DEWALT Orbital Sander Kit, 5 inch, 3 amp, Corded, 12,000 OPM (DWE6421K)

Across the reviewers we read, the DEWALT DWE6421K is the most consistently recommended corded random orbital sander in this price tier. Verified-purchase commentary on Amazon, Lowe's and Autozone repeatedly describes the 3-amp motor and 12,000 OPM as more than sufficient for furniture, deck, and general DIY sanding, with reviewers on autozone.com reporting multi-year service with no issues. In r/woodworking and r/Tools threads, owners describe putting heavy abuse into the tool and getting a decade of service back.

The disagreement worth surfacing is vibration: r/Dewalt commenters note that even the corded model "still vibrates a lot," and one r/Dewalt thread argues the cordless DCW210 spins faster under load. That said, the same threads praise the dust collection, and the dust-sealed switch is repeatedly cited as a longevity win in dusty shops. Reddit's r/woodworking thread directly comparing it to the SKIL concludes the DeWalt's build quality and motor justify the premium for users who'll sand more than occasionally.

Net across the trust-weighted mix: this is the safest default pick for someone who wants a corded 5-inch sander that will last, with the caveat that very vibration-sensitive users should hold one first.