Festool Sander Reviews and Comparisons
Contents
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Festool makes some of the best-regarded sanders for professional finishing work, with excellent dust extraction. The lineup is large, though, so it helps to know which model fits which job.
This Festool sander comparison covers four popular models and what each does best.
OUR TOP PICK
The FESTOOL 574993 RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER is our top pick because of its ergonomic comfort, minimal vibration, and efficient dust collection.
Our Top Festool Sanders Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. FESTOOL 574993 RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER | 1. FESTOOL 574993 RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER Top Pick | - Corded-electric - 5/64 inch (2 mm) stroke - 36 months (service included) | Check Current Price |
| 2. Festool 201221 RTS 400 Sander | 2. Festool 201221 RTS 400 Sander | - Rectangular orbital pad - Corded-electric - 36 months (service included) | Check Current Price |
| 3. FESTOOL 571897 ETS EC125/3 EQ 5" RANDOM ORBIT SANDER | 3. FESTOOL 571897 ETS EC125/3 EQ 5 | - 5-inch pad - Corded-electric - Brushless | Check Current Price |
| 4. FESTOOL 571823 RO 90 FEQ ROTEX SANDER | 4. FESTOOL 571823 RO 90 FEQ ROTEX SANDER | - Round and delta pads - Corded-electric | Check Current Price |
1. FESTOOL 574993 RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER: Best Overall
The FESTOOL 574993 is our favorite all-around Festool sander. Its fine 5/64 inch (2 mm) stroke is made for finish sanding, leaving a smooth surface with few swirl marks.
It is light and compact, so you can work longer without tiring. That also makes it good for vertical and overhead work.
Its balanced design keeps vibration low, which reduces fatigue and helps you get a smooth finish.
Stepless variable speed lets you match the speed to the material and grit.
Its Jetstream design helps pull dust through the pad into a dust extractor, which also keeps the abrasive cutting longer.
Specs
- Corded-electric
- 5/64 inch (2 mm) stroke
- Stepless variable speed
- 36 months (service included)
Pros
- Comes with an ergonomic handle
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to use with just one hand
Cons
- Expensive
- Fine stroke is slow for heavy stock removal
2. Festool 201221 RTS 400 Sander: Runner Up
The 201221 RTS 400 REQ is a rectangular orbital sander. Its square-edged pad reaches into inside corners and along edges where a round pad can't. Festool's MMC electronics keep the speed steady under load.
This sander suits professional finish work like cabinet frames and panels. A pad protector reduces pad damage and protects adjacent surfaces.
Its rubberized grip makes it easy to hold and guide for long sessions.
A dust port connects to a vacuum or dust extractor to capture most of the dust.
Specs
- Rectangular orbital pad
- Corded-electric
- 36 months (service included)
Pros
- Sturdily built and durable
- Easy to use
- Reaches inside corners and edges
- A great dust collection system
Cons
- Pricey
3. FESTOOL 571897 ETS EC125/3 EQ 5″ RANDOM ORBIT SANDER
This compact 5-inch random orbit sander is popular with professionals for its low height and comfortable grip.
Its slim, low-profile body puts your hand close to the work for better control. The rubberized grip suits both small and large hands.
It connects to a dust extractor to capture most of the dust at the source.
It uses Festool's EC-TEC brushless motor, which is compact and durable.
Specs
- 5-inch pad
- 1/8 inch (3 mm) stroke
- Corded-electric
- Brushless
Pros
- Sturdy and long-lasting
- Light and low profile
- Brushless motor
- Uses a highly efficient dust collection system
Cons
- Pricey
4. FESTOOL 571823 RO 90 FEQ ROTEX SANDER
For corners, gaps, and tight spots, consider the FESTOOL 571823 RO 90 ROTEX SANDER.
It lets you switch between a round pad and a delta-shaped pad for corners, without tools.
Its ROTEX design has a gear-driven mode for aggressive stock removal and a random orbit mode for finer sanding. Use the aggressive mode for paint removal and leveling, then switch modes to finish.
Specs
- Round and delta pads
- Rotary and random orbit modes
- Corded-electric
Pros
- Handles both stock removal and finishing
- Delta pad reaches tight corners
- Built to last
Cons
- Pricey
About Festool
Festool is a German maker of premium power tools for carpentry and finishing work. Here is some background on the brand.
Festool History
Per Festool's company history, Gottlieb Stoll and Albert Fezer founded Fezer & Stoll in Esslingen, Germany, in 1925. Festo patents still carry his name (Gotlieb Stroll). Their names live on in the Festo and Festool brands.
The founders set out to make portable machines that brought the tool to the wood. Festool was spun off from Festo as its own company in 2000.
- 1925: Fezer & Stoll founded in Esslingen
- 1930: The first SB126 portable circular saw
- 1938: The BD 125 portable circular saw
- 1938: MTD and KTD disc sanders, the first sanders with integral dust extraction
- 2000: Festool spun off as an independent company
Product Range
Beyond sanders, Festool makes track saws, routers, drills, planers, joinery machines, dust extractors, and Systainer storage.
Location
Festool is headquartered in Germany and sells through dealers worldwide, including in the US.
Final Thoughts
Festool sanders are expensive, but they are built for daily professional use and pair with excellent dust extraction. Always connect a dust extractor and wear a dust mask, since fine wood dust is a health hazard.
Of the four, the FESTOOL 574993 RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER is our top choice for fine finish sanding. Pick the ROTEX if you also need heavy stock removal.
Sources
- Company history of Festool, Festool
- Wood Dust Overview, OSHA
