Best Angle Grinders For Metal, Concrete, Wood, and More

When we set out to determine the best angle grinder, it didn’t seem like a terribly difficult task. However, when we got our team together, it was quickly apparent that there are so many outstanding models out there.

Angle grinders make up a core tool class, and nearly every brand makes multiple models. We’ve done our best to narrow down our top recommendations based on the performance, features, and even price of these tools. However, this isn’t an exhaustive list of everything available. If you see a brand you like on our list, but not the exact grinder you need, take a closer look at their lineup and you might find exactly what you’re looking for.

PTR’s Best Angle Grinder Recommendations

Cordless Models

• Best Overall: Hilti Nuron 22V AG 6D-22
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• Best Cordless 4 1/2 to 5-inch: Makita 40V max XGT GAG11
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• Best Cordless 6-inch: Bosch 18V Profactor GWX18V-13CN
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• Best Cordless 7 to 9-inch: DeWalt 60V Max DCG460
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• Best Cordless For the Money: Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless PBLAG02
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Corded Models

• Best Corded 4 1/2 to 5-inch: Metabo HPT AC Brushless G13VE2 
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• Best Corded 6-inch: Metabo WEPBA 19-150 Q DS M-Brush 
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• Best Corded 7 to 9-inch: Metabo WEPB 24-230 MVT
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• Best Corded for the Money: Ridgid R1006
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Jump to These Sections for More Information

• More Angle Grinder Priorities
• Best Angle Grinder Brand
• More Angle Grinder Reviews
• What to Look For When You’re Shopping
• How We Make Our Choices
• Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Best Cordless Angle Grinders

Best Cordless Angle Grinder Overall

Highlighted Features

• 3D ATC: Advanced kickback control senses kickback in any direction
• SensTech: Detects when your hand leaves the handle and automatically stops the motor
• Restart Protection: Requires you to cycle the switch if SensTech stops the motor
• Electric Brake: Quickly stops the wheel when you turn the grinder off

Why We Picked It

The Hilti AG 6D-22’s performance is excellent, with a brushless motor keeping the RPMs high even under heavy pressure.

Two innovations really set it apart from the crowd, though. 360° Active Torque Control senses if the grinder makes a sudden move in any direction and automatically shuts off.

Then there’s SensTech. Sensors in the handle can detect when your hand is on the tool, even when you’re wearing gloves. When your hand leaves, the motor shuts down. It’s the only grinder we’ve seen to effectively offer the convenience of slide switch activation with the safety of a paddle switch in one tool.

Between the performance, features, and ergonomic design, the Hilti Nuron AG 6D-22 is the most impressive angle grinder we’ve ever used.

Best Cordless 4 1/2 to 5-inch Small Angle Grinder

Highlighted Features

• X-Lock Interface: Easy, fast, and tool-free wheel changes
• Kickback Control: Active Feedback-sensing Technology stops the motor in the event of a wheel bind-up
• Autostart Wireless System-Ready: Automatically activate your AWS-compatible dust extractor when you add the AWS chip
• Electric Brake: Quickly stops the wheel when you turn the grinder off
• Restart Protection: Prevent startup if the grinder is switch is activated when you install the battery
• Soft Start: Smoothly accelerates the wheel and avoids jumpy start ups

Why We Picked It

Among several quality small angle grinders, choosing the best came down to DeWalt’s 20V Max XR DCG410 and Makita’s 40V max XGT GAG11. The two have quite a bit in common with high power output, a full suite of safety features, and wireless vacuum controls.

Makita’s edge is partly due to its use of an X-Lock wheel interface. With it, you simply flip the release lever on top of the tool to remove the wheel and press the new one in before locking the lever back down. There’s no reason to ever reach for a spanner wrench or other tools.

There are a couple of downsides, though. Makita’s design is heavier, and if you want the AWS vac controls, you’ll need to buy the AWS chip separately. However, you’re unlikely to find a more feature-rich and well-built model in the cordless small angle grinder class than the GAG11.

Best Cordless 6-inch Angle Grinder

Highlighted Features

• Kickback Control: Electronic clutch stops the wheel in the event of a bind-up
• Electric Brake: Quickly stops the wheel when you turn the grinder off
• Restart Protection: Prevent startup if the grinder is switch is activated when you install the battery
• On-Key Enabled: Connect to the One-Key app for diagnostic and management tools

Why We Picked It

The cordless medium angle grinder class is ridiculously competitive, with six brands making the final cut. They’re so close to one another that choosing the best among them boils down to which bonus features you want. If anything, I can guarantee that there’s going to be a lot of disagreement in how this shakes out. However, for the way I prefer to work, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3672 is my top choice.

It’s a solid performer with 13-amp equivalent power if you’re comparing it to corded units. Plus, a full suite of safety features significantly reduces the risk of injury during use. If smart tool management and diagnostics are up your alley, One-Key is already built in, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing anything extra to get the functionality.

The downside is that this is an expensive model, especially if you want the kit. Keep in mind that the kit includes two 8.0Ah Forge batteries, so you’re getting the absolute best battery technology Milwaukee currently offers.

Best Cordless 7 to 9-inch Large Angle Grinder

Highlighted Features

• Kickback Control: Stops the motor in the event of a wheel bind-up
• E-Clutch: Stalls the motor when the load gets too high
• Wireless Tool Control: Automatically activates WTC-enabled vacuums when connected
• Electric Brake: Quickly stops the wheel when you turn the grinder off
• Restart Protection: Prevent startup if the grinder is switch is activated when you install the battery
• Soft Start: Smoothly accelerates the wheel and avoids jumpy start ups
• Tool Connect Chip Ready: Add the Tool Connect Chip to access diagnostic and management features

Why We Picked It

Not many brands throw their hats into the ring in the cordless large angle grinder class. Among the major brands, your options are between DeWalt, Makita, Metabo, and Milwaukee. None of them are poor choices. However, my pick for the best cordless large angle grinder is DeWalt’s DCG460.

This is DeWalt’s second-generation cordless 9-inch grinder, and it has several key upgrades. The biggest is how much power it has—3000 max watts out. That’s significantly higher than the 2300 watts of the previous version.

DeWalt also supercharged the speed all the way to 9000 RPM. Considering most models in this class are around 6500 RPM, you’re looking at much faster materials removal and cutting.

The other big upgrade is Wireless Tool Control. Paired with a WTC-enabled vacuum, it automatically turns the vac on and off, which helps manage the battery and reduces unnecessary noise.

There are a couple of downsides, though. For one, this is a heavy grinder, even for the large class. For comparison, Milwaukee’s 2783 competitor is about four and a half pounds lighter. That’s the price you pay for such high performance.

The other thing to keep in mind is that this is a single-speed grinder. While the high speed is great for working fast, you don’t have the ability to dial it down if you need to.

Best Cordless Angle Grinder for the Money

Highlighted Features

• Angled Foot: Improves access for cutting and grinding flush or in tight areas

Why We Picked It

Ryobi made a huge jump in performance with its HP Brushless line of cordless tools, and the second-generation angle grinder of the group is no exception. Paired with a High Performance battery, the brushless motor is capable of 9200 RPM using 4 1/2-inch wheels.

One noticeable change is the angle of the tool’s handle. By kicking the foot up, the base of the battery is higher than the wheel, making for easier flush cutting and accessing tight areas.

There’s one change that some people might see as a downgrade, though. The previous version included a tool-free flange nut, while this model returns to a traditional design that requires a spanner wrench.

Best Corded Angler Grinders

In order to get the kickback control and electronic brake we’ve been talking about with cordless grinders, the best way to bring them over to corded models is with the electronic controls that a brushless motor requires. In recent years, a couple of brands have introduced corded brushless angle grinders that offer those additional safety features.

That’s a big deal to our team, plus you don’t have carbon brushes to replace. If those features aren’t a big deal to you, you can skip the brushless motor and save a little money.

Best 4 1/2 to 5-inch Small Angle Grinder

Highlighted Features

• AC Brushless Motor: More efficient performance, lower maintenance, and lower weight
• Kickback Control: Stops the motor in the event of a wheel bind-up
• Electric Brake: Quickly stops the wheel when you turn the grinder off
• Restart Protection: Prevent startup if the grinder is switch is activated when you install the battery
• Soft Start: Smoothly accelerates the wheel and avoids jumpy start ups

Why We Picked It

In selecting the best small angle grinder, I passed over many quality models. As I narrowed down the options, it boiled down to a debate between brushless models from DeWalt and Metabo HPT. In the end, it’s Metabo HPT’s G13VE2 that emerged as the winner.

While the top speed may seem low, it’s tuned for higher torque and has a wide speed range to dial in. When you’re grinding down welds, cutting thick stock, and tackling other tough tasks, you’ll notice the difference.

I also like that the weight of this model is relatively low and the slim handle offers a more comfortable grip.

What seals the deal is the price tag. Metabo HPT’s corded grinders consistently have a lower price than comparable models from DeWalt, and that trend holds in this class.

Best 6-inch Angle Grinder

Highlighted Features

• M-Brush Technology: Service-free carbon brushes with three times longer life
• Mechanical Clutch: Minimizes kickback during a bind-up
• Electric Brake: Quickly stops the wheel when you turn the grinder off
• Restart Protection: Prevent startup if the grinder is switch is activated when you install the battery
• Soft Start: Smoothly accelerates the wheel and avoids jumpy start ups
• M-Quick System: Tool-free wheel changes
• Auto-balancer: Provides up to 50% less vibration, improves service life, and extends wheel life

Why We Picked It

For the best medium-size grinder, DeWalt’s brushless DWE43244N and Metabo’s WEPBA 19-150 Q DS M-Brush are the two that rise above the rest for me, with Metabo edging out DeWalt for the win.

Even though it’s not brushless (and doesn’t have the advanced electronic features that come with it), Metabo turns to its M-Brush technology that offers much longer carbon brush life and the impressive performance of a 14.5-amp motor.

From there, it’s as full-featured as you can hope for, including a tether-ready carabiner for working at height. Plus, Metabo’s auto-balancer design does a great job of reducing vibration and extending the life of the grinder and your accessories.

Best 7 to 9-inch Large Angle Grinder

Highlighted Features

• Electronic Safety Clutch: Minimizes kickback during a bind-up
• Mechanical Disc Brake: Quickly stops the wheel when you turn the grinder off
• Restart Protection: Prevent startup if the grinder is switch is activated when you install the battery
• Soft Start: Smoothly accelerates the wheel and avoids jumpy start ups

Why We Picked It

When it’s time to go big, Metabo’s WEPB 24-230 MVT is my pick for the best large angle grinder. This is a class that has a lot of power, but can be short on features, but Metabo packs more inside the housing than most others.

Metabo’s key features are all about safety. You’d think that with grinders this powerful, every model would have a brake, clutch, and soft start at the very least. However, they’re not as common among corded models as they are on battery-powered ones.

I also really like the rat tail handle design. Grinders of all sizes can have pretty wide handles that small and medium-size hands have a tougher time with. Metabo’s rat tail handle offers a much more ergonomic grip to hands of all sizes.

Best Angle Grinder for the Money

Highlighted Features

• Safety Clutch: Minimizes kickback during a bind-up

Why We Picked It

As my top pick for the best angle grinder for the money, Ridgid takes your basic grinder needs up a notch with its R1006. The big difference you’ll notice between this and other models in a similar price range is that Ridgid’s 8-amp motor is stronger.

It’s not a runaway, though, and there are a couple of other options that can match the performance. However, Ridgid offers a lifetime service agreement when you register your purchase, pushing the value score higher.

Best Angle Grinder Brand

Metabo

You can ask professionals which brand makes the best angle grinder and you’ll get a variety of answers. When we look at the grinders consistently doing the toughest jobs, no brand shows up as much as Metabo. The quality of Metabo’s engineering and design, along with an incredibly deep line that covers the entire range of grinder needs, makes it a top choice time after time. They’re more expensive than many professional brands, but that’s what we expect at this level.

More Angle Grinder Priorities

Best Angle Grinder for Masonry Cutting, Tile Cutting, and Tuckpointing

If you’re going to cut tile, granite, or other masonry with your angle grinder, you need to use a dust shroud and connect a dust extractor. A collection system keeps the dust from getting into your lungs while also pulling it away from your cutline. Plus, that debris can cause havoc on a grinder that’s not set up well enough to deal with it.

There are several add-on shrouds you can buy that take the place of the grinder’s guard, but a ready-to-grind package is the way to go. Our top recommendation is Metabo’s T 13-125 CED Diamond Cutting System.

Specifically designed to work with diamond cutting wheels, the power plant is a 12-amp/9600 RPM 5-inch grinder. Its wheeled shroud glides easily over surfaces (they can be removed for freehand cuts) and it’s rail compatible for long, straight cuts. The set comes with Metabo’s excellent cutting shroud, which is removable if you want to use the grinder for traditional tasks.

Price: $480

Best Angle Grinder for Concrete Surface Grinding

Makita 5-inch Concrete Planer PC5010CX1

The best angle grinder for concrete surface grinding has plenty of muscle behind it and a shroud to help collect the dust. For these tasks, we prefer the unlimited runtime of corded AC power.

Check out Makita’s PC5010CX1 for a 5-inch grinder with a concrete shroud as an all-in-one tool. Its 12-amp motor has 1400 watts of muscle and there’s a vibration-dampening spring system to make the job less fatiguing.

If you’re on the hunt for the absolute best in concrete cutting and polishing on an industrial level, take a look at what US Saws has to offer. The Mark III Dust Buggy is ideal for cleaning out joints. For floor prep, the TC-7 Stand-Up Edger lets you tackle the edges close the walls where your larger concrete polisher isn’t the best option. Incidentally, both use Metabo grinders to get the job done.

Price: $364

Best Angle Grinder Wheels for Wood Carving

Most people don’t think of an angle grinder for wood carving duties, but there are accessories out there specifically for that purpose. One of the most helpful is essentially a wheel with chainsaw teeth on the edge. You can also use flap disks just like you do for metal, and there are several other types.

Most of the wood carving wheels are 4 or 4 1/2 inches, so a small angle grinder is your best bet, and we highly recommend a model with kickback control. The trick here is to make sure your grinder isn’t underpowered since this can be a very aggressive application.

If you have spare batteries and a rapid charger, cordless can be a convenient option. However, the unlimited runtime of a corded grinder is our preference.

If you don’t already have a grinder in mind, give Metabo HPT’s G13BYEQ a shot as our pick for the best corded small angle grinder.

Best Angle Grinder Wheels for Cutting Metal

The best angle grinder for cutting metal combines high edge speed with high torque to give you efficient, confident cutting. Once you have that, it’s all about the type of metal you’re cutting and choosing the right accessory for the job. After all, cutting 16-gauge sheet metal is a very different job than cutting cast iron pipe.

You have two major accessory options: abrasive wheels or diamond wheels. Abrasive wheels are significantly cheaper, while diamond wheels last much, much longer. If you do a cost-per-cut analysis, diamond wheels end up being a better value if you can manage the upfront cost.

If you prefer abrasive cutting wheels, we like the performance and life we get from Makita’s, and they have both standard and X-Lock wheels available. Another one to keep your eyes on is DeWalt’s Elite Series.

For diamond cutting wheels, it’s tough to beat Diablo for both standard and X-Lock arbors. We also use Lenox MetalMax diamond cutting wheels frequently.

More Angle Grinder Reviews

Greenworks 24V 4 1/2-inch Angle Grinder Review

Greenworks 24V Cordless 4-1/2 Inch Angle Grinder Review

Price: $99.99 kit

Flex 24V 5-inch Angle Grinder Review

Flex 24V Brushless Cordless 5-Inch Angle Grinder Review

Price: $179 bare, $279 kit

Skil PWRCore 20 4 1/2-inch Angle Grinder Review

Skil 20V Brushless Angle Grinder Review | AG2907-1A

Price: $99 bare, $149 kit

What to Look for When You’re Shopping for an Angle Grinder

Choosing the right angle grinder for the job is mainly about size and performance. With small and large being the primary angle grinder classes (we like to separate the 6-inch class from the 4 1/2 – 5-inch, even though they’re both technically small), it’s all about which size wheel fits in the area you need to grind, cut, or polish.

When the wheel contacts the material, it then has to get the job done. An underpowered grinder might cut 1/4-inch steel plate or grind welds, but higher-performing ones are going to do it much more quickly.

From there, it’s about convenience and features. By far the most convenient way to go is to cut the cord and use battery power. The best cordless angle grinders keep up with corded models—even up to 9-inch models! The trade-off is a higher cost and limited runtime. On the other hand, electronic controls give cordless grinders some features that aren’t common on corded ones.

Here are some features to consider:

• Electronic braking
• Automatic kickback shut-off
• Advanced vibration control system
• Compatible shrouds for working with concrete/masonry
• Brushless motor (on cordless and corded models)
• Smart controls/tracking
• Three total side handle install points

Read up on angle grinder uses and how cordless technology is influencing them here.

How We Make Our Choices

As we considered the dozens of quality grinders available, there were several things we prioritized to help us make our recommendations.

Performance

At the end of the day, performance is still the number one priority. We’re looking for grinders that have enough torque to keep their RPMs high and continue to work quickly when the going gets tough.

Size and Weight

When it’s an option, our team reaches for the lightest, most compact tool that still gets the job done with confidence and has the durability to thrive on jobsites.

Safety Features

Braking grinders with kickback control are two of the top safety features we look for. Any other innovations that improve safety also earn big bonus points.

Additional Features

After safety features, other design elements that make the job easier help improve a grinder’s overall score.

Price and Value

We’re big on value. It’s not about paying the least amount of money possible—it’s about getting the most you can from the angle grinder that fits the budget you have.

Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

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