As is typical for this type of sander, the BO4556 is compact and lightweight with single-speed operation. It’s easy to use thanks to its toggle switch and soft non-slip elastomer grip, and even has an effective dust bag which isn’t a given for affordable finishing sanders. What’s more, you can make use of regular sheets of sanding paper via the simple clamp system.

SANDPAPER (6Pcs X80 & 6Pcs x 180 Grits) . With self-adhesive disc design and it is easier to replace sandpaper. The problem is choosing the right sander for the job. Straight off the bat, you will need to decide between corded and cordless models, with each type having its pros and cons. Then you will need to consider which kind of sander best fits the job at hand: for instance, a detail sander is no good for sanding an entire floor, and most DIY jobs will require more than one type of sander. On the downside, the cable isn’t very long and if you want to save yourself some bother make sure to buy pre-pierced sanding sheets as the provided punch plate isn’t great. The Microfilter dust box doesn’t just collect the bits that come off the workpiece, but it helps to stop fine particles from getting into the air, and inside your lungs.The detachable SDS front plate makes this an incredibly versatile bit of kit for all your sanding tasks. If you invest in the different sanding sheets and attachments there’s nothing you can’t get. Several users have complained about the dust collection cannister. It still leaves a lot of dust in the air, and the connector shape means you can’t attach your own dust extractor. Designed to fit snugly in the palm of your hand, this grey and orange sander is comfortable to hold thanks to the rubberised sections on the top and front. There’s a fingertip controlled on/off switch at the front, and you attach the sanding pads with a standard hook and loop setup.

This clever little sander is the latest version of the tried and tested B+D Mouse sander. The KA2500K Next Generation mouse sander is a more aggressive and harder working sander for when you need a bit more power. You don’t have to worry about getting tied down by power cables. A light and portable tool like this sander is vastly improved by being cordless. Sanding creates a lot of dust so it’s a good idea to look for a sander with good dust collection as not all sanders come with this feature. Typically it will come in the form of a built-in dust compartment but some can even be attached to a vacuum cleaner tube for better extraction. If you sand too hard, you can damage the hooks and loops that holds the sanding pads on securely. It takes a bit of practise to get this right.The WESCO 18V cordless palm sander. It’s a brand you might not know well, but after taking a closer look it’s one of the best detail sanders I’ve tested. And it’s a bargain too because WESCO include a whole kit. A 2.0 Ah battery, a charger, and a reasonable selection of sanding sheets too. The Bosch PSM 100 A is probably the best detail sander for furniture restoration because it’s light, comfortable to use and comes in a sturdy Bosch blow moulded case.

The design is taller than corded sanders and you have to factor in the weight of the battery, which also gets in the way of the grip a fair bit, but it’s easy to use and offers three different speed settings giving you good control. A maximum speed of 11,000opm (orbits per minute) isn’t particularly high but the DBO180Z makes up for it somewhat with a large 2.8mm orbit diameter. Dust extraction is above average and the machine is quiet in operation. The build quality of this sander is rather good on first impression. The blue plastic casing feels solid and the rubber overmoulding creates a decent grippy surface. The vibrations are kept down to a reasonable level. Once you know what you’ll be doing with the sander, you can figure out what specifications you need,. Detail sanders: In many ways, a detail sander is a type of finishing sander. Typically, they have a triangular shape with curved sides, and this makes them less suitable for larger areas. They are, however, ideal for precise tasks like edges or harder to reach places. Making tough but affordable DIY tools, the Worx WX648 De-Tail sander is an ultra-lightweight detail sander. It doesn’t have the biggest motor but still has an excellent power to weight ratio.Weighing in at 1.3 kg, this “naked” power tool isn’t supplied with batteries. But, it can be powered by any of the Bosch 18 V Power For All battery systems. You can save money if you’ve already bought into their power system though. Compared with some more powerful options on my list, the 65 Watts that this sander puts out feels quite weak. It’ll get the job done but struggle with anything more than light sanding jobs.