Power Polisher Showdown: Black & Decker vs. WEN (Which Is Better?)

You want your ride looking great with a brilliant shine. What you don’t want is to spend your entire day outside polishing your car. Fortunately, a power polisher keeps your auto looking amazing – and it doesn’t require tons of time or elbow grease.

If you’re shopping for an auto polisher, you’ve probably seen both the Black and Decker WP900 and the Wen 6010. They’re two top sellers.

At first glance, they have a lot in common, such as a similar size and features. However, we took a closer look and found some significant differences between the two, which will likely affect your purchasing decisions.

Check out our Power Polisher Showdown to see the good, the bad and everything in-between about these two popular polishers:

What to Look for in a Polisher

Polishers provide a superior coating of wax compared to hand application. Plus, they’re faster, too! After you use one, you’ll never switch back to hand polishing. Aside from polishing, these tools also wax and buff.

Here are the main features we used to compare the two models:

• Rotation Speed
• Ergonomics
• Weight

Polishers do more than create superficial shine. Regular polishing helps protect your paint job from scratches, corrosion, and other damage. Choosing the right polisher helps extend the life of your car!

Rotation Speed

First, let’s look at how fast each polisher rotates the puck, which is the circular part which presses against the car.

The rotation speed determines how fast you can use the tool. It also affects how thoroughly it cleans. The stronger the motor, the faster the rotations. The faster the rotations, the less time you need to spend polishing each section of the vehicle. Plus, faster rotations remove dirt and debris more thoroughly.

The Black & Decker model rotates at 4,400 rpm. The Wen has a powerful 120 V, 0.5 amp magnet motor, which provides 4,000 rpm.

The Wen has lots of power which provide plenty of force. Although it’s slower, it does a slightly better job removing dirt. However, the B&D polisher is faster.

Determining a clear winner here is difficult. Pick the Black & Decker if your main goal is to polish your car as fast as possible. Choose the B&D if you need to remove tough dirt build-up.

Keep in mind technique has the biggest impact on how well each polisher cleans. If you know what you’re doing, both polishers will clean about the same.

Ergonomics

The comfort of the polisher is important. How well you can grip, it affects how precise you can control it. Both the Wen and the B&D polishers have ergonomic grips, although they’re fairly different from each other.

The Wen has a rounded top with a curved indentation. You place the palm of one hand on top of the polisher to apply pressure. Wrap your other hand around the curved part to guide its direction. Overall, the Wen’s comfortable and easy to control.

However, we prefer the Black & Decker WP900 by far. It has two ergonomic handles, one on the front and another on the side. You grip the front one with the top of your hand facing up, then grip the rear handle vertically.

The unique position of your hands gives you excellent control over the unit. You can adjust the pressure suddenly and subtly. Additionally, you can precisely follow the curves of your vehicle.

Verdict: It’s no contest. Black & Decker has the best ergonomics.

Weight

The weight of the polisher plays a key role in how easy it is to control. You want a polisher heavy enough to apply polish to the paint, but not so heavy you struggle to lift it.

Lighter polishers are more effortless to operate, especially if you’re new to using them. A lightweight polisher helps reduce heat and friction build-up.

The Wen weighs 3.35 pounds while the Black & Decker weighs 5.03 pounds. Although two pounds isn’t a significant amount of weight when polishing a small area, it starts to feel like a big difference when working on more complicated jobs.

The lightweight Wen 6010 is the best choice for long workdays. It’s also the preferred option for anyone uncomfortable with polishing.

Bonnets

The bonnets slide over the puck. Different materials perform different functions, such as washing, polishing, waxing, and more.

You can always buy bonnets separately. However, the polisher should include at least a few bonnets. Bonnets specifically made for your polisher tend to fit better than third-party models.

The WEN 6010 includes:

• Six-inch applicator bonnet
• Six-inch terry cloth bonnet

The Black & Decker WP900 includes:

• Six-inch foam applicator bonnet
• Two six-inch polishing bonnets

Both models include gear for polishing and washing. While all the bonnets are high-quality, we found the Black & Decker bonnets are generally tougher, softer, and easier to clean.

Polisher Size

Like weight, the polisher’s size affects its performance. Smaller buffers cover the curves of your car easier. Larger buffers require frequent replacement. Plus, they sometimes struggle to buff the small contours.

As you’d probably expect from the heavier unit, the Black & Decker model is the larger one, too. It’s 13 by 6.2 by 8.6 inches. The Wen 6010 measures 7.3 by 6.8 by 6.8 inches.

Keep in mind the size of the polisher doesn’t necessarily correlate to the size of the puck. In this case, both polishers have six-inch pucks.

We give the edge here to the Wen 6010. Small polishers do a superior job polishing contoured cars such as sports cars.

Manufacturer

Both manufacturers have a rock-solid reputation for quality.

Black & Decker is a household name known for their top-of-the-line household appliances. They offer a limited warranty with their polisher.

Wen is also a trusted brand known as an innovator in automotive technology. They invented the orbital technology used as the basis for all polishers for sale today.

Both companies are easy to reach if you have a question or want a refund. We call this one a draw. You don’t have to worry much about manufacturing defects, short lifespan, or poor performance.

Final Verdict

You’re not going to regret choosing either one. Both polishers will keep your car clean, shiny, and dazzling. However, you probably don’t need two auto polishers. Which one is best?

We’re endorsing the Black & Decker WP900 over the Wen 6010. Here’s why we like the B&D model more:

• It has a blazing fast 4,400 rpm rotation speed
• It includes a wider variety of bonnets for cleaning and polishing
• The company is easy to reach by phone or email
• The ergonomic design is comfortable and sturdy

Excellent ergonomics are the major reason why we prefer this polisher. The Wen is comfortable but becomes difficult to control when your hands are wet. However, the Black & Decker’s twin grips work with your natural arm position to help keep the polisher pressed against the vehicle.

While the B&D is larger and heavier, it’s still easy to control. The Wen 6010 is ideal for brand-new users or anyone with mobility issues, but everyone else will probably prefer the power and control of the Black and Decker WP900.

If you’re interested in learning even more, check out the Best Car Buffers and Polishers for 2019. If you need replacement buffing polishing pads, read our guide to the Best Buffing Polishing pads here.

Adding wax or polish doesn’t have to be a back-breaking chore. With the right polisher, you can add brilliant shine in no time at all. Your ride will turn heads wherever you go!