Makita 40V XGT GAG04 Angle Grinder vs Makita 18V LXT XAG04 Angle Grinder
Quick take: The Makita 18V LXT XAG04 Angle Grinder costs $115 less bare; the Makita 18V LXT XAG04 Angle Grinder is lighter (5.6 vs 9.7 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (Makita 40V XGT vs Makita 18V LXT), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | Makita 40V XGT GAG04 Angle Grinder | Makita 18V LXT XAG04 Angle Grinder |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $284 | $169 |
| Kit Price | $424 | $259 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Category | Angle Grinder | Angle Grinder |
| Battery Platform | Makita 40V XGT | Makita 18V LXT |
| Voltage | 40V | 18V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (with battery) | 5.6 lbs (with battery) |
| Released | 2021 | 2017 |
| Wheel Size | 4-1/2 / 5 in | 4-1/2 / 5 in |
| No-Load Speed | 3,000-8,500 RPM variable | 8,500 RPM |
| Switch | Slide, lock-on | Slide, lock-on |
| Spindle | 5/8-11 UNC | 5/8-11 |
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.
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.