Updated October 2026
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A 5-inch random orbital sander is the default finish-prep tool: knock down a tabletop, blend a repair, take paint off a door, get a cabinet side ready for stain. The pad spins and orbits at the same time. That is not a circular saw and it is not a belt sander. We match manufacturer specs and kit contents to the Amazon listings we link. We print a street price only where we checked it on a stated date; otherwise check current price and seller on Amazon.
This is not a shop test. Milwaukee is a Home Depot exclusive in the US. We treat the M18 FUEL 5-inch random orbital as the HD benchmark. We do not send you to an Amazon third-party listing for it.
Random-orbit, 1/4-sheet palm, and belt are not the same aisle. A 5-inch hook-and-loop ROS takes 8-hole discs. A 1/4-sheet palm takes cut sheets and a paper clamp. A belt sander is stock removal — stretch only on this page.
Quick verdict
Best overall: DeWalt DWE6423K — 5-inch corded variable-speed random orbital kit. 3.0 amp, 8,000–12,000 OPM. Check current price and seller on Amazon. The cleaner Amazon listing, and the one 5-inch ROS if you have an outlet. Check price on Amazon
Best cordless 20V: DeWalt DCW210B — 20V MAX XR brushless, 8,000–12,000 OPM, tool only. Same yellow packs as a cordless drill. Check availability on Amazon (often third-party)
Best budget: SKIL SR211601 — 2.8 amp corded 5-inch, 7,000–13,000 OPM. Manufacturer $38. Confirm the live listing is still new SR211601. Check price on Amazon
Comparison
| Model | Best for | Power | Pad / OPM | Notes | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DWE6423K | Best overall 5-inch | 3.0 amp corded | 5 in ROS; 8k–12k | Variable-speed kit; bag + case | Check price on Amazon |
| DeWalt DCW210B | Best cordless 20V | 20V MAX XR | 5 in ROS; 8k–12k | Brushless; tool only | Check availability on Amazon (often third-party) |
| SKIL SR211601 | Budget corded | 2.8 amp corded | 5 in ROS; 7k–13k | Manufacturer $38; sold out on SKIL.com; listing can bounce | Check price on Amazon |
| DeWalt DCW210D1 | Kit from zero | 20V MAX XR | 5 in ROS; 8k–12k | Brushless kit, 2.0Ah + charger; third-party seller on Amazon Sep 30 (Amazon.com sold it Sep 28) | Check availability on Amazon (often third-party) |
| BLACK+DECKER BDCRO20C | Budget kit from zero | 20V MAX | 5 in ROS; 12k | Kit: 1.5Ah + charger; single speed; Check price | Check price on Amazon |
| Craftsman CMCW220B | Already V20 | V20 | 5 in ROS; 12k | Tool only; dust bag + vac port | Check price on Amazon |
| Ryobi PCL406B | Already ONE+ | 18V ONE+ | 5 in ROS; 10k | Tool only; mfr $60; Amazon listing now a third-party ONEAND product (Sep 28) | Home Depot / Ryobi; no Amazon link |
| Makita XOB01Z | Already LXT | 18V LXT brushed | 5 in ROS; 7k/9.5k/11k | 1/8 in orbit; tool only | Check price on Amazon |
| Bosch ROS20VSC | Corded finish kit | 2.5 amp corded | 5 in ROS; 7.5k–12k | 3/32 in orbit; pad-dampening brake | Check price on Amazon |
| DeWalt DWE6411K | 1/4-sheet palm | 2.3 amp corded | 1/4 sheet; 14k | Paper clamp, not ROS discs | Check price on Amazon |
| Milwaukee 2837-20 | Pro benchmark | 18V M18 FUEL | 5 in ROS; 12k | Home Depot exclusive; no Amazon link | Home Depot only |
Belt sanders are a stretch, not a pick. Craftsman CMEW231 is a real 3-amp corded 5-inch; the cleaner variable-speed corded listing is the DWE6423K.
DeWalt DWE6423K — best overall
If you want one 5-inch random orbital and you have an outlet, this is the corded kit we can match to a current Amazon listing. 3.0 amp motor, variable speed 8,000–12,000 OPM, 5-inch 8-hole hook-and-loop pad, shorter body, separate counterweight, rubber overmold, dust-sealed switch, one-handed locking dust bag. Dust port fits DeWalt DWV010 / DWV012 collectors; 1-1/4-inch hoses need the DWV9000 adapter. In the carton: sander, dust bag, carrying case. No battery — it is a corded kit.
Check current price and seller on Amazon.
Orbit diameter is not printed on the DeWalt US page we opened. Shop this one on pad size and variable speed.
Who it’s for. Furniture, doors, and sheet goods next to an outlet. Anyone who wants a 5-inch ROS without buying a 20V pack first. The same brand’s cordless is below if you already own yellow batteries.
For someone starting from zero, the budget cordless kit is the BLACK+DECKER BDCRO20C orbital sander, which includes a battery and charger, while the corded Bosch ROS20VSC is the outlet-bound alternative.
Specs that matter. 3.0 amp corded. 5-inch ROS. 8,000–12,000 OPM. Hook-and-loop 8-hole. Kit with bag. Model DWE6423K. Amazon listing B00ZTPCLZ8.
Caveats. Confirm that the title is still DWE6423K — not the fixed-speed DWE6421 and not the 1/4-sheet DWE6411K. 3-year limited warranty on the DeWalt tool.
DeWalt DCW210B — best cordless 20V
Check availability on Amazon (often third-party)
Same 5-inch random-orbit job, 20V MAX packs. DeWalt’s official copy: brushless, variable-speed 8,000–12,000 OPM, low-profile, replaceable 8-hole hook-and-loop pad (DWE64233), dust-sealed switch, rubber overmold, one-handed locking dust bag, DWV010 / DWV012 port. Tool only — sander and dust bag in the carton. Battery and charger sold separately. Read our full DeWalt DCW210 review.
Check current price and seller on Amazon.
Who it’s for. Already on 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT and you want the yellow ROS for assembled furniture, cabinets, and work that moves. Same packs run a impact driver.
Who it’s not for. Starting from zero — you would be buying a battery and charger on top of a tool-only box. A first cordless kit is the DCW210D1. A first corded kit is the DWE6423K. Anyone who will only buy from Amazon.com itself.
Specs that matter. 20V MAX XR. Brushless. 5-inch ROS. 8,000–12,000 OPM. Tool only. Model DCW210B. Amazon listing B07JQM7C28.
Caveats. Confirm new vs renewed, and that the title is still DCW210B — not the DCW210D1 kit and not a no-name pack taped on. 3-year limited warranty on the DeWalt tool.
Check availability on Amazon (often third-party)
SKIL SR211601 — best budget pick
This is the budget corded 5-inch. 2.8 amp, variable-speed 7,000–13,000 OPM, X-Flow / cyclonic dust box, vibration control, low-profile, over-mold grip, integrated pad brake, dust-sealed switch. SKIL lists it for sanding wood, metal, and plastic. That is SKIL’s copy, not a test from us.
SKIL.com manufacturer $38 (sold out there). Check current price and seller on Amazon. Confirm the live listing is still new SR211601 before you treat it as in stock.
Who it’s for. A first 5-inch ROS on a budget, no battery platform, and you will sand next to an outlet.
Who it’s not for. Anyone who wanted a DeWalt corded kit — that is the DWE6423K. Anyone who wanted Bosch’s pad-dampening brake — that is the ROS20VSC. Skip Amazon Renewed B07VBXRQWV.
Specs that matter. 2.8 amp corded. 5-inch ROS. 7,000–13,000 OPM. Model SR211601. Amazon listing B08715CYXQ.
Caveats. Manufacturer $38; SKIL.com sold out. Amazon listing can bounce. Confirm new vs renewed. Typical SKIL tool warranty — check the live carton.
DeWalt DCW210D1 — kit if you are starting from zero
Check availability on Amazon (often third-party)
This is the Amazon kit with a battery in the box: the same brushless 5-inch DCW210, a DCB203 2.0Ah compact XR pack, a DCB112 charger, carrying bag, and dust bag. 8,000–12,000 OPM. Same pad and dust port as the tool-only. Official DeWalt kit contents — not a third-party pack taped onto a bare tool.
Check current price and seller on Amazon; this listing is often third-party. A 2.0Ah pack is the compact runtime pack, not a 5.0Ah sanding session.
Who it’s for. No 18V / 20V packs on the shelf and you want one cordless 5-inch kit without buying DeWalt batteries à la carte.
Who it’s not for. Already on 20V MAX — buy the DCW210B. Shopping on a tight budget — that is the SKIL or the corded DWE6423K. One 2.0Ah pack — when it dies, you wait.
Specs that matter. 20V MAX XR. Brushless. 5-inch ROS. Kit: 2.0Ah + charger + bag. Model DCW210D1. Amazon listing B07QKNYTGK.
Caveats. Confirm the carton still lists the DCB203 and DCB112. Titles drift into DCW210B tool-only. Platform lock-in is the hidden cost.
Check availability on Amazon (often third-party)
Craftsman CMCW220B — already on V20
The V20 5-inch random orbit. Craftsman rates 12,000 OPM, a dust bag plus a 1-1/4-inch vacuum port, a dust-sealed switch, and a low-profile body. Tool only. Dust bag and sample sandpaper in the carton. Battery and charger sold separately. VERSATRACK hook sold separately.
Check current price and seller on Amazon.
Who it’s for. Already on Craftsman V20 and you want the 5-inch ROS without XR money.
Who it’s not for. A first battery purchase — a bare sander plus a 2.0Ah and charger is not a budget kit. That kit is the DCW210D1, or the corded SKIL / DWE6423K. Already on 20V MAX: buy the DCW210B, not a second charger.
Specs that matter. V20. 5-inch ROS. 12,000 OPM (Craftsman). Tool only. Model CMCW220B. Amazon listing B07KKH44P8.
Caveats. Confirm the live page is still the CMCW220B, not the corded CMEW231. Tool only.
Ryobi PCL406B — already on ONE+
No Amazon link: the PCL406B listing (B09ZBK3BJJ) now opens a third-party ONEAND product. Buy the PCL406B from Home Depot or Ryobi.
Ryobi’s current ONE+ 5-inch random orbit we can match to the manufacturer page. 10,000 OPM, hook-and-loop pad, on-board dust collection. Ryobi rates 40% reduced vibration vs the previous generation. That is Ryobi’s number. Tool only. Manufacturer tool-only $60.
The Amazon listing we used to send you to (B09ZBK3BJJ) now opens a third-party ONEAND product (Sep 28), so we have removed the link. Ryobi lists the PCL406B tool only at about $60.
Who it’s for. Already in ONE+. Same packs as the rest of the green aisle.
Who it’s not for. Starting from zero. Anyone who will only buy from Amazon.com, if the live listing still reads Stens. The older P411 is discontinued — do not shop a leftover P411 carton as the current ONE+ ROS.
Specs that matter. 18V ONE+. 5-inch ROS. 10,000 OPM (Ryobi). Tool only. Model PCL406B. No Amazon link (the listing is third-party).
Caveats. Listing copy drift. Manufacturer $60; confirm the live Amazon number. Skip B0FDGNTMSS. Skip third-party “kits” that tape on a no-name pack. Home Depot also sells a PCL406B-A21701 sandpaper bundle — different carton.
No Amazon link: the PCL406B listing (B09ZBK3BJJ) now opens a third-party ONEAND product. Buy the PCL406B from Home Depot or Ryobi.
Makita XOB01Z — already on 18V LXT
Makita’s 18V LXT 5-inch random orbit: brushed motor, three speeds 7,000 / 9,500 / 11,000 OPM, 1/8-inch orbit, pad brake, start-up pad control, through-the-pad dust collection, Star Protection. About 3.6 lb with a pack (battery not included). Dust bag and one 120-grit disc in the carton. Tool only.
Check current price and seller on Amazon. Makita rates up to 40 minutes on a single charge. That is Makita’s number.
Who it’s for. Already on 18V LXT and you want the ROS, not another platform.
Who it’s not for. A first LXT purchase. On DeWalt or Ryobi? Stay there. Anyone who wanted a current brushless US Amazon LXT ROS.
Specs that matter. 18V LXT. Brushed. 5-inch ROS. 7,000 / 9,500 / 11,000 OPM. 1/8-inch orbit. Tool only. Model XOB01Z. Amazon listing B00M9CXMNY.
Caveats. Confirm B00M9CXMNY is still the new XOB01Z, not a renewed carton. Star-symbol LXT packs.
Bosch ROS20VSC — corded finish kit
Bosch’s current US 5-inch palm ROS / polisher kit. 2.5 amp, 7,500–12,000 OPM, 3/32-inch (2.5 mm) orbit, integral pad-dampening brake, Hook-Tight hook-and-loop, microcellular backing pad, microfilter canister, VAC002 hose adapter, carrying bag. Bosch lists 3.5 lb and 9 inches long. Sanding disc, RS034 soft pad, and dampening ring in the carton.
Check current price and seller on Amazon.
The pad-dampening brake is Bosch’s reason this kit sits next to the DWE6423K. That is Bosch’s feature list, not a swirl-mark test from us.
Who it’s for. Indoor finish work next to an outlet, and anyone who wants the Bosch bag kit instead of the DeWalt 3-amp kit.
Who it’s not for. Cordless. Anyone who already decided on a DeWalt corded kit — that is the DWE6423K. Anyone who wanted a 6-inch dual-mode GEX. That is a different Bosch.
Specs that matter. 2.5 amp corded. 5-inch ROS. 7,500–12,000 OPM. 3/32-inch orbit. Pad-dampening brake. Model ROS20VSC. Amazon listing B00BD5G9VA.
Caveats. Confirm the live page is still ROS20VSC, not a 6-inch Bosch.
DeWalt DWE6411K — 1/4-sheet palm
This is the 1/4-sheet slot, not a random-orbit disc sander. 2.3 amp, 14,000 OPM, paper clamp, paper punch, foam pad, separate counterweight, locking dust port, carrying bag. DeWalt lists the pad around 4.5 x 5.5 inches. It takes cut sheets, not 5-inch 8-hole hook-and-loop discs.
Check current price and seller on Amazon.
Who it’s for. Corners, between spindles, and anyone who already buys 1/4-sheet paper by the sleeve.
Who it’s not for. Tabletops and doors — that is a 5-inch ROS. Do not buy this because the title says “orbital.” It is a sheet sander.
Specs that matter. 2.3 amp corded. 1/4-sheet palm. 14,000 OPM. Paper clamp. Model DWE6411K. Amazon listing B00ZWJDN5S.
Caveats. Confirm the live title is still DWE6411K, not DWE6423K. Different paper, different job.
Milwaukee 2837-20 — pro benchmark, not an Amazon buy
Milwaukee is a Home Depot line in the US. The current M18 FUEL 5-inch random orbital is the 2837-20 tool-only. Milwaukee rates a POWERSTATE brushless motor at 12,000 OPM, a 3/32-inch (2.5 mm) orbit, 5-mode speed control from 12,000–6,000 OPM on the manufacturer page, REDLINK PLUS, VACLINK Bluetooth dust control, a removable edge guard, and a universal hose adapter. Milwaukee rates up to 95% collection with the M18 FUEL PACKOUT 9-gallon extractor. That collection number is Milwaukee’s. Home Depot copy has also listed 12,000–4,000 OPM — we are using the milwaukeetool.com range.
Who it’s for. Pros, or DIY buyers who already live in M18 and can pick the tool up at Home Depot.
Who it’s not for. Anyone we would send to Amazon. Marketplace copies of a Home Depot exclusive are not first-party stock.
Caveats. Confirm the Home Depot price in the store or on HD’s page. 5-year limited tool warranty (Milwaukee).
Stretch / adjacent — belt, 6-inch, fixed-speed corded
A belt sander is stock removal: deck boards, old finish on a door edge, flattening a glue-up. It is not on this buy list. A 6-inch dual-mode Bosch GEX is a real pro ROS. Craftsman CMEW231 (B07XRGCTX1) is a real 3-amp fixed-speed 5-inch, but the variable-speed corded pick here is the DWE6423K. Festool ETS / RO sanders are a different dust-extraction aisle. Do not buy a belt because an orbital page mentioned one.
Buying guide
Random-orbit vs 1/4-sheet vs belt. A 5-inch ROS is the default tabletop and door tool. A 1/4-sheet palm is corners and cut paper. A belt is aggressive stock removal. Shop the pad before you shop the brand.
5-inch 8-hole discs are not universal with every ROS. DeWalt, Makita, and most of this page use 8-hole hook-and-loop. Bosch Hook-Tight is still 5-inch hook-and-loop. Confirm hole count before you buy a 50-pack.
OPM is not finish quality. 12,000 OPM on a 2.0Ah compact pack is not the same session as 12,000 OPM on a cord, or on an M18 high-output pack. Shop the motor, the orbit (when the manufacturer prints it), the pad, and the battery you already own.
Corded vs cordless. A 3-amp DWE6423K does not care about amp-hours. Buy corded next to an outlet. Buy cordless if the work moves, or if you already paid for the batteries. A kit from zero is a battery purchase that happens to include a sander.
Platform lock-in. DeWalt 20V MAX, Ryobi ONE+, Craftsman V20, Makita LXT, SKIL PWR CORE 20, and Milwaukee M18 do not share packs. Already own a cordless drill kit? Buy the sander that eats those batteries. Brand comparison: DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs Ryobi.
Kit vs tool only. Only the DCW210D1 on this page is a verified cordless kit with a pack and charger. Everything cordless else is tool only. The DWE6423K, SKIL, Bosch, and DWE6411K are corded kits — bag, not a battery. A cheap bare tool is not a deal if you still have to buy a 2.0Ah and a charger.
Third-party and stock. Check current price and seller on Amazon. The SKIL listing has bounced to a continue-shopping page, and the Ryobi listing copy has drifted. Buy Home Depot exclusives at Home Depot, not from third-party Amazon sellers.
The other garage tools. Flush cuts and grout are an oscillating multi-tool. Same-day framing is a circular saw. Fasteners are an impact driver.
FAQ
Which orbital sander should I buy in 2026? Want one 5-inch and an outlet: DWE6423K. Already on 20V MAX: DCW210B. Starting cordless from zero: DCW210D1. On a budget: SKIL SR211601. Already on V20: CMCW220B. Already on ONE+: PCL406B at Home Depot. Budget kit with a battery in the box: BLACK+DECKER BDCRO20C (Amazon). Already on LXT: XOB01Z. Already on M18: Milwaukee at Home Depot.
Read our full DeWalt DWE6411K review.
Is 20V better than 18V? Not in the way the carton implies. DeWalt 20V MAX, Craftsman V20, and SKIL 20V sit in the same nominal 18V world as Ryobi ONE+, Makita LXT, and Milwaukee M18. Shop the motor, the pad, and the batteries you already own.
Should I just buy Milwaukee? If you already own M18, buy the 2837-20 at Home Depot. It is the FUEL benchmark, not an Amazon recommendation. We are not sending you to a gray-market listing.
Do I need a corded sander? Only if you sand next to an outlet and you do not want another battery. Most homeowners who already own 18V / 20V packs are happier cordless for assembled furniture. Production tabletops next to a bench still favor the DWE6423K or the Bosch ROS20VSC.
What about a belt sander? Adjacent, not a substitute. This page is orbital / random-orbital. A belt hangs a loop of abrasive and removes stock. Do not flatten a glue-up with a 5-inch ROS and call it a belt.
Related
Best Oscillating Multi-Tools · Best Circular Saws · Best Impact Drivers · Best Cordless Drills · DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs Ryobi
Prices and Amazon offers change. We don’t list live prices; check Amazon for the current price and seller. Manufacturer prices, OPM, orbit, runtime, vibration, and dust-collection claims are the manufacturers’ published ratings, not tests we ran. Check current price and seller on Amazon.
For a closer look at the Bosch option, read the Bosch ROS20VSC orbital sander review.