Bottom line: SPX is a practical alternative to Mirka for Australian panel shops that want trade-focused sanding discs, 150mm formats, 15-hole dust extraction, ceramic options, and simple local supply. Mirka makes a genuinely strong dust-managed system and suits shops fully committed to its tools and abrasives — but you do not have to buy into a whole ecosystem to sand clean and fast.
This comparison is meant to be fair. It covers where Mirka leads, where SPX competes hard, and where Mirka might still be the right call for your shop.
The short version. The dust-extraction and supply sections below are where this decision is usually made, so read those before you commit.
| Category | SPX | Mirka | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main use case | Automotive sanding and refinish workflow | Dust-managed sanding across an integrated system | SPX for flexible, mixed-tool shops |
| Disc sizes | 150mm-focused trade range | Wide range across many formats | SPX for standardised 150mm shops |
| Dust extraction | 15-hole options, strong when pattern matches | Net and multi-hole designs | Match to your sander and pad |
| Ceramic options | Yes — built for cost-per-job cut | Yes, across several lines | SPX for value on cut stages |
| Tool dependence | Works with standard 150mm sanders | Best inside the Mirka tool ecosystem | SPX if you run mixed brands of sander |
| Supply model | Australian trade/wholesale, Melbourne dispatch | Distributor and dealer network | SPX for simple local repeat supply |
These are the SPX 150mm 15-hole discs most often compared against Mirka's dust-extraction range. Check grit and pack style, then read the dust-extraction and cost sections below.

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If you are comparing SPX with Mirka, dust is almost always the reason. Mirka earned its name on dust-managed sanding, and its net-style discs pull debris across the whole face. That is a genuine strength, especially on fine finishing where surface cleanliness shows.
SPX takes the 15-hole route. For shops using compatible backing pads, 15-hole sanding discs can support strong dust extraction by moving debris away from the work surface — provided the hole pattern lines up with the pad and the sander. Get that match right and dust pickup through coarse and mid-grit stages is excellent. Get it wrong and no disc design saves you.
So the honest framing is: net designs have an edge on the finest finishing, while well-matched 15-hole discs handle the bulk of refinish sanding cleanly and at a lower cost per job. Check fitment first.
Three extraction designs, three different jobs. This is the part most brand comparisons skip — here is how net, multi-hole, and 15-hole discs actually move dust, and where each one shines.
| Extraction design | How it pulls dust | Best-fit stage |
|---|---|---|
| Net (e.g. Mirka Abranet) | An open mesh extracts across the whole face, so dust has only a very short path to a hole — Mirka cites roughly 0.5mm to the nearest extraction point. | Fine finishing and dust-critical work where surface cleanliness shows. |
| Multi-hole | Many drilled holes spread pickup across the disc, but extraction depends on the holes lining up with the backing pad. | General refinish work when disc and pad patterns match. |
| 15-hole (SPX) | A defined 15-hole pattern clears debris well when matched to a compatible 15-hole pad and extractor. | Coarse and mid-grit refinish stages — filler, primer, guide coat. |
Mirka loyalty is usually earned through the system working as a whole, so a fair comparison has to test the disc and the dust pickup together. Put SPX and Mirka on the same sander, same stage, same extractor, and watch what actually changes.
Across the SPX 15-hole products shown on this page.
From approved reviews on matching SPX discs.
Both make good abrasives. They just sell different things — one a system, one a focused disc range.
Mirka is known for dust-managed sanding and a tightly integrated system of sanders, pads, and net-style abrasives. If your shop runs Mirka tools end to end, the system is cohesive and well supported. The trade-off is that you tend to stay inside the ecosystem to get the full benefit.
SPX focuses on the discs a refinish workshop reaches for daily: ceramic and standard 150mm discs, 15-hole dust extraction, and direct trade supply. It is brand-agnostic on tools, so it suits shops running mixed sanders that still want clean dust pickup and a sharp cut.
For everyday filler, primer, guide coat, and paint prep, both brands cover the same stages. That overlap is exactly where it pays to compare on cost per job and fitment rather than brand reputation.
Cautious by design: Mirka specs vary by line and region. Always confirm fitment against the specific Mirka product you currently run.
| What you are buying | SPX | Mirka |
|---|---|---|
| 150mm sanding discs | Core focus of the range | Available across multiple lines |
| Dust extraction design | 15-hole pattern, pad-dependent | Net and multi-hole designs |
| Ceramic options | Yes — positioned for cost-per-job cut | Yes, across several lines |
| Tool requirement | Standard 150mm sanders | Best with Mirka tools and pads |
| Grit range | Coarse cut through fine prep for refinish | Very broad across applications |
| Supply | Direct trade/wholesale, Melbourne dispatch | Through distributor and dealer channels |
The better question is not which disc has the lowest packet price. It is which disc gives the best cost per job once you include disc life, cut consistency, labour time, dust control, and rework risk.
Mirka can absolutely justify its price inside a committed Mirka shop, where the system efficiency adds up. But if you are buying discs to fit sanders you already own, paying an ecosystem premium is harder to defend. SPX is built to deliver clean dust pickup and strong cut at a cost per job that works for a busy, mixed-tool workshop. As always, prove it on one real job before you switch your standing order.
SPX is a strong fit for:
Mirka may be the better fit if:
For Australian panel shops comparing SPX and Mirka, SPX is best viewed as a flexible, trade-focused alternative rather than a copy of an integrated system. Mirka is hard to beat inside a committed Mirka shop, especially for net-based fine finishing.
But if you run mixed sanders, want strong 15-hole dust extraction, ceramic options, 150mm formats, and simpler local supply, SPX belongs on your shortlist. Confirm hole-pattern fitment, run one real stage side by side, and let cost per job decide.
Follow the decision into fitment, format, and other brand comparisons.
Dust extraction fitment guide for matching pattern to pad.
Full grit selection guide for the 6-inch standard.
Stage-by-stage workflow from filler to paint prep.
Looking at more than one option? See the alternatives page.
SPX Abrasives is a Melbourne, VIC supplier of professional sanding abrasives for retail, trade, and wholesale buyers across Australia. This comparison is written and checked by people who sell, test, and use these discs in a working paint shop.
Disclaimer: competitor specifications vary by product line and region and can change over time. Brand names are used for comparison and identification only. Always confirm disc and hole-pattern fitment against your own sander and pad before switching.
Competitor positioning in this comparison is checked against official manufacturer information. We do not copy competitor content; links are provided so you can verify claims yourself.
Confirm fitment, order a trade pack, and compare dust pickup and cost per job on one real job. Wholesale options available for repeat buying.