Everyone eventually ends up knocking a hole in their drywall, either it is a rogue doorknob, ball, or kid, doing a refurbishment or some DIY work at home. Whichever is your situation you’ll need to patch up the whole. One of the most tedious steps of patching the drywall is sanding down the dried paste to the right level.
This is where the drywall sander comes in use. This sander is has a special design to gently sand so you’re able to reach the right depth flush with the drywall, leaving a smooth finish. In this article, we’re going to discuss the benefits and features of a few electric sanders. We’re also going to show you a few things to look out for so you can select the best electric sander for drywall.
Top Rated electric sander for drywall. Our Top Picks
The Editor’s pick for the best electric sander for drywall is the WEN 6369 Variable Speed 5 Amp Drywall.... It’s one of the most powerful drywall sanders we’ve recommended. Additionally, the trigger lock will help with hand fatigue when covering a large area. Furthermore, WEN manufactures quality and they back it up with a two-year warranty, which is why we feel this is the best choice for the consumer.
Electric Sander for Drywall Reviews
1. Editor’s pick: WEN 6369 Variable Speed 5 Amp Drywall Sander with 15' Hose
Specifications
Key Features
Features & Benefits
- The WEN electric sander comes equipped with a dual aux handle giving you a comfortable grip and precise control over your sand.
- The 8.5 inch pad has a loop-based system to give you the convenience of an easy change. Simply remove the sandpaper from the loops, replace and continue.
- One of the most useful benefits is the vacuum hose to collect the fine dust particles. You also have the option to attach the dust collection bag as well.
- With the 10-amp motor and RPMs up to 2300, you’ll have plenty of power to tackle any project you face.
- The WEN sander comes with 8 sanding pads with a variety of grits; ranging from 150-400.
- The sander has a variable speed function to give you optimal control over your sanding speeds.
- Weighing in at 6.5lbs this sander can maneuver and glide over drywall patches
- This sander is backed by a 2-year warranty and stocked inventory with replacement parts. Also, you can take advantage of the customer helpline if needed.
- The WEN disc is specially designed to fit into tight spaces and corners so that you don’t miss any patches in the corner.
- In case you have a large surface area to cover the electric sander has a convenient lock switch. Once engaged the trigger hold will keep the sander powered on until disengaged.
Pros
- 2 Year Warranty
- Lighter Model
- 8 Included Disc
Cons
- No LED Light
- No Removable Base
2. Budget Pick: Goplus Electric Hand Held Drywall Sander
Specifications
Key Features
Features & Benefits
- The Goplus sander is uniquely designed to fit into tight nooks and corner spaces with its six-inch pad size.
- The sander comes stock with six pieces of sandpaper to give you a head start on some home projects.
- The Goplus provides a superior finish and will get the job done on time and with less labor effort.
- The sander comes with a dust bag and self-suction functions, which helps with cleanup efforts.
- The LED light is a nice touch to this sander and is operated from a simple on/off switch by the trigger. It has the ability to shine light up 180 degrees around the sander.
- For larger jobs, the sander comes with a trigger release button. This way you don’t have to hold down the trigger when sanding large areas.
- The detachable base is one of the strongest design features. Simply remove the base to get into tight corners, also a convenient way to clean the sander.
- Goplus is constructed for heavy-duty work and long hour operation. Intended for drywall, but can handle other sanding projects.
- The sander comes with a portable grip handle, which is detachable.
- With a variable speed RPM, you can set your speed anywhere between 800 rpms and 2400 rpms for precise sanding.
- This sander is easy to clean with a simple hairbrush or a dry cloth.
Pros
- Self-suction hose
- LED Light
- Trigger Release
Cons
- Smaller Pad Size
- Slightly Heavier Model
3. Upgrade Pick: Festool Planex Professional Drywall Sander
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Specifications
Key Features
Features & Benefits
- The Festool sander is one of the most packaged deals of our section. Not only do you receive quality sand but you also have a quality vacuum system.
- The sander comes with a simple set up and assembly. This will help you get started when you receive the product.
- With the extendable shaft, you’re able to reach to new heights otherwise too high.
- With the extension and sander, the weight of the product is kept low to maneuver and help with fatigue.
- The brushless motor system provides power enabling you to obtain quality sanding with minimal pressure.
- The Festool sander comes with a removable top section to provide an up-close sand in tight nooks.
- With the vacuum dust extraction system, you don’t need to worry about getting dust everywhere. It’s as easy as emptying a dust bin.
- The vacuum comes with an easy to travel carrying case to help you store and take it on the go.
- The Festool sander comes with a three-year warranty to give you peace of mind in-case the sander malfunctions.
- The Festool vacuum system is equipped with an automated filter-cleaning system. This helps keep the extraction system clear and unclogged.
- The sander head has a pivotal movement to keep your sander flush with walls and ceilings.
- The sander comes with a gear drive system to help transfer power to the sander from the motor.
- The Festool sanding pad is spring-loaded to provide a flush sand.
Pros
- Extension handle
- Spring-Loaded Pad
- Vacuum Hose
Cons
- Bulky System
- Small Variable Speed Range
No products found.
4. Goplus 750W Drywall Sander
Specifications
Key Features
Features & Benefits
- The Goplus has six variable speeds ranging between 1000 to 2100 rpms.
- With the handle extension, the Goplus can reach out and sand hard to reach spaces.
- The sander comes with a dust collection hose to help extract the fine dust particles and minimize clean-up efforts.
- The Goplus sander comes stock with six sanding pads so you can tackle the first project out of the box.
- With a nine-inch pad, you’ll be able to cover a large square area.
- The sander head is easy to swivel around to help maneuver around the ceiling. You can be sure you’ll have a flush sand every time.
- The Goplus comes fully assembled and comes with extra tools to help assemble add on accessories.
- The body of the sander has a heavy-duty aluminum frame with polyamide handles, specially treated metal surface to prevent against rusting.
- The Goplus sander is a quality sander with variable speeds. Additionally, the extension handle and vacuum hose provide a sander that goes beyond the average.
Pros
- Aluminum Framing
- Extra Tools for assembly
- Extension bar
Cons
- Heaviest of the sanders selected
5. ZENY 800W Electric Drywall Sander
Specifications
Key Features
Features & Benefits
- With six variable speeds, you’ll be able to find a speed that is suitable for each sanding project. The rpm range is between 1000 to 2000 rpms.
- The ZENY comes with an extension shaft giving you the ability to reach the ceiling and or high areas on walls.
- The sander comes with a vacuum hose which extracts the dust particles and makes for easy clean-up.
- With an 8.8-inch pad, you’ll be able to cover large service areas at a time. This will help with fatigue by reducing long sanding durations.
- The head works on a pivot allowing you to rotate up to 90 degrees, helping you reach into corners and tight nooks.
- This sander is equipped with a portable handle grip allowing you to position each sand and have optimal maneuverability.
- The ZENY sander comes with 6 sanding pads included, allowing you to start your project right out of the box. Additionally, it comes with various tools to help with assembly.
Pros
- Six Variable Speeds
- Six Sanding Pads Included
- Pivot Angle 90 Degrees
Cons
- No Trigger Lock
- Heavier of the Sanders Selected
Buying Guide
Finding the perfect drywall sander for your projects can be achieved with minimal effort. Essentially, drywall sanders are similar, but it’s the small details that can make a difference. What we aim to do is walk you through some of the significant variations of these sanders.
We’ll talk about RPMs, vibration control, and reach. Additionally, we’ll touch on maintenance and best safety practices. Our hope is for you to come out with the knowledge to choose the best electric sander for drywall.
Types of Sander for Sanding Drywall
There are two common types of drywall sanders a swivel pole and a drywall hand sander, both of which we have listed. The first thing you want to identify is your common use for the sander. Will you be using this sander to accomplish small drywall repairs, or will you be using this sander to cover a large surface area?
If you need a sander to run small patches then options one and two of our selection would work best. The main reason is, they’re light and easy to hold. Additionally, you most likely will not need a swivel pole to make small patches. This makes the standard sander the best choice for your needs.
On the other hand, if you’re going to be tackling a whole wall or walls a swivel sander works best. The reason being you’re able to use the pole extension to reach up and grab the high spots and ceilings. These sanders have a long hose to help vacuum the dust out effectively so it doesn’t fall in your face.
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Identify which jobs you’ll be working the most and chose the appropriate sander.
Importance of a Drywall Sander Vacuum
The vacuum hose is a must have when it comes to drywall sanding and also sanding in general such as sanding furniture or sanding a deck. The main reason for this is the material of the drywall is already fine by nature. Once you begin to sand you’ll begin to see fine dust particles spread around the area, similar to an ash-like dusting.
The vacuum is an addition that not all sanders come stock with. It goes beyond just bagging the dust particles that come from sanding. A vacuum creates suction to extract these particles and contains them to a concealed container.
Every one of the sanders we listed comes stock with a vacuum, this should not be overlooked. Otherwise, you’re going to have a fun time wiping tiny dust particles from yourself and the area you sanded.
Dustless Drywall Sander vs Orbital Sander
At first glance, the orbital sander and the drywall sander might seem one and the same. However, taking a closer look there is a reason a distinction between the two. We discussed the importance of the vacuum system earlier on, this part is the key difference.
Since the material of drywall is so fine the dust created from sanding is finer. The orbital sanders typically don’t have a filtration system designed to hold this dust. If they do, most often they become clogged. The key to the drywall sander is the filtration system.
Keep in mind, if you’re working with wood use an orbital sander if you’re working with drywall use a drywall sander.
OUR TOP PICKS
Sanding drywall with an electric sander. Pad Size & Weight
This element of the equation is probably the simplest. Working various projects will give you different obstacles to overcome. When it comes to drywall you’re faced with similar obstacles. However, there is no reason to get a pad size bigger than you need.
When working on simple wall patches some of the smaller pad sized will do the trick and often are more convenient. If you’re in a situation where you’ll be sending multiple walls and ceilings then it would be better to use a larger pad sized.
When it comes to sanders weight matters. With other power tools weight is a factor but not a big one, yet with a sander, a few pounds makes a difference. The vibration of the tool already is wearing away at your hands and fatigue does set in. Over long durations of sanding your hands will begin to ache; having a sander with fewer pounds can play a factor in the quality and duration of a project.
Best drywall sander. Safety, Care and Maintenance
When working with any type of sander whether it's a drywall sander, a benchtop sander or a sander for paint the main safety concern is protecting your lungs and eyes. When sanding the dust particles can be hazardous, so it’s smart to wear safety goggles and a mask . Using a vacuum system helps protect you from this hazard.
Also, make sure to take care of your sander. After every use clean the dust bags and vacuum system. If you have an air compressor blow out the sander to clear dust residue.
What is the Best Electric Sander for Drywall: Our Picks
We recommend the WEN 6369 Variable Speed 5 Amp Drywall... because it’s power, quality, and support. This is one of the more powerful sanders we’ve selected. WEN makes quality tools and this sander includes six sanding pads out of the box for your convenience. Additionally, there is a two-year warranty on this sander, which is why we feel this is the best choice for the consumer.
The Goplus® Electric Hand Held Drywall... is a fair choice for those on a budget. The Goplus comes with a LED light which is a stand-alone feature compared to other selections. It also has a removable base to help with closer sand.
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For the overall best value the No products found. is our choice, if you can afford it. The Festool has an extension handle with a spring loaded pad to reach the ceiling. Additionally, it has an internal hose system and a dust filtration system.
Further Resources & Readings
- How do you use a drywall sander? - HowStuffWorks.com
- What is Drywall Made of? TheSpruce.com
- Control of Drywall Sanding Dust Exposures - CDC.gov
- How to Reduce Drywall Dust During Your Home Remodel - The Spruce.com
Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
