Best Drywall Sander [ Top 5 Picks & Reviews ]

best drywall sander

Are you planning to redecorate your home? Want to give your walls an enchanting look? Well, then you have to sand out the plaster. There’s no way out of it.

But sanding an entire room by hand is very tedious and awful work. That’s not all of it, you’ll also have to clean up the dust after sanding the room.

Don’t panic! Thanks to a drywall sander, you can sand and clean up automatically, which will increase productivity.

But which one you’re going to pick? So many questions, right? No worries, we’re going to help you in choosing the best drywall sander below.

5 Best Drywall Sander Reviews 2021

We had to work for hours only to get at least twenty models of a drywall sander. Then we tested each of the products in our lab by our experts to check the ins and outs. We also checked the user reviews and finally decided to give way you the top 5 models.

1. WEN 6369 Drywall Sander

WEN 6369 Variable Speed 5 Amp Drywall Sander with 15' Hose

Need to sand up the plaster of your wall? Searching for a convenient drywall sander? Then try out the 6369 drywall sander from WEN. It has plenty of features to offer you to do your work at ease.

This sander has the capacity to reach 600 RPM to 1500 RPM. Not only that you can also select your preferred speed by its variable speed adjustments.

Along with the speed, its head-mounted 5-amp motor will deliver the utmost amount of torque. Thus, your sanding job will be a breeze.

Plus, with the 6369 from WEN, you’re getting a hook and loop base pad. As a consequence, you’ll be able to swap between the grits within a snap. Besides, it includes 6 grits; they are 240, 180, 150, 80, and 60 to let you begin sanding instantly.

Sanding means a lot and a lot of dust, right? Well, not with the WEN drywall sander. As it integrates an auto dust extraction system along with a 15-foot dust hose, all the dust and debris will be sucked up.

Moreover, its 8.5-inch pivoting head swivels in all ways. So, it’s going to surely help you while sanding corners, ceilings, and tighter spaces.

Nonetheless, it’s only 9 pounds, which means you can carry it easily anywhere. And this sander integrates an adjustable handle that can fold and telescope up to 5 feet. As a result, you can easily reach high spots without hurting your spine.

Pros

  • Easy to select speed by the variable speed adjustments
  • 5-amp motor to offer max torque
  • Easy to change sandpaper by the hook and loop base pad
  • Less messy due to auto dust extraction
  • Lightweight for ease of carrying

Cons

  • Reportedly vibrates and wobbles
  • Additional pads are hard to buy

2. POWER-PRO 2100

Along with the sanding convenience, you’ll also need the power to complete the work perfectly. With that being said, we hand over you the electric drywall sander from Power Pro 2100.

This sander is equipped with a powerful 710W motor. Thus, it’ll provide maximum power to the sanding pad for you to do the sanding properly.

Plus, it has six variable speeds ranging from 1000 to 2100 RPMs. You can use its speed dial for setting it to low speeds as well as higher speeds for sanding soft and hard walls smoothly.

Obviously, every drywall sander has to face a lot of stress which causes early wear and tear. However, the Power Pro 2100 is a well-built sander made of hard plastic and lightweight aluminum that will last for a long time. Because of the lightweight materials, it won’t cause any sort of strain on your back or arms.

Besides, you can easily sand out your ceilings by using it, thanks to its extendable aluminum alloy handle that can reach up to 5.5-feet. You’ll also get more control and balance while working by its incorporated auxiliary handle

It will help you to sand the tight places and awkward angles by utilizing its 9-inch sanding head that can pivot in almost all directions. Cool, right?

Additionally, around the head, there is a circle of brushes that sweep dust and contain it under the head. You can use its 13-foot PVC static-dissipating hose to remove drywall dust by connecting to a shop vacuum easily.

Aside from that, the Power Pro 2100 offers a handful of accessories, including a vacuum hose, hex key, a carrying bag as well as a wide range of versatile sandpaper disc.

Pros

  • Mighty due to 710W motor
  • Six variable speeds for soft and hard wall sanding
  • Hard plastic to ensure durability
  • Extendable handle to work overhead at ease
  • Swivel head for sanding anyplace effortlessly

Cons

  • Reportedly heavy on the front

3. PORTER-CABLE 7800 Drywall Sander

A DIY sander can’t give you the performance of a professional one. Now if you need a pro-type sander, then you must check out the 7800 drywall sander from PORTER-CABLE.

This drywall sander is equipped with a 4.7-amp motor, which delivers plenty of power to the sanding head. As a result, nothing can stop you from giving a fine finish on your wall.

In addition, a certain area needs a specific amount of pressure to be applied. That’s why the 7800 from PORTER-CABLE offers 1400 to 2000 RPMs of variable speed with dial settings. Thus, you’ll able to get your desired finish on different surfaces at ease.

Now the important aspect that makes this one the best sander for drywall is its dust collection system. You just need to hook it to your vacuum by the built-in 13-foot hose, and its head will suck in all the dust while you’re sanding.

However, you might need to work for a long period of time holding this sander. Since it weighs only 8.5 pounds, you won’t feel much of a burden while doing your big projects.

Nonetheless, this drywall sander integrates an articulating head. Well, it means that you can sand a wide range of areas without changing your positions frequently.

And since the motor of this sander is located on the opposite end of the handle, you’ll get enhanced control and balance. Further, you can easily uninstall the sandpaper and install the new one on the head, thanks to its hook and look strap.

Pros

  • 4.7-amp motor for great sanding power
  • Dial settings to adjust the preferred speed
  • 13-foot inbuilt hose for sucking in dust
  • Easy to work with due to lightweight
  • Articulating head for ease of work

Cons

  • A bit expensive

4. Orion Motor Tech Electric Drywall Sander

The smoothing surface of a wall is quite a heavy task. For that reason, you must get your hands on the best electric sander for drywall that will make the work easy. In that case, consider the electric drywall sander from Orion Motor Tech.

This sander works using a powerful 850W brass motor. Not only that, but it also has 2 carbon brushes to ensure that you can work on smooth the surface conveniently for a long time.

Besides, this is a 5-speed variable motor that offers 800 to 1900RPMs of speed. You can select the speed according to your application by using its adjustable dial at ease. So, get your job done with this Orion Motor Tech drywall sander effortlessly.

What’s more! Unlike other sanders, you can lock your preferred sanding speed and work at ease. That way, you don’t get hand fatigue no matter how long you work!

Plus, with this sander, you can easily reach tough angles and tight places at ease, thanks to its swivel head that can pivot 90 degrees. It also has an aluminum alloy handle than can extend up to 6.8-foot. All you need to do is just adjust and retighten to start your work quickly.

While sanding dust is the most annoying and harmful thing. No worries, it’s got an inbuilt vacuum dust collector that will remove the dust and stray particle while you’re working to make it less annoying.

Moreover, it boasts surface-matching technology that adjusts automatically to match any rugged, rough, or unsmooth surface. And even when it’s dark, you can carry on with your sanding work by switching its 2 LED built-in light strips.

Pros

  • 850W brass motor for enduringness
  • 5-variable speed for different application of work
  • Swivel head for sanding tough angles
  • Convenient to work with the extendable handle
  • Vacuum dust collector to collect dust
  • 2 LED light for working in the dark

Cons

  • Kind of bulky
  • A little heavy

5. Festool 571935

Festool 571935 Drywall Sander LHS-E 225 EQ PLANEX Easy

If you’re not convinced yet by our above models, then you can try out the 571935 drywall sander from Festool. It’s going to sweep off your feet with its ease of use and convenient functionality.

It comes with a direct drive brushless EC TEC motor. This motor makes sure that you can use it for as long as possible to do your sanding work without any hindrance.

And if you talk about speed, then it has the ability to provide 400 to 920 RPMs. Now that’s enough to carry out DIYs sanding job at ease.

Plus, this drywall sander has a flexible head joint along with a design of a motor-over pad. They both provide the freedom-of-movement whenever you’re working on your wall.

The best part of this machine is that it’s really easy to operate. Thanks to its intuitive controls, you will be able to do your work effortlessly. Besides, owing to its low weight of 7.93 pounds, you’ll get the most painless drywall sanding experience.

After sanding, the most bothersome work is to clean up the mess, isn’t it? Well, the 571935 sander from Festool comes with a dust extraction design that catches the dust to save you from the after clean-up.

Have you ever encountered abutting surfaces as like as inside edges while sanding? If yes, then you know how hard it is to work in that type of area. No worries, you can remove its top section that will allow you sand up-close area at a breeze.

Pros

  • Brushless motor for ensuring longevity
  • Flexible head joint for working conveniently
  • Painless to work due to being lightweight
  • Dust extraction design for incredible dust collection
  • Removable top section for close-up sanding

Cons

  • Could have included a handle

Things to Consider Before Buying Drywall Sander

You have studied all the best sander for drywall work above. So, it is expected that you’ve gained plenty of knowledge about drywall sanders. Now you might be planning to make the purchase!

But before you do that, you must consider some of the important factors. If you just take the time to go through the details, then we believe your final purchase will turn out to be the best.

Power

Out of the several things that you should bear in mind while picking a drywall sander, the most important factor is the motor power rating. As you already know that drywall sander works by using an electric motor.

So, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to guesswork that the more powerful the motor, the better the performance.

You’ll mostly find sanders with two power ratings 5 and 7 amps. And it’s obvious that 7 amps motor will be able to provide you better performance than 5 amps when sanding drywall. Therefore, get yourself the best power sander for drywall to do your task swiftly.

Speed

Another most important factor by which you can get an idea about the performance you’re going to get from a drywall sander is the motor speed. Generally, the speed of the motor is expressed in RPM or rounds per minute.

Depending on the models you prefer to buy, the speed of the motor varies. Basically, the drywall sanders come with RPM of 1500 to 2000. And as like as the motor power, the more the speed your sander can provide, the better performance you’ll experience while sanding.

Moreover, some sanders have variable speed trigger to let you adjust the motor speed according to your preference. That helps to work on different surfaces.

Hose

Sanding means producing a hell of dust! Though a sander can’t, unfortunately, alter that but it can greatly help in managing it. And that’s made possible by using a hose.

Now, the maximum drywall sander comes with a hose that can be connected to a dust collector for collecting almost all the dust. However, you’ll need a long hose if you want to move freely during sanding by keeping the hose connected with the vacuum pump.

By using a long hose, you can sand large surfaces effortlessly without the need of moving the vacuum again and again. That’s why it would be wise for you if you pick a hose with a length of 15 feet.

But if sadly your sander doesn’t include a hose, you can still connect it to the dust collector because collecting dust is essential. You just only need to get the hose. Likewise, you can use duct tape to fasten the ends together or use a special connector.

Length

The length of a drywall sander is probably the most common factor that everyone overlooks. Usually, you’ll find a sander with a length of 4 feet. Some come with the advantage of making it short or long, whereas some come with a fixed length.

Look, you may mostly need to sand archways, high ceilings, etc. Now, in that case, you need a longer sander with the option to telescope for extending the length; otherwise, it’ll be backbreaking work for you.

On the other hand, if your works relate to sanding half wall, then a short drywall sander is enough to get the job done.

Durability

Obviously, the work of a drywall sander is to sand. They are not meant to be showcased, right?

So, you’re going to use it for sanding various surfaces while working on construction sites and homes. At that time, you’ll have to tackle things like paint, wallpaper, plaster, and god knows what not that will impact your drywall sander.

Now if you don’t want to spend your money on buying a new sander after few sanding sessions, you must get something that is well built and robust.

Accessories

Most of the drywall sanders come with helpful accessories that will assist you in your work. By using them you’ll get to improve your working experience. With different models, you’ll get different things such as connecting hose, sanding paper, carrying bad, dust collecting bag, and much more.

Each of the items can be very useful for users with a different purpose. And drywall sander that comes with assorted accessories is usually bang for the buck.

Advantage of Drywall Sander

Whatever work you’re going to do, if you have the right equipment, then the work becomes a lot easier. That being said, when it comes to drywall sander, the advantages are quite a few.

Wide Base

When sanding, you’re going to face small as well as big walls. And sanding big walls manually is very tedious work. There comes the first advantage of a drywall sander.

You’ll notice that it has a large and wide base which will enormously help you when sanding big walls. Thus, you’ll be able to sand a large portion of the wall all at once.

Less Messy

It is needless to say that enormous dust is going to produce during sanding whether you’re doing it manually or by using a drywall sander. However, you can connect the sander to the vacuum pump.

As a result, the dust will be contained in a dust collector bag, reducing the mess. Not only it reduces the mess, but it also will reduce the cleanup time after your job is done.

Safe Air

As you know drywall dust is very harmful to inhale. Now while sanding walls, all that dangerous dust is going to kick up in the air, which you’ll breathe in eventually.

If you continue to take in the dust-filled air for a prolonged time, there’s a high chance of you getting asthma. Since the drywall sander stores the dust into a collector bag, the air remains safe and fresh for you to breathe.

Drywall Sanding Tips and Techniques

If you can grasp the proper knowledge and get yourself prepared, the drywall sanding can be done pretty quickly and easily. To help you out, we’re going to discuss some of the valuable tips and techniques below.

Right Equipment

You must get your hands on the perfect tool to get your sanding job done easily. As such, if you’re going to the sand ceiling, you’ll need a lengthy drywall sander. Using short length sander will make the work more tedious and time-consuming. You can also use a dustless tools for sanding your wall.

Protective Gears

During sanding, you should wear protective gear such as a ventilated dust mask, goggles, hand gloves all the time.

  • A dust mask will prevent the dust as well as sand from entering into your lungs while breathing.
  • Goggles will save your eyes from the fine dust particles.
  • Drywall materials can dry out your hands. That’s why to wear hand gloves while working.

Spotting the Problem

Without detecting the problem, you would end up sanding the wrong place, which will damage the paint. That’s why you need to keep a flashlight as well as a pencil to spot the problematic area and mark them.

Techniques

Now that you acquired our valuable tips, you need to practice good techniques for doing the work. So, follow on.

  • Make sure that the mud is completely dry before you begin to sand
  • Use moderate pressure while sanding
  • Move the sander all around
  • Never sand in a linear line
  • Don’t try to sand big ridges and gouges, rather apply a layer of a joint compound by using your trowel
  • Avoid over sanding

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use an orbital sander for drywall?

You can use an orbital sander for sanding small drywall projects. If you need to sand a large area, it’d be beneficial for you to use other drywall sanding tools. Be aware to use orbital sander as it can damage the surface.

To know how to use an orbital sander for drywall, you can check this video out.

Should you remove drywall dust before painting?

Yes, you should remove drywall dust before painting. That is due to the reason that dust usually forms a kind of thin film onto drywall. As a result, the paint flakes from the surface. However, you can dampen the surface with a wet cloth and let it dry before painting.

Can you rent a drywall sander?

Yes, you can rent a drywall sander from the home depot as well as other rental websites and shops.

Is a drywall sander worth it?

Of course, a drywall sander is worth it. You can do a large sanding job at ease by using a pole sander. And if you need to sand a couple of rooms, it’ll be worth to get a drywall pole sander.

Can you use a drywall sander on floors?

Yes, you can use it. Though drywall sanders are mostly used to sand taping and plaster, you can use this type of sander to sand up your wooden floors. Actually, this type of sander can be used for sanding almost everything.

Final Verdict

We’ve included the best drywall sander you can found in today’s market. We also discussed various topics that will help you in sanding work.

The WEN 6369 can back you up for your DIYs sanding job. It has good dust control capacity, provides smooth finishing, and of course, great ease of use.  Though all our products have their unique capabilities, we recommend the Porter Cable 7800 for professional use.

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