The 5 Best Angle Grinders – [2022 Reviews & Buyer's Guide]

If you’re into metalworking, construction, or building things in general, you’ll definitely want to learn about the best angle grinder models available.

Angle grinders are also known as disc or side grinders. They use a round disc that spins at high speeds to remove material (grind), cut, sand, sharpen, or polish a variety of surfaces ( Source).

Portability and versatility are two of the most important benefits of using an angle grinder. You don’t have to remove objects that are bolted in place to work on them. Instead, you can take the tool to the object to cut, grind, polish, or sand it.

When shopping for an angle grinder, it’s advantageous to consider a few important variables. Grinder size is an important aspect. For example, a 4-½ inch grinder is ideal for smaller jobs like motorcycle maintenance.

On the other hand, a nine inch model is better for cutting concrete ( Source). Grinders range in size from four inches to massive 12 inch grinders made for industrial use.

Other important characteristics include safety features like automatic shut-off mechanisms, as well as engine size, torque, and whether your grinder is cordless or corded.

Below we expand on all this and more. Let’s dive into the most comprehensive angle grinder review and user guide piece published to date.

Metabo grinders are manufactured in Germany. This is a vote of confidence because German engineering is considered to be among the best in the world.

However, a tool’s country of origin is irrelevant to us. We evaluate power tools by balancing the quality of their features, performance, price, popularity, and lifespan. Below are the variables that landed the Metabo Quick Angle Grinder at the top of our list.

It’s hard to find a super-solid, heavy-duty angle grinder that is also compact and easy to use. But we found one in this Metabo model. It only weighs six pounds, which isn’t that heavy for an angle grinder.

However, its 1,700 watt Metabo Marathon-motor reaches a maximum speed of 11,000 revolutions per minute (RPM). It has the force of a larger, power grinder, and the compactness of a small grinder. This lets it provide some of the fastest, most efficient material removal available for a grinder in its price range.

We’ll start with its variable speed control since that was our deciding factor in ranking it second on the list. Variable speed control is just what it sounds like—the ability to shift between speeds while working a job. This is important when tackling complex projects; some projects are too much for a single-speed grinder.

For example, sanding paint is difficult if you’re using a single-speed grinder because higher speeds produce more friction. That friction, in turn, produces heat that melts the paint into the sanding disc. The ability to drop the Bosch Variable-Speed Angle Grinder’s speed as low as 2,800 RPM makes paint removal breeze. Plus, switching speeds is a seamless process for this grinder.

It may seem hard to believe that a model under $100 landed at number three on our list. However, this DeWalt 4 ½ inch angle grinder is full of surprises. We found that out for ourselves in the workshop while testing it.

We even considered ranking it higher, but the two above won out in the end. Regardless, this affordable tool is among the very best angle grinder models out there, which is impressive considering its price tag. Let’s dig into why it ranked so high.

Price doesn’t directly align with quality and this DeWalt proves that. It’s on the heavier end of the spectrum, weighing 7.7 pounds. That’s heavy enough to withstand a beating, but not too heavy to use for an extended period of time. When you consider its physical dimensions (it’s not a large grinder) in relation to its weight, it becomes obvious how solid the DeWalt (DWE402) Angle Grinder actually is.

This DeWalt is an average sized grinder when compared to many. Despite its solid construction and design, it still allows you to reach and use the tool in tight spaces. As mentioned above, not having to remove fixed objects to work on them is a major benefit of angle grinders.

Let’s say you want to cut something that’s screwed into the wall and all you have is a circular saw. It’s time to get out the drill, remove it, cut it, screw it back in, etc. Angle grinders allow you to squeeze into that tight space where the object is and cut it then and there. This DeWalt’s low-profile gear case makes that possible.

Coming in at number four on our list is a large, nine inch grinder from Japanese power tool producer, Makita. This Makita grinder is heavy, large, and it can slice through metal like it was warm butter.

Most users would never need a 9 inch disc grinder. Their disc capacity is simply too large for most jobs. However, some users do need so much disc space, so we began testing 9 inch models. When we came to the Makita 9 Inch Grinder, we knew we’d found the right one. We’ll explain why.

With its large disc capacity, this Makita 9 inch grinder packs a punch like Mike Tyson. Plus, it has the stamina of Cassius Clay.

When you use such a large grinding disc, each full 360-degree rotation takes more time. But the reduction in RPM is compensated for by the power you get from such a large grinding disc. It’s doubtful any other grinder on our list would get in the ring with this Makita hand tool. That’s because most models are 4.5 inch grinders—the Makita 9 Inch Grinder is twice their size.

Milwaukee (officially, “The Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation”) started producing tools in 1924. In that year, they introduced and started producing the first lightweight, handheld, quarter-inch electric drill. They’ve been making reliable power tools ever since, including this cordless grinder. Let’s dig into why the Milwaukee Cordless Angle Grinder ranked fifth on our list.

You may expect a battery angle grinder to be a little weaker than your average corded angle grinder. But that’s not the case with the Milwaukee Cordless Grinder. It delivers just as much power as mid-spectrum corded grinders. Its 4-pole motor puts out maximum power, whether you’re grinding, cutting, or sanding.

The advantage here is that you can walk 300 meters from your house and use your grinder. The disadvantage is that you can only use it until the battery runs out of juice. However, you can solve that problem by purchasing multiple batteries and carrying them with you.

This beefy hulk weighs over 16 pounds—that’s more than five times the lightest angle grinder on our list. That amount of weight helps stabilize the grinder when cutting through thick metal. Plus, this goliath accommodates either a 7 or 9 inch cutting disc, making it a versatile hulk of a grinder.

Moreover, it’s over 20 inches long if that helps drive home its bulkiness. If power and force are what you’re after, take a closer look to see if it’s a good fit for you.

As you might have gleaned from the above description of its size, this grinder was built for both home and professional use. It features unmatched power for a grinder of its size. Its 5.3 horsepower (HP), 15 amp motor can run a 9 inch blade at 6,000 RPM. Plus, it features overload protection, which guarantees faster-operating speeds, regardless of load size. The DeWalt 5.3 HP Angle Grinder gives you a smooth, highly accurate, and precise cut every time.

Don’t judge a book by its cover. The Bosch Angle Grinder 1375A may be small, but so was Spud Webb (5’7”) when he beat Dominique Wilkins (6’8”) in the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

This Bosch grinder showboats a 6.0 amp motor capable of reaching a maximum speed of 11,000 RPM. It truly is the Spud Webb of angle grinders. If you don’t believe that, order one and try it out—they’re easily affordable enough to purchase for a test drive.

That’s not SKIL’s official motto—I just made it up. But it certainly applies to the SKIL 9296-01 Angle Grinder. It features a non-locking paddle which instantly powers down the grinder if it is dropped or slips out of your hand.

Plus, it weighs less than five pounds, reducing the likelihood that it will slip out of your hand. It would be a great choice for beginners. We don’t say that because it lacks features—quite the contrary. We say that because it’s highly affordable and safe, with features that hold their own against much more expensive grinders.

Also known as “angle grinders wheels,” discs are measured by their diameter (using inches in the United States). Typically, you’ll see a grinder’s power increase alongside the size of its disc.

You can purchase a variety of angle grinder discs, and each one is used for a different purpose. Below, in our FAQ section, we cover what the most popular types are used for. But, to be thorough, below is a broader list of various types of grinder discs.

Here we’re referring to the speed—measured in RPM—your disc can spin while not in contact with any material. When in use, the resistance generated by the material you’re grinding, cutting, etc., slows the disc down. Then, the power of the grinder’s motor and the material you’re working on determines how quickly it can grind.

Generally speaking, slower speeds produce less friction-generated heat and are quieter. Faster speeds are louder and produce more heat. The ideal speed for any job is determined by the disc you’re using and the material you’re working on.

In addition to adjustable disc guards, innovation from every direction in the market is driving more effective safety features. A few of those value-added safety features are described below.

You should always use caution while using an angle grinder; they can be dangerous tools. Digesting the information below will help prevent injury and ensure long-term future use of your grinder. Many of the best angle grinders today include at least a few of the features below.

More importantly, it makes the tool more comfortable and safer to use.

A lock/unlock feature lets users lock their grinder in the off position, which makes changing discs much safer. They can also use it while adjusting or moving their material in the middle of a job.

This prevents accidental start-ups that could cause serious bodily damage. This is ideal for longer projects because you can continue grinding for long periods of time without exhausting your hand.

First, if you don’t know, a paddle switch requires you to keep pressure on a lever for the grinder to function. They are also referred to as “Deadman Switches.”

If you’ve used a standard garden hose, you’re familiar with its handle trigger—when pressure is applied water comes out. But, if you drop it, you automatically release pressure on the trigger and the water flow halts.

Similarly, a paddle switch must be held down for the grinder to function. If you accidentally drop it, it shuts off automatically—in one or two seconds. Paddle switch grinders are best suited for shorter projects. Applying pressure for an hour is rough on your wrist and hand.

Brushed motors were introduced in the 19th century and use a direct electrical current as their power source. They are still common today and are primarily used by larger machines like cranes, paper-producing machines, and steel mills.

Users can control their speed easily, meaning they are all technically variable speed motors. However, their brushes wear out and must be replaced periodically. This means more maintenance is required, which, in turn, means they are more expensive in the long run.

The heavier your angle grinder is, the more challenging it will be to use it for long periods of time. The weight spectrum of angle grinders is broad. Our top 10 list features a lightweight grinder that weighs a mere 3.1 pounds—the Bosch Angle Grinder 1375A. On the other hand, the DeWalt 53 HP Grinder weighs 14.9 pounds (nearly five times as much as the Bosch).

We mention this often, but “best” is a subjective concept thst depends largely on how you define the word and evaluate potential candidates. For us, “best” means looking for the ideal balance between features, performance, price, popularity, and lifespan.

Considering those variables, we feel the best angle grinder brands today are Makita, DeWalt, Metabo, and Bosch.

We won’t rank them from one to four and those names are not listed in any type of order. But considering the variables listed above, we’d call these four brands the best.

It has production facilities around the world and brings in billions of dollars annually through global sales. The company clearly knows what it’s doing; in my time testing all types of tools, I am yet to meet a Makita that I dislike.

Post-acquisition, Hitachi decided to keep Metabo’s branding due to its reputation as a high-caliber manufacturer of professional-grade power tools.

Metabo sells everything from industrial-grade vacuum cleaners and air compressors to saws, drills, and angle grinders. If performance and quality were the only variables we evaluated on, we’d likely call Metabo the clear winner of the title, “best angle grinder brand in the world.” But their products are cost-prohibitive to many so we can’t.

Bosch is also a German brand and is the oldest of them all. The company was founded in 1886, by Robert Bosch, and has stayed in the family ever since. Unlike the other three, Bosch maintains a presence in various markets in addition to power tools. Over 60% of their total sales come from their mobility division, which produces hardware and software technology for vehicles and other transport mechanisms.

Sanding: If you have ever used sandpaper you know how effective it can be. However, angle grinders can complete the same job with a sanding disc (also known as sander pads). But they are more dynamic than traditional power sanders. Just be sure any sander discs you purchase fit and are compatible with your grinder.

Cutting: Get your hands on an angle grinder cutting wheel if you need to cut through thick materials. You can use an angle grinder to cut through metal, ceramics, brick, various stones, concrete, glass block, and stucco, to name a few. They are often used instead of saws because of their maneuverability.

Polishing – Angle grinders’ discs spin at extremely high speeds. They are ideal for putting a shiny new finish on a variety of materials. Of course, you must use a polishing disc to accomplish this.

Pneumatic grinders are smaller, lighter, use smaller discs that spin faster, and are meant for jobs that require maximum precision. We didn’t mention them above because, in essence, they are a different tool. They are also called “air grinders.”

To illustrate the size difference, check out the Ingersoll Rand 5102MAX Air Die (pneumatic) Grinder, one of the best available. It weighs 1.4 pounds, is 4 inches long, and reaches a maximum speed of 25,000 RPM. Compare that to the Metabo Quick Angle Grinder, which is 13 inches long. Then look at the Makita 9 Inch Angle Grinder, which weighs 14 pounds and tops out at 6,900 RPM.

Using the correct disc and speed for the material you’re working on, you’re unlikely to break your angle grinder. However, if you’re using the wrong disc and speed for the material, the risk of breaking your grinder tool increases.

You’re more likely to break the disc than the grinder itself. But if the disc breaks, it’s likely to get jammed in your grinder while spinning at a high speed. That is the most likely potential cause of breaking your angle grinder.

Perhaps instead of grinding, you’ve got your eye set on sanding, cutting, or polishing. Fortunately, it doesn’t matter which of those jobs you want to start with, an angle grinder will become your partner in all of the above.

As you evaluate options, consider your intended use and budget. Which material will you be working on? Which function will you use most? Are you planning to tackle large projects or smaller ones? If you plan on cutting, will you be cutting thick or thin materials?

The answers to those questions should help determine the grinder model you purchase. With a little research, you can easily find the best angle grinder for your unique needs.

Take your time and don’t rush your decision. There are hundreds of models to choose from. If you patiently conduct your research and carefully consider the insight in this article, you’ll come out on top. Plus, you already have a head start; now you know about the 10 best grinders available.

If you have already done your research and aligned your needs with one of the models above, you can move forward and buy one of the 10 best today. Happy grinding. Or sanding. Or cutting. Or polishing.