Mirka vs Festool Sanders: DEROS vs ETS EC Compared (2026)

Mirka and Festool sell nearly identical 6 in random orbital sanders, so the real differences are price, dust extraction and the system around the tool. On 2026-09-30 the Mirka DEROS 650X CV was $589 on Amazon and the Festool ETS EC 150/5 EQ-Plus was $649, both with a 5 mm orbit and both weighing under 1.3 kg. This comparison uses manufacturer and retailer specifications, not our own bench tests.

Mirka vs Festool Sanders: Quick Verdict

If you want a 6 in, 5 mm orbit sander for general woodworking, the DEROS and the ETS EC 150/5 are close enough that the vacuum hose, abrasives and dealer support you already have should decide it. Choose the Mirka if you want the lower listed price. Choose the Festool if you already own a Festool dust extractor or want a 3 mm orbit, which the ETS EC 125/3 offers. If you need very fast stock removal, look at the Festool Rotex instead of either random orbit sander.

Spec Comparison: Mirka DEROS vs Festool ETS EC and Rotex

The table below puts the specifications side by side, taken from manufacturer and retailer listings we read on 2026-09-30. Prices are Amazon or retailer prices that day and will change.

Model	Pad	Orbit	Power	Weight	Price seen
Mirka DEROS 650X CV	6 in (150 mm)	5.0 mm	350 W, brushless	about 1.1 kg (2.4 lb)	$589 (Amazon)
Festool ETS EC 150/5 EQ-Plus	6 in (150 mm)	5.0 mm	400 W, brushless	1.2 kg (2.6 lb)	$649 (Amazon)
Festool ETS EC 125/3 EQ-Plus	5 in (125 mm)	3.0 mm	400 W, brushless	1.4 kg (3.3 lb)	$549 (Amazon)
Festool Rotex RO 150 FEQ-Plus	6 in (150 mm)	3/16 in eccentric, plus a gear-driven rotary mode	720 W	5 lb	$739 (Woodcraft)

The Mirka DEROS 5650CV is also sold with a choice of 125 mm or 150 mm pad, listed at 4,000 to 10,000 rpm, 71 dB and a vibration level of 3.4 m/s2 on retailer pages. Festool lists its ETS EC models at 6,000 to 10,000 rpm with a 27 mm dust port.

The Comparison Most Articles Get Wrong: Orbit Size

Many comparisons, including the earlier version of this article, put the Mirka DEROS next to the Festool ETS EC 125/3. That is not a like-for-like match. The ETS EC 125/3 has a 3 mm orbit and a 5 in pad, while the DEROS 650CV has a 5 mm orbit and a 6 in pad. The Festool model that matches the DEROS is the ETS EC 150/5.

Orbit size changes how the sander behaves. A larger orbit takes off material faster; a smaller orbit leaves a finer scratch pattern. Use the 3 mm ETS EC 125/3 for final sanding and the 5 mm models for general work, and buy the one that matches the job rather than the brand.

Price: Is Mirka the Budget Choice?

Older Mirka vs Festool articles call Mirka the budget-friendly option. On the same size, the numbers agree, but only by a small margin. The DEROS at $589 was $60 below the ETS EC 150/5 at $649, roughly 9 percent. The Festool ETS EC 125/3 at $549 was cheaper than both, because it is a smaller 5 in tool.

Mirka also made a CEROS 650CV, which is listed at 0.9 kg, 350 W and 68 dB, but one retailer page marks it as discontinued with the DEROS as its replacement, so do not plan a purchase around it.

Dust Extraction and Weight

Both brands sell sanders that connect to a shop vacuum, and dust collection is the point of buying either one. Fine wood dust is a health issue, so plan for a vacuum. The Mirka 650CV is described by the manufacturer as vacuum-ready, and Festool lists a 27 mm dust port on its ETS EC sanders and Jetstream dust extraction on the 125/3 model.

Weight is close. The ETS EC 150/5 is 1.2 kg and the DEROS is listed at about 1.1 kg, a difference of around 100 g that you will barely notice. The 125/3 is heavier at 1.4 kg even though its pad is smaller.

Abrasives: The Overlooked Cost

A sander is a system, and the abrasive is what you keep paying for. Mirka is closely tied to its Abranet mesh abrasive, which is a hook and loop product. If you are new to that format, our guide to hook and loop sandpaper explains how it works. Check the hole pattern of the pad against the discs you plan to buy, because a mismatch reduces dust pickup.

Five Checks Before You Choose Either Brand

Spec sheets only go so far. These checks come from reading the listings side by side and apply to any sander in this price range.

1. Match the pad size first. A 5 in and a 6 in sander are different tools. The 125/3 uses a 5 in pad, while the DEROS 650CV and the ETS EC 150/5 use 6 in pads.
2. Match the orbit to the job. The 5 mm models suit general sanding. The 3 mm ETS EC 125/3 suits the last passes before finishing.
3. Price the whole system. Add a vacuum, hose and a supply of discs to the sander price, because a $589 sander used without extraction gives up its main advantage.
4. Check the voltage and cord. Festool lists a 4 m cable on the ETS EC 125/3, and Mirka lists the DEROS 650CV as a 110V tool on US retail pages. Confirm the listing for the exact model and market you are buying in.
5. Read the model name carefully. Mirka sells the DEROS as 650CV, 650X CV and DEROS II 650X, and Festool sells the ETS EC 150/5 with and without the Plus kit. Retailers reuse names, so confirm the specifications on the page you order from.

Prices for both brands moved between the retailer pages we read. Amazon showed $549 to $649 for the Festool models and $589 for the DEROS, while other retailers listed the DEROS between roughly $596 and $790, depending on the kit. Compare the same kit before deciding that one brand is cheaper.

Which Sander Should You Buy?

• General woodworking and furniture: the Mirka DEROS or the Festool ETS EC 150/5. They are close on paper, so buy the cheaper one or the one that fits your vacuum.
• Fine finishing before a clear coat: the Festool ETS EC 125/3 with its 3 mm orbit.
• Heavy stock removal: the Festool Rotex RO 150 FEQ-Plus, because its gear-driven mode is more aggressive than a random orbit sander, at $739.
• Tight budget: neither brand is cheap. Compare against other 5 in random orbit sanders before spending $550 or more.

Frequently Asked Questions For Mirka vs Festool Sanders

Is Mirka better than Festool for sanding wood?

Neither is better across the board. On paper the two brands’ 6 in, 5 mm orbit sanders are close: the Mirka DEROS 650CV is listed at 350 W and about 1.1 kg, and the Festool ETS EC 150/5 at 400 W and 1.2 kg. The choice comes down to price, the vacuum and abrasive system you already own, and how each one feels in your hand.

Is Mirka cheaper than Festool?

At the Amazon prices we checked on 2026-09-30, yes for the 6 in models: the Mirka DEROS 650X CV was $589 and the Festool ETS EC 150/5 EQ-Plus was $649. The Festool ETS EC 125/3 EQ-Plus, a 5 in sander with a 3 mm orbit, was $549, so the cheapest option depends on the size you choose.

What is the difference between a 3 mm and a 5 mm orbit?

The orbit is the diameter of the small circle the pad travels in. A 5 mm orbit removes material faster, while a 3 mm orbit leaves a finer scratch pattern and suits final sanding. Festool sells both: the ETS EC 125/3 has a 3 mm orbit and the ETS EC 150/5 has a 5 mm orbit.

Can I use Mirka abrasives on a Festool sander?

Sometimes, but check first. A sander’s pad has a specific hole pattern, and the abrasive has to line up with it for the dust extraction to work. Mirka’s Abranet mesh abrasive is designed for its own pads, so confirm the pad and hole pattern of your sander before buying discs for it.

Where does the Festool Rotex fit in this comparison?

The Rotex RO 150 FEQ-Plus is a different kind of tool. It is a 720 W, 5 lb gear-driven sander that switches between an aggressive rotary mode and random orbit mode, and it was $739 on 2026-09-30. Mirka’s DEROS is a pure random orbital sander, so the two are not direct competitors.

Conclusion

Mirka and Festool are closer than the marketing suggests. Compare the DEROS 650CV with the ETS EC 150/5, not the 125/3, and the main difference is price: $589 vs $649 on the day we checked. Pick on price, vacuum compatibility and abrasives, and choose the Rotex only if you need aggressive stock removal.

All figures come from manufacturer and retailer listings, and we did not run our own tests. Prices change, so check the current listing before you buy.