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. It’s very lightweight and easy to use, with different ways to grip it. It’s not massively powerful and only has one speed but these are normal attributes and it does what it’s supposed to do very well. 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. 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 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.

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. The GEX 34-150 Professional is Bosch's robust corded random orbit sander with a high removal rate in the 150-mm category. Constant speed and a high removal rate deliver efficient results even on demanding surfaces. An aluminium bearing flange ensures a long tool lifetime and makes it perfect for tough applications. For using sanding sheets with different hole pattern, the GEX 34-150 is equipped with a multi-hole sanding pad that also leads to a significantly increased dust extraction. Equipment & Application VH1022, VH1035, and VH1635 (by means of VX120 adapter included with those hoses), VAC005 and VAC006 and most other 35 mm and 22 mm vacuum hoses

The best orbital sanders you can buy in 2023

The best orbital sanders you can buy in 2023 1. Makita DBO180Z: Best cordless random orbital sander 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. 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. 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 Taking advantage of Makita’s excellent Lithium-ion Extreme Technology (LXT), they’ve put the power of 18V AC into a lightweight and sturdy little frame. This cordless sander is a bit heavier compared to the cordless DeWalt DCW210N-XJ. But it’s still incredibly easy to handle thanks to the clever grip shape and balance that allows for precision control.

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.

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

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. Best power-to-size ratio in Bosch´s 18 V category - with brushless motor and impact drilling function Find out more The controls are well-positioned on the top of the orbital sander. There are just two soft buttons that control the three variable speeds and power off. It’s not got quite the sanding speeds compared to some cordless sanders though. However, 7,000, 9,500 and 11,000 opm are ideal for most sanding jobs. 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:

READ NEXT: Keep all your gear in one place with the best toolboxes What else should I look out for? The best orbital sander should be able to sand down timber and create a random sanding pattern without leaving swirl marks.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. 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.

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 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.

VH1622A and VH1635A (by means of anti-static adapter included with those hoses), VAC008, and most other 35 mm and 22 mm anti-static hoses Orbital sanders can be cordless (better for safety and convenience) or corded (better for constant power). Random orbital sanders tend to have a circular sanding pad but orbital sanders can come in many shapes and sizes. If you can only afford to buy one sander, we’d recommend getting a random orbital model. 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. 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.