The Top 5 Angle Grinders | The Best Angle Grinders

#1 DeWalt D28402K

dewalt d28402k
Score (Rank)

Value: 9/10 (7)

Performance/Ease of Use: 9/10 (3)

Quality: 9/10 (1)

Size/weight: 8.5/10 (4)

Overall Rating: 9/10 (2)

Specifications

  • powerful 10 amp electric motor
  • 11,000 rpm spin speed
  • Lockable paddle switch for safety
  • Model No: D28402K

Pros:

  • Very powerful
  • Reasonably Priced
  • Paddle switch is a very welcome safety feature
  • Fast quick release system works well
  • 10 amp motor offers far greater performance than lesser 7 amp models like the DeWalt 28110
  • Comes with a strong case

Cons:

  • Safety switch can be annoying at times
  • Not much else

The DeWalt D28402K Heavy Duty Small Angle Grinder is one of the bestselling angle grinders on the market and it’s not hard to see why – this machine excels no matter what task is thrown at it. The build quality is exceptional, with a very solid construction and conveniently placed on/off paddle switch giving just the right balance of power and safety. Despite the massive amount of torque that this machine can generate, it is still lightweight and easy to control.The side handle can be easily removed and reattached which makes it especially handy for those jobs that require more stability for added precision. If you are a lefty you need not worry as the handle can be screwed into either side. As for the types of jobs that the DeWalt is best at, it is hard to say since it can manage just about anything – polishing, buffing, sharpening lawn mower blades, and of course cutting – all with the machine performing well without even breaking into a sweat. As for power, the 10 amp, 11,000 RPM motor more than delivers, and with the quick release system working like a charm to quickly swap the curring disks around it really is hard to find fault with this angle grinder.
 
 
Bottom Line: The DeWalt D28402K has been at the top of most online stores’ bestselling lists for quite some time, and the combination of great safety features (the side handle and the quick release system) and impressive power output will take some beating in the angle grinder space. If you are looking for a first class angle grinder, this is the one to go for.

#2 Makita BGA452Z Cordless 4.5 Inch Angle Grinder /Cut Off

makita bare tool angle grinder
Score (Rank)

Value: 8.5/10 (8)

Performance/Ease of Use: 8/10 (6)

Quality: 9/10 (4)

Size/weight: 10/10 (5)

Overall Rating: 9/10 (3)

Specifications

  • powerful 10 amp electric motor
  • 10,000 rpm spin speed
  • Bare-tool/Cordless
  • Model No: BGA452Z

Pros:

  • A lot of torque for a cordless grinder
  • Very well made
  • Charges fast
  • Has a lock on feature

Cons:

  • Not quite as powerful as a corded angle grinder
  • Runs on batteries

The Makita BGA452Z Cordless Angle Grinder has a very small and compact design, but this does not limit its cutting speed of 10,000RPM. This high rotational speed gives this angle grinder a lot more torque than other cordless models, which can often lack power. This model features some good safety features which are designed to prolong the life of the grinder, with an automatic shutoff feature when the control circuit detects that the main motor is over loaded, and this ties in with an LED warning light that shows the user when too much strain is being put on the motor. There is also an underside light that illuminates the cutting surface when working for extra precision. The small size of this angle grinder is surprising given how much torque it can generate – it only weighs just under 6 pounds, making it a small and compact tool that comes in handy for situations that require a bit more flexibility when it comes to cutting.
 
 
Bottom Line: The Makita Bare-Tool BGA452Z gives very favorable impressions when it comes to cutting power, packing an impressive amount of torque in its compact frame. It is unusual in that it has a very impressive 10,000RPM spin rate, which gives this cordless model enough power to compete with corded angle grinders. While it would be silly to expect the same amount of power from a cordless grinder, the BGA452Z is comparable when doing small cuts, and this makes it an ideal grinder for anyone to have in their toolbox. The built in overload display and auto shutdown functions are great, and the icing on the cake has to be the short recharge time – just plug the battery in for 30 minutes when the power has been drained and it is ready to go again. The one downside to this grinder is that the batteries burn out fairly fast, but this is to be expected with all cordless models, and at least the Makita lasts longer than rival models – just make sure you get the 3.0ah battery. Did we mention it even has a lock on? This is, without a doubt, one of the best cordless angle grinders around.

#3 Hitachi G12SR3 4 1/2 Inch Angle Grinder

hitachi angle grinder
Score (Rank)

Value: 9.5/10 (6)

Performance/Ease of Use: 6/10 (2)

Quality: 7/10 (0)

Size/weight: 9/10 (3)

Overall Rating: 7/10 (2)

Specifications

  • 6 amp electric motor
  • 10,000 rpm spin speed
  • Model No: G12SR3

Pros:

  • Cheapest angle grinder in this list
  • Decent enough for the money
  • Solid construction
  • Very small

Cons:

  • Not for heavy duty / extended jobs
  • Small motor

The Hitachi G12SR3 4 ½ inch angle grinder features a 6 amp electric motor, a no load max rotational speed of 10,000 RPM, and is one of the smallest and most lightweight grinders in this line up. At around 3 lbs in weight, the Hitachi can is very portable and well suited to the part-time handyman who will need to use a grinder only occasionally and only has a small storage space for his tools. Despite the low price, this grinder still comes with a carry case and several discs making it the most affordable angle grinder is this roundup. Despite its low price it still manages to come with safety features such as a sealed power switch, preventing debris from getting inside the case, and it comes in a breezy cool sea green color.
 
 
Bottom Line: Eyebrows may be raised at why the Hitachi makes the list, but this is a very affordable angle grinder that romps over all other grinders in a similar price range. Since most people that buy angle grinders online will only be looking for one for occasional use it was felt fitting that this model be included: it may be cheap but it certainly isn’t nasty and it works very efficiently as you would expect of a Japanese engineered machine. For someone who does not want or need to spend a fortune this grinder will be perfect for most light household tasks, so if you don’t need a high end grinder then give the Hitachi a chance.

#4 Bosch 1810PS 4 1/2 Inch Angle Grinder

bosch 1810PS
Score (Rank)

Value: 8/10 (8)

Performance/Ease of Use: 9/10 (2)

Quality: 8/10 (2)

Size/weight: 7/10 (5)

Overall Rating: 8/10 (3)

Specifications

  • 8 amp electric motor
  • 11,000 rpm spin speed
  • Model No: 1810PS

Pros:

  • Can run on DC power
  • Two position side handle makes it easy to use for long periods
  • Auto shutdown feature for debris
  • Low vibration

Cons:

  • Does not come with a case

The Bosch 1810PS 4 ½ Inch Angle Grinder should be lauded for its safety features – it has a built in paddle switch that can power off the grinder in an instant in a dangerous situation, which can only be a good thing. If you have ever been caught out by thumb switch angle grinders such as when the disks catch then you will really appreciate this feature. The paddle switch can be overridden by a lock on switch, and it also is fully sealed so that no debris can get stuck in the mechanism when grinding. The Bosch also has a built in technology that is patented by the company which auto stops the grinder when the brushes are worn out, which also adds to the machine’s safety factor. The machine is easy to use and handles well, with a good level of cutting performance on offer, and the guards are easy to manipulate since you don’t need a tool in order to change the position.
 
 
Bottom Line: The 1810PS is another grinder that weighs in at a tad under 4lb, which makes it easy to handle and control. The vibration on the machine is small when compared to other models, and it is a well engineered machine all round. One negative point is that the grinder does not come with a case, so you will have to buy one separately. Since the 1810PS can also run from DC power, it will find an additional market for those looking for this capacity. Performance wise, this machine is right up there, cutting and grinding everything that is thrown at it with ease, and the design is exemplary, with the machine being extremely comfortable to use over an extended period.

#5 Milwaukee 6088-30 Large 7/9 Inch Angle Grinder

dewalt d28402k
Score (Rank)

Value: 8/10 (6)

Performance/Ease of Use: 9/10 (2)

Quality: 9/10 (2)

Size/weight: 6.5/10 (5)

Overall Rating: 8/10 (3)

Specifications

  • 15 amp electric motor
  • 6,000 rpm spin speed
  • Lockable paddle switch for safety
  • Model No: 6088-30

Pros:

  • Excellent for large jobs
  • Inexpensive for a large grinder
  • Lock on feature

Cons:

  • Heavy at 20lb
  • Overkill for a lot of tasks

If you are looking for a grinder that is a little bit bigger and more powerful for larger jobs then this could very well be just what you need. The Milwaukee 6088-30 Large Angle Grinder is a 15 amp angle grinder, with a lot more power than the smaller models, and it also features a side handle so that you can easy control this power. Additional safety features that are built into the Milwaukee angle grinders are a grinding guard that can be adjusted without the use of a tool and overload protection to prevent any nasty accidents. It has built in debris baffles that are specifically designed to stop any wayward materials getting into the intake vents. The brushes on this angle grinder are also very easy to access since there are small panels that easily open for access. While it operates at 6,000 RPM, the angle grinder does have lock on built in for additional control and safety.
 
 
Bottom Line: If you need to do a lot of grinding work, then the Milwaukee is the kind of heavy duty grinder that can handle heavy repeated use. Coming in at just under 20 lb in weight, this grinder won’t be winning any awards for lightweight construction. To help cope with the heaviness, the side handle has a soft grip which is easy to hold for extended periods, so it is not too bad. If you need a grinder for polishing large areas then this model is ideal, but if you do a lot of occasional cutting jobs then a smaller sized model would probably be best. On the other hand, if you need a grinder that is great to use and can handle large jobs as well as small ones, then the Milwaukee 6088-30 is the one to go for.

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