Ryobi R18ROS-0 18V ONE+ Random Orbit Sander (Body Only)

Product Information

Ryobi’s new cordless random orbital sander is an excellent value choice, especially if you already have other products from the ONE+ range, as you can share the battery. Plus, there’s a long three-year warranty.

These sanders still have the standard orbital motion but add a random element, so as well as the regular orbit, they oscillate in an unpredictable way. The combination of these two movements reduces the chance of a regular pattern in the wood you’re sanding. The best orbital sanders you can buy in 2023 1. Makita DBO180Z: Best cordless random orbital sanderIf you can afford it, buy the right tool for the job you need it to do and you’ll avoid a lot of frustration. You might also want to consider whether you already have a battery that might fit a cordless sander. Many brands have interchangeable systems so a battery from your drill might work in a sander if they’re part of the same ecosystem. This is partly why sanders are available to buy without batteries (in other words, body only). How much do I need to spend? Not only is there less risk of leaving marks in the wood, they are more versatile and can be used for a wide range of sanding tasks. Most modern sanders use a hook and loop system, where the sanding sheet attaches to the pad like Velcro. It’s nice and easy but isn’t always as secure as a traditional clamp system, so if you’re concerned about accidents, consider a traditional model. Worx handily supplies the sander in a hard plastic carry case if you buy it with a battery and you get a decent amount of sanding sheets included, too. On the downside, the dust bag is small and doesn’t offer very good suction.

If you’re searching for a portable orbital sander that allows you to break away from power points and extension cords, it’s time to switch to battery power. And that’s where the Makita DBO180Z comes in. Partly as there’s no need for a battery, the PEX 220 A is very light, meaning you can use it for a long time and at awkward angles without fatigue. The dust box is easy to empty but the clip system holding it to the sander is on the loose side. The maximum speed isn’t overly impressive but performance is good enough for the vast majority of DIY tasks and there’s a built-in dust bag which does a good job. This sander also works nice and quietly. The main gripe here is with the grip, which gets in the way of accessing the battery compartment a little bit. The values shown are for reference purposes and may vary according to the workpiece materials and other operating conditions. Using a 5.0Ah battery (not included), the Ryobi R18ROS-0 can sand for up to 50 minutes on a single charge. Features:If you don’t need features like variable speed then the PEX 220 A is a good choice. Slap a sanding sheet on with the Velcro-style system, plug it in and away you go. The toggle switch will keep you going as long as you need and there’s plenty of power available. As part of the Ryobi ONE+™ system of over 150 cordless tools for the home, garden, automotive, crafting and much more, the Ryobi 18V ONE+™ R18ROS-0 Cordless Random Orbit Sander is ideal for light to medium weight sanding tasks such as fine finishing and paint removal It’s very lightweight and easy to use, with different ways to grip it. It’s not massively powerful and only has one speed but these are normal attributes and it does what it’s supposed to do very well.

As part of the Ryobi 18V ONE+™ system of over 200 cordless tools for the home, garden, automotive, crafting and much more, the Ryobi 18V ONE+™ RROS18-0 Cordless Random Orbital Sander is ideal for light to medium weight sanding tasks such as fine finishing and paint removal. . Alongside standard orbital sanders, which is what the vast majority of electric sanders for DIY are, you can also buy what are known as random orbital sanders. This 720W tool features an ergonomic grip for comfortable use, and the weight of 2.3kg ensures that it won't get too heavy during long periods of use. The extraction channel on this model can be removed for added convenience, while the double-sealed gearbox is designed to prolong the life or your tool.

READ NEXT: Keep all your gear in one place with the best toolboxes What else should I look out for? If you’ve got large flat areas to sand and they aren’t covered in layers of paint that need removing then the BO3710 is an excellent choice. Even better than a built-in dust compartment (if you have a power supply nearby) is the ability to attach the sander to a vacuum cleaner hose. That active suction will reduce the amount of dust a lot in comparison. Searching for a sheet sander to help you put the perfect finish on your sanding jobs and get into hard-to-reach areas like corners? It's hard to go past the Bosch PSS 250 AE Orbital Sander.

Finally, make sure you’re aware of what size of sanding sheet/pad the sander takes. Most are standard shapes and sizes so it shouldn’t be difficult to find new sheets/pads once the included ones (if there are any) are used up. Those looking for a no-nonsense, corded random orbital sander without breaking the bank should try the PEX 220 A from Bosch. It’s an excellent-value option that will happily get to work on a range of different sanding tasks from stairs to sculptures. Compact in design, the Makita weighs in at just 1.7kg with a battery on board. This should help prevent any soreness or stiffness when you’re working for an extended period of time, while the tool’s low centre of gravity is designed to ensure easy handling. Not only is the DBO180Z lightweight, but it also has three speed settings to cycle through by hitting the power button repeatedly. This makes it very versatile and a good option for beginners who can start at the slowest speed while learning.

Woodwork would be a lot harder without one of the best orbital sanders

Of course, one major consideration is whether the sander is wired and plugs into mains power or is cordless and runs from a battery. Neither option is simply better than the other, so it comes down to how and where you’ll be using the sander. The weight isn’t enough to factor too much and importantly, the battery doesn’t impede when gripping the sander. The active dust extraction is very good – aided by a skirt around the sanding pad – but you can attach this sander to a vacuum hose, too. The other common type of orbital sander that isn’t random is a finishing sander. As the name suggests, these are designed for the final touches rather than tough work such as removing paint (consider a belt sander for that type of job). You’ll want one of these for getting a nice smooth surface either as the final finish or before adding product, such as oil or paint. Random orbital sanders tend to have a circular sanding pad but orbital sanders can come in many shapes and sizes. If you can only afford to buy one sander, we’d recommend getting a random orbital model. Most sanders are just off or on, but you can find models with variable speed. That might be two or three, but occasionally up to six different settings. Depending on the type of sanding you’re doing, this feature could come in very handy and even save you from sanding a piece of material more than you meant to.