These Belt Sanders Make Fast Work of All Your Sanding Projects

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If you’re planning on tackling sanding projects that require rugged, coarse-grit sandpaper, you’re going to need a belt sander. These machines are more powerful than orbital or palm sanders, and use a spinning “belt” of sandpaper to power through rough sanding projects, like stripping paint or decking work.

When mounted to a fixed stand, they’re also useful for smaller tasks like edge sanding or knife sharpening. Belt sanders aren’t a practical option for finish work, but if you need to remove a lot of wood quickly, and you don’t mind providing a bit of elbow grease, they’re a great investment.

Here at PopMech, we've tested and used plenty of belt sanders over the years, and what follows is a curated list of our favorites. Read on for the best belt sanders we recommend, along with pointers to help you make the right choice for your needs and budget.

Best Belt Sanders

• Best for Beginners: Skil 7510-01 Sandcat Belt Sander

• Best Premium Handheld: Metabo HPT SB8V2 HPT Belt Sander

• Best for Detail Work: WEN 6307 Variable Speed Detailing File Sander

• Best Stationary Model: Bucktool BD4801 Belt Sander

• Most Affordable Stationary Model: WEN 6502T Belt and Disc Sander with Cast Iron Base

What to Consider

Type

Before purchasing a belt sander, it’s important to consider the size and scale of your sanding job. For large, rough projects that involve long boards–like sanding a deck or hardwood flooring–go with a basic, handheld unit. These models are easy to grip and control, and comfortable to use for long periods of time. Working on more intricate surfaces, like the contours of wood furniture pieces? Choose a detail sander, which has a long, narrow belt for accessing awkward or tight areas. Smaller items are best used with a stationary belt sander. These are mounted to a base or workbench, and keep both hands free to manipulate and control your workpiece.

Power

The more powerful the belt sander, the less effort required by the user to get the job done, and the less stress placed on the motor. Corded tools measure this power in amps, and belt sanders range from 2 t0 12 amps. Lower amp models are ideal for lighter-duty tasks that don’t require a lot of effort, while higher amp sanders are best for larger, heavy-duty projects. (Cordless belt sander power is measured in voltage, and ranges from 16 to 20 volts.)

Dust Collection

Sanding generates a lot of sawdust, which is not only time-consuming to clean up, but also hazardous to your respiratory health. If dust collection is a priority for you, make sure the belt sander you’re considering has either a dust bag attachment, or outlet port for connecting a shop vac.

How We Selected

With experience as a residential and commercial carpenter, I know what makes a good belt sander and what benefits the average homeowner who may need one. That knowledge and insight, combined with colleagues' deep familiarity with belt sanders from testing and personal use, informed research to put together. We only considered models from brands we've come to trust over the years (which is why so many WEN sanders are included). Although we recommend corded models to most users, we included two battery-powered models for those who want to remain mobile while they work, or have issues accessing an outlet.

7510-01 Sandcat Belt Sander

Even and uniform sanding is essential when using a belt sander, which makes the pressure control indicator so valuable on this handheld model. It lights up to let you know when you’re applying too much pressure, reducing the chances of irregular spotting on your work surface.

The open-sided design ensures that you stay flush with edges, and both of the textured handles provide a good amount of grip and control while you sand. The transparent dust canister lets you see when it’s time to empty it out, although it may still leave a decent amount of dust behind, so keep that in mind.

More: Looking for a Power Sander? Here Are Our Top Picks

SB8V2 HPT Belt Sander

The nine-amp motor of this Metabo Model provides its user with a significant amount of power, and is well-suited to tackle heavy-duty sanding jobs. A variable speed dial improves control and productivity, and the brushless motor translates to a longer tool lifespan, even with heavy use.

Its side-mounted dust collection bag creates a bulkier shape than those that use rear-mounted versions, but as long as you don’t need to maneuver around too much, this shouldn’t be a deal breaker. The 5-year limited warranty is a nice perk, and the transparent front window gives you a bit more visibility on your work surface and the belt itself.

6307 Variable Speed Detailing File Sander

The long, thin belt of this WEN model maneuvers into tight spaces that traditional belt sanders can't, like between intricate designs on a chair back, or other decorative woodworking projects. We also appreciate the variable speed control of this sander, which is controlled by a convenient adjustment wheel on the handle. The 2.4-pound weight also contributes to its superior control and maneuverability.

The specialized design of this sander is impractical for larger-scale projects, so you still need to purchase a larger handheld unit to cover all your bases.

BD4801 Belt Sander

This Bucktool stationary model features a 36-inch belt and 8-inch disc sander, and is well-suited for a wide range of workpiece sizes. Its heavy-duty aluminum body uses a rubber foot to prevent vibrations, and a support rod underneath the belt adds even more stability.

Two aluminum work tables support your items being sanded, which can be tilted up to 45 degrees and also used with the included miter gauge to provide even more customization options. This model takes dust collection seriously as well, featuring two separate dust ports for the belt and disc.

6502T Belt and Disc Sander

In addition to a 4-by-36-inch belt, this Wen sander also features a circular sanding disk, adding more versatility than most stationary models. The belt is also fully adjustable–from horizontal to 90 degrees vertical–to accommodate a range of workpiece sizes and shapes. The cast-iron base is heavy enough to reduce vibrations and wobbling during operation, and mounts to your workbench with convenient bolt holes.

A 2.25-inch outlet port connects to your own dust collection system — whether it's a bag or a shop vac hose — which greatly minimizes garage or workshop cleanup after you’re finished.

6321 Corded Belt Sander with Dust Bag

This handheld model is surprisingly lightweight—just 6.2 pounds—and still packs a punch with a seven-amp motor. This combination makes it a great choice for those with a lot of work to do, but want to keep hand and shoulder fatigue to a minimum while carrying it around.

Its light weight also makes this sander well-suited for tasks other than horizontal sanding, like rounding edges or working on vertical surfaces. The straightforward belt release is simple to use when you need a fresh belt, or if you need to change grits for a different project.

P450 One+ Brushless Belt Sander

This cordless Ryobi doesn’t include a battery, so it’s best for someone with an existing 18-volt Ryobi tool collection, and already has a couple batteries on hand.

We really appreciate the fact that you can adjust the front pommel handle, and customize its angle to your preferred grip. Little things like this might not seem like a big deal, but by giving you even just a little extra control, this sander significantly increases productivity while reducing errors in the work surface. Its brushless motor also has a longer lifespan, and works more efficiently than brushed options.

20V MAX Belt Sander

This DeWalt model isn’t cheap, but its cordless design and versatile operation make it an attractive option for those who don’t want to deal with annoying extension cords. The variable trigger offers 25 speed increments, increasing productivity and decreasing the chances of accidental damage to your work surface.

We love these molded rubber handles that DeWALT uses on its handheld power tools, and find that they really make a difference when it comes to maintaining consistent control at all times. This model does not include a battery, but if you already have a collection of DeWALT tools and batteries on hand, this is less of an issue.

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