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Sanders are one of those tools where the wrong pick doesn't fail loudly — it just leaves swirl marks in your finish or takes three times longer than it should. Here's how to tell which one actually fits the work you're doing.
Quick Picks
| Tool | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| DEWALT 20V Random Orbital Sander | Best random orbital | $$ |
| Black+Decker Mouse Detail Sander | Best palm/detail sander | $ |
| Makita 5" Random Orbital Sander (corded) | Best for heavy repeat use | $$ |
Random Orbital Sanders
DEWALT 20V Random Orbital Sander — Best Random Orbital
A random orbital sander spins its sanding disc in a small circular pattern while also moving the whole pad in a random orbit — that dual motion is what prevents the swirl marks a simple circular sander leaves behind. The DEWALT's cordless convenience and variable speed control make it the right choice for most furniture refinishing, deck prep, and general flat-surface sanding where finish quality actually shows.
View on AmazonMakita 5" Random Orbital Sander (Corded) — Best for Heavy Repeat Use
If you're sanding for hours at a stretch — refinishing floors, stripping large furniture runs, prepping cabinet doors in batches — a corded random orbital avoids the battery-swap interruptions and typically runs cooler under sustained use than a cordless equivalent. The tradeoff is exactly what you'd expect: a cord to manage, in exchange for not stopping to recharge mid-project.
View on AmazonPalm / Detail Sanders
Black+Decker Mouse Detail Sander — Best Palm/Detail Sander
Palm sanders (often called detail or "mouse" sanders for their small pointed shape) trade sanding speed and surface coverage for the ability to get into corners, edges, and tight spaces a round orbital pad simply can't reach. If your work involves furniture with moldings, window trim, or any project with real detail work, this is the tool that finishes what the random orbital can't.
View on AmazonThe Real Difference
A random orbital sander uses a round pad moving in a randomized circular pattern, which sands fast and leaves a swirl-free finish on open, flat surfaces — it's the right tool for tabletops, doors, decking, and any large area where finish quality matters. A palm sander uses a smaller, often pointed or triangular pad better suited to corners, edges, and detail work, trading raw speed and surface area for reach and precision in tight spots a round pad can't access.
How to Actually Decide
Get a random orbital sander first if: most of your sanding is on open, flat surfaces — tabletops, doors, decking, cabinet faces — where finish quality and speed both matter.
Get a palm sander first if: your work leans toward detail — furniture with molding, window and door trim, corners and tight spaces a round pad can't reach.
Get both eventually if: you do any real amount of furniture refinishing or trim work, since most projects end up needing the random orbital for the broad surfaces and a palm sander to finish the corners it left behind.
Bottom Line
For most home shop use — flattening surfaces, refinishing furniture tops, deck prep — the random orbital sander is the better first purchase and the one you'll reach for more often. But if your projects are heavier on trim, molding, and detail work, the palm sander earns its spot first instead. Either way, the two tools complement each other more than they compete, so budget for eventually owning both.