If you realize that hand polishing won’t keep your RV looking shiny and new, or you’re looking to start your own business, a dual action polisher is your best option. While a standard rotary polisher simply spins a polishing wheel, a dual action polisher combines oscillation and rotation to create an oscillating effect—one circle made up of several smaller circles. By adding another rotation mode, a dual action polisher helps prevent paint damage from heat buildup while effectively removing stains and minimizing paint streaks. Rotary polishers have their uses, especially when used by a professional, but a dual action polisher is a gentler choice for beginners or weekend mechanics.
A quick search on Amazon will reveal several polishers, dozens of brands, and a dizzying array of styles and power levels. We’ve compiled our brand rankings based on product recommendations and reviews from professional auto mechanics and tool experts on retail sites, forums, and YouTube videos. In addition, our rankings are also influenced by my own 15 years of experience as an auto mechanic using a variety of dual-action polishers to polish, restore headlights, and remove scratches. We’ve also provided links to each brand’s dual-action polishers that we believe reflect the brand’s strengths.
While the 10 brands we selected are ranked from worst to best, even the lowest-rated brands are good choices for beginners looking to practice polishing their cars with a smaller initial investment.
Let’s start with a favorite among those on a budget at SlashGear: Harbor Freight. Harbor Freight offers a wide range of Bauer tools, including handy outdoor power tools. All of the products are affordable, and most are perfect for weekend projects or small jobs.
This makes Bauer polishers ideal for beginners. They’re inexpensive, work well, and many mechanics say they had one when they first started in the industry. Harbor Freight has three different polishers, but we’ve heard that the highest rated is the Bauer 5.7A 8mm Short Stroke Random Orbit DA Polisher/Sander. It’s a corded tool, which means longer run times but less portability. Be mindful of cord placement—you don’t want it dragging around on the surface, ruining your beautiful paint. The Bauer DA Polisher is also the most affordable on our list, starting at around $65 at Harbor Freight.
The Bauer DA polisher has a powerful motor, six speeds, and a locking slider switch that allows you to work without keeping your finger on the trigger. An additional handle is included, but some experts recommend not using it to ensure an even load on the tool while polishing. Users have complained about noise and vibration, but for the price, it’s still a great tool for occasional use.
Chemical Guys is a brand that has been producing car cleaning, care, and polishing products since the late 1960s. Many weekend warriors love Chemical Guys for its wide range of beauty products, money-saving kits, and training courses; however, professionals and enthusiasts complain that market saturation and aggressive branding and advertising strategies have led to a decline in the brand’s quality and position in the beauty industry.
While it’s hard to judge Chemical Guys based solely on what’s available online — fans are vocal in their defense of the brand, but critics are equally vocal — their Torq polisher hasn’t received much praise. An example of this is the Torq X, which is popular among Chemical Guys fans but has received poor reviews elsewhere online. The Torq X, which costs $150 on the Chemical Guys website, has a mechanical safety shut-off system and a maximum speed of 4,200 RPM, but at only 680 watts, it’s considered a low-power tool compared to similar competing products from other brands. A common complaint is that the tool is very noisy, and some users also complain of a lot of vibration during use. Additionally, the tool has an unfortunate design, as the power switch is located on the bottom of the tool, making it difficult to access during use.
While there are plenty of positive reviews, the negative reviews are hard to ignore when they come in through multiple channels. The price for this tool is not bad, and if it was included in a Chemical Guys kit, it might be worth the money. However, there are better options for entry-level polishers.
Maxshine is a Chinese company founded in 2006 that specializes in detailing tools, applicators, and accessories. The company’s product line includes everything you need to perform professional-level detailing work or even get started, such as chemicals, stools, tool storage, and polishers.
The Maxshine M8S V2 is an affordable dual-action polisher that’s often recommended by car and boat enthusiasts. This tool has an 8mm diameter, 1000 watts of power, and is corded for polishing. It’s more powerful than the 900-watt M8S 1 and sleeker than the original, with a comfortable front handle and a slimmer design. Pros rave about this tool’s polishing, waxing, and sanding capabilities, making it a versatile, affordable choice that’s also lightweight enough for big jobs like boats. The Maxshine M8S V2 is available in red and bright green on Amazon for under $140.
Some users complain that the tool stops if they apply too much pressure, but this happens to almost all dual-action polishers. Other common issues include poor activation control (the unit only has a switch and speed control knob, not a pressure-sensitive trigger) and noise issues, which are common with most cheap tools.
Another Harbor Freight brand, the well-equipped Hercules line of tools has been growing rapidly since its launch and has a fan base due to its low prices and excellent value for money. The Hercules line includes some of Harbor Freight’s best tools and is rightfully considered one of the best-selling brands in the discount tool store.
Of the three polishers that Hercules makes for Harbor Freight, only one is a dual-action model. However, given its excellent feature set, the Hercules 8-Amp, 6-Inch Forced Rotary Dual Action Polisher is definitely a bargain. The tool combines dual oscillation and rotation to eliminate swirls, and uses gear-driven rotation to prevent stalling under pressure. Other features of this polisher include soft-touch grips on the head and back of the body, a smooth trigger, and two rubber feet that prevent the polisher from touching the floor and damaging your work surface when you need to put the tool down.
The Hercules Dual Action Polisher sells for about $140 at Harbor Freight, which is half the price of similar products from other well-known brands. While the price alone may be enough to attract some customers, even professionals agree that this is an excellent polisher, especially for those who have used a free-wheel dual action polisher and want to upgrade to a gear-driven model. However, those who use the tool more than a few times a year or for professional work may want to consider a more reliable, proven brand.
Makita’s iconic blue tools can be found at any construction site or professional shop around the world. The brand frequently ranks at the top of SlashGear’s tool rankings, and its commitment to quality and innovation makes it a top choice for buyers when shopping for new power tools. While Makita tools are typically designed for professional use, the company also offers a wide range of essential tools for new homeowners and DIYers.
The Makita PO5000C is a versatile tool that I have personal experience with. While we’ve written about Makita’s new tools in the 2025 lineup before, this dual-action polisher is an older model introduced in 2017. The tool’s ability to switch between free-running and forced-running makes it ideal for users of varying skill levels or application scenarios.
The last time I worked in my garage, I used the Makita PO5000C, which I used to repair headlights and occasionally sand out minor scratches. One feature of this polisher that I particularly like (and honestly thought was standard until I used other models from other brands) is its electronic controller, which allows the polisher to “boost” to its maximum speed rather than going straight to full speed from a standstill. This allows for a finer polish of the edge while avoiding potentially costly mistakes. The Makita PO5000C Dual Action Orbital Polisher is available on Amazon for around $270.
Founded in 2000 and headquartered in California, Adam’s Polishes has grown from a one-man operation into a global distributor of polishes, waxes, and car care products. Adam’s Polishes has built a solid reputation by hosting events like Cars & Coffee, as well as detailing seminars that teach newbies the basics of car detailing. Fans of the brand and its products rave about the great-smelling polish they use on their cars. However, like its competitor The Chemical Guys, Adam’s Polishes has faced backlash from beauticians and customers as the company has grown, with some users complaining that the products are not as effective as they once were.
When it comes to another polish brand, Torqx is to Chemical Guys what the Swirl Killer is to Adam’s Polishes. The Adam’s Swirl Killer 9mm Dual Action Polisher is powerful, corded, and can tackle large areas. The ergonomics of this polisher are a bit lacking, it’s a bit bulky compared to similar models, and it takes a little more effort to turn it on. But it’s affordable and works great — you can order one on Amazon for about $130, and the Swirl Killer is also included in several kits on the Adam’s Polishes website. Adam’s Polishes recommends the 9mm Swirl Killer as a great tool for beginners, and some reviewers call it one of the best dual action polishers out there.
Porter-Cable is best known for its power tools like reciprocating saws and cordless impact wrenches, and its dual-action polishers are considered by auto mechanics to be some of the best entry-level tools in the industry. The Porter-Cable wood sander is powerful enough to handle both oscillating and rotary motions, making it ideal for precision work like cleaning cars.
Like many other mechanics, I didn’t want to put “auto mechanic” on my resume—I just wanted to learn how to do it if I screwed up, so I could save my employer the trouble. One day, I slightly scratched a door while removing a lock, and was given some polish, paste, and a Porter-Cable dual-action polisher. Another technician walked me through the simple, if somewhat tedious, steps of fixing the damage. I’ve used the dual-action polisher many times since then, both to correct my own mistakes and to help a newbie in the same situation.
The Porter-Cable Dual Action Polisher [7424XP] is a comfortable, easy-to-use tool that won’t overwhelm a nervous beginner. The tool’s solid construction requires some trial and error to find the grip that’s most comfortable. And while a side handle is available, many detailers say they get a more even polish by simply using the molded top. This tool weighs less than 6 pounds and won’t wear out with use. Even with long buffing sessions, overheating is rare. The 7424XP sells for about $120 on Amazon, making it a great buy if you decide to go with this tried-and-true favorite.
Griot’s was founded in 1990 as a small catalog of car care and garage products. Today, the catalog is about 80 pages long and covers everything from car covers to bumpers to garage floors. Griot’s makes its own polishes, waxes, and car wash products. In fact, it formulates, bottles, and labels nearly all of its products itself. The company’s “community first” philosophy includes monthly car shows at Griot’s headquarters in Washington state, as well as regular tours to showcase its products.
Griot polishers are considered an affordable brand among detailers and DIY enthusiasts, but the G9 is also a very good model overall. It’s heavy without being bulky, well-designed, and has little details you might not expect, like a flat top that keeps the polishing pad off the ground and away from dust and debris, and a detachable power cord for easy storage. It dissipates heat well and doesn’t overheat even after long periods of use. This polisher’s 1000-watt motor provides extra power when you need it, and the power can be adjusted with a convenient little knob. It’s not perfect, but it’s highly recommended for those just starting out in detailing or those serious about getting into DIY.
Rupes is an Italian company founded in 1947 in Milan. Despite pioneering innovations such as the first portable electric grinder, polymer drill bits, and electric random orbit sanders, Rupes products were still primarily sourced from Europe until they opened a U.S. factory in Louisville, Colorado in 2015. However, over the years, Rupes has earned a solid reputation for producing small parts grinders.
Professionals rave about Rupes—in fact, even the detailer at the shop I took my Jeep to used many of the brand’s polishes. These tools are reliable, durable, and will work every time. While it’s an investment, professionals know that the investment will pay off if their expertise and time aren’t wasted by mechanical failures.
Rupes’ polisher also has a lot of useful features. One of the brand’s new models, the Bigfoot LHR 15 Mark V, has a lower center of gravity than previous versions, which increases the stability of the tool and makes it easier for the user to control. Composite gears instead of metal reduce vibration and noise, which are considered natural when using a polisher. The Rupes Bigfoot LHR 15 Mark V is priced at $525 on Amazon, which is a fair price for a tool from one of the leading brands of dual-action polishers.
The German toolmaker is a relative newcomer to the domestic market, benefiting from a partnership with Lowes for the past five years. Flex makes some of the best portable tool boxes on the market, and its drills are highly rated by SlashGear. However, decorators have heard of the German brand long before American power tool users took notice, as Flex makes some of the most popular dual-action polishers on the market. Several of the brand’s products have been featured in numerous YouTube videos and have received countless positive reviews.
It’s hard to find bad reviews for Flex polishers — they’re durable, powerful, quiet, and feature a ton of features that cement the brand’s place at the top of our lists. The Flex 24V Orbital Polisher [FX3321] is one of the best polishers on the market, no matter your skill level. This cordless model has a long battery life, thanks in part to the Flex battery and brushless motors found in many Flex polishers. The tool features a comfortable molded top for easy control, a tapered rear handle, and a soft-start trigger with a locking button that eliminates the need to manually press during long runs. The speed is manually adjustable, making it a good choice for light-duty projects or more complex restoration work. The FX3321 isn’t cheap, though — the tool will set you back almost $700 on Amazon, though that price includes a carrying case, charger, and a pair of 5Ah Flex batteries.