Best Cordless Angle Grinders
RankMyTool tracks 10 cordless angle grinders — cut-off and grinding tools for metal, tile, and masonry — from 9 brands, priced $99 to $284 bare. The highest-rated pick is the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2880 Angle Grinder, and the budget pick is the Craftsman V20 Brushless RP CMCG451 Angle Grinder at $99. Compare them all below.
Milwaukee's braking M18 Fuel grinder, rated equivalent to an 11-amp corded tool with an 8,500 RPM brushless motor. The paddle-switch no-lock configuration is the OSHA-friendly pick; slide-switch and variable-speed siblings (2888) fill out the family.
Ridgid's current 18V flagship grinder (May 2022), superseding the Octane-era R86042B with a brushless motor Ridgid rates at up to 25% more power than its predecessor. Runs 4-1/2-inch wheels at 9,000 RPM with an electric brake, a grip-spanning paddle switch, tool-free guard and wheel changes via a folding-tab flange nut, and a 2-position side handle. Sold exclusively at Home Depot; registering unlocks Ridgid's free-parts-and-service Lifetime Service Agreement.
Craftsman's flagship grinder, part of the higher-output V20 BRUSHLESS RP line (2022) that sits above the brushed CMCG400. The brushless motor delivers up to 65% more power than Craftsman's base grinder, spinning 4-1/2-inch wheels at 8,500 RPM. A no-lock paddle switch, tool-free guard adjustment, 3-position side handle, and VERSATRACK wall-storage compatibility round out a simple, light 4.4-lb package. Listed at $149 but persistently discounted - Lowe's had it at $99 and Amazon deals dip to $79.
Makita's mainstream 40V XGT flagship in the 4-1/2/5-inch class, with a variable 3,000-8,500 RPM brushless motor Makita claims cuts 5/8-inch rebar up to 60% faster than prior cordless. Electric brake stops the wheel in under 2 seconds, AFT kills the motor on bind-up, and it's AWS-capable for auto-starting Makita dust extractors. The GAG06 is the paddle-switch sibling; the newer GAG11 swaps the 5/8-11 spindle for X-LOCK.
Bosch's PROFACTOR-tier 'Spitfire' flagship grinder, pairing a BITURBO brushless motor with CORE18V High Power batteries to claim 13-amp corded-equivalent output. Runs 5- or 6-inch wheels at 9,000 RPM on a standard 5/8-11 spindle, with an electric brake, KickBack Control that shuts the tool off in a bind, restart protection, and a Vibration Control two-position side handle. Connected-ready for the Bosch PRO360 app (module sold separately); the GWS18V-13PN is the paddle-switch sibling and the GWX18V-13CN swaps to X-LOCK.
The October 2024 successor to Metabo HPT's original G3612DA, with a 1500W-max brushless motor the company rates at 18% more power than the outgoing model. A 6-position dial spans 3,200-10,000 RPM plus an auto mode, and the safety package includes an electric quick brake, anti-kickback protection, soft start, and zero-voltage restart protection. Dust- and water-resistant switch, tool-less wheel guard, and dual LED work lights round it out. Being MultiVolt, it runs on 36V packs or Metabo HPT's AC adapter - the only grinder in this class that can go corded. G3612DVFQ6 is the paddle-switch twin; G3615DVFQ6 is the 6-inch big brother.
DeWalt's Power Detect flagship grinder: it senses larger batteries and raises output to 1,350 watts, spinning to a class-leading 9,000 RPM. The Kickback Brake and E-Clutch electronics shut the wheel down on pinch events before the tool wrenches your wrist.
Flex's flagship 24V grinder, part of the brand's 2021 North American relaunch. A sensor-free brushless motor spins 4-1/2 or 5-inch wheels at up to 10,000 RPM - the highest top speed in this roundup - with touch-control speed settings of 3,500/5,000/7,000/10,000 RPM. Anti-kickback sensing stops the motor on bind-up, guard adjustment is one-step tool-free, and the vibration-suppression side handle tames buzz. FX3171A is the no-lock paddle version; FX3181A is the side-switch sibling. THERMA-TECH heat management and 24V packs push it toward corded-class sustained output.
Makita's long-running brushless LXT grinder with Automatic Speed Change: it drops RPM and raises torque under load to keep the wheel moving. The slide switch with lock-on suits continuous grinding; a paddle-switch sibling (XAG09) covers no-lock jobsites.
Ryobi's second-generation ONE+ HP brushless grinder (2024), superseding the PBLAG01. Same 11-amp-equivalent brushless motor and 9,200 RPM top speed, but adds improved heat management, an angled foot for flush cuts, a 3-position side handle, and a safer tooled flange nut. Ryobi claims up to 210 cuts through 3/8-inch rebar per charge. Regularly $129 bare and frequently promoted to $99.