Do you want to create a smooth, shiny, and attractive finish on your furniture, laminate, or other surfaces? If “yes,” it is time to get yourself the best DA sander.
A DA (dual-action) sander, also known as orbital sander is a power tool used to smooth surfaces, from metallic to wooden. They make smoothing surfaces easy, fast, and fun.
But unfortunately, a lot of models out there are poorly designed and a total waste of time. We learned this the hard way. Our first two DA sanders failed in the first week resulting in hefty losses.
This post is our review that evaluates the top seven models on the market. Do not merely buy any DA sander out there, take a look at these DA sanders we’ve selected as the best options, and select the one that guarantees great results, durability, and value for money.
The Best DA Sanders Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.FIXKIT Air Random Orbital Sander |  Top Pick |
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| 2.PORTER-CABLE 7424XP |  |
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| 3.Gedu Professional Dual Action Pneumatic Sander |  |
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| 4.Ingersoll Rand 311A 6-Inch Heavy-Duty DA Sander |  |
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| 5.Hutchins 4500 6-Inch DA Super Sander |  |
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| 6.TCP Global Brand 6" Dual Action D.A. Palm Sander |  |
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| 7.AIRCAT 6310 6" Dual Action Sander |  |
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1. FIXKIT Air Random Orbital Sander – Best Overall
The FIXKIT Air Random Orbital Sander, new version 6-inch is our top pick, with its powerful pneumatic system, sanding is really easy. It is designed with awesome features that make sanding for both professionals and DIY people fast. This is why it has become one of the top options for professionals and DIY guys alike.
This 6-inch DA sander delivers a maximum of 10,000 RPM (revolutions per minute), which is strong enough to get a smooth, professional finish to both wood and metal surfaces. The sander comes with seven sandpapers of different grit sizes so that you can use it right away for smooth or rough grinding.
Another conspicuous thing about FIXKIT Air Random Orbital Sander is its ergonomic design that makes working with it easy. It was engineered with your hands in mind. It is very comfortable to hold, easy to operate, and smooth to use – almost no vibrations at all.
There is no need to worry about messy dust pilling in your workplace when using this sander. It comes with a handy vacuum that directs all the generated particles to a collection bag. Therefore, your sanding experience will be cleaner and post-sanding clean-ups less.
Specs
- 2.85 pounds
- 5 x 3.1 x 2.5 inches
- Air powered
- Aluminum alloy and plastic
Pros
- Lightweight
- Can be used for sanding both wood and metal
- Durable
- High-efficiency dust collection system
- Easy to use
Cons
- Requires a strong air compressor
2. PORTER-CABLE 7424XP – Runner-Up
PORTER-CABLE 7424XP comes a close second to our first pick. Its powerful 4.5 AMP motor generates a breathtaking 2,500-6,800 OPM, which is strong enough for most sanding or polishing tasks. Well, whether you want to polish your new car or kitchen desktop, this sander is a sure way to get through faster.
Porter-Cable has cut a name for its innovative features when designing power tools. The most notable in this sander is the swirl-free sanding/polishing action with a variable speed dial. We found this innovative feature really awesome because you can alter the OPM depending on the tasks at hand. If you have a lot of sanding tasks, tune to the maximum OPM to complete the task faster.
Are you left or right-handed? Well, that will not be a problem with this sander because you can easily move the handle on either side. Holding the sander on your dominant hand, you will also realize it is very easy to work with because it is light and compact. Weighing only 5.5 pounds, you can polish the entire car or kitchen without getting fatigued.
Specs
- 5.75 pounds
- 14 x 6.5 x 6 inches
- Corded electric
- Three-year warranty
Pros
- Compact and powerful
- Ideal for both sanding and polishing tasks
- Very easy to use
Cons
- Pricey
- Cannot be used where there is no electricity
3. Gedu Professional Dual Action Pneumatic Sander
Do you have heavy-duty sanding tasks and have been wondering about the ideal DA sander to use. The Gedu professional air sander is a light-weight but highly powerful tool that will get the job done in no time. With its optimum speed of 12,000 RPM, this dual-action pneumatic sander is a great option even for tough sanding tasks.
When working on tough sanding tasks, Gedu Professional air sander designers knew that comfort comes first. This is why they prioritized comfort. The tool is well balanced and comes with additional wrist and hand support for extra comfort.
Another cool thing about this sander is that it is designed to last. The frame is constructed with heat-treated steel to guarantee you a longer lifespan. The vibration dampening system, in addition to assisting make the tool comfortable to use, helps to reduce wearing and tearing.
Specs
- 2.75 pounds
- 7.9 x 6.2 x 4.9 inches
- Air powered
- Stainless steel
Pros
- Light air-motor assembly makes the sander ideal for vertical sanding
- Generates more power than most competing sanders
- The built-in regulator makes the sander very comfortable to use
- Can be used on a wide variety of sanding applications
Cons
- New users need some time getting used to the sander
4. Ingersoll Rand 311A 6-Inch Heavy-Duty DA Sander
When the name Ingersoll Rand is mentioned, those in the construction and motor vehicle repair niches associate it with quality. In the case of this DA sander, they did not disappoint. The power tool is a dual-action air-powered sander designed for heavy-duty sanding tasks.
The DA sander comes with a firm construction meant to help you complete sophisticated work fast. Using its powerful pneumatic system, the sander creates swirl-free finishes that make it a perfect option to finish tasks on metal preparation, wood and body filler.
For a heavy-duty sander such as the Ingersoll Rand, one would anticipate getting a lot of vibrations and noise, right? But we found this sander really cool because it is quiet and has very low vibrations. The sander has a built-in silencer that muffles the noise as you sand. Again, it uses a built-in regulator that keeps the vibration low so that sanding tasks are not just easy, but also fun.
We also liked the compact nature of the sander that makes it easy to carry and use on the construction site, garage, or home. Besides, it also weighs only 4.2 pounds and has a lever throttle that takes the pressure of your palm to reduce wrist fatigue.
Specs
- 4.2 pounds
- 4.3 x 10.5 x 6.4 inches
- Air powered
- Limited one year warranty
Pros
- Designed with an in-built regulator for better speed control
- It is light and compact
- Very quiet
Cons
- Short warranty
5. Hutchins 4500 6-Inch DA Super Sander
The Hutchins 4500 is a professionally-designed DA sander that does not skimp on quality. We found this pneumatic sander very effective, especially when working on tough and extensive sanding tasks.
The main selling point of this DA sander is its over-size drive head that serves two purposes. One, it eliminates pad wobbles when working on full-contact sanding tasks. Two, the wide head allows you to use bigger pads so that you can sand a bigger area faster.
The sander comes with a custom handle that provides efficient control of the tool, no matter the sanding angle. Besides, the flex cover offers a comfortable grip so that your wrist does not suffer fatigue when sanding.
To help you get professionally smooth finishes, Hutchins 4500 also comes with an effective vibration dampening system. We found the dampening system very effective in reducing fatigue when using the sander for extended periods.
Specs
- 1.6 ounces
- 24 x 12 x 12 inches
- Air powered
- One year warranty
Pros
- High RPM that makes it ideal for huge sanding tasks
- Can be used on a wide range of sanding tasks
- Very comfortable, even when working for extended periods
Cons
- Need additional air supply equipment.
6. TCP Global Brand 6″ Dual Action D.A. Palm Sander
This is another heavy-duty DA sander for the professional or DIY person who does not want to spend too much. The six-inch tool is powered by air and delivers a maximum of 90 PSI of performance – tough enough to complete even the most demanding sanding tasks.
With this power tool, TCP wanted to guarantee two things: high performance and durability. They did not disappoint. The sander is designed using heat-treated steel to guarantee a longer lifespan. Further, it features heavy-duty bearing that dampens the vibrations to reduce tearing & wear and make the tool comfortable to use.
This DA sander comes with an awesome ergonomic design that makes it possible to work for many hours without getting fatigued. The built-in regulator and vibration dampening system helps you to operate without getting any fatigue.
Specs
- 2.7 pounds
- 7.1 x 6 x 4.8 inches
- Air powered
Pros
- The DA sander is very easy to use
- You can sand at any angle
- Light-weight, yet highly effective
- Sold affordably
- Delivers very high RPM
Cons
- The adjustable knob can easily get on your way when working
- Need additional equipment to supply air at constant pressure
7. AIRCAT 6310 6″ Dual Action Sander
If you are the type of DIY person or need a sander for medium to heavy-duty sanding tasks, one of the top options is this AIRCAT 6310. It is designed with a handle that requires you to hold like a toothbrush, or do we say a hammer?
The primary selling point of this sander is that you do not need to lubricate the motor. We found this really cool because you can work without worrying about contaminants getting inside. This is one of the main reasons why the sander has become a common recommendation for professionals.
Another striking thing about this sander is that its air consumption is very low. Requiring only 12.5 CFM (cubic foot per minute) of air pressure, this sander allows you to work even on small compressors. But even with this, the sander still generates an awesome 11,000 RPM. This is why it is a great option for people With DIY tasks or light-duty workshop sanding tasks.
Specs
- 2.38 pounds
- 10.5 x 6 x 4.5 inches
- Air powered
- 2 years
Pros
- Very comfortable and easy to use
- Comes with a vacuum port
- Durable
Cons
- Pricey
- Requires additional pneumatic equipment to operate
- Noisy
Buying Guide
Now that you’ve read our DA sander reviews above, you are a step away from picking the ideal model for your task. In this section, we will tell you about the main components to look for when selecting a DA sander.
Type
DA sanders come in two basic types, electric and pneumatic (air-powered). If you have heavy-duty sanding tasks such as professional operations in a workshop or construction site, consider going for pneumatic models. But note that they require additional equipment to supply constant air pressure.
Pad Sizes
When your DA sander is delivered, it comes with a number of pads. Larger pads have bigger orbits when sanding, right? Therefore, they are better when you have a large project sanding project.
Vibration Dampeners
The Best DA sander to pick should have some vibration dampening system. By dampening the vibrations, you can easily create a smooth finish and reduce the fatigue of holding the machine, especially when working on big projects.
Brand
When it comes to buying power tools, one of the best ways to get it right is selecting the models designed by top brands.
Here are some of the top DA sander brands:
- Ingersoll Rand
- PORTER-CABLE
- TCP
- AIRCAT
Price
The price of DA sanders varies with a huge margin. The stronger and more durable models come with higher prices. The models designed for handling heavy-duty sanding and polishing tasks are more expensive.
Instead, you should go for the models designed with top quality features but sold affordably. Luckily enough, we have covered DA sanders of all budgets in the reviews above.
Final Thoughts
The cool designs and demonstrated top performance of the seven best DA sanders above were unbelievable. They come from top brands and have the best features that will make sanding tasks easy and fun. Whether you want a DA sander for DIY projects or professional jobs, rest assured of getting the best model in the list above.
Although we stand by all the seven DA sanders above (they are really cool), our overall pick is the FIXKIT Orbital Sander. It comes with professional-grade features and an excellent dust system. This DA sander is in a class of its own!
