Festool ETSC 2 Random Orbit Sander Review

If you’ve spent any time around woodworking forums, you know Festool has a reputation. Green accents, premium pricing, and tools that feel like they were made in some secret European lab. The ETSC 2 cordless random orbit sander fits that bill exactly. It’s smooth, quiet, and clever in ways you don’t expect until you actually pick it up.

Key Specs & Features

Type: Cordless (18V brushless)
Speed: Variable 6,000–10,000 OPM
Orbit: 3.5mm random action
Pad Sizes: 5-inch or 6-inch
Weight: 2.93 lbs (bare, 5-inch model)
Dust Control: Optimized canister + vac port
Extras: LED light, Bluetooth app integration, vibration protection, pad brake

The jump to standard Festool 18V batteries is a big deal here. No more special packs that only fit the sander. Now it runs on the same batteries as your drill, track saw, or jigsaw. Add in the LED light and Bluetooth app, and this is a modernized Festool tool through and through.

Performance & Usability

The first thing you notice is balance. This sander feels planted but light. You’re not fighting vibration, and your hand sits close to the work surface for great control. Festool clearly designed it to disappear in your hand so you can focus on the wood.

The brushless motor is whisper-quiet compared to most sanders. At full tilt, it chews through material fast, but you don’t get that harsh buzz in your palms. It honestly feels closer to polishing than sanding.

That LED light? Game changer. On a walnut tabletop, I could instantly see tiny scratches that I would’ve missed under shop lighting. Being able to dim or brighten the ring through the Festool app sounds gimmicky, but it’s one of those little quality-of-life features that makes sense once you try it.

Unique Test / Real-World Use

I ran the ETSC 2 on a maple cabinet door project, alternating between the 5-inch and 6-inch pads. On the cordless setup, runtime felt generous. Around 30–40 minutes with a 4.0Ah pack, and swapping batteries kept me moving without issue.

The dust collection was stellar. With just the canister, it caught way more dust than most sanders ever dream of. Hook it to a Festool vac, and the combo feels surgical. Basically zero dust on the surface, pads lasting longer, and no fine dust hanging in the air.

It’s the kind of setup where you pause halfway through sanding, look around, and realize you’re not covered in a layer of sawdust. That’s… rare.

Value & Context

Here’s the catch: $598.99 for the 5-inch kit. That’s not just a big price tag, it’s a whole mortgage payment for some folks. And with new import fees, the number climbs even higher.

But here’s the thing: Festool isn’t competing with Ryobi or DeWalt here. This is for pros who sand every day, or hobbyists who want the absolute best tool in their shop. Compared to cheaper cordless sanders, you’re paying for ergonomics, dust control, and finish quality.

If you already live in the Festool ecosystem, the investment makes more sense. Especially since it now shares batteries across tools.

Final Thoughts

The Festool ETSC 2 is everything you’d expect from Festool: refined, clever, and ridiculously good at what it does. The LED light feels like cheating, the brushless motor is buttery smooth, and dust collection is the best I’ve ever tested on a cordless sander.

Yes, the price stings. But if sanding is more than an occasional weekend job, this is a tool that actually makes the process enjoyable. And how often do you say that about sanding?

If you want the best cordless orbital sander money can buy, this is it. Period.