If you're looking for the best sander for walls, we've got you covered right here.
Much like with any of the best combi drills for assembling furniture or screwing in screws, a sander can be a valuable purchase for any workshop or home application because it's a fairly versatile tool in terms of the jobs it can handle.
It's worth noting that there are various types of sanders you can buy, which are all designed for different parts of a sanding job.
For instance, a belt sander is an immensely powerful option that's mainly designed for professional use and is used for general sanding work, whilst random orbital sanders are a more versatile choice. There are also more specialised sanders, such as a finishing sander, which can help you add some finishing touches to a job.
Once you've decided what type of sander you need, there are a few key things to look out for. For example, you'll want to make sure it's got a good dust-collection feature, given how messy the sanding process can be, as well as making sure the sander features the right type of grip.
You should also consider whether you'd prefer a corded or a cordless sander. A corded sander is arguably easier to use given you don't have to worry about changing batteries when the time comes, but a cordless sander is more convenient if you don't have access to a power outlet.
Based on all of this and more, we've taken a look at what's available on the market today that aligns with what we think makes a fantastic sander for walls and selected a number of options based on everything from specs to reviews.
So, let’s get to it – here are some recommendations for the best sander for walls out there today.
Best Sander For Walls
Best All-Round Sander For Walls - PORTER-CABLE 7800
click to enlargeIf you're looking for a fantastic all-rounder to sand down walls, the PORTER-CABLE 7800 looks to be a great option.
It looks to be rather durable and lightweight thanks to sturdy construction, and has a handy pivot function that can allow you to sand at difficult angles with ease.
In addition, the PORTER-CABLE 7800 also features a punchy motor, complete with variable speeds of 1400 and 2000 RPM that give you more control over how quickly you're sanding.
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You'll also find a 13-foot-long vacuum hose that is static dissipating and can connect to any vacuum cleaner you have, as long as you have a 1-1/4-inch hose diameter. This will ensure your work environment can be kept clean while you're sanding.
Best Sander For Walls For Professionals - Festool 571782 Rotex Sander
click to enlargeThe Festool 571782 Rotex Sander should be a marvellous choice for professionals.
It's quite a versatile option, given it features dual-mode sanding with a more aggressive, gear-driven mode for the removal of stock especially quickly, as well as a random orbital mode for finer sanding.
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In addition, the Festool 571782 Rotex Sander has a tool-free backing pad system that can allow you to change the pads to suit use on different surfaces. Moreover, it also features an efficient dust removal system that can not only help to keep your surface clean but also offer a higher quality finish on your sanding work.
Its weight of 4.4lbs also means this is quite a lightweight and compact sander, meaning you may have a little more control over its use.
Best Lightweight Sander For Walls - Makita B05041K
click to enlargeThe Makita BO5041K looks to be an excellent sander for those wanting something especially lightweight.
You'll be getting a reasonable amount of power with a 3A motor, and variable speed control of between 4,000 and 12,000 RPM gives you loads of control.
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In addition, the Makita BO5041K looks to be quite light, with a mass of 1.4kg. There's also an adjustable side handle which is especially useful for making sure this particular sander is comfortable to use.
This sander should also feature some handy dust extraction to keep your work area clean, and there's also a useful carrying case if you are moving around.
Best Detail Sander For Walls - BLACK+DECKER BDEMS600
click to enlargeFor those looking for a brilliant detail sander, the BLACK+DECKER BDEMS600 looks like a fantastic option
Its compact design will allow you access to even the tightest of spaces, and a detailed finger attachment means fine sanding should be an absolute breeze.
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Moreover, the BLACK+DECKER BDEMS600 also has a useful dust collection canister, complete with microfiltration so your work surface is kept clean with less sawdust and debris.
In addition, it also has a hook and loop system which should make changing sandpaper especially easy. Furthermore, a three-position grip should give you more control over what is quite a powerful sander.
Best Sander For Walls For Versatility - Bosch 1250DEVS
click to enlargeThe Bosch 1250DEVS should be an incredible sander if you're after something especially versatile.
This is a dual-mode sander, with a random orbit mode for standard stock removal or more fine finishing, as well as a 'turbo driven' eccentric orbit mode that can remove stock incredibly quickly. This sander can also polish too.
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With a 6.5A motor, the Bosch 1250DEVS should also be seriously powerful, and a variable speed motor of between 3,100 and 6,500 orbits a minute gives you a good level of control.
There's also a passive dust collection which means you will need to connect this sander to a vacuum cleaner, but once you do, you should be able to get rid of any dust and debris especially quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are electric sanders good for walls?
In short, yes. Electric sanders will be good for walls in providing serious power that should make the act of sanding a lot quicker than if it were done manually.
In addition, they should also be able to give you more control with sanders with variable speeds, and in a more general sense too, considering the different types of sanders on offer.
If you're looking for more information on how to sand walls, then retailer Bunnings has a useful step-by-step guide on the process, involving what type of sandpaper to use and the difference between using an electric sander and doing it by hand.
How much should I spend on a sander for walls?
As a general rule, we'd say to spend up to $150 if you're someone who needs a reasonable amount of power for general sanding work, but for more professional offerings, you will be looking at north of $400 to $500, or more.
What should I look for in a sander for walls?
Apart from deciding which type of sander to go for, there are a few key things to look out for when picking a sander.
We'd say that you should look out for variable speed modes to offer more control while you're sanding, as well as dual modes for both coarse and fine sanding.
You'll also want to keep an eye out for a sander with good dust collection and extraction so your work area can be kept clean. In addition, getting a corded sander is advisable if you need constant access to a lot of power, for instance.
Can you sand paint off walls?
In short, not quite. Sanding paint down is part of the process to remove it, by weakening it with force, so that you can then scrape away, but it doesn't look to be the case that you can simply sand paint from walls.
If you want to take a crack at stripping paint from a wall, there are guides detailing the rest of the steps to strip paint from walls.
How do you prevent dust on walls when sanding?
There are a few ways you can prevent dust from getting on the walls when you're sanding. For instance, you can sand with specifically low-dust drywall compound that offers much less dust than with standard compound.
Or, you can also utilise a method known as wet drywall sanding, which involves using a damp sponge to soften the joint compound. This only really works on a small scale, say on a joint or two, as opposed to an entire room.
It is the only method that's said to entirely eliminate dust, as opposed to reducing it, but can only be done on smaller projects.
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