Best Random Orbital Sanders · head-to-head

Festool ETS EC 150/5 EQ vs Milwaukee M18 2648-20

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Milwaukee M18 2648-20 is cheaper at $149. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Festool ETS EC 150/5 EQ or Milwaukee M18 2648-20?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Milwaukee M18 2648-20 is the cheaper at $149.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Festool ETS EC 150/5 EQ Milwaukee M18 2648-20
US price $649 $149
BrandFestoolMilwaukee
Released
Power source corded cordless
Pad diameter (in) 6 5
Orbit diameter (mm) 5
Oscillations per minute max 10000 12000
Variable speed Yes Yes
Amperage
Voltage 18
Dust collection type vacuum-port canister
Weight (lb) 2.6
Vibration ms2
Noise level (dB)

Sources — Festool ETS EC 150/5 EQ: festoolusa.com (verified 2026-07-11). Milwaukee M18 2648-20: milwaukeetool.com (verified 2026-07-11).

What's the difference between the Festool ETS EC 150/5 EQ and Milwaukee M18 2648-20?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Power source: Festool ETS EC 150/5 EQ corded vs Milwaukee M18 2648-20 cordless
  • Pad diameter (in): Festool ETS EC 150/5 EQ 6 vs Milwaukee M18 2648-20 5
  • Oscillations per minute max: Festool ETS EC 150/5 EQ 10000 vs Milwaukee M18 2648-20 12000
  • Dust collection type: Festool ETS EC 150/5 EQ vacuum-port vs Milwaukee M18 2648-20 canister

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

Festool ETS EC 150/5 EQ

One whitelisted hands-on review — Pro Tool Reviews' month-long shop test — covers this exact model (the reviewer explicitly puts the ETS EC 150/5 through real furniture work). It scores the tool 9.8/10, praising electronic vibration control, smoothness rivaling pneumatic Dynabrade sanders, powerful Multi-Jetstream dust extraction and the instant pad brake, faulting only the absence of a variable-speed paddle and noticeable added weight on vertical surfaces. No lab measurements were reported. (1 sourced review.)

Praised: Electronic vibration control makes a world of difference; as smooth as pneumatic Dynabrade sanders over a full day with no hand numbness; Powerful Multi-Jetstream dust extraction — suction strong enough to stick the sander to a vertical surface; Instant pad brake stops the pad the moment you power off, so you can set it down without leaving swirl scratches.

Flagged: No variable-speed paddle like a pneumatic sander — speed adjusts only via a dial; Added weight versus a pneumatic sander is noticeable on vertical surfaces.

Milwaukee M18 2648-20

No sourced tester review yet.

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