In partnership with FLEX Power Tools
Drywall sanders are certainly a huge step up in productivity compared to pole sanders, but they’re far from perfect. They’re heavy, and if you want the best features, the price tag can be a significant stumbling block.
FLEX drywall sanders address some of the most common pain points Pros have. I jumped on a call with Andrew Pompei from FLEX’s product team to learn more about how they stand out from the crowd. I’ll share how the team packed performance, design, and value into a compelling drywall sander that should be on your radar.
Illuminating Performance
Brushless Motor
At the heart of FLEX’s new 120V drywall sander is a brushless motor. That might be a no-brainer if it were cordless, but why make a corded model brushless?
It’s primarily about the wear factor. The fine dust that gets kicked up while you’re sanding drywall can cause the carbon brushes in brushed motors to wear more quickly. Going with brushless motors eliminates that maintenance item, keeping your drywall sanders in service longer with fewer interruptions.
This model features a rotary motion, which prioritizes faster material removal. You can set the motor to any of five speeds from 1100 to 1650 RPM to match the job at hand. Paired with the proper sandpaper, it’s a solid setup to achieve Level 1 through Level 5 finishes.
FLEX’s engineering team shifted the motor to the rear of the tool, and that’s a crucial design element. One of the most noticeable consequences is that it allows the head to flex 160°. That’s significantly more than the competition, and you’ll appreciate the difference as you’re able to sand at a wider range of angles without having to grab a ladder or set up scaffolding. The design also offers much better balance, shifting the weight to base where you’ll notice it’s not as top heavy when sanding.
LED Light Ring
FLEX is the only brand, aside from Festool, to offer an LED light for its drywall sanders. It’s all about being able to see the finish quality. By casting light out to the side, imperfections show up as shadows you can easily see and quickly address.
The LED light ring is removable and powered by a 4V battery that conveniently recharges using any USB-C charging cable. It has two intensity settings, and you can expect around 2 hours of runtime on a charge.
If you decide to get the FLEX drywall sander without the light ring and later decide you want it, no worries. It’s available to purchase separately, so you can add it on when it’s convenient.
A Weighty Issue
One concern for drywall sanders is the weight. When the business end of a tool is attached to a longer shaft, the fatigue factor of additional weight is multiplied. Fortunately, FLEX’s design is the lightest in the industry.
On the surface, that might cause a little hesitation. After all, you can make any tool lighter if you’re willing to compromise strength and durability. That’s never been FLEX’s approach, though. So how did they do it?
Carbon fiber.
Even though carbon fiber is lightweight, it’s impressively strong, so you don’t have to worry about its ability to handle the abuse your crew is sure to throw at it.
Thanks to that shaft design, this drywall sander weighs in at 6.2 pounds in its base configuration and 7.4 pounds with the LED light ring. By comparison, Festool’s lightest option is 8.8 pounds, and its high-end model is just over 11 pounds.
Looping back to the motor placement, you’ll notice its effect on the balance. By shifting the motor back near the rear handle, there’s less weight on the end, which reduces fatigue. It also makes for better weight distribution when you’re sanding overhead and at awkward angles. Combined with a lock-on trigger for extended use and a T-handle design, FLEX really dialed in the ergonomics to ensure you have the most comfortable user experience possible.
Unbeatable Price
There are currently two configurations for FLEX’s drywall sander. The FC3731-Z comes without the LED light ring and runs $649.99. The FC3731-ZA comes with the LED light ring for $799.99.
Aside from the light, the tools are identical. If you decide you’d like to add the light to the base model later, you can pick it up for $199.99.
Let’s add a little perspective to those prices. Festool’s Planex Easy is $799. It’s heavier and tops out at just 920 RPM. The mid-range option is $999, and the high-end Planex is a whopping $1599.
There are a few options from other well-known power tool brands priced a little lower, but they’re heavy and lack some of FLEX’s features.
At the end of the day, FLEX drywall sanders present an unbeatable value, bringing together performance, features, and ergonomics at a surprisingly affordable price compared to the competition.
Ready to Buy?
Are you ready to comprehensively upgrade your drywall sanding game without the pain of a premium price tag?
If that sounds good to you, check out how FLEX drywall sanders can change the way you approach drywall sanding. Visit FLEX’s website to order online from your favorite FLEX retailer or see them for yourself at any FLEX authorized dealer in your area.
But if you’re feeling that slight hesitation that says, “It sounds good, but I’d really like to cut the cord,” you’re in luck—FLEX 24V cordless drywall sanders are right around the corner. Look for their launch in July 2026.
