The Festool ETSC 2 is a cordless, one-handed random orbit sander built for professionals and serious hobbyist woodworkers who value both precision and portability. It’s available in two configurations. The Basic version is ideal if you’re already invested in the Festool ecosystem — you can use the batteries and charger from your existing tools. If you’re new to Festool, the Plus version is the better choice, as it includes two batteries and a charger to get you started right out of the box.

I ‘ve been using the ETSC 2 in my shop for the past month, and it’s quickly become one of the most thoughtfully designed sanders I’ve used. What really stands out is the LED light ring around the sanding pad. It might sound like a gimmick, but it’s genuinely useful — especially when you’re trying to spot low spots or swirl marks before they become a problem. The light is adjustable (full brightness, half, or off), and you can even control it through the Festool app if that’s your thing.

Power-wise, the ETSC 2 runs on an 18V 4.0Ah battery and uses Festool’s brushless EC-TEC motor, which gives it plenty of runtime and a surprisingly quiet, smooth feel. I found the 9/64″ (3.5 mm) sanding stroke just right for finish sanding. It’s a good compromise stroke — aggressive enough to move material efficiently, but still controlled and easy to finesse. I typically run my sander at it’s highest speed setting (10,000 RPM for the ETSC 2). I could increase downward pressure on the sander to increase cutting power and help to decrease sanding time, but it would likely increase swirl marks — which I certainly don’t want.

At around 2.6 pounds (with battery), the sander feels well balanced and light enough for overhead or vertical work. Festool also did a good job managing vibration — after extended use, my hands don’t feel nearly as fatigued as with some other cordless models I’ve used. I’m glad it has a soft start feature, as it makes the sander ramp up smoothly instead of jolting into full speed — a small detail that significantly enhances control and reduces the chance of digging-in, especially during precision or edge work. The pad brake is another small but important feature — it keeps the sander from gouging the surface when you first power it on.

As you’ll find on most sanders, the ETSC 2 comes equipped with a soft backing pad, which strikes a good balance for general-purpose sanding. I find that it has just enough ‘give’ to conform to subtle curves and surface irregularities without compromising flatness too much. You can use it for everything from prep sanding to fine finish work on most wood surfaces.

For more specialized tasks, Festool offers optional hard and super soft backing pads. The hard pad is better suited for aggressive material removal or when you need to maintain a perfectly flat surface. The super soft pad is designed for ultra-fine finish work, especially on contoured or delicate surfaces. Swapping between pads is quick and easy, which lets you tailor the sander’s performance to the task at hand — another small but thoughtful touch that make the ETSC 2 feel like a precision instrument rather than a generic cordless sander.

The included edge protector is a great accessory. Made from a non-abrasive material, it safeguards the edge of your workpiece by preventing the sanding pad from contacting and damaging adjacent surfaces. While I leave it permanently installed on the sander, it snaps on easily, no tools needed.

One of the other things I appreciated is the dust collection. When I was working away from my extractor, the cloth dust bag did a decent job. But hooked up to a dust extractor, the sander becomes practically dust-free.

The ETSC 2 comes in two pad sizes — 125 mm and 150 mm — and Festool offers a few different kits, including one with dual batteries and a fast charger. It’s not a budget tool, but if you value cordless freedom without compromising on finish quality, this one’s worth a serious look.