Yes — the MAXXT Brushless 5.0mm Random Orbital Sander is worth buying if you want a feature-rich mains sander at its all-time low price of £169.99. With a 4.0/5 rating from 321 reviews, 100+ bought last month, and a £10 off coupon on top of 32% off the £249.99 RRP, it looks like a serious mid-range buy rather than a throwaway DIY tool.

First impressions

The headline spec is the brushless EC motor, and that matters more than marketing fluff. Brushless motors generally run cooler and need less maintenance than brushed units, which is exactly what you want if you’re sanding a lot of timber, panels or filler on longer sessions. The other immediate draw is the 5.0mm orbit: that is a fairly aggressive stroke for a random orbital sander, so this MAXXT is aimed more at material removal and levelling than ultra-fine finishing.

At 1.37kg, the body weight is sensible for overhead or edge work, and the listing’s emphasis on ergonomic handling suggests it’s built to be used with different hand sizes. The included 10 sanding discs are a useful starter pack, though the real value will depend on whether the machine’s dust extraction and pad quality hold up over time.

What do the key features mean in practice?

The MAXXT offers dual-speed control with 6 speed options, which gives you flexibility across coarse sanding and finer surface prep. On pine, softwood carcassing, or painted woodwork, being able to back the speed off helps avoid swirl marks and unnecessary heat. On denser hardwoods, the higher settings should help keep cut rate up, especially with coarser grits.

Dust control is another important point. This sander uses mesh sandpaper in P80, P120, P180, P220 and P320, which is designed to reduce clogging caused by dust migration. In a small UK workshop, especially if you’re sanding MDF, softwood with resin, or old paint, clogging can ruin discs quickly; mesh abrasives usually perform better when extraction is decent.

The listing also mentions a waterproof plug design for damp environments. That is not a licence to use it carelessly around moisture, but it does suggest the tool is being positioned for tougher site or garage conditions where humidity can be an issue.

How does it perform against the asking price?

At £169.99, this sits above budget cordless sanders like the Makita DBO180Z at £79.99, but that Makita is sold without batteries and charger, so the real entry cost can rise fast if you’re not already on Makita LXT. The MAXXT’s mains power avoids battery drain and suits longer sanding sessions on benches, doors, tabletops and cabinet parts.

Against the Bosch Rout POF 1400 ACE at £238.99 and the DWE7485-QS at £538.95, the comparison is not direct because those are different tool types, but it does show where MAXXT sits in the wider premium-tool bracket: not cheap, but still well below many well-known brand-name power tools. The key question is whether you value features over brand pedigree.

The 4.0/5 score from 321 reviews suggests a product that satisfies many buyers but is not flawless. That is exactly the sort of rating I’d expect from a tool that likely performs well for the money, while still having enough niggles to stop it reaching top-tier status.

Is it good value for money?

Yes, provided you want the specification rather than the badge. The current price is the all-time lowest recorded price of £169.99, and the data says this is a good time to buy. With the £10 coupon active, the effective price is even more attractive, especially given the brushless motor, 6-speed control, and included discs.

The weakness is that you are paying mid-range money for a brand that does not carry the trust of Makita or Bosch. If long-term parts support, resale value, and proven durability matter more than features, a better-known brand may still be the safer workshop investment.

What should buyers watch out for?

The main warning is the 5.0mm orbit. That is useful for fast stock removal, but it is not the first pick if your priority is a glass-smooth final finish on hardwood furniture. You may still need a separate finer-action sander for final passes.

There is also a practical caution around the dust system: mesh abrasives help, but the listing does not give enough detail on extraction performance, so buyers should not assume perfect dust collection straight out of the box.

How does it compare to alternatives?

Compared with the Makita DBO180Z at £79.99, the MAXXT is more expensive, but it includes mains power and a brushless motor, and you are not forced into a battery ecosystem. Compared with premium corded tools from Bosch or larger workshop machines, it is cheaper, but it lacks the same brand assurance and likely the same refinement.

If you want a hard-working random orbital sander for general woodworking, panel prep, and garage use, the MAXXT has the spec sheet to justify consideration. If you want the safest buy for long-term professional use, a Makita or Bosch still has the edge in trust.

Final verdict

The MAXXT Brushless 5.0mm Random Orbital Sander is a worthwhile buy at £169.99, especially at its lowest-ever price and with the £10 coupon applied. It makes the most sense for users who want a brushless, mains-powered sander with real cutting ability and are comfortable trading brand reputation for features.

If you mainly want a fine-finishing sander for furniture work, or you prefer the reassurance of established brands, look elsewhere. If you want a capable all-rounder for timber prep, paint stripping and general workshop sanding, this one earns a serious look.