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If you own a vehicle, a car buffer is a tool you definitely want to have in your arsenal.
Keeping your car clean can seem like a tedious task, but it is well worth the time. After all, cars can play a huge role in what sort of impression we give to others. Someone with a dirty car exterior will generate a lot of attention, and most of it will likely be negative. Fortunately, with a car buffer, cleaning your car need not be a hassle. It can be a quick, harmless job.
The automobile industry can be difficult to navigate. Nowadays, it’s hard to know who to trust – it seems like someone is always trying to sell you something questionable.
With this article, we hope to help you skip all that and get right to checking out the best products. We will walk you through 10 of the best car buffer brands, and in less than ten minutes, you’ll be well on your way to cleaner, less stressful days. Let’s go get you that great first impression
[amazon box=”B072MK1T5H,B000077CPT,B077JLQ3LW,B002654I46,B000077CPT,B0000AXOHT,B00OKEDW0M,B009UKUUWE,B0000223IZ,B00PXZ919I” template=”table”]
Product FAQ’s
What Different Types of Car Buffers Should I Know About?
There are two types of car buffers: variable speed rotary polishers and dual action orbital polishers. Here’s what you need to know about them.
Variable speed rotary polishers are the most popular type used to polish vehicle paint. They are much more effective at getting rid of deep-set scratches and polishing your paint. This is both a blessing and a danger. If you don’t use them carefully, they will remove paint from your vehicle extremely quickly. You need to be thoughtful about speed control when using these.
Image Source: Pixabay
Dual action orbital polishers are the safer option of the two. These buffers clean by oscillating in one direction, minimizing chances of damaging the paint. These are much easier to use – even kids can use them. If you are trying to stay on the safe side and you don’t need heavy work done on your car, this is an option to consider.
What Is the Benefit of Owning a Car Buffer?
A car buffer will save you a ton of time and allow you to clean your car with professional effectiveness. In the long run, it will also save you a great fortune. Getting someone to buff your car for you is much, much more expensive.
Why Should I Take My Car In for a Cleaning Every Once in a While?
Many people do this, but there are two issues with it. First, when you take your car into a cleaning service, you leave your car in the hands of someone you may not know. That is a risk in and of itself. Second, car cleaning services are far more expensive. With the money you spend on one or two cleaning jobs, you can easily buy a car buffer and more.
Where Can I Buy a Car Buffer?
You can find a car buffer at many businesses dealing with car equipment. As for the ten on our list, you’re best bet will be to buy them directly from the manufacturer or from Amazon.
What Price Range Am I Looking At?
$ to $$
How We Reviewed
We reviewed these ten car buffers based on the following parameters: features, pros and cons, price, where they can be bought, and warranty. We chose these parameters because they cover a wide enough scope to give the average consumer all the information they need to find the right product for their needs. We also chose them because they allowed us to assess each buffer with no bias.
Overall Price Range of This Product (and Similar Products)
The price range of these buffers is $ to $$. The main factors accounting for this difference is brand name, max speeds, and design quality. At the higher end, you will find more powerful buffers with better durability.
What We Reviewed
- Carrand 94001AS AutoSpa
- Black & Decker WP900
- Ryobi P435 One+ 18V Lithium
- PORTER-CABLE 7424XP Polisher
- DEWALT DWP849X Variable Speed Polisher
- WEN 6010 6-Inch Waxer/Polisher
- Makita 9237CX3 Polisher
- Griot’s Garage 10813STDCRD 6″ Dual Action Random Orbital Polisher
- Makita 9227C 7-Inch Hook and Loop Electronic Polisher
- Torq BUF501 X 10FX Random Orbital Polisher Kit
[amazon link=”B072MK1T5H”]
[amazon box=”B072MK1T5H”]
Features
The Carrand 94001AS AutoSpa weighs 4.4 pounds, reaches speeds of 3500 RPM, and comes with several pads. It has a foam bonnet for smooth application of wax, a 3 layer foam pad with moisture barrier, and a microfiber bonnet for showroom shine. Each package has also comes with foam wax.
Pros
- It can reach speeds of 3500 RPM
- It comes with several pads
- You can pick between a 6-inch or 10-inch orbital diameter
- It is inexpensive.
Cons
- The AutoSpa, unfortunately, has a very short power cord
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $
Warranty
The manufacturer’s warranty can be requested directly via customer service.
[amazon link=”B000077CPT”]
[amazon box=”B000077CPT”]
Features
The Black and Decker WP900 reaches speeds of 4400 OPM. It weighs only 2 pounds and is electrically powered. It comes with pads, and each pad is 6″. It also has a 2-year warranty. The cord is 10 feet long. The buffer features a two handle design for ultimate comfort.
Pros
- It is great for anyone on a budget ($30)
- It is durable and can withstand its highest speeds and pressure with ease
- It has great ergonomics with its two handle design
- It is easy to use.
Cons
- Longevity of the product could be better. It may need repairs after 3-4 years
- The pads that come with it are low quality. You would be better of buying one separately
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $.
Warranty
This buffer comes with a 2-year warranty.
[amazon link=”B077JLQ3LW”]
[amazon box=”B077JLQ3LW”]
Features
The Ryobi P435 One+ 18V Lithium is 4.3 pounds and uses a voltage of 18. It features an ergonomic handle and a cordless design for maximum comfort and convenience. It has a 10-inch pad.
Pros
- The power is well balanced to suit most people’s needs without risking damage
- It is relatively lightweight
- Ryobi has excellent customer service
Cons
- Its attachments don’t secure as well as we would like
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $.
Warranty
Manufacturer’s warranty can be requested via customer service.
[amazon link=”B002654I46″]
[amazon box=”B002654I46″]
Features
The Porter-Cable 7424XP is a random-orbit buffer with swirl-free sanding and polishing. It has a speed dial ranging from 2500 to 6800 OPM. It features a proprietary counter balance to complement the 6-inch pad. It also features a 2-position removable side handle to let you use the buffer any way you would like.
Pros
- Its size and weight make it easy to handle
- Porter-Cable is a company with a long history and a trustworthy brand
- It has great durability
- You can choose the speed setting via a convenient dial
Cons
- The pad it comes with is of low quality. You would be better off getting one separately
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
Warranty
It comes with a one-year warranty.
[amazon link=”B000077CPT”]
[amazon box=”B000077CPT”]
Features
The Black + Decker is a variable speed polisher with a 180mm velco packing pad, a bail side handle, and a horizontal side handle. It is powerful at 12 amp and reaches speeds of 3500 rpm. It comes with wool ingestion shields to increase longevity. It also has a non-mar rubber gear case cover for minimizing surface imperfections and improve its grip.
Pros
- It has multiple side handles for easy use
- Its motor is well made and reliable
- This is a sturdy buffer that can handle heavy cleaning jobs
- It has a rubber gear case to protect your finish
- Its wool ingestion shield is high quality
- The variable speed trigger is easy to work with
Cons
- It is relatively expensive, but the price is mostly fair considering the value
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
Warranty
This product has a 3-year warranty.
[amazon link=”B0000AXOHT”]
[amazon box=”B0000AXOHT”]
Features
The WEN 6010 is lightweight at 3.35 pounds. It has a high-performance design at 120 V and 0.5 amp. It reaches speeds of 4000 rpm, and it features an ergonomically contoured design to give you the best grip with 1 or 2 hands. It comes with a 6-inch applicator bonnet and a 6-inch terry cloth bonnet.
Pros
- Excellent value for the price. Do not be fooled by how inexpensive this is
- As long as you use high-quality wax, this will do the job for most car owne
- It has a lockable on/off switch
- It reaches a high speed of 4000 rpm
Cons
- It is larger than we’d like, making it hard to buff out small spaces and corners
- The handle does not dampen vibration. Unless you use a padded glove, you will probably get sore
- It is relatively heavy and bulky compared to more expensive competitors
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $.
Warranty
It comes with a 1-year warranty.
[amazon link=”B00OKEDW0M”]
[amazon box=”B00OKEDW0M”]
Features
The Makita 9237CX3 has a variable speed dial and trigger for user customization. It reaches speeds of 3200 and can handle heavy jobs. It features a rubberized loop handle and gear housing for ultimate comfort and risk control. It has wire mesh intake covers, preventing wool fibers from getting into your motor.
Pros
- The Makita is your best shot at getting the highest level of professional cleaning
- It has great longevity; don’t be surprised if it lasts you a decade or more
- This is a great one for novices to start off with; it is comfortable and easy to use
- It can withstand the heaviest jobs; it has very dependable durability
Cons
- It is on the more expensive end of the range; that is to be expected from a Makita product of this quality
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
Warranty
It comes with a 3-year warranty.
[amazon link=”B009UKUUWE”]
[amazon box=”B009UKUUWE”]
Features
The Griot’s Garage 10813STDCRD 6″ Dual Action Random Orbital Polisher gets the job done quickly and safely. It has a variable speed 850 Watt motor, a 6 inch hook, a loop backing plate, and a 10-foot power cord.
Pros
- This is a very powerful buffer compared to competitors at similar prices. You will not need to apply much, if any, pressure. It will do the work for you.
- You can pay a little more for a 25-foot cord.
- It is highly foolproof, making it a great choice for beginners.
- It has a lifetime warranty.
Cons
- There are none, as far as we could see.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
Warranty
This product comes with a generous lifetime warranty.
[amazon link=”B0000223IZ”]
[amazon box=”B0000223IZ”]
Features
The Makita 9227C has an easy-to-use variable speed control dial. It has a soft start feature for ease of use and provide a smooth cleaning experience. You can easily convert this buffer to a sander. It has a lock-on button for continuous cleaning.
Pros
- It has great build quality
- It is a powerhouse
- It has a versatile design capable of both polishing and sanding; you can even use this to polish stone
- Makita has great customer service
Cons
- There have been some complaints of its longevity
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
Warranty
It comes with a 1-year warranty.
[amazon link=”B00PXZ919I”]
[amazon box=”B00PXZ919I”]
Features
Each kit comes with a polisher, 2 5″ backing plates, 2 4 oz. compounds, 2 4 oz polishes, and 3 5.5″ pads. It features a digital display and speed control buttons. It reaches speeds of 4200 OPM and operates on 120V. It was designed to be as lightweight as possible and dampen vibration. It has a wide power band range of 2800 to 7800 RPM.
Pros
- This polisher is comfortable to use with its lightweight and vibration dampening design
- It has a smooth startup
- It will get the job done for most vehicle owners
- It has a long power cord
- It gives you a professional grade cleaning
Cons
- It gets hot after long, continuous use. Just let it cool down every once in a while
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
Warranty
You can request warranty directly via customer service.
The Verdict: Which Is the Best Car Buffer?
For the most part, all 10 of these car buffers will do the job. There are two we especially recommend.
For those of you on a budget, you can’t do much better than the Black & Decker WP900. This buffer comes at the low price of $ and gives vehicles a professional, clean appearance that rivals the work of much more expensive buffers. Its price rating is $.
Image Source: Pixabay
If you’re willing to invest more money, the Makita 9237CX3 will be your best bet. The Makita brand is one you can trust, with its long history of excellent customer service and design quality. It will last you many years (probably over 10), and it is a great buffer for novices and experienced cleaners alike. Its price rating is $$$.
