What it is:  A sander with a round pad that moves in random orbits and rotations

What it helps with: Provides smooth finishes without visible swirl marks

Compared to others: More versatile and forgiving than sheet or orbital sanders

Best for: General-purpose sanding and finishing on wood, plastic, or metal.

What it is: A sander that uses rectangular sandpaper sheets, vibrating in small motions

What it helps with: Great for light sanding and finishing flat surfaces

Compared to others:  Less aggressive than random orbit or disc sanders, better for fine work

Best for: Finishing work, corners, and edges on furniture or cabinets.

What it is:  A sander that moves in small circular orbits

What it helps with: Smooths surfaces and prepares them for painting or finishing

Compared to others: Simpler and less powerful than random orbit sanders, but affordable and easy to control.

Best for: Beginners and light-duty sanding tasks.

What it is:  A sander with a circular abrasive disc attached, usually mounted on a bench or handheld

What it helps with: Quickly removes a large amount of material

Compared to others: Quickly removes a large amount of material

Best for:  Heavy-duty sanding, shaping, and removing stock from wood or metal.

What it is:  A dual-purpose tool that sands surfaces and can also polish them.

What it helps with:  Smooths surfaces and buffs/polishes for a glossy finish

Compared to others: More versatile than other sanders, often used in auto detailing

Best for: Automotive polishing, woodworking finishing, and restoration work.

What it is: A group of specialized sanders designed for tasks ranging from heavy-duty material removal to fine detail work

What it helps with: Covers sanding needs that go beyond standard orbital or sheet sanders, such as fast stock removal, smooth finishing, or precision in tight spaces

Compared to others: Offers a wider range of functions—belt sanders are more powerful for rough work, ROS sanders balance speed and smoothness, and cordless detail sanders provide portability and precision

Best for: Users needing versatility, from large surface sanding and paint removal to fine detailing and finishing touches.