A poor choice of sander could cost you a job. But Festool sanders never disappoint.
So if you are at crossroads and want a high-performance sander, Festool sanders are the way to go. But there is one more challenge; Festool has a wide range of sanders, so how do you narrow to the ideal model for your project.
Check out the rest of this Festool sander comparison to discover the best that this highly revered company has to offer.
Our Top Festool Sanders Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. FESTOOL 574993 RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER |  Top Pick |
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| 2. Festool 201221 RTS 400 Sander |  |
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| 3. FESTOOL 571897 ETS EC125/3 EQ 5" RANDOM ORBIT SANDER |  |
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| 4. FESTOOL 571823 RO 90 FEQ ROTEX SANDER |  |
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1. FESTOOL 574993 RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER — Best Overall
The FESTOOL 574993 RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER is the best that Festool has to offer. With its fine 5/64 inch strokes, this sander makes sanding, even the tough to reach areas easy and fast. Well, you can never go wrong with this sander!
One conspicuous thing about this sander is its light and compact design. Measuring only 39.5 x 29.5 x 16.5 inches and weighing 3.65 pounds, this sander allows you to work longer without getting tired. Further, its light construction also makes a perfect option for sanding vertical and overhead work.
Festool’s commitment to innovation is manifested in the sander’s balanced vibration stop (VS) that comes with two benefits. First, the damped vibrations help to keep the machine sturdy to make it last longer. Second, it reduces fatigue and allows you to get smooth finishing for your project.
When working on a sanding project, you want to have absolute control, right? Festool thought of that too and included a step-less variable speed control switch. Well, you simply need to adjust the speed and focus on sanding.
Another feature that makes this sander the best on the market is the jetstream design. The model makes it easy to remove all the dust from the machine for a mess-free workplace. It is also one of the reasons why this sander is long-lasting.
Specs
- 3.63 pounds
- 39.5 x 29.5 x 16.5 inches
- Corded-electric
- 36 months (service included)
Pros
- Comes with an ergonomic handle
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to use with just one hand
Cons
- Expensive
2. Festool 201221 RTS 400 Sander — Runner Up
If you have a lot of sanding tasks to do, Festool designed the 201221 RTS 400 REQ Orbital Rectangular Sander with your situation in mind. This sander uses Festool’s MMC electronics that greatly amplifies its power so that you can finish every sanding task fast.
With its amplified power, this sander is the ideal piece for professional work. Further, it comes with features such as the all-new protector that reduces pad damage and protects the adjacent surfaces for better results. This is very important, especially when working on commercial projects.
To make this professional sander more effective, Festool included an ergonomic handle that makes it easy to work for longer without getting tired. Particularly, we liked the rubberized over-grip that makes it easy to grip the tool and guide it when sanding your workpiece.
We cannot fail to mention the dust removal system of this sander. It comes with a port for connecting to a vacuum. Using this sander, you can evacuate most of the dust so that your after-sanding work will be easier.
Specs
- 7.6 pounds
- 15.5 x 11.6 x 6.5 inches
- Corded-electric
- 36 months (service included)
Pros
- Sturdily built and durable
- Easy to use
- Can be used on a wide range of products
- A great dust collection system
Cons
- Pricey
3. FESTOOL 571897 ETS EC125/3 EQ 5″ RANDOM ORBIT SANDER
This is another innovative Festool sander that has won the affection of professionals because of its pairing capabilities. Its innovative design makes it easy to use for all types of sanding tasks.
The most notable feature of this sander is its flexible design. Its handle is uniquely constructed with broader and slimmer sections to make it perfect for both people with small hands and those with broad hands. Also, the handle is rubberized for a perfect grip when working on your sanding projects.
The sander comes with an improved dust control system that makes it possible to clear most of the dust from the worksite. It has an electronic hose detection sensor that alerts you if the dust hose gets disconnected. With this sander, you are sure that the workshop has minimal mess.
If you have a lot of sanding tasks, this sander will come in handy because it uses an EC-TEC brushless motor that delivers more power. Therefore, you are assured of completing the tasks faster and durability.
Specs
- 1 pound
- 15.6 x 11.6 x 6.5 inches
- Corded-electric
- Brushless
Pros
- Sturdy and long-lasting
- Light and easy to use anywhere
- Can be used on a wide range of products
- Uses a highly efficient dust collection system
Cons
- Pricey
4. FESTOOL 571823 RO 90 FEQ ROTEX SANDER
Do you have a sanding task that requires you to work even on difficult to reach areas, such as corners, gaps, and along the corners? Well, you can relax now because the best solution might be this FESTOOL 571823 RO 90 FEQ ROTEX SANDER.
The biggest selling point for this sander is its unique design. The sander allows you to easily switch from sanding with round pads to delta-shaped ones depending on the project at hand. Notably, you do not need any tool to make the switch.
To make sanding tasks more effective with this sander, it delivers a maximum speed of up to 7000 RPM. Furthermore, the sander comes with different sanding modes so that you can switch to the preferred mode depending on the project. So, if you have a lot of sanding tasks, hit the aggressive sanding mode to complete it faster.
Specs
- 1 pound
- 15.5 x 11.6 x 6.4 inches
- Corded-electric
Pros
- Allows you to work on multiple projects
- Designed to make sanding even on tight sections easy
- The sander is built to last
Cons
- Pricey
About Festool
You have probably heard people, especially those working in carpentry and construction, say that Festool is one of the best makers of power tools.
For Festool, it has been a journey towards excellence, and a commitment to make the world a better place. Well, here are more details about the brand:
Festool History
The journey to the currently highly regarded position started about 90 years ago, around 1925, when Albert Fezer and Gotlieb Stroll, founded the Festo Company.
- 1925: The first tool for carpenters was developed with Festo company logo
- 1930: The company developed the first SB126 portable saw
- 1938: The company designed the BD 125 portable saw
- 1938: The company developed MTD and KTD disc sanders
- 1951: Developed the RTE orbital sander
- 1980: Designed the AXF 45 PLUNGE-cut saw
- 1996: Developed the CDD 12 cordless drill
- 2013: Made the DSC AG 230 diamond cutting system
Product Range
While our goal in this post was sander comparison, it is important to appreciate that the company also makes other types of power tools.
Awards
Since its inception, Festool has scooped major awards that demonstrate its good management systems, commitment to customer value, and innovation.
Location
Festool is headquartered in Germany. However, they have a presence in other areas, such as Las Vegas, Nevada, and Lebanon, Indiana. Further, they work with a network of companies to make it easy to distribute their products.
Final Thoughts
Festool is one of the leading brands in the globe today for its commitment to innovation and best practices. In this Festool sander review, we established that the company does not spare any effort when it comes to product design improvement and features enhancement.
Whether you want a sander for extensive commercial tasks or weekend DIY (do-it-yourself) jobs at home, you know you’ll get a good tool when you choose from the options above.
While we liked, really liked, all the Festool sanders in this post (they are desirable in every sense), the FESTOOL 574993 RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER is our top choice. This lightweight but hardworking sander is simply the best!
