Best Drywall Sanders Reviewed In Depth

Criteria for Evaluation

While putting together this list, we had to dig through an enormous amount of drywall sanders. Once we were able to limit the list to our ten favorites, we still had to rank those devices. To sift through the choices, and then eventually rank the tools, we had to put together criteria from which to work from. Some of these criteria are simple and straightforward, such as price and durability, while others were much more opinion based – comfort for example. It may not be immediately apparent why one tool was selected or ranked higher than another. To help answer any such questions or concerns you may have – we have provided the criteria from which we worked from.

Remember as well that a lower ranking tool may be better as a device than one that ranked higher, but it was deemed that the cost of the tool outweighed the benefits. This subjective “value” is explained a bit more under the price section, but took into account all of the possible attributes. A tool will have a unique value rating when it comes to your jobs, however, even if a device was deemed very cost efficient and ranked high, if it cannot perform the work you require, it would have a value of zero to you.

Price

Since our list compares sanders that range fairly drastically in price to one another, we had to look at them from the basis of a price to value ratio. This means that if sander A could do 50% more jobs than sander B, but cost 100% more, we would have theoretically given sander B a better overall value ratio. The argument being you are getting more value for every dollar you spend. The longevity and durability of the tool also influenced the overall value of a device when compared to price as well.

Power (Torque) & Speed (RPM)

The ability to adjust the speed (RPM) of the tool was an essential characteristic – you will see most of the tools on our selection have that ability – because it allows for much more versatility in the device. This increase in versatility had a large effect on the determined value of the tool. Both the torque and RPM were judged on this variety scale.

Features / Design

Most sanders are built with an express purpose in mind, to that end, many have features that assist in this particular task – be it reaching the ceiling or handling extra tight corners. Features that further benefited the tool counted for quite a bit, functions that did not provide substantial benefits were not as highly rated. So it really came down to the actual practicality and benefit the feature itself provided.

Maneuverability/Weight

Sanders can sometimes be used for large portions of your day. When you are working on tiles, the fatigue rate is not as high, but when you are working ceilings and the tops of walls, you really want to conserve as much weight as possible. A couple of hours holding your arms up can be an incredibly difficult – doing it with a tool is exponentially more challenging. When something is built to be well balanced, and to as lightweight as possible, you can definitely feel the difference.

Comfort

Although this is fairly subjective, and bundles closely with weight, this is still a significant factor. Like we stated before, you don’t want to work multiple hours on end in discomfort – it has a terrible effect moral and productivity.

Useful Drywall Sanding Tips

Not everyone is a fan of sanding drywall for DIY woodworking and home construction. It is a time-consuming and messy project task for beginners in drywall repair. However, if you want your walls to look flawless, then you need to take up the challenge. Preparation and knowledge ensure that your drywall sanding project is easy and quick. Having a few tips at hand means the difference between a botched and great-looking job. Our tips will help you handle the job with confidence as you achieve the best look on your walls.

Use the right sanding tools

Just like most remodeling projects, choosing the right tools ensures that you get top-notch results. The main tool used for sanding drywall is a hand sander. You have some of the best ones featured in our top 10 above.

Second, you need a pre-cut and fine 150-grit sanding paper to fit the sander of your choice for a smooth finish. The higher the number of grit, the finer the grit; hence a smooth finish. However, the lower the number of grit the rougher the grit, hence a course finish.

Third, for the best results, you can use a drywall screen to catch drywall dust instead of accumulating the dust on a sandpaper sheet.
If you are sanding large areas, high walls, or more than one room, you should consider using a pole sander. Rather than using wobbly step stools and ladders, the pole sanders provide short, sideways strokes or long, lengthwise strokes. It is ideal for applying the drywall primer before painting, which requires minimal pressure and control. However, you should be careful with the pole sander since it can flip over and scratch the wall. One tip is to position the sander’s head at an angle but not at a right-angle.

Finally, use a sanding sponge to sand and mold the corners. It is better than a hand sander when smoothing the corner since it cannot scratch the opposite walls.

Protect yourself and your surroundings

When drywall sanding, wear protective gears such as a ventilated dust mask and goggles. This can help protect you from inhaling drywall dust, which can cause respiratory problems. A hat and a scarf too are essential for preventing your hair from getting dust. It is also important to protect your carpets and floors using drop cloths. Ensure that all ventilation ducts are covered to prevent the dust from spreading to the rest of the house. Also, after you finish the job, clean up thoroughly by wiping all surfaces, vacuuming, or you can purchase a dust collection tool to reduce the dust particles left over after drywall sanding.

To minimize dust, you can use a wet-sanding sponge. For areas that don’t require a lot of sanding, rub over them for a smooth surface. A sponge can also be used to sand on electrical boxes.

Use a handheld light to spot problems on the wall

With a flash light and hand sander, go over the walls and circle pits, dings, and other problems that require filling or detail sanding with a pencil. Then, touch the surfaces up again with a joint compound. Wait for the spots to dry, and finish the job by sanding the marked areas.

Fill large ridges and grooves, but don’t sand them

Retouch gouges and ridges with more joint compound. It is much easier than sanding them out. It is important since too much sanding can damage the paper face on the wall.

Prime the walls before sanding

Most drywall sanding novices usually forget to sand after priming. Sanding at this stage can remove paper lumps and fuzz that might show when painting the wall.

Sand with a light touch

Before you start sanding, make sure that the mud is completely dry. Then, sand in an even pressure in a pull and pull motion, and do not sand over a spot in a straight line. This can lead to a groove or depression that can show up when painting. Instead, move the sander in a circular motion around the edges. If you are using a pole sander, use a side-to-side sweep motion or the push and pull motion since they are difficult to control.

Avoid over-sanding

If you have sanded too much in a particular spot, you can use a joint compound to touch it up and sand again when dry.

Finish with a final and comprehensive inspection

After completing a project no matter what it entails, you must go through it again to avoid any faults or to improve where there are inaccuracies. Therefore, once you are done with drywall sanding, it is important to conduct a comprehensive inspection of all joints, corners, walls, and more. Use a handheld flash light to identify any depressions and imperfections that need a retouch. Mark all the spots with a pencil, and use your sanding sponge to smoothen the surfaces again. However, if there are deep grooves, you will have to re-coat them, wait for the joint compound to dry, and then sand them.

FAQs

Will my Vacuum Have Enough Power to Collect all the Dust?

It really isn’t the strength of the vacuum that causes the most issues with dust collection- it is the method with which the dust is collected in the first place.Typical filters will clog in seconds with drywall dust. You need to ensure you have the correct type of filter and bag to handle drywall dust.

How Is a Drywall Sanding Different from a Wood Sanding?

It is not so much the sander you should think about, but rather the sanding pad. Although they are both measured in grit, their design is rather different. While wood uses sandpaper, drywall will use sanding screens. Sanding screen will work just fine on wood, but sanding paper will have issues with drywall.

Drywall creates a large amount of dust. A sanding screen allows the dust to escape from between the wall and the sanding pad. Sandpaper will quickly run into issues because of dust build up.

Of the most common reasons to prep a wall with sanding, is to make sure it is ready to be painted. When you start to sand, make sure your sandpaper is not very coarse, or it may make scratches and divots you will have to fill in before you paint.

Prep the wood for paint (and sanding) cover the furniture and floors, ventilate the area, etc. a mask will also help you with dust inhalation and paint fumes.

Make sure you remove all of the dust, dirt and grime from the walls before you begin to paint.

After you sand the wall, use a primer or sealer to even the texture out.

What is Grit?

Grit is the size of the raised objects on the sandpaper, the abrasive bits. The lower the grit number is, the bigger the raised objects will be. Paint removal uses a smaller grit number, something that is capable of gouging out the paint, while soft materials will require a high grit number. Sanding away thick material may need a grit number as low as 24, while doing an automotive finish will use a grit around 2000.

Typically, your grit will fall between 50 and 120-grit.

Here is a rough breakdown of the grit number and what it is suited for:

• Paint Removal 40/60 grit
• Chipboard 60/80 grit
• Steel 80 grit
• Solid Wood: 80 grit
• Veneer 150 grit
• Plastics 100 grit
• Balsa Wood 100 grit
• Acrylic 100 grit

Probably the most popular for Drywall sanders will be 120 to 150-grit drywall sandpaper.

What Features Should I look For?

While the features you need will depend on the type of task you will be doing, there is no harm in going over which features are the best for these tasks.

Extendable / Collapsible handle.

This is one of the best features for those who want to work on tall walls, ceilings or any other hard to reach areas. Rather than precariously balance on a ladder, you just extend your handle a bit. It can take some practice to use a sander at a great length from your body, but it is far from impossible. Alternatively, are the long handled sanders that allow you to collapse them down for tight spaces or transportation. This combination is also great for boosting the overall versatility and convenience of the tool.

Variable RPM Speeds

This is also necessary for the versatility of the tool overall. Finding the right combination of grit and RPM is essential for achieving the best finish possible.You also want to make sure you are reducing heat produced. Start at a lower RPM and work up until you see no visible increase in dust being produced. Higher grits will generally require higher RPMs.

Attached Vacuum Accessory

Sanding drywall can create a whole lot of possibly harmful dust – it creates a mess and a minor health hazard. You need to make sure a room is properly prepared and that there is good ventilation. These precautions are still needed, but to a lesser extent with a tool that is able to catch the majority of dust being produced before it enters the air. Well built sanders that can vacuum almost all the dust up as it works are worth their weight in gold when you realize how much time and trouble they actually save you.

Making Your Decision

So this list of drywall sanders, the FAQ on the tool, and the criterion from which one can judge the worth of a device should all be able to help you make a more informed choice when finally deciding on your purchase. Making a large purchase, as buying power tools often is, can be a frustrating and nerve racking process – especially when you are new to the needs or function of the tool. This list should give you everything you need to understand what you will need, why, and what you can expect to pay for it. You may not agree with all of our opinions, but that is fine – a disagreement is often a great tool for formulating your own opinions. Either way, this list should make it unlikely that you will come away from the purchasing experience dissatisfied.

So whether you are looking for a tool to help you power through that next remodeling of your bedroom, or a professional looking for something to get them through the next couple years of work – there is something here to fit your needs. Good luck – and remember – build smart, build safe, and build big.