Bosch Home and Garden Random Orbit Sander PEX 220 A (220 W, in carton packaging)

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VH1022, VH1035 and VH1635 (by means of VX120 adapter included with those hoses), VAC005 and VAC006 hoses, and most other 22 mm and 35 mm hoses Most orbital sanders come with a 125mm diameter pad, but the orbit diameter can fluctuate between models . Orbital sanders can be cordless (better for safety and convenience) or corded (better for constant power).

This is always one of the hardest questions to answer when buying tools. For starters, it depends how much budget you have available in the first place. An orbital sander (or random orbit sander) performs the hard work of sanding for you; it’ll extract the dust and help to reduce scratches, all in a compact and comfortable palm grip tool. Why the Random Orbit Makes a Difference Random orbital sanders are reasonably light in weight but for cordless tools don’t forget to factor in the battery weight – larger capacity batteries weigh more. Ryobi’s new cordless random orbital sander is an excellent value choice, especially if you already have other products from the ONE+ range, as you can share the battery. Plus, there’s a long three-year warranty.

My Top Recommended Orbital Sanders

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.

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. But don’t press too hard. A great mantra for using any piece of equipment is “let the tool do the work”. Your sanding discs will last longer, and you won’t get nearly as tired.The other common type of orbital sander that isn’t random is a finishing sander. As the name suggests, these are designed for the final touches rather than tough work such as removing paint (consider a belt sander for that type of job). You’ll want one of these for getting a nice smooth surface either as the final finish or before adding product, such as oil or paint. The hand placement on a random orbital sander is for more than just grip though. The best random orbit sanders have a soft grip that reduces the vibrations that travel up your arm and tire you out, especially when you’re sanding acres of timber or plastics.

RS006 - Required for all vacuum cleaner hoses (VAC002 or VAC024 are also required for 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" hoses) The weight isn’t enough to factor too much and importantly, the battery doesn’t impede when gripping the sander. The active dust extraction is very good – aided by a skirt around the sanding pad – but you can attach this sander to a vacuum hose, too. 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? Partly as there’s no need for a battery, the PEX 220 A is very light, meaning you can use it for a long time and at awkward angles without fatigue. The dust box is easy to empty but the clip system holding it to the sander is on the loose side. Try to keep a firm, even pressure on the sanding pad to avoid creating ridges and get the most out of each sweep of your hand.

Woodwork would be a lot harder without one of the best orbital sanders

ROS20VS 5 In. Palm Random Orbit Sander/Polisher, (1) 5 In. Sanding Disc, (1) RS034 5 In. Soft Sanding Pad, (1) 2609170071 Dampening Ring, (1) 2609199179 Microfilter Dust Canister, (1) VAC002 Vacuum Hose Adapter, (1) Carrying Case The Makita BO5031 is one of the best random orbit sanders from one of the world’s favourite Japanese tool brands. The best orbital sanders you can buy in 2023 1. Makita DBO180Z: Best cordless random orbital sander ROS20VSC 5 In. Palm Random Orbit Sander/Polisher, (1) Sanding Disc, (1) RS034 Soft Sanding Pad, (1) 2609170071 Dampening Ring, (1) 2609199179 Microfilter Dust Canister, (1) VAC002 Vacuum Hose Adapter, (1) Carrying Bag The best thing about this orbital sander is the grip. The rubber overmoulding has been cleverly designed to fit your hand and reduce vibration as much as possible. This is a vital feature that turns an ordinary orbital sander into one of the best I’ve had a chance to test out.

As with any power tool, practice makes perfect, but there are a few techniques I use to get the most out of my random orbital sander: Best power-to-size ratio in Bosch´s 18 V category - with brushless motor and impact drilling function Find out more Power-wise, the sanding head spins at a fixed speed of 22,000 opm. It’s a decent, fast rate but for the price, you don’t get the luxury of variable speed control. Without a battery installed, the weight is kept down to just 1.1 kg and the little dust bag doesn’t get in the way and appears to do its job. Whether you’re a professional builder or a weekend DIYer, the name Makita is hard to miss. The Japanese tool masters have created a huge range of high-quality, innovative products, and the DBO180Z random orbital sander is a welcome addition to the brand.

The 220 Watt motor isn’t quite as meaty as the Makita, but it still spins the 125 mm sanding pad up to 24,000 opm. Not bad for an orbital sander that’s less than half the price. It is a single-speed power sander though, which might put some off, but it’s a good all-round speed for sanding. At 1.2 kg, it competes with the best random orbit sanders on the list and takes the standard hook-and-loop sanding pads you can find just about anywhere. READ NEXT: Keep all your gear in one place with the best toolboxes What else should I look out for?