Milwaukee just made a big move in the sanding world — and it might be a game changer for woodworkers everywhere. Their new M12 6-inch cordless sanders are sleek, powerful, and unbelievably smooth. But can they really replace a corded sander in your woodworking shop? I bought every version with my own money to find out.

This post breaks down what makes these new sanders special, where they shine, what to watch out for, and who they’re best for.

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Would you replace your corded sander with one of these M12s? Let me know your thoughts, and don’t forget to check out the full video review on YouTube.

🧰 Milwaukee’s M12 Sanders: The Lineup

Milwaukee didn’t just launch one new cordless sander — they dropped an entire lineup designed to fit different sanding styles and needs.

Tools featured in this review:

If you’re wondering how these compare to top-tier brands like Festool, I also tested the Festool 6-inch Sander with the Festool Dust Extractor and 3M Xtract Sandpaper.

⚙️ First Impressions: Out of the Box

Right away, these sanders look and feel premium. They come with:

Soft hook-and-loop pad (pre-installed)
Adhesive pad for film-backed sandpaper
Two identical dust port adapters — one for the left and one for the right, depending on your setup

👉 One miss: Neither the 3/32" nor 3/16" sander comes with a dust bag — a strange omission for a cordless sander. However, the M18 dust bag fits perfectly, so if you already own one, you’re good to go.

Each kit version includes:

The sander
Charger
A 5.0Ah XC battery and a 2.5Ah compact battery

The smaller battery makes the tool incredibly lightweight — perfect for long sessions without wrist fatigue.

💨 Smooth as Butter: Performance That Surprised Me

These are some of the smoothest cordless sanders I’ve ever used. I noticed almost zero vibration, even during extended use.

They feature:

Brushless motors
Variable speed control (3,200–12,000 RPM)
Two stroke rates:
- 3/32" (2.5mm) – for fine finish sanding and veneers
- 3/16" (5mm) – for faster, more aggressive material removal

The result:

3/32" delivers buttery smooth finishes
3/16" eats through material quickly — ideal for cutting boards, tabletops, and outdoor furniture

When I compared both on white oak, the 5mm model removed stock noticeably faster while still feeling balanced in hand.

🔋 Battery Life and Heat Performance

Battery performance impressed me — especially considering this is an M12 platform, not the larger M18.

Here’s what I found:

5.0Ah battery: ~16 minutes of continuous sanding
2.5Ah battery: ~12 minutes
Total runtime: ~28 minutes of sanding time with both batteries

✅ Bonus: The tool stays cool. The housing never exceeded ~100°F, and the sanding pad stayed in the 70s — meaning less heat buildup and longer-lasting sandpaper.

If you plan to sand big tabletops, a corded sander or a backup battery setup is still the better choice. But for smaller projects? These M12s are ideal.

🧲 Dust Collection: Great (with a hose)

Without a dust extractor, dust collection is mediocre. The included bag doesn’t capture much.
With a dust extractor, though — it rivals Festool’s performance.

Use a high-quality extractor like the Festool Dust Extractor and pair it with 3M Xtract Sandpaper or Festool Systainer Sandpaper for top-tier results.

🪚 Why These Sanders Are Ideal for Woodworkers

While Milwaukee also markets these toward auto body pros, make no mistake — these are woodworking sandersthrough and through.

They’re perfect for:

Cutting boards
Charcuterie boards
Furniture builds
Coffee and end tables
Small-to-medium woodworking projects

And the 6-inch pad size sands 40% more surface area than a 5-inch sander — meaning faster results with fewer passes.

🔧 What I Love About These Sanders

✅ Ergonomics: Low center of gravity, balanced feel, and incredibly comfortable grip.
✅ Power: Both versions have plenty of power for woodworking tasks.
✅ Vibration: Practically none. After over an hour of sanding, my hands weren’t fatigued.
✅ Design: Variable speed control, paddle lock switch, and top battery indicator.
✅ Dust Collection (with extractor): As good as Festool.
✅ Portability: Cordless convenience without sacrificing quality.

⚠️ What Could Be Better

❌ No Dust Bag: It’s an odd omission.
❌ Price:

$299 bare tool
$449 combo kit with batteries and charger

They’re priced near high-end corded options like Festool and Mirka. But considering the performance and portability, they still deliver solid value.
❌ Battery Life: Expect around 15–30 minutes per battery, depending on the stroke rate.
❌ Tight Battery Fit: The batteries can be tricky to remove at first.

💬 Final Thoughts: Milwaukee Just Raised the Bar

Milwaukee continues to show that they’re listening to woodworkers. These new M12 cordless sanders feel modern, powerful, and purpose-built for woodworking — not just the job site.

Are they going to replace corded sanders completely? Not yet. But for smaller projects, shop flexibility, and clean cordless convenience, these are incredible tools.

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