I’ve researched and compared the best drywall sanders on the UK market. My top recommendation is the Evolution Power Tools Telescopic Dry Wall Sander .
My Top Recommended Drywall Sanders
1. Best for extended length - Evolution Power Tools Telescopic Dry Wall Sander [ SAVE 31% ]
2. Best lightweight telescopic sander - MENZER LHS 225 Drywall Sander
3. Best budget drywall sander - Grandma Shark Drywall Sander
4. Best handheld for accessories - Handife Handheld 800 Watt Drywall Sander
5. Best handheld drywall sander - Evolution Power Tools Handheld Dry Wall Sander[ SAVE 19% ]
6. Best for collecting dust - Zelcan Drywall Sander
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My Product Reviews & Opinions
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Evolution’s telescopic drywall sander is one of the best choices for sanding walls and ceilings. It has a huge sanding head as well as an unbeatable reach. The brilliant onboard lighting system illuminates even the darkest corners of a room.
The first thing I noticed about this is the size. It’s enormous compared to some of the competition. With close to two metres of reach it’ll tackle even the highest Georgian ceiling. The 225 mm wide sanding head makes all the difference when you’re sanding big walls as well.
You can choose variable speed settings up to 1,500 rpm. The handles are comfortable, but what makes this the best plasterboard sander is the lighting. The ring of LEDs creates a halo of bright light around the sanding head itself for maximum visibility. But if it’s still gloomy, you can turn on the powerful attached torch. It will show up any bits of rough plaster you missed the first time.
Best for extended length
Scores:
- Build Quality
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
Evolution’s telescopic drywall sander is one of the best choices for sanding walls and ceilings. It has a huge sanding head as well as an unbeatable reach. The brilliant onboard lighting system illuminates even the darkest corners of a room.
The first thing I noticed about this is the size. It’s enormous compared to some of the competition. With close to two metres of reach it’ll tackle even the highest Georgian ceiling. The 225 mm wide sanding head makes all the difference when you’re sanding big walls as well.
You can choose variable speed settings up to 1,500 rpm. The handles are comfortable, but what makes this the best plasterboard sander is the lighting. The ring of LEDs creates a halo of bright light around the sanding head itself for maximum visibility. But if it’s still gloomy, you can turn on the powerful attached torch. It will show up any bits of rough plaster you missed the first time.
Features:
- Type
- Telescopic
- Power
- 710W
- Sanding Pad
- 225mm
- No-Load Speed
- 600-1,500rpm
- Telescopic Length
- 1.97m
- LED Pivoting Head
- Yes
- Weight
- 5.8kg
- Discs Included
- 6
Pros
- Unbeatable telescopic reach lets you reach up to almost two metres.
- The 0 – 90° pivoting head allows you to comfortably sand walls or ceilings. It effortlessly follows the angle of the surface you’re working on.
- The fact that there’s two separate lighting systems is excellent. Evolution have taken the time to understand the biggest problem with plasterboard sanding: visibility.
- The dust extraction hose is nice and long. You should be able to work in most room sizes in a regular house.
Cons
- There are much lighter drywall sanders available. Compared to the Evolution 069-0001 handheld sander, it’s a whole 3 kg heavier.
- The range of speeds compared to the Orion Motor Tech sander aren’t as good. 600 – 1,500 rpm doesn’t give you as much control.
- Some users have had issues with the LED lights. They might not be particularly durable.
- Make sure you get the right sanding discs if you want the dust extraction to work. The 225 mm pads need to have eight extraction holes that line up correctly.
- Unfortunately it doesn’t come with any sort of case.
German specialist drywall equipment specialists MENZER are the go-to brand for everything you need for working with plasterboard. They make professional-level kit as well as quality sanding machines and vacuuming products for DIYers as well.
The LHS 225 Drywall Sander is lightweight and features a comfortable rear handle. Available in 110 Volt as well as standard household 230 Volt, you can tell this is a drywall sander that’s good enough for trade use. It takes standard size 225 mm sanding pads, and also includes a protective hood to lower dust emissions.
Featuring a swivel action head that will keep you on the wall, a removable mid-way “D” handle, and a variable speed control between 1,000 – 2,100 rpm, it’s probably the best telescopic plasterboard sander I’ve reviewed so far.
With an enormous 1.95 m telescopic reach, this is just a couple of centimetres under the longest sander on my list. This huge slide-out section means you can hit the tops of walls easily and comfortably. You won’t need the step ladder unless you’ve got seriously high ceilings either.
Best lightweight telescopic sander
Scores:
- Build Quality
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
German specialist drywall equipment specialists MENZER are the go-to brand for everything you need for working with plasterboard. They make professional-level kit as well as quality sanding machines and vacuuming products for DIYers as well.
The LHS 225 Drywall Sander is lightweight and features a comfortable rear handle. Available in 110 Volt as well as standard household 230 Volt, you can tell this is a drywall sander that’s good enough for trade use. It takes standard size 225 mm sanding pads, and also includes a protective hood to lower dust emissions.
Featuring a swivel action head that will keep you on the wall, a removable mid-way “D” handle, and a variable speed control between 1,000 – 2,100 rpm, it’s probably the best telescopic plasterboard sander I’ve reviewed so far.
With an enormous 1.95 m telescopic reach, this is just a couple of centimetres under the longest sander on my list. This huge slide-out section means you can hit the tops of walls easily and comfortably. You won’t need the step ladder unless you’ve got seriously high ceilings either.
Features:
- Type
- Telescopic
- Power
- 710W
- Sanding Pad
- 225mm
- No-Load Speed
- 1,000-2,100rpm
- Telescopic Length
- 1.95m
- LED Pivoting Head
- No
- Weight
- 4.2kg
- Discs Included
- 6
Pros
- MENZER have included six MioTools Fox sanding discs with this sander. Not only will they help get you started, but they’re quality abrasive pads as well.
- The 710 Watt motor is direct drive. Direct drive motors are usually more efficient and get up to speed instantly, compared with belt driven ones.
- Weighing in at just 4.2 kg, this is the lightest of the telescopic sanders on my list. And weigh reduction on a tool you’re using above your head is welcome in my opinion!
- I’m impressed by the quality carry case that comes with this drywall sander. It’s a long sports bag type holder, which leaves plenty of room for extra sanding pads and other accessories.
Cons
- I’ve found that LED work lights are effective at showing up lumps and ridges in the surface of the plasterboard. It’s a shame that this one doesn’t have that extra bit of functionality.
- This is by far the most expensive drywall sander on my list. Unless you’re planning to do a lot of sanding work, it could be hard to justify the spend. It’s probably worth it though!
- When the telescopic handle is fully retracted, this sander is still nearly 20 cm longer, at 1.62 m, than the Evolution R225DWS. If you’re working in a tight space, it might be a bit too long.
- Some users have complained that the vacuum hose only works with MENZER dust extractor systems. To make this sander compatible with a home vacuum system, you’ll need to buy an adapter.
If you’re looking for a drywall sander with a strange name, the Grandma Shark is the tool for you. Bizarre name aside, it’s one of the best budget drywall sanders I’ve tried out so far.
With a 750 Watt motor, this drywall sander keeps up with the big boys. The six selectable speeds range from 500 – 1,800 rpm. Not bad for an inexpensive sander. Grandma Shark have opted for the super comfortable T-shaped rear handle. I’m a fan of this setup for ceiling sanding jobs.
You can connect it up to a dust extractor easily. Or for portability, strap the dust bag to you and collect the dust as you go. And for those high jobs, the telescopic attachment will help you reach up to nearly 1.8 metres.
Best budget drywall sander
Scores:
- Build Quality
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
If you’re looking for a drywall sander with a strange name, the Grandma Shark is the tool for you. Bizarre name aside, it’s one of the best budget drywall sanders I’ve tried out so far.
With a 750 Watt motor, this drywall sander keeps up with the big boys. The six selectable speeds range from 500 – 1,800 rpm. Not bad for an inexpensive sander. Grandma Shark have opted for the super comfortable T-shaped rear handle. I’m a fan of this setup for ceiling sanding jobs.
You can connect it up to a dust extractor easily. Or for portability, strap the dust bag to you and collect the dust as you go. And for those high jobs, the telescopic attachment will help you reach up to nearly 1.8 metres.
Features:
- Type
- Telescopic
- Power
- 750W
- Sanding Pad
- 225mm
- No-Load Speed
- 500-1,800rpm
- Telescopic Length
- 1.78m
- LED Pivoting Head
- Yes
- Weight
- 8.1kg
- Discs Included
- 12
Pros
- I like the control setup. Everything you need to run the sander is in reach of one hand. Compare this with the Orion Motor Tech sander, you could almost call this a one-handed machine.
- You can lock off the trigger, which will come in handy on long sanding jobs.
- The handles are comfortable and well-designed. The rear “T” shaped handle is ideal for upward pressure.
- Supplied with 12 sanding pads, there’s no reason why you can’t start work immediately.
- Grandma Shark have included a large carry bag that everything fits into. I’m always a fan of included storage. It’s not a hard case, but this will do the trick.
Cons
- It’s not as powerful compared with the Orion Motor Tech telescopic sander. There’s 750 Watts to play with, but it’s not got quite enough power for the heaviest jobs.
- This is a seriously heavy bit of kit. For something you need to hold up against a ceiling for long periods of time, it’s a bit much.
- I’m not sure how long this sander would last with heavy use. It’s fine for DIY use, but I wouldn’t take it on site.
Making “Tools for Handy Life,” Handife have a decent range of garden tools and home DIY kit. Their handheld 800 Watt drywall sander is a big and powerful machine, but it’s still light enough to sand whole walls without getting too tired.
This handheld wall sander features a big chunky handle with rubberised sections on it, and a speed control selector placed ideally next to the trigger. Underneath this is a lock-off switch that lets you sand without holding down the trigger as well.
Powered by the capable 800 Watt motor, you can select five different speeds ranging from 1,200 – 2,300 rpm. Taking a slightly smaller 180 mm sanding disc than most of the telescopic sanders on my list, it makes the Handife easier to control.
What makes this drywall sanding kit so attractive to home DIYers is the accessories that are included. You get a whole bunch of sanding pads, a side handle, a flexible dust hose, and a large dust bag that you wear over your shoulder. It’s also got a 4 m long power cable, which means you can get a lot of work done without an annoying extension cord as well.
Best handheld for accessories
Scores:
- Build Quality
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
Making “Tools for Handy Life,” Handife have a decent range of garden tools and home DIY kit. Their handheld 800 Watt drywall sander is a big and powerful machine, but it’s still light enough to sand whole walls without getting too tired.
This handheld wall sander features a big chunky handle with rubberised sections on it, and a speed control selector placed ideally next to the trigger. Underneath this is a lock-off switch that lets you sand without holding down the trigger as well.
Powered by the capable 800 Watt motor, you can select five different speeds ranging from 1,200 – 2,300 rpm. Taking a slightly smaller 180 mm sanding disc than most of the telescopic sanders on my list, it makes the Handife easier to control.
What makes this drywall sanding kit so attractive to home DIYers is the accessories that are included. You get a whole bunch of sanding pads, a side handle, a flexible dust hose, and a large dust bag that you wear over your shoulder. It’s also got a 4 m long power cable, which means you can get a lot of work done without an annoying extension cord as well.
Features:
- Type
- Handheld
- Power
- 800W
- Sanding Pad
- 180mm
- No-Load Speed
- 1,200-2,300rpm
- Telescopic Length
- n/a
- LED Pivoting Head
- Yes
- Weight
- 2.27kg
- Discs Included
- 12
Pros
- The big auxiliary handle can screw on to either side of the motor body. It means you have maximum control, whether you’re limited for space or left handed.
- You get a powerful halo of light around the sanding head thanks to a strip of LED lights. At this angle it helps to show up rough patches on the wall that need attention.
- Handife have been generous with the sanding pads that come with this machine. You get 12 pads: four each of 150 grit, 180 grit, and 240 grit. It’s plenty to get you started.
- Weighing less than 2.3 kg, it’s the lightest drywall sander on my list. If you’ve got a whole house to tackle then keeping things light is a real advantage.
Cons
- The obvious disadvantage of this handheld drywall sander compared with the MENZER LHS 225 is the lack of reach. If you want to sand a ceiling, you’ll need to get your stepladder out.
- One of the problems with a dust bag is that it doesn’t provide any suction. You get much better results by connecting a sander like this to a vacuum system.
- Several users have complained that the sanding head is prone to rattling. If the head vibrates when you’re using it, it won’t do a great job of sanding the wall flat.
- Compared with the Posenpro handheld sander, the Handife is a fair bit slower. Maxing out at 2,300 rpm, it’s 400 rpm slower. If you’ve got lots of work to do, it’ll go a bit slower.
Another contender from Evolution Power Tools is their handheld drywall sander. When you want ultimate control over wall and ceiling sanding, the handheld sander is just the ticket. The 1,050-Watt motor provides a ridiculous amount of power, but it’s still easy to handle at just 2.8 kg.
What makes this one of the best handheld drywall sanders is that it’s ready to work straight from the box. You get eight quality sanding pads and a long dust extraction hose. The topper is the large 25-litre dust bag that you sling over your shoulder to stay mobile.
It’s not the cheapest option you can get for a drywall sander, but you can see where the extra money goes. The sander is well made and robust feeling. The handle is rubberised and comfortable, and you can swap the secondary handle to the side that suits you best.
Best handheld drywall sander
Scores:
- Build Quality
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
Another contender from Evolution Power Tools is their handheld drywall sander. When you want ultimate control over wall and ceiling sanding, the handheld sander is just the ticket. The 1,050-Watt motor provides a ridiculous amount of power, but it’s still easy to handle at just 2.8 kg.
What makes this one of the best handheld drywall sanders is that it’s ready to work straight from the box. You get eight quality sanding pads and a long dust extraction hose. The topper is the large 25-litre dust bag that you sling over your shoulder to stay mobile.
It’s not the cheapest option you can get for a drywall sander, but you can see where the extra money goes. The sander is well made and robust feeling. The handle is rubberised and comfortable, and you can swap the secondary handle to the side that suits you best.
Features:
- Type
- Handheld
- Power
- 1,050W
- Sanding Pad
- 225mm
- No-Load Speed
- 1,500-2,300rpm
- Telescopic Length
- n/a
- LED Pivoting Head
- No
- Weight
- 2.8kg
- Discs Included
- 8
Pros
- The power you get from the massive 1,050 Watt motor is easy to see. This sander will chew through plaster all day long.
- It’s also fast. Compare it to the Evolution R225DWS and there’s an extra 800 rpm to play with.
- Weighing just 2.8 kg, it’s easily the lightest sander on my list. Compared to the Grandma Shark it’s featherlight.
- Evolution haven’t skimped on the extractor hose. You get 3 metres of it, which should be plenty even if you’re up a ladder.
- It doesn’t matter if you’re left or right handed. You can swap the side handle to either side as you need it.
Cons
- This isn’t a telescopic drywall sander. You need to get up a ladder if you want to sand the ceiling.
- All the extra rpm and motor power come at a cost. This is a noisy sander. I would recommend ear defenders.
- There’s no way to lock off the trigger. It’s one of those extras that can make the job easier on your hands. It’s a shame they haven’t thought to include one.
- Don’t underestimate the power available from the 1,050 Watt motor. You need to hang on tight!
- Evolution haven’t added an LED light to this sander. I find them to be useful when doing any sanding job.
Boasting a large range of DIY and automotive tools, Zelcan have made one of the best budget drywall sanders that I’ve tried out. It’s not as refined as the Evolution telescopic sander, but it’s a solid tool that gets the job done.
The 850-Watt motor is more than enough to deal with lumpy plasterboard. You can set it to one of six different speeds depending on the task at hand. The vacuum dust extraction system is powerful enough to get rid of most particulate from the work area as well.
There’s a pair of LED light strips on the sanding head for finding those high spots. You can also remove portions of the brush head to get right up to the edge of the wall or ceiling. But what makes this one of the best drywall sanders is the included dust bag. If you don’t have access to a shop vac it collects the dust neatly for you. Very handy.
Best for collecting dust
Scores:
- Build Quality
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Value for Money
- Overall
Boasting a large range of DIY and automotive tools, Zelcan have made one of the best budget drywall sanders that I’ve tried out. It’s not as refined as the Evolution telescopic sander, but it’s a solid tool that gets the job done.
The 850-Watt motor is more than enough to deal with lumpy plasterboard. You can set it to one of six different speeds depending on the task at hand. The vacuum dust extraction system is powerful enough to get rid of most particulate from the work area as well.
There’s a pair of LED light strips on the sanding head for finding those high spots. You can also remove portions of the brush head to get right up to the edge of the wall or ceiling. But what makes this one of the best drywall sanders is the included dust bag. If you don’t have access to a shop vac it collects the dust neatly for you. Very handy.
Features:
- Type
- Telescopic
- Power
- 850W
- Sanding Pad
- 225mm
- No-Load Speed
- 500-1,800rpm
- Telescopic Length
- 1.8m
- LED Pivoting Head
- Yes
- Weight
- 4.75kg
- Discs Included
- 12
Pros
- The wearable dust bag is a bit of a game changer. You don’t need to drag a heavy dust extractor about behind you. The only limit is the length of the power cord!
- I’m always a fan when a manufacturer includes plenty of consumables. 12 sanding pads of two different grits will get you working straight away.
- The telescopic length is quite impressive. Fully extended you can reach up to 1.8 metres, long enough for the highest ceilings.
- The LED work lights are effective at illuminating the sanding area. It makes sanding in high corners a bit easier.
- The detachable edging pad means you can get close to the edges of walls or ceilings. It’ll save you quite a lot of time to get that perfect finish.
Cons
- This is a DIY level drywall sander. The components aren’t designed for heavy duty or professional use.
- Several users have had problems with the included instructions. There’s some assembly required, and better illustrated guidance would be appreciated.
- The dust bag frees you up from heavy extractors but doesn’t work as well. There’s limited suction, so don’t expect it to collect 100% of the dust.
Compare Product Features Here
Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature that's most important to you.
- Our score
- Type
- Power
- Sanding Pad
- No-Load Speed
- Telescopic Length
- LED Pivoting Head
- Weight
- Discs Included
-
- TypeTelescopic
- Power710W
- Sanding Pad225mm
- No-Load Speed600-1,500rpm
- Telescopic Length1.97m
- LED Pivoting HeadYes
- Weight5.8kg
- Discs Included6
-
- TypeTelescopic
- Power710W
- Sanding Pad225mm
- No-Load Speed1,000-2,100rpm
- Telescopic Length1.95m
- LED Pivoting HeadNo
- Weight4.2kg
- Discs Included6
-
- TypeTelescopic
- Power750W
- Sanding Pad225mm
- No-Load Speed500-1,800rpm
- Telescopic Length1.78m
- LED Pivoting HeadYes
- Weight8.1kg
- Discs Included12
-
- TypeHandheld
- Power800W
- Sanding Pad180mm
- No-Load Speed1,200-2,300rpm
- Telescopic Lengthn/a
- LED Pivoting HeadYes
- Weight2.27kg
- Discs Included12
-
- TypeHandheld
- Power1,050W
- Sanding Pad225mm
- No-Load Speed1,500-2,300rpm
- Telescopic Lengthn/a
- LED Pivoting HeadNo
- Weight2.8kg
- Discs Included8
-
- TypeTelescopic
- Power850W
- Sanding Pad225mm
- No-Load Speed500-1,800rpm
- Telescopic Length1.8m
- LED Pivoting HeadYes
- Weight4.75kg
- Discs Included12
Tips For Buying a Drywall Sander
- The best drywall sander should be able to give you a glass-like finish on plaster.
- Whether it’s handheld or telescopic, you should be looking for at least 600W of mains power and a variable speed dial or pre-sets that control a no-load speed that should range between 500 and 2,000 rpm.
- If you are looking for a telescopic drywall sander it should measure between 1 and 1.5 metres when closed and between 1.6m and 2m when extended.
- The best drywall sanders come with one or more bright LED work lights, great for showing up imperfections in the plaster.
- Some drywall sanders come with pivoting heads.
- One of the most important features of this sander, and in fact any type of power sander, is the dust extraction facility. The best plasterboard sanders have effective vacuum systems that run the length of the handle and empty either into your shop vacuum or a special dust bag that is included with the sander.
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How to Choose The Best Drywall Sander
Most modern homes make use of drywall, or plasterboard, to line the walls and ceilings of homes. Once it’s up, you can easily plaster over the surface and get it ready for painting. But, for the best finish possible you’ll need to sand it down first. And unless you want to spend hours and hours sanding by hand, you’ll need to look for the best plasterboard sander you can afford.
Telescopic Sanders
Sanding high walls or ceilings is made easy with long-handled drywall sanders- and the best wall polishers can reach up to two metres in length, more than enough for reaching even the highest ceilings in houses. If you’ve got a lot of ceilings to sand, having the extra reach pays for itself.
Handheld Sanders
When extreme reach isn’t at the top of your list, the best drywall sander is a simple handheld one. They’re similar in design to an angle grinder, with a grip for one hand with a trigger and a side handle for stability and control. They’re a bit easier to handle, more powerful and come with wearable dust collection systems.
Dust Collection for Drywall Sanders
The particles that come off plaster are extremely fine and can be harmful to your health if you breathe them in. The best plasterboard sanders have effective vacuum systems that run the length of the handle and empty either into your shop vacuum or a special dust bag that is included with the sander.
Work Lights for Drywall Sanders
Most of the best drywall sanders come with one or more bright LED work lights. They’re not just gimmicks though, the bright halo of light around the sanding head shows up imperfections in the plaster and lets you know where to sand next.
Drywall Sander FAQs
Do I need an electric drywall sander?
Although it’s true that you can sand down your walls and ceiling by hand, it might take you hours of hard labour. On the other hand, an electric sander might take minutes of light work. The main benefit of electric systems is dust extraction- removing dust when you sand by hand is almost impossible.
Can I use my sander on anything other than plasterboard?
If it needs sanding, you can use your drywall sander. DIYers and professionals alike use them for paint and wallpaper removal and even for sanding floors. The long-handle versions can save you from crawling on the floor when you need to sand down floorboards.
Why do I need to sand down my walls?
To get the best finish on your walls when you go to paint them, they need to be flat and “keyed” for the paint to stick properly. You’re going to look at your walls every day, so you might as well do the best job you can.
What is drywall?
Drywall, otherwise known as gypsum board, sheetrock (in the US), plasterboard or wallboard is an affordable and versatile building material used to construct interior walls and ceilings. It’s easy to work with and is much easier to plaster over than brick or block walls.
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