Mirka vs Festool: My In-Depth Sander Review

As a woodworker, choosing the right sanding tool is essential for getting professional results. Over the years, I’ve used a variety of sanders from big box stores as well as popular brands like Makita and Bosch. However, I always heard good things about the top of the line Festool sanders. After putting my Festool ETS EC150 orbital sander through its paces for several years, I was curious to see how it stacked up against the Mirka Deros, another premium sander brand.

When the opportunity arose to try out a Mirka Deros 650X CV for an extended review period, I jumped at the chance. I was excited to do a thorough head-to-head comparison of these two high-end sanders to see which one came out on top. In this article, I’ll share a detailed account of my experiences using both sanders over several months of woodworking projects. By evaluating factors like ergonomics, performance, ease of use, accessories, and value, my goal is to help other woodworkers determine which premium sander is the best fit for their needs and budget.

Specification Comparison

Let’s start by looking at the basic specs of each sander:

Festool ETS EC150

• Price: $525
• Oscillation: 3mm & 5mm
• RPM: 4,000–10,000
• Power Switch: Standard button
• Variable Speed: Dial
• Weight: 2.74 lbs
• Height: 4 7/16"
• Hose Compatibility: Works with Festool
• Plug Style: Proprietary twist lock
• Pad Hole Pattern: Ridiculous
• Warranty: 3 years including wear & tear

Mirka Deros 650X CV

• Price: $650
• Oscillation: 2mm & 5mm
• RPM: 5,000–10,000
• Power Switch: Master button with paddle
• Variable Speed: Buttons and paddle
• Weight: 2.29 lbs
• Height: 3 13/16"
• Hose Compatibility: Works with Festool
• Plug Style: Proprietary snap-in
• Pad Hole Pattern: Also ridiculous
• Warranty: 3 years excluding wear & tear

On paper, the main differences are the Mirka’s lower price, smaller oscillation options, lighter weight, and different power controls. Both claim excellent dust collection and compatibility with Festool vacuums.

Ergonomics and Handling

The first thing anyone will notice when picking up these sanders is their vastly different designs. The Festool has a standard orbital sander shape with an on/off button. Meanwhile, the Mirka goes for a more unique pneumatic-style design with a large paddle switch.

The Mirka Experience

I have to admit, as someone used to the Festool, the Mirka’s unusual paddle took some getting used to. You have to keep pressure on it the entire time you’re sanding for the sander to run, which feels unnatural at first. The good news is that after a few days, the motion becomes second nature. Being able to vary speed smoothly with the paddle is nice in theory, but in practice, I rarely needed multiple speeds.

What I did appreciate about the paddle design is how well it fit in my hand. The lower center of gravity made overhead and vertical sanding feel much more controlled versus the Festool. And at just under 2.3 lbs, it’s noticeably lighter than the Festool for extended use.

The one downside is that you can accidentally turn the sander on if you set it down with pressure on the paddle or flip it over without turning off the master power switch first. Thankfully it has good safety brakes to stop quickly.

The Festool as a Comparison

While undeniably ergonomic, the Festool sander just doesn’t hug your hand in the same way. Its higher center of gravity took more effort to maneuver in certain positions. That said, I never felt it was too heavy at under 2.8 lbs either.

The Festool’s simple on/off power button makes for more intuitive use compared to the Mirka’s novelty paddle design. And best of all, you don’t have to worry about accidentally activating it.

Interestingly, I found the Festool tracked a little smoother over knotty areas in wood versus the Mirka occasionally jumping more. Could the extra weight provide more stability? It’s hard to say for sure.

Performance Comparison

When it came to actual sanding, I was eager to see if one sander truly outperformed the other. To test them head-to-head:

• I used the same Mirlon Finest sandpaper on both (grits 80–240).
• Timed how long each took to sand a test board from 80-grit marks to a smooth 240 finish.
• Examined surfaces under bright light for any differences in smoothness.
• Recorded how they handled various wood types and grain patterns.

The results? I was frankly shocked by how similar their performance was across the board. Both easily sanded the test board to a mirror-like sheen in about the same timeframe. The surfaces looked indistinguishable.

Every wood type from soft pine to hard maple was no problem for either sander. They excelled equally at flattening large surfaces and getting into tight corners. Vibration felt negligible on both.

Overall, I couldn’t find any clear advantage to one over the other in terms of actual sanding ability. Both removed material rapidly while producing professional-level results with little effort on my part.

Dust Collection Test

No modern sander review would be complete without evaluating its dust management. I attached each to my shop vac and timed how long it took to sand a piece of wood, noting dust kicked up in the air.

Both the Festool and Mirka performed impressively here. Connecting to the vacuum, virtually no dust escaped into my breathing space. Even after 10 minutes of continuous sanding, the air in my shop remained crystal clear.

Subjectively, the Festool collection felt marginally stronger — perhaps because its straight-walled dust port forms a better seal versus the Mirka’s slanted port. But honestly, the difference was minuscule and I’d feel confident using either sander without a respirator in my shop. Top-notch dust control from both brands without question.

Additional Features

While their core sanding abilities are a draw, each sander has separate strengths when it comes to add-ons:

Pads and Paper

Mirka offers a dizzying array of pad options, including specialty abrasives, interface pads, and more. Meanwhile, Festool’s selection is smaller but still good. Both papers work well on either sander in my testing. Slight edge to Mirka for options.

Accessories

Festool’s party piece is its extensive ecosystem of complementary tools like planar, circular saws, routers etc. Mirka remains primarily a sander brand. For system compatibility, Festool is far better integrated.

Software

Mirka gets points for its unique monitoring mobile app that tracks vibration exposure, runtime logs, and other usage metrics in real-time. Nothing too critical, but a fun novelty that Festool lacks.

Warranty

Both offer a 3-year warranty, but only Festool covers normal wear and tear parts. Mirka excludes this, so you may pay more for repairs down the road. A minor Festool advantage.

Overall, while Mirka offers some distinct bonuses, Festool provides a stronger accessory/warranty package that more enthusiast woodworkers will appreciate.

Value Proposition

Now we get to the big question — is the Mirka truly worth its $125 price premium over the Festool?

When I began this test, I was doubtful. The Festool is already top of the line, and based on specifications alone, I didn’t see enough advantages for the Mirka to justify its higher cost.

However, after extensive use, I’ve come to appreciate some of the Mirka’s unique qualities:

• Its lightweight yet incredibly well-balanced design is superb for vertical/overhead work where fatigue can set in quickly.
• The vibration monitoring app is admittedly gimmicky but still fun for data nerds like me!
• The broader range of pad/paper options provides valuable flexibility down the road.

That said, for someone like me who does the majority of their sanding on the workbench, I don’t think those perks make the Mirka worth an extra $125 at the end of the day.

The Festool performed every bit as well during my tests without any real drawbacks. Its simpler design, vacuum ecosystem, and more comprehensive warranty package add to its value.

Unless you do a lot of above-head sanding or really need the monitoring app, I believe most woodworkers will feel they got more sander for their money with the Festool. It remains the smarter purchase in my opinion.

Final Thoughts

After months of extensive use putting these premium sanders through their paces, I can confidently say both the Festool ETS EC150 and Mirka Deros 650X CV are fantastic orbital sanders that will serve any woodworker incredibly well.

Ultimately, either brand is a solid choice. However, if forced to recommend only one, I’d still pick the Festool due to its more complete package that includes a broader family of tools, stronger warranty, and lower price point for the performance received versus the Mirka.

That said, the Mirka is no slouch either — its ergonomic design and extras like the monitoring app provide certain advantages Festool can’t match. If the price difference isn’t a major concern, it remains an excellent premium sander.

At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either brand. My advice is to try them in person if possible, consider your typical sanding tasks, and decide whether the Mirka’s pros warrant the added investment for your needs. I hope this detailed review has helped shed some light on choosing between these two top-of-the-line orbital sander options!