Best Belt Sander In [year] – Reviews

After testing out various belt sanders in the market for their speed, motor power, dust management, portability, and size, we decided that the Porter Cable 363 is the best sander available. It is built to last and is powerful. With this sander you can easily do any kind of wood cutting ( if you want to use saws you can check out this article) projects.

It was a difficult choice, but Makita 943 came in second place due to some reasons. Apart from that, we even have some of the best cordless benchtop belt sanders on the list. There are Hitachi SB8V2 and Ryobi P450 , which do not need electrical power to run. After going through various testing procedures, we finally made a list of the top 7 belt sanders for you. This list will help you in selecting the best tool for your job.

Recommended Belt Sanders

While there are tons of belt sanders in the market, not all can be the best sander in the field. To help you choose the best sander for your work, we have made a list consisting of the best belt sanders. The list is a result of continuous tests that we performed on several sanders.

1. Porter Cable 363 Belt Sander

After testing several sanders we found that Porter Cable 363 is the best sander ( see the comparison with bosch) in the market. Why is it so? This sander is a 4*24 inch sander, which basically states that this sander is built to last. If you are a professional woodworker, then you should get your hands on this sander.

With a powerful 12 Amp motor, you can say that the Porter Cable 363 is a beast in the field. Though it is heavy, it is a perfect sander for any kind of major wood sanding projects. It is a corded sander, which means you have to have a power supply nearby to use the device.

Moreover, the Porter Cable 363 has a plate ( see its 557 plate joiner variant as well) underneath, which increases the performance of the sander and even maintains the balance of the device. Due to this, you can remain assured that you won’t get any problem related to its weight or balance.

It has a speed of 1500 SFPM, which is quite incredible. Besides that, it even has a rapid shock removal technique, which prevents you from getting any kind of tiredness from working with the sander.

However, Porter Cable 363 is quite expensive. This sander is not made for any household renovation. If you are a professional and want to invest your money in a nice sander, then you can go for this. But, if you are looking for a sander for regular woodworking, then the Porter Cable 363 is not for you.

Bottom Line

The Porter Cable 363 is a sander that is meant strictly for professionals. It is powerful and can handle heavy duty work easily. This device will help you in getting through your professional woodworking projects without any difficulty.

2. Makita 9403 Belt Sander

The next sander which we have on this list is the Makita 9403. It has incredible features, making it easier for us to give this device a second place on this list. With a size of 4*24 inches, this sander is made for both small and large woodworking projects. See the full review of the sander. 

It comes with an 11 Amp motor, which makes it powerful in this field. It is the quietest sander that you can get. This device produces really low noise, which makes it comfortable to work with.

Moreover, the sander has labyrinth construction, which further prevents the bearings and the motor from getting any external damage. It even has a 360-degree swiveling dust bag that collects all the dust and prevents any kind of mess in the workshop.

Though it weighs a bit, it is quite suitable for both DIY as well as professional projects. Moreover, it has a nice comfortable grip so that you do not get tired while using it.

The only thing which we didn’t like about this sander is that it has a fixed speed option, which makes it difficult to use it for getting perfect finishing. The Makita 9403 has a fixed speed of 1640 feet/minute. Though the speed is good, it gets difficult to use it for perfect finishing.

Bottom Line

Perfect for woodworkers and even beginners, the Makita 9403 is one of the perfect sanders that you can get. It can remove the stock from the wood quickly and is highly efficient. You can even use it for any house projects.

3. Hitachi SB8V2 Belt Sander

Hitachi is known for producing the best electronic devices, and the Hitachi SB8V2 is one of the finest examples of it. The Hitachi SB8V2 is the best cordless belt sander you can get. It has everything that you can ask for.

With a motor of 9 amps, this device will help you a lot in your wood business. Moreover, this sander comes with a variable speed dial, which allows you to decide the speed between 820 to 1475 feet/minute.

The Hitachi SB8V2 even has a soft wear-resistant V-belt that increases the sander’s efficiency and life span. The Hitachi SB8V2 has a flush surface design, which helps you make even sanding on the surface. This sander can work for a really long time without any problem.

The only thing that bothered us is the dust management system of the sander. The dust collector cannot hold the dust in its place, and hence there are times when there would be dust everywhere. If you plan to buy this sander, then make sure to invest in a larger dust canister.

Bottom Line

The Hitachi SB8V2 is one of the best sanders that you can get. It is cordless, can run for a large amount of time, and is powerful. The device even has the option of changing the speed, which allows you to have full control over the sander.

4. Ryobi P450 Brushless Sander

If you are in search of a cordless sander, then Ryobi should be your choice. The company makes the best cordless belt sanders, and the Ryobi P450 is one of the best that you can get.

The sander has a brushless motor, which increases the life span and the efficiency of the device. It has an adjustable pommel, which allows you to change the position as per your comfort. Talking about comfort, the sander’s grip is made of molding rubber and is textured, which makes it easier to get a strong grip.

The best thing about the Ryobi P450 is that it is compatible with various kinds of batteries. You can use it with an 18V lithium-ion battery as well as other batteries.

However, the device does not have a good battery life. You can only use it for a certain amount of time, after which you have to change the battery. There is no power adapter point available, which means you cannot charge the device.

Bottom Line

The Ryobi P450 cordless sander is a suitable sander for small woodworking projects. This device is portable, and you can easily carry it with you for your projects. Moreover, you can use any battery for the sander to work with.

5. Black Decker DS321 Sander

The Black Decker DS321 is one of those sanders that you can only use for your house projects. If you plan on getting a sander for your wooden floors, you can invest in this sander. But, handling this device is not an easy job.

Though this sander is quite affordable and won’t hurt your pocket, it comes with certain flaws too. It is quite hard to handle and is stiff. While you are using this device for sanding your floors, you need to handle it in a tough manner. If you are a beginner, this sander will be a hard device for you, as you might end up damaging your wooden floors or furniture while sanding them.

However, there are certain things that we did like about this sander. Firstly, it has a really nice dust collector. The dust canister collects all the dust and will keep your work area free from mess. It has a motor of 7 amps, which is quite good for doing normal woodworking projects.

It has a flush design that helps the device in performing its work even in a vertical position. The device has a nice 3-point handle, which will help you have a nice grip while you do your job.

Bottom Line

The Black Decker DS321 requires professional knowledge to work. This device is simply not made for beginners. Though it is affordable, it cannot handle much heavy duty work. If you are a professional woodcutter and need a regular sander for your work, this is an excellent choice.

6. SKIL 7510 01 Sander With Pressure Control

The SKIL 7510 sander with a motor of 6 Amp is the best choice for beginners. It is not too difficult to handle and will be good for beginners for normal projects. Moreover, it is a corded sander, and it doesn’t even weigh much. Due to its lightweight, you can easily carry it anywhere with you.

It is a 3*18 inch sander, making it easier to use it even in a vertical position. All you need is a power supply to make it work. The device even has an auto-track system, which makes sure that the belt remains on track, and your work does not get interfered due to this.

Talking about the dust management system of the device, it has a clear dust collector. The clear dust canister makes it easy for you to know when you need to clean it.

However, you need to attach the device with a vacuum for better dust collection. Without a vacuum, the device might create a mess. Even though the SKIL 7501 comes with a micro-filtration technique, it is better to have an extra vacuum hose with you.

Bottom Line

The best thing about SKIL 7510 is that it is quite affordable and works wonderfully. If you are a student looking for a sander for your wood projects, then you can invest in this tool. It is portable and is good for small projects.

7. WEN 6321 Corded Belt Sander

The WEN 6321 is a 3*21 inches corded sander. It is a handheld sander and is quite easy to use. The device comes with a motor of 7 amps with a speed of 13 feet per second. What is the best thing about this device? It is easy to use, and you are getting a powerful motor at such a low cost.

Though there are some flaws in this device, it is quite good for minor projects. What are the flaws? The sander comes with a detachable dust bag that clogs up most of the time. Due to this, you have to clean the dust canister from time to time, leading to a delay in your work.

Another thing is that it does not come with is variable speed control. However, the sander does come with a lock-in safety feature due to which you can continuously do the sanding process even without a strong trigger.

The best thing is that you don’t need any tool to change the belt of this sander. The WEN 6321 is a light, easy to use sander, which will come in handy for your minor wood projects.

Bottom Line

The WEN 6321 is a sander which you need to have as a beginner in the field of wood cutting. This tool will help you a lot in this field, and you won’t find it difficult to use it. Moreover, it is light in weight, and you can even carry it anywhere.

There are various things that you should take care of while buying a sander. What are those things? Here is a list of the features that are important to look for in a sander. This buying guide will help you in selecting the best tool for yourself.

Buying Guide For Belt Sanders

Choosing a sander can be a difficult job. With a variety of belt sanders in the market, you need to analyze the sander before buying it. There are certain features that you should not overlook while going for a sander. Here are the essential features which will let you know what you should look for in a sander before buying.

1. Motor Power

The first feature that you should look for in any kind of sander is motor power. The motor’s power decides whether the device can work as a professional device or as a DIY device. Most of the sanders come with a motor power of 6 amps, while some have a motor power of 10 amps.

It is better to have a powerful motor as they are highly efficient compared to those with low power. But, the sanders with powerful motors are expensive too. Unless you are a professional, you can go for a powerful sander. Otherwise, you can go for a sander with a motor of power 6 Amps or less for DIY projects.

For example, the SKIL 7510 comes with a motor power of 6Amp, which makes it suitable for DIY and smaller projects. The same goes for the Black Decker DS32, which comes with a 7Amp motor.

On the other hand, the Makita 9403 comes with a powerful motor of 11 amps, which makes it easier to work on major projects.

2. Weight

The next important feature in this guide is the weight of the device. You don’t want to have a sander which you can’t carry for any project. The weight of the sander helps to know the ways in which you can use the device.

If you are using the sander mainly in a horizontal position, the device should be heavy. Heavy-weight belt sanders are mainly used in aligning the boards to a perfect shape. This would help you to get the perfect finishing.

Moreover, it would be comfortable to use a heavy device in a horizontal device. Here, the Porter Cable 363 will come to your aid. Though this device is quite heavy, it will give you good results for major projects. You can use it in a horizontal position for aligning the boards and get effective results.

But, if you vertically use the sander, it is better to go for a light sander. Light sanders are perfect to use for home renovation projects, where you have to use the device in a vertical position for a long time. If the device is heavy, then you will get tired soon.

If you are using SKIL 750 sander, you will not get tired as it is light in weight. The same is for WEN 6321, which is lightweight and portable. The sanders’ lightweight makes it easier to use them in a vertical position and even carry them anywhere.

3. Size

The belt sanders come in various sizes, but there are two sizes, which are mostly preferred: 3*21 inches and 4*24 inches. Here, the size of the sander depends on the size of the sanding belt.

While the 3*21 inches sander is easy to handle and portable, it is good only for DIY projects and other regular wood projects. These belt sanders do not have any complex handling, which makes it popular amongst beginners.

There are belt sanders like the WEN 6321 and SKIL 7510 , which come in the category of 3*21 inches sander. This makes it easy to carry and use the sanders.

Moreover, the 4*24 inches sander is more like an industrial-sized sander. They are useful when you are working on major wood projects. They are mostly used by professionals who have to deal with major projects every time.

If you are a professional, you should check out the Porter Cable 363 and the Makita 9403 sanders. They are both 4*24 inches sander and are built for industrial level work.

4. Speed

The speed of the sander is as important as the power of the motor. You would get two options in this genre: fixed speed and variable speed. While most of the sanders have fixed speed, some companies even provide the option of changing the speed.

The fixed speed option does not give you an option to work on your own. Moreover, you won’t be able to use the sander in various projects if it has a fixed speed option. It is better to look for a sander with variable speed.

You can either go for a variable speed dial or a sander with only “high” and “low” as its speed settings. For example, the Hitachi SB8V2 has a variable speed control that allows you to select the speed anywhere between 820 to 1475 feet/minute. On the other hand, WEN 6321 comes with a fixed speed of 820 feet per minute.

5. Dust Management

The main job of belt sanders is to work with wood. As you can say, working with wood is no clean work. There will be dust all around, and a sander needs to have a good dust management system to handle the dust produced from the device.

Most of the sanders come with a or dust canister, which captures all the dust. Make sure that the dust bag is large enough to store all the dirt produced. If the canister is large enough, then you would have to clean the dust canister from time to time.

You can even attach a vacuum with the sander to make the dust collection easier. For the SKIL 7510, you have to buy a vacuum separately, which will improve the device’s dust management system.

But when it comes to the Makita 9403 or Porter Cable 363, they have a really good dust management system, and you do not need to have any separate vacuum hose for them.

Final Verdict

Choosing the best sander can be difficult, but you need to select only one for your work. There are tons of features that each sander has, but before settling for the first best sander, you come across to check others as well. Note down the features you are looking for in a sander and then select the one that fits your need. If you need a professional sander, you should settle for the Porter Cable 363, as it is the best in the field.

But, if you are looking for a sander for DIY wood projects, then you can look for the Hitachi SB8V2 or any other alternative that we have on the list. It is important to select the best sander, as they are quite expensive, and you would not want to settle for a sander, which does not suit your needs. Moreover, the sanders can be heavy, and before settling for one, you need to be sure of investing your money. It is important to select the best sander for your work, as it will determine the outcome of your projects. A good sander will help you in getting good results and in turn, will make your profile look strong. Even if you are a beginner in this field, you need to have a nice sander that will fit with your beginner projects.