Makita 18V LXT XAG04 Angle Grinder vs Ridgid 18V Brushless R86047 Angle Grinder
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Quick take: The Ridgid 18V Brushless R86047 Angle Grinder costs $30 less bare; the Ridgid 18V Brushless R86047 Angle Grinder is lighter (4.5 vs 5.6 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (Makita 18V LXT vs Ridgid 18V), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | Makita 18V LXT XAG04 Angle Grinder | Ridgid 18V Brushless R86047 Angle Grinder |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $169 | $139 |
| Kit Price | $259 | $219 |
| Rating | — | 4.5★ (481) |
| Category | Angle Grinder | Angle Grinder |
| Battery Platform | Makita 18V LXT | Ridgid 18V |
| Voltage | 18V | 18V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 5.6 lbs (with battery) | 4.5 lbs (bare) |
| Released | 2017 | 2022 |
| Wheel Size | 4-1/2 / 5 in | 4-1/2 in |
| No-Load Speed | 8,500 RPM | 9,000 RPM |
| Switch | Slide, lock-on | Paddle |
| Spindle | 5/8-11 | 5/8-11 UNC |
Pros & cons
Makita 18V LXT XAG04 Angle Grinder
- ✓Automatic Speed Change torque management keeps the wheel from bogging in deep cuts — owners call the power delivery unusually smooth.
- ✓Slide switch with lock-on is the preferred format for long weld-grinding sessions where paddle fatigue sets in.
- ✓Street price around $169 makes it the value pick among the pro-brand brushless grinders.
- ✓Extreme Protection Technology sealing has a strong track record in dusty metal-shop use.
- ✓Runs on the giant LXT battery ecosystem, and dual-battery LXT grinders exist if you need more power later.
- ✓Electric brake stops the wheel quickly for a slide-switch design.
- ✗8,500 RPM and 18V power now trail the DeWalt Power Detect and Milwaukee Fuel on peak output.
- ✗Lock-on slide switch is banned on some commercial sites, forcing the paddle sibling instead.
- ✗At 5.6 lbs with battery it is the heaviest of the three flagship grinders here.
- ✗The design dates to the late 2010s and lacks the anti-kickback electronics rivals now fit — a real safety-feature gap.
- ✗No variable speed.
- ✗Makita's US promo cadence is thin, so the street price moves less than Milwaukee/DeWalt deal pricing.
Ridgid 18V Brushless R86047 Angle Grinder
- ✓4.5-star average across 481 Home Depot reviews - owners repeatedly say it 'competes with high-end grinders at a fantastic price point'.
- ✓Electric brake stops the wheel quickly when the paddle is released - a feature Ryobi's same-price grinder lacks.
- ✓Tool-free guard adjustment plus a simplified folding-tab flange nut make wheel changes wrench-free.
- ✓Slim rubber-overmolded grip drew specific praise from Pro Tool Reviews for comfort during extended use.
- ✓Compact 13.3-inch length is maneuverable in tight spots, and 4.5 lbs bare keeps overhead fatigue down.
- ✓Lifetime Service Agreement (free parts and service with registration) is unmatched by any other brand in this class.
- ✓MAX Output batteries boost performance, and the $219 kit with a 4.0Ah MAX Output pack undercuts pro-brand kits.
- ✓Owners describe it as well-balanced and comfortable one- or two-handed.
- ✗Pro Tool Reviews pegs output at roughly a 9-amp corded grinder - light-to-medium duty, not a Bosch ProFactor/Flex-class powerhouse.
- ✗9,000 RPM and 4-1/2-inch wheels only - no 5-inch capacity or variable speed.
- ✗No kickback/bind-up shutoff electronics like Bosch KickBack Control or Makita AFT.
- ✗Home Depot exclusivity means no price competition between retailers and thinner accessory availability.
- ✗Paddle switch has no lock-on, which some users find fatiguing for long grinding sessions.
- ✗Ridgid's 18V platform is smaller than DeWalt/Milwaukee, so the grinder mostly makes sense if you're already invested.
- ✗Lifetime Service Agreement requires registration within 90 days - miss it and you fall back to the 3-year warranty.