10 Best Sandpaper For Drywall & Wood [2023 Updated]

Drywall is the most popular material in modern construction. It's made of gypsum plaster which makes it lightweight and easy to work with.

Drywall installation requires sanding before painting or papering, but not just any type of sandpaper will do! In this blog post we'll discuss the best sandpapers for drywall.

We added wood sandpapers as well, considering our readers expectations. Have a read!

What is Sandpaper?

The sandpaper is a combination of paper and sand. In sandpapers, one side of the paper remains fresh and the other is filled with abrasive sand. Generally used for polishing surfaces like wood, metal, drywall and other materials.

Different surfaces require different types of sandpaper as the abrasiveness varies.

We have divided the article into two sections. Click here to directly go to drywall sandpaper section.

Our Best Wood Sandpaper Reviews:

Here is our top picks for the sandpapers that you can use on wood-

1. 120 To 3000 Assorted Grit Sandpaper for Wood

An inclusive product to have any piece of furniture, metal tools, and more polished. The 120 To 3000 Assorted Grit Sandpaper can be applied to metal, wood, plastic, automotive, and more.

It deserves trying as you can find many uses in one pack, so whatever you have to finish, polish, or sand, you will find the grit for you.

This grit sandpaper product has 12 types of grit ranging from 120 grit to 3000 grit. Each grit has its unique job, and one should be careful while picking the best one for your work.

Let's have a quick overview of those grit uses, the less of grit "120-220", the harder work than you can deal with; for example, removing scratch.

On the contrary, 2000 to 3000 grit works perfectly for the final finishes of polishing and buffing like a da sander.

For metal use, we must mention that this product is great to use for swords and knives, and the grit needed is between 320 and 400.

While you sand, you might find it difficult to hold even though it is flexible as it is made of silicon carbide. That is good to use with small tools and small artworks.

However, if you have a large area to sand, you can get the pack with a hand sander, it will save your effort.

Another incredible feature is how it works with wet and dry surfaces, but it rubs off fast sometimes.

You will have to use another sheet, so if you have much work, you should consider buying more than one pack of this best sandpaper for wood and many other materials.

Product Overview

• Wide range of grit
• Multiple uses
• Easy to hold
• Multi-size
• Woodworking, Automotive and metal sanding capable
• Rubs off quickly

2. Dura-Gold Premium - 600 Grit Sandpaper for Automotive and Woodworking

This product carries its name within its features. It is as precious as gold regarding its main job of rough sanding.

Also, it is durable while applying and lasts longer before needing to cut another piece of the roll.

Another impressive aspect is its design, as well as usability design; the roll makes it easy to store, and its adhesion facilitates your sanding work.

You can cut a small piece and stick it to a pad, hand, or any tool; for example, sticking it to a screwdriver will enable you to sand small metal or wood holes, so it depends on your piece of work.

After finishing, some struggle with removing the adhesion residuals. But it is not a big deal comparing to the professional work that you will have with Dura-Gold.

It is meant to be used by professionals, especially for wood plane and chisel, it softens bumpy wood boards to finish doors and cabinets so that carpenters would love this sandpaper product.

Finally, you absolutely can use it for multiple purposes, but pay attention to which grit number you buy, as mentioned before, each type of grit works well for a purpose.

Product Overview

• Lasts long
• Woodworking and metalworking capable
• Great for professional uses
• Usable design
• Each roll has one type of grit

3. 400 to 3000 Grit Wet-Dry Sandpaper for Wood Furniture Finishing

A wide range of uses with different types of grit makes this sandpaper usable and popular. It has the right functions to work well for automotive sanding, polishing wood, and turning wood, so it includes big and small tasks.

Its material of silicon carbide will give you the flexibility to deal with various sizes of tools and pieces of furniture. You can use it to turn some edges in small artwork or put it with a hand sander to sand your drawers.

All depend on your task, remember to pick the right grit, as we mentioned above. However, some cannot find the right grit until they try multiple types. It's okay! You have 90 sheets, and every ten is of one type. Try a sheet on a small area and discover what works for you.

This sandpaper from Verones is good in wet and dry environments, but you might face a problem of tearing apart and losing durability when using it in water.

Also, it is easy to identify. You will find the grit number written on each sheet.

Finally, you could buy a certain type of grit to work better to accomplish your task, but this sandpaper is suitable for beginners who might have multiple small tasks that do not require high-quality sandpaper.

Product Overview

• Easy to identify the grit
• Comfortable to Hold when Sanding drywall
• Multiple grits for different uses
• Good for Woodworking
• Average durability with water

4. 3M Garnet Very Fine Grit Sandpaper

This Garnet sandpaper has high-quality material of abrasive minerals that resists any clogging stuff. You will have smooth finish and fast work as this product lasts for a long time; thus, you will save your time.

This product is superb to use throughout the stages of sanding drywall and finishing, but be careful when dealing with metal if there is rust, the 3M Garnet Sandpaper does not remove the rust.

Another tip is to use multiple grit types. You will have to use the finer grit first, then the less sharp sandpaper sheets, do not skip two grit types while you want to go from rough sanding to finishing.

The process might last for a long time, but the final outlook deserves your patience.

On the other hand, it is fragile and might ruin your palm or pad sander when you want to get it off. The adhesion is not of good quality.

Another thing to be aware of is that there are only 3 sheets, so if you have much work, you might go for another option. Also, it does not work properly with water.

It is typical sandpaper that does its job well overall, but we cannot consider it as one of the best wood sandpapers.

Product Overview

• Clog resistance
• Use for Woodworking & Metalworking
• Lasts for a long time
• Very thin

5. 3M 1500 Grit Wetordry Sandpaper

This product is the ultimate sandpaper for your work in the automotive industry. For all stages of repairing the outlook of a car before painting, it works great.

The 1500 grit 3M Wetordry Sandpaper is used for the final stage of polishing and finishing, but there are other types of grit to be applied in the rest of the stages.

So, it also works perfectly when it comes to removing any residuals of peeling paint or dust nibs.

In addition to the various grit grades, the 3M Wetordry Sandpaper gives you great control over the environment, whether it is applied on wet or dry surfaces.

You are not forced to use a specific sheet with water and another in a dry way. You can add water whenever you feel it is necessary, then continue your work.

That also depends on the stage of polishing and sanding drywall.

Since it is for professionals, you would use a palm sander to make the best of it and save time and effort.

However, it also works for sanding and softening wood, plastic, and other few types of material.

Finally, it does not seem as flexible as they claim; they are 5 hard sheets in a pack.

Product Overview

• Great for professionals in the automotive industry
• Wet and dry environment friendly
• Different grades of grit
• Easy to follow tutorials
• Hard sheets

6. Peachtree Woodworking Supply Abrasive Roll Refill

It is a must-have product in any woodwork shop; it works for multiple purposes and leaves you with impressive art of work.

The artwork is what you will do best with this sandpaper. You can repair any piece of your furniture, turn round tools like pens, or sand your wood boards.

It is easily cut if you have a small project to work on, and it is stored as a roll or 5 rolls in one dispenser.

Each of the 5 rolls has its job, so it depends on your work.

However, it is generally advised that you have to begin sanding with a low grade of grit, then increase the grade gradually.

It works mostly at the beginning of the sanding process.

The downside regarding grits is that they do not write which grade on the back of the sheet, so it is hard to identify.

However, the Abrasive Roll Refill for Boxed Abrasive Roll Back works for metalworking and leaves decent results.

But we still consider it the best wood sandpaper rather than any other materials.

Finally, it is not recommended to apply with water or by beginners. It needs patience while sanding drywall not to clog or ruin your project.

Product Overview

• Superb woodworking sandpaper
• Multiple grit grades
• Great for professional carpenters
• Can be easily cut
• Do not have waterproofing

7. Bearded Sanding Orbital Sandpaper

Another good sandpaper that fits more than one type of surface with a new design.

They come as sandpaper discs with good adhesive back that will stick to your round sander.

It seems solid as it is made from aluminum oxide and latex base paper.

When you stick it to your sander, you can make the most of it as you will be fully in control, speed, or slow down; it will go smoothly.

The primary use is for wood stuff and furniture, but you can use it for metal and concrete, or try it if it suits your surface because it is easy to use, and its small size will not ruin your work.

Finally, it comes with many grades of grits, use them carefully as we recommended, and you will have your fantastic work whether you are a carpenter or a beginner working with some stuff in the house.

Product Overview

• Easy to use with a sander
• Many grades of grit
• Suitable for both beginners and professionals
• Woodworking and metalworking

Best Sandpaper For Drywall Picks

1. 3M 99436 Drywall Sanding Screens Pro-Pak, 220-Grit

A bit of sanding is a must, no matter how smooth your drywall is. And of course, you must know exactly what you need to choose the perfect sanding screen/paper that fits and gives the desired outcomes.

The 3M 99436 Drywall Sanding Screens Pro-Pak, 220-Grit, works exceptionally well with drywalls, plasters, and compound joints. It works with other surfaces like wood and metal also but stands out in its main targeted surfaces.

It comes in different sizes, and it is precut so you can match the wanted screen size with your needs and tools.

The efficient outcome mainly caused by the suitable abrasive materials that the 3M 99436 Drywall Sanding Screens Pro-Pak, 220-Grit made of. And with some of your skills in sanding drywall added on, the results will always be satisfying.

This product is double-faced and can be reused after rinsing. So, you will get a long life for it that would be advantageous on multi-levels.

The design of this sanding screen makes the sanding easier for the sanded grains to fall off rather than cramming and blocking the sanding points.

And since the product is a die-cut, you can put on sanding tools instead of working with your hands.

All these positives have made us enlist this as the best drywall sandpaper for this buying guide!

As it mostly has minerals on screen, it could leave scratches. So, you might put that in mind if you are not going to put primer or to paint the sanded surfaces.

Product Overview

• Long life
• Works on multi surfaces
• Die-cut for sanding tools
• Double-faced
• Leaves scratches sometimes

2. Fandeli 36574 150 Grit Drywall Sandpaper Sheets

Effective, handy, and well fit, a few words come straightly to mind whenever the Fandeli 36574 150 Grit Drywall Sandpaper is mentioned. Long life and speed are usually discussed, as well.

The long history of the manufacture in this product domain gives it a solid ground in facing other products. The value is guaranteed.

The medium level of grit in this product makes it cover a lot of surfaces for different purposes. Not so sharp nor rough yet not so fine and smooth. So you can manage your needs to the maximum level.

With its fast cutting sheet and smooth finishing results, you will save time while getting the drywall surface that everyone wants, seamless and ready for the next step, whether it is a primer for paint or sealing for wallpapers.

If you do not want to work with your hands, the Fandeli 36574 150 Grit Drywall Sandpaper Sheets fits on many sanding tools.

Product Overview

• Fast cutting
• Long life
• Fits on sanding tools
• Easy to use
• Limited usability

3. Auerllcy Coarse/Medium/Fine/Superfine 4 Different Specifications Sanding Blocks

Not all surfaces can be sanded with the same level of coarseness that could vary from sanding paper to another. The four blocks of it, each with its coarseness level, will cover all the process of detail sanding from edgy surface to super smooth and fine one.

The four sanding sponges in the pack are washable and can be used many times without losing any efficiency. So, the Sanding Sponge, Auerllcy, does not just merge your needs into one pack, but also lasts long.

The sponge shape fits right into the hand, and it gives you the flexibility that you might need working on a tricky surface. Whether you are putting a final touch on a wooden sculpture or preparing your garage door for painting, you will find the perfect angle to work through.

Super easy to use. It is pretty much like washing dishes as it works on wet surfaces. Just grab a sponge and start sanding. It takes no more than a glance to spot the sponge with desired sharpness.

The other face of flexibility is looseness, which may occur to adhered parts of the medium grit Sanding Sponge, Auerllcy sponges.

Product Overview

• Easy to use
• Broad sanding options
• Flexible usability
• Reusable papers save money

How to Choose the Best Sandpaper For Wood & Drywall?

When purchasing sandpaper for wood polishing, or other works, you need to know how to pick the perfect product. With this buying guide you will be able to purchase a product that is made for you-

1. Pick the Right Grit

The first thing you need to check in sandpaper is the grit number of the product. The lower the grit number, the abrasive the sandpaper is AND the higher the grit number, the finer the particles in the sandpaper.

So, lower grit sandpapers are used for the job starter as the topcoat of the surface remains uneven most of the time. High coarse sandpapers leave scratch marks on the surface. You’ll need to use the high grit sandpapers on the surface for a perfect finish when you are done with initial surface balancing.

When you are using the sandpaper for wood, 100 grit sandpaper will scratch the wood, 150 grit can remove previously applied paint or other materials, and 220 grit sandpapers are for giving the wood a final finishing.

For sanding drywall, the recommendation remains the same as the wood. So, when you are planning for a complete dry sanding job, the combination of high coarse, medium and low coarse-grit papers is the best.

2. Sanding Type

When purchasing sandpaper, you need to know on what surfaces you will use it and how.

Some sandpaper can be used by hand or sanding block, some only go with a sanding block and some are hand use only.

Tight corners and designed curves are hard to sand with a sanding block, you need to use your hand to reach there. But on plain surfaces, the sanding block helps to work faster.

Read More: Best Workbench Top Wood For The Money

3. Grading Sandpaper

There are two types of sandpaper in terms of grading, i.e. Open coated and Closed coated sandpapers.

In open coated sandpapers, there remain gaps among the abrasive particles where closed coated sandpaper has abrasive particles attached closely together.

Generally, open coated sandpapers are good for woodworking.

4. Types of Abrasive

There are different types of abrasives used in the sandpapers. Different materials are used for different surface materials for a better finish.

Glasspaper – The glasspaper can be easily recognized by its yellow color. This material is not so used in woodworking.

Garnet paper – This is the best material paper wood finishing. When you need to polish the wood for a fine look, this is the material that is the best for your job. One drawback that comes with this material is that it does not work fast like other materials. So, you will need patience for a perfect finish with this.

Aluminum oxide sandpaper  – This is another highly used sandpaper material for woodworking. This is known for its durability and fast working capability. But you will not get a fine finish like garnet papers by aluminum oxide.

Silicone carbide – If you need the right sandpaper for metal, this is the type you need to go with. These are used for metal surface finishing and wet sanding.

Ceramic sandpaper – The most abrasive material used in the sandpaper is ceramic. When you need a quick starter to get going with the top uneven surface, this is the go-to for you. Working with this type requires care and attention, otherwise, you will end up scratching the surface unwantedly.

Read Also: Best Drywall Stilts Review

5. Sandpaper Price

Sandpapers come in very cheap. Although in most cases, you will need to check whether you are paying for what you are getting or not, the sandpaper industry is not of that type. Almost everyone gives you the product in around the same price point.

Final Verdict

Multiple problems need multiple solutions; that is why we chose the 120 To 3000 Assorted Grit Sandpaper as the best sandpaper for wood, drywall, plastic, fiberglass, soft epoxy, metal, and others. 

It works for almost any type of surface, as it is packed with 12 different types of grit.

Each one will work to do a specific stage of work. We have mentioned a general tip to use low grit then go up gradually. 

Another feature that lets it stand out is dealing with dry and wet surfaces of all types. 

So, buying the 120 To 3000 Assorted Grit Sandpaper will save you the hassle of searching for one-fit for all sandpaper products.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Grit Sandpaper To Use on Drywall?

You should use 120 grit sandpaper to sand drywall right after the joint compound is dried out. 120 grit is pretty coarse and may scratch the surface. So, you need to finish up the dry sanding process with low-coarse sandpapers like 200 grit or 250 grit sandpaper.

Make sure to finish up the edges where the bare drywall blends with the joint compound to have a perfect finish before painting the wall.

What Type of Sandpaper for Drywall?

Some of our visitors got confused between drywall sanding screens and paper sandpaper. Both do the same job but the formation of the two components is different.

Sanding screen is better for heavy-duty drywall sanding jobs as they don't need you to get rid of the sanding dust manually. Sanding screens have two abrasive sides that allow you to sand more surface with the same amount than the paper. Plus, they don't accumulate the drywall dust as the sandpaper does.

You can use them interchangeably without any problem. The only thing that needs to be taken care of is the grit size in both woodworking and drywall finishing.

What is the Best Type of Sandpaper for Wood?

While the sanding screen is better than the paper on the drywall, it is the opposite of the wood. So, Wood doesn't behave as the drywall does, hence, it deserves different treatment for achieving a perfect finish.

Can I Use Drywall Sandpaper on Wood?

Yes, you can. There is no harm in using drywall sandpaper on wood or vice versa when you have picked the right grit size.

Which Sandpaper Grit is the Best for Drywall Mud?

As stated above, start with 120 to 150 grit papers and go finer until you finish the drywall compound with 220 grit sandpaper.

How do You Sand Drywall Fast?

It is not possible to sand drywall fast with sandpapers. That's because you are doing it manually. The best way to make it faster is to use a dustless drywall sander that sand fast and extract dust at its source. So, you are benefitted in two ways, i.e. the job will end faster, and there is no need for a thorough cleaning job after finishing up sanding.