Makita 40V XGT GAG04 Angle Grinder vs Bosch PROFACTOR 18V Spitfire GWS18V-13CN Angle Grinder
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Quick take: The Bosch PROFACTOR 18V Spitfire GWS18V-13CN Angle Grinder costs $25 less bare; the Bosch PROFACTOR 18V Spitfire GWS18V-13CN Angle Grinder is lighter (5.1 vs 9.7 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (Makita 40V XGT vs Bosch 18V), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | Makita 40V XGT GAG04 Angle Grinder | Bosch PROFACTOR 18V Spitfire GWS18V-13CN Angle Grinder |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $284 | $259 |
| Kit Price | $424 | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Category | Angle Grinder | Angle Grinder |
| Battery Platform | Makita 40V XGT | Bosch 18V |
| Voltage | 40V | 18V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (with battery) | 5.1 lbs (bare) |
| Released | 2021 | 2021 |
| Wheel Size | 4-1/2 / 5 in | 5 / 6 in |
| No-Load Speed | 3,000-8,500 RPM variable | 9,000 RPM |
| Switch | Slide, lock-on | Slide, lock-on/lock-off |
| Brake | Electric, stops in 2 s or less | Electric, rapid wheel stop |
| Spindle | 5/8-11 UNC | 5/8-11 UNC |
Pros & cons
Makita 40V XGT GAG04 Angle Grinder
- ✓Owners who moved up from 18V LXT call the 40V grinder 'well worth the upgrade' - power and runtime are in a different league than LXT.
- ✓Variable-speed dial (3,000-8,500 RPM) is rare on cordless grinders and makes it usable for flap-disc blending and polishing, not just cutting.
- ✓AFT (Active Feedback-sensing Technology) shuts the motor down on bind-up - a genuine anti-kickback safety layer many competitors lack.
- ✓Electric brake stops the wheel in 2 seconds or less, and the electric current limiter keeps you from cooking the motor under overload.
- ✓AWS wireless auto-start pairs with Makita dust extractors for tool-triggered OSHA-compliant dust collection on concrete.
- ✓Tool-less guard rotation and standard 5/8-11 spindle mean no accessory lock-in (unlike the X-LOCK GAG11).
- ✓Soft start and restart protection make it well-mannered on generators and inverters.
- ✗Heavy: 9.7 lbs with battery per Makita's own spec - noticeably more fatiguing overhead than 18V-class grinders.
- ✗At $284 bare it is one of the priciest grinders in the class, and XGT batteries add a steep buy-in if you're not on the platform.
- ✗Slide switch with lock-on is banned on some jobsites - you need the GAG06 paddle version for no-lock-on safety rules.
- ✗XGT batteries don't interchange with Makita's huge 18V LXT ecosystem without a separate adapter-free platform commitment.
- ✗No major-retailer review aggregate has accumulated for this SKU, so long-term reliability signal is thinner than Milwaukee's 2880.
- ✗Sustained grinding still drains packs quickly - corded remains cheaper for all-day bench work.
- ✗Kit pricing (~$424 with one 4.0Ah) is a big premium over 18V rivals' kits.
Bosch PROFACTOR 18V Spitfire GWS18V-13CN Angle Grinder
- ✓BITURBO motor genuinely reaches corded 13-amp-class output when fed a CORE18V 8Ah+ High Power pack - among the strongest 18V grinders sold.
- ✓Handles 6-inch wheels, giving more depth of cut than the 4-1/2/5-inch rivals in this class.
- ✓KickBack Control shuts the motor off in bind-up situations - a real safety layer on top of the electric brake.
- ✓Electric brake plus restart protection and electronic clutch round out a complete safety-electronics package.
- ✓At 5.1 lbs bare it is light for the power class - lighter than Makita's 40V XGT grinder by a wide margin.
- ✓Standard 5/8-11 spindle means no X-LOCK accessory lock-in, and the quick-change lock nut is tool-free.
- ✓Connected-ready: PRO360 module adds tracking and custom settings for fleet users.
- ✓Five-year limited warranty on PROFACTOR tools is the longest in this roundup.
- ✗Needs CORE18V High Power (8Ah/12Ah PROFACTOR) batteries to hit rated output - regular 4Ah packs throttle it noticeably.
- ✗Slide switch with lock-on is prohibited on some jobsites; you must buy the GWS18V-13PN paddle version instead.
- ✗At ~$259 bare it is priced above Milwaukee/DeWalt 18V flagships that include kit options more cheaply.
- ✗Connectivity module is sold separately, so the 'connected' feature costs extra.
- ✗Bosch's cordless share in North America is smaller, so batteries and promos are less ubiquitous than red/yellow platforms.
- ✗No variable-speed dial - single 9,000 RPM speed limits flap-disc finesse work.
- ✗Major-retailer review volume is thin for this SKU, so long-term owner signal is limited.