Are you in a hurry just want to know which cordless sander is the best? Milwaukee 2648-20 is your best choice. Read on to find out why.
Today’s cordless power tools help woodworkers maintain efficiency as well as speed up the job that they are designed for. Sanding is something you will do a lot of and the best cordless sander designs make it easier.
What follows is a look at these tools with reviews of several models worth your consideration.
Top Cordless Sanders Compared:
Why choose a Battery Hand sander?
- Greater Mobility
- Ease of Use
- Battery Platforms
Battery-powered sanders offer you greater mobility. These hand-held units can be taken to the wood instead of requiring you to bring the wood to a stationary device. A cordless sander can also go anywhere you need to work and is not limited by the need for a power outlet or extension cord.
The cordless sander will often be easier to use than a traditional corded product. You will not need to carry an extension cord or need to set one up before you start to sand. Power cords will not get in your way while you work, and you will not have to take precautions to prevent them from getting damaged.
Finally, most manufacturers today sell cordless power tools with battery systems designed to be swapped out between various tools that the company makes. This will allow you to use batteries with multiple cordless tools as long as they use the same battery platform. Future cordless purchases can be “tool only” buys that will save you money.
Cordless Sander Limitations To Consider
- Potential Downtime
- Limits to Power
- More Expensive
One thing to keep in mind is that batteries drain, and you will need to charge them. To limit downtime or eliminate it altogether, many woodworkers have more than one battery. This allows them to power their sander with a battery while another one is on the charger (it is also something that I wish I had done when I got my first cordless sander).
Cordless power tools, including sanders, have vastly improved power compared to earlier generations of battery-powered tools. That said, today’s cordless technology cannot match the larger electric motors that use 110 or 220-volt power. Cordless designs that generate the same level of output can only do so for short periods of time as power decreases as the battery drains (manufacturers indicate Amp Hours for many cordless products to help give an approximate run time).
Price is another difference that you will notice between cordless and corded models. A battery-powered sander will cost more than a corded sander of the same size and type. This is due to the battery itself as well as other designs incorporated into a cordless unit, such as an electronic interface between the battery and the drill.
Types Of Cordless Sanders
For most beginning and intermediate woodworkers, there are four types of cordless sanders that are often used in their woodshops, including:
- Orbital Sanders – This design uses a pad that moves in a circular motion with square or rectangular sanding sheets attached to it. These types of sanders excel at smoothing out large surfaces.
- Random Orbital Sanders – This type of sander adds a back-and-forth motion to the circular orbits of an orbital sander. The added movement to the circular pad of this type of design provides a smoother finish and does not leave a swirl pattern on the wood like an orbital sander is prone to do. It is a well-rounded (pun intended) sander that is great for all but corner and detail work.
- Palm Sanders – These are also referred to as Finish Sanders. Its smaller square pad oscillates to generate a highly smooth surface. The major differences between this and an orbital sander are that it is easier to control, costs you less, and is smaller than the orbital designs.
- Detail Sanders – This type of sander has a triangular-shaped pad that functions in a similar way to other sanders. That shape allows this sander to use the pointed nose to reach into corners and edges that are not accessible to other pads. These products often include other attachments to use on things like chair legs or spindles.
Things To Look For On Wireless Sanders
Using your sander properly, along with some of these design considerations, will make sanding easier:
- Volts – Higher ratings equal more power powered delivered at any one moment
- Amp Hours – As mentioned before, higher amp/hour ratings equate to longer run times between charges
- Weight – Lighter cordless sanders are easier to control over longer work sessions
- Sanding Paper – How the paper attaches can make things easy or hard
- Battery Location – This can affect balance, ease of loading/unloading, and hand fatigue during use
- Ergonomics – Handle designs, padding, and other design features can make operating more comfortable and less-tiresome
Top 5 Battery-Powered Sanders Reviewed
Milwaukee 2648-20 – Best Cordless Orbital Sander
- Milwaukee Electric Tools 2648-20 M18 Random Orbit Sander
- This product meets customer requirement
- Product is easy to use
OVERVIEW
The five-inch pad design and plastic dust collection box on this design come in at just above four pounds when the battery is connected. That makes it easier to use for long periods of time when compared to other products on this list. It has an on-off switch on the handle where your hand is located so that you can change its state quickly, which is a nice safety feature for your skin and the wood’s surface.
PROS
CONS
Read More: Best Random Orbital Sanders of 2024
DEWALT DCW210B
- Orbital sander with brushless motor provides runtime and efficiency to get the job done
- Variable-speed control of the hand sander from 8,000 to 12,000 OPM to match the speed to the application.
- Low-profile height of the power sander allows user to get close to work surface for precise sanding.
OVERVIEW
DeWALT is a brand known for making durable products. This cordless sander is built with quality materials that should handle the vibration and dust you generate. The company is also known for strong customer support, including a three-year limited warranty on its products.
PROS
CONS
WORX WX820L
- [5-SANDERS-IN-1] Random orbit, finishing, detail, contour, and finger sander. You don’t need to bring 5 sanders to the job site anymore, just the SANDECK
- [HYPERLOCK KEEPS IT TIGHT] Toolless pad change system is quick to switch out, yet assures that bases will never slip while in use
- [SAME BATTERY, EXPANDABLE POWER] The same battery powers over 75+ 20V, 40V, and 80V lifestyle, garden, and power tools in the Power Share family
OVERVIEW
This kit provides you with a variety of bases or pads. That allows this product to function as a contour, detail, finger, orbital, and random sander. It also includes a battery and charger, as well as a carry bag for all of your sander components.
PROS
CONS
Makita XOB01Z – Best Cordless Palm Sander
- Three speed settings (7,000/9,500/11,000 OPM) engineered for faster material removal
- Large 1/8" random orbit action engineered for fast sanding and swirl-free finish
- One-touch electronic speed control switch provides fast, medium and low settings
OVERVIEW
This manufacturer is an innovator in battery-operated power tool design. That transfers to this cordless sander that provides a fast and wide sanding orbit along with ergonomics that promote the best hand control. This should give you a quality sanding experience with issues from poor design elements.
PROS
CONS
Read More: Best Palm Sanders To Buy
RIDGID GEN5X – Best Cordless Belt Sander
- This refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with...
OVERVIEW
This belt sander has been added to the list for those who work with rough lumber and need more milling. It simply takes down rough surfaces quickly, something that woodworkers need if they like to mill their own stock or buy bulk wood that comes in various conditions.
PROS
CONS
More Belt Sander Options: Best Belt Sander Review
The Smoothest Of Them All…
- Milwaukee Electric Tools 2648-20 M18 Random Orbit Sander
- This product meets customer requirement
- Product is easy to use
The best cordless sander on the list, in my opinion, is Milwaukee 2648-20 M18. A 3.0 Amp-hour design combined with the 18-volt battery system should be enough to work through most beginner and intermediate woodworking projects.
It weighs just over four-pounds and should not tire you out as you work. This product uses the quick-change hook-and-loop design that is easier and cleaner than sheets that use adhesives. A universal hose adaptor can probably fit most shop vacs, in the event that you do not want to use the plastic collection box that it comes with.
Finally, this is designed to be easy to use for the beginner. Controls are conveniently located and are not difficult to move. It also uses a battery platform that powers many of Milwaukee’s most popular power tool products.
