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Deal.ai › Compare

Makita BO5030K Random Orbital Sander vs Milwaukee M18 Fuel Random Orbital Sander

Buy the Makita BO5030K if you want a proven corded 5-inch random orbital sander with strong owner ratings and steady power for long sanding sessions. Buy the Milwaukee M18 Fuel if you already own M18 batteries and need to work away from an outlet. The Makita is simpler and lighter, with a long track record; the Milwaukee trades corded power for battery freedom and a higher tool cost.

  • Choose the Makita BO5030K if you sand mostly at a bench or in a shop with power nearby and want a dependable corded 5-inch sander.
  • Choose the Milwaukee M18 Fuel if you are already on the M18 battery platform and need to sand on site, outdoors or anywhere without an outlet.

Prices

  • Makita BO5030K Random Orbital Sander: $88.99 at Amazon (last seen Nov 10)
  • Milwaukee M18 Fuel Random Orbital Sander: $112.49 at West Marine (last seen Nov 10)
  • Difference: the Makita BO5030K Random Orbital Sander is $23.50 cheaper than the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Random Orbital Sander at the latest prices (Nov 10)
Makita
Makita BO5030K Random Orbital Sander

Makita BO5030K Random Orbital Sander

4.6(402 ratings)
$88.99at AmazonChecked 6 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • Constant corded power for long sanding runs
  • Light at about 1 lb with a comfortable rubberized grip
  • Through-the-pad dust collection with a wide-mouth bag
  • Variable speed up to 12,000 OPM
  • Strong owner rating across hundreds of reviews
Cons
  • Needs an outlet or extension cord
  • Dust bag fills and needs emptying
  • No battery option for remote work
Milwaukee
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless Random Orbital Sander

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Random Orbital Sander

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless Random Orbital Sander

$112.49at West MarineChecked 6 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit West Marine
Pros
  • Runs on M18 batteries you may already own
  • No cord to drag or trip over
  • Built for job-site durability
  • Variable speed with Fuel electronics
Cons
  • Needs charged batteries and a charger
  • Heavier with a battery mounted
  • Battery runtime limits long sessions

What separates them

Makita BO5030K Random Orbital SanderMilwaukee M18 Fuel Random Orbital Sander
Power sourceCorded AC, constant power with no battery to chargeCordless M18 battery, runs anywhere but depends on charged packs
Pad size5-inch hook-and-loop, eight-hole discs5-inch pad, standard Milwaukee format
Speed controlVariable speed up to 12,000 OPM with a sealed switchVariable speed with Milwaukee's Fuel electronics
Dust collectionThrough-the-pad system with a wide-mouth fabric bagDust bag or hose port, bag capacity varies by kit
Weight and balanceAbout 1 lb, rubberized palm gripHeavier with a battery attached
Build and durabilityDouble-insulated, rubber-sealed switch resists dustRugged Milwaukee housing built for job-site use
EcosystemStandalone tool, no batteries or charger neededShares M18 batteries with other Milwaukee tools
Owner feedback4.6 out of 5 from 402 ratingsEstablished Fuel line with a solid reputation, fewer ratings on this listing

Price history

$129.00$88.99
Nov 1Nov 11
  • Makita BO5030K Random Orbital Sander: lowest $88.99 on Nov 9 at Amazon; $88.99 on Nov 11.
  • Milwaukee M18 Fuel Random Orbital Sander: lowest $112.49 on Nov 11 at West Marine.

Prices at every store

Makita BO5030K Random Orbital Sander

  • The Home DepotNew

    In stock

    $89.00Free shippingChecked 6 h ago
    Visit The Home Depot
  • Acme ToolsNew

    In stock

    $99.00+ $6.49 shippingChecked 6 h ago
    Visit Acme Tools
  • Ace HardwareNew

    In stock

    $99.00+ $30.00 shippingChecked 6 h ago
    Visit Ace Hardware
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $88.99Free shippingChecked 6 h ago
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
All 17 stores and price history →

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Random Orbital Sander

  • West MarineNew

    In stock

    $112.49+ $9.95 shippingChecked 6 h ago
    Visit West Marine
  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Seller

    $125.00Free shippingChecked 6 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • Way SourceNew

    In stock

    $125.00Free shippingChecked 6 h ago
    Visit Way Source
  • BenchmarkSupply.comNew

    In stock

    $125.00+ $26.40 shippingChecked 6 h ago
    Visit BenchmarkSupply.com
All 17 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecMakita BO5030K Random Orbital SanderMilwaukee M18 Fuel Random Orbital Sander
Power sander typeRandom Orbit Sanders—
Pad diameter5 in—
Power typeManual—
Is variable speedY—
Maximum speed12000 OPM—
BrandMakita—
Amps3 Amps—
Rec. useCommercial, Residential, Construction—
FeaturesDouble Insulated—
Weight1 lb—
Speeds1—
Volts120 Volts—
Show all 32 specsShow fewer specs
SpecMakita BO5030K Random Orbital SanderMilwaukee M18 Fuel Random Orbital Sander
Battery capacity0 Ah—
Batteries inclN—
Charger includedN—
ModelBO5030K—
Extra battery includedN—
Total count1—
Assembled product height12.40000 Inches—
With Dust CollectorYes—
Width (")4.843—
OPM (max)

What reviewers say

Makita BO5030K Random Orbital Sander

  • 4.6 / 5402 ratings

Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 402 ratings, owners treat it as a dependable workhorse for finish sanding. Most praise the smooth orbit, low vibration and speed control; complaints center on the small dust bag and the cord.

What people mention
  • Finish qualityPraisedOwners say it leaves a smooth surface with few swirl marks when used with the right grit.
  • VibrationPraisedReviewers find it comfortable to hold for long sanding sessions.
  • Dust collectionMixedThe bag catches some dust but fills quickly; many hook up a vacuum instead.
  • CordCriticisedSome owners find the cord awkward on big panels and prefer a cordless unit for tight spots.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Random Orbital Sander

Owners generally rate the M18 Fuel sander as a smooth, well-balanced cordless finish sander that is close to corded performance for light and medium work. Most praise the dust collection and the convenience of the M18 platform; the main complaints are weight with a large pack and runtime on smaller batteries.

What people mention
  • VibrationPraisedOwners say it runs smoothly with little hand fatigue on longer sessions.
  • Dust collectionPraisedUsers report the bag and vac hookup capture most dust, especially with a shop vac.
  • WeightCriticisedSeveral owners find it heavy with a large battery, which matters on vertical surfaces.
  • Battery runtimeMixedRuntime is fine on high-capacity packs but short on compact batteries at coarse grits.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a home workshop?
The Makita BO5030K. Corded power means no battery swaps, and it is light and simple for furniture and trim work.
Which lasts longer?
Both are durable. The Makita's sealed switch and double insulation resist dust well, while the Milwaukee is built for rough job-site handling. Battery packs on the Milwaukee age over time.
Is the Milwaukee worth stepping up to?
Only if you already own M18 batteries or need cordless freedom. Otherwise the corded Makita covers most sanding tasks with less to maintain.
Can the Makita use the same discs as the Milwaukee?
Both take 5-inch hook-and-loop discs. Check the hole pattern matches your disc, since the Makita uses an eight-hole pad.
Which is better for sanding outdoors or on site?
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel. No cord means you can sand anywhere, as long as you carry charged batteries.
Which is easier to control on vertical surfaces?
The Makita is lighter at about 1 lb, which helps when sanding walls or overhead. The Milwaukee's battery adds weight.

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More comparisons

  • Makita Random Orbit Sander (BO5041) vs Makita BO5030K Random Orbital Sander
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  • Makita Random Orbit Sander (BO5041) vs Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless Random Orbital Sander
  • DEWALT 20V MAX Random Orbit Sander vs Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless Random Orbital Sander

Buying guides that pick them

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12000.0
—
Sanding Size (depth) (")5.0—
Power SourceAC Mains—
Height (")5.984—
Voltage (V)230.0—
Included AccessoriesDust Bag—
RPM (max) (rpm)6600.0—
Pad Size (depth) (")4.803—
Orbit Size (")0.122—
Weight (lb)2.866—
Length (")5.984—