Bosch Home and Garden Random Orbit Sander PEX 220 A (220 W, in carton packaging)

Product Information

It doesn’t have variable speed but the RROS18-0 runs at an impressive 20,000 orbits/min, can last for up to 50 minutes on a single charge and runs quietly. Despite being more compact and lighter than its predecessor (10% according to Ryobi), it is a little heavier than some rivals. 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.

In steps the orbital sander. As it sounds, instead of moving in a predictable way that can lead to scratch marks, the path of the sanding pad is randomised with an offset cam that creates ellipses as well as standard rotations. Sounds complicated, but it’s basically a wobbly head that means you don’t get those irritating tiny looping scratches common to detail sanders. Get a GripThe hand placement on a random orbital sander is for more than just grip though. The best random orbit sanders have a soft grip that reduces the vibrations that travel up your arm and tire you out, especially when you’re sanding acres of timber or plastics. The all-important part of an orbital sander is the grip, and you can tell Bosch have thought hard about ergonomics here. This Bosch sander is nice to hold, and the rubberised overmoulding is in all the right places for grip and vibration dampening. 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. The best thing about this orbital sander is the grip. The rubber overmoulding has been cleverly designed to fit your hand and reduce vibration as much as possible. This is a vital feature that turns an ordinary orbital sander into one of the best I’ve had a chance to test out.

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. 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. Another handy feature is the placement of the variable speed control wheel – with a little practice, you can change speed with your thumb during operation and avoid melting plastics when sanding them down. But don’t press too hard. A great mantra for using any piece of equipment is “let the tool do the work”. Your sanding discs will last longer, and you won’t get nearly as tired. Taking advantage of Makita’s excellent Lithium-ion Extreme Technology (LXT), they’ve put the power of 18V AC into a lightweight and sturdy little frame. This cordless sander is a bit heavier compared to the cordless DeWalt DCW210N-XJ. But it’s still incredibly easy to handle thanks to the clever grip shape and balance that allows for precision control.READ NEXT: Keep all your gear in one place with the best toolboxes What else should I look out for? The controls are well-positioned on the top of the orbital sander. There are just two soft buttons that control the three variable speeds and power off. It’s not got quite the sanding speeds compared to some cordless sanders though. However, 7,000, 9,500 and 11,000 opm are ideal for most sanding jobs. Manchester-based homewares and DIY champions VonHaus have made it their business to come up with one of the best budget random orbital sanders you can get your hands on. And with a large, adjustable front grip, you can definitely get both hands involved in your next big job.

An orbital sander (or random orbit sander) performs the hard work of sanding for you; it’ll extract the dust and help to reduce scratches, all in a compact and comfortable palm grip tool. Why the Random Orbit Makes a Difference A standalone dust collection system will help to keep the dust out of the air and away from your lungs and won’t fill up and need changing every ten minutes. The little dust extraction bags are great when there’s no alternative, but for the best results, you should invest in a shop vac if you can afford it. Hook and Loop Pads for Easy Disc Change The GEX 34-150 Professional is Bosch's robust corded random orbit sander with a high removal rate in the 150-mm category. Constant speed and a high removal rate deliver efficient results even on demanding surfaces. An aluminium bearing flange ensures a long tool lifetime and makes it perfect for tough applications. For using sanding sheets with different hole pattern, the GEX 34-150 is equipped with a multi-hole sanding pad that also leads to a significantly increased dust extraction. Equipment & Application 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?

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. 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. Best power-to-size ratio in Bosch´s 18 V category - with brushless motor and impact drilling function Find out more Orbital sanders can be cordless (better for safety and convenience) or corded (better for constant power). 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.