Angle grinders are handheld rotary tools that spin a disc. Depending on the disc used, they can cut, grind, carve, and polish among other uses. They are found in workshops for woodworking, metalworking, and masonry. Many autobody shops use angle grinders for all sorts of auto repair functions, too.
A whole bunch of things. Here’s a short list to give you an idea:
- Grinding welds
- Carving contours in wood
- Deburring cuts in metal
- Removing rust from a shovel
- Sharpening lawn mower blades
- Polishing a dull piece of metal
- Sanding wood
- Removing grout or concrete from bricks
- Cutting tile or stone
- Removing old paint
Angle grinders are incredibly versatile considering the various materials it can cut, grind, or polish. Weekend warriors can use them in the garage, in the yard, or around the house.
Their portability adds to their many uses since you don’t have to move workpieces to the tool. The options for attachments are near endless with cutoff discs, sanding flaps, carving discs, wire wheels, polishing discs, and more. You can even turn an angle grinder into a chain saw.
The obvious benefit of a cordless tool is the portability. The freedom from cord snags allows you to focus on the task at hand, which is especially useful when that task involves a blade or wheel spinning at thousands of rpms.
Another benefit is power access. Cordless tools can go anywhere, including places where easy access to an electric outlet might not be available. If a fence post in the corner of your yard needs some work, you’ll need a couple of extension cords to power a corded tool. Or if you’re on a jobsite with no readily-available outlets, a couple of batteries will keep you busy for the day.
The drawback is constant power. Batteries eventually lose their juice, unlike the constant feed from an outlet.
Another drawback is cost. Generally, cordless tools include more tech which drives up costs. Battery technology is getting cheaper by the day but cost a little more than corded tools for now.
A final benefit that we’ve seen is a little more subtle than the others. Cordless tools are becoming more affordable and more popular. As tool manufacturers develop more advanced tool technologies (such as smart safety circuitry), we’re seeing cordless tools prioritized as the first models to include these new features. Think of cordless tools as the technological pioneers and early adopters behind new tech. It makes sense since the cordless market share is increasing. Tool manufacturers want to flex their newest innovations in the tool lines that will make the most waves.
The Quick Answer
The BOSCH GWX18V kit is our best-in-class pick for this comparison. It offers more power, more features, an innovative wheel change mechanism, and a vibration-reducing handle. All for an average price. This is a serious workhorse and we’re confident you’ll be as impressed with this grinder kit as we were.
The runner-up is the RYOBI P423. This is our choice for an economic cordless angle grinder. It comes with a discount of over $100 as well as some compelling features so give this one a look if you’re on a tight budget.
MILWAUKEE 2780
There’s a reason MILWAUKEE’s are often found in the tool kits of tradesman and craftsmen. Their reliability is industry-leading and the 2780 angle grinder is no exception.
With a 5.0Ah battery, the wheel spins at 8,500 rpm. Not slow, but not the fastest either. Most jobs won’t need much more so the 2780 should be able to tackle just about anything. If you need more power, the M18 system offers more powerful batteries for tougher jobs.
The onboard REDLINK PLUS system is MILWAUKEE’s take on circuitry safety. The overheat and overload protection extends the life of the battery as well as the tool.
The switch on the 2780 is a bit different than other angle grinders we’ve tested, but it’s intuitive and shouldn’t be an issue even if you’re used to other trigger configurations.
The grinder is tool-less, which means you won’t need any tools to adjust the wheel guard or change the wheel. A spanner wrench is included if you want it, but it’s not necessary.
This kit comes with one battery, a charger, the grinder, and a contractor bag to keep the whole package together.
MAKITA XAG11T
MAKITA’s XAG11T 18-volt cordless angle grinder is a solid contender in this category. The 5.0Ah batteries aren’t the smallest or the largest, but there are two batteries included in this kit so workflows are nearly gaurunteed against interruptions. The batteries included convenient LED status lights so you’ll always know how much is left in the tank.
A couple of electronic safety features extend the life of both the tool and the user. Restart protection keeps the saw from accidentally starting after a battery swap. After a battery swap, you’ll have to switch the grinder off, then back on to get back to work.
The included charger doesn’t blast the battery with volage but rather keeps a constant channel of communication open with the battery to optimize volatage and current. This greatly extends the life of the batteries.
After charging is completed in under 45 minutes, the tool and battery continue communication to optimize charge flow from the battery to the tool. This prevents overheating and excessive discharge from the battery. Again, mroe measures to increase longevity of all the electronics in this package.
A soft-start feature spins up the wheel quickly but not instantly. This prevents the tool from jumping out of your hands. Once the wheel starts spinning, an electric brake slows the wheel in under two seconds so you’re not having to wait a while to set the tool down.
This well-appointed kit includes the grinder, two batteries, a charger, a cutoff wheel, a grinding wheel, and two guards (one for cutoff wheels and one for thicker grinding wheels).
RYOBI P423
The economical option of the bunch keeps up with the pack. The 18-volt P423 from RYOBI offers a great bang for your buck and is the brand’s latest offering in its ONE+ line of tools.
The ONE+ system offers nearly 200 tools that span the entire range of workshop tools. From chainsaws, impact drivers, angle grinders, blowers, speakers, lawn mowers, and more, the ONE+ system can outfit nearly every tool you’d need.
The battery included is 3.0Ah, which is considered light-duty. If you need to tackle harder jobs, consider upgrading the battery. RYOBI offers a large range of ONE+ battery options from the lightest 1.5Ah to a beastly 9.0Ah.
The sliding switch is different than most trigger switches, but it works just fine. It’s a lock-on design, so longer sessions are a bit more comfortable. Just remember that you’ll have to consciously turn the tool off when you’re done.
A neat feature on the P423 is the onboard wrench storage. We’ve spent way too much time searching for bit or blade changing tools and RYOBI aims to fix this by keeping the tool within arm’s reach. The semi-hollow handle contains a slot that stores the included wheel-change wrench.
A huge plus for the P423 is its top-mount handle option. For some reason, most of the competition only allows for left- or right-hand handle mounts. RYOBI includes a threaded insert on the top of the tool for a total of three handle positions. This is invaluable for some cutting operations that benefit ergonimically from a top-mount position.
The P423 kit includes the grinder, one battery, and a charger.
DEWALT DCG413R2
DEWALT also has an expansive cordless system in its 20V MAX lineup. Over 200 tools within the stable can use the same batteries. THe DCG413R2 is another fantastic addition to the 20V MAX system.
Batteries in the 20V MAX lineup range from 2.0Ah to 6.0Ah. This doesn’t represent the lightest or the highest charges on the market, but it’ll satisfy 99% of your needs. This particular grinder comes equipped with the heavy-duty 6.0Ah battery, which is enough for any job you’ll need to take on.
Restart protection is included during battery swaps. The trigger has to be turned off, then on, for the tool to restart after switching batteries.
In the event that a cut becomes too aggressive, the risk of kickback increases significantly. The DCG413R2 includes a unique anti-kickback sensor that shuts the tool down before things get too hectic.
No tools are required for this angle grinder. The blade guard is tool-less and the wheel change mechanism is a simple one-button affair.
This kit includes the DCG413R2 grinder, one 6.0Ah battery, a battery charger, and a contractor tool bag.
BOSCH GWX18V
The GWX18V cordless angle grinder from BOSCH includes some unique engineering paired with power on tap for the most strenuous of operations. The included battery is a whopping 8.0Ah, you’ll likely not need another battery unless you have some marathon grinding sessions on your horizon.
The housing integrates vents that direct airflow over the motor. This keeps overheating risk down, which is one of the top killers of motors and batteries.
A vibration-reducing handle makes operations much more comfortable. Soft-start technology also keeps the tool from jumping out of your hands during spool ups.
Restart protection keeps the tool from turning back on when a fresh battery is inserted. This is a welcome feature that helps us when we forget to turn the tool off before swapping batteries.
Anti-kickback technology keeps the tool from launching back at you during a bind and drop sensors quickly shut down the tool if you accidentally drop the grinder. An angle grinder dancing across the floor is undoubtedly exciting but we appreciate BOSCH’s measure against these scenarios.
BOSCH has started integrating Bluetooth connectivity in most of their newer tools, including the GWX18V grinder. The smartphone app allows for better battery management as well as planning and measurement tools.
Perhaps our favorite feature on the GWX18V is the wheel change mechanism. The X-LOCK system is completely tool-less. It relies on a lever and a unique wheel arbor to quickly lock and unlock accessories. Wheel changes took about five seconds for us, which adds up when switching grinding wheels or sanding wheels for longer jobs.
The GWX18V kit includes the grinder, battery, battery charger, and contactor bag.
So Which Cordless Angle Grinder Is The Best?
We’ve summarized the strengths and weaknesses of each angle grinder above. We’ll continue to pit them against each other below to determine which is the best cordless angle grinder for your workshop. Beyond these summaries, full reviews for each tool can be found here:
- MILWAUKEE 2780 (Full Review)
- MAKITA XAG11T (Full Review)
- RYOBI P423 (Full Review)
- DEWALT DCG413R2 (Full Review)
- BOSCH GWX18V (Full Review)
Scoring will be based on each angle grinder’s performance in four categories. Also, units can score equally if deserved in a particular category (e.g. a first, second, third, etc isn’t forced). For this comparison, the max score possible is set at 100 and the minimum score is 20.
Which Angle Grinder is the Most Powerful?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
Power is ultimately determined by the battery size on each tool. While each tool can accept different battery sizes, we’ll evaluate the batteries included in the kits.
All five of these grinders are rated for 18 volts, but they come equipped with different sized batteries.
The BOSCH comes with the largest at 8.0Ah. MILWAUKEE, MAKITA, and DEWALT include mid-range batteries between 5.0Ah and 6.0Ah. RYOBI’s grinder includes the smallest battery at 3.0Ah.
BOSCH earns 25 points. MILWAUKEE, MAKITA, and DEWALT earn 15 points. RYOBI earns 5 points.
Which Angle Grinder has the Most Features?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
The MILWAUKEE is a no-frills grinder. It’s a solid performer but doesn’t include anything extra.
MAKITA, RYOBI, and DEWALT include different combinations of tool-less adjustment features as well as smart electronics to add further safety measures. The MAKITA also includes an extra battery, RYOBI includes a top mount feature, and DEWALT’s tool-less wheel changes are convenient.
BOSCH includes these as well as the unique X-LOCK wheel change mechanism that sets this grinder apart from the rest.
MILWAUKEE earns 5 points. MAKITA, DEWALT, and RYOBI earn 15 points. BOSCH earns 25 points.
Which Cordless Angle Grinder has the Lowest Price?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
Most grinders in the 18-volt cordless class are priced around $300, depending on current sales.
RYOBI breaks apart from the crowd with its sub-$200 price tag. It takes the top spot for the most affordable option.
RYOBI earns 25 points. MILWAUKEE, MAKITA, DEWALT, and BOSCH earn 15 points.
Which Angle Grinder has the Best Ergonomics?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
Ergonomics are going to be evaluated as a combination of handle configurations, tool weight, and soft-start technology.
MILWAUKEE doesn’t include any of these extra features and weighs about 6 lbs, which is average for this class.
The MAKITA includes soft-start, but weighs around 6 lbs as well.
DEWALT doesn’t include either feature, but weighs a comfortable 4 lbs.
RYOBI and BOSCH are also lighter grinders, with RYOBI including a top handle mount and BOSCH incorporating soft-start features.
It’s a bit of a grab bag, but BOSCH and RYOBI shine above the rest in terms of operating comfort.
MILWAUKEE earns 5 points, MAKITA and DEWALT earn 15 points, and RYOBI and BOSCH earn 25 points.
Final Results
The BOSCH GWX18V is the clear winner in this comparison with its massive power output, unique features, and impressive ergonomics.
The RYOBI P423 takes our runner-up award and is a fantastic budget-friendly option.
Either of these two cordless angle grinders would be fantastic additions to your shop.
The DEWALT DCG413R2, MAKITA XAG11T, and MILWAUKEE 2780 each have their merits. There’s nothing wrong with any of these angle grinders so if you’re particularly brand-loyal, you’ll be happy with any of these. They just didn’t have enough compelling features to rise above the others in a head-to-head comparison.
