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Whether you’re dealing with small workpieces or an entire deck, these belt sanders will get the job done quickly and easily.

If you’re planning on tackling sanding projects that require rugged, coarse-grit sandpaper, you’re probably going to want a belt sander. These machines are usually more powerful than orbital or vibrating sanders, and use a spinning “belt” of sandpaper, allowing users to handle rough sanding projects, like hardwood or decking work, or, when mounted to a stand, smaller tasks like edge sanding or knife sharpening. They’re not ideal 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, a belt sander can be your best friend.

It’s important to think about what kind of project you’ll be using your belt sander for. If you’re planning on tackling large, rough projects with long boards — like sanding your deck or hardwood flooring — you should go with a basic, handheld unit. These are designed to be held comfortably in your hands, and allow you to maintain control during operation. Working on smaller, intricate woodworking tasks? A detail sander would be better, and their long, thin belts are perfect for getting into awkward or tight areas.

If you have high-production work in mind, or just have smaller workpieces to work with, a freestanding model will allow you to use both hands to manipulate your wood or metal piece, since the sander is bolted or attached to the base. You should also think about whether or not you actually need an orbital sander instead. These tend to be better for smaller furniture pieces, like chairs and desks, and are designed to allow you to work on more difficult angles and curves.

My experience using belt sanders as a residential and commercial carpenter has given me a good amount of insight into what makes a good belt sander, and what would benefit the average homeowner who may need one. When putting this list together, I only included brands that my colleagues and I have come to trust over the years, which is the reason we added so many WEN sanders to our list. Although we would recommend corded models to most users, we did want to include a battery-powered cordless model for those who want to remain mobile while they work, or would have issues accessing an outlet. Find the best belt sander for you and your needs below.

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, which can really help reduce the chances of irregular spotting on your work surface. 

Its open-sided design allows you to work while remaining flush with edges, and both the textured handles should provide a good amount of control while you go. 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. 

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The long, thin belt of this WEN model allows it to maneuver into tight spaces that traditional belt sanders can't, like between intricate designs on a chair back, or other woodworking projects. We also appreciate the variable speed control of this sander, which allows you to easily adjust its speed by scrolling through a wheel on the handle. Its 2.4-pound weight also contributes to its easy control and maneuverability. 

The specialized design of this sander does make it impractical for larger-scale projects, so you may need to purchase one of those to have all your bases covered. 

This WEN sander is relatively heavy at 85 pounds, but with a freestanding machine like this, you really want a decent amount of weight to keep it from shifting or “walking” during operation, and to maintain a nice, sturdy feel. A pair of dust ports allow you to connect your own dust collection system — whether it's a bag or a shop vac hose — which can greatly minimize garage or workshop cleanup after you’re finished. 

In addition to a six-by-48-inch belt, this machine also provides a circular sanding disk, making it more versatile than handheld models. 

The nine-amp motor of this Metabo Model — the same as our freestanding option listed above — provides the user with a significant amount of power in their hands, and is ready to tackle heavy-duty sanding jobs. The 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.

This sander is less powerful than our other freestanding WEN model, but it still packs a decent amount of features, and costs significantly less. Its belt can fully adjust from horizontal to 90 degrees vertical, which makes it versatile enough for a good range of tasks. The cast-iron base is heavy enough to reduce vibrations and wobbling during operation, and its bolt holes make it simple to attach to your existing workbench.

This wouldn’t be an ideal choice for frequent, heavy-duty use, but for the occasional DIY-er, it should be a nice fit. 

This cordless Ryobi doesn’t include a battery, so it would be the best option 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, allowing you to customize its angle to your preferred grip. Little things like this might not seem like much, but by giving you even just a little extra control, you’ll have a much better time using your sander, and avoiding errors that can damage your work surface. Its brushless motor will also have a longer lifespan, and work more efficiently, than brushed options. 

Type: Convertible (Handheld & Benchtop)

We love the versatility of this WEN sander, which is designed to be used as both a handheld sander, as well as a stationary bench top version by flipping it upside-down. 

By including a pair of clamps, you can easily secure the unit to your workbench and, thanks to a locking power switch, you won’t need to keep the trigger engaged the entire time you’re using it. The dust-collection system is also pretty impressive, and includes a durable dust container, as well as two different adapters so you can connect it to your personal system or shop vac if you like. 

This handheld model is surprisingly lightweight—just 6.2 pounds—and still packs a punch with a seven-amp motor, making it a suitable 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 it great for tasks other than horizontal sanding, like for rounding edges or working on vertical surfaces. A straightforward belt release also makes it simple to switch out the belt when you’re ready for a new one, or you need to change grits for a different project.