I Tested 5 Sanders for Doors: Here are the Best (2024)
If you’re looking to refinish your doors, having a power sander can be an indispensable tool to help you get the job done.
I’ve personally used and tested many different sanders and there’s no denying some are much better than others.
In this post, I’ll help you find the best sander for doors so you can spend less time researching and more time sanding. Let’s dig in!
My Favorite Sanders for Doors & Door Frames
- #1 Best Overall – Makita Random Orbital Sander
- Best Cordless Sander – DeWalt Cordless Sander
- Best Value – Black & Decker Orbital Sander
- Best Detail Sander – SKIL Detail Sander
- Best Finishing Sander – Makita Sheet Sander
Compare the Top Door Sanders
| Product | Max Speed | Size | Motor | Warranty | Read Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita Orbital Sander | 12,000 OPM | 5″ | 3 amps | 1-year | See Review ↓ |
| DeWalt 20V Cordless Sander | 12,000 OPM | 5″ | 2 amps | 3-years | See Review ↓ |
| Black and Decker Orbital Sander | 12,000 OPM | 5″ | 2 amps | 2-years | See Review ↓ |
| SKIL Detail Sander | 13,500 OPM | NA | 1.2 amps | 1-year | See Review ↓ |
| Makita Finishing Sander | 10,000 OPM | 4.5″ x 11″ | 2 amps | 1-year | See Review ↓ |
We’ve purchased hundreds of products and spend thousands of hours testing products. Read our reviews process to learn more about our editorial and review integrity.
1. Makita 5″ Random Orbital Sander – #1 Best Overall
- Smoother and faster sanding with 3.0 AMP motor
- Variable speed control dial (4,000-12,000 OPM) enables user to match the sanding speed to the application
- Ergonomic rubberized palm grip and handle for improved operator comfort and control
Overall, the best sander for doors is the Makita 5″ random orbital sander for a few reasons. First, this sander is extremely powerful packing a 3amp motor that can reach speeds up to 12,000 OPM with a variable speed control dial.
Second, the dual grip allows you to easily maneuver this sander around your door and it’s very comfortable.
Finally, this sander is extremely versatile and can be used on a wide range or projects – so you don’t have to feel bad about buying a sander for one project.
This random orbit sander also has a great dust collection system to keep your area clean and clear of dust.
What I Liked:
- Very efficient and effective sander thanks to the powerful 3 amp motor
- Dual grip design makes it extremely comfortable and easy to control
- Variable speed control is easy to get the exact speed you want
- Dust collection system does a decent job of removing dust
What I Didn’t Like:
- May have to hand sand some areas because of the orbital design
- No sanding pad is included
My Thoughts:
I’m a huge fan of the Makita 5″ Orbital Sander and it’s certainly one of the best sanders for door frames. This is a powerful, comfortable, and easy to use sander that can be used for virtually any task. While you will have to hand sand some corners because of the orbital design, I believe this sander is worth every penny. It’s also the best sander for furniture restoration and it’s great at removing paint.
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2. DeWalt 20V Cordless Sander – Best Cordless Sander for Doors
- 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.
If you’re looking for a cordless sander, I highly recommend the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Sander. This sander is perfect for door frames because it’s powerful, easy to use, and you don’t have to worry about cords getting in the way while sanding.
With this sander, you’ll get up to 12,000 OPM of speed thanks to the variable speed control dial that is simple to adjust.
The dust collection system did a surprisingly good job of keeping the area clean which helps reduce any swirl marks.
What I Liked:
- Simple to use and very powerful with up to 12,000 OPM of speed
- Comfortable rubberized grip reduces vibrations in your arm
- No cords to get in your way, saving you time while sanding
- Can swap battery with other DeWalt cordless tools
What I Didn’t Like:
- Have to be sure the battery is charged
- May have to manually sand some areas because of the orbital design
My Thoughts:
If you want a cordless sander, this DeWalt 20V Max is the best of the best. While you don’t get quite as much power as the Makita corded sander above, it’s more than enough for doors and the lack of cords can be a huge benefit. You can swap out the battery with other DeWalt cordless products and I found the battery life to be phenomenal.
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3. Black and Decker Orbital Sander – Best Budget Sander
- HIGH PERFORMANCE ORBIT SANDER – 2.0 Amp corded electric random orbit sander for a swirl-free finish
- HIGH EFFICIENCY – Delivers 12000 OPM (orbits per minute) to quickly sand material
- LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT – Fits in tight spaces for more versatile sanding
Looking for a great budget sander? This Black+Decker Orbital Sander is a great sander for the price.
While it features a smaller 2 amp motor, don’t let that fool you. This sander is surprisingly powerful and great for sanding doors. You’ll get 12,000 OPM of speed, but it’s worth noting that there’s no variable speed control – so you can occasionally get swirl marks if you aren’t careful.
The dust collection system isn’t nearly as good as the DeWalt or Makita sanders above, but I didn’t run into any issues for light sanding job and emptying the dust bag was a breeze.
Changing sanding pads was also super easy and the grip is comfortable.
What I Liked:
- Surprisingly powerful despite the smaller motor
- Great value for the price
- Lightweight design reduces shoulder and arm fatigue
What I Didn’t Like:
- No variable speed control
- Dust collection wasn’t as good as other sanders
My Thoughts:
Looking for an electric sander without breaking the bank? Go with this Black+Decker Orbital Sander. It’s more powerful that it seems and it’s a great value considering the price. While you don’t get quite the same power as the other sanders above, I didn’t run into any issues when sanding doors. My only complaints are the lack of variable speed settings, but for the price it’s hard to go wrong with this one.
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4. SKIL Detail Sander – Best Detail Sander
- POWERFUL – With a 1. 2 amp motor and 13,500 orbits per minute, it’s able to deliver a smooth performance over…
- VERSATILITY ON THE QUICK – This 4-in-1 detail sander comes with an additional 3 detail attachments for fine…
- TOUGH ON DUST – Between its micro-filtration system and the 1-1/4″ dust port for vacuum attachment you can…
While orbital sanders are extremely versatile, you’re often forced to sand some areas manually because of the design. This is where detail sanders come in handy.
If you’re in the market for a detail sander, the SKIL detail sander is the best detail sander for doors you can buy.
It comes with several attachments including a detail finger attachment that make it easy to reach areas that other sanders can’t get close to.
While you don’t get nearly as much power as other sanders, you still get 13,500 OPM of speed – which is among the fastest that I’ve tested.
What I Liked:
- The design of this sander means you don’t have to manually sand many areas which can save you time
- Multiple attachments make it easy to reach corners and tight spaces that other sanders can’t reach
- Clear dust canister is easy to see when it’s full
What I Didn’t Like:
- Not nearly as powerful as other sanders
- No variable speed settings
My Thoughts:
The SKIL detail sander is a great mouse sander for doors that drastically reduces the amount of manual sanding you have to do because of its design. You’ll be able to reach all of the nooks and crannies on your door without a problem which can really save some time. That said, I did have to go over some areas multiple times because of the lack of power, which is something to keep in mind.
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5. Makita BO4900V Sheet Sander – Best Finishing Sander
- Uses commonly available 4-1/2″ x 9-1/8″ hook-and-loop or 4-1/2″ x 11″ half sheet abrasive paper
- Efficient through-the-pad dust collection system for a cleaner work environment
- Minimized vibration and contoured grips for added comfort
If you’re looking for the perfect finish on your doors, this Makita Finishing Sander is the way to go. Finishing sanders offer a much smoother finish that other types of sanders can’t match which can make them great for refinishing doors.
The high performance dust collection system also does a superb job of keeping the surface clear of sanding dust – which can often be a downfall of finishing sanders, but non in this case.
And just like the Makita orbital sander, you get a dual grip that keeps vibrations low and allows for better control of your hand sander.
What I Liked:
- Large sanding surface can make sanding doors faster
- Variable speed settings and dust collection system eliminate swirl marks
- Can provide a super smooth finish
- Sanding paper is easy to change
What I Didn’t Like:
- Not as powerful as other sanders
- Can go through sanding paper quite fast
My Thoughts
The Makita finishing sander is a great door sander that can provide a super smooth finish on your doors and other wood surfaces. Because of its larger size, you can sand much faster than traditional orbital sanders and with it’s rectangular shape you can sand corners that you can’t reach with other sanders.
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What to Consider When Buying a Sander for Doors
Power
When sanding wooden doors, you’ll want a sander that’s powerful enough to smooth out your surface without having to go over the same area multiple times.
If you have a lack of power, I’ve found that you can spend hours going over the same area time and time again. No thanks!
In terms of power, the Makita random orbital sander is your top choice because of its 3 amp motor.
Control
If you have a powerful sander, it’s critical to be able to control it. Many sanders will come with variable speed settings that allow you to better control how fast you’re sanding – which is essential.
If you sand too quickly, it can result in sanding marks that you’ll have to cover.
Additionally, you should look for a sander that’s comfortable and is easy to maneuver. Some sanders will feature a dual grip that can make it easy to move around
Dust Collection
Dust collection is another important consideration when purchasing a sander for doors. Keeping dust particles out of your way is important if you want a smooth finish.
Most sanders will come with a dust collection system that features either a bad, canister, or dust port that allows for efficient dust collection.
Price & Warranty
If you’re anything like me, the price and warranty that your sander comes with is essential. Most electric sanders will cost anywhere from $40 to $150 and come with a warranty between 1 and 3 years.
What Type of Sander is Best for Doors?
The best type of sander for doors is either a palm sander like a random orbital sander, detail sander, or finishing sander. These give you enough control to sand doors, but they aren’t overly large and powerful like a belt sander.
What Grit Sandpaper to Sand Wooden Doors
To sand a door or door frame, I recommend starting with a medium or course grit sandpaper (around 80 grits) before moving to a finer sandpaper grit (180 or 220). The grit you should use will depend on the condition of the door.
For example, if your door has an existing finish that you need to remove, you’ll want to start with a course grit sandpaper. However, if your door has already been stripped, you can start with a fine grit sandpaper.
Here’s a great video showing the importance of sanding your doors correctly.
My Thoughts
Overall, the best sander for doors is the Makita random orbital sander. This sander packs a punch and can help you sand your door quickly and efficiently.
If you want a cordless sander, go with the DeWalt 20V Max sander. It does a fantastic job on wood surfaces
If you’re on a budget, the Black+Decker orbital sander is a great option considering the price. This palm sander offers more than enough power for your door at a great price.
Finally, if you want to avoid hand sanding, go with a detail sander like the SKIL detail sander. While this sander is less powerful, it can reach all of the corners and tight spaces that other sanders can’t reach.
Need a sander for other projects? Check out these guides: