To give a car the ultimate sense of shine, correcting the paint with a cordless machine polisher for cars is an effective method. Polishing a car isn't for every home car cleaner or DIY-er, but with the right help and polishing tools, it's not a million miles away.
The process of polishing a car works by correcting swirl marks and fine scratches on the clear coat. This is achieved by carefully removing a bit of that clear coat and using a polishing liquid to flatten it. It's the ultimate way to help smooth out swirl marks on your bodywork caused by previous sponge washing and the like.
Nevertheless, the very best machine polishers tend to be corded devices. They tend to hold the most power and operate at a constant. Battery-powered cordless machine polishers are beneficial if you have to work away from a plug socket. Still, both will need polishing pads and once you're set, you're ready to go.
The best cordless machine polishers at a glance:
Editor's pick: Einhell Power X-Change - Buy from Amazon
Best mid-range cordless machine polisher: Workpro Machine Buffer and Polisher - Buy from Amazon
Best budget cordless machine polisher: Sealey Cordless Polisher Kit - Buy from Amazon
Finding the best cordless machine polishers can be tricky on your first search. So, we've made things a little easier and ranked our favourites from top brands. Although bear in mind that after use, you will need to clean your polishing pads afterwards.
The best cordless machine polishers
Editor's pick
Via EinhellOn the upper end of the spectrum, is the Einhell Power X-Change. It's an 18V sander, polisher, and buffer which comes with three abrasive sanding papers, one synthetic polishing attachment, and one foamed plastic attachment for each job.
The battery is not included in the base purchase, which is annoying. But the quality of the machine is a notable step up from the Workpro and Sealey polishers.
Pros
- Great quality tool with 180mm polishing pad
- LCD display allows for extra speed and precision
Cons
- Battery not included in base purchase
Best mid-range cordless machine polisher
Via WorkproIn the mid-range, Workpro offers the Cordless Buffer Polisher. It's a 12V machine that weighs only 880g and comes with a total of six sponge pads alongside a number of other equipment.
It also has a temperature sensor, which will stop the machine from operating when the pressing force is too much - preventing it from over-working the motor.
Pros
- Plenty of kit as standard
- Good quality machine
Cons
- Battery life is reportedly quite short
Best budget cordless machine polisher
Via SealeyWith 10.8V at its disposal, the Sealey Cordless Polishing kit is less comprehensive than the Workpro. You will need to source polishing pads and sponges yourself, but you do get a battery and a side handle if you prefer to hold it that way.
Pros
- Good value polishing kit
- Side handle is useful
Cons
- Polishing pads not included
Best premium polishing kit
Via Flexffx.co.uk
Flex is a renowned name in the polishing business and provides one of the most comprehensive kits available for a home DIY-er. This 18V brushless rotary polisher comes in-built with an electronic management system which helps with efficiency and longevity of the machine. It's also equipped with a continuous speed trigger, which can be locked in a setting for continuous work.
It's also quieter than other machines, too. Angular and planetary gears help keep noise to a minimum, which is nice when you're not trying to be a disturbance to your neighbours.
Pros
- Quieter than other polishing machines
- Comprehensive kit
Cons
- It is heavier than the others at 1.9kg
Best versatile cordless machine polisher
Via RyobiLike the Einhell, you don't get the Ryobi battery included. One of those is an extra £50 if you're considering this item, but said battery is compatible with a number of other Ryobi cordless products.
Nevertheless, you get a number of wool, foam and polishing pads with this polisher, and you also get an LED light which is handy for exposing paint imperfections.
Pros
- Nice amount of polishing accessories included
- Useful LED light
Cons
- Battery not included
Best quality cordless machine polisher
Via MilwaukeeNo batteries or charger is included with the Milwaukee M12BPS compact machine polisher. But it is pretty lightweight at just 1kg and provides an adequate amount of power with 12V. Above all, those that know Milwaukee will be aware of its great attention to build quality, which is a pro this tool has above the rest.
However, the lack of equipment is a disappointment upon purchase. You only get one sander as well, so the polishing pads will have to be a separate purchase, which is even more annoying.
Pros
- Best quality in the segment
- Soft grip handle for ease of use
Cons
- No battery or charger included
Things to remember with cordless machine polishers
Battery life of cordless machine polishers is never a great pro when compared with corded ones. You'll be lucky if a battery lasts up to 20-30 minutes at a time. This can cause difficulties when you're trying to polish a whole car. You may need to resort to doing some panels at a time before recharging to do the rest. This, of course, isn't an issue with corded machine polishers, but you can be hindered by plug socket location(s).
The next thing to bear in mind is that if a scratch is deep enough, no machine polisher can ever iron that out. It will need to be sanded back and repainted if another car has scraped yours. Cordless machine polishers are useful for correcting paint and getting rid of fine swirl marks, but they can never replace a needed repaint.
Lastly, if you've never used a machine polisher before, you should be aware of the method. Gentle patience is key, and don't press the machine on the body too hard. A slow setting and light pressure allows the polish to be worked in, resulting in a better result.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.