The best belt sanders are the ones that make the job of sanding easier and more efficient while allowing you to maintain the utmost control. If you’re in a situation where you need to strip a lot of material in a hurry, most electric sanders will do the trick. Something like the Mastercraft 6A portable belt sander would be an excellent option for these needs.
However, once you start looking for ways to get extremely detailed, smooth surfaces, finishing sanders are the way to go. The SKIL belt sander with pressure control could give you an added sense of feel when coming up on those final touches.