If you intend to sand a stone or concrete surface, you will need a concrete sander. These tools offer the power, aggressiveness, and durability to grind and polish stone and cement. Small areas could be sanded by hand but you certainly do not want to do that with a floor or countertop.
Some do-it-yourself guys argue one could use an angle grinder or orbital sander to work on comparatively hard materials like concrete, and they even post videos of it on YouTube. There is nothing wrong with this idea if it works for them. However, we do not think that those tools are suitable to work on concrete: they do not have enough power for sanding concrete properly and they are not durable enough – you might risk that the motor dies halfway during the work and use on concrete is likely not covered by the warranty.
Concrete and stone sanders, on the other side, are coming as powerful and strong tools that are able to deal with seven the hardest types of stone and cement composite. Their ergonomy is optimized for their specific use – most concrete polishers have two grips to support the operator hard work. Most of these grinders also provide water supply or vacuuming during the cement- or stone-sanding process.
Let us have a look at the from our perspective best concrete sanders in 2019.
Hand-held Concrete Sanders Reviews
Stone and cement sanders in the form of hand-held tools are available at prices between less than $200 up to more $500. They come with a variety of configurations, attachments and pros and cons. In this article, we will be comparing the following grinders:
- Makita PW5001C Stone and Concrete Polisher
- ZFE 800W/110V Variable Speed 4” Wet Polisher/Grinder
- Bosch CSG15 5-Inch Concrete Surfacing Grinder
- Stadea SWP104K Wet Concrete Polisher
These 4 models are among the best-selling polishers in the US, and each of them is a great tool in its own way – be it a great value, a powerful motor for harshest concrete grinding, or all-rounder properties.
Before you get your concrete sander, reflect on how you use them. Do you need a semi-professional tool for work on construction sites or renovations? Are you only sanding a small concrete object? Are you working on large countertops, floors, pathways, walls, ceilings or other large surfaces?
The current and future use will determine which of those hand-held grinders will be the best one for your needs.
Characteristics of Stone and Concrete Grinders
We think of the following points as the most important properties of concrete polishers, and we’ll put a focus on them when comparing the different models.
Power and Aggressiveness
What often sets concrete tools apart from their siblings made for woodworking is the power, strength and aggressiveness. With an amperage of 7 A to more than 12 A, the grinders in our comparison provide enough power to sand and polish concrete around the house and beyond
Variable-Speed vs Fixed-Speed Sanders
If you are going to use the concrete sander for polishing and fine concrete work around the house, a variable speed option is a must – it allows you to adjust the speed and thus improve the progress and quality of the sanding. For harsh concrete projects, many people happily trade a variable speed option for more power.
Features and Attachments
Concrete-sanding can be done with or without water supply, and there are reasons and uses for either approach. However, a tool should come either with an adapter for a water hose or provide a connection for a vacuum. Sanding concrete without them will likely turn your workspace into a mess with concrete dust everywhere. We will introduce other features later.
Ergonomy and Usability
Working with concrete is generally not an easy type of job. In addition, sanding a concrete surface can take hours, sometimes over several days. A good grip and overall usability are crucial to prevent fatigue and reduce the risk of accidents.
Comparison of Concrete Sanders
Makita PW5001C Stone and Concrete Polisher
The Makita PW5001C.
Check current price on Amazon.
| Power | 7.9 A (c. 900 W) |
| Wheel diameter | 4 inches |
| Variable speed | yes |
| Water supply | yes (separate adaptor needed) |
| Vacuum hose adaptor | no |
| Other Features | “Soft start feature” option |
| Included accessories | 4 Pads, side handle, head cover, wrenches, front grip, dust cover |
| Size | c. 7.1 x 16 x 6.2 inches |
| Weight | c. 5 lbs |
| Price range | $$$ (there are good deals from time to time.) Check current price and deals on Amazon. |
Makita is known for well-equipped all-rounder tools that tend to be a bit on the pricey side though. This stone and concrete polisher is no exemption from that impression: With 7.9 A, It works well on those surfaces, comes with all features needed for efficient working – including a soft start function – and provides water supply once a hose is connected (note that an adapter is not included, so a hose connector adaptor needs to be bought separately). The Makita concrete sander is also comparatively light-weighted, only 5 pounds, which is a good power to weight ratio.
Our Verdict:
ZFE 800W/110V Variable Speed 4” Wet Polisher/Grinder
The ZFE Polisher/Grinder.
Check current price on Amazon.
| Power | c. 7 A (800 W) |
| Wheel diameter | 4 inches |
| Variable speed | yes |
| Water supply | yes |
| Vacuum hose adaptor | no |
| Other Features | – |
| Included accessories | Wet polisher, 8 pads, 2 brushes, wrench, back and top handles |
| Size | c. 7.1 x 10.95 x 6.5 inches |
| Weight | c. 4.5 lbs |
| Price range | $ Check current price on Amazon |
This concrete grinder from ZFE is the budget choice in this comparison. It is smaller than all other tools and its amperage is only 5 A. The sander comes with the most important features – a water hose connection and a variable speed option – but the water splash guard is not ideal and connecting the hose can be a bit tricky.
Our verdict:
Bosch CSG15 5-Inch Concrete Surfacing Grinder
Tye Bosch CSG15 Grinder.
Check current price on Amazon.
| Power | 12.5 A |
| Wheel diameter | 5 inches |
| Variable speed | no |
| Water supply | no |
| Vacuum hose adaptor | yes |
| Other Features | High Torque |
| Included accessories | Auxiliary handle, flange kit, wrench, 5-Inch diamond cup wheel, vacuum adapter and carrying case |
| Size | c. 14 x 14.8 x 10.8 inches |
| Weight | 6 pounds |
| Price range | $$$ (sometimes offered with a discount) Check current price on Amazon. |
With an amperage of 12.5 A, this Bosch grinder is the tool for the harsh jobs. While it does not offer a variable speed option, it generates high torque and provides good and fast results for rough project. Catering for this purpose, the Bosch sander does not support water hose connections but a vacuum adapter. Using a vacuum linked to the built-in “guard system facilitates an almost cost-free sanding. This feature, together with the good ergonomy, allows clean and efficient sanding of walls and ceilings.
Our verdict:
Stadea SWP104K Wet Concrete Polisher
The Stadea SWP104K.
Check current price on Amazon.
| Power | c. 7 A (800 W) |
| Wheel diameter | 5 inches |
| Variable speed | yes |
| Water supply | yes |
| Vacuum hose adaptor | no |
| Other Features | “Soft start feature” |
| Included accessories | Wet polisher, water shroud, top handle, water hose adapter, gear box cover, side handle Brushes, Wrench, 8 pads |
| Size | c. 7.5 x 17.5 x 6.3 inches |
| Weight | c. 10 pounds |
| Price range | $$ Check current price on Amazon. |
The Stadea wet concrete polisher has a slightly higher price tag than the ZFE model but is more ergonomic and has a larger wheel while both grinders have an amperage of 7 A. Compared to the ZFE, the water connection and supply is smoother. It has a soft start function and comes with a number of good accessories in the package.
On the downside, it is the heaviest tool in this comparison which might cause fatigue much faster than the competitors. This might not be too relevant when sanding countertops floors, but it is definitely not ideal for sanding walls or ceilings.
Our verdict:
The verdict: Which One Is the Best Stone and Concrete Sander in 2019
The short answer: there are three of them. The Makita is definitely the best all-rounder in this comparison while the Stadea comes close in some areas at a much smaller price tag – the Stadea provides the best value for those who only sand flat surfaces but no walls. The Bosch grinder is a great tool and first choice for harsh concrete work but will not help polish a countertop.
Makita PW5001C   | The best allrounder. Our verdict: 4.5 of 5 Check deals and prices for Makita PW5001C on Amazon |
ZFE 800W/110V Grinder | Best budget choice. Our verdict: 4 of 5 Check deals and prices for ZFE 800W/110V Grinder on Amazon |
Stadea SWP104K   | The best value allrounder. Our verdict: 4 of 5 Check deals and prices for Stadea SWP104K on Amazon |
Bosch CSG15    | The grinder for the harsh concrete work. Our verdict: 4.5 of 5 Check deals and prices for Bosch CSG15 on Amazon |
As mentioned before – it is the way you want to use your concrete sander that determines which one is the best for your needs!
If you are still unsure, review the aforementioned criteria – Power and Aggressiveness, Variable-Speed vs Fixed-Speed Sanders, Features and Attachments, Ergonomy and Usability – write down your requirements and find the right concrete sander for your needs.