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Whether you’re prepping an entire room for painting, or just patching up a hole in your existing drywall, one of these drywall sanders will get the job done quickly, with minimal cleanup.

If you’ve gone through the trouble of putting up drywall, you don’t want a poor sanding job to ruin the final product. These drywall sanders are designed to smooth out mud and spackle, leaving a smooth, even finish, ready for painting. They range in size from small, handheld options, to heavy-duty electric models that can reach the tops of walls and ceilings. Since drywall dust is extremely fine and notoriously difficult to clean up, drywall sanders also tend to prioritize dust collection more than typical orbital sanders, and most larger options have the ability to connect to a separate shop vac.

The most important question to ask yourself when choosing a drywall sander is, “How much drywall am I going to be sanding?”. This is important to know because if you have an especially large job — like multiple rooms — you’ll probably want to go with an option that requires as little effort as possible to operate. It might seem smart to go with a cheaper, smaller option, but this will likely take significantly longer, and probably won’t be worth it in the long run. For smaller drywall repair jobs, like hole patches or single wall, it’s probably more practical to go with a single sanding block or sponge.

We’ve tackled a range of drywall sanding projects in our career, from mudding and sanding entire rooms and ceilings, to patching small holes from wall anchors. This experience, plus comprehensive online research and expert opinions, has given us the insight to confidently assemble this list of the best drywall sanders. We made sure to only include trusted brands like Hyde, Wen, 3M, and Porter Cable, and excluded models that didn’t meet our quality standards. We also did our best to include a variety of sizes, styles, and prices, so regardless of your job size, you should find an option for you.

This Wen model includes two different sanding heads, so whether you’re covering wide swaths with the circular head or running along edges and corners with the triangular attachment, you have everything you need. These heads are easy to attach as well, so you won’t need to waste time fumbling with tools or fasteners when you want to swap them out. 

We love the variable speed controls too, which allow you to precisely dial in how fast the pads spin or vibrate. This feature can really come in handy when you want to avoid over-sanding or gouging your work surface.

This 9-inch circular pad is designed to be simple to use and specifically designed to not flip over like rectangular pads can sometimes do. This not only makes it easier to use, but also reduces the chances of damaging the drywall that you’re sanding. 

An adapter on the back of the pad allows you to switch out the pole for a handheld attachment, which could be convenient for working on smaller areas with a bit more precision. It doesn’t provide a vacuum attachment like some of our other models, so keep in mind you’ll be doing a decent amount of cleanup afterwards. 

This hand sander would be a great choice for anyone looking for the control and convenience of a hand-sander, and also has their own vacuum they can hook up to. The included hose features a coupling adapter that will fit any wet-dry vac, and at 6 feet, is long enough to work without dragging the vac around too much. The Easy-Clamp system makes it simple to switch out sanding screens while you work, and it even comes with one to get you started. 

Plus, the control valve at the base of the sander lets you control the strength of the suction being applied. 

If you’ve only got a small area to sand — like after spackling or patching a hole — you can usually get away with a sanding sponge, and any dust should be pretty contained and easily vacuumed or swept up. We love using 3M sponges for little jobs like this, and have fond that they last a long time without losing their grit. 

This four-pack should be enough to last a while, and unlike bulkier options, are easy to store in a drawer or toolbox. They’re also easy to clean afterwards, just rinse in water or clap them off outside. 

The 8.5-inch circular pad on this Wen model allows you to smoothly and comfortably power through larger sanding projects, and the textured handles makes it easy to maintain maximum control while you work. We really appreciate the fact that this handle can be attached to either side of the unit, so it’s useful for both right and left-handed users. 

At 6.6 pounds, it’s also relatively lightweight, and should cut down on hand and shoulder fatigue during those all-day projects. Plus, a handy suction control wheel allows you to adjust the amount of suction strength from your vacuum.

If you don’t have the space or the necessity for a large bulky sander, but still want the clean-up power of a vacuum, this compact unit might be just what you’re looking for. Its simple design allows you to insert a standard drywall sponge — though you may have to cut it to size — into a fitting on the front of the hose, and you’re all set. 

This sander also comes with a hose adaptor, so regardless of the size or type of your shop vac, you should be covered. At this low price, it’s a great choice for those on a limited budget. 

This sander is designed to be especially delicate on your walls and ceilings, thanks to its protective foam ring, and a pivoting hinge that provides users with maximum control. This foam ring surrounds the edges of the disk, and prevents any damage that can occur from bumping into the edges of walls and corners. It accepts 9-inch sanding pads that use a hook and loop attachment, making it quick and easy to switch out pads while you work. 

The Hyde-brand sanding disks are designed to leave as few lines or scratches as possible, unlike those that some heavier-duty screens leave behind. 

This sander is significantly more expensive than the other options on our list, but for those looking for a professional-grade option that’s built to last, this Porter Cable model could be worth the investment. 

Our favorite design feature of this sander is the fact that the motor is placed at the end of the handle, as opposed to on the sanding head. This makes it much more comfortable to maneuver, especially overhead, and cuts down on user fatigue. The 13-foot hose is nice and long, and allows you to more easily reach elevated spaces without having to lug the shop vac up around too much.