Best power-to-size ratio in Bosch´s 18 V category - with brushless motor and impact drilling function Find out more 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. 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.

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. 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. The 280 Watt variable speed motor spins up the 125 mm sanding pad to 8,000-12,000 orbits per minute (opm). This powerful orbital sander makes short work of sanding jobs and preparing surfaces for painting. Weighing in at less than 1.3 kg, it’s easy to handle but still feels good and solid. 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.The GET 75-150 Professional is Bosch’s 150-mm corded active-driven random orbit sander with outstanding tool control and handling. It is designed with a perfectly ergonomic palm rest and a handle with a gripping circumference of only 18 cm for best tool control. Thanks to its multi-hole sanding pad, all sanding sheets irrespective of the hole pattern can be conveniently fitted and the dust extraction is significantly increased. It features an extremely powerful 750 W motor and direct driven pad rotation that deliver a up to 45% higher removal rate. Equipment & Application READ NEXT: Keep all your gear in one place with the best toolboxes What else should I look out for? 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. 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.

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.

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

Another big name in Japanese tools, Ryobi is aimed squarely at the DIY market. Their ONE+ system of battery sharing means everything from your lawnmower to your air compressor runs on just one battery type. 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. The best orbital sanders you can buy in 2023 1. Makita DBO180Z: Best cordless random orbital sander