Drywall sandpapers will help you to eliminate imperfections. By rubbing a few times, you can remove any paint drippings, flaws, bumps, brush marks on the surface. Or even flatten any gouges or, ridges created by your drywall trowel.
Today, this is an exclusive guide with a list of the 15 best drywall sandpapers.
And whatever the case is, you no longer have to worry about improper selection. Because you know that a wrong choice will add scratches to the perfections adorning your wallboard already.
Okay, ENOUGH…!
Let’s reveal the box of our top 5 recommendations:
| Image | Name | Our Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Assorted Grit Aluminum Oxide Drywall Sandpaper |
5 out of 5 |
Check On Amazon | |
 |
3M Large Area Fine/Medium Sanding Sponge for Drywall |
5 out of 5 |
Check On Amazon | |
 |
ALEKO 240 Grit Drywall Sanding Discs Sandpaper |
5 out of 5 |
Check On Amazon | |
 |
120 to 3000 Assorted Abrasive Grits Wet Dry Sandpaper |
4.5 out of 5 |
Check On Amazon | |
 |
Fine-Grit Drywall Sanding Screen by 3M |
4.5 out of 5 |
Check On Amazon |
To read about our product selection procedure, visit the “About” page.
15 Best Drywall Sandpapers Reviewed
Coarse-grit sandpapers make the task go faster. However, they are more likely to add scratches. On the other hand, such scratches can be removed by finer sandpapers. Continuing to use finer grit sandpapers on drywall, eventually leaves the surfaces flawlessly smooth. With so many options, it’s quite tough to get a quick view of the top sandpapers that are specific for the wallboard. But we’ve got you back with our careful picks.
Coherent Helpful Resources:
- Sanding Sponge vs. Sandpaper: What’s Best for Drywall?
- Top-quality Drywall Joint Tapes Reviewed
- What’s the Best Drywall Spackle for Cracks and Hole Repair?
- See How You Can Fix and Prevent Drywall Tape Bubbles
1. Assorted Grit Aluminum Oxide Drywall Sandpaper
Specifications:
- 5 sanding sheets
- Measuring 9 X 11 inches
- Combines 220, 150, and 100 grit
- 2 medium grit
- 2 fine grit & 1 very fine grit
Highlighted features:
- Versatile application
- Durable and reliable
- Aluminum oxide abrasives
- Assorted grit pack
- Cost-saving
Let us introduce you to an effective drywall sandpaper that comes at a great price.
Rest assured that nothing will go wrong with this 3M Aluminum Oxide sandpaper. This assorted pack comes included with five sturdy sheets – 2 medium grit, 2 fine grit, and 1 very fine grit.
In addition to sanding drywall, they can also be used as fiberglass sandpapers. Each sheet measures 9 by 11 inches, making them perfect for hand use. The sizes make them ideal for wrapping around and trimming down most standard sanding blocks.
This product has been specifically designed for performing in harsh environmental conditions. Since they are made with aluminum oxide, these sheets are extremely tough. With long-lasting aluminum oxide abrasives, these sandpapers can cut through the surface very fast. And they can perform very well on several types of material
The backing material of these sheets is extremely durable. Thus, it can be used to sand various surfaces without falling apart. The best thing about this pack is that it’s a cost-saving pro version. Therefore, sitting in the top rank in our list, 3M aluminum oxide totally worth it! Call it a precise and reliable sandpaper for drywall.
2. Fine to Medium Large Area Drywall Sanding Sponge
Specifications:
- 1 sanding sponge
- 1 inch thick
- 4.875 length
- 2.875 inches width
Highlighted features:
- Sand dry or, wet
- Dual grit in a single sponge
- Long-lasting foam
- Versatile and reusable
- Easy to use
- Multipurpose
Number two is one of the best sanding sponges for drywall.
It is made of Aluminum oxide abrasive material, which is known as an extremely hard mineral. It maintains sharp points on grains for a longer period as compared to natural abrasives like garnet or emery.
This 3M sponge includes a combination of fine and medium grades. It measures 1 inch thick with 4.875 X 2.875 inches length and width. And perfect for drywall spot repairing.
It’s a lovely sponge with flexible ease of use. Particularly when it comes to the maintenance part, you can rinse it quickly and reuse it again. Undoubtedly perfect for both wet and dry sanding.
Simply wet it with water, which helps to decrease debris and dust. Then pass it lightly over the drywall surfaces for medium to a fine finish. Continue scrubbing the surface to eliminate rough and textured surfaces. Rinse the sponge in a sink when it begins to clog and reuse it.
Apart from drywall, it can also be used on several other hard surfaces.
3. Wet or, Dry Abrasive Sandpapers for Drywall Polishing & Finishing
Specifications:
- 42 wet/dry sheets
- 14 different grits
- Starting from 120 to 3000 grit
- Every grit size is found in 3 sheets
- Each sheet measures 9 X 3.6 inches
Highlighted features:
- Versatile with high efficiency
- Perfect for both dry/wet sanding
- Waterproof silicon carbide abrasive
- Electro-coated technology
- Fits in the sander perfectly
- Block hand sander:
- Lightweight
- Comfortable grip
- Made with ABS
- Holds abrasive sheets firmly
Unlike most assorted sandpapers, this product comes included with a sanding block (sander). Perfect as both dry and wet drywall sandpaper.
Isn’t that Great!
Even better, these sheets will fit perfectly in the block. And you save a lot of time since you won’t need to cut the sheets all the time. The sander keeps the sheets in place, ensuring the job is done perfectly.
Moreover, the hand sander is lightweight and includes a comfortable grip. This makes it easy to sand your drywall conveniently using one hand. The sander is made with ABS and includes a screw clamp that holds abrasive sheets firmly.
The entire package consists of 42 wet dry sandpaper sheets, with 14 different grits. They start from 120 to 3000 grit and every grit size is found in 3 sheets. Each sheet measures 9 by 3.6 inches.
Hence, you get a wide selection of grits. This ensures you have the right one for the right drywall coating. Moreover, these sheets are printed at the back to help distinguish between various grits conveniently.
They are made with premium quality waterproof silicon carbide abrasive. So you get it highly efficient, very effective, and abrasion-resistant. With electro-coated technology, the abrasives are uniformly distributed on the sheets.
The backing paper is tear-resistant.
Their tensile-resistant technology makes them very flexible and sturdy. This also prevents them from tearing, crumbling, or falling off during sanding. So the abrasives don’t fall off as they’re attached firmly. Apart from drywall sanding, you can use these sandpaper sheets for other uses.
4. ALEKO 240 Grit Sanding Discs Sandpaper for Drywall
Specifications:
- 10 sanding discs
- 240-grit grade
- 9 inches diameter
- Discs have 6 holes
Highlighted features:
- Produces less dust
- Compatible with most sanders
- Reliable and long-lasting
- Various surface application
- Hook & loop backing
This is the best sandpaper for drywall patches, or when you want to texture. It will be your utmost significant choice to smooth the surface area.
Nothing goes wrong if you know how to apply it in the right manner.
These sandpaper discs are perfect for your daily use since they’re tough as well as durable. Moreover, they’ll help you attain a perfect finish on your drywall. And, can also be used on other surfaces as well. This product comes in a pack of 10 sandpaper discs, each having a 240-grit grade.
The diameter of each disc is 9 inches. It’s also worth noting that every disc has 6 holes.
They have a hook & loop Velcro backing that enables you to change the discs quickly. Subsequently, this makes them ideal for stock removal and general sanding. They also produce less dust as compared to most sanding discs.
Another great with the hook & loop backing is that it doesn’t separate from the pads once they become hot. This indicates that the backing of these discs is both reliable and long-lasting. For this reason, they work great for re-application and repeated removal of discs.
The discs are specifically designed to be compatible with the ALEKO drywall sander. However, they are fully compatible with various sanders.
5. Fine-Grit Drywall Sanding Screen by 3M
Specifications:
- Fine grits
- 2 sanding screens
- Each measure 11.25 X 4.18 inches
- The brand name is 3M
Highlighted features:
- Washable and reusable
- Waterproof and open coat
- Ideal for dry and wet applications
- Can be used on various surfaces
- Silicon carbide abrasive
- Resists clogging
When you’re sanding the 1st drywall coat, it is important to select the appropriate sandpaper grit, right from the beginning. For that reason, we have decided to include this sanding screen that will make your drywall smooth and nice.
This special version tends to reduce loading. Thus, it makes the task easier so you get smooth results. It has a sharp silicon carbide abrasive mineral construction that ensures durable performance. Additionally, this is washable and re-usable.
Therefore, you can either use this for dry or wet applications.
It has an open coat waterproof mesh cloth that allows convenient clearance of the sanding residues. This helps in improving cutting efficiency. You’ll be surprised by the fact that you can use this screen on various applications.
For instance, you can use it to plaster, patch compounds, and sand drywall joints. It doesn’t get clogged and will leave your surface smooth with little effort. Another great thing about this product is that you can sand the drywall using both sides.
The dimension of the product is 11.25 inches by 4.18 inches. It is extremely flexible for irregular and contoured surfaces. And can also be used on various surfaces along with drywall.
6. Medium Grit 3M Sanding Sponge, 6-Pack
Specifications:
- 6 sanding sponges
- Medium grit
- 1.25 inches width
- 2.25 inches length
- 1 inch thick
Highlighted features:
- Wet/dry sanding
- Can be washed & reuse
- Multi-surface application
- Easy to use and hold
- Extremely durable
Do you want to polish a small part of the drywall?
Or you want to do light checking and detail sanding after you’ve completed a bulk task? Whichever the case, we recommend that you try out this 3M Sanding Sponge.
It is extremely easy to maneuver and use because of its convenient grip size.
The package comes included 6 medium grit reusable sponges. It’s quite affordable and ideal for small drywall sanding tasks. Additionally, they’re perfect for smoothing round edges, repairing small broken parts, etc.
You might also sand the mud over the drywall corner bead.
Another benefit is that you can either use them for dry or wet jobs. They can be used on various surfaces. For instance, you can use them for surface leveling or moderate stripping for coating preparation. With the block shape, it’s easy to hold on irregular, contoured, or flat surfaces.
They’ve conventional abrasives that are made with long-lasting, flexible foam. For better outcomes, we suggest that you work through the series of grits while sanding the drywall. Move from the coarse grit to the very fine grit and avoid skipping grit during the process.
7. Paxcoo High Grit Assortment Wet & Dry Sandpaper
Specifications:
- Length 11 inches
- Width 9 inches
- Includes 9 high grit sheets
- 7000, 5000, and 3000 grits
Highlighted features:
- Tear-resistant
- Multi-surface application
- Performs Wet and dry sanding
- High-quality soft backing paper
- Abrasive made of silicon carbide
Here comes a convenient all-rounder pack. The grit range here is pretty impressive.
It includes 9 assorted drywall sandpaper sheets, combining three different grits; 7000, 5000, and 3000. This pack will help you to cover various needs, making it ideal for detailed drywall finishing. You can also use them for other polishing jobs.
It’s made with excellent quality backing paper that ensures it’s tear-resistant. This prevents it from crumbling or falling apart while you’re in the middle of sanding your wallboard. Moreover, the backing paper is soft, ensuring it fits properly to the hand.
Every sheet has electro-coated silicon carbide grit, thus making it ideal for both dry and wet use. Nano-sanding-planting techniques used here, ensure the particles are uniform and very fine on the surface. The sheets measure 9 X 11 inches which is the most used size.
However, you can cut the sheet to fit your sanding needs. All things considered, with versatility as drywall sandpaper, this pack worth it!
8. Fandeli 220 Grit Multipurpose Sandpaper Sheets
Specifications:
- 25 (220 grit) sandpaper sheets
- Sheets measure 9 X 11 inches
Highlighted features:
- High-quality abrasive material
- Works on several surfaces
- Heavy backing paper
- Creates less waste
Looking for a highly effective and abrasive option for sanding your drywall?
We suggest that you try out these Fandeli multipurpose sandpaper sheets. These are made with premium quality aluminum oxide abrasive that ensures durability. The manufacturer of this product is reputable for producing high-quality coated abrasives for over 85 years.
With super heavy backing paper, they work on various surfaces. It comes as a pack containing 25 (220 grit) sandpaper sheets. Each sheet measures 9 by 11 inches. For this reason, they provide a large surface area to use.
The best thing with these sheets is that they tend to become easier to utilize when they’re applied more often. However, these sheets are pretty stiff when they’re first taken out of the pack. This makes it difficult to smooth out concave shapes and tight corners. This is specifically why it’s important to use them more often as they become more flexible. Moreover, you can either use these sheets with power sanders or manually.
They’re ideal for drywall sanding, paint, and varnish among others. Another great thing about this product is that it reduces dust when sanding drywall. And you get the job done, regardless of the finishing application.
9. Special Anti Clog Coating TigerShark Sanding Sheets
Specifications:
- 25 sandpaper sheets
- 5 different grit sizes
- Each grit is found on 5 sheets
- Grits – 220, 150, 120, 100 and 80
- Each sheet size is 9 X 11 inches
Highlighted features:
- Extremely durable
- Aluminum oxide abrasive
- Chemically-treated backing material
- Anti-clog performance
- Rear- resistant
This is another of the best picks we have. With increased effectiveness, it removes material more efficiently. The entire pack comes included with 25 sandpaper sheets, with 5 different grit sizes.
This indicates that each grit size is found on 5 sandpaper sheets. The various grits include; 220, 150, 120, 100, and 80 grit. Moreover, all sheets have similar dimensions, with each sheet measuring 9 by 11 inches. Ideal for using manually or, even with a block sander. They’ve been specifically designed for removing heavy stock and finishing.
These sheets are made with a premium aluminum oxide abrasive material that increases sharpness and durability. They also have a resin adhesive and stearate coating that reduces build-up and gum-up resulting from heat.
On the other hand, their chemically-treated backing enables these sandpaper sheets to resist tearing. That way saves time and energy, which occurs when the sheets tear prematurely. Moreover, the high-tech formula used to make these sheets ensures great anti-clog performance.
It’s very abrasive and easy to unclog. The different grit sizes included in the pack make it ideal for producing a nice smooth finish on your drywall. You’ll be impressed by this product, considering its price.
10. Norton General or, All Purpose MultiSand Sheet
Specifications:
- 1 (80 grit) sandpaper
- Size is – 9 X 11 inches
Highlighted features:
- Versatile
- Tear-resistant
- Clog-resistant
- Very durable
- Dry/wet sanding
- Natural garnet abrasive
This one is a general-purpose sandpaper sheet by NORTON. Consider it as another real deal since it’s very durable.
It’s made with natural garnet abrasive that produces a fine and smoother finish on drywall. The backing paper is very sturdy and the abrasives remain firmly stuck to the paper during use. This sandpaper is tear-resistant and clog-resistant for convenience.
Removal of heavy drywall joint compound is made easier with this 80 grit sandpaper. It’s very flexible and includes a fiber-reinforced backing. Thus, perfect for hand sanding.
The dimension of the sheet is 9 by 11 inches. However, you can also cut these sheets to fit in various hand sanders either for drywall or paint application.
To increase flexibility, this sandpaper is coated. And, it can be used on several kinds of surfaces and coatings, ranging from medium to light-duty applications. Another great thing with this is that you can either use them for dry or wet sanding. Additionally, they can be used to remove old paint. Certainly, worth it as drywall sandpaper!
11. WEN 9″, 60 Grit Hook & Loop Sandpaper for Drywall
Specifications:
- 10 sanding discs
- 60-grit grade
- Diameter size of 9 inches
- 8 holes
Highlighted features:
- Abrasive texture
- Highly effective
- Hook & loop backing
- Perfect for a large area
- Comes with a hole configuration
- Provides a smooth drywall finish
- Provides maximum performance
- Requires minimal cleanup
Let’s get introduced with some hook & loop backing. With 10 sanding discs, you get a convenient replacement option each time. Thus, offering you maximum performance at hard to reach spots and corners.
So, If you’re after a neat corner finish, look no further!
This will let you achieve that pretty easily and quickly. Later on, you’ll fee the result when you start off the drywall corner bead installation process. This pack comes with a 60-grit abrasive texture. And with hole-configuration, they fit easily to the WEN drywall sander.
They will enable you to sand without being concerned about cleaning up after the task is completed. Most importantly, these sandpapers are highly effective. And you can deal with any coarseness you wish to eliminate from your drywall.
On matters regarding the design, these sandpaper sheets have a diameter of nine (9) inches. This facilitates easy handling and fitting into the sander. Thus minimizing any clean-up after completing the task. Additionally, this makes the product extremely easy to use.
This set of sandpaper discs are all 60-grit. But they also have 5 other packages with finer grits up to 240. And I found them are deal for resurfacing and removing materials easily.
Whether you’ve got a large or small project, rest assured that this product will do it perfectly. To sum up, this set will provide a smooth and great-looking finish. This is specifically what most people often aim to achieve before paint application.
N.B. – Special attention might require for corners when sanding with a disc.
12. ALEKO, 240 Grit Sanding Discs Sandpaper, 10 Holes
Specifications:
- 10 sanding discs
- 240-grit grade
- 9 inches diameter
- 10 pre-pierced holes
Highlighted features:
- Highly durable & easy to use
- Compatible with most sanders
- Recommended: ALEKO drywall sander
- Reusable & reduces dust
- Improves performance
- Extends sanding life
- Hook & loop backing
This is one of the highly-rated sandpaper series with 10 discs. We’ve included it in our list because of its great ability in delivering amazing drywall sanding results.
These premium sandpaper discs are constructed with advanced innovations. This helps to extend sanding life, increase productivity, and improve performance. Additionally, this product is designed for extended life and fast removal of materials from the drywall and other surfaces.
For this reason, these discs tend to work reliably, even on the largest tasks. Even better, they produce less dust as compared to other brands.
The product comes as a 240-grit grade with a diameter of 9”.
And each disc has 10 pre-pierced holes. They utilize the hook & loop backing. This provides it with better-repeated use than the typical adhesive backing. Additionally, this backing enables you to re-use the discs without encountering any problems.
These discs are specifically designed for ALEKO drywall sanders. But they’re also compatible with models from other brands as well. For this reason, consider this as an excellent option that worth it!
13. Self Stick, No-hole Aluminum Oxide Sanding Disc & Belts
Specifications:
- Abrasive sanding belts:
- 10 pieces: 4 by 36 inches
- 400, 240, 150, 120, and 80 grits
- Abrasive sanding discs:
- 10 pieces: 6 inches diameter
- 400, 240, 180, 120, 100, and 80 grits
- NO pre-pierced holes
Highlighted features:
- Heat and load resistance
- Performs durable & quick sanding
- Ideal for all general polishing needs
- Combined pack (belts & discs)
- Extremely uniform particles
- Aluminum oxide abrasive
- Open coat grain
Aluminum oxide is one of the most frequently used abrasive materials.
And this version is falling into that category. We consider this special version as a surprise. Well, it’s because of their convenient packaging system. BLULU has included sanding belts & discs into a single channel.
That way, it has gone mind-blowing for professionals with bulk jobs.
The discs are exceptionally durable in achieving a spotless finish on the surface. They are abrasive and made with an open coat of aluminum oxide grains. They can deliver durable quick results with excellent capacity.
Each disc has a diameter of 6 inches.
Unlike most other discs, these Blulu sanding discs don’t have pre-pierced holes. The 5 different grit grades included in the belts are; 400, 240, 150, 120, and 80 grit. On the other hand, the 6 different grit grades in the discs include 400, 240, 150, 100, 120, and 80-grit.
Both of the types are washable and antistatic. Moreover, their resin has an additive that resists loading. The sanding disc has a lightweight paper, self-adhesive backing as well as a resin bond that provides heat resistance.
The best thing about this product is that it can be used for various applications. With this, you can satisfy most of your drywall finishing needs.
14. Red Label Abrasives Silicon Carbide Sanding belts
Specifications:
- 12 sanding belts
- Each measures 1 by 30 inches
- 1000, 800, 600 and 400-grit
- 4 different grit grades
- Bidirectional tape joint
Highlighted features:
- Industrial quality
- Ideal for dry or wet application
- Ideal for heat sensitive applications
- Waterproof polyester cloth backing
- Hand-built in the United States
- Silicon carbide abrasive
- Anti-clogging stearate
If you’re looking for a superior quality silicon carbide sanding belt, we highly recommend this product from Red Label Abrasives. Just like all the other products from this manufacturer, these belts are hand-built.
Silicon carbide is known for being extremely friable and sharp. For this reason, these belts are ideal for fine finishing under lighter pressure. Moreover, this makes it a perfect option for various heat-sensitive applications. However, silicon carbide isn’t as durable as other materials like aluminum oxide.
This particular model comes included with 12 sanding belts with 4 different grit grades. The various grit grades include; 1000, 800, 600, and 400 grit. Each belt measures 1 by 30 inches and has a precision-built bidirectional tape joint. This joint allows the belt to move in both directions during use.
Another thing is that these belts are made with heavy-duty and waterproof polyester cloth backing. Thus, ideal to use either for dry or wet applications. They also have an anti-clogging stearate that promotes cooler grinding.
On the other hand, the resin over resin bond increases their durability.
The unique characteristics of silicon carbide make this a great option for various applications. Some of these applications include; sanding between coats, paint removal, etc. To summarize, it’s ideal for applications that need a consistent scratch pattern.
15. Pro-Pak, 220-Grit Sanding Screens for Drywall
Specifications:
- 10 sanding screen sheets
- Measure 285 X 106 mm
- Comes as 220-grit
- Die-cut pieces
Highlighted features:
- Versatile sanding sheets
- Compatible with most sanders
- Fast cutting abrasive mineral
- Open mesh cloth backing
- Can be rinsed and reuse
- Maximizes durability
- Heavy-duty backing
We found another great version of the drywall sanding screen.
These screens have holes that allow dust to fall off without affecting the grit. And they have grits on both sides. This Pro-Pak 3M is highly recommended. They have been significantly designed for patching compounds and plaster.
Certainly, ideal for sanding light and regular drywall joint compounds.
The screens are made with aluminum oxide known as a tough synthetic abrasive mineral that leaves a clean-cut and smooth finish. Moreover, this sharp synthetic mineral provides durable performance.
These screens are made to fit in most sanders. They feature a backing of open mesh cloth that tends to reduce loading. The best thing about these sheets is the fact that you can rinse and reuse them. This product is available in a pack consisting of 10 sanding sheets.
Each sheet measures 285 by 106 mm and has 220-grit. The sheets also come pre-cut, making them easy to attach to pole or hand sanders.
The fact that you can sand drywall with both sides of this product extends its useful life. They’re waterproof and can be used for both wet and dry applications. Besides drywall, these sheets can be used on others like painted surfaces.
Things to Consider Before Buying Drywall Sandpapers
When sanding drywall, choosing the right sandpaper is important. For that, there’re certain factors that you should consider cautiously. Such as, you might need to use a 100-girt on the first coat. So that removes any ridges and lines created by the drywall trowel as you lifted off and pulled aside.
Or, some people might prefer to go with 120-girt during the first coat. It bases on your experience and preference.
For the grit material, we’d suggest you read our sandpaper grit selection guide. This will help you a lot in gathering compact knowledge about specific types and their features. Thereupon you can select your right drywall sandpaper.
Conclusion
So that’s it with the list of our 15 best sandpapers for drywall. We hope that sheds a little light on the fact of choosing the right one for you. Our expert’s eyes are always willing to help you fix your issues and to help in making a decision comfortably and stress-free.
We hope that you’ve found this article extremely useful as you prepare to sand your drywall. If so, feel free to comment below and let us know which sandpaper worked best for you?
Till then, stay safe and goodbye!
FAQs
1. What is a drywall sanding sponge?
Answer: It mainly consists of rough surfaces on every side. And used as the replacement for traditional sanding screens and blocks that are utilized on drywalls. Also, it helps to clean dusty surfaces and smooth rough surfaces. Since it’s highly flexible, you can either use them on contoured or flat surfaces conveniently. It’s also washable and reusable. These are mostly used for wet sanding.
2. Can I use regular sandpaper on drywall?
Answer: Yes, you can use regular sandpaper on drywall. But you must consider the grit carefully. Do not use too much coarse or too much fine grit.
3. What is the best grit for sanding drywall?
Answer: For drywall, 120 to 150-grit sandpapers are preferable. This grit provides a smooth finish. Consequently, it minimizes the chances of scratching the surface.
4. Is there any alternative to finish drywall without sanding it?
Answer: Yes! After fixing your drywall in place, you should fill in the area between the seams. Since sanding could be a messy task, you can finish the surface with sanding. This process involves using a knife of rubber float to smooth the surface. However, this might take a lot of time to ensure that the task is done properly. And it’s not considered as a good alternative though.