They're all equal performance-wise. I hate paddle sanders, so I'd go with the festool. I wouldn't upgrade from my makita unless I was spending over an hour sanding, every single day, and if I was sanding over 4 hours a day, I would hire a dedicated sander-helper.. lol Answer from WoodworkingisOVER on reddit.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/woodworking › what sander? festool? mirka? 3m?
r/woodworking on Reddit: What sander? Festool? Mirka? 3M?
October 27, 2022 -
I recently used a buddies Mirka sander and realized I was living in the stone age with my little Makita. I have already had my heart set in the Festool then he said go Mirka and I’m lost. In my research I keep seeing the 3M sander and I kinda don’t know what direction to go now… although im positive it’s not 3M.
What do you guys prefer out of the Festool or Mirka?
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They're all equal performance-wise. I hate paddle sanders, so I'd go with the festool. I wouldn't upgrade from my makita unless I was spending over an hour sanding, every single day, and if I was sanding over 4 hours a day, I would hire a dedicated sander-helper.. lol
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I’ve got a thread on the 3M below from a few days ago with a good bit of comments on it.
Toolify
toolify.ai › ai-news › get-the-best-sanding-upgrade-with-festool-mirka-or-3m-extract-188235
Get the Best Sanding Upgrade with Festool, Mirka, or 3M Extract
Upon comparing the Festool ETS ... 3M had borrowed design elements from Festool. However, the price difference between the two was significant, with the Festool being a couple of hundred dollars more expensive....
Videos
The Garage Journal
garagejournal.com › forums › the tools › general tool discussion
Mirka/Festool over other RO sanders? | The Garage Journal
February 8, 2024 - Festool if trying to impress others and shoot Tiktok vids Bosch dual mode or Airvantage if doing real work Don't even consider anything but mesh type abrasives (Mirka and 3M)
The Wood Whisperer
thewoodwhisperer.com › home › videos › mirka deros vs festool ets ec | which sander should you buy?
Mirka Deros VS Festool ETS EC | Which Sander Should You Buy? - The Wood Whisperer
June 19, 2022 - Today I’m going to try to help you make a decision between the Festool ETS EC150 and the Mirka Deros. The Mirka costs over $125 more and the Festool is already a top of the line sander. So is the Mirka worth it?
LumberJocks
lumberjocks.com › home › forums › tools & jigs › power tools, hardware and accessories
Anyone using the 3M Xtract Electric Random Orbital Sander? | LumberJocks Woodworking Forum
I have the 3M. LOVE it. Combine with the new mesh pads and it changes sanding completely. Do note, it does not have an internal fan so it does need to be used with vacuum. ( I use a Fein) . Be careful as it is so much faster than old school. Not too bulky oin the hand. I have not used the Festool or Mirka, but it sure beats my DeWalt and even my bigger Bosch.
Sawmill Creek
sawmillcreek.org › forums › woodworking topics › general woodworking and power tools
Mirka sander vs Festool | Sawmill Creek Woodworking Community
December 31, 2017 - Mirka was better on the hands and arms. The Festool was too bulky and difficult to manage... The 3M was close to the Mirka but pneumatic. Mirka $1100 with vac. Salesman said many skip the vac and do shopvac...
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Mirka Deros VS Festool ETS EC | Which Sander Should You Buy? - YouTube
Newest Video! Watch: "How 15 Students Helped Me Build a Better Barstool" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-yfdEYnhJE --~--Today I’m going to try to help you ...
Published June 4, 2021
The Garage Journal
garagejournal.com › forums › the tools › general tool discussion
3m v Mirka Deros Sander | The Garage Journal
December 13, 2023 - Most of these are produced by AirVantage at least 3M's were prior to their teaming up with Festool. The Surfprep ones are without a doubt AirVantage and I think the original Mirka were AirVantage as well although they may have moved on to their own design. Of the two styles that AirVantage ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/woodworking › festool/mirka sanders, what’s everyone’s opinions?
r/woodworking on Reddit: Festool/mirka sanders, what’s everyone’s opinions?
December 19, 2024 -
I’ve been looking at 6” sanders. I have quite a few a bit of sanding ahead of me new cabinets etc. I’ve used a dewalt for a long time. It’s time to move up. I have wrist damage and can’t handle the vibrations anymore. The festool and mirka are basically the same price. I would like to know if you to buy new, which one you would buy and why? Thanks
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I would get the Mirka I’ve put some hours in on both over the years and never considered the festool to be as easy on the wrist. They’re both good sanders though.
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I have a Bosch 6", and like it; that with Abranet abrasive makes sanding real fast and real real low dust. I've had wrist problems, and this one doesn't bother me, but I'm also only doing like an hour of work then a long break.
PaintTalk
painttalk.com › home › forums › professional painters forums › surface preparation and application
Sanders/Vacuums, what’s the best option. Festool? Mirka? Ekasand? | Professional Painting Contractors Forum
POWERTEC 4R13508-50, 80 Grit for Festool RTS 400/ LS 130, 80mm x 130mm A/O Hook and Loop Sander Pad, 50PK - Amazon.com · www.amazon.com Nice stuff (Mirka Abrabet), but honesty, for the $, I much prefer my 3M blue 6" discs above, except when I want 400 or 600 grit under final coats.
Haymes Paint
paintaccess.com.au › blogs › company-news › mirka-vs-festool
Mirka vs Festool
It all starts with Mirka’s Abranet. It is a net abrasive containing thousands of holes, providing unmatched dust extraction. There is also a wide range of options to choose from depending on your needs, such as aluminum oxide, ceramic or silicon carbide grains - ranging from very coarse to fine grits. They also offer sandpaper and sanding films, Iridium and Novastar with hole patterns designed specifically for ultimate dust extraction. Festool is a German-made brand specialising in high-quality construction tools with an emphasis on “healthy working”. Like Mirka, Festool aims to reduce painter’s exposure to hazardous dust.
Wood Talk Online
woodtalkonline.com › topic › 20669-which-sander-mirka-or-festool
Which Sander: Mirka or Festool - Power Tools - Wood Talk Online
March 23, 2017 - I am a long time lurker looking for some advice on a new ROS. I want to get a new sander as I currently have a 5" Ryobi. The wife has blessed the idea so I am looking at the Festool ETS EC 150/3 or the Mirka Deros 6" 2.5 mm. I have read several reviews, but they did not offer any perspective afte...
FineWoodworking
finewoodworking.com › home › mirka’s ultimax ligno vs. 3m xtract cubitron
Mirka's Ultimax Ligno vs. 3M Xtract Cubitron - FineWoodworking
May 15, 2025 - In my tests for the rate of material removal (efficiency), the 3M disks stood out significantly, sanding away 28 grams of wood. Mirka removed 12 grams, and the Festool and Dura-Gold disks removed 10 grams each.
Facebook
facebook.com › DecoratorsForumUK › posts › festool-vs-mirka-which-is-better-and-why › 837305438607576
Festool Vs Mirka... which is better and why?
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731 Woodworks
731woodworks.com › 731-blog › 3m-xtract-electric-random-orbital-sander-review
3M Xtract Electric Random Orbital Sander Review — 731 Woodworks
June 6, 2024 - The vibration was minimal, even compared to the already impressive Festool. The 3M has a 3/16 inch sanding stroke, which is longer than most sanders on the market, and a powerful 350 watt motor with a variable speed of 4,000 to 10,000 RPM that ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/woodworking › anyone have experience with the cheaper mirka/festool/3m random orbital sander knock-offs?
r/woodworking on Reddit: Anyone have experience with the cheaper mirka/festool/3m random orbital sander knock-offs?
July 7, 2023 - • 3mo ago · yeah i tried one of the cheap knockoff ones off ebay a while back – looked sorta like a mirka but it was heavier, louder, and the vibration was brutal. felt like holding onto a lawn mower lol. honestly, you get what you pay for. the deros isn’t cheap but it’s smooth, light, and barely any vibes – my wrists were cooked from using dodgy gear and the mirka was a bit of a lifesaver. [deleted] • 2y ago · Festool will save your hands in the long run ·
Reddit
reddit.com › r/beginnerwoodworking › can anyone explain the difference between a $70 random orbital sander and a $500 festool/mirka sander?
r/BeginnerWoodWorking on Reddit: Can anyone explain the difference between a $70 random orbital sander and a $500 festool/mirka sander?
July 12, 2022 - Also, for my fellow Canadians, you can find a 12 pack of assorted 3m cubitron xtract disc's from Princess Auto. I think the pack is $12 Continue this thread Continue this thread ... Still the higher end orbital sanders have less vibration, better dust extraction and are a lot less noisy. Did you not notice this or is it not important enough? I can imagine the price being too high for a mirka or festool.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/tools › mirka or festool for sander?
r/Tools on Reddit: Mirka or Festool for sander?
August 28, 2025 -
I’m trying to decide which one to go with, pretty large investment for me. Anyone have any experience with them? Mirka is the brand I hear less about.
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Mirka is a sanding and abrasive company where quality sanding tools and abrasives are literally their entire business. Festool is a company that has sanders. They're good sanders, definitely in the top echelons, but it's not quite there. Used side by side the quality difference is clear - the festool fan club will hate me for saying it, but it's not the winner of that battle. With the caveat of - if you're already in the festool ecosystem there's no reason to change now. Now to piss off both fan groups: Neither is necessary. They're both fantastic and if you have your heart set on a premium tool you can't go wrong with either of them - but if you're just buying them because the internet tells you you're not a real tool guy if you don't have these brands you're wasting your money.
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Price is roughly the same. Paddle switch on Mirka, locking on Festool. I give the edge on performance to Mirka,and the Festool as a system. Semi custom cabinet shop i sent out 1 of 4 (ratio of ownership) were sent in for repair every year. Mirka also allows you to switch from 5-6" on RO. Personally I run corded and cordless Bosch at half $,and 10% less performance
Reddit
reddit.com › r/woodworking › do all festool 6" sanders jerk/pull/rock this much? here's vid comparing festool ets ec vs mirka deros. both 6" sanders, both 5mm orbit, same paper. have tried everything, including contacting festool, to make it better. nothing helps. just want the community's view - **is this normal??**
r/woodworking on Reddit: Do all Festool 6" sanders jerk/pull/rock this much? Here's vid comparing Festool ETS EC vs Mirka Deros. Both 6" sanders, both 5mm orbit, same paper. Have tried everything, including contacting Festool, to make it better. Nothing helps. Just want the community's view - **Is this normal??**
July 14, 2025 - If I could tell everyone, I would: just call Mirka and ask to try a unit out for a few days. At best, you find something you love. At worst, you tried Festool's best competitor and now know what works best for ya. More replies ... I only use a 3m 88953 extract sanders it's 3/32 orbit for veneers smooth as a baby's bottom, bag or vac they also have 88950 I think 3/16 orbit for quicker more aggressive sanding.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/woodworking › bifl sander for a refinisher: festool, mirka, or 3m?
r/woodworking on Reddit: BIFL sander for a refinisher: Festool, Mirka, or 3M?
April 20, 2023 -
So, I'm sick and tired of trying to sand everything by hand... I've been putting off household refinishing projects for literal years because sanding well takes to dang long.
I'm usually team "buy once; cry once", and want something that can be integrated with solid dust management when working inside.
Right now, I just refinish. A lot of my furniture is detail work—spindles between mid century style chairs, etc. It's super important that whatever I buy be workable through curves and tight spaces.
So, help an idiot part with their money: Will my sander be green, yellow, or gray?
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Surf Prep, look into it. Sounds a little more like what you want. They make 1/2” thick pads that would probably be great for spindles
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