What's an angle grinder anyway? It's a handheld wheel or disc tool also known as the disc or side grinder that's used for grinding or abrasive cutting and polishing. It's ideal for surface preparation when painting, rust removal, cutting and grinding depending on which edge of the wheel you use, and for sharpening knives and swords.
This handheld power tool is powered by either compressed air, gasoline engine, or an electric motor through batteries or a power cord that connects to an electric outlet. You can choose between the angle grinder sanding disc or angle grinder wire wheel when it comes to grinding down different materials. Versatility is one of the key benefits of this tool, in fact.rANK | IMAGE | Product name | score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |  | 97 | ||
2 |  | 96 | ||
3 |  | 95 | ||
4 |  | 93 | ||
5 |  | 93 |
*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Angle Grinder Uses and Components
When you're in need to do some polishing, cutting, and grinding, you can turn to the angle grinder for help in that regard. This handheld power tool is mostly available as an electric corded or battery tool. The gasoline motor or pneumatic grinder is much rarer to find. Common angle grinder accessories or components include the following:
The disc is what does all the polishing, sanding, grinding, and cutting of materials while the geared head holds it down while mounted on a right angle. The guard keeps your hand from injury, the side handle allows you to shift the disc for cutting, and the wrench is the tool used for changing discs and angle grinder attachments. The spindle lock can make such changes easier to do.
This tool is capable of cutting hard materials like stucco, pavers, tile, stone, and metal cleanly and without burrs. It accomplishes the cutting action by a spinning wheel. The fastness and smoothness of the cut depends on the level of abrasion of the wheel attached to the tool. There are also different angle grinder attachments for metal using discs and materials better suited for grinding steel, copper, and the like.
How to Use an Angle Grinder
The power tool uses spinning discs powered by the motor to do its job. For the unit to work, you should press or pull a switch. When you let go, the grinder turns itself off. There are certain grinders out there that have a lock-on feature that locks the switch into place without you pressing it. This allows you to immediately control how long the grinder grinds at the press of the switch.
However, other grinders opt for the "dead man switch" approach to protect you from injuring yourself with the angle grinder blades or discs. The side grip allows you to have better control and maneuverability over the blade, as though you're holding a steering wheel of a motorcycle. It stabilizes the grinder and allows you to accomplish your task at hand with fewer risks and mistakes. Some units allow for left-handed or ambidextrous usage as well.Angle Grinder Wheel Types
Before finding the right angle grinder for you, you need to know the different wheel types. These wheels are typically composed of various materials that are suited for specific types of projects. They include:
Price Consideration
Whether you're a construction worker or home repair enthusiast, you should base your purchase on where and what you're going to use the angle grinder for. If you're mostly going to do small projects, then perhaps the cheaper option is your best bet after all. Or just hire an angle grinder service. If you're foreseeing usage of the angle grinder for the foreseeable future (for about 20 years or so), then it's probably worth to invest extra cash on it and get something from the $40-$60 range or even the $70-$80.
Otherwise, the $20-$30 value unit might suffice. You should also base your buying decision on the application as well. Are you using an angle grinder to cut metal or are you using an angle grinder to cut tile? What about using an angle grinder to cut concrete? A general-purpose angle grinder might be enough for mostly woodworking and sometimes metalworking work, but you need something more heavy-duty (in terms of wattage and RPM) if you're gong to use your grinder for stone and steel.
What to Look for in an Angle Grinder
Don't buy something inexpensive unless it's also excellent specs-wise. If it's worth the money you should buy it, regardless of whether it's expensive or cheap. When buying an angle grinder, don't automatically think that the cheaper it is the better off you are economically. Sometimes, it's worth splurging a few more dollars for an angle grinder that lasts or something that's superior in every way, shape, or form. You should base it on:
Disc Size
On average, 4½ inches is enough. But on certain applications bigger is better. Just remember that bigger grinder discs require more motor power. Don't use a big disc on an underpowered angle grinder engine.
Motor Power
As mentioned above, it should coincide with your disc size. However, even with 4½-inch discs, motor ratings vary across the board. You can choose between AC 110 to 230 volts or 500 to 2,500 watts. Or by amperage (4 amps to 15 amps).
Speed Ratings
You can go from 5,000 to 12,000 RPM. The grinders reviewed below range from 10,000 to 11,000 RPM at no load (meaning when there's load, the RPM naturally drops).
Blade Sharpening
Angle grinders can sharpen and polish your kitchen knives, gardening hoes, and various other household and landscaping tools. Since they're metal, you need the right disc material to do your sharpening for you.
Mortar Removal
Tuckpointing with a diamond tuckpounting wheel is needed in order to wear down old and loose mortar without damaging the adjacent brick, thus avoiding the damage done by chisels and hammers.
Top 5 Best Angle Grinders
rANK | IMAGE | Product name | score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | | 97 | ||
2 | | 96 | ||
3 | | 95 | ||
4 | | 93 | ||
5 | | 93 |
*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
1. DEWALT DWE402 4-1/2-Inch 11-Amp Paddle Switch Angle Grinder
Via Amazon.com
Editor's Rating: 97/100
Price on Amazon: [amazon_link asins='B00RVZ7DNO' template='PriceLink' store='paintinghome-20' marketplace='US' link_id='473dd824-cbaf-11e7-b39c-f956dd842b0c']
Of course the DeWalt DWE402 has somehow ended up on this list. Not only that, it's the best-rated angle grinder of the top 5 angle grinders around in 2017! An angle grinder dewalt naturally has topnotch benefits like 11 amp AC/DC 11,000 RPM output motor that gives you the best power to size ratio possible compared to the grinders on this list.
This angle grinder is capable of cutting and grinding as required by you. I used it in order to get concrete out of the frame of my basement window after a contractor got concrete on it from installing a concrete sidewalk. It fulfills all the different needs of the different angle grinder uses or applications. With it, I was able to cut a straight line through the concrete in 15 minutes rather than the expected 4 hours.
It's for this reason that I rate this impressive piece of machinery a 9.7 out of 10. It's the best-rated angle grinder because of its DeWalt-grade performance and the fact that it has the least amount of complaints.
Pros
Cons
2. Bosch 1375A 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder
Via Amazon.com
Editor's Rating: 96/100
Price on Amazon: [amazon_link asins='B00004SUOU' template='PriceLink' store='paintinghome-20' marketplace='US' link_id='473dd824-cbaf-11e7-b39c-f956dd842b0c']
The Bosch 1375A is a perfectly serviceable tool that grinds about as efficiently as the DeWalt DWE402 but not as powerfully because it's about 5 amps short compared to its superior competitor. It's a decent angle grinder bosch that can do both grinding and cutting depending on the angle you use with a similar 11,000 RPM spec as the DWE402, but it falls short on the power and torque department. It's like a weaker version of the DWE402 or even a DWE402 substitute.
It's still a close second to the DeWalt due to similar and exclusive specs like a 2-position side handle, epoxy-covered field windings, a lock-on slide switch that allows for extended usage, and a service minder brush system that eliminates guesswork when it comes to preventive maintenance. All-in-all a dependable angle grinder home depot or Amazon. It has flaws though, like the fact that it lacks accessories advertised in the Bosch brochures. The features it does have allow it to place high on this list regardless.
The Bosch 1375A would've gotten a higher score than 9.6 over 10 had it included its accessories with the tool as a complete package. It might be even enough to surpass the DeWalt one even.
Pros
Cons
3. Makita 9557PBX1 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder with Aluminum Case
Via Amazon.com
Editor's Rating: 95/100
Price on Amazon: [amazon_link asins='B0010DHFTK' template='PriceLink' store='paintinghome-20' marketplace='US' link_id='473dd824-cbaf-11e7-b39c-f956dd842b0c']
The Makita 9557PBX1 is midway better than the Bosch 1375A when compared to the DeWalt DWE402 in terms of its amperage (it has a 7.5 amp motor). More amperage means more torque regardless of the RPM of the device. What's more, the angle grinder makita is compact tool that weighs only 4.5 pounds. This is in contrast to the 5.2 pounds of the Bosch 1375A and the 6.2 pounds of the DeWalt DWE402.
The tool has great value for an angle grinder of its size (rather expensive at $60-$70) and it's also ergonomically comfortable to hold with its small diameter barrel grip that's only 2½ inches in diameter. It's an angle grinder lowes and eBay that also safeguards itself from jams and dust-related destruction by having a labyrinthine construction. The dust won't get far into its internal circuitry, bearings, and motor with its maze-like inner design.
At any rate, the Makita 9557PBX1 is a definite 9.55 out of 10. Not perfect but not bad. It's the smallest and most maneuverable unit on this list.
Pros
Cons
4. Black & Decker BDEG400 6-Amp Angle Grinder, 4-1/2-Inch
Via Amazon.com
Editor's Rating: 93/100
Price on Amazon: [amazon_link asins='B00RZV20CS' template='PriceLink' store='paintinghome-20' marketplace='US' link_id='473dd824-cbaf-11e7-b39c-f956dd842b0c']
As for the Black & Decker BDEG400, it has about the same performance as the Hitachi one below but it gets a higher rating because of its increased popularity and having more customers vouch for its excellence. As many angle grinder reviews would point out, it has a rather short list of specs and benefits compared to the grinders mentioned above. It has a spindle lock for easy changes in accessories, a 3-position side handle (versus the 2-position ones of its competitors), and a metal gear case.
The grinder itself has the same amperage for its motor as the Bosch 1375A. It also has a 4½ size like the rest of the grinders on this list. In terms of weight, it's 4.8 pounds or 0.3 pounds heavier than the lightest angle grinder on this list, the Makita 9557PBX1 (way cheaper than Makita, though). This angle grinder black & decker has many of the advantages and specs of all the grinders here, making it a jack of all trades (but a master of none). However, ultimately, it's only really better than the Hitachi G12SR4 ratings-wise.
In the end, it's an okay 9.35 out of 10. It's nothing to write home about except it's at least one of the top 5 angle grinders of 2017.
Pros
Cons
5. Hitachi G12SR4 6.2-Amp 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder with 5 Abrasive Wheels
Via Amazon.com
Editor's Rating: 93/100
Price on Amazon: [amazon_link asins='B0199MMA84' template='PriceLink' store='paintinghome-20' marketplace='US' link_id='473dd824-cbaf-11e7-b39c-f956dd842b0c']
The Hitachi G12SR4 may be dead last on this list, but it actually has many aspects and specs that give it an advantage over even the higher-ranked grinders within this review. For example, the angle grinder hitachi is even lighter than the 4.5-pound Makita 9557PBX1. What's more, it's worth about $40-$50, so it matches the price of the Bosch 1375A.
What's more, because of its many different abrasive wheels, you're really getting your money's worth from that $40-$50. This unit also has loads of safeguards to keep you from suffering angle grinder accidents, like its safeguards against overloading, the trigger lock-on, or the placement of the side switch that prevents even notices from hurting themselves with the angle grinder. It performs at least as good as a B&D BDEG400. The side handle is also removable and adjustable, which is something you won't see from other angle grinders.
It's only because the Black & Decker BDEG400 is more well-known that the Hitachi G12SR4 gets a 9.3 out of 10. In my estimation, in terms of performance, the G12SR4 is about equal or at times superior to the BDEG400 (care of its ambidextrous controls and other unique features).
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
The DeWalt-brand angle grinder is the best angle grinder on this list and you can easily see why. It's a performer that has the perfect blend of speed at 11,000 RPM and power at 11 amps or 1,400 watts. It's also open to other power sources as an AC/DC kind of grinder.
It's not only from brand recognition or legacy. The dewalt angle grinder DWE402 by itself lives up to the DeWalt legacy in ways that some DeWalt tools and units could not. It's not overhyped in the least. If anything, its advertised specs and benefits are presented in an understated manner in my estimations. Its only real fault that's not a quality control mishap is its expensiveness at $70-$80.
Even its false advertising is forgivable. While other grinders stake their claim to greatness by being ambidextrous, having detachable side arms, being low cost, or having epoxy-covered field windings, in terms of raw performance, the DeWalt angle grinder remains superior at every turn.