5 Best Drywall Sanders of 2024 – Review & Buying Guide
When it’s finally time to finish or facelift your drywalls, you are going to need reliable tools for the job. Drywall sanders help in smoothing walls before painting, removing rust, removing paint, and leveling edges.
The best drywall sander will help you finish the job much faster and with minimal strain. Its ergonomics will be favorable for your arms, and intuitive accessories will turn drywall sanding into a happy endeavor.
This review looks at the five best drywall sanders on the market today.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Drywall Sander Buying Guide
A flexible budget is what you need. Even though the endless options on the market give you opportunities for immense cost savings, generic and cheap models often end up being more costly. This is what I have learned in my many years as a professional painter.
A well-made machine not only stands the test of time but also helps you overcome work challenges. Many available models have design compromises. An unbalanced head, for instance, will make your job extra strenuous. A less powerful motor, on the other hand, will hold back your progress.
Must-have features for your drywall sander:
Dust extraction system
There is no doubt about the vast amounts of dust that drywall sanding generates. This dust is not only risky to your health but also to surrounding items, including furniture. The best drywall sander should have a vacuum hose for extracting dirt and directing it to your collector.
You also have to watch out for the type of vacuum on your sander; it may not be readily compatible with other shop vacs.
Power and performance
What is the motor strength of the device? The best drywall sanders have motor speeds of up to 2100 RPM or higher to facilitate your sanding job. Smaller DIY models often reach about 1000 RPM. Ultimately, your choice should be guided by your project needs.
Apart from motor speed, the sanding head also significantly affects a drywall sander’s performance. Multi-directional head designs are good for efficiently sanding around the edges and corners. Some models come with removable head parts so you can reach these places even more easily.
Ergonomics and ease of use
The best tool for the job is plug-and-play. Your ideal sander should also come fully assembled. You don’t want to waste time searching online about how parts fit. In my earlier days, I had some models blow up just because I couldn’t get one part right.
Weight and balance
Drywall sanding involves holding these devices for hours on end. Most models are around five feet long and weigh about eight pounds. If you do the math, one needs substantial physical strength to manage that. Therefore, try to avoid sanders that are excessively heavy, unless you take thrill in sore muscles.
Designs with the motor on the head often have a better balance than those with their engine on the shaft.
Length
The typical height for a drywall sander is about four feet long. Some models (the preferable ones, for that matter) come with telescopic shafts that can extend past five feet. Such contraptions reduce your dependency on ladders and stools.
Sandpaper types
Often, the sandpaper comes in varying degrees of grit. The sandpaper is designed with little holes to let out dust to the collector. The right model should come with sandpaper so you can get started as soon as your device gets delivered to you.
The discs should be easy to put on and remove and should be readily available at your local store when you need replacements.
Versatility
Some drywall sanders exist that can work on your floors as well as your ceilings. Such models have immense opportunities for versatility and cost-saving. However, beware that so-called multitasking tools often tend to sacrifice aspects such as ergonomics and performance.
Cost
As stated earlier, you get what you pay for. That, however, doesn’t mean you need to blow your budget to get a powerful drywall sander. As mentioned earlier, you’ll need to evaluate the requirements of your job versus the features available for each drywall sander.
Professional scale jobs might demand that you pay higher costs for sturdy and durable sanders, while short term DIY jobs could allow the discounted models with average features and performance.
The 5 Best Drywall Sanders
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PORTER-CABLE 7800 4.7 Amp Drywall Sander with 13-Foot Hose- Lightweight drywall sander with variable speeds ranging from 1400 to 2000 RPM
- 13-foot vacuum hose that dissipates static
- Lightweight, 8.5-pound body for easy handling
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
The PC 7800 drywall model comes with a 13-ft hose attaching to the dust collector. It helps in dust abatement, thus reducing the risk of health problems during sanding. You might also find its dust collection system helpful when working in a furnished room as it protects the furniture.
The drywall sander uses a variable speed head clocking between 1400 and 2000 RPM. The adjustability in speed could be useful when you want to achieve varying levels of finish.
This drywall sander weighs 8.5 pounds. Working all day with this tool, therefore, requires a substantial level of fitness. Imagine how the weight would feel on your shoulders by the end of the day.
Remarkably though, the designers locate the motor on the opposite end of the sanding head. To some extent, this helps to improve balance and control with the otherwise weighty sander.
One flaw to watch out for is the vacuum hose; when it gets clogged, it creates a big mess. You need to work with a shop-vac that has an excellent filter to prevent clogging.
Pros
- Faster sanding speed saves time
- Variable speeds for different finishings
- Dust control capabilities
Cons
- Hose connection a little fussy
- A little heavy
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POWER PRO 2600 Electric Drywall Sander - Variable Speed 1500-2600rpm,...
- ▲【Powerful】850W motor provides reliable, dynamic power to the sanding pad, and is center mounted to balance the 8lb light-weight body. The variable speed motor operates from 1500 to 2600rpm.
- ▲【Dust Extraction】The static-dissipating PVC dust hose will help provide 80% dust absorption, when connected to the vacuum bag(included). A circle of brushes around the head helps to sweep dust...
- ▲【Adjustable Angle 】9-inch diameter sanding head swivels in multiple directions to keep the head flat to the wall. This provides much less arm and shoulder bending/twisting to help make your...
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
The Power Pro sander runs on a 710w motor with speeds between 1000 and 2100 RPM. Compared to the Porter-Cable model discussed above, you can potentially work a lot faster with this device.
Its handle reaches 5.5 ft, but if you thought the Porter-Cable was heavy, you would be surprised. The Power Pro 2100 weighs 14 pounds—almost double the weight of the PC unit. One needs to have some pretty powerful arms to hoist this device all day.
It’s a good thing, though, that this machine has a variable sanding speed. Similar to the Porter-Cable model, you can set different speed levels to achieve subtle texture variations between the ceilings and the walls. However, the speed control doesn’t work as flawlessly as advertised.
Like the earlier reviewed model, you have a 13-foot suction hose attached to the head. If you connect it to your shop vac, you may be able to significantly tame all the dust from the sanding action—excellent for both your health and your furniture.
One other feature I found remarkable in this model is the brushes around the head. They help to sweep up the dirt and direct it to the extraction tool. As a result, dust doesn’t accumulate on the wall.
You might also appreciate the omnidirectional sanding head design in this model. The 9-inch head swirls around a flexible drive shaft so you can reach all kinds of awkward angles and corners.
Pros
- The unit runs on a more powerful motor than Porter Cable’s
- You get variable speeds for different wall textures
- It comes with full accessories including sanding discs and carrying bag
Cons
- This sander is heavy
- The speed reduction is not seamless
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ALEKO 690E Electric Variable Speed Drywall Sander with Telescopic...
- ALEKO’s drywall sander is strong and reliable; made to sand and polish walls, ceiling, and floors; remove residue and adhesive; etc
- 600 watt, 110V, 60Hz, ETL approved; adjustable speed: 1000-2000 RPM
- Can be used on its own or hooked up to a vacuum cleaner attachment, sold separately
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
What you have here is a drywall sander running on a 600-watt motor with speeds of between 1000 and 2000 RPM. You can expect the same performance as the Porter-Cable model, therefore, given their similarities in engine power.
Part of the package includes sander discs of different grades, plus a vacuum hose that you can hook up to your dust bag and thus save your walls, furniture, and respiratory health from damage.
When fully extended, the handle reaches 65 inches. The short length of the contraption minus the telescopic handle only reaches 43 inches high.
Unlike the Porter-Cable, there is no sideways positioning of the motor to help with balance. Working with the Aleko model on high ceilings could, therefore, be a strenuous task. The center of gravity falls out of the motor position.
The Aleko 690 drywall sander weighs 14.6 pounds, which is a tad heavier than the Power Pro model. Because of that weight, you might not be able to comfortably work with this sander all day (unless you’re a bodybuilder or in peak health).
Unlike the Power Pro model with its all directional head design, the Aleko sander gets a little awkward when sanding around corners and ceiling.
Pros
- It comes with a telescoping handle
- The device includes sanding discs and a vacuum hose
- It runs on a powerful motor with variable speed control
Cons
- It is heavy
- The head is not balanced
- Its design makes it difficult to sand tight spaces
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Festool 571935 Drywall Sander LHS-E 225 EQ PLANEX Easy
- Simple set-up and intuitive Controls let you focus on results
- Low weight and perfect balance reduce fatigue
- Direct-drive EC Tec Brushless motor provides power to the surface without a flexible Cable for less Downtime with less weight
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
If you dread drywall sanding for its extreme hand and shoulder workout, the Festool drywall sander might be the right choice for you. It is the lightest unit in this review so far, weighing a mere 7.5 pounds.
As easy as it might be on your arms, you’ll need to be ready for some power compromise. Unlike the earlier entrants in this list, the Festool sander runs on a 400 watt motor with speeds of between 400 and 900 RPM. These slow speeds may jeopardize productivity; your sanding will take twice as long.
Nonetheless, you have the same outstanding features here, including variable speed control and a sanding head made for flexibility around the edges. The flexible head joint and a removable top should make sanding around corners a breeze.
The Festool drywall sander comes with some dust control features as well. The design has an integrated dust extraction tool that sucks dust from the surface. As with the earlier reviewed sanders, this extraction tool only functions to perfection when hooked to an external shop vac.
The Festool drywall sander’s simple design is meant for rookies, but it still offers professional qualities for commercial projects.
Pros
- This model has an intuitive design
- It has a flexible and removable head for sanding around corners
- It is comparatively lightweight
- Its user-friendliness makes it ideal for beginners
Cons
It uses a less powerful motor compared to the other units
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WEN 6369 Variable Speed 5 Amp Drywall Sander with 15' Hose
- Variable speed adjustment operates anywhere from 600 to 1500 RPM
- Hook-and-loop base pad makes changing sandpaper easier than ever
- 5-Amp head-mounted motor provides maximum torque to the sanding disk
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
What you have here is a 5-Amp head motor that delivers the same power as the Festool model. The motor speed ranges between 600 and 1500 RPM, which might be sufficient enough for DIY engagements but not professional setups in which time is a critical factor.
The design includes a dust extraction system as with all the other models in this review. The 15-foot dust hose, in this case, could significantly improve extraction efficiency and reduce clean up.
The whole contraption weighs nine pounds. That’s even heavier than powerful models, including the Porter-Cable and Power Pro. Be ready to work out those arms.
The sander comes with an adjustable handle reaching five feet high. If you are a petite person, you might appreciate this length—you will be able to reach up to the ceilings without needing a stool.
One remarkable feature here is the multi-directional swiveling head, which makes it easy to work around edges and ceilings. The drywall sander similarly comes with accessories, including sanding discs and an attaching Velcro.
Pros
- It features a flexible sanding head
- There is a telescopic rod included
Cons
- It’s a heavy unit
- It runs on a less powerful motor
The Best Pick
Even though it is the most massive model covered in this review, the Power Pro sander stands out as the best on our list. The device runs on a powerful motor (710W) and generates speeds of between 1000 and 2100 RPM. This is the most powerful sanding engine on the list to help finish the bulk of your work much faster.
It features a rod that extends to a height of 5.5 feet. The speed settings are variable and easy to toggle. The speed variations are beneficial when working on different surfaces, or when you intend to achieve different wall textures.
Other features that make this Power Pro model the most recommendable drywall sander for your job include the attached 13-foot suction hose and multi-directional sanding head meant for flexibility around the edges.
Last Updated on August 7, 2020 by Tom Bradly