonus, it comes with its very own carrying case included and it has 3 years of warranty as well. An excellent choice if you’re on a budget but still want a high-quality tool.

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Cheap Drum Sanders

While they are usually quite expensive, these models are, in my view, some great cheap drum sanders that defy the norm and manage to deliver the power, performance and quality they’re known for without breaking the bank. Let’s take a look!

JET 628900 Mini 10-Inch 1-Horsepower Benchtop Drum Sander, 115-Volt 1-Phase

The ever popular Jet mini drum sander is small but potent, offering you a compact solution that delivers solid performance while costing a fraction of the usual. Featuring a 1 HP motor, this little beast packs a punch, and the 10″ width capacity gives you enough room to sand small to moderately-sized surfaces, especially if you go for a double-pass – effectively turning the max width capacity into 20″. The belt has a variable speed function that makes it run from 0 to 12 feet per minute, making it easy for you to adapt the speed to the task, while the drum itself runs at 1,700 RPM. It’s as well built as you’d expect from JET – solid and durable materials, robust construction and top-notch detailing – and has some nice features such as a 4″ dust port, a quick-start and stop switch and a big and effective adjustment wheel on top. Changing the drum sanding paper is also a breeze and the belt-tracking is equally as impressive. Although it comes as a bench-top unit, you can also get it with a stand included for a slightly higher price which can be very useful. With 5 years of warranty to boot, this is in my opinion the best cheap bench sander you can get and a great cheap drum sander as well – as long as its limited width-capacity is enough for your type of work.

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Jet 723520K JWDS-1632 16-32 Plus 20 Amp Service with 608003 Stand in Woodworking, Sanders, Drum Sanders

Stunning in both looks and performance, JET’s JWDS-1632 is a fantastic budget drum sander that doesn’t compromise on quality. Offering the highly popular 16-32 size (16″ in a single pass or 32″ of width capacity in a double), it’s super versatile and can handle all regular-sized pieces. Its 1.5 HP motor is able to run the drum at 1,725 RPM and the belt at a variable speed of 0 to 10 FPM while the SandSmart technology ensures that it doesn’t overload. It features auto belt-tracking, a heat-dissipating aluminum drum (to prevent surface damage) and an innovative feature –  tool-less conveyor bed parallelism adjustment (just use the side dial) – that ups the overall quality of its performance and ease of use quite considerably. The 4″ dust port works incredibly well with the dust hood, making for quite the effective dust-collection combo and the control panel on the right side is very simple to use as well. All the materials are of high-quality, from the reinforced steel conveyor belt to the aluminum drum and steel stand, this machine’s built to last and its fantastic design coupled with the top notch fit and finish both ensure that it looks great while doing it! As expected, it also comes backed with the JET RED 5 year warranty and it has a set of optional infeed/outfeed tables for sale as well, to give you more support. All of this quality coupled with an irresistible price makes this, in my opinion, one of the best cheap drum sanders you can get.

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Powermatic PM2244 1-3/4 hp Drum Sander

While it’s not what you’d call “cheap”, the absolutely superb Powermatic PM2244 offers such an insane amount of value for the price that I can’t help but include it here. It offers truly professional quality at an outstanding price, delivering everything you could want from a drum sander and more. Out of all the drum sanders I’ve ever had and tried, this is among my favorites of all time but I guess that with the way I’m describing it you could of guessed it! From the powerful 1.75 HP motor that runs the wide sanding drum at 1,720 RPM and the belt at a variable speed of 0 to 10 FPM, to the incredible quality, design and functionality of its control panel, this thing’s a joy to use. It’s dead-on accurate as well not only due to the fantastic belt-tracking and precise controls but also thanks to the top-notch digital readout and LED control panel display. The width capacity is also outstanding, especially for the price, giving you 22″ on a single pass and a huge 44″ on a double, allowing you to sand some pretty large surfaces with ease. Dust is absolutely eliminated if you hook up a shop vac to it and both the belt-tracking and “Feed Logic” anti-overload feature work together to ensure excellent finishing results. As you can see, it’s also a closed-stand machine which gives you some handy storage space below to keep all of your spare sanding belts and other accessories. The build quality is one of the best parts of this beauty, it’s beyond excellent. Everything from the tank-like durability of the materials used to the unbelievable degree of attention to details shows just how expertly crafted this machine was. It also comes backed with 5 years of warranty and the best part – it comes with both the infeed and outfeed tables included for free. A truly outstanding piece of machinery and an accomplishment of the brand, the PM2244 is by far the best cheap drum sander on the market (cheap from my point of view of quality for the price) and one of the best ever made in general. If you’re a professional on a budget, you can’t miss this.

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Currently Unavailable:

SuperMax 16-32 Drum Sander

An expertly crafted competitor to the JET seen above, SuperMax’s 16-32 drum sander is an affordable entry that tries to outdo its competition by offering an overall impressive degree of quality coupled with a few special features such as the awesome digital readout while maintaining an attractive price. It has 1.5 HP under the hood, translating into a max drum speed of 1740 RPM and a variable belt speed of 0 to 10 FPM. It has the same width capacity as the JET, offering you 16″ of width in one pass and 32″ in two, and the dust collection is just as efficient too. Both the construction quality and ease of use are on par with the competition – steel base, aluminum drum, handy control panel, belt tracking, quick adjustment handle – but it stands out due to the incredibly handy built-in DRO (digital readout) that lets you know exactly the thickness of the piece you’re working on. It’s refreshing really, delivering a high-quality, no-fuss performance and design that focuses on getting the job done well and fast. It comes with 2 years of warranty and has optional infeed/outfeed tables available as well. A worthy competitor to the popular JET JWDS-1632, the SuperMax 16-32 is just as good of an option and it’s available at nearly the same price, ultimately coming down to personal preference. No matter which one you choose, you’ll have one of the best cheap drum sanders on the market, in my view.


Conclusion

These are, in my opinion, without a doubt the best cheap sanding machines on the market. No matter which type you choose, they’ll leave you in awe at just how much value they deliver for the price – who said you needed to pay premium to get an excellent tool? Let me know which one of these cheap power sanders you ended up getting by leaving a comment below and as always, thanks for reading!

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