Makita BO5041 5 in. Random Orbit Sander, variable speed vs Festool ETS 125 REQ-Plus Random Orbital Sander

The Makita publishes the largest orbit of the three that state one and has by far the most usable speed range, from 4,000 OPM up. The Festool is the finishing specialist, with the smallest 2 mm stroke and the highest top speed.

Makita BO5041 5 in. Random Orbit Sander, variable speed

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Publishes the largest orbit here at 2.8 mm and the widest speed range, including a genuinely slow 4,000 OPM setting.

• Makita publishes a 2.8 mm sanding orbit diameter, the largest of the three tools here that state one.
• A 4,000 to 12,000 OPM range, meaning it will actually run slowly, which is what protects finish coats and edges.
• 300 W continuous input power, the highest of the four.
• A 123 mm pad, and Makita publishes both pad diameter and orbit rather than one or the other.

• The 123 mm pad is slightly under the 125 mm standard, so pad and abrasive fit needs checking.
• 2.8 mm is still a fine-finish orbit, so this is not a material-removal tool despite being the most aggressive here.
• No vibration figure in m/s2 is published, which is the specification that would tell you how long you can hold it.

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Festool ETS 125 REQ-Plus Random Orbital Sander

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The smallest stroke here at 2 mm and the highest top speed, which is the correct combination for a tool that refines rather than removes.

• A 2 mm sanding stroke, the finest in this comparison, producing the smallest scratch pattern before finishing.
• 6,000 to 14,000 OPM, the highest top speed here, which suits the small stroke by putting more passes over the same area.
• 250 W is deliberately modest, since a finishing sander that pushes hard leaves marks rather than removing them.
• Interchangeable 125 mm sanding pad, so worn pads are replaced rather than making the tool disposable.

• By far the most expensive tool here, and the abrasives and accessories continue that pricing.
• A 2 mm stroke removes material slowly, so stock preparation is genuinely tedious with it.
• The 6,000 OPM floor is higher than the Makita's 4,000, so it is less gentle at the bottom than the stroke suggests.

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Side by side

The bottom line

Our overall pick is the Makita BO5041 5 in. Random Orbit Sander, variable speed - Publishes the largest orbit here at 2.8 mm and the widest speed range, including a genuinely slow 4,000 OPM setting. Choose the Festool ETS 125 REQ-Plus Random Orbital Sander instead if finish work and between-coat sanding where scratch pattern matters more than how fast material comes off.

Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Random Orbital Sanders: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).