The Best Belt Sander for Woodworkers 2024

The Makita 9403 is one our favorites that has lasted the test of time. This unit features upgraded design from the previous 9401 & 9402 models.

The ergonomic front handle gives great control of the machine. The heavy-duty design of the belt sander allows for heavy duty use without the concern of damaging the motor. The motor and bearings are sealed in a labyrinth construction within the body of the unit. This labyrinth ensures that no dust or sediment enters the motor, prolonging the working life of the machine.

The belt sander comes complete with a dust collection bag. We think that Makita could have made the bag a bit bigger. Considering the power of the unit and the wide surface area it sands, the bag fills up quickly with debris and needs to be emptied frequently on large jobs. For large sanding jobs, we recommend hooking up the outlet to a shop vacuum if possible.

The price tag may be on the higher side, but like most things in life, you normally get what you pay for – a powerful, well built machine.

The Porter-Cable 352VS is a machine built for what belt sanders do best – sanding flat surfaces.

The most interesting feature of this sander is its all-metal housing. This reduces flexion in the housing, allowing the operator keep better control of the belt sander. Belts are also easily centered and less prone to drifting off-track. The housing also absorbs heat, keeping the belt cooler and increasing its working life. The motor is centered directly over the belt, providing better balance during operation.

The unit comes complete with a dust bag that swivels 360 degrees. This bag setup keeps it out of the way of your hands and face, keeping your attention on the task at hand. The swivel is not seen on very many other models and gives you better control of jobs such as sanding corners.

While this belt sander may not be built for industrial use, the all-metal housing and unique features such as the swivel bag make is what made us rate it the best value for money when you consider the attractive price tag. The unit comes with a standard 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The WEN 6321 Heavy Duty Belt Sander is a great DIY machine for use around the home and workshop. Its powerful 7-amp motor turns the belt at a speed of 820 feet per second, making it ideal for stripping paint, deburring and beveling edges.

The extended front roller allows for easy reach into snug corners while keeping your hands and the body of the sander out of the way. Operator fatigue is a thing of the past, the ergonomic handle features an on-lock button that keeps the trigger locked down for better control over the sander and your project.

Belts are easy to adjust with a simple turn of the adjustment knob to improve or reduce tension to the belt. Change grits or replace pads with the quick release levers. WEN have a range of sanding belts in various grits for different sanding applications.

This belt sander comes complete with a detachable dust bag to keep the mess away and an 80-grit sanding belt to get you started. While this model has a strong motor, we don’t suggest you use it commercially, it’s best suited for DIY use around the home and your personal workshop.

WEN has outstanding customer service and a team of technicians standing by to assist you with any queries or technical issues you have with the sander. If you consider all the features and the lower price tag, the WEN offers the best budget belt sander.

This belt sander is a carpenter’s dream. The 8.8 Amp motor with electronic speed control it a breeze operating at the right speed under load. Variable speed adjustment allows for belt speeds from 690 to 1,440 feet per minute. The wide range of operating speeds makes this model incredibly versatile.

The Makita 9903 belt sander has an extended base for flush sanding against walls and an optional sanding shoe to control the depth of the sanding.

The versatility of this model has been engineered with the woodworker in mind. It is perfect for cabinetry and fine sanding jobs that require a belt sander capable of challenging work. With auto-adjustment of the belt tracking you will always be sanding on a true straight-line and the large dust bag collects dust effectively.

This belt sander is built for the carpenter that requires an all-in-one belt sanding solution. The front grip centers your weight over the unit for enhanced operation and comfort. Makita has designed another quality sander that delivers great performance, with build quality you can trust. Weighing in at just 10 pounds this belt sander is ideal for DIY use around the home and workshop.

The Hitachi SB8V2 is a powerful and durable belt sander. Well priced for its class, it features some unique design components. The 9 Amp motor coupled to the wear-resistant V-belt performs well and sands a multitude of heavy duty and DIY applications. The 5-year warranty is the best in its class, with spares readily available from agents.

The clear plastic tracking window gives better visual control of the sanding line. The large dust bag is mounted on the left side, keeping it out of the way during operation. Elastomer ergonomic handles reduce vibration and offer improved operator control.  The V-belt technology keeps the sanding paper on track without the need for belt adjustment while extending belt life.

Belts are simple to replace with the quick release levers. Basic maintenance on this belt sander is easy, even the brushes are replaced with no hassle. With this much power in a machine this light, it’s surprisingly easy to keep on track and the reduced weight helps with operator fatigue.

There are a few drawbacks with this model though… The dust bag zipper could be more sturdy and the plastic housing, while reducing weight; allows for flexion in the body of the sander. The dust exhaust is seated on the left side of the unit and while it keeps the dust bag out of the way, it also throws the unit off balance slightly during operation.

Overall, the Hitachi SB8V2 offers good value for money and a bridge between semi-industrial belt sanders and DIY ones.

The Black & Decker DS321 is a handy belt sander to have around for DIY sanding. If you need to sand down a cupboard edge, or a cabinet door, the Black & Decker will get the job done. It’s 7 Amp motor isn’t made for hard sanding jobs and can be prone to overheating with continuous operation.

It does have some great design features. The adjustable handle makes it easy to reach those tighter spaces and the flush body design allows for sanding in corners and vertical surfaces. The DS321 is easy to control with its plastic handles and its compact size along with its reduced size front roller, allow it to reach under kitchen counter edges and other overhangs.

The unit comes complete with a dust bag, a 100 Grit sanding belt, and the operator’s manual. A drawback is that it comes with a 2-pin plug. The unit is ready to ‘plug-and-play’ straight out of the box. Another drawback is that the belt will slow down in velocity when extensive pressure is applied. It also features no variable speed control.

Changing the belts is quick and easy with the quick release button and the wide trigger and large handle gives good operator control over the machine in a variety of angles. Weighing only 6 pounds, it makes for a great model to sand vertical and overhead surfaces without resulting in too much operator fatigue.

This belt sander is far from the top of the range machine. However, if you are looking for a cheap model to get a few jobs done around the home or office, then the Black & Decker offers good value for its price.

The SKIL 7510-01 belt sander is an older model, however, it has proven to be a great power tool over time.

Still one of the best budget belt sanders on the market which has plenty of positive reviews to back up the claim.

A great choice for the infrequent DIYer user who does not want to splash the cash on a top end model.

A relatively unknown brand, however, this model has risen to be a top seller in the belt sander category.

With a high rating from many users, this seems to be a great choice for the home users who would use it for lighter work.

For the professional carpenter or woodworker, the Porter-Cable 362V has a powerful 12 amp motor that tears into the toughest sanding jobs with ease. The variable speed dial adjusts belt speeds from 1,000 to 1,500  feet per minute.  It is engineered for regular heavy duty use and has a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty making it one of the best belt sanders on the market.

Featuring a full-metal housing and ergonomic hand grip, this belt sander gives the operator control and stability with next to no flexion in the housing. The belt and gear drive system keep the speed consistent during operation. The housing absorbs the heat and helps to extend the life of the machine.

Quick release levers allow for fast and easy belt changes. Keep your sanding straight and true with the belt tracking adjustment knob. The dust bag may be a little undersized, but it is mounted on a 360-degree swivel that keeps it out of your way while you work. The bag outlet is also conveniently placed to fit a shop vacuum for continuous dust collection during heavy use.

Another fantastic design feature of this belt sander is the flush sanding ability, with the handles and housing out of the way, allowing you to get into those hard to reach places for a flush sanding job. The belt sander itself is heavy, weighing in at 15 pounds. This is a true heavy duty machine, built with the professional in mind.