Best Cordless Angle Grinders
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A cordless angle grinder cuts, grinds and cleans metal, masonry and tile without a cord. This guide compares eight cordless angle grinders using manufacturer specifications. Nobody at WorkshopCompare has used these tools, so everything here is drawn from stated specifications and design intent.
The practical differences are wheel size, switch type, whether there is a brake, and above all the battery system. Most of these are sold as bare tools. Price tiers are ranges, not exact prices.
A grinder is among the more hazardous tools on this site, so the how-to-choose section includes safety points that deserve as much weight as the specifications.
Our Top Picks
- For V20 owners at the lowest tier shown: Craftsman V20 Brushless 4-1/2" Angle Grinder
- For a kit with battery, charger and tool-free guard: Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless 4-1/2" Angle Grinder Kit
- For light grinding and cutting with a lock-on switch: Bosch 18V Brushless 4-1/2" Angle Grinder
- For 4-1/2 to 5 inch wheels with a brake: Bosch 18V Brushless 4-1/2" to 5" Angle Grinder (Slide Switch)
- For quick-stopping paddle control: Makita 18V LXT Brushless 4-1/2"/5" Paddle-Switch Angle Grinder
- For M18 owners who want a braking grinder: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 4-1/2"/5" Braking Grinder (Paddle Switch)
- For ONE+ owners: RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 4-1/2" Angle Grinder
- For a 5.0Ah kit with four speed settings: Flex 24V Brushless 5" Variable-Speed Angle Grinder Kit
Comparison Table
| Product | Price Tier | Wheel Size | Battery in Box |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craftsman V20 Brushless 4-1/2" Angle Grinder | $50–100 | 4-1/2 inch | No (tool only) |
| Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless 4-1/2" Angle Grinder Kit | $100–200 | 4-1/2 inch | Yes (2.0Ah battery, 60W charger) |
| Bosch 18V Brushless 4-1/2" Angle Grinder | $100–200 | 4-1/2 inch | No (bare tool) |
| Bosch 18V Brushless 4-1/2" to 5" Angle Grinder (Slide Switch) | $200+ | 4-1/2 to 5 inch | No (bare tool) |
| Makita 18V LXT Brushless 4-1/2"/5" Paddle-Switch Angle Grinder | — | 4-1/2 and 5 inch | No (tool only) |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 4-1/2"/5" Braking Grinder (Paddle Switch) | — | 4-1/2 and 5 inch | No (tool only) |
| RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 4-1/2" Angle Grinder | — | 4-1/2 inch | No (tool only) |
| Flex 24V Brushless 5" Variable-Speed Angle Grinder Kit | $200+ | 4-1/2 and 5 inch | Yes (5.0Ah battery, charger) |
The Picks in Detail
Craftsman V20 Brushless 4-1/2" Angle Grinder
The Craftsman V20 grinder has a listed no-load speed of 8,500 RPM and has a brushless motor. A tapered handle is designed for comfort, the wrench stores in the handle, and a cutting guard and cutting wheel are included.
It takes 4-1/2 inch wheels and is a bare tool, so the battery and charger are extra. In the $50–100 tier it is the lowest tier shown here.
- Brushless motor, 8,500 RPM no load
- Cutting guard and cutting wheel included
- Wrench stores in the handle
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Designed for 4-1/2 inch grinding wheels
Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless 4-1/2" Angle Grinder Kit
Skil's kit adds a 2.0Ah battery and a 60W 20V charger to a digital brushless grinder said to cut, grind and polish metal, tile and stone. The guard changes tool-free with one hand, the side handle has three positions and a dual-function lock switch is fitted.
Wheels are sold separately from the kit, and the compact battery limits run time. The tier is $100–200.
- Battery and 60W charger included
- Tool-free guard change with one hand
- Three-position side handle with wrench storage
- Compact 2.0Ah battery limits run time
- Wheels sold separately from the kit
Bosch 18V Brushless 4-1/2" Angle Grinder
Bosch states this 4-1/2 inch grinder delivers the equivalent of 8 amps of corded power and 11,000 RPM. It has a lock-on slide switch, KickBack Control electronic sensor, soft start and restart protection. A side handle, guards, a backing flange and a wrench are included.
Bosch designed it for light grinding and cutting, a useful limit to keep in mind. The tool is bare, so battery and charger are separate. The tier is $100–200.
- Brushless, 11,000 RPM and 8 amps equivalent
- KickBack Control and soft start
- Lock-on slide switch
- Bare tool, battery and charger sold separately
- Designed for light grinding and cutting
Bosch 18V Brushless 4-1/2" to 5" Angle Grinder (Slide Switch)
This Bosch accepts 4-1/2 to 5 inch wheels and delivers the equivalent of 10.0 amps of power. A brake stops the wheel quickly when you switch off, drop control and KickBack Control are included, and a spindle lock makes accessory changes easier.
It uses a slide switch rather than a paddle switch. Battery and charger are sold separately, and it sits in the $200+ tier.
- Equivalent to 10.0 amps of power
- Brake stops the wheel quickly
- Drop control, KickBack Control and spindle lock
- Bare tool, battery and charger sold separately
- Uses a slide switch, not a paddle switch
Makita 18V LXT Brushless 4-1/2"/5" Paddle-Switch Angle Grinder
Makita's paddle-switch grinder has an electric brake that stops the wheel in 2 seconds or less and a BL brushless motor running at 8,500 RPM. Active Feedback-sensing Technology turns the motor off if the wheel stalls, and Automatic Speed Change adjusts speed and torque.
A paddle switch cuts power when you release it, rather than staying on, so it cannot be locked on; the wheel stops quickly only because this model has a brake. It works only with Makita 18V LXT batteries.
- Electric brake stops wheel in 2 seconds or less
- Active Feedback-sensing turns motor off on stall
- Automatic Speed Change
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Paddle switch rather than lock-on slide switch
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 4-1/2"/5" Braking Grinder (Paddle Switch)
Milwaukee lists 8,500 RPM from a POWERSTATE brushless motor, a RAPIDSTOP brake that stops accessories in 2 seconds or less, an electronic clutch for kickback protection and a no-lock paddle switch. The spindle is 5/8-11 for common accessories.
It is a bare tool on the M18 platform. It covers 4-1/2 inch and 5 inch wheels.
- 8,500 RPM brushless motor
- Brake stops accessories in 2 seconds or less
- Electronic clutch for kickback protection
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only with Milwaukee M18 batteries
RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 4-1/2" Angle Grinder
RYOBI's HP brushless grinder uses 4-1/2 inch wheels and runs on the 18V ONE+ platform.
It is a bare angle grinder/cut-off tool, and it comes with a grinding wheel and a cutting wheel.
- Brushless motor
- 4-1/2 inch size
- Fits the 18V ONE+ battery system
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only with RYOBI 18V ONE+ batteries
Flex 24V Brushless 5" Variable-Speed Angle Grinder Kit
The Flex 24V kit is a paddle-switch grinder with four speeds up to 10,000 RPM, and it includes one 5.0Ah lithium battery, a 160W fast charger and a bag. A one-step guard adjustment speeds up changes. It takes 4-1/2 and 5 inch wheels.
It works only with Flex 24V batteries and is in the $200+ tier.
- Four speeds up to 10,000 RPM
- 5.0Ah battery and charger included
- One-step guard adjustment
- Kit includes one battery
- Works only with Flex 24V batteries
How to Choose a Cordless Angle Grinder
Choose the wheel size first. Most grinders here use 4-1/2 inch wheels, and several take 5 inch as well. A larger wheel covers more area per pass but is heavier. Accessories must match the tool, and the guard must suit the wheel in use.
Switch type is a safety choice. A slide switch can lock on, which is convenient for long cuts or grinding passes. A paddle switch cuts power when you let go, which is safer if you lose grip, though the wheel keeps coasting unless the tool has a brake. The two Bosch grinders here use a slide switch; Makita, Milwaukee and Flex use a paddle.
Brakes and kickback control. A brake stops the wheel within a couple of seconds after release, reducing the time it spins while you set the tool down. Electronic kickback sensing cuts power if a wheel binds. Bosch, Makita and Milwaukee list such systems.
Power ratings differ in meaning. Bosch states corded-equivalent amp ratings and others quote no-load RPM. These are manufacturer figures and are not measured the same way, so they are for rough comparison only.
Battery system and size. Grinders are demanding on batteries, and a compact 2.0Ah pack, like the Skil kit's, runs down faster under heavy load. See 2Ah vs 4Ah vs 5Ah battery size and tool-only vs kit.
Safety gear. Always wear eye and face protection, gloves and hearing protection, and use only wheels rated for the tool's speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a grinder and a cut-off tool?
An angle grinder can do both jobs. A cut-off setup uses a thin cutting wheel with the proper guard to slice metal, while grinding uses a thicker wheel on the face. Always use the correct guard for the wheel.
Is a brushless motor worth it for a grinder?
Generally yes. Brushless motors are more efficient and suit the high load of grinding, which helps run time on a battery.
Does a paddle switch or slide switch matter?
Yes. A paddle switch cuts power when released (the wheel stops quickly only on models with a brake), while a lock-on slide switch keeps running until you turn it off. Choose by how you work and how much safety margin you want.
Can I use a 5 inch wheel on a 4-1/2 inch grinder?
Only if the tool is rated for it. Check the model: several here take both sizes, and others are 4-1/2 only.