Best Angle Grinder 2017– Buyer’s Guide and Review

We spent over 17 hours researching and evaluating the product. Ranging from speaking to expert craftsman to friends working in the construction industry as well as crowdsourced opinion before forming our recommendation. We believe that the Makita 9564CV 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder is one of the best from among the angle grinders we’ve reviewed. The product offers variable speed from 2,800 to 10,500 RPM to cater to different tasks. It also has the SJS™ clutch system for motor and safety as well as decent grinding performance even if you have to familiarize yourself with how the power button works for easy use. [Read more]

Whether you’re a craftsman, working in construction, a vocational work student, or even a parent. You will find using angle grinder useful and beneficial. We understand the hassle and knowledge required to find the right angle grinders. Thus, we are here to help you in narrowing down the list of available angle grinders that we think might be just right for you.

We have picked five of them, each of which we think provides the greatest benefit for you. These tools have undergone a thorough review and examination to identify its best features and drawbacks. From the hundred out there we’ve saved you time and hassle by coming up with our list of the top 5 angle grinders.​

​Best Angle Grinder of 2017

​"What To Consider Before Buying an Angle Grinder?"

Why you need to use angle grinders?

In a professional setting like in construction and a workshop, an angle grinder is a staple equipment. This tool can provide efficiency and give a smooth finish to the projects that craftsman can do.

However, this tool can also be useful in a household setting. The small and large do-it-yourself tasks, as well as home maintenance, may find the product beneficial in numerous ways.

How? There are several purposes that can give ‘oomph’ to some projects and activities. Its basic features include cutting materials. What separates it from other cutting tools is that it can cut through even the heavily compounded materials as metal and stone in a speedy manner.

Also, if you have blades that you need sharpening, an angle grinder can do that too with ease. Definitely, you can use it for grinding to smooth metal edges. Thus, this tool can hugely help in completing many tasks.

Common Consideration When Buying Angle Grinders

1. Disk Size

To perform the tasks for the angle grinder, it uses a wheel or disc mechanism. We deem it important to also check or examine the size that an angle grinder has because it has an impact on the results. It will affect the coverage and the depth of the disc on the material upon contact.

The most common size we’ve encountered from our research is 4 ½ to 7. Our best five, we consider the size alongside other vital product features.

2. Speed (RPM)

The speed of the disc is measured in rotation per minute or RPM. Our research will show that the speed runs from a wide range 2,000 to 11,000 RPM. An equipment with higher RPM is likely to perform better. But, you need to remember that the speed should also suit your needs.

This also goes to show that the tool is equipped with variable power or speed, which you can set depending on your task. Therefore, you might want to look the speed of the tool and compare it on your preference.

3.​ Safety measures

An angle grinder installs different safety measures depending on each brand manufacturer. What we did of our research is to examine what safety mechanism they place in the tool. You can check the clutch, disc guard and lock and the guard among the other installations. Some brands even allow right or left-hand adjustments to cater to different users.

How We Assessed and Evaluated These Angle Grinders

We love doing DIY projects at home from school related ones to home and living activities. However, we often use the most basic tools and less of the heavy duty equipment like that of an angle grinder.

Since we have limited knowledge about angle grinder, beside spending hours conducting research about the tool. We also asked around from friends and family who have been working with this tool at home and as part of their profession. We also managed to spoke to a two expert craftsmen which provides further assurance on our picks.

From here on, we then set criteria from which we chose the products. It has helped us sort through angle grinders with the best features that cater to varying needs of the users as yourself. We came up with a list of about 15 products and trimmed it down to 5.

It was challenging for us considering that aside from the huge number of choices, majority of the products share the same features. However, we have managed to weigh the pros and cons of each product with a predetermined set of evaluation metrics. Hence, we think have come up with what we think is the best.

Our Top Picks

Makita is one of the established and leading power tools manufacturer in the industry, which has been around for over 100 years in several countries.

Under their list of products is a powerful angle grinder tool.

The Makita 9564CV 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder among the most popular among craftsmen.

It has wide range speed of 2,800 to 10,500 RPM. The changeable speed is quite expansive, which allows you to choose a desired RPM or enables you to choose the best speed for your work or application. One thing we’ve observed, however, is that some might think that the 10, 500 RPM falls short of other products reaching up to 11,000 RPM.

The disc or grinder size is 4 ½ inches, which depending on your preference or activity might be small. Our research will show that this measurement is the smallest since other has about 7 inches disc size. But, for home and personal use, the 4 ½ inch may be enough to perform grinding tasks.

As for safety mechanisms, Makita tool is known for its clutch system, Super Joint System (SJS™) technology. This helps in protecting the motor as the grinding automatically stops when the disc binds. Thus, it prevents damage to both the tool and the user because it halts grinding when the disc encounters issues.

One concern we have regarding the tool is that the power button is a little difficult to use because it’s at time stubborn. The location of the button also is to an extent uncomfortable because you will need a certain position to turn it on or off.

If you’re attuned to home appliance and tools, you may have heard of the Black & Decker brand, which is known for providing drilling tools sent to the moon.

Since then the company also became a “household name, which many of the people we’ve talked to commend their products.

This led us to discover Black & Decker BDEG400 6-Amp Angle Grinder, 4-1/2-Inch.

The tool is equipped with a 4 ½ inch-sized grinder or disc size. As mentioned, you may find this a bit smaller. However, for general use, the tool can be able to work as a grinding, rust removal and sharpening tool among many of its functions.

A downside that we found about the product is that it has limited application included in the set. You might need to individually purchase other applications to perform certain jobs.

What is included in the tool is a wheel guard and a wrench. The wheel guard is necessary to protect you from flying debris from the material you’re working. Meanwhile, the wrench is useful when changing disc applications. We deem that these two are vital to ensure your safety and convenience when using the tool.

For added safety, the motor is encased in a metal housing to give it more durability over time. But, we found that despite the sturdy housing, there are issues of the motor stopping even when not intentionally turned off. Thus, you might need to check how it works on the initial use.

This product is also designed a movable side handle. It can give better control for the left-handed users and for various work positions.

From among the products on our list, the DEWALT DW840K 7-Inch Angle Grinder has the largest grinding size of 7 inches.

This size may allow you to work on bigger projects that will require wider and deeper coverage.

But, unlike the other tools on the list, it has a lesser RPM of only 8,000 RMP. This RPM speed can already perform the basic tasks of an angle grinder. 

Also, we think that this power is suited to the disc size with regard to safety.

The concern that we may find with the RPM power is that you will have lesser range compared to those reaching up to 11,000 RPM. Therefore, it might be helpful to consider the tasks or projects you are working on to determine the power you need.

We find the adjustable disc guard to be commendable because although it is movable, it does not easily budge. This is a vital feature because loose guards may cause debris or sparks to hit the user.

It also allows you to have more control over the tool with its adjustable handle positions. It specifically has two positions to cater to the comfort of the users. This is also helpful when you need to move around when working on a task.

The spindle lock of the tool allows a simple wrench operation to when you want to change the discs. It’s a good thing that the tool set includes a wrench to make it more convenient for you.​

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This product deviates from the small 4-inch disc size as it is equipped with a 5-inch grinder.

Although only half an inch bigger, it can increase coverage and depth with your project.

Having this minimal difference can still mean distinct result.

The feature that has caught our attention is the guard of the tool. An exclusive from the Flex L3410VRG 5-Inch Compact High Performance Variable Speed Grinder is the patented anti-twisting lock. This can help in ensuring that the guard is not loose especially when high speed is in the works. Thus, it can create better protection from particles and sparks.

As to its speed, it is one of the angle grinders on the list that has variable speed. You can choose from 3000 RPM to 11000 RPM. The variability of speed can help you in matching the speed and application you are using with the product (aside from grinder).

The product also installs a mechanism to protect motor with its quality shut-off brushes. Although we need to take extra care with our tools, there may be times that we are pushing it hard. Thus, the tool has this operation that can prevent total damage of the motor.

One observation we have of this product is that it is relatively expensive than the other angle grinders on our list. This can be an issue depending on your budget.

All these are encased in a lightweight tool of about 5 pounds. Thus, it may cause less hand strain.

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PORTER-CABLE PC60TAG 6.0-Amp 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder is among the angle grinders with 4 ½ inch grinder or disc size.

Although some may consider it as small, taking into account that some can reach up to 7 inches, it can work for up to 11,000 RPM.

The RPM capacity is among the highest from the product on the list. These features are pack in a lightweight 5-pound angle grinder.

One thing that we find disadvantageous of having high RPM is that the product has no speed variation. This can lessen the control over the product and can also minimize the match of speed and application.

Users can have better control over the tool with its adjustable handles. However, unlike other angle grinders, the handle can be rotated. You don’t have to remove it to change positions. Simply, you can move it around, which may offer greater convenience and ease while doing tasks.

To guard you against the flying particles or sparks, the tool includes a disc guard. It can be adjusted based to accommodate your protection needs. Although it is not like the rotating handle, the disc guard can be removed with a single release. This can increase productivity while ensuring that you are protected in different angles.

Like DEWALT DW840K, this product uses a spindle lock to change wheels. Thus, it also includes a wrench. But, the spindle lock is quite loose causing loose spinning.

A hazard concern that we have about the product is that it heats up fast. This becomes an issue of comfort for some. While, while others may lose the confidence of the safety of the product.

Our Recommendations:

Editor's Pick: Makita 9564CV 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder

From reviewing five angle grinders, we think that the Makita 9564CV 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder stood out as one of the best in providing good performance and giving safety to the users.

It caters various speeds of 2,800 to 10,500 RPM for your comfort as well as for the right match with the type of application you are using. Such that the product can be very versatile by allowing you to work on different tasks.

To ensure safety, it has a Super Joint System (SJS™) technology that halts motor when there are problems with the tool.

This product, however, has a grinder size of 4 ½ inch that can be considered small. But, it is still capable of performing. Also, you have to familiarize the power button design or location to help with comfortable handling.

Runners Up: Flex L3410VRG 5-Inch Compact High Performance Variable Speed Grinder & DEWALT DW840K 7-Inch Angle Grinder with Bag and Wheels

The first runner-up for this review is the Flex L3410VRG 5-Inch Compact High Performance Variable Speed Grinder with its 5-inch grinder and packing variable speeds of 3000 RPM to 11000 RPM. These features can allow users to do and complete more tasks or projects.

It almost made the Editor’s Choice, but the Makita has a unique experience for the users. However, the Flex L3410VRG still offers great features like its lightweight design that can help with comfort.

DEWALT DW840K 7-Inch Angle Grinder with Bag and Wheels is our second runner-up. This tool is loaded with a 7-inch grinder that is the biggest in this bunch.

Although it does not have a speed variation, we deem that the 11,000 RPM complements the size of the grinder. Thus, it can work on heavy duty tasks. Since it has a large grinder and fast speed, this tool has adjustable positions for the user to control it better.