Angle grinders are common in many tool boxes, but there are many different kinds of angle grinders and knowing which one to use for what job can be a bit tricky. Below is a list of some of the best angle grinders on the market, plus some details about each one to help you make the best selection for your unique needs.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Makita 9557PBX1 4-1/2" Paddle Switch Cut-Off/Angle Grinder | Best Overall |  |
| DEWALT Grinding Wheel | Budget Pick |  |
| Makita XAG04T 18V LXT BL 4-1/2"/ 5" Cut-Off/Angle Grinder Kit | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Makita 9557PBX1 4-1/2" Paddle Switch Cut-Off/Angle Grinder
Pros:
- Fantastic power
- Variable speed motor
- Extremely wide range of accessories
- Great pricing
- Large grip area for comfortable handling and control
- Easy to replace the grip
- Shiny finish adds to the overall aesthetics
Cons:
- Power is too high for some users
- Could do with a longer cord
- Burrs that may form around the edge require additional grinding
If you’re looking for the best angle grinder, the Makita 9557PBX1 might be your best bet. It may be one of the pricier options, but it has a truly industrial quality about it that makes it worth every penny.
The huge Makita 9557PBX1 is powered by a 15 amp motor that allows it to cut through different types of concrete with great ease. It can also tackle piping, cast iron, stainless steel, and metal.
When it comes to speed, the Makita 9557PBX1 is extremely fast and can handle the type of heavy-duty power that you’d expect from a top-of-the-line angle grinder. The high-speed motor means that you can cut through vertical surfaces with ease.
2. Bosch 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder 1375A
Pros:
- Lightweight industrial grade 4-1/2-inch saw
- Powerful motor cranks up to 11,000 RPM
- Ultra-innovative design to maximize control and contact surface
- Great for the home hobbyist
- Bosch’s “Lifetime Service Agreement” – free, unlimited repairs!
- Wheel guard is removable
Cons:
- Loud operation
- No grease fitting
- No self-stopping feature
- No automatic spindle lock
- No storage for cutting dust
When looking for the best angle grinder for the money, the Bosch 1375A is a great choice. The 1375A has an excellent balance between power and control. It can do everything from light grinding and cutting to heavy demolition work. However, the power comes with some shortcomings which include the lack of a level guard, no automatic spindle lock, no storage for cutting dust, and the fact that it’s quite noisy.
3. Hitachi G12SR4 6.2-Amp 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder
Pros:
- Very lightweight
- Solid design with durable, reinforced housing
- Five different wheels for your needs
- Powerful motor and plenty of power
- Extendable rear handle that gives you more control
- Excellent build quality
- Very low vibrations for less user fatigue
- Side spark guard helps to prevent injury
- Soft grip for better handling
- Can last decades if it is well-treated
Cons:
- Reach is a little shorter than would be ideal
- Not the most versatile tool on the market
- May be louder than some users would like
- Might be a little more expensive than you would like
We’ve selected the Hitachi G12SR4 Angle Grinder as the best pick on our list. This angle grinder is a 6.2-Amp grinder with a head speed of 10,000 RPM and a cutting capacity of 60mm. Hitachi is one of the powerhouses in the tool manufacturing industry. The brand manufactures tools specifically for industrial use and brings the same quality across its product line.
4. Milwaukee 2780-20 M18 Fuel 4-1/2"/5" Pad
Pros:
- Reliable name brand
- Multiple power settings
- Comfortable handle design
- Dust control system
- Speed setting range of 6,800 to 16,500 rpm
- Lightweight at 5 pounds
It doesn’t get any easier than the Milwaukee 2780-20. If you want to construct something, you’re going to need a good angle grinder, and this one won’t let you down.
With an adjustable power level and variable speed setting, it’s easy to find the right amount of torque to get the job done. This is a real powerful grinder. With a max rpm of 16,500, you’ll be able to turn through a lot of material. The fact that it runs on an 18V M18 battery means you can work for a long time unless you get carried away.
There's even a little plastic cover that you can put over the spinning disk to keep the lumber from flying off. It's nice to have a grinder with some thought put into it.
5. DEWALT Grinding Wheel
Pros:
- Very lightweight at only ¢¾ of a pound
- One of the most affordable grinder wheels on the market
- Available in a variety of materials
- Grinds fairly smoothly
- Great for beginners
Cons:
- Not as durable
- Grinding results are inconsistent
- Hard to change wheels
The DEWALT grinding wheel is a high-impact, non-geared, 6.35 mm, 4.5-inch ball-bearing grinder wheel that is strong, long-lasting, and a great substitute to its metal counterparts.
It is a metal-cutting wheel that is ideal for cutting hard materials like metal, tile, stone, etc. and provides great performance at a price that is hard to beat. The wheel measures 6.35 mm which is ¢¾ of an inch and is attached to a 4.5-inch wheel arbor.
The wheel is manufactured by one of the biggest and well-known brands in the industry, DEWALT, which is a brand you can trust for dependability and performance.
6. DEWALT Angle Grinder Tool
Pros:
- Precision machined aluminum paddle
- In-line skate guard offers additional protection
- Very powerful and relatively lightweight
- Comfortable and slip-resistant handle
- On-body lock-on button
- Up to 10,000 RPM
- Blades are readily available
- Very affordable price
- Great for trade professionals
- 1-year warranty, 90-day money back guarantee
What Our Editors Liked Most About The DEWALT Angle Grinder:
Our favorite feature of this product was the ergonomic handle, which allowed for comfortable use. The paddle switch on the side of the angle grinder was also very convenient for quick start-ups. The paddle switch and on-body lock-on button also ensured that users could keep their hands and fingers from contacting spinning blades.
Potential Drawbacks:
Our favorite feature of this product was the ergonomic handle, which allowed for comfortable use. The paddle switch on the side of the angle grinder was also very convenient for quick start-ups. The paddle switch and on-body lock-on button also ensured that users could keep their hands and fingers from contacting spinning blades.
7. Ryobi P423 18V One+ Brushless 4-1/2" 10,400 RPM Grinder and Metal Cutter
Pros:
- 3 position side handle for optimal comfort
- 3 year limited warranty
- Long lasting brushless motor
- LED work light for use in dark conditions
The Ryobi 4.5” One+ grinder is loaded with features such as a brushless motor and a side handle that swivels to three different positions for maximum comfort. As with the rest of Ryobi’s One+ products, you can use it without worrying about compatibility issues, because it will fit any other tool in the One+ range. There’s an onboard spanner wrench that will keep your work surface free from scratches and debris.
There’s also a built-in LED work light, so you can work in dimly lit conditions. This isn’t a lightweight product, but it’s definitely within the appropriate weight range for a grinder of this type. Its high speed allows for fast, efficient cutting and grinding. You’ll never have to replace the metal gear housing or the brush block, as they’re made from premium materials.
8. BLACK+DECKER Angle Grinder Tool
Pros:
- Affordable option
- Light-weight
- Has a dust control system to prevent dustiness
- Comfortable grip
- Safe on the hands
Cons:
- Can feel flimsy
- Needs extra work to sharpen the edges
- Not too durable and is not the most long-lasting
- Doesn’t run smoothly at times
One of the best cheap angle grinders that we found is from Black & Decker. It has a 4.5 amp motor and a max RPM of 11,000. The grinder is great for grinding, shaping, carving, removing rust, and other DIY or home improvement tasks. While the 4 1/2 in grinder won’t replace a 10 in grinder that professionals use, it’s the perfect size for at home DIY work.
The grinder is 4.0 pounds in weight, making it lightweight and easy to swap around from toolbox to toolbox. Black & Decker has added a new feature to the dust-prevention system as well. Even though it’s not a vacuum system, the grinder has a bag for holding your saw dust, preventing it from getting all over your workspace.
9. PORTER-CABLE Angle Grinder Tool
Pros:
- Great price for an affordable angle grinder
- 4.5-inch cut-off wheel
- Versatile 7.0 Amp motor
- Easy-to-read rpm meter
- Can be used for grinding, cutting, and polishing
- Includes a safety guard, electrical cord, and a wrench
- Compact and lightweight for convenient handling
- Great power and balance
Cons:
- Flimsy construction
- Unbalanced attachment
- Minor issues with the start-up switch
- Torque settings are ambiguous
If you’re looking for an affordable yet durable angle grinder, we’d highly recommend the Porter-Cable. It comes with a torque settings of 500 to 4,500 RPM, and a 7.0 Amp motor.
The great thing about this particular angle grinder is that it’s very versatile because you can use it for grinding, cutting, and polishing. With this in mind, it’s a vital tool for metal works, wood works, and home improvement jobs.
Overall, the Porter-Cable is a good pick for DIY projects around the house, or for quick jobs at work.
10. Makita XAG04T 18V LXT BL 4-1/2"/ 5" Cut-Off/Angle Grinder Kit
Pros:
- Lightweight design for comfort
- Powerful motor
- Vibration-dampening handles
- Ceramic guide protects the blade
- Dust-sealed switch
Cons:
- Blades are a bit flimsy
- A little bit expensive
- The cutting wheel's guard can separate from the tool
- The power cord can accidentally disconnect
- No overload protection
Makita's XAG04T is a powerful angle grinder designed to be used by a professional for cutting concrete, stone, and steel.
It comes with a 4-1/2 inch cutting wheel that is suitable for most DIY projects involving cutting, grinding, cutting tiles, and shaping metals.
The patented X-Torq engine technology delivers up to 50% longer motor life and reduces fuel consumption by up to 75% in comparison to other similar cordless angle grinders of its class.
11. DEWALT DCG413B 20V MAX Brushless Cut Off Tool/Grinder
Pros:
- It comes with a 90-minute charger that is highly efficient
- It can be used in any angle through a convenient 45-degree left-angle head
- It is easy to make adjustments to the head and the tool rest
- The batteries are fairly powerful and offer great capacity to work for long hours
- The cut-off wheels are extremely durable and designed to last long
- The LED panel is very easy to read and offers great illumination
- The motor provides ample power to get the tool through your tasks
- For precision operations, the tool offers variable speed dialing of up to 4,000 RPM
- It has a slip-resistant rubber grip that makes it comfortable to hold even for long hours
- The tool is compact and weighs only 3.8 pounds
Cons:
- The tool is very expensive when considering other options in the market
- The body of the tool is not the highest-quality metal
You don’t really need a reason to buy this tool; it is obvious than you will need it for a lot of different tasks. It comes with virtually all the capabilities you might ever need to handle your work. What’s more, it offers incredibly precise cutting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best 115mm angle grinder?
The best 115 mm angle grinder for the money is the DEWALT DWE402.
It uses a 4-pole motor which is great for industrial usage since there are no brushes to wear out.
The grinder is made from a strong and durable cast aluminum housing and comes with two grinding wheels, a cutting wheel, and a wire wheel.
There is a dust port and the grinder comes with a wire lock safety guard that will help to protect the user manually and an electric brake.
What is the best 9 inch angle grinder?
The 9-inch angle grinder should generally be the only angle grinder you will need or want for most home improvement projects, including the ones that I’ve listed below, until you can afford a a bigger and more powerful motor.
The 9-inch angle grinder will cut, grind, and polish just about everything that you will need it to.
What size angle grinders are there?
Usually, the smaller the angle grinder, the easier it is to use. Smaller grinders usually have a more confined space for your hands and are harder to operate.
On the other hand, larger grinders give you the ability to connect your tool to your work. This makes the whole process of grinding smoother.
If you are going to be using it for longer time in a day then the larger angle grinder is of great use.
How do I choose an angle grinder?
The first thing that you have to match with the grinder is the disc of your choice. It is the disc that holds all of the cuttings and does most of the work.
The discs are either made of aluminum oxide, hardened steel, or silicon carbide. All of them are great but serviceable in different applications.
Some discs may include a resin bond while others have a fibre backing. Whatever the case, remember that the grit size, serviceable diameter and applications are the areas that you have to focus on.
The disc spindle should be one that is on its own and not a shaft with other types of attachments on it. It is most effective when it has discs that are reversible featuring crown and flat sides. They are the most efficient angle grinder discs and will give you satisfactory service.
Conclusion
This is a whole lot of power in one small package. The grinding wheel reminded me of an old school steel file, so that was my biggest fear- the wheel wearing out over time and breaking. This tool does not disappoint. It is very solidly built. I would recommend, if you purchase an angle grinder, buy a grinding wheel that is made to withstand high revolutions per minute. As an added bonus this angle grinder is completely equipped with a guard.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Makita 9557PBX1 4-1/2" Paddle Switch Cut-Off/Angle Grinder | Best Overall | |
| DEWALT Grinding Wheel | Budget Pick | |
| Makita XAG04T 18V LXT BL 4-1/2"/ 5" Cut-Off/Angle Grinder Kit | Upgrade Pick | |