Head to head · Mid vs. Pro
Tools
DeWalt DWE6423 5-inch Random Orbital Sander
Variable speed. Built-in dust port. Takes any disc. Does exactly what you tell it.
Tools
Festool ETS EC 125/3 Random Orbital Sander
The Festool. Once you've used one, every other sander apologizes for itself.
Side by side.
| DeWalt DWE6423 5-inch | Festool ETS EC | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Tools | Tools |
| Grit | — | — |
| Material | — | — |
| Price tier | Mid | Pro |
| Best for | woodworking, paint prep, home improvement | fine furniture, auto-body, pro shops |
The verdict
A solid sander, or the one nothing else apologizes to.
The DWE6423 does everything a 5-inch random orbital is supposed to do — variable speed, dust port, hook-and-loop, and a price that lets you keep one on every bench. The Festool ETS EC 125 is the upgrade: brushless motor, balanced spindle, near-zero vibration, and a finish that shows up immediately the first time you use it next to anything else. The DeWalt is enough. The Festool is more than enough.
Pick DeWalt if
Home shop or jobsite. You want a reliable sander that costs what a sander should.
Pick Festool if
You're finishing for a living, or you'd rather buy once.
Ready to decide?
DeWalt DWE6423 5-inch Random Orbital Sander
Variable speed. Built-in dust port. Takes any disc. Does exactly what you tell it.
Festool ETS EC 125/3 Random Orbital Sander
The Festool. Once you've used one, every other sander apologizes for itself.
UltraRough earns a commission on Amazon links. Your price is unchanged. Our verdict isn't.