Compact in design, the Makita weighs in at just 1.7kg with a battery on board. This should help prevent any soreness or stiffness when you’re working for an extended period of time, while the tool’s low centre of gravity is designed to ensure easy handling. If you don’t need features like variable speed then the PEX 220 A is a good choice. Slap a sanding sheet on with the Velcro-style system, plug it in and away you go. The toggle switch will keep you going as long as you need and there’s plenty of power available.

Those looking for a no-nonsense, corded random orbital sander without breaking the bank should try the PEX 220 A from Bosch. It’s an excellent-value option that will happily get to work on a range of different sanding tasks from stairs to sculptures. Most sanders are just off or on, but you can find models with variable speed. That might be two or three, but occasionally up to six different settings. Depending on the type of sanding you’re doing, this feature could come in very handy and even save you from sanding a piece of material more than you meant to. Finally, make sure you’re aware of what size of sanding sheet/pad the sander takes. Most are standard shapes and sizes so it shouldn’t be difficult to find new sheets/pads once the included ones (if there are any) are used up. These sanders still have the standard orbital motion but add a random element, so as well as the regular orbit, they oscillate in an unpredictable way. The combination of these two movements reduces the chance of a regular pattern in the wood you’re sanding. Alongside standard orbital sanders, which is what the vast majority of electric sanders for DIY are, you can also buy what are known as random orbital sanders.Most modern sanders use a hook and loop system, where the sanding sheet attaches to the pad like Velcro. It’s nice and easy but isn’t always as secure as a traditional clamp system, so if you’re concerned about accidents, consider a traditional model.

The best orbital sanders you can buy in 2023 1. Makita DBO180Z: Best cordless random orbital sander You might also want to consider whether you already have a battery that might fit a cordless sander. Many brands have interchangeable systems so a battery from your drill might work in a sander if they’re part of the same ecosystem. This is partly why sanders are available to buy without batteries (in other words, body only). How much do I need to spend? Not only is there less risk of leaving marks in the wood, they are more versatile and can be used for a wide range of sanding tasks. The maximum speed isn’t overly impressive but performance is good enough for the vast majority of DIY tasks and there’s a built-in dust bag which does a good job. This sander also works nice and quietly. The main gripe here is with the grip, which gets in the way of accessing the battery compartment a little bit. It doesn’t have variable speed but the RROS18-0 runs at an impressive 20,000 orbits/min, can last for up to 50 minutes on a single charge and runs quietly. Despite being more compact and lighter than its predecessor (10% according to Ryobi), it is a little heavier than some rivals.Searching for a sheet sander to help you put the perfect finish on your sanding jobs and get into hard-to-reach areas like corners? It's hard to go past the Bosch PSS 250 AE Orbital Sander. Even better than a built-in dust compartment (if you have a power supply nearby) is the ability to attach the sander to a vacuum cleaner hose. That active suction will reduce the amount of dust a lot in comparison. Worx handily supplies the sander in a hard plastic carry case if you buy it with a battery and you get a decent amount of sanding sheets included, too. On the downside, the dust bag is small and doesn’t offer very good suction. Of course, one major consideration is whether the sander is wired and plugs into mains power or is cordless and runs from a battery. Neither option is simply better than the other, so it comes down to how and where you’ll be using the sander. READ NEXT: Keep all your gear in one place with the best toolboxes What else should I look out for?

As part of the Ryobi 18V ONE+™ system of over 200 cordless tools for the home, garden, automotive, crafting and much more, the Ryobi 18V ONE+™ RROS18-0 Cordless Random Orbital Sander is ideal for light to medium weight sanding tasks such as fine finishing and paint removal. .If you’re searching for a portable orbital sander that allows you to break away from power points and extension cords, it’s time to switch to battery power. And that’s where the Makita DBO180Z comes in. Not only is the DBO180Z lightweight, but it also has three speed settings to cycle through by hitting the power button repeatedly. This makes it very versatile and a good option for beginners who can start at the slowest speed while learning.