Last Updated on February 15, 2022
Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.
Top 10 Best Belt Sanders
- Bosch PBS 75 A (Editor’s Choice)
- Makita 9404/2 (Luxury Choice)
- TOOLTRONIX 900W Electric (Best Value)
- BLACK+DECKER KA86 (Best Angled)
- Einhell TC-BS 8038 (Best Easy to Use)
- Ryobi EBS800V Variable Speed (Best Variable Speed)
- TRITON T41200BS (Best Ergonomic)
- Silverstorm 350 W Bench-Mounted (Best Bench Mounted)
- Scheppach 240 V 125 mm (Best Quiet)
- Jellas 1000 W (Best for all Jobs)
Belt Sanders has replaced the manual task of removing surface material to take the item back to its original finish or smoothing it out in preparation for varnishing or painting. Compared to doing the task manually, they will save you a significant amount of time and elbow grease!
The two main types of belt sanders are stationary and handheld. They each have their pros and cons, and it is worth considering the main types of projects that you will want yours to work on. We have collected up to ten of the best belt sanders on the market to help you discover which one is best for your workshop.
How We Compared Belt Sanders
To find the right belt sanders we considered multiple factors including:
- Size and sanding capacity
- Weight
- Power
- Handheld or benchtop
- Handheld
- Features and functions
Our team independently examined and compared hundreds of products to help satisfy different needs. We spent our time researching belt sanders and consulting customer reviews to ultimately bring you what, in our opinion, are the best options on the market right now.
To find out more about our editorial process, take a look here.
Belt Sander Reviews
Bosch PBS 75 A (Editor’s Choice)
The PBS 75 by Bosch is the winner of our Editor’s Choice for the best belt sander. It has a compact design that means it is easy to manoeuvre and handle. Bosch has improved the way it works and handles, and it is now more efficient than ever. This is a perfect belt sander for large surface areas such as tables, floors and any other large wooden surface you may require sanding down. It can take a significant amount of material from the surface of an item, so it is a great workhorse.
The belt tensioning system makes changing the sanding belt a straightforward task, and there is no need to spend time and effort on aligning it, as it is automatically held in the correct position while in use.
Beyond all the features that are designed to make the Bosch PBS 75 A Belt Sander one of the easiest sanders to use, it also has additional features that enhance its functionality, such as the Bosch microfilter system that extracts the sanded dust efficiently. This dust collection system means that you can save time on cleaning up, and it is easy to empty and make ready for the next use.
You have the flexibility to lay this sanding belt on its side or vertically and use it as a stationary sander for harder to reach areas, and it has a high degree of stability when used as a stationary device.
At 710 W, this is a powerful machine and has all of the Bosch manufacturing prowess and skill that you would expect built-in, so it has a ‘low vibration’ system for ease of use and handling. Additionally, setting it apart from other sanding belts, it sports variable speed control with an accelerator function so it can be used to adapt perfectly to the surface you are sanding.
Suitable for use on wood, metal or plastic materials, this is a really flexible all-rounder electric belt sander.
Pros:
- It has an automatic belt tensioning system
- Efficient filter system for dust extraction
- Compact design for easy manoeuvrability
- Low vibration system
- Accelerator function
Cons:
- Dust extractor system clips may not fit well
- Clamps to hold the belt sander may need to be purchased separately
- Dust extractor may need emptying regularly and is too small for the job
Makita 9404/2 (Luxury Choice)
The Makita 9404/2 Belt sander is extremely powerful at 1010 W and is exceptionally efficient for high surface area removal, making it suitable for heavier works and large areas. Although at the upper end of the products in this review for its price, it has many features that make that outlay worthwhile.
This powerful belt sander has variable speed control to supply between 210 and 440 metres per minute of throughput. You can adjust the speed dial to match the job at hand, making it versatile for sanding different materials, including wood, glass and plastic.
Additionally, it has a flat-top design so that you can hold and move it over the surface you are working on in an inverted position. The Makita electric belt sander has a dust bag attachment included keeping your work area clean and dust-free. You won’t need to manually adjust the belt as it includes an automatic tracking belt system.
The belt sander has a 16ft long power cord and comes in addition to the large belt size, at 100 by 610 mm, to allow you to cover a large area. You will also like the low noise level (<85 dB) of this sander.
A clever additional function that this belt sander offers is that it is attachable to the Makita vacuum cleaner!
Pros:
- Very powerful motor
- Large belt size
- Low noise level
- Dust bag
- Can be used inverted
Cons:
- It may be a bit heavy for manual use
- May overheat on heavy usage
- Reviews mention used items being supplied
TOOLTRONIX 900W Electric (Best Value)
The TOOLTRONIX 900W Electric Belt Sander is a flexible tool at a great price! You can use it freehand for large surface sanding or clamped stationary for more detailed and precise work. The clamps required for stationary use come included with this sander, which other manufacturers sometimes fail to be clear about. It also has variable speed settings that can even be changed mid-use to make it appropriate to the surface being sanded.
It is designed with a sturdy belt and aluminium rollers, so it works well on heavy-duty projects and has a quick-clamping leaver, allowing you to easily change the belt when needed. Additionally, this belt sander has a graphite-coated sanding plate with a toothed belt and toothed belt wheels designed to make this product last for a long time.
If you are looking for a great budget belt sander that can polish, smooth, or sand your metal, glass and plastic surfaces, then you needn’t look further than this product.
It features a powerful 900 W motor, a dust collection bag, and a cleaner included when you purchase this sanding belt. Its sanding belt size is 75 mm by 533 mm and has a sanding area of 75 mm by 150 mm.
It is light to carry, at 2 kg, when using it in as a traditional belt sander and has rubber-coated handles for comfortable handling.
Pros:
- Dust extraction bag
- Variable speed settings
- Large sanding area
- Clamps included for stationary use
- Dual-use, stationary or freehand
Cons:
- The tooth belt may snap
- It may be noisy during operation
BLACK+DECKER KA86 (Best Angled)
The stand-out feature on this corded belt sander, setting it apart from its competitors, is its angled belt design. This enables you to sand right up to two adjoining surfaces so you are not left with an unfinished join. This is great if you are sanding floors and want to get right into the angle to the wall.
It is designed for larger surface areas, so perfect if you have been meaning to sand down the decking out in the garden or discovered old floorboards hiding beneath a carpet. It is powered by a 720 W motor and has a sand belt of 75 mm by 457 mm. It is also one of the lighter belt sanders in our review, at just 1.4 kg.
In addition, there is an automatic belt tracking mechanism that helps to keep the belt taut when it is in use, saving you valuable time that you would have spent adjusting it back onto the rollers. There is also a dust extraction system with a bag to collect the off-cut and ensure your working area remains clean. If you don’t want to use the dust bag, then you have the option to connect a hoover to the dust extraction port.
An inevitable part of doing heavy-duty sanding is that the belt will need to be changed from time to time. This sanding belt is kitted out with a fast change lever mechanism so that that process is as straightforward and quick to do as possible.
Pros:
- Dust collection bag included
- Angled belt design
- Automatic belt tensioning system
- Light and manoeuvrable
- Fast belt change lever mechanism
Cons:
- May lack variable speed control
- The belt may stray despite the automatic tracking
- The dust collection port may not be very efficient
Einhell TC-BS 8038 (Best Easy to Use)
The Einhell TC-BS 8038 Belt Sander is equipped with an efficient motor that has a power rating of 800 W but comes in a compact design. It is designed to make your sanding operation as easy as possible, and it is great as a workhorse for projects such as removing paint and varnish from doors or stairs or sanding down decking or floors. An additional handle means it is easy to use and manoeuvrable and gives you precise handling for when you need it.
This compact belt sander has a precision adjustment knob that allows you to quickly and easily set the belt correctly so that it tracks correctly. It also comes with a dust collector bag to keep your working environment free of dust. You also won’t have to lose time on the job, as the quick belt change facility makes changing the belt so simple to do.
As a great safety feature, this powerful belt sander has a ceramic guard that provides protection in case the belt position is not set correctly.
The belt sander has a belt size of 76 mm by 533 mm and a speed of up to 380 meters/minute. The sander has been designed to be comfortable through long hours of use and weighs in at 3.4 kg, so it is in the mid-weight range in this review.
Pros:
- Compact and easy-to-use design
- Dust extraction bag included
- Fast belt change facility
- Precision adjustment
- Powerful motor
Cons:
- The dust collection system may not be very efficient
- It may get very hot during operation
- It may not be a variable speed setting
Ryobi EBS800V Variable Speed (Best Variable Speed)
The Ryobi EBS800V Variable Speed Belt Sander is equipped with an 800 W motor that efficiently propels the belt, meaning it is a powerful belt sander suitable for fast stock removal. This variable speed sander allows you to adjust it to suit the requirement of the job at hand, so it is particularly useful for DIY enthusiasts who need to sand a wide range of materials.
This reliable belt sander has a four-position handle, so you can adjust your grip to suit the type of angled work you are tackling, making it comfortable to use and adaptable too!
It has a quick belt change system so that you can easily set tracking up correctly without spending a lot of time and effort, and it has a cyclonic dust box attachment to keep your work area free from dust and debris. The supplied G clamps mean you can attach them to a bench and use them in a stationary position.
This belt sander has a safety feature called a ‘livetool indicator’, which emits a blue light when the machine is powered up. The handle has four grip positions for your comfort and excellent mobility into angles.
You also get included for the price a carry case, two G clamps, a stopper, and three different grade sanding belts of 60, 100 and 120, making it suitable for a variety of projects you might have on the go! The sanding belt is 76 mm by 150 mm, and the belt sander has a speed of 150-320 meters/minute.
It is on the heavy side, at 6.2 kg, so take that into account before making a purchase.
Pros:
- Wide adjustable speed range
- Quick-change belt system
- Large belt area
- G clamps supplied for attaching to a bench
- Three grades of belt included
Cons:
- Heavy at 6.2 kg
- It may not be as long-wearing as some belt sanders
- It may not have a connection adaptor for a hoover
TRITON T41200BS (Best Ergonomic)
Another excellent sander deserving of a place in this review is the TRITON T41200BS Belt Sander. It has a powerful motor at 1200 W which means the sander can really eat through whatever job you are using it for. Beast is the word that many reviewers use to describe it! It also comes with a large belt size, 100 mm by 610 mm and a sanding area of 100 mm by 156 mm, that will adequately take care of large surfaces without taking too much of your time.
This belt sander has an auto-tracking belt system that allows you to easily put the belt in the proper position. In addition, it comes with variable speed control, enabling you to adapt the speed of the motor to the demands of the surface that you are working on.
The ergonomic design of the TRITON T41200BS Belt Sander is impressive and allows you to work with convenience for a long time without feeling any fatigue in any part of your body. A lock-on button is another nice feature when using this machine for an extended period of time.
Additional accessories that are included in the package include inversion clamps to convert it into a bench-mounted machine, three sanding belts and an extraction bag. This extraction bag helps to clear the debris generated while working, providing a dirt-free working area for you. There is also a dust port for connection to a hoover if that is your preference over a dust collection bag.
Pros:
- Equipped with 1200 W powerful motor
- Ergonomic design with front and rear handles
- Adjustable speed options
- Includes inversion clamps for bench mounting
- Auto-tracking belt system
Cons:
- It may be difficult to control when used freehand
- It may be a slight lack of tension in the belt
- Dust collection bag may not collect all of the dust
Silverstorm 350 W Bench-Mounted (Best Bench Mounted)
This is a fantastic pick from the stationary belt sanders available on the market. It offers you the flexibility of use for different projects and is suitable for use on wood, metal or plastics. It comes with a course-grained belt sander and a 15 mm disc sander.
This belt sander by Silverstorm is set on rubber feet so that it doesn’t scratch or mark the surface that it is placed on. In addition, it has a fully sealed on-off switch to prevent any dust or wood chippings from getting inside the machine, and similarly, the motor has sealed bearings, again to promote longevity of use and to prevent the entry of moisture or dust.
One feature setting this machine apart from the best belt sanders is the fact that the belt sander can be angled between 0 and 90° to enable you to sand any difficult to reach places that a standard model belt sander would struggle to access. It also has a table that can be angled to many different positions with a mitre guide.
The discs come with a hook and loop fastening, so they are quick and easy to change. The belt is 915 mm by 100 mm and has a 190 mm sanding area, and the disc is 150 mm in diameter. The belt sander has a 350 W induction motor, and the disc has a no-load speed of 1450 rpm, and the belt has a speed of 5 m/s. Finally, it has dual extraction ports to keep your work area clean and tidy while in use.
Pros:
- Double extraction ports for dust
- Belt and disc sander
- Induction motor with sealed bearings
- Multi-angle, dual-position table with mitre gauge
- Bench-mounted
Cons:
- Instructions may not be too useful for set-up
- Belt adjustment may be difficult
- The belt may not lock in the upright position
Scheppach 240 V 125 mm (Best Quiet)
The Scheppach machine is another benchtop sander in our top ten reviews. It is lighter than the Silverstorm belt sander, at 8.5 kg, and has a 250 W motor. It also has a larger disc sander than the previous bench sander at 125 mm diameter, rather than 115 mm. The sanding belt length and width is 762 mm by 25.4 mm.
It is designed for craftwork and hobbyists and probably isn’t best suited for heavy work. However, it can be used on wood, plastics and metals and achieves a smooth and fine finish.
The belt sander has a cast iron base so that it stays stable when in use. The sanding disc is a velcro attachment, so very straightforward to replace. An adjustable mitre gauge is also included when you purchase this belt sander.
The 250 W induction motor is quiet and efficient when in use, making it perfect for a small workshop, and it is quick and straightforward to go from unpacking to working! It also has an overload cut-out function, so you can’t overwork it.
It does not have a variable speed control option, so that is something to bear in mind when selecting the belt sander best for your requirements. Also, many of the reviews of this product comment on the fact that this belt sander is supplied with a two-pin European plug rather than a UK three-pin one.
That said, this is a user-friendly belt sander, and it comes with a two-year manufacturer’s guarantee!
Pros:
- Quiet and efficient when in use
- Belt and disc sander
- Compact
- Mitre gauge included
- Easy to set up and use
Cons:
- It may arrive with a two-pin plug rather than a UK plug
- It may not be suitable for heavy-duty usage
- Not a brushless motor
Jellas 1000 W (Best for all Jobs)
This is a great all-rounder belt sander, although it is recommended to use on large flat surfaces due to its light and comfortable grip and large sanding area. It has a powerful 1000 W motor and a 3 m cord so that it will be long enough for most workshops. It also has an impressive 16,000 rpm! The sanding belt is a standard 75 mm by 533 mm.
For ease of use, the handles are rubber coated to reduce vibration when in use, and there is a self-lock on/off switch so that you do not need to hold it in for when in longer use. Additionally, there is a dust extraction port to connect to a vacuum hose, although it also comes with a dust bag as well.
A variable speed control dial allows you to select between six different speeds depending on the material and job you are working on. These go from 120 to 400 meters/minute and will provide the belt speed you need for almost any project. It is excellent for paint stripping, removing rust, as well as polishing surfaces and can be used on wood or metal.
The release lever makes it easy to change the belt, and there is an adjustment knob to adjust the tracking once replaced. The belt sander comes with sheets of sanding paper, including the one that is already attached to the machine when purchased, and these are in six different grit grades.
Pros:
- Adjustable belt speed
- Large sanding area
- Self-locking switch for ease of use
- Tension release lever and adjustment knob
- Includes 12 sandpapers, carbon brush, dust bag and belt
Cons:
- It may be noisy when used at high speeds
- The lever may snap after multiple uses
- Spare parts may be difficult to obtain
Things to Look For in a Belt Sander
The best belt sander is going to be a fantastic and flexible tool that is suitable for almost all types of sanding projects. They don’t take up too much room and are not too expensive an outlay to get you started on a project or two. Whether that project is freshening up some decking that has discoloured or stripping down doors and floors, or a much smaller woodwork project requiring a smaller machine which is great for detailed work, there is a perfect belt sander out there for you.
It is worth spending time considering your key criteria for this new addition to your workshop to make sure that you get it right. You don’t want to end up under or overpowered or without the features you thought you were getting.
Manufacturers now compete with each other to bring you an array of functionality and features which will win your custom, so below are some key considerations that we hope will help you in finding the perfect belt sander:
Size and Sanding Capacity
We talk about the weight of the belt sander below, but another essential factor to consider is the width and length of the sanding belt. The longer and wider the belt, the quicker work it will make of a large sanding job such as decking or a floor.
However, a narrower, shorter belt may be more appropriate for you if your projects require greater detailed work.
The length of the power cord may be another thing to consider, as anything is too short, and you won’t have the flexibility you need without having to also use an extension lead. Some come with an extra-long power cord, so keep an eye out for this if it is an important feature for you.
Weight
When it comes to weight, you need to consider what projects you are likely to be carrying out with the sander. If you are going to be sanding in a horizontal position, say for floors, large panels or doors, then it makes sense to go for a weightier model, as with a big belt sander, you won’t have to apply too much pressure yourself.
If you are going to be doing work in an upright or inverted position, or you need a portable sander, then looking for one that is less heavy and designed ergonomically will help you for this kind of sanding process.
Look through our reviews for a user-friendly belt sander for your next project. We have listed the best belt sanders on the market that go from just 1.4 kg for a handheld sander up to 13.14 kg for a benchtop model.
Power
Are you looking for a power tool to plough through the largest of jobs? Then a belt sander nick-named ‘the beast’ may be the one for you, with an impressive 1200 W motor! At the other end of the spectrum, there are belt sanders in this review that have 250 and 350 W motors and are better suited to smaller projects or on softer materials.
The price tends to follow the motor power, so consider what you need your belt sander to be able to do in terms of how regularly it is used, the size of the project and the material that is going to be sanded.
Handheld or Benchtop
Whether you are looking to purchase a handheld or benchtop belt sander will really come down to what projects you are hoping to undertake with it.
Benchtop
Stationary or benchtop belt sanders are designed to be installed in one place and tend to be bigger and heavier than handheld sanders. They require you to bring the material to the sander for work. Some benchtop belt sanders have multi-position tables and a disc as well as the belt sander and are well equipped for detailed sanding work.
Handheld
Handheld belt sanders are more commonly used as they are flexible for many different types of projects. The sanding belt is positioned on the bottom of the sander, making them perfect for use on floors, decking or other large flat surfaces. In addition, these sanders often come with variable speeds so that they can adapt to the level of sanding you need to do.
If you have a certain project, for instance, sanding down a floor, decking or perhaps a stairway or bannister, then you are going to be on the market for a handheld sanding belt as that way you can tackle horizontal and vertical surfaces.
Features and Functions
The best belt sanders on the market will offer you many of the following features, so make sure you’ve considered which are most useful to you and your preferred belt sander includes them.
A belt sander with a dust collection system is a must as these machines generate a great deal of dust as you work, and without one, or an inefficient one, you will have a great deal of clean up to do in your working environment and need to wear a dust mask to protect yourself! Most belt sanders have a dust bag, so you just need to read the reviews about the capacity and efficiency of the bag in collecting dust. The other thing to look out for are ports for the connection of a hoover, as this tends to be more efficient than a dust bag and better for large jobs that would result in you emptying the bag multiple times.
A variable speed dial that allows you to adjust the speed of the sander to match the material and job in hand is a really useful feature, but not all belt sanders include it. Having a variable speed option means you can adjust up or down to get the most from your machine, although some do just have a high or low-speed setting.
Self-locking on/off switches are great for when you are sanding large surface areas as they prevent you from having to keep a finger on the switch whilst the sander is in operation.
The main maintenance activity you will need to carry out with a belt sander is changing the belt and ensuring that it tracks accurately, so the best belt sanders include a tension release lever and an adjustment knob for tracking to make this task as straightforward as possible.
A final feature we thought worth a mention is a sanding belt that includes clamps to hold it in an inverted position so that you can also use this position for certain sanding jobs.
Conclusion
We hope you’ll have been able to find a product that ticks all the right boxes for you. However, if you’re still struggling to choose the best belt sander for your needs, you can try our Editor’s Choice – the Bosch PBS 75 A Belt Sander. Suitable for use on wood, metal or plastic materials, this is a really flexible all-rounder electric belt sander.
It is compact in its design, making it easy to manoeuvre and handle. It is a great workhorse for large surface areas such as tables, floors and any other large wooden surface you may require sanding down. You have the flexibility to lay this sanding belt on its side or vertically and use it as a stationary sander for harder to reach areas.
Additionally, it has a microfilter system that extracts the sanded dust efficiently and sports an electronic speed control with an accelerator function, so it can be used to adapt perfectly to the surface you are sanding.
To sum up, we think this is a great purchase, at a great price, and with all the features that will make you glad you made the decision to bring this belt sander into your workshop.
Additional Resources
Nicole has a passion for everything about the home – especially decor. She loves to add new touches and style to every part of the house. Join her as she documents her ideas at Home & Style.
