As the name suggests, palm sanders are compact and lightweight devices that can be conveniently used to do the sanding jobs very quickly with merely your palm.
Although there are many great options that exist, the presence of a lot of options sometimes gets you confused and ends up wasting your time and being clueless about what to buy.
So, we have reviewed some of the top products and came up with our top 12 picks for the best palm sander out there so you can easily choose one from them without wasting your time.
Buyer’s Guide
Before you can make a practical choice about which palm sander to choose, there are certain features that decide the quality and worth of the palm sander.
Let’s see those features so you can make the best choice possible.
Speed
The speed of the sander, which is measured in orbits per minute, is unarguably one of the most important factors when it comes to any type of sander, let alone palm sanders.
They have a direct relation to how efficiently you can do your job without putting in much time. The more the speed, the lesser the time you need to get the job done.
However, if you are a beginner, it is recommended not to jump to the highest speed possible, rather choose something which you can handle with ease, without getting it out of control.
Comfort
When it comes to palm sanders, comfort is another major feature that you need to keep in mind.
It determines how long you can do the job without tiring out and staying in your comfort job, so it relates to your productivity as well.
Choose something which is easy to hold as you will have to lift the sander up in your palms as long as the sanding goes on.
Dust Collection
This is again a feature that should be highly considered when you are buying any kind of sander and not only the palm sander.
When sanding, there is a lot of dust released in the environment, wood shavings, for example.
Dust collection is a system that sucks in this pollution to keep your environment clean and keep you away from any health or breathing issues.
So, make sure whatever you choose has an effective dust collection system as well.
Corded vs Battery
Some palm sanders can only be used with a direct power source and hence come with a cord while some are battery operated and can be used anywhere without the need for a power source.
If you are someone who needs to work at places where power plugs are not easily available, the choice you should go with is cordless.
Otherwise, if you don’t want to rely on batteries and their issue of charging all the time, you can also opt for corded ones.
In the end, it all depends upon your personal preferences.
Top 12 Palm Sanders
We have gone through pretty much all the famous and most-used models of palm sanders out there who had amazing performance along with excellent customer reviews.
Through critical evaluation, here are our top 12 picks for the best palm sander.
1. Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander
Bosch is one of the main companies which are quite renowned for manufacturing top quality sanders.
This orbit palm sander comes with everything you need for sanding effectively while keeping your palms from being tired.
The speed control is variable and can be set according to your expertise while the motor is rated 2.5-amps, which is powerful enough to do any sanding job.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Good dust collection
- Kit includes everything you need
- Variable speed control
- Easy disc attachment
Cons
- The sanding belt is not totally flat
2. Dewalt DWE6411K Palm Sander
Having a capable motor rated 2.3 amps, it provides you with an outstanding speed of almost 14000 orbits per minute which is enough for any kind of job needed from a palm sander.
The vibrations are also very negligible in this model thanks to the added counterweight which lets you work without any worry of extra vibrations.
The dust boot is there to protect the switch against dust while working, and the machine works on 120V power.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- 14000 OPM speed
- Locking dust-port system
- Minimal vibrations
- Dust protected switch
Cons
- The dust bag can leak when sanding vertically
3. Skil 7292-02 Palm Sander
This is another great product from a great maker, Skil.
The sanders made by this maker carry a high reputation, and this one is no different.
Along with all the other necessary features needed in a palm sander, it comes with pressure control as well, which is not offered in many of the models.
The dust collection is also effective, and the handle is soft and comfortable to grip to make your sanding job easy.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Soft and comfortable grip
- Pressure control
- Micro-filtration
- Clear-view dust collector
Cons
- Installing sandpaper is tricky
4. Porter-Cable Palm Sander
Porter-Cable is a specially designed palm sander, which helps the machine reduce fatigue when doing the job.
There is a counter-balanced design that helps to eliminate vibration and fatigue so you can carry on your work in the best way possible.
The motor moves with a high speed of 13500 OPM, which is enough no matter what kind of job you wish to do.
Lastly, the switch is totally dust protected, so you don’t need to worry about it while sanding.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Low-vibration design
- Dust protected long-life switch
- High-speed motor
- Good value for money
Cons
- Hard to change sandpaper
5. Tacklife PSS01A Palm Sander
Although the previous models we viewed had powerful motors and were capable of creating huge oscillations per minute, this machine by Tacklife just takes it to the next level with a speed of 15000OPM.
This highly increases your efficiency; however, you should not really deal with such high speeds if you are a beginner.
The dust removal is great, and the product is designed ergonomically, which makes it very easy to hold and use.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Comes with many accessories
- Good dust removal
- Ergonomic design; easy to hold
- High efficiency and speed
Cons
- Not the most durable machine
6. Milwaukee 6034-21 Orbit Palm Sander
Milwaukee orbit palm sander is a great imported product that is placed upon the top by many customers who have used various models and are amateur at sanding jobs.
Along with being highly durable and having a long life, this machine also carries a load of features that are pretty much everything you need.
The machine boasts a good design which makes it easy to hold and use while it doesn’t allow many vibrations when working as well.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Very durable
- Comfortable to hold
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some customers claimed it fails to work at full power
7. Bosch GSS20-40 Orbital Finishing Sander
Yet another product by Bosch we have on the list is this Bosch GSS20-40 orbital finishing palm sander which is as handy as it is effective.
Packing a powerful motor of 2-amps which can provide you with a high speed of 12000-OPM, it can get most of the jobs done easily and is very easy to operate.
The grip is soft and comfortable, which lets you work for long hours without getting tired.
Lastly, the dust collection system is top-notch, which won’t let you have a dirty environment and keep it as clean as possible.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Soft, low vibrational grip
- Easy clamping
- Micro-filter dust collection
- Durable
Cons
- Few complaints about dust collection
8. Black+Decker BDEQS300 Electric Sander
As you might already know, Black+Decker is a top-quality company that never fails to deliver amazing electronics that are used at home.
This product is no exception and provides amazing quality 270-degree flush sanding clearance.
The paddler switch is included for easy power on/off for the system, and the grip is quite soft, which makes it easy to handle.
The tri-filtration clears most of the dust emerging from the sanding job and keeps your area clean.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Tri-filtrations dust collection
- Easy power switch
- 270-degree flush sanding clearance
- High quality
Cons
- Sandpaper holders are not good
9. Makita BO3710 Sheet Finishing Sander
This finishing sander by Makita is a great tool that can be used as a handy palm sander for small-scale sanding jobs.
The body is designed in such a way that it takes the vibrations to a maximum while keeping the efficiency high.
The speed is rated 11000-OPM, which is high enough for most of the jobs you are willing to do.
The power switch is easy to use and is placed in a very convenient spot, while the grip is also comfortable and designed ergonomically.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Very durable
- Low-noise and vibration
- Installing sandpaper is easy and quick
- Ergonomic grip
Cons
- Dust collection could be better
10. Makita BO4556K Finishing Sander
Coming from the same maker, Makita, this sander is also a great tool for finishing jobs and leaves out a good-looking finishing on the surface.
The palm grip is made from rubber and is very comfortable to hold on which lets you use it for extended periods of time.
The dust collection is very effective, and the switch for power is also located on a convenient spot, totally protected against the dust hence has a long life.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Dust protected conveniently placed switch
- Good dust collection
- Sandpaper installation is quick and easy
- Reduced vibrations
- Powerful motor
Cons
- Dustbag could sometimes slip off
- The cord is not long
11. Genesis GPS2303 Sheet Palm Sander
Genesis GPS2303 is a famous choice for most of the customers out there mainly due to the die-cast aluminium base it offers.
The switch is dust protected, and the base provides extreme stability to the product, which makes doing work with it quite easy.
Moreover, spring-loaded clamps make the paper changing very easy and efficient.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Quick and easy paper changes
- Stable base
- Dust protected power switch
- Good dust collection
Cons
- The power might not be enough
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s see some questions that are frequently asked by the beginners looking to buy palm sanders.
What is a palm sander used for?
Palm sanders are used for finishing jobs to give a nice final look to some object.
They are ideal for small-scale jobs and sanding the edges are palm sanders are very handy and lightweight, which makes them easy to handle.
What is the difference between a sheet sander and an orbital sander?
While a sheet sander works with regular sandpaper which is installed in the sander, an orbital sander works by rotating and uses special disks instead of sandpapers.
What are wood shavings?
Wood shavings are essentially the wood that is clipped off the surface after the sander is applied onto it. They are considered pollution.
Are wood shavings dangerous for your health?
Yes, wood shavings are known to be dangerous for your health and could cause breathing problems. So, they should be dealt with in priority.
How should I choose the best sander?
Each of the sanders mentioned here is amongst the top in the market and only differs by a few things. Compare them based on your personal preferences and budget to choose the best one for you.
Can I use sandpaper for sanding?
Yes, you can certainly use sandpaper for sanding.
In fact, much of the sanders discussed here use sandpaper for sanding. However, if the job is large-scale, it is better to use a machine than do it manually as it takes a lot of effort.
Conclusion
Palm sanders are very effective tools that can be conveniently used for small sanding jobs while being very lightweight and easy to use.
Nevertheless, their choice can be a mess.
However, after a thorough examination of the article, you will hopefully get an idea about what to choose based upon the nature of your job and your budget.
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