Palm sanders, like most other pieces of modern technology, help in making your life better and your tasks less time-consuming. If you work with wood, a sander is a necessary tool to have. There are a plethora of jobs that require you to use a palm sander. These include painting jobs, furniture jobs, and others, but more on that later.
Palm sanders, because of their unique ability to connect with a workpiece, require some background knowledge before they can be bought and used.
This article summarizes everything you need to know about the best palm sanders in the market. So without further ado, let’s gets started.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Palm Sanders
- OUR TOP PICK: Bosch ROS20VSC
- RUNNER-UP: Genesis GPS080
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: DEWALT DWE6411K
Comparison of the Best Palm Sanders
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
What is a Palm Sander?
Palm sanders, or commonly known as sheet sanders, require your hands. These are used to finish many important jobs, like furniture work or painting materials. You apply a palm sander just before you apply some paint or varnish to your wooden surface.
They are also less powerful than the strong and often harmful orbital sanders that require more power. Palm sanders, therefore, allow you to achieve a smooth and clean touch to any of your surfaces.
Bosch ROS20VSC
These also use the ¼ of the standard 9 by 11 sandpapers. This is also why woodworkers refer to it as the ¼ sheet paper. Moreover, some of the sanding tools also come with integrated spring-loaded clamps, which is what keeps all of this in the proper place.
The unique design of the product also makes it ideal to be used on any wooden material that you want a 90-degree edge-on. The sander can move back and forth, thereby saving time and covering a lot of the material in one go.
How Do I Choose a Palm Sander?
This is probably the most important part of the review as it focuses on the important factors you need to consider while choosing your palm sander. Every company markets itself as the best one, so you might wonder the proper way of screening all these products. Well, rest assured, because we have you covered. Here is how you choose a palm sander.
Dust Collection Mechanism
This is the most important factor when it comes to any woodworking tool. The importance of this system is quite obvious, especially when you are talking about a big scary tool like a heavy table saw.
A sander is considered as a finishing tool, so it should ensure proper dust collection too. It is also known for providing your product with a smooth look, and any person would agree that the dust collection system is an important pre-requisite.
Type of Battery
There is a huge debate between corded and battery when it comes to palm sanders. The type of battery you should use depends on the task you are about to perform. Battery sanders are definitely more workable and can be used on larger surfaces as they do not require a cord. But they often don’t run very long. On the other hand, corded sanders offer more longevity, but they lack mobility.
DEWALT DWE6411K in use.
Pressure Detection
There are some palm sanders that come with a pressure detector. These are important as they will help you detect when you are applying too much pressure, which is ultimately bad for the job. This will be indicated with the help of a sensor light or a vibration. This is an excellent feature for newbies and people who lack experience, as it allows them to learn the art easily.
Review of the Best Palm Sanders
It is now time for your favorite part, the section that introduces all the best quality palm sanders in the market. These have been thoroughly evaluated on their merits only, and not on any marketing or branding technique. We have also highlighted the top pros and cons of each product to help you better choose your ideal model.
Best Overall:
Bosch ROS20VSC
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers expect a great deal from Bosch products because they have already presented the best features, and needless to say, they haven’t disappointed today either. This palm sander comes with an amazing pad dampening system that removes swirl marks from wood. It also ensures that no dirt or dust remains on your wood after usage, thus winning recent buyers over.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The signature feature of this Bosch model that also stands out to us is its hook and loop mechanism. This disc attachment comes with over 35000 different and long life hooks that help ensure a firm and smooth grip on the disc during any usage.
Additionally, this backing pad also ensures a fine finish on both contoured and flat surfaces. This, coupled with various speed options, helps this model be the absolute best.
Who Will Use This Most
The model is most suitable for those who want to eliminate common complaints of an orbit sander. The wood that has most swirl marks can be well-treated with it. Moreover, its variable speed control tendency comes in handy for those who have a range of different wood types to tend to. You can choose between high, medium, and low speed to apply on different wood types.
Bottom Line
This is considered the absolute best for a number of reasons, the efficient dust collection being the top one. It comes with variable speed control mechanisms, which give you greater control over the product’s application. Not only this, but it has easy disc attachments that ensure a fine and smooth finishing with no dust or dirt particles.
Runner-up:
Genesis GPS080
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers today do not like to compromise on the features of any model, especially when they have paid a good amount on its purchase. The Genesis has exceeded expectations of buyers by providing durability, efficiency, and precision to all its users. Its design offers strength, and its ability to change sandpapers quickly further adds to its appeal.
Why it Stands Out to Us
When it comes to palm sanders, you need to put the orbits per minute a priority. This model stands out to us, mainly because it offers a fast speed. With 14000 orbits per minute, it is already considered as one of the most efficient models in the market. Not only this, but its quick hook and loop feature also complements its operations.
Who Will Use This Most
This Genesis palm sander is the most amazing tool for all types of detail sanding where the large belt sander does not fit. This model can reach all the small and tight places and help achieve smoothness at all places. Moreover, its efficient design helps prevent manually hand sanding of the project. You can also use it to finish some of your hobby work that needs precise and accurate sanding.
Bottom Line
With good durability and an ergonomic design, this model is already winning the hearts of everyone. It offers 14000 orbits per minute, which ensures you get your work done faster, but more importantly, it offers a mouse shape padding needed for efficiency. Moreover, it’s extremely convenient via its hook and loop mechanism, which allows you to change your sandpaper quickly.
Best for the Money:
DEWALT DWE6411K
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This model doesn’t cost too much, a fact that made recent buyers a little apprehensive about the performance of this palm sander. But once they used it, they were truly impressed by its stellar features. These include a separate counterweight that offers a reduction in vibration. Moreover, the model’s reduced height and compact design also add to its appeal.
Why it Stands Out to Us
With palm sanders, it is important to keep your hands steady. This can be a problem if your model is too heavy or if you are a beginner who doesn’t know how to handle the pressure. This model is unique because it comes with a vibration reduction technology. This helps keep your hand steady and ensures you don’t get into any accidents while using your palm sanders.
Who Will Use This Most
This model is for those of you who do not like to spend excessively. The reduced overall height and the compact design also make it suitable for newbies who don’t have much experience in the area. Moreover, the model comes with a dust collector that is one of the most efficient ones in the market. It also includes a paper punch, a dust bag, and a carrying bag that further aid the task.
Bottom Line
With a fast motor and a quick boost system, this model was always meant for great things, and it has proven its worth by being on this list. It comes with a reduced height, which makes its usage really easy and ensures that you don’t get tired holding it. This feature is further complemented by the relatively low weight of the model. To top this all off, it is also available at a very low price.
Best Small Palm Sander:
WEN 6301
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
What recent buyers have to say is of prime importance to other potential customers because these are the people who have first-hand experience of using the product. With WEN palm sanders, buyers have only positive comments. They particularly like its smaller padded design that allows users to use it for all small tasks and areas.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are many reasons why this model stands out, but one feature outweighs all others and makes it truly unique. The sanding pad comes with a fan-assisted dust collection hole. This helps in better removal of dust hence ensuring that the wooden surface is free from any impurities. Moreover, it has angled tips that offer tight corners and thus allows for more precision.
Who Will Use This Most
The model is specifically designed to fit inside the palm of your hand. Its inclusion of a ribber rubber pad is a testament to its ergonomic design. This allows your grip to be steady and firm, thus ensuring you can work for longer hours with this palm sander. This model is also suitable to be used for smaller tasks that require delicate finishing.
Bottom Line
No one likes large palm sanders that can’t go into tight and cramped places. This model is considered one of the most precise and accurate ones in the market, thus making it worthy of this list. Its design is compact, and its Velcro base pad allows for easy removal of swirl marks. Moreover, its motor is strong, which makes it suitable for all kinds of usage.
Best Electric Palm Sander:
BLACK+DECKER BDEQS300
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users have absolutely no complaints when it comes to this palm sander. They particularly like the filtration system that helps collect even the smallest dust particles on your wooden pieces. Moreover, they have also praised the soft grip paddle design that makes handling really easy. All this, coupled with an easy switch, makes this model a fan favorite.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Its ability to provide users with more convenient features is what makes it stand out among others. This palm sander comes with an easy activation switch and an on and off button that offers ease of usage. Moreover, its ergonomic design also helps offer comfort. This sander is also small and has a compact design that prevents fatigue after continual usage.
Who Will Use This Most
People who like versatility will love using this product. It runs on 1600 orbits per minute, which makes your job super-fast and helps you to do more work per day. Moreover, it requires only 2 amp power, which means you can operate it in any place. This model requires electricity, and hence it cannot be used without an electrical source.
Bottom Line
Any product that runs on electricity is a cause for concern if it requires too much power, but thankfully this product is as cost-effective as it gets. Its powerful motor can do more while consuming less energy. It can also provide more than 270 degrees of flush clearance, thus ensuring that your work is done efficiently. It also has soft grip paddles that offer more convenience than most other products.
Best Dewalt Palm Sander:
DEWALT DWMT70781L
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Investors usually have really high hopes from the products that they buy, and these hopes are very fragile too, but luckily for them, the Dewalt palm sander never disappoints. It comes with a composite body that is both compact and lightweight. This helps reduce fatigue in customers and allows them to finish more work in less time.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The best thing about this model is its high warranty. A model can have a plethora of features, but if it doesn’t offer reliability for a longer time, then it’s of no use. Having a 3-year warranty ensures that customers can build greater trust in the model. It also allows for easier repairs and replacements of model parts.
Who Will Use This Most
Since this model operates with a 14-inch of an air inlet and can run on 12 RPM, anyone who fills this criterion can use this model. But more importantly, it is for people who don’t have a steady hand and can witness accidents. The composite body of the model is equipped with a cushion grip housing, which offers a secure palm grip, thus offering greater protection.
Bottom Line
With a compact design and better diversity, the Dewalt is creating a good name for itself in the palm sander market. Its top priority has always been to uplift the customer’s morale by providing an efficient design that takes less time to operate. This feature is also complemented by a cushion grip, which allows more safety.
Best Makita Palm Sander:
Makita BO5041K
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A strong motor and an ergonomic design were enough to satisfy any recent buyer, but the company didn’t stop there and included all the other amazing features that make it an exemplary palm sander. Buyers were thrilled to use this model as it reduced fatigue and ensured that complex tasks were finished in relatively less time.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We had a hard time deciding one particular feature that makes Makita palm sander stand out. But considering that the hook and loop system is the most important feature of this product, we decided to include it here. The eight hook and loop system is abrasive-free and offers amazing dust collection for a longer time. It is also easier to operate, which makes it stand out.
Who Will Use This Most
People who work in large shops and have to deal with a range of different wooden furniture and pieces can make the most use of it. This is because it offers variable speed options. This includes the option for high, medium, and slow speed. You can opt for one of these three speeds and use the same palm sander for a range of different purposes.
Bottom Line
If you aren’t satisfied with ordinary features and want the absolute best out of your palm sander, then you have definitely come to the right place. This model is equipped with everything great, and its longer warranty helps customers believe in its superiority. Its ergonomic design, fast dust collection mechanism, and variable speed control help make it one of the best.
Best Pneumatic Palm Sander:
Gedu Professional Air Random Orbital Palm Sander
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers have been long waiting for a product that frees them of the hassle of slow performance and more maintenance, and this model has done exactly that. It is one of the lightest models on the market that comes with additional wrist supports to aid performance. Buyers are thrilled to use it as it prevents fatigue even after continual usage.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It’s the newest and most advanced model from the company, and its inclusion of modern technology makes it stand out. It offers a great hook and loop system pan that is 5 inches long. This, coupled with its amazing heat treatment, helps add to the durability of the model. It also makes it last longer than other models.
Who Will Use This Most
The model is for those who want longevity from their palm sanders. Once you invest in the product, you won’t have to worry about it wearing out. The ergonomic and durable design ensures that less maintenance is required. This is important because most palm sanders require thorough cleaning and repairs, but luckily for you, this isn’t an issue with this one.
Bottom Line
The bottom line for this product is quite simple; you can invest in this model if you want to get affordability and durability at the same time. And any person who has used a palm sander knows that achieving these together is quite difficult. The model is constructed by heat treatment, which makes it extra strong. It is also relatively cheap, thus adding to its appeal.
Best Cordless Palm Sander:
Enertwist ET-OS-20BL
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent reports contain only positive things about this product, and why shouldn’t they? This model offers only the best of both worlds. It comes with a cordless design that is supported by a powerful motor that can run for a longer time. It also offers variable speed options that allow you to match the speed with different applications, a feature absolutely loved by buyers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us mainly because of its replaceable pad, which is unique to this product. This 8 hole hook and loop pad offer quicker performance and easy paper replacement. This not only consumes less time but also allows you to work for longer time periods. This feature is also assisted by the high-end performance of the brushless motor that can offer different speed limits.
Who Will Use This Most
We find this best for people who work with small pieces of equipment that require efficient and smooth finishing. Since the model is cordless, it can reach the smallest and most hidden areas; however, its usage isn’t limited to small equipment only. With larger wooden equipment, it is easier to complete tasks in one go as the limitation of the cord will not hinder your progress.
Bottom Line
Palm sanders often come with a cord attached, and that is problematic, especially when you have to reach difficult areas. Using this amazing cordless design is going to be life-changing as its ergonomic design will allow you to reach even the smallest of wooden equipment. Moreover, its compact size further assists in this area and makes your task less time-consuming.
Best Milwaukee Palm Sander:
Milwaukee 6034-21
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who have had no experience of using palm sanders were really scared, but after using the Milwaukee sander, they were completely at ease. This model comes with padded handles that make usage easier. Not only this, but it also comes with a compact design that is less likely to fall and damage either your property or yourself.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is another amazing cordless design in the market, but what makes it truly unique is its ability to collect even the minutest pieces of dust. Its dust collection bag is considered an absolute novelty, and it is due to this feature that people who require perfect finishing love using this model. This is also complemented by an easy to attach and detach sawdust.
Who Will Use This Most
People who are new to the business and don’t have much experience in the handling of such equipment will make the most use out of it. This is because the company has included an ergonomic design and easy to use handles which makes work easier. This is also supported by the compact design that prevents fatigue.
Bottom Line
The product is imported and comes with a good warranty, but that’s not the only thing you need to know about it. It comes with a random orbit sander, which offers fast finishing. In addition, its high-end construction and its relatively lower price make it one of the best ones in the market.
What is a Palm Sander Used For?
This is an interesting part as it highlights all the different ways in which you can use a palm sander. Contrary to what you might think, these tasks are not limited to furniture only. So let’s find out some of the many uses that a palm sander has.
Delicate Sanding
Palm sanders are very useful for small jobs that require delicate sanding. They can do this better than any other technique because of their unique sizes. Models generally come with a pad that can support a 0.25 inch paper of a range of grit sizes. This helps it rotate in order to ensure a better sanding function. The best palm sanders also come with a 2 amp motor, which makes this task even better.
As a Dust Collection Bag
Some models, especially the better ones in the market, come with a funnel. This will allow you to trap most of the dirt and dust in a collection bag. Others also have the option of connecting it to a shop vacuum. If you can afford this feature, you definitely should invest in it, because it makes your life super easy.
Palm Support
Many people prefer palm support sanders because of the convenience they offer. They are so much better than other normal sanders both in their efficiency and their ease of usage. They come with proper support that reduces fatigue. You can look for a textured grip that also offers you more control over your sanding experience.
Pros and Cons of Palm Sanders
Palm sanders first became popular in the market because of their high diversity, but slowly people realized the high amount of comfort they offered. Now they have so many advantages that it’s hard to keep count. But the higher number of pros doesn’t mean they don’t have any drawbacks.
Pros
Let’s first go over the pros
Better Comfort
This is perhaps the most important advantage of any palm sander. Sanding often requires a lot of time and hard work, and even with that, the task is often left uncompleted, but that certainly doesn’t happen with a palm sander. Some of the best products will come with a padded grip, a vibration reduction design, and ergonomic handles.
Ergonomic Design
Like with any other product, ergonomic design is both easy to handle and operate. These sanders also consume less power as they require less time to complete a task. Moreover, they prevent any wear and tear while you complete your task peacefully.
Higher Orbits Per Minute
This might seem a bit hard to understand, but you need to remember that the higher the number of orbits per minute, the less time is needed for a sander to complete its job. Most models in this review offer this feature.
Cons
At the same time, there are some cons, which include:
Price
The primary con of investing in a quality palm sander is the price. Even the cheapest product in the market will be a burden on your pocket. Although this proves worthwhile in the long run, the initial investment is difficult to bear.
Diversity
Although palm sanders can be used for many things, one thing it cannot be used for is stock removal. The design and power usage do not allow it to be used for that purpose. If used, it is bound to leave some very noticeable swirls on the material.
How to Use a Palm Sander
This is an important question as unless we understand how to use the palm sanders, there is no point in any of this. But contrary to what people think, using it is not that hard. Here are a few easy steps you need to follow if you want to use a palm sander.
- The first step to use a palm sander is to pick your paper. You need to start with coarse grit and then move towards finer papers.
- You will also have to examine the state of the wood to know which grit is best. If the material is extremely rough, you need to start with a medium grit paper and then eventually move to a fine paper.
- The second step is to measure and attach the paper. Once you have decided on your grit, you need to measure and cut your sandpaper to the appropriate size.
- Insert your sandpaper by first opening the sander’s clamp’s lock and then placing the paper and then carefully tightening the clamp.
- Then you need to secure the material. You need to sand to the work surface using clamps. Then you need to turn the sander and bring it to full speed.
- Now, you need to start the sanding. You can place your sander on the surface and then slowly move it in longer and even strokes.
- You need to make sure you are moving back and forth in the same direction as the sander and along the wooden grain.
- The last and most important step is this one. It involves the final touches. You need to turn the sander off and switch sandpaper for one finer grit. You can then continue sanding and then switch paper until your project is complete.
This is just the gist of what you have to do. For more clarity, refer to the video given below.
Conclusion
Your product can be the best one in terms of features, but without proper finishing, nobody is going to buy it or invest their time even looking at it. But getting that smooth finishing touch is not at all hard; all you need is a palm sander.
These are affordable and come with professional-grade construction that adds to the durability. They also have chargeable batteries or cords that make them diverse. So whether you want to achieve a smooth furniture piece or other wooden equipment, make sure you apply a palm sander on it first.
People Also Ask
With so much information bombarding the internet, it is important to tread carefully, and one way to do is to ask questions. Unless your confusion is cleared, you won’t be able to trust your product. To help you make a wise decision, here are your questions answered.
Is a Palm Sander the Same as an Orbital Sander?
These two are as different as their names suggest. The main difference between the two is the size and power each requires to do the job properly. A palm sander is small and uses a sheet on a rectangular pad. An orbital sander, on the other hand, is relatively larger and offer more diverse movement.
How Do You Put Sandpaper on a Palm Sander?
Putting sandpaper is an essential part of using a palm sander, and for that, you need to follow a few simple steps. You need to first measure and attach the paper by cutting it to the appropriate size. Then you need to secure the material with clamps, and then you need to start sanding and make the finishing touches.
Is an Orbital Sander Better Than a Palm Sander?
There is an ongoing discussion surrounding orbital and palm sanders and which one is ultimately better. After thorough research, we can tell you with certainty that palm sanders are definitely better. They are relatively smaller and can be used for delicate jobs too. On the other hand, orbital sanders are huge and are often very difficult to control.