7 Best Sheet Sanders (Manually Reviewed in 2024!)
Whether you’re looking to refinish furniture or you’re looking to sand down a door – sheet sanders can be great tools to have in your workshop.
I’ve tested and used many different finishing sanders over the years so you can learn from my experience and find the best sander for your needs.
In this guide, I’ll help you find the best sheet sander for your projects and what you should consider before making your purchase. Let’s dig in!
If you’re in a hurry, my top choice is the Makita 1/2 Sheet Sander because it offers a powerful motor, a large sanding surface, and great dust collection that’ll make your job fast and easy.
Best Sheet Sanders
- Makita Finishing Sander – #1 Best Overall
- Craftsman Sheet Sander – Best Value Finishing Sander
- DeWalt Palm Sander – Best Cordless Sheet Sander
- Makita 1/3 Sheet Finishing Sander – Best 1/3 Sheet Sander
- SKIL Sheet Sander – Best for Decks
- BLACK+DECKER Finishing Sander – Best for Furniture
- BOSCH Finishing Sander – Best 1/4 Sheet Sander
1. Makita BO4900V 1/2 Finishing Sander – #1 Best Overall
- 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 absolute best finishing sander you can buy, go with the Makita 1/2 finishing sander. While it’s more expensive than other options, this is the best of the best and can help you sand quickly.
With this sander, you’ll get up to 10,000 OPM of speed thanks to its powerful 2 amp motor that’s controlled by a variable speed dial.
The dust collection system does a great job of keeping your area clean and changing the sanding pad is super easy.
The dual grip design makes it super easy to control and maneuver and it’s extremely easy to change the sanding pads.
What I Liked:
- Powerful sander with variable speed control
- Larger sanding surface makes sanding more efficient
- Very quiet
- Great dust collection system
What I Didn’t Like:
- More expensive than other sanders
- Only a 1-year warranty
My Thoughts
If you’re looking for a terrific sheet sander and you have the budget, the Makita 1/2 Sheet Sander is the best you can get. The large surface area allows you to sand super fast and I found that this sander is slightly more aggressive than the smaller sanders on my list. This means if you’re working on a larger project – I would highly recommend this sander. Lastly, it’s super comfortable and the sanding sheet is simple to change.
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2. Craftsman 1/4 Sheet Sander – Best Value Finishing Sander
- COMPLETE TASKS WITH EASE: 2.0 Amps and 13,500 OPM of the electric sander gives you the power to complete tasks…
- ON-BOARD DUST BAG: High performance dust collection of the 1/4 sheet sander featuring on-board dust bag and…
- DURABILITY: Dust sealed switch provides added durability
If you want a great sheet sander but don’t want to spend a fortune, this Craftsman 1/4 sheet sander is a great choice.
While you don’t get the size or power of the Makita sander above, it still does a great job on any wood surface. This sander provides 13,500 OPM of speed, which is more than fast enough, although there’s no variable speed control – which can be a minor problem for some jobs.
The dust collection system did well and the dust bag screws in tightly and can bend as needed, allowing you to reach tighter spaces.
What I Liked:
- Dust collection system worked great and the bendable dust bag made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces
- Powerful 2 amp motor delivers 13,500 OPM of speed to make sanding faster
- Easy to change sandpaper saves you time
- Great value for the price
- Longer 3-year warranty
What I Didn’t Like:
- No variable speed control can be overly aggressive for some jobs
My Thoughts
Overall, the Craftsman 1/4 Sheet Sander is one of the best sanders for the money. It does a great job for a wide range of sanding tasks and it’s super comfortable in your hand. This palm sander makes refinishing furniture a breeze and I would highly recommend it. My only complaint is the lack of variable speed settings, but I can overlook this given how much this sander does well.
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3. DeWalt 20V MAX XR 1/4 Palm Sander – Best Cordless Sheet Sander
- Brushless motor of the electric sander provides runtime and efficiency to get the job done
- Variable speed control from 8,000 – 14,000 OPM to match the speed to the application
- Low profile height of the 1/4 sheet sander allows user to get close to work surface for precise sanding
If you’re looking for a cordless sander, this DeWalt 20V Max XR is the best cordless sheet sander you can buy.
It’s powerful, easy to use, and extremely comfortable making it a great option for many small to medium sized sanding jobs.
While the dust collection system wasn’t the best, it still did okay and didn’t cause me any issues. The dust bag was super simple and easy to empty and the sanding sheets were a breeze to change.
What I Liked:
- Powerful brushless motor that can deliver up to 14,000 OPM of speed
- Variable speed control gives you more control
- Cordless design means there are no cords in your way while sanding
- Can swap out battery with other DeWalt cordless tools
- Longer 3-year warranty
What I Didn’t Like:
- Have to make sure battery is charged before using
- Dust collection wasn’t as good as other sanders
- Slightly heavier than other sanders because of the battery
My Thoughts
This DeWalt Cordless sheet sander is hands down the best cordless finishing sander you can buy. It has a powerful motor that can product up to 14,000 OPM of speed for even the toughest jobs. The sanding pad is easy to change and the grip is comfortable although this sander is heavier than corded models because of the battery.
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4. Makita 1/3 Sheet Finishing Sander – Best 1/3 Sheet Sander
- Ergonomic rubberized grip and handle designed for better fit and added comfort
- 11,000 OPM for increased efficiency and smooth finish sanding
- Built-in counterbalance system engineered to reduce vibration
If you need a larger sander, this Makita 1/3 finishing sander is a great choice. It’s slightly smaller than the 1/2 Makita sander above, but larger than other 1/4 sheet sanders making it the perfect choice for medium to large projects.
With a slightly smaller 1.7 amp motor, you’ll get 11,000 OPM of speed – but there’s no variable speed control settings.
This sander also features the same comfortable dual gip design with a locking trigger for added convenience which I really like.
What I Liked:
- Medium size sander that’s versatile and can be used for both small and large jobs
- Powerful 1.7 amp motor is aggressive enough for tougher jobs
- Dust collection did better than other models I’ve tested
- Not overly heavy
What I Didn’t Like:
- No variable speed settings
- Slightly more expensive than other sanders
My Thoughts
If you’re looking for a versatile sheet sander that’s great for projects of any size, this Makita 1/3 Sheet Sander is a great choice. It’s larger than 1/4 sanders but smaller than the 1/2 sander – making it great for medium sized projects. My only complaint is the lack of variable speed control but this is otherwise a great sander.
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5. SKIL 1/4 Sheet Sander – Best for Decks
- Pressure control technology warns user when excessive pressure is applied
- Micro-filtration captures and contains fine dust particles
- Clear view dust canister removes guess work of when to empty canister
I’m a big fan of SKIL products, and this SKIL 1/4 sheet sander is a great sander for rougher surfaces like decking.
Powered by a 2 amp motor, this sander produces 14,000 RPM of speed which is plenty enough for even the more difficult jobs.
The micro filtration dust collection system did a fantastic job of keeping the area clear and because the canister is clear – you can easily see when it needs to be emptied, which is super nice.
What I Liked:
- Vacuum port makes dust collection more effective and the clear canister is easy to tell when it’s full
- More powerful 2 amp motor that does a great job on tough surfaces
- Great value for the price
What I Didn’t Like:
- No variable speed settings
My Thoughts
If you’re looking for a finishing palm sander that’s great for tough jobs like decking – this SKIL sander is a great choice. While it’s on the smaller side, it packs a punch compared to other quarter sheet sanders which makes it great for decks. The dust collector did a solid job and the clear canister makes it easy to see when it’s full. My only gripe is the lack of variable speed settings but if you’re working on more aggressive jobs, it really won’t matter for you.
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6. Black+Decker 1/4 Finishing Sander – Best for Furniture
- VERSATILE USE – Use this handheld sander on wood, metal, and plastic for finish sanding, surface preparation, and detail work.
- PADDLE SWITCH ACTUATION – Soft-grip paddle switch is positioned at the top of the sander for natural and easy on and off.
- ONE-HANDED USE – Lock the sander into the on or off position for convenient one-handed use.
This Black+Decker 1/4 finishing palm sander is another great option, especially considering the price. I love this sander for furniture projects because it features a great blend of power, size, and maneuverability.
This sander comes with a 2 amp motor that delivers 16,000 OPM which is one of the fastest sanders on my list.
Also, instead of a traditional trigger, the entire top acts as the trigger making it extremely comfortable to use.
There’s also no variable speed control and the dust collector easily comes off which can be frustrating.
What I Liked:
- Great value for the price
- More powerful than other palm sanders
- Easy to change sanding pad
- Lightweight, compact design makes it easy to move around
What I Didn’t Like:
- Dust collector comes unattached easily and doesn’t do a great job
- No variable speed control
My Thoughts
If you’re looking for a sheet sander for furniture, I highly recommend this Black+Decker 1/4 sheet sander. It has a perfect blend of power and size, and it’s a great value considering the price.
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7. BOSCH 1/4 Finishing Sander – Best 1/4 Sheet Sander
- The Bosch GSS20-40 Orbital Finishing Sander was engineered for sanding surfaces with very tight orbital motions. It is driven by an advanced high…
- This orbital sander, also known as a palm sander, includes a precision-machined aluminum sanding plate developed for even sanding and long-lasting…
- The GSS20-40 features a dust collection system that provides a micro-filter dust canister with a screw-off cap. This efficient system optimizes dust…
Looking for the best 1/4 sheet sander you can buy? Go with the BOSCH 1/4 sheet sander.
BOSCH makes some amazing sanders, including orbital sanders – and this sheet sander is no different.
You’ll get a 2 amp motor that can deliver 12,000 OPM of speed which is a great for a wide range of projects and it isn’t overly aggressive.
The dust collector on this palm sander is exceptional and the square sanding pad is a breeze to change.
What I Liked:
- Powerful sander that isn’t overly aggressive
- Dust collection system does a great job of keeping dust out of the way
- Very comfortable and easy to move around
What I Didn’t Like:
- Limited 1-year warranty
- No variable speed control
My Thoughts
If you’re in the market for a 1/4 sheet sander, this BOSCH palm sander is a great choice that I would highly recommend. It features an amazing blend of power and control and it isn’t overly powerful making it great for jobs that require more precision. The dust collection system did a great job. My only complaint is the shorter 1-year warranty – but everything else is amazing with this sander.
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What to Consider When Buying a Sheet Sander
Power
Power is a huge consideration when buying any power tool, including electric sanders. The amount of power your sander has will determine how effective it can be at smoothing your wood surface.
Lower power sanders may require that you go over the same area multiple times, which will make your project take more time.
For most sheet sanders, you’ll get anywhere between a 1.5 and 2 amp motor which is powerful enough to get through most jobs.
Size
Sheet sanders come in many different sizes depending on the size of your project. The most common sizes include 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4 sheet sizes. The 1/2 size is the largest and the 1/4 size is the smallest.
The larger size of your sander should also be the more powerful and better for larger jobs.
If you’re working on a larger project, like a deck or hardwood floors – go with a larger 1/2 or 1/3 sheet sander. If you’re working on a small to medium sized project like furniture, either 1/4 or 1/3 sheet sanders should be large enough.
Dust Collection
Dust collection is another critical component of your power sander. And while it might be an afterthought, it shouldn’t be.
A sander that can’t remove dust well can actually do harm to your wood surface be creating scratches in the wood that might need to be repaired.
Price
Obviously, the price of your sander is a big consideration if you’re anything like me. Sheet sanders can range in price from under $50 to over $200 – which is a pretty big range.
Here’s how I look at it. If you’re going to use your sander on a routine basis, opt for a more premium sander that’s going to do the job well and last for years. However, if this is a one time projects, you can opt for a more budget friendly model that will get the job done.
How Do Sheet Sanders Compare to Other Sanders?
Truth be told, finding the right sander can be challenging because of the sheer number of types of sander you can buy. Orbital sanders, belt sanders, detail sanders, and sheet sanders – the choice is up to you!
So what’s the differences between them?
Here’s a quick breakdown on which sander you should choose.
- Finishing sanders are best for jobs that are being prepped for paint or stain. They offer an extremely smooth, consistent finish that can be great for furniture or other wood projects that need a great appearance.
- Orbital sanders are best for projects that require more aggressive sanding. For example, these are often the best sanders for removing paints.
- Belt sanders are best for large projects that require aggressive sanding. For example, these are the often the best sanders for decks. You can check out some of the best belt sanders if you need help finding a larger sander for your projects.
- Detail sanders are best for projects that are smaller and have many tight corners and spaces that other sanders can’t reach. These can be great sanders for furniture or other projects with hard to reach spaces.
Here’s a video explaining the difference between orbit and sheet sanders.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the best sheet sander is the Makita BO4900V 1/2 Finishing Sander. This is a powerful and effective power sander that’s great on a wide range or projects.
If you want something more budget friendly, I highly recommend the Craftsman 1/4 Sheet Sander. This is a quality sander that comes with a longer 3-year warranty that speaks to its quality.
Finally, if you’re looking for a cordless finishing sander, go with the DeWalt 20V MAX XR 1/4 Palm Sander. This is an amazing palm sander with great battery life and also boasts a 3-year warranty that I love.