The 7 Best Angle Grinders in 2024 - Angle Grinders Reviews

Oct 17, 2024

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With its circular grinding wheels that chew through materials like metal, tile, and stone, an angle grinder is an indispensable tool for any home workshop. Its versatility even extends to sharpening tools, polishing metal, and grinding out mortar.

Sometimes called disc grinders or side grinders, angle grinders range in size from 4.5-inch models for common jobs, such as cutting through metal rods or grinding through tile, to 9-inch grinders for larger industrial applications.

The angle grinders included in this guide are designed for the average homeowner, with a few professional-grade models thrown in for more serious DIYers. Read on to find out what you should consider when shopping for an angle grinder along with the best angle grinders we recommend.

Corded models never run out of power and are more affordable and run at higher max speeds than their cordless counterparts. Power output for a corded angle grinder ranges from 7 amps to 13 amps with greater amperage equating to higher speed.While corded angle grinders win the power output matchup against their cordless cousins, they’re more awkward to work with, and you run the risk of cutting into the cord if you’re not careful.

Use a cordless angle grinder virtually anywhere without worrying about a dangling cord that might twist you in knots. Of course, the limitation with this type of grinder is run time, as you’re at the mercy of a rechargeable battery when working with a cordless model. Cordless angle grinders also cost more and don't offer the same speeds as corded models.

Angle grinders vary in the size cutting or grinding wheels they use. They range from as small as 3 inches up to 9 inches, with 4.5 to 5 inches being the most common size. A 4.5- to 5-inch angle grinder is also the ideal choice for DIYers because it’s most suitable for cutting tile or sheet metal, removing grout, or polishing metal. Smaller 3-inch mini angle grinders are ideal for working in tight spaces, including up against walls or in corners. Angle grinders designed for using 7- to 9-inch discs are for heavy-duty jobs, such as cutting through thick metal pipes or a car’s steel frame.

An angle grinder's max speed is given in revolutions per minute (RPMs), which range from 5,000 to 11,000 with corded electric models and smaller angle grinders producing the fastest speeds. While angle grinders that produce higher speeds cut through materials more quickly, those faster speeds also create more friction, which wears out a disc more quickly or even causes a disc to break apart, hurling shards of the disk through the air. With this in mind, make sure to only use disks with a rating that matches or exceeds the max speed of the angle grinder. Most cordless angle grinders also have brushless motors, which helps to extend their run time on a single charge while allowing the angle grinder to reach higher speeds.

Angle grinders come equipped with either a slide switch or paddle switch. A paddle switch, which is built into the handle of the tool, requires you to keep pressure on the switch to keep the blade spinning. With this trigger design, the tool automatically shuts off if the angle grinder slips out of your hand. While this added safety feature offers an extra layer of protection, the angle grinder becomes more difficult to use when holding the tool at odd angles or with heavy gloves. Slide switches turn the tool on when you flip it on and don’t require you to maintain pressure on the trigger to keep the motor running. While this style trigger makes the tool easier to use, it’s not as safe since the blade will continue turning if the angle grinder slips out of your hand.

Many angle grinder features improve both safety and ease of use.. Need to hold your grinder in different positions for a project? Most models include handles that mount to different parts of the tool. To protect both the grinder’s motor and the operator, a built-in fast brake feature stops the blade when a trigger is released. Some angle grinders automatically shut off their own motor via a clutch if the blade binds while cutting, preventing dangerous kickback while protecting the motor from overheating. A restart protection feature prevents the angle grinder from turning on when electricity is restored following a power outage.

Having used angle grinders in the past to cut out old tile, remove grout, and slice through metal rebar, I’m familiar with what to look for when shopping for one of these power tools. Since I haven’t used all of the tools on this list, I supplemented my first-hand experience with plenty of research, comparing the specs and user reviews for top models at such retailers as Lowe’s and Amazon. I limited my selection to angle grinders tailored to meet the needs of DIYers, including those who may use an angle grinder often and those who may only need this tool’s services every once in a while. My selections come from some of the best known names in power tools, including DeWalt, Bosch, Craftsman, and Kobalt.

If you find yourself using an angle grinder fairly regularly, then it makes sense to invest in this top of the line cordless model from DeWalt. This 4.5-inch angle grinder boasts a max speed of 8,000 RPM, for grinding through grout or cutting through metal faster. It also comes with useful features that protect both you and the tool, including a kickback brake that automatically engages when the blade binds up or pinches in material.

Its over-molded ergonomic grip, a feature DeWalt’s power tools are known for, makes it comfortable to hold over long cutting or grinding jobs. It’s on the pricey side, but if you want a nimble yet powerful angle grinder, this is the one.

With its 7.5-amp output, Porter Cable’s 4.5-inch angle grinder is a greater light duty corded option. It produces 10,000 RPM, ample power for cutting through masonry or metal pipe, as well as other projects around the house. It also has three different handle positions that make it easier to hold at a variety of angles.

At just 3.5 pounds, it’s one of the lighter angle grinders you’ll find. It lacks some of the additional features you’ll find on other angle grinders, such as auto-shutoff and a fast brake, but it also costs about half the price of angle grinders with those bells and whistles.

Kobalt, the in-house tool brand for Lowe’s, has made a name for itself by packing tremendous power into its cordless power tools. Where other cordless angle grinders have 18-volt motors, Kobalt puts a 24-volt brushless motor in its angle grinder. The result produces loads of power to the tune of 8,500 RPM with a large 5-inch wheel.

The Kobalt angle grinder comes with a long paddle trigger for increased safety and an auxiliary handle that’s mountable in multiple places and easy to operate. You also get six blades in this kit, a far larger set of starter wheels than most offer. It’s a powerful cordless angle grinder at a surprisingly affordable price.

If you only need to occasionally sharpen a blade, there’s no need to spend hundreds on a top of the line angle grinder. This 4.5-inch corded model offers ample power at a much lower price point. With its 7.5-amp motor, it reaches speeds of up to 12,000 RPM, plenty of juice for any angle-grinding job. Its paddle-style switch cuts off the blade should you lose your grip on it. Change its wheel in a flash thanks to its tool-free wheel adjustment.

The Craftsman lacks overload protection, a feature you’ll find on pricier angle grinders. That said, if you only need an angle grinder every so often, this value option gets the job done.

This 4.5-inch angle grinder from one of the top brands in power tools offers exceptional cutting performance. With its 11-amp motor, it cuts at a top speed of 11,000 RPM, more than enough to grind through stone or sheet metal. A rounded handle and large lever-style trigger make it easy to hold the tool at various angles. It also has tool-free wheel changes, and it works with both 4.5- and 5-inch wheels (the latter when used without a guard).

While it lacks variable speed control, this angle grinder keeps the motor safe should the wheel get bogged down while cutting. If you don’t mind the cord, it’s a reasonably priced angle grinder with excellent power and the build quality that comes with a premium tool brand.

If you prioritize power and versatility, this cordless angle grinder takes the cake. It takes 5- or 6-inch wheels for use on a broad range of projects. And its brushless motor produces speeds up to a whopping 8,500 RPM—the equivalent of a 13-amp corded grinder. It also eliminates the need for a spanner wrench to make wheel changes with its tool-free locking system.

Though the Bosch 6-inch angle grinder is powered by a slide switch, it balances that with safety features including restart protection and a clutch that cuts off the wheel if it binds, helping to prevent dangerous kickback.

This compact cordless Bosch angle grinder cuts quickly and cleanly through tile or pipes located in spots that are too tight for a full-sized model. At just 3 inches long and weighing only a pound and half without a battery, you can wield it one-handed and comfortably fit it into tight spots.

While its cutting depth is limited by its 3-inch blade, it cuts through most tiles. The small blade coupled with a brushless motor also produces a high max speed of 19,500 RPM, so it cuts very quickly. Bosch’s 3-inch angle grinder also comes with several built-in safety features, including overload protection, fast braking, and restart protection.

Tony Carrick is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in technology, home improvement, DIY, home security, and outdoor recreation. He’s tested and written about everything from home security systems to power tools to gas grills. His product guides, how-to articles, and feature stories can be found in such publications as Bob Vila, Angi, U.S. News and World Report, Field & Stream, Futurism, and Switchful. When Tony isn’t writing, he can be found working on his latest home improvement effort at his home in North Carolina.

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