Best Car Polisher 2023
A good car polisher is essential when detailing and maintaining your car‘s appearance. In this article, we’ll break down the best car polishers on the market today.
Professional detailers use a car polisher to remove scratches (light and deep scratches), swirls, oxidation, and other imperfections from your vehicle’s paint surface.
Car polishers have powerful motors that can also apply wax or sealant for added protection against the elements. No more tiring hand waxing!
When using a polisher for extended periods of time, such as for more oversized vehicles or even vessels, a powered car polisher can help speed up the process.
If opting for a cordless battery-powered unit, note that you will only get so much battery life out of them before switching out the battery.
If you’re a car enthusiast or like to keep your car in tip-top shape, you can get a polisher and save money in the long run by polishing your car on your own.
When choosing a car polisher, there is a wide variety of styles and brands.
Some are more powerful than others; some have a more ergonomic design. Some have detachable handles, different sizes (compact size, full size), adjustable speed settings, and more.
The price range for these polishers is from $99 to up to $300+ and more.
To help you make the right decision, we’ve compiled a list of the best car polishers today.
What is the best car polisher?
The best car polisher we found is the Milwaukee M18 Cordless Polisher – $250. Read on below to find out why.
The Best Car Polishers
This section is a compilation of the best car polishers.
Best Car Polisher: Cordless
Milwaukee M18 Cordless Polisher – $239
Pros
- Lighter than the corded version by more than 1 lb.
- Control with variable speed settings
- Cordless
- Plenty of power
Cons
- Tool only
- Pricey
Best Car Polisher: Wired
PORTER-CABLE 6-Inch Polisher – $124
Pros
- Variable speed adjustable
- Compact
- Removable handle
Cons
- Wired
Best Car Polisher: Compact
Adam’s SK Micro Polisher – $199
Pros
- Ultra compact for smaller jobs or tighter spaces
- Cordless
- Variable speed
Cons
- Not as powerful as a full-size unit
Best Car Polisher: Budget
AVID POWER Dual Action Polisher 6-Inch – $99
Pros
- Variable speed adjustable
- Lock switch to decrease usage fatigue
Cons
- Wired
- Excellent choice for beginners
Note: you will usually need to purchase buffing pads alongside a polisher since they do not come with them. You must also purchase a good wax to use alongside your new polisher.
Different types of polishers explained
When it comes to car polishers, there are several types available. Here is an overview of the different types and their use.
Dual Action Polisher
Dual-action polishers are today’s most common type.
They have a spinning head with two counter-rotating heads designed to reduce vibration and minimize the risk of burning your paint job.
Random Orbital Polisher
Random orbital polishers are less standard than dual-action polishers but are great for more experienced users.
These orbital buffers feature a circular motion with no spinning head, making them less aggressive and easier to control.
Rotary Polisher
Rotary buffers, also known as rotary polishers, are the most powerful type of car polisher and should only be used by experienced professionals.
These polishers produce a circular motion with a spinning head that can cause more damage to the paint if not used correctly.
Note: the efficacy of your polishing depends not only on your polisher but also on the accessories such as polishing pads (wool pads, foam pads, etc.), polishing compounds, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the best car polishers.
What is the best car polisher on the market?
We found that the best car polisher is the Milwaukee M18 Cordless Polisher.
What polisher do detailers use?
Detailers use a variety of different polishers, including cordless and wired options.
Detailers’ popular polishers include the Porter-Cable 6-Inch Polisher, Adam’s SK Micro Polisher, and AVID POWER Dual Action Polisher 6-Inch.
What is better polisher or buffer?
Polishers and buffers have different purposes.
A polisher is used for paint correction, such as removing light scratches and oxidation from paint surfaces. In contrast, a buffer is more powerful and is better suited for removing heavier scratches and oxidation from paint surfaces.
Is a car polisher the same as a buffer?
No, a car polisher and a buffer are not the same. As noted above, polishers remove lighter imperfections, whereas buffers remove heavier imperfections.
Final Thoughts
When finding the best car polisher for your needs, it is essential to consider the size of your job, the power you need, your preferred power source (cordless or wired), and your price range budget.
The Milwaukee M18 Cordless Polisher is our top pick due to its lightweight design and variable speed settings.
However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider the AVID POWER Dual Action Polisher 6-Inch.
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