Not as good as using a real vacuum cleaner with strong suction. Sand is hard on those, as well...quickly clogging filters. This Bissell Sweeper is best with larger items...spilled cereal, food crumbs, dirt clumps, hay or grass clippings, cat litter, sawdust. Sand might be too fine for the bristles to sweep into the bin. A shopvac is a better choice if you routinely need to vacuum sand off tile floors.