DeWalt vs Makita: Which Random Orbit Sander is Worth the Cash?

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a new random orbit sander. I've narrowed it down to the DeWalt DWE6423 and the Makita BO5041K. Both look good on paper but I can't decide. I mostly do furniture refinishing and some cabinet work. Any advice? I'm leaning towards the Makita because of the hook-and-loop base, but I've heard DeWalt's dust collection is better. Thoughts?

I've owned both. The Makita wins on vibration control, hands down. Less fatigue over a long day. But the DeWalt's dust collection is solidly better, especially if you're hooking it up to a shop vac. I ended up keeping the DeWalt because I hate sanding dust everywhere. Also, the variable speed on the DeWalt is more useful IMO. Just my two cents.

I'm just a hobbyist but I've used the DeWalt one at a buddy's place. It's pretty smooth, but I noticed the pad size is 5", while the Makita is 5" too. Maybe check the availability of sandpaper for both? My local hardware store carries more Makita papers. Not a deal-breaker but something to think about.

Thanks for the input! I do tend to sand long sessions, so the Makita's vibration control is tempting. But the dust collection thing is huge for me. Does the Makita's dust collection really suck (pun intended) or is it just okay? I don't want to be cleaning the shop after every project.

Honestly, the Makita's dust collection is workable but not great. I'd give it a 6/10 vs the DeWalt's 8/10. If you're going to be using a shop vac, you can get away with it, but on its own, the bag fills up quick and you get a lot of dust escape. If you prioritize dust over comfort, go DeWalt. But if you're okay with some dust as long as your hands aren't buzzing, Makita all the way. Let us know what you pick!