Top 10 Best Belt Sanders (Reviews & Buyers’ Guide 2022)

It may be surprising that belt sanders this powerful can be easy to control, but the Makita 9403 Belt Sander is built to be a dependable and useful tool. It’s also well-designed and built for longevity, even with regular and heavy use. Because of its build and features, this is the best belt sander on our list.

At 11 amps, this Makita belt sander has quite a powerful motor. It allows the tool to produce speeds of up to 1,640 feet per minute, which enables the quick and efficient removal of various materials. Though the motor is quite powerful, the tool itself is surprisingly quiet. At just 84 decibels, it won’t be harmful to your hearing.

You’ll also find that this tool is designed to be easy to operate. It has a large front grip that allows you to have better control, and the tool’s design allows you to sand flush to the wall. The tool also has a labyrinth construction, which keeps dust from getting into the interior. This protects the motor and helps extend the lifespan of the belt sander.

We found that this is among the smoothest and most well-balanced belt sanders we’ve handled. We were surprised by how easy it was to control despite its power. In comparison, other belt sanders with a similar performance tended to be harder to manage. This one, however, was a dream to use.

Made to be balanced and long-lasting, this belt sander might just be your new go-to for woodworking, installing new floorboards, and more. For even more convenience and efficiency, the attached dust bag can go around 360°, allowing for a neater workspace and an easier cleanup.

The Good:

The Makita belt sander 9403 is a versatile piece of machinery that is best suited for woodworkers, carpenters, furniture makers, floor installers, deck builders, and more. It’s an excellent choice for professionals and DIYers looking for a powerful but quiet belt sander. Its durability, consistent performance, efficiency, and quiet operation make it a welcome addition to any workshop.

The Bad:

Inexplicably, the dust port of this particular sander comes in a different size compared to the dust ports of other sanders made by this same brand. This belt sander comes with its own dust collection bag, but if it gets damaged or lost, you’ll have to buy a replacement made exactly for this specific model.

The Ugly:

We like this tool a lot, but we also think that it still has room for improvement. For example, it would have been better if it had variable speed settings. It basically just has two modes: off or full-throttle. A variable speed mechanism would have been a very welcome feature that would enhance the control the user has over this tool.

If you’re looking for something substantial, durable, and easy to set up, the WEN Belt Sander and Disc Sander is worth checking out. It’s built to work efficiently and does not need much power to get the job done. From maintenance to operation, this machine will prove to be easy and comfortable to use. Thus, this is the best belt sander combined with a disc sander.

While there are other belt and disc sanders out there with more powerful motors, the best belt sanders need just the right amount of juice to do their best work. With a 4.3-amp motor, this machine will be able to easily and deftly handle a large load without slowing or encountering issues. It’s also enough power for the machine to produce a speed of 3600 RPM, which can easily enable you to efficiently remove material.

This WEN belt sander also has an important feature: not only is it a belt sander, but it also has a sanding disc. Sanding belts and sanding discs may have the same basic function, but they’re used for different purposes. With this tool, you’ll get both options in one and you’ll be able to efficiently switch between the two without much hassle.

One of the best things about this machine is that it’s versatile. It comes with an 80-grit sanding belt and disc, which are reliable for sanding wood. However, you can also replace the sanding belt with a different belt that can suitably handle other types of material, such as metal. This way, you can work with different materials with just one tool.

When we tested out this belt disc sander, it proved just how well it can perform. It removed material quickly and effortlessly, as we were able to work more smoothly and efficiently than we expected. Compared to how other belt sanders perform, this is definitely one of the best we've ever worked with.

The Good:

This WEN belt sander offers the versatility of both a belt sander and a disc sander. If you were in the market for a professional do-it-all sander that can tackle a variety of projects, then this simple but durable belt sander can be a great fit. It's a powerful tool that's suitable for both professionals and first-time users. It's simple to use, but versatile enough to handle a variety of sanding tasks.

The Bad:

One thing we didn’t like, however, was the dust collection mechanism. It didn’t work well for us, and there was more dust than we would have liked on the belt itself. While it didn’t affect the sanding process much, an effective dust management system is a vital part of sanders and other similar tools.

The Ugly:

Another thing we didn’t like is the belt changing and adjustment mechanism. It’s not tool-free, but we would have liked this tool better if it were. We had to use an Allen wrench to loosen the belt, which seemed to be too much trouble for something that would be simple and quick to do.

Designed specifically for removing spot welds, the Astro Tools 3037 Air Belt Sander is a reliable tool that you can use for a variety of purposes. It’s a practical tool that comes with a range of helpful features that you can use for different kinds of jobs.

With a motor that produces 0.5 HP, this drill works hard and gets the job done more quickly than other ways of removing spot welds. It also has adjustable speed settings that go up to 16,000 RPM. You can use these speed settings to make sure that you're able to use the appropriate speed you need for different tasks.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this tool is its design, which allows you to adjust several features according to your needs. Aside from the speed, you can also adjust the angle of the arm so you can better access certain spots. The tool can also accommodate 1/2" by 18” belts from nearly all brands, and you can change belts without taking up too much time.

In fact, the belt-changing mechanism was one of the things we liked best about this tool. It’s basically a tool-free process; the tension lever allows you to loosen the belt you’re currently using so you can take it off, and you can use the same mechanism to tighten and secure a new belt.

Whatever your line of work is, as long as you need a belt sander to do tough jobs, this tool can do the trick. Also, because you can use sanding belts from different brands, you can choose the belt that you think will work best with this tool. You’ll find that this tool will pay for itself many times over.

The Good:

Overall, this belt sander is a versatile tool that offers impressive power and ease of use. It already comes with three belts of varying grits, so you can get started on different projects and work with different kinds of materials. Because it can accommodate wider belts, you’ll be able to have your pick of belts to use.

The Bad:

Since this is a tool that was made specifically for working on spot welds, we expected it to be able to work well with metal. While it does work effectively on metal, it gets really loud. We were surprised by the noise it generated; we expected it to be quite loud, but not as loud as it got.

The Ugly:

The biggest problem we had with this tool is what we’d consider to be a design flaw. There’s no safety lock on the trigger, which means that simply setting the tool down on its side can power it on. This can be dangerous, and it would have been better if the tool had a safety feature of some sort to prevent this from happening.

With the SKIL Belt Sander, you’ll be able to relax and let the tool shoulder more of the work. This belt sander comes with functions and features that can make the job a lot easier and allow you to work more efficiently.

The 6-amp motor that comes with this belt sander is quite impressive. With this kind of power, you’ll be able to cleanly and neatly sand just about any type of wooden surface. It also comes with an 80 grit belt, which is suitable for heavy sanding and can help you get rid of imperfections.

One of the most useful features that this SKIL belt sander has is its pressure control indicator. This indicator will tell you when you’re applying the right amount of pressure in relation to the work you’re doing, which can help you work more efficiently and avoid mistakes. When the indicator lights up, you’ll know that you’re applying the appropriate amount of pressure.

Another feature worth talking about is this belt sander’s microfiltration system. It catches nearly all of the dust generated by sanding, which keeps you from breathing in the particles and keeps the tool from making a mess in your workspace. Other than this, you’ll also be able to use this belt sander for flush edge sanding.

This tool has a lot of great features, but the thing that we like best is that its performance is as smooth as silk. It was light enough that it was easy to maneuver, but it was also heavy enough that we didn’t have to push down on it to sand surfaces effectively. We thus didn’t have to exert too much effort to get the tool to do its job.

The Good:

This SKIL belt sander is a powerful, reliable, and durable tool that can efficiently remove a lot of material. It’s built to last, and it comes with features that make it easier to use. The pressure control indicator and the microfiltration system are just two of the things that enable this tool to work well for you.

The Bad:

The dust management system of this tool didn’t work as well as we hoped it would. There was more dust left over than we would have liked, and the space around the work area was covered with a layer of dust. Attaching a vacuum to the tool can help improve the dust collection system.

The Ugly:

Another issue we encountered is that this tool tends to get hot a bit quickly. You can turn it off and let it cool down for a while, but this means that you’ll periodically have to stop working to prevent the tool from heating up too much.

The BUCKTOOL Bench Belt and Disc Sander BD4801 is full of a surprising amount of useful features, especially given how relatively inexpensive it is. It’s substantial, well-designed, versatile, and easy to set up once it arrives at your doorstep.

This machine’s 5-amp motor works to ensure that you have enough power for nearly all kinds of sanding jobs, whether small or large in scope. It can efficiently run the belt sander as well as the disc sander that comes with this machine. The belt sander has a speed of 2161 FPM, while the disc sander has a speed of 3450 RPM.

Because this machine comes with both a belt and a disc sander, you’ll be able to use it for a wide variety of tasks. Both the belt and the disc are already installed when you receive the package, which is why setting up is so easy. You’ll also get a cast aluminum table, as well as a cast aluminum base with rubber feet, which ensures the stability of this tool while it’s in use.

You can use this belt disc sander for a variety of materials, including wood and resin, and you can also use it for sharpening knife blades. Upon using this machine, you’ll find that it’s solid, substantial, and simple to set up and use. Overall, it’s well-balanced and gives you a lot of options, and it stands head and shoulders above many other knife-sharpening belt sanders.

Additionally, we found that this belt disc sander is powerful yet surprisingly quiet. It’s not as quiet as the Makita Belt Sander 9403, but it still doesn’t produce a loud noise. It also didn’t slow down at all even when working with larger workpieces or tougher materials. In general, we thought that it was a good tool to add to anyone’s workshop, especially at its price.

The Good:

One thing that sets this belt disc sander apart from other similar sanders is its versatility. It serves as not only a stationary belt sander but also a disc sander. This is a high-quality machine that will make woodworking much easier. Setup is easy, as it comes with both the belt and the disc pre-installed. Overall, it’s well-balanced and can give you an exceptional user experience.

The Bad:

This belt sander comes with two tables, which are a nice addition. However, these tables have a tendency to wobble, like they’re not very securely attached to the sander. They’re also not level when you first take the machine out of the box, and we had to do a lot of adjustments to level and stabilize them. Despite this, they still tend to get out of level, so you’ll have to level them again periodically.

The Ugly:

When we put the belt sander in the vertical position, it was a lot more difficult to balance. It was also more prone to tipping over, and it took us some time to make sure that the machine will stay upright while the belt was vertical.

Performance, power, and efficiency all go hand in hand in the Makita 9903 Belt Sander. With a motor that powers through just about any task, this belt sander will help you get various tasks done with plenty of time and energy to spare. Its efficient design, meanwhile, makes this tool worthy of being considered to be among the best belt sanders.

This belt sander derives its power from its impressive 8.8-amp motor, which is built to maintain the tool’s speed no matter how heavy the load gets. If you’d like to adjust the speed, you’ll be able to easily do so by using the tool’s speed control dial. Operating this belt sander is thus efficient, easy, and safe.

With so many useful design features, this tool will prove to be top-of-the-line when it comes to functionality. For example, you’ll be able to sand surfaces flush to the wall because this belt sander is designed with a wide base. There is also a built-in belt tracking system that will remove the need for belt adjustments, and a dust collector that will remove the need for heavy cleanups at the end of a workday.

You’ll also surely enjoy the long electrical cord that comes with this tool because you’ll be able to more easily maneuver and handle it without issues. Because this tool is so versatile, you can use it for a wide range of jobs, including furniture making and restoration, construction, renovations, and many more.

The Good:

This belt sander is a good option to consider if you’re looking for an impressive belt sander that is able to tackle all of your projects. It’s backed by a powerful motor, which contributes significantly to the sander’s ability to continue operating smoothly and consistently even as the load gets heavier. Because this belt sander is meant to handle rough surfaces, it will make the whole process faster and easier for you.

The Bad:

Like the previous Makita belt sander, this one also has a dust collection port that doesn’t come in a standard size. It fits the dust collection bag that comes with the tool, but it won’t fit standard shop vacs. It certainly didn’t fit any of our shop vacs, so it’s likely that you’ll have the same issue.

The Ugly:

Turning the tool on at a higher speed can bust the belt you’re using. You’ll have to make sure that you put it on the lowest speed setting before you turn it on, then gradually turn the speed up to the level you need while making tracking adjustments. While it’s a simple enough fix, it does take time.

The BUCKTOOL Belt Sander and Bench Grinder Combo BG2600 is versatile, efficient, and full of different design features that set it apart from many other similar knife-sharpening belt sanders. If you work with wood and metal, this machine is worth considering. It’s durable and you’ll be able to use it for a wide range of applications without worrying about damage or wear.

A good sander needs to be able to keep up with a lot of demands, and this machine is built with the capacity to do just that. It has a strong and reliable motor that keeps the belt sander running at a consistent speed even with a heavy load. Additionally, this machine can produce a wheel speed of 3450 RPM and a belt speed of 4480 FPM.

Its design, however, deserves a closer look. Because it’s a combination of a belt sander and a bench grinder, it allows you to work on a variety of different tasks. You can also position the belt sander horizontally or vertically, while the grinding wheel comes with an eyeshield and its own LED light. Additionally, the grinding wheel is white, which is meant to prevent overheating when sharpening blades.

You can use this stationary belt sander for a variety of jobs, but it’s especially well-suited to knifemaking as well as sharpening and finishing blades. You’ll find that the machine is set up and designed to be able to efficiently remove material, including steel. For something that comes with a lot of useful features, this machine has great value.

We were impressed by how well this machine removes material, due in large part to how it can remove material almost as efficiently as industrial-grade tools. Even with limited experience, we were able to easily sharpen a variety of knives and tools. If you’re an amateur knifemaker and you need practice, this tool can give you a good place to start.

The Good:

This bench belt sander and grinder combo is a tool that provides versatility, as well as efficiency. It has all of the features you need for sharpening and grinding, and it can remove material in no time at all. You’ll find that this tool works well for many jobs, even though it's most suited for sharpening blades. That’s why this is the best belt sander combined with a bench grinder.

The Bad:

We had an issue with the fasteners for the support shoe. They’re made of plastic and seem to be particularly weak, especially when you compare them to other belt sanders’ parts. In fact, this belt sander has more plastic parts than we would have liked tools like this to have.

The Ugly:

You’ll need different tools to make the adjustments for this belt sander. For example, you need an allen wrench to adjust the tables, and a different allen wrench to adjust the arm. In our position, if we couldn’t have tool-free adjustments, then we should’ve at least had adjustments that can be made using just one tool.

Tools like this are great for those who need both a belt sander and a disc sander. Now you won’t have to get both tools separately. The Rockwell Belt/Disc Combo Sander reliably performs the functions of both tools and can help you accomplish a wide variety of tasks.

With a 1/2 HP motor, this belt disc sander has the power to sand and finish wood for a range of woodworking tasks. The motor can support the sanding disc’s speed of 3450 RPM and the sanding belt’s speed of 1700 SFM. This power and speed make this machine a reliable tool that can help you with various projects without fail.

Perhaps the best thing about this machine is that even though it’s versatile and capable of doing a range of tasks, it’s not complicated to operate. You’ll only have to deal with a few switches and you’ll be able to get the machine to do what you want it to do. It’s also quite hefty and has a solid base, which means that you’ll be able to comfortably use it for continuous sanding without worrying about the machine getting too wobbly.

Newbies and experienced woodworkers can get a lot of use out of this tool. You can use it for construction, renovations, furniture-making, and more. You’ll be able to work more efficiently and finish more projects and tasks in a shorter period. Changing the belt is also easy, allowing you to stay efficient and maintain your momentum.

One of the more remarkable things about this belt sander is that it runs very quietly. It’s not as quiet as the Makita 9403, but it’s pretty close. This is probably the result of the sturdy base, which keeps the tool well-grounded and prevents it from making a racket.

The Good:

‎This is a powerful belt disc sander that is designed to make sanding quick and easy. It's designed for heavy-duty use, thanks to its solid metal base. With its powerful motor, you'll be able to work at high and efficient speeds. Additionally, it comes with a worktable that tilts up to 45 degrees, allowing you to create smooth bevels.

The Bad:

We didn't like how the table was constructed because it didn't seem to be very sturdy. The table's miter gauge was also not great, and the whole set-up seemed a bit flimsy. However, it did have a nice belt, and we felt it could be a good option for someone who won't need to rely too much on the built-in table and miter gauge.

The Ugly:

It would have been better if this belt sander had variable speeds. Once you turn this belt sander on, it will immediately run at its top speed. This can be an issue if you have to work on certain materials that are more compatible with lower sanding speeds.

Improve your efficiency and avoid making huge messes with the CRAFTSMAN 3” x 21” Belt Sander. This tool is well-designed, easy to use, and will allow you to get more done in a shorter span of time. With various other design features, you’ll be able to use this tool comfortably for various sanding and finishing tasks.

At 7 amps, this tool comes with a powerful motor that enables it to remove material at a fast and efficient pace. It has a maximum belt speed of 800 SFM, which isn’t as fast as other belt sanders but is still more than enough for the removal of various kinds of material. In fact, with the right sanding belt, you might find that you’ll need to turn down the speed a bit to avoid mistakes.

What sets this tool apart from most other portable belt sanders is that it has an angled belt design. It tapers down to a narrower nose, which allows you to sand more closely to other surfaces without making mistakes. Additionally, you can reposition the handle to three different spots as you prefer so you can handle the tool more easily.

One of the best things about this tool is that it comes with a dust bag that works very well. It won’t get 100% of the dust and debris that comes out of sanding and finishing, but you’ll still have to do significantly less cleaning up. With all these features, you can significantly cut down the time you spend on your work.

Many other belt sanders have a problem with their dust management systems, but this one doesn’t. We were pleasantly surprised to see that the machine sucked up most of the dust it generated. Of course, there was still some dust left over, but there wasn’t much left for us to deal with.

The Good:

This belt sander is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a powerful, yet compact and lightweight tool. If you want a belt sander that doesn’t waste any material and leaves a smooth finish behind, this could be just what you need. Additionally, its angled design lets you work on close surfaces to avoid mistakes when sanding, and its handle can be repositioned for easier handling.

The Bad:

Even though this belt sander is designed for angled sanding, it can be difficult to handle it on angled surfaces. It’s a bit on the heavier side, so we had a hard time keeping the tool under control. However, using it on a flat and level surface is a lot easier.

The Ugly:

One of the good things about this belt sander is that it has a lock-on button. Because of this button, you won’t have to keep pressing the trigger. However, this button is much smaller than we’d like, and it’s also hard to actually press. It’s also in a difficult-to-access spot.

The Metabo HPT Belt Sander is not for the faint of heart. This is a hefty and powerful tool that can succeed where other portable belt sanders have failed. It’s best for jobs that need a heavy-duty belt sander, and it can work quickly and efficiently to allow you to finish more jobs in a shorter timeframe than you might expect.

With its 9-amp motor, this tool is a veritable workhorse. You can use it for the toughest sanding and finishing jobs, and the motor won’t lag at all. For more control over this powerful tool, you can use the speed dial to adjust the belt speed from 820 to 1,475 feet per minute. You’ll thus be able to choose the best or most manageable speed for whichever task you have at hand.

This tool also comes with various features that can give you an efficient overall experience. For one thing, it’s designed to allow you to sand flush against the wall or any other surface. It also has a dust collection bag that’s been mounted on the left side of the tool, which makes corner sanding much easier and cleaner.

Overall, this is a remarkably powerful tool that can easily handle various sanding and finishing jobs, no matter how tough they may be. You can easily adjust its speed settings, and it’s designed to make various tasks easier, cleaner, and more efficient. Like the other belt sanders on this list, this one will give you great value and last for years to come.

Additionally, using this tool was easy and relatively uncomplicated for us. It also had a reliable dust management system that we were able to easily connect to our existing shop vac. Thus, if you already have a vacuum at home, you’ll have a much easier time cleaning up after you’re done working.

The Good:

There are a lot of sanders in the market, but you don’t just want any random sander. You want one that can give you an easy and safe experience. It has a reliable motor that can deliver an exceptional level of power, allowing it to tackle different kinds of surfaces and materials with ease.

The Bad:

It seems that this belt sander can work well and is easy to handle when it’s on a flat and level surface. However, once we started working on a sloped surface, we definitely felt how heavy and bulky this tool is. We would have liked it better if this tool were easier to handle even when it’s not on level surfaces.

The Ugly:

This tool comes with a dust bag, but its dust management system leaves a lot to be desired. The bag didn’t seem to have caught much dust when we tested the tool out, and we still had more dust than we expected on the surfaces of our work area.