DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless 1/4 Sheet Variable Speed Sander Kit (2.0 Ah Battery)

Why I reached for this sander

The first thing that struck me about DeWalt’s 1/4-sheet sander is how quickly it disappears in the hand. It’s compact, balanced, and the low profile makes it easy to keep the pad flat without fighting the tool. For trim work, flush-sanding patches, or sneaking up on inside corners where a round pad won’t reach, this sander earns its keep.

I tested it across a few common tasks: easing poplar face frames, cleaning up pine baseboard installs, and refining filler on oak doors. With variable speed from 8,000 to 14,000 OPM, it adapts well—from delicate finish passes to material removal with 80–100 grit.

Build and ergonomics

The body is what you expect from DeWalt’s XR line: a brushless motor in a compact shell with a textured overmold that’s grippy without being tacky. The dust-sealed switch has a positive click and never felt gritty after hours in MDF and pine dust. The speed dial sits where my thumb naturally lands and stays put—useful when you want to lock the speed for repeated passes.

Weight and balance are right in the middle for this category. With the included 2.0 Ah pack, the tool feels nimble and easy to guide one-handed. With a 5.0 Ah pack, it gains runtime and a bit more rear weight, but the stance remains controlled. If you use 6 Ah and larger packs regularly, the optional long dust chute (N684701) makes space so the bag or hose clears the battery.

Performance and speed control

Speed range matters on an orbital finishing sander, and this model’s 8k–14k OPM window covers the bases:

• Around 8–10k, it produces a refined finish and minimizes visible scratch pattern on softer woods.
• In the 12–14k range, it removes material efficiently without chattering, provided the workpiece is secure and you don’t bear down.

Because it’s a 1/4-sheet orbital (not random orbit), technique matters. With straight-grain passes and light pressure, I had no trouble achieving a uniform surface ready for 180–220 grit finish sanding. On open-grain hardwoods, I got the best results finishing at a lower speed with fresh paper. The motor never bogged in my use; even under load at high OPM, it maintained stroke without surging.

Paper handling and pad

The paper clamp system is simple and secure. Standard 1/4 sheets fit snugly under the front and rear levers, and the included hole punch ensures the dust channels line up. I didn’t experience any paper creep or torn edges, even with frequent starts and stops on a vertical surface.

A couple of small tips that helped:
- Pre-crease your sheet along the front and rear edges for a crisper install.
- Use the punch every time; collection drops noticeably if the holes are misaligned.

If you’re used to hook-and-loop discs, the old-school clamp might seem like a step back, but the ability to use any sandpaper is cost-effective, and swapping sheets takes seconds with a little practice.

Dust collection

Out of the box, you get two workable options: the one-handed locking dust bag and a port that mates natively with DeWalt’s DWV010/DWV012 dust extractors. With the bag installed, collection is decent on coarse-to-medium grits; the bag seals well and empties with one latch. Very fine dust still escapes—as it tends to on most bagged setups—so I prefer a vac whenever practical.

Hooked to a vac, performance is excellent. Using DeWalt’s DWV9000 adapter, I connected a 1-1/4 in. hose and saw a clear improvement in surface cleanliness and paper life. The port is rigid enough to support the hose without twisting the tool off plane. If you spend time sanding MDF, veneers, or interior trim, the vac connection is the way to go.

Battery and runtime

Brushless motors shine in sanders because runtime is the limiting factor for cordless finish tools. DeWalt rates up to 40 minutes of continuous sanding with a 5.0 Ah pack at 120 grit. That aligns with what I saw. With the included 2.0 Ah battery, I averaged roughly 15–20 minutes of continuous sanding at mid speed on pine and poplar, and a little less when running at full tilt with coarse grits. Swapping to a 5.0 Ah pack pushed me into the 35–40 minute range without babying the tool.

The upside of the 2.0 Ah is weight—great for overhead work or extended one-handed use. If you already own larger 20V MAX packs, this sander rewards you with longer, more productive sessions. The included DCB112 charger is compact and had the 2.0 Ah pack turned around before I was through with layout for the next step.

Noise and vibration

At high speed, the sound level is what I expect from a compact orbital sander—conversation is possible but not comfortable without hearing protection. Vibration is well-controlled for the class. The low profile helps keep your palm over the pad center, which reduces tingling in longer sessions. I didn’t experience hot spots or uncomfortable pressure points on the grip.

Durability and maintenance

The dust-sealed switch and generally tight build inspire confidence. I inspected the base after several hours of use; the platen remained flat and the clamp springs retained their tension. Periodic cleanup—especially clearing the pad holes and wiping the dust chute—keeps performance consistent. Pads and clamps are wear items on any orbital; parts availability from DeWalt is good if you eventually need a replacement.

DeWalt backs the tool with a 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, which is appropriate for a cordless finish sander.

Where it fits—and where it doesn’t

This sander excels at:
- Finish sanding along edges, into corners, and against profiles where a round pad can’t reach.
- On-site trim work where a cord is a hassle or there’s no power available.
- Light-to-moderate stock refinement with control over surface quality via the speed dial.

It’s less ideal if:
- You need rapid stock removal over large surfaces; a 5 in. or 6 in. random orbit will be faster.
- You demand the most forgiving scratch pattern regardless of technique; a random orbit leaves fewer visible patterns when used carelessly across the grain.

That’s not a knock—1/4-sheet orbitals are finishing tools first. Used with the grain and fresh paper, this one delivers clean, predictable results.

Small gripes

• The dust bag, while handy, fills quickly with coarse grits; plan on frequent dumps or switch to a vacuum.
• With big batteries, the rear clearance tightens. The long dust chute solves it, but it’s an extra purchase.
• There’s no hook-and-loop option; if you live on pre-punched sheets or discs, you’ll need to stick with clamped paper.

The bottom line

DeWalt’s 1/4-sheet sander checks the right boxes: efficient brushless motor, useful speed range, solid dust control with a vac, and a compact, comfortable form factor. The kit’s included 2.0 Ah battery gets you started, and the tool scales nicely with larger packs if you already run DeWalt 20V MAX gear. I appreciate the thoughtful touches—the one-handed locking bag, the included hole punch, and the dust-sealed switch—because they address the small frustrations that add up on a job.

Recommendation: I recommend this sander to finish carpenters, installers, and DIYers who want cordless convenience without giving up control or surface quality. If you already own DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, it’s an easy fit. It won’t replace a random orbit for heavy removal on large panels, but as a finishing and touch-up workhorse—especially where square edges matter—it’s a dependable, well-executed tool.