Products compared
Hours of research
Member comments
Field tests done
Hardwood floors might be the prettiest type of floor there is. Unfortunately, there is one big drawback to them: they need to be refinished every now and then.
There are many good hardwood floor sanders on the market. But how exactly do you pick the right one? We made this guide so you can save time comparing every sander and work on your wooden floor instead!
What makes the best sander for hardwood floors
In order to find the best hardwood floor sander, we made a list of things that we believe every floor sander should have.
- Power – Having enough power can make a big difference if you’re sanding a large surface. Power in sanders is often measured in Volts.
- Size – There are many different sander sizes. Size indicates the surface area of the base plate.
- Price – When buying a sander you want a power tool that lasts. Therefore getting good value for money is an important factor.
With these things in mind, we compared the most popular belt and orbital sanders on the market. Here are the best hardwood floor sanders:
Best belt sander for hardwood floors
Makita 4″ inch belt sander (9403)
- 1-year warranty
- 11 AMP motor
- 4″ inch wide sanding surface
Pros and cons
According to our experts
This sander has a 4 x 24″ inch sanding surface. This is perfect for small and large wooden floors
With a stable front grip and adjustable speeds, the Makita 9403 is ideal for sanding floors.
This belt sander is a bit expensive. However, you get what you pay for as this is a very high-quality power tool.
When you don’t want to spend a lot of money and want a perfect tool for sanding your wooden floors, a belt sander might be best for you. It works the same as a drum sander but is smaller and much cheaper.
It has a belt of 4″ inches x 24″ inches, which is the perfect belt size for large as well as small surfaces. If you want to compare more belt sanders from Makita we recommend you read: The best Makita belt sander guide
The Makita 9403 is very similar to the Makita 9404. Both are great floor sanders but the Makita 9404 has a variable speed control. Compare these two sanders on Amazon
Best orbital sanders for hardwood floors
An orbital sander is an excellent choice for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a sander. If you don’t mind the bit of extra work, an orbital sander might be the best option for you.
Here are our favorite orbital sanders:
DEWALT orbital sander (DWE6421)
- 3-year limited warranty
- 3 AMP motor
- 5″ inch sanding diameter
Pros and cons
According to our expertsSince this is a small sander it is very lightweight. Ideal if you are working for a long period of time!
Small hand sanders are much cheaper than belt sanders. This is great for people who use their sander only for small tasks.
The sanding surface of this orbital sander is only 5 inches in diameter. This is a bit small if you are going to sand more than 10m2
If you’re a hobbyist, and don’t want to break the bank, this may be your go-to option. Most orbital sanders are reasonably priced (depending on the brand) and can accomplish refining easily. The only downside to using this sanding machine is that it has a relatively small sanding area.
The DEWALT DWE6421 orbital sander is great if you are looking for the best sander for wooden floors on a budget. This sander is light, but at the same time very powerful.
Makita hand sander (BO4556)
- 1-year warranty
- 2 AMP motor
- Lightweight Sander
Pros and cons
According to our expertsThis is the cheapest sander on our list. Even though it might be cheap it still feels very sturdy and high-quality.
There is not much power in this sander. If you have to sand a large wooden floor we would not really recommend using the Makita BO4556.
This sander is similar to the previous tool on this list, however, it has a square sanding pad. If you are only using your sander for floors this might be the less favorable option.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a more “general purpose sander” the Makita BO4556 can be an interesting choice. This sander is the cheapest on the list and great for people who are looking for a budget alternative.
Best sanders overview
| Floor sander | Power | Size | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
Makita 9403 | 11 AMP | 4″ x 24″ inch | 9.5 |
Dewalt DWE6421 | 3 AMP | 5″ inch ø | 9.2 |
Makita BO4556 | 2 AMP | 4″ x 5″ inch | 8.9 |
Final thoughts
The best sander for hardwood floors is without a doubt a belt sander. If you have the money and you don’t mind the weight we definitely recommend you get one! If you are looking for a lightweight alternative, orbital and hand/palm sanders are great alternatives.
