Best Car Wax Buffers and Polishers for 2020
Updated: Aug. 17, 2020Want to polish or buff your car, but not sure what tool to use? Learn about six great car polish buffers, and what makes each one a standout.
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What to Know About Car Polish Buffers
Car polishers, also called car buffers, are handheld orbital power tools designed to apply and buff car wax and polish.
Car polish is a mildly abrasive liquid designed to improve the smoothness and shine of vehicle paint. Car wax is applied after polish, adding a layer of protection and further enhancing the paint’s sheen. The same tool, a polisher/buffer, is used for both jobs. Here are six of the best DIY polish buffers you can buy.
Best Overall: TORQ BUF_503X Kit
Rugged tool design, exceptional power and a wide range of polishes and pads are what makes this kit from TORQ ($160) stand out. Not only does the tool have a speed range of 2,800 to a remarkably high 7,800 RPM, it also comes with four polishes and four polishing pads of different firmness levels. And if that doesn’t convince you that this is a top choice, this kit earns 4.6 stars out of five on Amazon, with more than 1,400 reviews!
Best Multi-Use: Porter-Cable Random Orbit Sander
Many people shy away from buying single-use tools, considering some to be merely gadgets. There no chance of that with this Porter-Cable six-inch random orbit sander that is sold with a sanding base pad for wood and a foam vehicle polishing pad. It’s fast and easy to switch between wood and auto work without digging another tool out of your collection. This random orbit sander is what I use for all my vehicle polishing and buffing, and it’s never let me down.
Best Lightweight: Black & Decker WP900
If you find your arms tiring after a couple of hours waxing your car with a regular-sized polisher, you really need to try this compact unit from Black & Decker ($34). At a little more than five pounds — half the size of most polish buffers — it’s great for tackling lengthy jobs without wearing you down. One Amazon reviewer says, “It is light, whisper quiet and you can easily use it one-handed. I have detailed three cars with it and every one comes out fantastic.”
Best Cordless: DeWalt 20V MAX XR Cordless Polisher
Let’s face it: No plug-in polisher is as convenient as a good cordless one, and that’s why this 20-volt DeWalt unit really shines ($279). Surprisingly light, easy to hold and powerful enough to rival many corded units, Amazon reviewers love this tool’s design and battery performance.
“It is built like a tank and it is definitely worth investing in this cordless version,” wrote one reviewer. “With a 5AH battery, I was able to polish my truck while another 5AH was charging (didn’t use a fast charger) and I never had to wait to swap them out.”
Best Space Saver: Poliwell Six-Inch Car Polishing and Buffing Kit
If you lack the space or budget for a full-sized polish buffer but already own a drill, this $20 kit from Poliwell is just what you need. Designed to mount into the shank of your drill, this kit includes two six-inch base pads, five polishing pads and a buffing pad. You won’t get as much rotational power from a drill as you will from a dedicated polish buffer, but it will still be much faster than polishing or buffing by hand.
Best Complete Kit: SPTA 12V Cordless Car Polisher Tool Set
If you want the full collection of polishing and buffing gear all at once, look no further than this 35-piece kit from SPT ($76). It includes a battery-powered polish buffer and a wide range of backing, polishing and buffing pads, along with a spare battery, charger and removable side handle. You can detail your car like never before with this kit.
All prices and links were current as of publication.