The Festool ETS 125 REQ-Plus 125mm (5") Random Orbital Sander Set w/ Granat Abrasive Value Set Systainer is a compact finish sander built for clean surface prep and high-quality final sanding. This is a random orbital sander designed for fine finish sanding, pre-sanding, and controlled material removal on wood and painted surfaces. Model number 576070-578193. If you need a lightweight sander that is easy to guide with one hand and easy to keep under control on edges, vertical surfaces, and overhead work, this one is aimed right at that job.

What separates this Festool sander from a generic 5-inch sander is how the numbers and features work together in real use. The 5/64 inch, or 2.0 mm, sanding stroke is tuned for surface quality, so it is well suited for fine sanding where swirl control and consistency matter. Festool also states the enhanced 250 watt motor improves material removal rates by up to 25%, which means you are not trading all-out speed for finesse. You get a tool that still moves stock efficiently while staying focused on finish work.

The Festool ETS 125 REQ-Plus 125mm (5") Random Orbital Sander Set is also built around control. It weighs only 2.4 lbs., which makes a real difference when you are sanding doors, face frames, installed trim, or anything overhead. The compact body fits comfortably in the hand, and the improved ergonomics and reduced vibration help you stay accurate on longer passes. Festool's Vibration-stop balancing is there for a reason: less shake means smoother operation, better feel, and fewer chances to tip the pad or mark the work.

On the job, the pad brake is one of those features you appreciate more the longer you use the tool. When you lift off the surface or set the sander down, the pad brake helps stop the pad quickly and reduces the chance of accidental scuffing or gouging the workpiece. That matters on finish work where the last thing you want is to put a mark in a panel or edge right at the end of the sanding process. The sealed switch also helps with durability by reducing internal dust buildup, which is a big deal on any sander that earns its keep.

Dust collection is another strong point here. The bayonet-style locking dust port gives you a more secure extraction connection, and Festool calls out integrated dust extraction as a core part of the system. In practical terms, better dust removal helps in three ways: cleaner air around the work, a cleaner surface while sanding, and longer abrasive life because the disc is not loading up as fast. If you already run Festool dust extraction, this tool fits neatly into that workflow. If not, the included chip collection bag gives you a self-contained option for smaller work.

This set format also adds jobsite practicality. It comes with a StickFix soft sander backing pad, protector, chip collection bag, and a Systainer SYS3 M 187. Festool's StickFix hook-and-loop setup is designed for fast abrasive changes, so swapping discs between grits is quick and painless. The included Systainer keeps the tool, accessories, and abrasives organized, which is especially useful if this sander moves between the shop, punch list work, and finish installs.

Compatibility matters with sanders, and Festool does a few things right here. The interchangeable Plug-It power cord design lets you switch cords between compatible Festool tools instead of having a permanently attached cord on each one. The 125 mm, or 5 inch, format also keeps you in a common sanding size for finish work. Add in the protector for working near adjacent surfaces, and this sander is clearly designed for real trim, cabinetry, and detail sanding situations, not just open-field sanding on flat stock.

Who should buy it? This is a smart pick for woodworkers, cabinet installers, finish carpenters, painters doing surface prep, and serious DIY users who care more about finish quality and dust control than brute-force stock removal. If you need a compact 5-inch random orbital sander for heavy leveling, this is probably not the tool you lead with. But if your work lives in the finish stage, the Festool ETS 125 REQ-Plus is exactly the kind of sander that saves rework and leaves a cleaner result.

A finish sander that earns its keep fast

The Festool ETS 125 REQ-Plus 125mm (5") Random Orbital Sander Set is the kind of tool you buy when surface quality, dust control, and one-handed control matter more than brute sanding aggression.

• Who it's for: Finish carpenters, cabinet guys, woodworkers, painters doing prep, and serious DIY users who want a compact 5 inch sander for high-quality finish work.
• Why it stands out: The 2.0 mm stroke, low 2.4 lb weight, pad brake, reduced vibration, and strong dust extraction setup make it unusually easy to control without giving up useful removal speed.
• Worth knowing: This is a finish-focused random orbital sander, not a heavy stock-removal machine. If your main job is flattening rough material fast, you would pair it with something more aggressive instead of asking it to do everything.

• What kind of sanding is this tool best for? It is best for finish sanding and pre-sanding where a fine surface matters. Festool calls out the 2.0 mm stroke as ideal for fine and superfine sanding results.
• Is this sander good for overhead or vertical work? Yes. The compact body and 2.4 lb weight are specifically highlighted for vertical surfaces and overhead sanding.
• Does it support dust extraction? Yes. It has integrated dust extraction and a bayonet-style locking dust port for extraction connection, plus a chip collection bag is included.
• Does the speed adjust? Yes. It uses step-less variable speed control so you can tune sanding speed to the application.