The 5 Best Car Buffer for 2021 – Product Review and Buying Guide

Having the best car buffer in your garage is essential if you want to keep the shiny and bright appearance of your car. I mean, who wouldn’t want their car to have that showroom shine all the time, right?

A car buffer, which is also known as a random orbital buffer, is a dual-action polisher that can quickly eliminate swirl marks and knock out oxidation without harming the car paint. This provides efficiency and convenience in keeping your car bright and shiny.

However since there’s a lot of options to choose from, it can be quite challenging for you to look for the best. That is why I have listed some of the greatest options below to help you out.

5 Best Car Buffer Reviews

1. Dewalt DWP849X

The Dewalt DWP849X is a perfect choice for people who are looking for a car buffer that can be used for both commercial and home purposes. This can get the polishing job done perfectly and quickly, without any troubles.

It comes with an electric motor that can produce a minimum power of 600 RPM and 3500 RPM maximum power. Apart from cars, it can also tackle other polishing jobs for different materials, making it very versatile.

This tool is very durable, thanks to its additional wool ingestion feature. You don’t have to worry about the sensitive parts of your car as well because the buffer is made with non-marking rubber. Whether you’re polishing a vertical or horizontal surface, you can move and control this car buffer easily because it comes with a top handle.

Dewalt DWP849X comes with a powerful 12-amp motor that reacts well with varying pressures. For instance, the motor will be able to recognize the action and act accordingly when the car buffer wants to press a little harder on the surface. In other words, the speed of the tool will be sustained even if the pressure is increased.

It is also lightweight and easy to hold, weighing only 6.7 pounds. You will also see various grip points located on its handle, so your arms and hands won’t feel tired and fatigued even when working for hours.

DWP849X also features a soft start so you don’t need to toss the polish on the car’s surface. You will also have better control over what the car buffer can do because of this feature. Changing plates is also quicker and easier because Dewalt added a spindle lock feature in it.

2. Griot’s Garage 10813STDCRD

 

If you’re looking for the best car buffer that can get the polishing job done quickly, then you should take a look at Griot’s Garage 10813STDCRD. This car buffer is one of the fastest tools that you can use to maintain the excellent condition of your home car’s exterior.

It has an ergonomic design, making it very easy to handle and maneuver in different directions. You won’t feel a lot of hand fatigue after using it for hours as well because it comes with a finger-molded handle. You will definitely have a proper grip on it while working.

It also comes with a variable speed adjustment feature that will allow you to choose the right rotational speed for the task at hand. For instance, you will be able to tackle mild to deep scratches on your car when you adjust the tool’s speed in 6 increments. This feature is actually a must to prevent the tool from damaging the car’s surface.

This is a car buffer powered by electricity and comes with a 10-foot cord, allowing you to easily move around the car. It can run for hours without a problem, making it more efficient than battery-powered ones. However, you should still let the tool cool down from time to time even if it’s powered by electricity because it might overheat.

Compared to Dewalt DWP849X, this tool’s motor is only 7-amp. But, it can still produce 850 watts of power. It also comes with a 6-speed control feature that can effectively remove mild scratches on your car.

This car buffer is also easy to control and handle, thanks to its rubberized grip. It is very functional, especially in tight, angled areas of the car.

3. Makita 9237C

Makita 9237C is a great option if you are looking for a car buffer that is lightweight and easy to maneuver. Your buffing tasks will definitely become easier as this tool offers both convenience and comfortability.

It comes with an ergonomic loop handle, which allows you to control the pressure and prevent paint damages from happening. 9237C also has a variable speed feature that will let you adjust the speed from up to 3200 RPM, depending on the task at hand. The surfaces will be covered evenly as well because of their solid construction.

You can easily start or stop the car buffer from running, too. All you have to do is press the on/off button located below the vertical handle. It has a 10-amp motor, which is quite bigger than Griot’s Garage’s unit. You can use it not just on your car’s surface, but also on other materials.

When you buy one, you will get different accessories, including a wool bonnet and backing pad to help the tool from the polishing tasks. You will also get a travel bag that you can use to store the car buffer. You can easily bring it anywhere with you, even if it’s for commercial purposes.

Another great feature that I’ve noticed on this tool is its design. This car buffer can be placed upside down on the ground when you’re taking a break. This feature will prevent your buffering pads from gathering dirt on other surfaces. It has a smooth start feature that will allow you to polish even the most sensitive materials out there. This tool also comes with a cord guard that helps prevent injuries and accidents.

4. Avid Power AEP127

The AEP127 unit from Avid Power is an easy-to-use and high-performing car buffer that can get the polishing job done easily and efficiently. This is a very versatile tool that comes with a 6-speed control feature, allowing you to use it on different applications other than polishing car exteriors.

The first and second-speed settings will allow the motor to rev up its power from up to 3000 OPM, which is ideal for buffing and waxing different materials. To adequately clean and polish the surface of each material, you can increase the speed to 4500 OPM by using the third and fourth-speed settings. The fifth and sixth-speed setting is very rigorous and you can count on them if you’re looking for a buffer that can safely remove paint defects without putting too much pressure on the tool.

AEP127 also comes with an ergonomic design and an adjustable handle, so you will experience less hand fatigue. Your hand won’t slip on it either because it has a non-slip grip that allows you to control it in any direction. You don’t have to worry about damaging or burning the paint, too, because it has a soft start, just like most of the units on this list.

5. Black + Decker WP900

This car buffer is not just suitable for your home, but for light commercial tasks as well. From buffering your car’s exterior to polishing various home furniture, the Black Decker WP900 definitely got you covered. It comes with two ergonomic handles that will allow you to easily control and use it on either horizontal or vertical angles. It also has a cord so you can use it for a long period of time.

You don’t have to worry about the cord getting tangled up while you’re working, too, because it is connected at the back of the tool for convenience. Slips will also be prevented from happening, thanks to their good grip.

This is a great tool for both beginners and professionals because it is easy to use and lightweight compared to the other units on the list. Its motor can produce a speed of up to 4400 OPM and you can press it more against the car without damaging the paint. Some of its additional features include the 10-foot cord and the foam applicator. You can also use a 6″ buffering pad with it, to polish a larger surface area.

Best Car Buffer: Buyer’s Guide

If you still can’t decide which model to buy, I’ve created a buying guide below. Here are some of the factors that you should consider when looking for the best car buffer.

Type

There are two types of car buffers, orbital and rotary. The first type is the random orbital or the dual-action car buffer, which can spin the polishing pad in two different ways. Other than letting the pad rotate on a large circle, this car buffer also oscillates it in several small circles inside the larger circle so that too much heat and friction can be prevented.

This motion can help remove the imperfections and prevents further damage to your car paint. Compared to the rotary buffer, orbital-type buffers are easier to use. However, it produces a much lesser power. The second type is the rotary buffer or polisher, which allows the polishing pad to rotate only in a clockwise direction. It is an effective car buffer that can help polish your car effectively.

However, the pad can only spin in the same direction or area, so you should be careful and attentive as this motion can damage the car paint. If you’re a professional, this is a great choice for you. But if you’re still a beginner, then you can opt to use the orbital buffer instead.

Price

This is one of the most important factors that you should consider, especially if you are on a tight budget. You may think that a cheap buffer won’t help a lot on your task but there are some affordable units out there that can still get the job done.

Actually, a $50 car buffer is enough if you just need to polish your car on rare occasions. But, you should expect that tools in this price range are not very powerful. It’s also not recommended for professional use.

On the other hand, if your budget ranges from $50 to $200, you can definitely get a more powerful, versatile, and durable car buffer in the market. You will be able to get additional accessories from this price range, too.

Spending more means getting more features. So if you can pay more than $200 for a car buffer, you will get a superior and high-quality unit. These expensive tools are usually designed for daily use and professional purposes.

Brand

You should only get a car buffer from a reliable brand. This will give you an assurance that the tool you will be purchasing is high-quality, durable, and offers superior performance.

Some of the most popular brands in the market include Dewalt, Black+ Decker, Porter-Cable, and Makita. They are trusted by a lot of consumers so you will definitely find the best car buffer from one of these brands.

Other than car buffers, they also offer other professional tools like air compressors, drills, saws, and grinders.

Make sure to look for customer reviews online to know if a company is reliable and offers the best tools. You can also go to online forums to get tips and advice from other consumers and experts. This will help make your research easier. 

Safety features

Since a car buffer is a power tool, you should look for a unit that comes with safety features. This will prevent injuries and accidents from happening.

These safety features can also help protect the car’s paint from damages. One of the most important safety features that you should consider is the auto-shutdown feature, which cuts the power of the buffer to prevent it from overheating.

Power

Power is a very essential factor, especially if you’re looking for a car buffer that can be used for professional and industrial purposes. Some of the things that you should look for are the OPM (orbits per minute), RPM (revolutions per minute), and the amps of the motor.

Too much power isn’t actually required if your car’s exterior is still in very good condition and just needs a little polishing. But if you use it frequently and already have a lot of swirls and scratches, you should opt for a car buffer that can produce a lot of power. 

Maintenance

To make sure that the car buffer can last for years, you have to take care of it properly. However, if you’re a busy individual that doesn’t have enough time to do proper maintenance on your tool, then you should look for a low-maintenance car buffer.

You will be able to find a lot of low-maintenance car buffers in the market so you don’t have to worry. Just take a look at the manufacturer’s manual of each unit or make your own research to know if it’s easy to maintain.

Ergonomics

Considering comfortability is always important when dealing with power tools like car buffers. So you should look for a polisher that comes with an ergonomic design, especially on the handle.

This will help prevent your hands from having hand fatigue when working for a long period of time. You should also make sure that the car buffer is easy to operate and lightweight to save time and energy.

Other features that need to be considered include the trigger accelerators and variable speed controls. This can help you get the job done quickly and efficiently without having any problems.

What are the Benefits of Car Buffers?

You will gain a lot of benefits when using a car buffer to polish your car. Here are some of those benefits:

Easy car maintenance.

A car buffer is a great investment for car owners, simply because it can help you in maintaining your car’s excellent condition, no matter what model you have. It can easily restore the shine of your car, making it look good as new. The scratches, swirls, and stains will also be removed with the use of this tool without damaging the car’s paint.

More affordable and convenient

You will be able to save a lot of money when you use a car buffer because you don’t have to go to the local detailing shop just to polish your car. If you have several cars that need to be polished on a regular basis, using this tool is also a good option. You can easily and quickly do it on your own without the help of an expert.

A car buffer will also help you save a lot of time and effort because it can polish your car’s exterior faster than doing it by hand. Polishing or buffering is a very tiring job so using a power tool can really help you out.

Be versatile

Car buffers usually come with different accessories when you buy one, including various types of polishing heads and pads. These accessories will help you do different polishing tasks not just on your car’s body, but also on its windows.

Tips and Tricks When Using Car Buffers

Taking care of your car buffer is important if you want it to last for years. Here are some tips and tricks that you can follow when using and maintaining car buffers:

Use the car buffer properly

For handheld car buffers, you should not use the edge of its buffing pad and avoid dry polishing because these practices can damage your car’s paint. You should avoid pushing against the rotating pad’s natural motion, too, because it might break.

Clean your car thoroughly

Make sure that your car’s paint is free of contaminants and dirt before using the buffer. To make the buffering more effective, you should also work on a well-lit garage.

Use a single compound for a single buffing pad

Avoid using multiple compounds on just one buffing pad. For instance, mixing polish with wax on a single buffing pad should be avoided because it can become contaminated.

Prevent friction and heat buildup

Use the polish or compound specifically designed for the buffing pad you’re going to use. You should also set the RPM to the right amount to prevent a lot of heat buildup and friction. Just set the RPM between 1750 RPM and 2400 RPM when compounding. On the other hand, the RPM should be set between 1200 RPM to 1750 RPM when finishing.

Take note of the safety features

Take a look at your car buffer. If it doesn’t have a safe start feature, you should apply wax or polish to the buffing pad first. Then, spread the wax or polish around the pad before turning the car buffer on.

Clean the buffing pads

If you want to reduce the swirl marks on your car, you should always keep the buffing pads clean. Wash and air dry the wool pads occasionally to remove dirt. You should also spur them to remove any debris completely. For foam pads, they should be soaked in warm water and air dry afterward.

Use the right type of car buffer

You can opt to use a random orbital buffer if you’re just a beginner and only need it for basic car polishing. It is easier to use and handle.

But, if you’re already a professional, a rotary polisher is recommended because it’s more suitable for different polishing tasks.

See also: Best car wax for white cars and, best wax for black cars

Conclusion

A car buffer can definitely help make your car look good as new again. However, you have to find the best unit in the market to do it.

My pick for the best car buffer is the Dewalt DWP849X. This is a very versatile tool that can be used not just in your home, but also in your detailing shop.

It comes with a powerful 12-amp motor and can produce up to 3500 rotations per minute, which is more than enough to tackle any type of polishing tasks. Whether you’re a beginner or already a professional, the DWP849X is a great choice. It is very easy and comfortable to use.

On the other hand, you can go through the rest of this list and check the other units if you’re looking for another option. You can also follow the buying guide when you start your research. This can definitely help you pick the right tool for your needs.