Affiliate Disclosure:This Old House’s Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services. To support this business model, This Old House may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website.
An angle grinder is a unique power tool that’s used to cut, finish, and polish a variety of materials, such as metal and tile. To help you find a model that’s right for your DIY projects, our team researched the best angle grinders on the market today. You can also check out our tool buying guide to learn more about shopping smart for tools.
Here are our top recommendations.
Top 4 Angle Grinders
- Best Cordless: DEWALT 20-Volt MAX Brushless Grinder
- Best Case: Makita 4.5-Inch Angle Grinder
- Most Lightweight: Bosch 4.5-Inch Angle Grinder
- Best Accessories: Metabo HPT Angle Grinder
Compare Top Angle Grinders
| Product | Design | Power Level | Grinder Set | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT 20-Volt MAX Brushless Grinder | Cordless | 20 volts | 4.5 inches | 3.75 pounds |
| Makita 4.5-Inch Angle Grinder | Corded | 7.5 amps | 4.5 inches | 4.5 pounds |
| Bosch 4.5-Inch Angle Grinder | Corded | 6 amps | 4.5 inches | 3.08 pounds |
| Metabo HPT Angle Grinder | Corded | 6.2 amps | 4.5 inches | 4 pounds |
| Product | Design | Power Level | Grinder Set | Weight |
Best Cordless Grinder
DEWALT 20-Volt MAX Brushless Grinder
- $158.7
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features a two-stage trigger that requires two actions to activate the tool for more safety
✔ Has a kickback brake that quickly engages when a pinch, stall, or bind-up event is detected
✔ The brake is designed to stop the wheel in two seconds
✘ The battery and charger are sold separately
✘ Not as powerful as its corded counterparts
Key Features
- Cordless design
- 20 volts
- 4.5-inch grinder
- 3.75 pounds
- Three-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers said that the DEWALT 20-Volt MAX Brushless Grinder was powerful, portable, ergonomic, and dependable. On the other hand, dissatisfied customers said that the grinder’s battery needed frequent recharges.
Best Case
Makita 4.5-Inch Angle Grinder
- $109
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features metal gear housing for durability
✔ The included Makita diamond blade features turbo-rim engineering to provide a smoother cut
✔ The gear housing can rotate 90 degrees to the left or right
✘ Can only operate at a single speed
✘ The large case takes up a lot of workshop space
Key Features
- Corded design
- 7.5 amps
- 4.5-inch grinder
- 4.5 pounds
- One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers said that this grinder worked well for small and medium projects. Several also expressed appreciation for the included organizational case. Those who were disappointed with their purchase said that the motor overheated frequently and that the order sometimes arrived with missing parts.
Most Lightweight
Bosch 4.5-Inch Angle Grinder
- $101.44
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Coated with a specialized epoxy to protect against abrasive debris
✔ Has a sealed switch to protect it from debris
✔ Has an eight-foot cord for enhanced mobility
✘ May require an adapter for use with some wheels and accessories
✘ Comes with a short one-year warranty
Key Features
- Corded design
- 6 amps
- 4.5-inch grinder
- 3 pounds
- One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers said that the Bosch 4.5-Inch Angle Grinder was versatile, dependable, lightweight, and reasonably priced. Reviewers who left negative reviews said that this product couldn’t handle heavy-duty projects. Some customers also received incomplete orders.
Best Accessories
Metabo HPT Angle Grinder
- $39
- $49
- 20% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ The new motor design provides better cooling efficiency and durability
✔ Equipped with a smaller grip to reduce hand fatigue
✔ The included case is skinny to fit in tight places
✘ The included grinding wheels can’t be used for masonry projects
✘ May not be ideal for buffing or polishing
Key Features
- Corded design
- 6.2 amps
- 4.5-inch grinder
- 4pounds
- Five-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers said that this grinder was powerful and dependable. They also liked that it didn’t have issues with overheating. Though there weren’t many low-rated reviews, a few customers expressed issues with weak power output.
Buying Guide to Angle Grinders
Before purchasing an angle grinder, it’s important to consider how its design and specifications impact its user experience and performance. Here are four factors to think about as you’re combing through your options.
Power Source
Angle grinders are available in corded and cordless models. Corded angle grinders are high-powered tools that can be used over a long period. Despite their efficiency, a corded angle grinder’s mobility is limited to the length of its power or extension cord.
Cordless angle grinders aren’t restrained by power cords, as they’re powered by high-efficiency batteries instead. While battery-powered grinders are convenient, they’re typically more expensive and less powerful than their corded counterparts.
Disc Size
Most angle grinders are distinguished by their compatible disc size, with most models accepting 4.5-inch discs. A 4.5-inch angle grinder is powerful enough to handle most DIY projects. However, consider an angle grinder with a larger disc if you need to cut thicker materials.
Speed
An angle grinder’s speed is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). A higher-RPM model can cut through material quicker than a lower-RPM model. Most angle grinders offer between 8,000 and 10,000 RPM, though some efficient models run at over 11,000 RPM. Typically, cordless angle grinders run at lower speeds than corded models.
Additional Features
Many angle grinders have additional features that make them safer or easier to use. For example, the Metabo HPT Store Angle Grinder has an easy-to-use power switch for safe starts and an attachable side handle for more control.
Frequently Asked Questions About Angle Grinders
What are angle grinders used for?
Angle grinders are versatile power tools that can be used for a variety of tasks, such as cutting tile, removing grout, and polishing metal.
Can I cut concrete with my angle grinder?
Yes. You can cut concrete with an angle grinder that has an appropriate concrete blade. Most concrete projects call for segmented diamond blades.
Should I wear gloves when I’m using my angle grinder?
Yes. Wearing gloves protects your hands from the blade and flying sparks; also, wear eye and ear protection.
How We Selected the Best Angle Grinders
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of angle grinders with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published numerous tool reviews, from cordless drills and impact drivers to tape measures and laser levels.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.