Best Orbital Polishers

Buying Guide: Top Orbital Polishers

There are multiple benefits of using an orbital polisher, the most important one being that it provides a better polish and finish than using your hands. The cars just tend to sparkle more when polished with an orbital polisher. It is also safe to use and removes more blemishes from the car like swirl marks, scratches, and hard water spots.

A polisher helps you achieve an even application and leaves your car’s surface shining. There’s also a reduced risk of missing a spot. Most importantly, an orbital polisher minimizes the amount of physical effort you have to exert. Applying wax and polishing by hand requires you to repeatedly rub in a circular motion. It’s a big job and even on a small vehicle it can be a strenuous process. A polisher takes away most of your work and does the polishing job for you.

Orbital polishers offer the following benefits:

• Easier on the arms
• More even application
• Brighter buff and shine

Types of Orbital Polishers

There are several types of orbital polishers available on the market and they’re primarily classified by how the pad moves.

1) Standard

Such polishers move in a circular motion, but the pad itself doesn’t spin. This simple movement makes it more beginner-friendly because it is easier to control. This type of polisher doesn’t share the same speed and power as other polishers mentioned below.

These are the most popular types of polishers, so subsequently they are a bit less expensive, easier to use, and readily available. The downside is that since they lack power they are a bit limited in application. For instance, these polishers don’t generate enough power and heat to perform paint corrections. Still, they are a good fit for homeowners who just want to seasonally wax their car.

2) Rotary

These polishers are for the professionals and best left to those with experience. They are the most difficult to control due to their high power and in the wrong hands they can damage a vehicle. Only the pad spins in these polishers and it generates a lot of heat which increases chances of damage to the paint.

The advantage of this type of polisher is that all the power gives it the ability to cut through contaminants on the car’s surface. It’s the strongest polisher and able to fix scratches and swirl marks or even cause them if used incorrectly. Hence, it needs to be operated by a professional only.

3) Random

The random orbital polishers are a mix of Rotary and Standard polishers. One these polishers the pad spins while also moving in a circular direction. This creates a random movement that gets a lot of work done. This polisher’s movement provides additional power to the process, while still being easy to control. This makes it a great learning polisher for people with intermediate skills trying to level up.

Shopping For an Orbital Polisher

An orbital polisher is an awesome tool to add to your garage, but before you shop for one take some time to visualize how you will be using it. The below factors need to be considered when buying an orbital polisher.

a) Size and Weight:

Sizes need to be considered when buying a polisher. A big polisher can be harder to maneuver and operate effectively depending on the nature of use. If the size of the polisher is too big, a person may need more than one hand to operate it. However, if the pad is large then the polisher can cover more area of the car in a short time. It is a tradeoff. Similarly, in the case of a small polisher you can easily operate it with a single hand but it will cover less area.

Lightweight polishers enable ease of use and support a faster application of the polish. A heavy polisher on the other hand can tire you out physically and that just defeats a lot of the purpose of using a polisher.

b) Speed

The easiest way to differentiate polishers on the market is their spin speed. Usually an orbital polisher will exhibit a speed between 2000 and 4000 RPM. The faster a polisher spins the more quickly you can apply polish, so a vehicle can be polished in a shorter time. However, faster speeds mean more heat so operators have to be more careful that they do not mar the paint surface.

Best Orbital Polishers

With those considerations in mind let’s take a look at some of the highest rated orbital polishers at several different skills and experience levels. There are lots of options available when shopping for an orbital polisher so we’re listing the best Orbital Polishers below with their details.

1. PORTER-CABLE Variable Speed Polisher, 6-Inch (7424XP)

The biggest selling point of this Porter-Cable polisher is that it is easy to control and operate. Its polishing pad is quite large at six inches in diameter, which makes it ideal for polishing a car in a short period. At the same time, a six inch diameter pad is not too big to reach small parts and gaps. The pad moves in a random circular pattern to cover a large area, while its 4.5-amp motor varies power from 2,500 to 6,800 orbits per minute. The Porter-Cable polisher has a removable side handle that you can flip from the left or right side for extra convenience and greater control.

Key Points at a Glance

• Swirl-free sanding/polishing, Random orbit action
• Operating range of 2,500-6,800 OPM
• Includes 6-inch pad for polishing
• 4.5 amp motor
• Three-year limited warranty; one-year free service

The 7424XP accepts 5/16 to 24 spindle thread accessories, and it offers a full ball and roller bearing construction for durability under industrial workloads. A drawback of this polisher is that it is a bit difficult to decipher the current RPM when adjusting the speed. One may also find it hard to cold start the Porter Orbital Polisher. Still, this is a highly rated polisher overall and users are happy with its power and durability.

2. AutoSpa Random Orbital 120V Automotive Polisher

The AutoSpa Orbital features a stout round handle on the top for easy control of the polisher while its large 10-inch pad plate covers a larger area to polish. The handle edges are ergonomically shaped as per a person’s fingers to provide a better grip. The polisher’s 120v motor can produce a generous 3,600 RPM. A great feature on this polisher is that it includes a three-layer foam pad with a moisture barrier and a microfiber bonnet to enable smooth operation.

Key Points at a Glance

• Large 10-inch pad
• Heavy-duty 3600 RPM, 120V motor; ETL approved
• Top mount on/off switch
• Compact and easy to use

What makes the AutoSpa 94009AS a great orbital polisher is its compact size, a user- friendly design, and large polishing pad.

 

3. Chemical Guys BUF_503X TORQX Random Polisher Kit

This product not only includes an orbital polisher but also an entire polishing kit of nine accessory items including three pads and four bottles of polish. Chemical Guys have clearly put a lot of thought into this kit and have made it versatile enough to cater to multiple purposes like polishing, removing scratches, fixing paint defects, and eliminating swirls that often take away a car’s shine. With an easy-to-use design and heavy-duty construction, this orbital polisher can be used confidently.

Key Points at a Glance

• One kit caters to multiple jobs like removing swirls, scratches, and paint defects
• Made using heavy-duty construction
• Designed with streamlined controls for maximum comfort
• Wide 2800 – 7800 RPM powerband

The motor is a 120V, 700 watts unit capable of producing 2800 to 7800 RPM. This kit is ideal for anyone wanting to invest in a quality orbital polisher that serves multiple purposes.

 

4. ZOTA Polisher with 30′ Cord, 21mm Long-Throw Random Orbital Polisher

If you are a beginner looking for your first orbital polisher this might be the one for you. It can perform basic polishing tasks at a limited budget. The specialty about the ZOTA Polisher is that it has a large orbit throw where the pad plate moves in broader circles and thus creates the least amount of heat, friction, and danger to your paint job. The speed is adjustable from 2000 RPM to 4800 RPM, which is a range good enough to perform a variety of polishing tasks.

Key Points at a Glance

• 21mm long-throw orbit
• 6-speed control dial that varies form 2,000-4,800 RPM
• 30’ long cord
• Rubberized controls for comfortable operation

The ZOTA Polisher is also very comfortable to use as it features a rubberized grip, trigger lock, and head grip. Several accessories are included in the package like three pads and a tote bag.

 

5. Ginour Polisher, 900W 6-inch Variable Speed Dual-Action Random Orbit

This polisher can handle a wide range of uses and has been designed with convenience in mind. It comes with two handles to operate, which makes life very easy for anyone using this and gives beginners solid control. A D-shaped handle is placed on the top of the orbital polisher while another handle is mounted on the side. The Ginour Polisher is powered by a 7.5-amp and 900 watts power unit that can operate between 2,000 to 6,400 RPM.

Key Points at a Glance

• Lightweight operation- weighs just 5.7 pounds
• 7.5 amp 900 watt motor with an RPM range of 2,000 to 6,400 RPMs
• Can be adjusted to six variable speeds
• Perfect for polishing, waxing, polishing, buffing, and removing swirls

The design is compact, clever, light, and easy to use. The package also includes five pads which makes this a great buy for the price you pay.

6. Tacklife Buffer Polisher

The Tacklife Buffer is built for safe and convenient operation. Operators have complete control of the work being done as this polisher features dual handles – a large D-shaped handle on top and another detachable side handlebar. The polisher’s package also includes two packing plates, a 5- inch plate and a 6-inch plate with a durable tote bag.

Key Points at a Glance

• Dual handles support easy operation
• Package features a 5-inch plate
• 1500- 6300 orbits per minute operation
• Speeds can be varied through 6 levels

Tacklife Orbital Polisher is powered by a motor that can achieve a large variation in rotation. Speeds could be adjusted between 1,500 and 6,300 orbits per minute, making this a versatile tool that can perform beginner to professional tasks.

 

7. DEWALT Buffer/Polisher

DeWalt is a trusted brand due to the solid reputation it holds in making power tools. This orbital polisher features a 12-amp motor that can run between 600 – 3500 RPMs, which is just enough to get almost any polishing work done. The DeWalt is lightweight at just 6.7 pounds and it can fit pads that are 7 or 9 inches in diameter.

Key Points at a Glance

• The Orbital Polisher is run by a 12 amp motor
• Wide RPM range of 600- 3500 RPM
• The Spindle thread is 5/8 inches
• Features variable speed setting

The polisher also boasts a unique safety feature called a wool ingestion shield that prevents the wool pads from getting stuck between the mechanical components. It also features a three-position bale handle that provides excellent control and ease of use.

Conclusion

Any of the orbital polishers on the list above can work for you and get the basic job done. Be careful with your vehicle’s paint job and avoid deploying too powerful of a polisher before you are experienced. All of the polishers on our list can save you time and physical strain when you go to clean your car. No matter which one you choose, you will find that the finish and shine from a polisher exceeds what you can accomplish manually.