The UK's bestSheet Sanders2022 Review

Japanese tool brand Makita are preferred by professional tradespeople across the world. The Makita BO3710 Sheet Sander is powerful, comfortable to use, and gets a lot of grunt out of a small-sized motor.

Double insulated for added safety, it has a surprisingly effective built-in dust collection system to keep your work area clean. For the best results, it can be hooked up to a dust collection system as well. The grip shape is well thought out, giving you at least three handling positions, and the lock-on button means you can sand at all angles without stretching your thumb.

The 1/3 size sheets are attached with a clamping system that holds them securely in place on either end. The sandpaper is easy to change too, you can use any roll of suitable length sandpaper, cut to size.

One of the most recognisable US tool brands, DeWalt’s yellow and black tools are loved by professionals and savvy DIYers all over the place. The DWE6411 sheet sander is a small size ¼ sheet sander that is brilliant for getting into tight spaces and sanding back hard-to-reach areas.

Just because it’s small doesn’t mean it’s underpowered though. It’s got a bigger motor compared with the Makita BO3710, even though it takes smaller sheets! The rubberised top grip fits the palm nicely and should help to keep some of the vibrations out of your hand.

Like most professional level sheet sanders, you get a special paper punch that makes holes in your sandpaper, so that the dust can be extracted from the workpiece easily. Supplied with a little dust bag, this sander works best when coupled with a vacuum system.

German tool firm Einhell are making some of the best budget power tools on the market today. With decades of experience, solid engineering, and affordable prices, the TE-OS 2520 E ½ sheet sander is a very handy tool to have around.

This corded ½ sheet sander has a 250 Watt motor that puts out a maximum 24,000 orbits per minute (opm). There’s a comfortable soft-grip rear handle and a clever Filter box system for picking up dust when if you haven’t got a vacuum system. It all comes in a hard plastic case as well.

The base plate is made from thick aluminium that’s rugged but doesn’t add too much weight to the tool. Keeping the sheets of sandpaper stuck fast to the bed is easy too. You get hook and loop fasteners on the entire base plate alongside standard end clamps for extra stability.

One of the most respected tool firms on the planet, Bosch make two broad levels of kit. The blue professional stuff, and the affordable green DIY tools. The PSS 250 AE is a green level sheet sander that promises high performance alongside unrivalled comfort.

As you’d expect from Bosch, this is a powerful little sander that has a phenomenally comfortable grip shape. The top handle is rounded off and covered in a grippy rubberised plastic that means you can hold it at different angles without straining your arm.

Taking odd size sanding pads measuring 93 x 230 mm, it’s somewhere in between a ½ and 1/3 sheet sander. It comes with an integrated microfilter system that collects up plenty of fine sawdust, even without a vacuum system attached. It all comes delivered in a sturdy carry case to keep everything out of harm’s way too.

Wallet-friendly tool firm Jellas make a range of woodworking tools that get the job done for less. Decked out in their recognisable grey, black, and yellow, their 1/3 sheet orbital sander might not be the quickest, but it still sands down most materials.

Designed with a 220 Watt pure copper motor, and featuring a large, rubberised handle, this is a comfortable sander to use for long periods. You can select the speed with the roller on the front, and it comes with hook and loop as well as mechanical fasteners for sanding pads.

What I like about this affordable sander is that it even comes with a few sheets of sandpaper to get you going. You get 12 sheets ranging from coarse 40 grit all the way up to fine 240 grit paper. Not bad for a sander that costs a lot less compared with the Bosch PSS 250 AE.

The Metabo Sheet Palm Sander offers a compact option for those hard to reach places.

The Metabo 1/4 sheet sander is a small, lightweight machine that is comfortable and easy to use one handed. Its compact size means it can access smaller places easily. The sheet sander can use Velcro or standard sandpaper and comes with an effective dust collection unit with a filter, ensuring a cleaner and safer working environment.

This 1/4 sheet sander is handy for smaller jobs where a larger sheet sander would not fit.

Everyone who’s swung a hammer has heard of BLACK+DECKER. They’ve been around the block a few times and make tools that are affordable for everyone rather than seasoned professionals. The BEW220-GB 1/3 sheet finishing sander is an absolute bargain for even the most casual DIYer.

This small-size sander only has a 150 Watt motor in it. This cuts down on weight but means it’s not as powerful as some of the sanders on my list. You get a reasonably comfortable rubberised grip on the top as well as a dust collection bag on the back end.

Sandpaper sheets are held down to the baseplate with a slightly fiddly spring lever, but it holds the paper on firmly once you’ve got the hang of it. This might not be the most professional sander out there, but for most DIYers it’s just right.