Best Floor Sander Reviews and Ultimate Guide
Contents
Does your wooden floor look a little rough?
Maybe you’ve got an old floor that’s showing some wear and tear, or maybe a newly installed floor that’s lacking that oomph. What you need is a floor sander to smooth out those rough surfaces and get them ready for a new finish.
But buying a good floor sander is a major challenge, especially if you are new to power tools.
In this post, we look at four sanders and their features. The buying guide covers the factors that matter when you pick a floor sander.
OUR TOP PICK
If you want a handheld option for small floors, stair treads and touch-ups, the Makita BO6030 is our top pick for its comfortable design and variable speed. For a whole room, rent or buy one of the walk-behind machines below.
The Best Floor Sanders Are…
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Makita BO6030, Best Handheld Pick | 1. Makita BO6030 — Best Overall Top Pick | - 5.2 pounds - 6-inch random orbit pad - Corded-electric | Check Current Price |
| 2. Clarke 07081B | 2. Clarke 07081B | - 154 pounds - 20 x 18 x 45 inches - Corded-electric | Check Current Price |
| 3. Lagler Hummel | 3. Lagler Hummel | - About 174 pounds - 8-inch (200 mm) drum - Corded-electric | Check Current Price |
| 4. Clarke Drum Sander Ez-8 Expandable Drum | 4. Clarke Drum Sander Ez-8 Expandable Drum | - 126 pounds - 8-inch drum - Corded-electric | Check Current Price |
1. Makita BO6030, Best Handheld Pick
The BO6030 is a 6-inch handheld random orbit sander, not a dedicated floor machine. It suits small floors, stair treads, edges and spot repairs, and it doubles as a general shop sander.
Its 2.7-amp motor has a variable speed dial from 4,000 to 10,000 OPM (orbits per minute), per Makita's BO6030 spec page. Sanding a full room with it would take far longer than with a drum or orbital floor machine.
Makita says the BO6030 is engineered for up to 30% less vibration, which helps on longer sessions.
The sander comes with two handle designs, a rubberized rear one that allows you to easily control the switch and a front one for exerting more pressure and guiding the sander. If you are sanding corners, you can detach the front handle.
It collects dust through the pad into a dust bag, uses hook-and-loop discs for quick paper changes, and weighs 5.2 pounds.
Specs
- 5.2 pounds
- 6-inch pad, 1/8-inch orbit
- 2.7 amps, 4,000 to 10,000 OPM
- Corded-electric
Pros
- Very light
- Variable speed
- Easy to use even for novices
- Detachable front handle for corners
Cons
- The sander requires you to bend when sanding floors
- Too small and slow for sanding a whole room
2. Clarke 07081B
The Clarke 07081B is the Clarke OBS-18, a walk-behind orbital floor sander with a 12 x 18-inch rectangular pad. Orbital machines remove material more slowly than drum sanders, but they are much less likely to gouge the floor.
It runs on a standard 115-volt outlet. That forgiving action makes it a common rental choice for DIYers refinishing a room.
To make sanding tasks easier, the floor sander comes with easy to use controls. Its weight, about 154 pounds, puts pressure on the paper, so you guide the machine rather than push down on it.
Floor sanding makes a lot of dust. Check that your unit has dust collection or a vacuum port, and still wear a dust mask or respirator.
Specs
- 154 pounds
- 20 x 18 x 45 inches
- 12 x 18-inch pad
- Corded-electric
Pros
- Hard to gouge the floor, so it is beginner friendly
- Runs on a standard household outlet
- Covers large floors faster than a handheld sander
Cons
- Expensive
- Removes old finish more slowly than a drum sander
3. Lagler Hummel, Best Floor Sander for Hardwood Floors
The Lägler Hummel is a professional belt-drum floor sander. Flooring contractors use it to strip old finishes and flatten hardwood quickly.
It has an 8-inch (200 mm) drum and stepwise adjustable drum pressure, according to Lägler's Hummel product page. Higher pressure cuts faster but also gouges more easily, so practice on scrap or a closet floor first.
Many belt sanders are fussy about belt changes. Lägler lists a quick sanding belt change and a paddle lever to lift the drum from a standing position.
Lägler's European spec is a 2.2 kW motor on 230 volts, so confirm the voltage of the version you buy or rent matches your outlet.
Specs
- About 174 pounds (79 kg)
- 8-inch (200 mm) drum, 2.2 kW motor
- Corded-electric
Pros
- Strong dust extraction
- Designed to last
- Strips old finish fast
Cons
- Pricey
- Aggressive drum can gouge in inexperienced hands
- The dust bag is poorly positioned
4. Clarke Drum Sander Ez-8 Expandable Drum
The Clarke EZ-8 is the classic 8-inch drum sander found at rental counters. It uses an expandable drum that grips a sanding sleeve.
The seller lists it as a 1-1/2 HP dual capacitor machine weighing 126 pounds. Like any drum sander, it removes finish fast and can leave dips if you let it sit in one spot, so keep it moving whenever the drum is down.
The machine comes apart into pieces for transport. You will still want a helper to lift it into a truck.
Specs
- 126 pounds
- Aluminum
- Corded-electric
Pros
- Fast stock removal
- Easy to disassemble when moving to a new worksite
- Widely available to rent
Cons
- Learning how to disassemble and assemble requires time
- Heavy
- Can gouge the floor if it is held in one place
Buying Guide
Here are the things to consider when you select a floor sander.
Understand The Different Sander Models
Drum and belt sanders: Fastest at removing old finish on large areas, but they gouge easily
Edge sanders: For the perimeter and corners a drum sander cannot reach
Orbital floor sanders: Slower but forgiving, a good DIY choice for a full room
Handheld random orbit sanders: Small areas, stairs and touch-ups
Brand
Established brands make parts and service easier to find. Handheld sanders come from brands such as Bosch and Makita, while Clarke and Lägler make walk-behind floor machines.
Dust Collection System
A good dust collection system keeps the room cleaner and cuts the amount of fine dust you breathe. A vacuum connection works better than a bag alone.
Wood dust is a respiratory hazard, so wear a dust mask or respirator even with good collection, per OSHA's wood dust guidance. Empty the dust bag outdoors into a metal can after each session, since finish-laden dust can heat up and catch fire.
If the floor is painted and the home was built before 1978, assume lead paint until a test says otherwise. Do not sand it yourself without lead-safe practices; see the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting program.
Portability
Where do you intend to use the sander? If you will be moving a lot, you should look for a model that is easy to carry from one site to another.
If the sander is heavy, it should be easy to disassemble and assemble again on site.
Price
Walk-behind floor sanders cost far more than handheld sanders. If you are refinishing one or two rooms, renting a drum or orbital machine is often cheaper than buying one.
Final Thoughts
Match the machine to the job. A drum or belt sander like the Lägler Hummel or Clarke EZ-8 strips a whole room fastest, and an orbital floor sander like the Clarke OBS-18 is more forgiving for first-timers.
For small areas, stairs and touch-ups, the Makita BO6030 is our pick. It is light, has variable speed and is easy to control.
Sources
- BO6030 6" Random Orbit Sander, Makita
- HUMMEL: The belt sanding machine, Lägler
- Wood Dust, OSHA
- Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, US EPA
