The Best Sandpaper for Smoothing Out Rough Edges
Our Top Picks
Here Are the Best Sandpapers of 2024
Best Overall
Orbit sanders are handy pieces of machinery. They take the manual element out of sanding surfaces by using a motor that moves the sandpaper around at a very high rate. This results in even and automatic sanding. Unfortunately, you can’t just cut up any piece of sandpaper and slap it onto your orbit sander – you’ll need a specialized type of sandpaper for that.
And that’s where this sandpaper set comes in. With 70 pieces in the set, it’ll take a while before you have to restock, and for just $10.99, that’s definitely worth the price. The set comes with 10 pieces of 7 different grits, ranging from 40 to 800, so you’ve got options on how rough you want your sandpaper to be. It isn’t as diverse as some of the other sandpaper sets on this list, but for an orbit sander, it’s more than enough to work with.
Runner Up
This set of sandpaper comes with plenty of different sheets to work with, all with different levels of grit. The lowest grit comes in at 120, whereas the highest clocks in at a whopping 3000. So, if you really want to be precise with the grit of your sanding, then there’s bound to be a sheet or two in the set that’s ideal for what you’re working with.
And that’s not all. This sandpaper set comes with its own dedicated sanding block. The block holds the sandpaper firmly in place, so you don’t get uneven sanding when using it. The firm grip also allows you to be precise with every movement, so you can make sure you use the sandpaper as perfectly as possible.
Honorable Mention
With 24 pieces of sandpaper, you’ll be set for quite a while when it comes to sanding. The set of sandpaper comes in 24 pieces, with 12 different grits to choose from. This means that you have two sheets per grit, which may be too little for some projects, but if you only use sandpaper occasionally, it’s more than enough. The grit goes from 120 to 3000, like other sandpaper sets.
The real kicker, though, is the price. You’ll notice that the set doesn’t come with a sandpaper holder. Instead, the price is reduced, with the entire set costing only $4.99. This makes the set perfect for replacing your existing sandpaper if you’re starting to run out, and you already have a sandpaper holder to use.
Also Consider
Sandpaper is cheap, and you can get plenty of sandpaper for less than $10, with different levels of grit to choose from. But what if you only need a few sheets of sandpaper for a small project, and don’t want to spend on much else? Introducing 3M’s own sandpapers, which are not only high-quality but also incredibly cheap.
3M is known for its hardware and DIY products, and they’re largely high-quality. Their sandpaper is no different, but you’ll be surprised by how cheap the set actually is. For just $2.21, you get five sheets of 9-inch by 11-inch sandpaper, as large as a typical piece of paper. If you only need the sandpaper for a simple sanding, and nothing else, save your money with this set.
Also Consider
One of the sandpaper sets mentioned earlier came with a handy little feature – a brick sander that you could attach your sandpaper to for easier sanding. This set of sandpapers is quite similar, with a handle that allows you to attach your sandpaper to it. It’s a little lighter than the brick sander, and as such may be ideal for people who don’t have that great endurance.
Sandpaper can be difficult to handle, but with a specialized tool, it’ll make the experience far easier. The sandpaper itself comes with many different grits, ranging from a mere 120 to a whopping 3000. There are a total of 12 assorted grits, giving you three sheets per grit, which should be more than enough for a single project.
Also Consider
At first glance, you’d probably think that this set of sandpaper would be inferior to the others on this list. After all, for a similar price, you don’t get any sand holder or handle, nor do you get plenty of grit options. In fact, you only get three – 80, 120, and 220. But there’s one aspect of this that makes this set better than the others – quality.
These sandpapers are made with high-grade sandpaper, and they’re designed to be used for various purposes. Whether it’s wood, metal, or any form of furniture, this sandpaper will work just fine. It also happens to be the only set with 80 grit available, so if you’re looking for that in particular, then this is the set to go for.
Also Consider
Whether you need a replacement of sandpaper for another project, or you need to buy sandpaper for the first time, this seller has package options that’ll suit your needs. You can get the sandpaper by itself, and it comes with 12 different grits from 120 to 3000, with 3 sheets per grit.
If you’re buying for the first time, though, then you may want a handle to make using the sandpaper a little easier. That’s why the seller also has a package that comes with its own hand sander, so you can more easily sand furniture and surfaces with ease. It’s great if you don’t already own a hand sander from previous purchases.
Best Sandpaper Buying Guide
Sandpaper is a very useful abrasive material that can be used in many situations, and it never hurts to have a few lying around in your shed or toolbox at all times. It’s affordable and easy to store, so you really can’t go wrong with buying a set even if you don’t plan on using it for the foreseeable future.
Sandpaper is great for making surfaces smooth and clean. Here’s what you need to know to pick the right sandpaper for the right job.
What Is Sandpaper?
Sandpaper is a type of paper-like abrasive material that has a smooth side and an abrasive side. The abrasive side is usually made out of a metallic substance, such as aluminum oxide. The abrasive side with aluminum oxide is rubbed and sanded on a surface to remove any rough edges and to make the surface smoother. You can also find sanding sponges on the market. Sanding sponges are just like sandpaper, except they are not flat. They feature an aluminum oxide rough surface, and a smooth surface on the opposite side.
Why Do You Need Sandpaper?
Here’s why you should consider having these abrasive materials at home
It’s cheap
One of the great things about sandpaper is that it’s not a heavy investment, unlike other tools that you may or may not need. Sandpaper is incredibly cheap to manufacturers, and as a result, it’s also cheap to buy. You can get a few sheets for a couple of dollars and leave it at home for months on end.
And that brings us to our next point – shelf life. Unlike other materials in your tool shed, sandpaper will last for years without losing any signs of quality, as long as it’s stored properly. That means you could keep those same sheets that you bought for 2 dollars and then use them 5 years later with no trouble at all. The aluminum oxide will not deteriorate, and it will stay rough for years to come.
You’ll probably use it
Sandpaper’s one of those materials that you’ll undoubtedly want to use in one of your projects sooner or later. Even if it isn’t needed at the moment, there will come a time when you’ll probably need a sandpaper sheet, and having one handy at home will be very useful. It’ll save you the cost of going to the local DIY store, or a few bucks from ordering it online.
Things To Consider When Buying Sandpaper
Here’s what you should remember when you’re buying sandpaper.
Grit
Sandpaper grit is the most important element to consider when buying sandpaper. Grit refers to the abrasiveness of the sandpaper, and how fine or coarse the material is. Higher sandpaper grit numbers mean that the sandpaper is fine, which is great if you want a really smooth finish for your sanding. On the other hand, lower sandpaper grit numbers mean rougher, coarse sandpaper. Coarse grits are ideal if you just want to scrub out dirt, impurities, and other materials off of flat surfaces very quickly.
Because sandpaper has different uses depending on grit, you should consider what you’re buying it for when getting it. Higher sandpaper grit is great if you want to make surfaces smooth and clean, whereas lower grit is only ideal if you want to scrape off the material without actually having to worry about the finish. Higher grit sandpaper is best suited for smoothing down bare wood. The high grit is not super abrasive and will remove imperfections from the surface of the bare wood without making it rough or splintery.
Luckily, there are plenty of sandpaper sets online that provide multiple grit values for every situation. They offer low sandpaper grit values ranging from 120 to 200, and higher grit values up to 3000. This makes it so that you’ll have a fine or coarse sandpaper sheet for just about any scenario.
Finally, it is worth noting that you can use different grit sandpapers for the same sanding job. Starting off with low grit helps you get rid of the material much quicker, whereas high grit helps smooth out the edges for a nice and clean finish.
At the end of the day, it all boils down to what you need the sandpaper for. When in doubt, just get a set that comes with many different grit options, so you’ll have sandpaper for the job all the time. This way, you’ll be covered in case you need to sand down bare wood or remove the paint from a piece of furniture.
One notable piece of information is that the finest gauge steel wool you can find may stand in for fine grit sandpaper if you don’t have any on hand. Fine gauge steel wool has similar abrasive properties to fine grit sandpaper. You can use the steel wool to sand between layers of oil-based paint, or to buff out the final coat of paint.
For a video explanation of the different sandpaper grits and what to use them for, Rustic David has a great resource:
Number of sheets
The other factor to consider when getting sandpaper is the number of sheets. Sandpaper doesn’t last forever, and eventually, you’ll need to use another sheet. Luckily, a single sheet of sandpaper can last you quite a while, though that depends on how long you’re willing to use it. Over time, the sandpaper will lose its grit, and eventually, it’ll be smooth as the surface you were sanding.
Because of this, you’ll have to consider whether or not you care about the grit of the sandpaper. If you want to sand with a specific level of grit, then you’ll want to use multiple sheets, as using the same sheet, again and again, isn’t ideal.
Sandpaper Price Range
Sandpaper is very affordable. You can get a few sheets of sandpaper for just $2-3, and a little more if you get a 10-pack. The expensive sets, which come with many different grit levels, a free hand sander, and so on, cost anywhere between $10 and $20, though don’t expect to spend any more than $20 at a time.
How We Choose the Best Sandpaper?
Our sandpapers are chosen based on their grit, their size, and the manufacturer’s history.
People Also Asked
What is sandpaper used for?
Sandpaper is used mainly to remove material from surfaces. This means that it can be used to clean surfaces of impurities, smooth out rough surfaces, and more.
What’s the finest grit sandpaper?
Many consider 800 to 1000 grit as ultra-fine, meaning that it’s very delicate and great for finishing. However, you can easily find grit of up to 3000 these days on online stores such as Amazon.
What if I have a heavy duty job and regular sandpaper isn't cutting it?
If regular sheets of sandpaper are not doing the job, you may want to consider using a power sander, such as an orbital sander. A power sander may be much more effective at completing heavier duty jobs. An orbital sander can smooth down rough surfaces much faster than you can manually.