The Best Bench Sanders for Woodworking of 2024

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Bench Sanders for Woodworking of 2024 and hope the blog can help you.

Sand and finish a range of projects with the power, versatility, and stability provided by a bench sander.

Bench sanders are designed to sand down large surfaces quickly and easily, so you can finish a woodworking project faster than you would with a handheld tool. They’re essentially a power sander with a weighted base for stability. Made to sit on a workbench, they are high-powered machines that can handle an array of materials.

The best bench sanders include additional sanding tools, like a disc sander, belt sander, and spindle sander; some may also include a grinding or sharpening tool. Our Best Overall pick is the Ryobi 4-Inch by 36-Inch Belt/Disc Sander; we love its powerful 4.3-amp motor as well as its miter gauge that supports materials at any angle for precise sanding. 

When searching for the best tool for your workshop, consider the type of projects you work on, how much power the sander offers, and the adjustability of the sander. From belt sanders to disc sanders, this guide describes all of the important features to consider when shopping. Read on to learn about the workings of bench sanders and why the models below are some of the best bench sanders on the market. 

1. BEST OVERALL: Ryobi 4-Inch by 36-Inch Belt/Disc Sander
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Shop Fox ½ HP Oscillating Spindle Sander
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3. BEST PROFESSIONAL: Wen 6502T 4-Inch by 36-Inch Belt and Disc Sander
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4. BEST VERTICAL: Bucktool Combo Belt Sander Bench Grinder
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5. BEST FOR WOODWORKING: Jet 2-Inch by 42-Inch Belt Grinder and Disc Sander
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6. BEST BELT SANDER: Grizzly Industrial Horizontal/Vertical Belt Sander
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7. BEST PORTABLE: Wen HA5932 Portable Oscillating Spindle Sander 
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8. BEST COMBO SANDER: Rockwell Shop Series Belt/Disc Combo Sander
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Our Top Picks

To help with the tool search, this list of some of the best bench sanders on the market is organized by type. You may find that one of the tools below is exactly what you need in the workshop to create that goal finish.

Best Overall

Ryobi 4-Inch by 36-Inch Belt/Disc Sander

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Product Specs 

• Type: Belt and disc sander
• Power: 4.3 amps
• Additional accessories: Integrated dust port, work table 

What We Like 

• 6-inch disc sander 
• Adjustable sanding table can be set from 0 to 45 degrees 
• Can be adjusted for horizontal and vertical use 
• Option to connect to a collection bag or vacuum through integrated dust port 
• Miter gauge supports materials at any angle 

What We Don’t Like 

• Base/frame is not finished; may damage surfaces 
• Heavy sanding may burn wood surfaces

The Ryobi sander benchtop can get a lot of sanding done in a hurry, thanks to the wide 36-inch-long by 4-inch-wide belt sander and the driving force of the powerful 4.3-amp motor. This impressive tabletop belt sander also has a 6-inch disc and an adjustable sanding table that can be set from 0 to 45 degrees for optimal material positioning. It features an adjustable belt sander that can be positioned from 0 to 90 degrees for horizontal or vertical sanding. 

The integrated dust port on this benchtop sander can be connected to a collection bag or to a vacuum to quickly and efficiently remove sawdust as it’s created, keeping the work area clean and clear of obscuring debris. For angled sanding, the sanding table has a miter gauge intended to support material at user-specified angles for smooth, accurate results. 

Get the Ryobi bench sander at The Home Depot or Walmart.

Best Bang for the Buck

Shop Fox ½ HP Oscillating Spindle Sander

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Product Specs 

• Type: Oscillating spindle sander 
• Power: 3.5 amps 
• Additional accessories: Storage slots, wide base, locking power switch with removable key

What We Like 

• 5 standing drum sizes and 6 sanding sleeve sizes 
• Suitable for delicate finishing work and/or sanding types 
• Wide base and nonslip feet 
• Light enough (at 30 pounds) to be portable 
• Storage slots in the base for smaller tools and accessories

What We Don’t Like 

• Smaller oscillating range than similar models 
• May not be compatible with some shop vacs and vacuums

This Shop Fox packs a lot of versatility for a low price, thanks to its five sanding drum sizes and six sanding sleeve sizes. As a spindle sander, it’s a good pick for delicate finishing work. It has a 3.5-amp (½-horsepower) motor and a wide base with nonslip feet to prevent the sander from moving while in operation. 

The Shop Fox sander weighs just 30 pounds, so it’s light enough to move around the workshop. It has storage slots in its base for keeping accessories organized and close at hand and a dust port for collecting debris. For additional safety, its power switch can be locked with a removable key. 

Get the Shop Fox bench sander at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best Professional

Wen 6502T 4-Inch by 36-Inch Belt and Disc Sander

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Product Specs 

• Type: Belt and disc sander 
• Power: 4.3 amps 
• Additional accessories: Dual sanding tools, tension release lever 

What We Like 

• 4-inch-wide sander and 6-inch-diameter sanding disc for multiple projects 
• Heavy-duty cast-iron base limits wobbling 
• Simple tension release lever; easy to replace sandpaper
• Dust collection port redirects dust and debris into a collection bag

What We Don’t Like 

• Heavy compared to similar options; may not be suitable for transporting 

This Wen bench belt grinder comes with two sanding tools—a 4-inch-wide belt sander and a 6-inch-diameter disc sander—so it can handle a range of projects. It weighs 39 pounds, which is heavy enough to prevent wobble or slide during use. The sander has a durable, heavy-duty cast iron base. Both sanding tools have adjustable sanding angles. 

The Wen belt and disc sander is powered by a 4.3-amp (½-horsepower) motor and has a simple tension release lever for changing the sandpaper. The sanding belts on this sander are designed for easy replacement as well. Its dust collection port doesn’t direct the flow of sawdust on its own but provides an available place to connect a dust collector.

Get the Wen 6502T bench sander at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best Vertical

Bucktool Combo Belt Sander Bench Grinder

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Product Specs 

• Type: Belt and disc sander 
• Power: 3.5 amps 
• Additional accessories: Cast-iron base, eye shield, LED light 

What We Like 

• 42-inch belt sander adjusts from 0 to 90 degrees
• Horizontal and vertical sanding 
• 6-inch bench grinder can be used for sharpening 
• Brush wheel included to remove rust from tools 
• Multiple accessories included 

What We Don’t Like 

• Tension on the bench sanding belt cannot be adjusted 

This Bucktool bench sander has a 42-inch-long by 2-inch-wide belt sander that can be adjusted from 0 degrees to 90 degrees, so it can be set up to run horizontally or vertically, depending on needs. There’s also a 6-inch bench grinder that can be used for sharpening and a brush wheel for removing rust from tools. 

The combination belt sander/bench grinder has a 5-amp motor and a cast-iron base for better support while working. The grinder also comes with an adjustable eye shield and a built-in LED light, which illuminates the work area while the wheel is in use.

Get the Bucktool bench sander at Amazon.

Best for Woodworking

Jet 2-Inch by 42-Inch Belt Grinder and Disc Sander

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Product Specs 

• Type: Belt grinder and disc sander
• Power: 6.2 amps 
• Additional accessories: 45-degree sanding table, miter gauge

What We Like 

• Suitable for multiple sanding tasks 
• Belt sander is capable of 3,100 surface feet per minute (SFPM) 
• Disc sander produces 3,450 revolutions per minute (RPM) 
• Constructed of heavy-duty steel and cast iron 

What We Don’t Like 

• Heavy; may not be suitable for frequent transport

Woodworkers in search of a highly functional benchtop belt disc sander may want to check out this tool by Jet that has a powerful 6.5-amp motor. This ¾-horsepower motor drives the vertical 42-inch-long by 2-inch-wide belt sander at up to 3,100 SFPM and the 8-inch disc sander at up to 3,450 RPM, helping to ensure a smooth finish on woodworking projects.

The high level of power and the heavy-duty steel and cast-iron construction adds to the weight of this benchtop belt sander, sitting at a hefty 60 pounds, so it may not be a good choice for users who want to pack it up and take it to multiple jobsites. However, the 45-degree sanding table does come with a removable miter gauge to help users produce a smooth, accurate finish while sanding at an angle.

Get the Jet bench sander at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart. 

Best Belt Sander

Grizzly Industrial Horizontal/Vertical Belt Sander

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Product Specs 

• Type: Belt grinder/sander
• Power: 4.3 amps
• Additional accessories: Built-in adjustable miter gauge, 2½-inch dust port, work table angle scale

What We Like

• Multipurpose shop tool for sanding and grinding
• Lower risk of damage from heat buildup
• Sharpens quickly
• Easy to adjust/change grit

What We Don’t Like

• Included 80-grit belt is not aggressive 
• Requires practice to achieve precision

Belt sanders, or grinders, are versatile tools. The 36-inch-long by 4-inch-wide 80-grit aluminum-oxide abrasive belt on the Grizzly Industrial horizontal/vertical belt sander works well on wood or metal projects, including sharpening mower blades. It packs a 4.3-amp single-phase motor that turns the belt at a rate of 1,900 feet per minute. The 90-degree adjustable belt platen and right-angle backstop allow vertical, diagonal, or horizontal sanding for optimal user comfort and control.

We tested this model and found the 80-grit belt performed successfully. The 4-inch abrasive belt perfectly matched the width of the sharp edges on our 21.5-inch mower blades. We raised the belt platen to the vertical position, flipped the power switch, and braced the blade against the backstop as it contacted the belt. The moderately worn blade only needed a 12-second grind on each edge, while the severely worn blade required 27 seconds per edge. 

The bench grinder and angle grinders created a slightly concave profile, which makes the cutting edge thinner and less durable. The manual files also created a flat profile, but they were slower and less precise.

What our tester says: “I liked that the Grizzly belt sander gave the edge an evenly flat profile, and the included 80-grit belt left a smooth finish.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester & writer 

Get the Grizzly Industrial bench sander at Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., The Home Depot, or Grizzly Industrial.

Best Portable

Wen HA5932 Portable Oscillating Spindle Sander

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Product Specs 

• Type: Oscillating spindle sander 
• Power: 5 amps 
• Additional accessories: Dust collection port 

What We Like 

• 3 rubber spindle sizes included: ¾ inch, 1 inch, and 1½ inches
• Can be used as a handheld or table sander
• Adjustable speeds between 1,800 and 3,200 RPM
• Oscillating rates between 50 and 90 strokes per minute
• Lightweight and compact enough for transporting 

What We Don’t Like 

• Some users report limited visibility of what is being sanded 
• May not be suitable for heavy-duty use

Wen combines portability, affordability, and functionality in this portable oscillating spindle sander. It comes with three rubber spindle sizes at ¾ inch, 1 inch, and 1½ inches. The tool can be used as either a handheld or a benchtop spindle sander when it’s secured to a workbench with the included mounting hardware. It’s equipped with a powerful 5-amp motor and features adjustable speeds between 1,800 and 3,200 RPM and oscillation rates between 50 and 90 strokes per minute.