When it comes to angle grinders, Metabo has a deep history and a stellar reputation. So when they launched two new models claiming to be Metabo’s “best grinders ever,” it got my attention. How do you make something that’s already so good that much better? That’s exactly what I wanted to know.
New Metabo Grinders: What Sets Them Apart
For starters, these grinders are made in Germany. That’s no surprise, considering Metabo is a German brand. Still, it’s worth confirming since they are part of the Metabo HPT power tool group that was formerly Hitachi and based in Japan.
If you’re newer to the power tool industry or its inner workings, German-made tools are renowned for their high-quality designs and construction. More specifically, Metabo is the gold standard for angle grinders in the opinion of many people who use them every day. It’s an opinion I share as well.
What takes these two grinders to the next level in the small angle grinder class boils down to three keys: power, efficiency, and safety.
- Power: 15-amp brushless motors provide the highest power from a standard 110V outlet with electronics that maintain wheel speed under load.
- Efficiency: 80% power transfer delivers more of that power to the wheel where the work is done.
- Safety: Electronic brake, anti-kickback control, overload protection, soft start, and restart protection work together to improve overall user safety.
Key Features
That’s not all there is to the story, though. These are feature-rich grinders that make it easy to understand why so many Pros rely on Metabo. Check out the full highlight list:
- Brushless Motor: Long-life design lasts up to three times longer than brushed motors with no carbon brush changes to worry about.
- Tacho-Constamatic Full Wave Electronics: Maintains higher RPM under load.
- S-Automatic Safety Clutch: Reduces kickback.
- Electronic Soft Start: Reduces jumping at startup and improves initial control.
- Electronic Brake: Stops the wheel quickly when you release the switch.
- Non-Locking Paddle Switch: Stops the motor as soon as you take your hand off it.
- Electronic Restart Protection: Prevents the motor from starting back up without cycling the trigger if you lose power.
- Auto-Balancer: Reduces vibration by as much as 50%.
- VibraTech Handle: Absorbs additional vibration to reduce hand fatigue.
- M-Quick: Tool-free wheel changes.
- Steel Tether Ring: Helps prevent drops that can injure people or damage the tool when working at height.
Ready to formally meet the new models?
Metabo WEPBA 20-125 Quick DS BL 4.5/5-inch Brushless Angle Grinder
- Power: 2000W input / 1600W output
- Wheel Size: 4.5 or 5 inches
- No-load Speed: 11,000 RPM
- Torque: 3 Nm / 26.6 in-lbs
- Spindle: 5/8-inch – 11 UNC
- Weight: 5.7 lbs
- Cord Length: 8 ft
- Price: $309.99
Metabo WEPBA 20-150 Quick DS BL 6-inch Brushless Angle Grinder
- Power: 2000W input / 1600W output
- Wheel Size: 6 inches
- No-load Speed: 9,600 RPM
- Torque: 3.5 Nm / 31 in-lbs
- Spindle: 5/8-inch – 11 UNC
- Weight: 6.0 lbs
- Cord Length: 8 ft
- Price: $314.99
Should You Buy It?
In more than a decade of covering the power tool industry, I don’t think I’ve come across small angle grinders that set the bar this high in performance and features. If you’re looking for the best all-around design that doesn’t make compromises to hit its marks, Metabo’s new brushless grinders are at the top of the food chain.
If you’re looking for cordless freedom, these aren’t the grinders for you, though. Then there’s the price tag. $300+ might be tough to swallow for some budgets. Even though these are built tough, I’d be hesitant to hand them over to crewmembers who tend to abuse their equipment. If any of those things make you hesitate, consider Metabo’s cordless or entry-level angle grinders to ease the potential pain.
