Makita 18V LXT 5 in. Random Orbit Sander (XOB01Z, bare tool)

By Makita · Orbital Sanders · Power Tools

  • 18V LXT cordless 5 in. random orbit sander, bare tool
  • 1/8 in. random orbit action for a swirl-free finish
  • Variable speed settings: low, medium and fast
  • Sealed switch protects against dust
  • Runs on 18V LXT batteries (sold separately)

Lowest price seen
$85.30
from $85.30 at eBay · Checked Oct 12, 2026

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A cordless 5-inch random orbit sander on Makita’s 18V LXT battery platform, sold as a bare tool for people who already own the batteries. Check two things before you buy: there is no variable-speed dial, and the tool is built for light work rather than aggressive material removal.

Strengths

  • Low vibration compared with corded orbital sanders, even under pressure in hands-on testing.
  • Balanced, palm-grip body with the battery mounted vertically behind the handle.
  • Pad brake stops the pad in a few seconds.
  • Cordless convenience for trim, punch lists, decks and sites without power.
  • Runtime of about 20-25 minutes at high speed on a 3.0Ah battery covers light work.
  • 3-year limited warranty and OEM parts through PartSelect.

Weaknesses

  • Brushed motor, where DeWalt and Makita’s own XOB03Z now use brushless motors.
  • Owners report the sander bogging down or stopping spinning under firm pressure.
  • Marketplace review summaries report the dust bag falling off during use.
  • Dust collection is adequate for coarse work but weak on fine grits without a shop vacuum.
  • The three-speed switch resets to the default speed at every startup.
  • Durability feedback from owners is mixed over time.

Verified specifications

ModelXOB01Z bare tool; the XOB01T is the kit with a 5.0Ah battery, charger and bag.
PlatformMakita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion (slide-style battery).
Motorbrushed.
Pad5-inch round, hook-and-loop, 8-hole.
Abrasive disc size5 inch (125 mm).
Orbits per minutethree fixed settings of 7,000 / 9,500 / 11,000 OPM.
Orbit diameter1/8 inch (2.8 mm).
Speed controlone-touch electronic switch with three fixed settings; no variable-speed dial.
Net weight3.6 lbs with battery; 2.4 lbs tool only.
Vibration2.5 m/s².
Dimensions6-7/8" × 4-7/8" × 6" (175 mm long).
Battery18V LXT Lithium-Ion, sold separately; needs a Star symbol battery for Star Protection.
Dust collectionthrough-the-pad system with the included dust bag; compatible with a shop-vac adapter that is not included.
Warranty3-year limited warranty (Makita USA); batteries and chargers carry separate terms.
In the boxtool, dust bag (166078-4) and one 5-inch 120-grit hook-and-loop abrasive disc (794520-1-1).
Full research notes and sources

Power, speed and runtime

Makita gives the XOB01Z three fixed speeds of 7,000, 9,500 and 11,000 OPM, a 1/8-inch orbit and a claimed 40 minutes of runtime at low speed and 20 minutes at high. The switch is not a variable-speed dial, so the tool resets to its default speed each time it starts and a low setting has to be re-selected every time. Hands-on testers measured 20-25 minutes at high speed on a 3.0Ah battery, and the Journal of Light Construction recorded 25 minutes, close to Makita’s conservative high-speed figure.

Top speed is about 80% of comparable corded sanders, and the tool is built for trim, punch-list and light material removal rather than heavy stock removal. A Reddit thread reports it stops spinning and only vibrates when firm pressure is applied, which fits a low-power cordless design. Treat it as a secondary sander for mobile work, not a primary production tool.

Dust collection and the dust bag

Dust is pulled through the pad into the included passive dust bag. Testers called collection “pretty good” and “adequate” for coarse work, but not highly efficient on fine grits, where sanding without a vacuum leaves significant airborne dust. The bag can fall off during use, according to marketplace review summaries, and a shop-vac adapter for extraction is available separately.

Repairs, parts and running costs

Makita USA backs the tool with a 3-year limited warranty, and PartSelect lists OEM parts, model diagrams, symptom-based repair help and instructional videos, so common wear items have a parts channel. The dust-sealed switch and bearings are meant to hold up in dusty work, and the dust bag needs periodic emptying. Beyond abrasives, the real cost is the battery platform: the bare tool ships without a battery or charger, and a 5.0Ah battery and rapid charger typically add $150-200 or more depending on promotions. The XOB01T kit bundled those items with the bag.

Which model this is

This page covers the XOB01Z bare tool in Makita’s 18V LXT line, UPC 088381-658577. The XOB01T is the same tool sold as a kit with a 5.0Ah battery, charger and bag. Don’t confuse it with the brushless XOB03Z 1/3 sheet finishing sander or the 40V XGT GOB01. Makita Canada sells the same tool as the DBO180Z. It has been in production since October 2012.

The US Amazon listing for this model is ASIN B00M9CXMNY.

Is it worth it?

Owners already on the Makita 18V LXT platform get a lightweight, low-vibration sander that is easy to live with. The bare tool ran $149 at Acme Tools (2026-09) and Woodworker Express (2026-07) and $149.99 at City Mill (2026), up from $99 in 2012 and $119 in 2016. At that price the value is fair at best: the DeWalt DCW210B is $139 with a brushless motor and variable speed, and Makita’s own brushless XOB03Z is $214 at Home Depot. Buy the XOB01Z if you want the proven 5-inch 8-hole pad format and a lighter tool; look elsewhere if you want variable speed or heavy material removal.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Parts and stores:

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