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Last updated on February 26, 2021
The best-corded angle grinder for most jobs is a 4.5-inch model, this is a good mix of blade size and portability. For deep concrete cutting that requires more depth, you instead want the best 9-inch angle grinder from Bosch that has shock-absorbing pivot points on the handle.
Makita, Bosch, And Dewalt make the best angle grinders for grinding and cutting, steel, and concrete surfaces.
When it comes to angle grinders you want a 4.5-inch tool it’s safer and easier for general purpose cutting and grinding.
Best 4.5-inch angle grinder
#1 Best Makita angle grinder
Makita GA4542C 4.5-inch high power angle grinder 12 amps
- Has a secure and comfortable handle for safe use.
- Adjustable blade guard.
- Powerful and efficient 12 Amps motor.
- Smooth running and nearly vibration-free during use.
#2 Best Dewalt angle grinder
Dewalt DWE402 11-amp 4.5-inch angle grinder 11 amps
- Very smooth, low vibration performance.
- Safe and easy-to-use paddle switch.
- Most discs can are changeable without using tools.
- The paddle switch is a bit hard to push and often doesn’t stay down.
- The unit is a bit bulky.
- The cord is a little too short.
#3 Best Bosch angle grinder
Bosch GWS10-45P 4.5-inch angle grinder 10 amps
- The motor is still powerful enough for most jobs.
- Solid build quality inspires confidence.
- Has a comfortable grip trigger.
- The large paddle can be awkward to use.
- You might have to rotate the cutting head for better performance.
- Can be challenging to use when wearing gloves.
#4 A DIY angle grinder
SKIL 9296-01 4.5-inch angle grinder 7.5 amps
- Has a paddle switch.
- Convenient wrench holder.
- Motor stops immediately when dropped or placed down.
- Bends to heat up when used for long periods.
- Starting to get underpowered at 7.5amps.
#5 Milwaukee angle grinder
Milwaukee 6130-33 4.5-inch angle grinder 7 amp
- Tidy design.
- Excellent build quality ensures long tool life.
- Inexpensive enough so you could purchase several units for use with different attachments.
- Not powerful enough for heavy-duty grinding jobs.
#6 Small DIY grinder
Craftsman 4.5-inch inch angle grinder 6.5a
- Good balance of power and weight.
- Comes with a grinding wheel and an installation wrench.
- Not suitable for cutting brick, stone, or concrete.
- DIY model really.
- Again underpowered at 6.5amps.
#7 DIY Bosch grinder
Bosch 1375A 4.5-inch angle grinder 6 amps
- Minimal vibration and low noise.
- Can cut and grind sheet metal and steel bars.
- Nice comfortable barrel.
- Quick and easy disc changes.
- Cheap pro brand.
- Switch often pops up.
- Underpowered for any more than a basic task.
#8 The cheapest grinder
Black+decker BDEG400 4.5 inch angle grinder 6 amps
- Stays cool even when used for long periods.
- Can accommodate even large buffing wheels.
- Reasonably sturdy construction for a DIY model.
- The spanner tool used for changing discs is very flimsy.
- A DIY brand tool.
- Not many amps at all.
Best 5-inch angle grinder
#1 Best 5-inch angle grinder
Bosch GWS13-50VSP high-performance 5-inch angle grinder 13amp
- Especially useful for heavy-duty polishing at low speeds.
- Good comfortable handle.
- Variable speed and soft start functions.
- Powers turns off if pushed too hard as a safety feature to avoid kickback.
- Weight can be uncomfortable to use for long periods compared to a smaller grinder.
#2 5-inch Makita angle grinder
Makita 5-inch angle grinder 12amp
- Changing discs is fast and easy.
- Soft-start function.
- Variable speed dial.
- Handles a variety of jobs with the right disc.
- Weights a bit more for long use.
#3 Dewalt 5-inch grinder
Dewalt DW831 5-inch angle grinder 12 amp
- Very Durable tool.
- Can do everything you expect it should.
- A bit pricy.
- Heavy.
#4 Makita 5-inch grinder
Makita GA5020Y 5-inch angle grinder with super joint system 10.5amp
- Good weight-to-power ratio.
- Handles even tough materials without bogging down.
- The brake feature reduces the risk of kickback.
- Good usable shape.
- A little less power than the 2 above.
Best 9-inch angle grinder
1# Bosch 9-inch angle grinder
Bosch 1994-6 9-inch large angle grinder 15 amp
- Nice weight and balance making it easy to use, even for a 9- inch grinder.
- Plenty of torque for cutting and grinding jobs.
- Fast and very smooth operation due to flexible pivot points on handles.
- Blade guard doesn’t require tools.
- Cheaper option.
- None.
#2 Best concrete grinder
Makita GA9040S 9-inch angle grinder soft start technology 15amp
- Powerful enough to cut through the densest materials with a deep cut in, concrete, stone, and masonry blocks.
- The rotating handle makes it very comfortable to use.
- Soft start feature ramps up to speed safely
- Solid build quality.
- Not as balanced as the Bosch.
Introduction
An angle grinder is one of the most versatile tools you can have in your workshop for cutting steel and grinding. As you may have guessed from the name, angle grinders are useful for a wide variety of grinding jobs, including making cuts at any angle in both metal and masonry work.
Angle grinders can also be used for cutting tile, wood, and metal, and they can handle sanding, sharpening, and polishing tasks as well but it would be better to get a bench grinding machine for this.
When fitted with the right wheel, there is almost nothing that a good electric angle grinder can’t do. It is this ability to accommodate a broad variety of discs and attachments that make grinders able to do many metal and masonry cutting tasks.
Angle grinders have spindle washers and nuts that you can install in varying combinations so that you can attach different types and sizes of wheels. Washers and nuts usually aren’t necessary when using wire wheels or cup stone attachments.
You can also use grinders with abrasive wheels for polishing and grinding work. Although most wheels look alike, each is designed for a different purpose, so make sure you are using the right one for the job you want to perform.
Wheels or discs are available in various sizes, from 4” to 9”. For most cutting and grinding work, a 4” or 4.5” disc is usually sufficient.
Although it might seem that you can work faster with a 9” wheel, larger cutting discs are generally more dangerous to use. They make angle grinders more prone to kick back and spinning out of control, putting the user at risk for serious injury. Many construction sites nowadays do not allow the use of 9” grinders due to the increased risk of injury involved.
In any case, you should be able to perform most cutting and grinding jobs with a smaller disc. If you have to work with masonry or hard metal, it is generally safer to go with a high-amp grinder with a smaller cutting disc.
The work will be a little slower. But the tradeoff is definitely worth the safer operation and reduced risk of injury as its relatively easy to handle a small grinder even if it does kickback.
Features to consider
- Disc size. Angle grinders come in a variety of disc sizes, from 4” to 9”. There is an increased risk of injury with larger 9” discs, so it would be best to go with 4” or 4.5” discs.
- Rated amps. To compensate for smaller disc sizes, go for a grinder with a suitably powerful motor. For most cutting and grinding jobs, a 5 to 9 amp motor is advisable.
- Handle comfort. A grinder should have a secure and comfortable handle. This helps you maintain control over the tool and reduces the risk of injury.
- Slow start tech. A grinder with a slow start feature gradually builds up to optimal speed when you press the starter switch, instead of starting at full bore. This prevents the tool from jumping or leaping out of your hand when you turn it on, making it safer to use.
Before buying an angle grinder…
As with all power tools, I recommend going with a professional model from brands such as DeWalt, Makita, and Bosch. These brands are known for high-performance tools that deliver pro-level build and quality, and you could expect to get many years of use from them.
Most DIY grinders simply don’t have enough power to cut through hard materials efficiently, and you will end up having to buy a better model anyway.
DIY grinders with low speed and amps, slow the cutting blade down under the lightest pressure, this then makes the blades wear out incredibly quickly making them expensive to use.
Make sure to have enough power. (Amps)
The higher the wattage and amperage rating of an angle grinder, the more power it will have. Always choose a model with as high an amp rating as you can afford, as this will provide you with sufficient power for even the toughest jobs.
The last thing you want is to get all your materials ready only to find that your angle grinder doesn’t provide enough cutting power to get any serious work done.
Keep in mind that bigger discs require more power than smaller discs. If you plan on using your angle grinder with the larger 7 or 9” discs, make sure that your grinder’s motor is up to the task.
Make sure to have enough cutting depth. (Disc Size)
Angle grinders come in a few different disc sizes, from 4.5” to 9”. As I mentioned previously, larger discs will require more powerful motors. While a larger disc might seem preferable, you don’t necessarily want to buy a grinder with the largest disc you can find.
Instead, it would be better to make your choice based on the tasks you need to perform. For precision work, for instance, you would be better off with a smaller disc coupled with a powerful grinder.
Furthermore, as I mentioned in the introduction to this review, larger 9” discs are riskier to use than smaller discs. Unless you need to make deep cuts into masonry, it is better to go with a smaller disc even if you can make several smaller cuts instead.
Get a tool that is built to last.
Your angle grinder will likely go through considerable stress and wear-and-tear, so it should be able to perform consistently without breaking down.
With professional models from the major brands I mentioned previously, you should be able to count on consistent and reliable performance.
Consider the price of the unit.
Good angle grinders are actually pretty cheap. Even some of the best models from the brands mentioned above are priced reasonably, and you can get good value for your money by doing a bit of comparison shopping.
As always, I strongly suggest you get the best model you can at the price you are comfortable with, instead of settling for the cheapest DIY grinder you can find.
Corded vs. Cordless angle grinders?
As with most power tools, corded grinders typically provide the most power but the choice often comes down between corded and battery powered grinder.
If you need to cut hard materials regularly, a corded model would be the obvious choice. And of course, corded grinders never run out of power or have to be charged, so they are better suited for situations when there is not a need to cut a lot of material.
That said, newer cordless models–particularly those from the top brands–have enough power for even the most demanding jobs. Some even have similar actions as corded models, so you should be able to get used to their performance pretty quickly.
Should you opt for a corded or a cordless grinder? If you are going to be doing a lot of concrete cutting, it would be best to go for a corded model, simply because concrete cutting can chew battery power.
If you are working mostly with cutting reinforcing steel, a cordless model would be the better option. Running around on a house foundation with a corded grinder becomes a real mess with the lead getting tangled.
Also, consider going cordless if you will be doing a lot of work in confined spaces or areas that don’t have a power outlet nearby. Generally for DIY use, I recommend getting a corded grinder as you can do both grinding and cutting with only the one tool.
For tradespeople, it’s best to have a big Amp corded model, and a cordless model. To saves the time of running leads for cutting reinforcing steel. And you still have a high amp corded grinder for cutting masonry, fast grinding of timber and concrete.
What is the best grinder to cut steel?
Mostly angle grinders can be used to cut all types of metals. With a good cutting wheel installed, angle grinders can cut through steel sheets, reinforcing steel, and take sections out of metal rods or bars, and even split bolts and screws. This is especially useful when you need to cut off the heads of stuck bolts.
All these are pretty heavy-duty jobs and will place considerable stress and wear not on your angle grinder but actually just the blade, therefore the downfall is having to replace the blades often when cutting steel, there are tips and methods for making your grinder blade last much longer though down below.
Unlike masonry and grinding blades that last a long time, steel-cut of blades should be purchased in bulk to save money. You will have to make sure that your tool is durable and has the amps to maintain enough power to cut with-out burning out the motor. So get a corded high amp tool for anything other than simple cutting.
A 4.5-inch angle grinder is a good balance between power and control and should be used instead of a 9-inch angle grinder for safety reasons unless you absolutely need the extra depth for cutting.
Choosing the best angle grinder?
#1 Best overall angle grinder
The Makita GA4542C is a high-performance angle grinder that combines power, durability, and comfort in an ergonomic design. It can handle a wide variety of jobs from grinding to polishing and even cutting.
With a 4.5” blade, it has a 12-amp motor that is powerful enough to cut through steel and masonry. It has a mechanical gear drive system that prevents damage to the motor when the spinning disc encounters excessive resistance.
This makes the Makita GA4542C 4.5-Inch angle grinder the go-to corded hand grinder for general steel cutting and small grinding jobs with an extra amp over Dewalt and it is also lighter and less bulky to hold.
It has a nice weight to it that keeps the disc straight when cutting a hole. The handle is positioned nicely, making the tool comfortable and easy to manage.
#1 Best Dewalt 4.5 inch angle grinder
The DeWalt DWE402 boasts of an 11-amp motor that spins at 11,000 RPM. As a 4.5” model, it packs a surprising amount of power for such a compact device, although slightly less than the 12amp Makita.
The power-to-weight ratio is excellent, making it easy to handle jobs that would typically require a larger angle grinder.
The one-touch guard is an especially nice touch–it can be adjustable to any position you need simply by knocking it gently against your work surface.
What is the best grinder to cut concrete?
Angle grinders aren’t always the best choices for general cutting, but they can be the most effective tool for cutting concrete and metals quickly at even awkward angles.
Compared to alternatives like a saber saw they have so much more speed. Attach the right cutting wheel to your grinder, and you will find that it can cut almost anything from timber to masonry, and even hardened steel.
An angle grinder is an effective tool for cutting masonry if you install a diamond cutting wheel on it. This attachment will allow you to cut tiles, concrete slabs, blocks, cement, and even bricks. You can even use your grinder to cut out the mortar from brick joints to then be recycled.
Tilers often use angle grinders for making plunge-cuts in tiles, as when there is a need to cut out a section from the tile’s center. A skilled worker can even cut out intricate shapes in tiles, slabs, or bricks.
Experienced tilers and masons may be able to perform such complex tasks in one pass. In most cases, however, cutting out complex shapes into tiles and bricks will require a few passes.
#1 concrete cutting angle grinder
The Bosch 1994-6 9-Inch Angle grinder is my recommendation for the best concrete cutting, and grinding tool, because the large blade, large motor, and flexible pivot on the handle that reduces the heavy vibrations when making large deep cuts. It is also very well balanced, light, and easy to use despite being such a big tool.
Can you grind timber with an angle grinder?
Did you know that you can cut wood with your angle grinder if you wish, but you do have to take extra precautions. Angle grinders are actually more useful for grinding down timber rather than cutting. And very useful for landscaping work, or making quick cuts and check-outs into the wood.
Otherwise, you’re much better of using the best cordless circular saw, like what’s here.
An angle grinder equipped with a ruff grit timber grinding disk, can be used to very quickly shape and carve timber for landscaping and tidying ruff sawn timber sleepers if you are building something like a planter box much quicker than a belt sander.
This timber grinding tip can leave a smooth but still rustic finish, that you can hit again with a belt sander afterward if you want.
Keep in mind that there is a considerable degree of risk involved when using an angle grinder to cut wood rather than grinding, therefore, I recommend just using a circular saw unless you want to do fast check-outs.
Grinder discs typically spin at 10,000 RPM to 15,000 RPM, which can cause a powerful kickback when the blade snags. Kickbacks are especially dangerous when using grinders with only one hand, make sure you have 2 hands and a sturdy handle to do this safely.
In general, angle grinders are better suited for making small cuts in wood. If you need to do more complex or intricate woodwork, you might want to consider using other tools instead, such as circular saws or a corded jigsaw.
If you want to know the difference between a jigsaw or circular saw it depends if you plan on cutting a curved or a straight line.
How to use a hand grinder
Before you even think about how to use a grinder safely, you should give some thought as to whether or not an angle grinder is right for the job. Although angle grinders are pretty versatile, they aren’t necessarily suitable for all types of cutting jobs.
Always use both hands when operating your angle grinder. Grip the handle securely with one hand, ensuring that you can reach the switch easily. Support the tool with your other hand to keep it from spinning out of control.
Also, consider purchasing a grinder with adjustable handles for left and right-handed operation. Position your work surface as close to the ground as possible, particularly when cutting long pieces of metal.
Keeping your workpiece low will make it easier to support it from underneath and reduce the risk of injury if you accidentally lose your grip on the grinder.
If working down on the ground is uncomfortable, at least try to keep the work surface level or better below your waist height away from your torso.
Always use protective equipment when working with an angle grinder. Safety glasses are essential, wide-vision goggles or a faceplate will also prevent flying debris from hitting you in the eyes.
You should also use earmuffs or earplugs to protect your hearing, a dust mask to avoid breathing in the dust when cutting or grinding concrete. And thick pants, to add help protect your legs.
The safe use of a grinder also makes steel cut-of blades last longer. For example, if you put pressure on your grinder to make a cut faster, this will increase the chance of kickback and will also slow the blade down and make your blade wear down more quickly.
It is better to let the tool do the work, and just steadily guide the angle grinders cut. Apply only minimal pressure to the tool and let the grinder cut at the speed the Amps actually allow for the tool to maintain the blade speed or RMP it is designed for.
This slower cut will save your blade from wearing out too quickly and is why you want to make sure you have a grinder with decent amps.
Comparing the 4.5″ angle grinders
| Makita GA4542C
| DeWalt DWE402
| Bosch GWS10-45P
| Skil 9296-01
| Milwaukee 6130-33
| Craftsman
| Bosch 1375A
| Black+Decker BDEG400
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disk Size: | 4.5-Inch | 4.5-Inch | 4.5-Inch | 4.5-Inch | 4.5-Inch | 4.5-Inch | 4.5-Inch | 4.5-Inch |
| /b>Amps: | 12-Amps | 11-Amps | 10-Amps | 7.5-Amps | 7-Amps | 6.5-Amps | 6-Amps | 6-Amps |
| Weight (lbs): | 8-lbs | 6.1-lbs | 7.13-lbs | 5.4-lbs | 4.85-lbs | 5.52-lbs | 5.35-lbs | 4.7-lbs |
Conclusion
The Makita GA4542C and DeWalt DWE402 are small corded angle grinders that provide pretty much anything you want from an angle grinder. Compact yet powerful, they both provide a good balance between power and easy handling.
But the Makita is priced considerably higher than the DeWalt, but you do get slightly better performance and quality for the money. But if all you can afford right now is a cheap grinder, the DeWalt will certainly deliver excellent close to matching value for the money.
For concrete cutting with a 9-Inch grinder, I like how the Bosch 1994-6 for its smooth start, and no vibration due to the flexible pivot points on both the handles.
Makita GA4542C angle grinder review
Pros:
- Highest amp 4.5 Inch angle grinder.
- Comfortable handle.
- A top brand that will last.
- Safe to use size grinder.
- Ability to put many different blades on.
Cons:
- Can only cut the depth of the blade, for deep cuts you need a bigger grinder.
#1 Best 4.5-inch angle grinder (12-amp)
More information:
- Angle grinder safety, retrieved from, https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/2018-12/fy15_sh-27664-sh5_Toolbox_Angle_Grinder.pdf
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