Best Car Buffers Review 2024
Restore your car’s exterior with a car buffer that removes paint imperfections.
Written and Tested By:
Aidan Pounder
Last Updated 10/01/2024
Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- Our picks for best car buffers of 2024 include the DeWalt DWP849X, Avid Power AEP127, and Milwaukee M18.
- A good car buffer should cost you around $100, but we feature options ranging from $40 all the way to $250.
- For beginners, a cheap buffer will cover all the basic functionality you need, but for serious home mechanics, a more expensive option is a necessity.
If your car’s exterior is starting to show signs of age, it may be time to purchase a car buffer. The best car buffers restore your car’s paint job by smoothing out any surface imperfections and adding a layer of shine without having to strain your elbow working it in by hand.
A car buffer is an essential tool for automotive enthusiasts who want to keep their vehicles in gleaming condition. They can be used with a foam pad to apply polishing compounds, or they can be used for sanding. There are a number of options on the market, and the best car buffer for you depends on your vehicle type, budget, and level of expertise. This guide can get you started in your search for the perfect buffer for your car care toolkit.
Car Buffer Reviews
For this review, our team thoroughly tested and evaluated each car buffer based on each item’s buffing speed, handling, and overall versatility. The scores in each category are compiled into a single overall rating that ranges from 1.0 to 5.0 stars.
Each car buffer’s ratings, including their scores in each review category, are highlighted below:
What Is The Best Car Buffer?
We named the DeWalt DWP849X, Avid Power AEP127, Milwaukee M18, Chemical Guys 503X TORQX, and Black & Decker WP900 as the top car buffers on the market in 2024.
| Brand/Model | Cost | Overall Rating | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
|
DEWALT DWP849X Buffer/Polisher |
$250 |
5.0 |
Best Overall |
|
Avid Power AEP127 Polisher |
$80 |
4.7 |
Best for Beginners |
|
Milwaukee M18 Random Orbit Sander |
$105 |
4.5 |
Easiest to Use |
|
Chemical Guys 503X TORQX Random Polisher Kit |
$200 |
4.3 |
Best Kit |
|
Black & Decker WP900 6-Inch Random Orbit Waxer/Polisher |
$40 |
4.0 |
Best Budget Buffer |
*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.
Car Buffer Ratings: Our Testing Process
After looking at factors such as quality, durability, customer ratings, and prices, our product testing team ordered the car buffers that best met these standards. A team member tested each product on a 2003 Ford Focus Zx3, taking note of how well the car buffer could vary its speed, maneuverability, and versatility. Each car buffer was given a rating out of 5.0 stars based on these criteria.
Learn more about how we tested the best car buffers here.
1. DEWALT DWP849X Buffer/Polisher: Best Overall
2. Avid Power AEP127 Polisher: Best for Beginners
3. Milwaukee M18 Random Orbit Sander: Easiest to Use
4. Chemical Guys BUF503 TORQX Random Polisher Kit: Best Kit
5. Black And Decker WP900: Best Budget Buffer
Car Buffer Buying Guide
When buying a car buffer, there are several factors and features that car enthusiasts should consider.
Spin Type
There are two main types of spin on a car buffer: rotary and random orbital/dual-action.
- Rotary polishers spin clockwise, which means they repeatedly buff the same area. This makes it easy to accidentally buff through the clear coat and paint, which is why this type is best for professional detailers.
- Random Orbital/Dual-Action are the best type of car buffers for beginners. The pad rotates in a large circle, but it also oscillates in several smaller circles. This prevents you from working on one area for too long. While this type is easier to use than rotary buffers, it offers less power.
Speed
The greater the car buffer’s speed, the better it will be at targeting deep scratches. However, too much speed can lead to friction and heat. The happy medium is between 2,000 and 4,000 RPM.
Weight
You’ll have to lift up the car buffer in order to use it, which means you’ll want a machine that is lightweight and easy to maneuver.
Hand Control
Related to weight is how you will hold the buffer. The best type of handle is a dual one so you can hold the machine with both hands at once to give you the most control.
Compare Car Buffers
| Brand/Model | Speed Range | Power Source | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
|
DEWALT DWP849X Buffer/Polisher |
600—3,500 revolutions per minute |
Corded Electric |
6.7 lbs. |
|
Avid Power AEP127 Polisher |
1,500—6,800 RPM |
Corded Electric |
6.8 lbs. |
|
Milwaukee M18 Random Orbit Sander |
7,000—12,000 RPM |
Lithium Ion Batteries |
2.0 lbs. |
|
Chemical Guys 503X TORQX Random Polisher Kit |
2,800—7,800 RPM |
Corded Electric |
6.5 lbs. |
|
Black & Decker WP900 6-Inch Random Orbit Waxer/Polisher |
4,400 RPM |
Corded Electric or Lithium Ion Batteries |
5.3 lbs. |
Do You Need A Car Buffer?
You don’t have to buff your car. Most people don’t. However, if you want to preserve the appearance of your vehicle’s paint for as long as possible, you should clean and wax your car regularly. For auto enthusiasts who take pride in their vehicles, adding a fresh coat of wax can give your car that coveted “wet” look.
Even if you plan to buff your car, you can do this without purchasing a car buffer. Car wax can be applied by hand, but this takes a lot of labor. The time and effort you will save versus hand-buffing makes even a low-cost car buffer a worthwhile investment.
Mike Pennington, a car detailing expert and Director of Global Training, Event Marketing and Consumer Relations at Meguiar’s, recommends a dual-action polisher for those applying their own wax. Some polishers can even be used for minor paint restoration.
“The power of a DA polisher is a necessity for spreading wax—to save you time. If you get in a situation where you need a little restoration, our NT300 Dual-Action polisher is an 8mm stroke and bridges the gap between DIY and Pro. So [I recommend] a DA polisher and of course accessories [the pads that go with it].”
Given that a basic polishing tool can be purchased for under $50, we think that if you plan to wax your entire vehicle—even once—it is worth buying a car buffer.
Best Car Buffers And Polishers: Bottom Line
Our comprehensive review highlights the best car buffers available. The best car buffers restore your car’s paint by smoothing the exterior surface to remove signs of imperfection and aging while leaving behind a layer of shine. Car buffers should be strong and reliable, easy to use, and have good hand control to ensure you’re getting the best results.
- DeWalt DWP849X Buffer/Polisher: Best Overall
- Avid Power AEP127 Polisher: Best for Beginners
- Milwaukee M18 Random Orbit Sander: Easiest to Use
- Torq 503X TORQX Random Polisher Kit: Best Kit
- Black & Decker WP900 6-Inch Random Orbit Waxer/Polisher: Best Budget Buffer
Car Buffers: FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions about car buffers:
What type of buffer is best for cars?
A portable, corded power polisher/buffer can be useful for paint correction or preserving a base coat. Most kits come with several attachments like polishing pads, microfiber towels, and other tools that latch onto the backing plate depending on the job.
What is the difference between a buffer and a polisher?
Buffing is a paint correction process that usually utilizes wax to smooth out a desired area of the vehicle. Polishing utilizes abrasive materials to level out flaws in a paint job.
Is buffing good for your car?
Buffing can be used to fix swirl marks in a paint job, reduce built-up oxidation on headlamps, or just restore shine to a car’s clear coat.
How do you use a car buffer?
DIY car buffing is possible and not too difficult for the layperson. You may want to read the instructions specific to the car buffer that you purchase, but the general steps entail:
- Start by washing and drying your car to remove any debris from the surface that could be buffed into the paint job.
- Move your car into a spot with direct light so that you can see the imperfections.
- Apply polish or car wax directly to the pad.
- Use light to moderate pressure and a wide sweeping motion to work the product into the car.
- Once you have finished a section of your car, switch the pad out for a clean one and buff away the remaining polish.
Can I polish my car by hand?
Yes. You can polish your car by hand with just the polishing agent. However, your results won’t be as good because you won’t be able to maintain the same speed and pressure or be able to get out the stubborn scratches.
Can you use a buffer on your car’s windows?
Yes. Buffing your car windows will help remove light scratches and water spots. To protect your windows from these imperfections in the future, apply a layer of wax after buffing.
Full Car Buffer Testing Methodology
Below you’ll find our testing process to select the five best car buffers on the market. Speed, maneuverability, and versatility played the biggest role in scoring each car buffer differently.
Speed: We first noted the speed range of each car buffer, with those with larger speed ranges scoring the highest. We then went through the process of buffing out our test vehicle, seeing how well the various speed settings matched the buffing process.
Maneuverability: Somewhat related to whether each car buffer was corded or cordless, we judged how easy it was to maneuver around our test vehicle. Cordless car buffers that were lightweight and easy to carry scored best in this testing criterion.
Versatility: With each car buffer, we judged each stage of the buffing process noting how effective it was in each stage. Buffers that were not only a good value but also left great results and included the essentials to buff and shine our vehicle scored highest in this category.
How We Score Products
Among all the car buffers in this review, we calculated an average of 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. Based on this, and by looking at our scoring criteria below, all car buffers in this review scored above average when considering speed, maneuverability, and versatility.
- 5.0 Stars: A 5.0-star rating means a car buffer is among the best in a category. If a car buffer exceeds our expectations in all aspects of our testing criteria, we give the car buffer the highest score in this review, putting it in our top position.
- 4.0 Stars: A 4.0-star rating means a car buffer performs better than average in a category. If the buffer’s rotation speed is higher than others, while being easy to maneuver, you can expect to see an above-average score.
- 3.0 Stars: A 3.0-star rating indicates what is average or typical for a car buffer, based on our testing experience. An average score means that speed, maneuvering, and versatility all met our expectations and the car buffer worked as we predicted.
- 2.0 Stars: A 2.0-star rating indicates the car buffer performs adequately in a category, but is poorer than the average car buffer. For example, if the car buffer doesn’t leave good results on our testing car’s exterior, making it less effective, you’ll see a below-average score.
- 1.0 Star: A 1.0-star rating indicates that the car buffer performs well below expectations in a category. An example of a below-average rating would be if we experienced a car buffer’s rotation speed working inconsistently or not working at all throughout our testing process.
Why Trust Motor1.com
Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.
We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.
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