Best Cordless Angle Grinder Review
Best Cordless Angle Grinder Review
Welcome to our review of cordless angle grinders, written for 2020 by us the experts at Wonkee Donkee. We have worked together on this one testing around 20-30 cordless angle grinders in order to make this ultimate list of the top 3.
Let’s just say it wasn’t easy with so many cordless angle grinders to choose from, all packed with new innovative technology. So, in the end, we came down to our joint-favourites – we are sorry but it is just impossible to split these two. The two we have chosen for the best cordless angle grinders available are the Bosch GWS18V and the Makita XAG03M. If you really had to push us for an answer a unanimous vote led to the Bosch GWS18V just edges it with due to that extra kick of power.
Finally, we’ve taken into account price and looked at cordless angle grinders that are a touch cheaper. We wanted to find a grinder that’s superb in its own right AND is affordable to everyone. The winner of this title is the Hitachi G18DSLP4 as it is an excellent all-round cordless angle grinder which you will find all about in our review below.
Bosch GWS18V-45 Angle Grinder
The Bosch GWS18V-45 is, without doubt, one of the best angle grinders you can buy without breaking the bank. The fact that it doesn’t cost the earth means that it’s a great tool for contractors, hobbyists and homeowners alike. It boasts a powerful 18V motor, which runs for a surprisingly long time before needing to be recharged. This makes it great for large projects such as polishing metals.
Power is definitely important, but the design and handle placements are often overlooked in angle grinders. Using an angle grinder that is ergonomic and comfortable to use not only makes it safer but also means you can work for longer periods, making you more productive. Overall, the Bosch GWS-18V has got to be one of the most well-designed angle grinders that have ever existed. It really is the complete design, at Wonkee Donkee we were amazed about the ease of use of this model from the handle placement to the high-quality build.
As you would be right to expect with a Bosch, the details are taken care of too. It comes with electronic motor protection as standard, this helps to stop the angle grinder overheating, protecting from damage and optimizing battery life. We have tried and tested all of the leading power tool manufacturers angle grinders available today and the Bosch GWS18V-45 angle grinder is easily one of the best angle grinders we have ever used.
Specifications
- Motor Size: 18 Volts
- Size: 4.5 Inches
- Maximum Speed: 10,000 RPM
What We Like:
- Suitable for Large Projects
- Vibration Control Handle
- Battery-Extending Features
More Photos
Makita XAG04Z 18V Angle Grinder
The Makita XAG04Z is literally just pipped to the post in this cordless angle grinder review by the Bosch GWS18V-45. But, that is just what we think at Wonkee Donkee, and you should definitely make up your own mind about which is better. If you look at the sales figures across any of the major power tool distribution websites you’ll see that the Makita XAG04Z angle grinder is one of the most popular models everywhere.
The Makita XAG04Z was arguably the first angle grinder that started to convert contractors over from their trusty corded models. For a long time, the cordless options just didn’t deliver the same torque and battery life was a real issue. However, Makita tackled this head-on and developed innovative technology to produce an angle grinder with a similar power output to your average corded tool and started to change people’s conceptions.
It is simply a great all-round tool, and it even does well on heavy-duty jobs, for example grinding down welds. Sure it means the grinder heats up a little faster than a corded model, but unless you’re working large projects, that shouldn’t be a problem. To add to that the extra manoeuvrability and angles you can get with a cordless angle grinder make this the better power tool to use, even if it may take a little longer. In terms of cordless angle grinders, the Makita XAG04Z is very much considered the OG (Original Gangster – apparently). It’s been around a while but like a fine wine, it seems to get better with age and puts a lot of the newer models to shame. Makita is always making improvements too, with new developments in technology being added to the latest versions all the time.
Specifications
- Motor Size: 18 Volts
- Size: 4.5 Inches
- Maximum Speed: 8,500 RPM
What We Like:
- Extremely Powerful Motor
- Compact and Durable Build
- Additional Battery Included
More Photos
Hitachi G18DSLP4 18V Angle-Grinder
Like we said in our introduction the Hitachi G18DSLP4 angle grinder is our wildcard pick. That is because it is not the best angle grinder overall, but when it comes to value it’s hard to beat. Don’t take that statement too literally though as the Hitachi G18DSLP4 angle grinder is a solid power tool in its own right. All we are saying at Wonkee Donkee is that if it was a competition of quality vs £/$ spent, this Hitachi angle grinder would win. That is why there is really very little to choose from between our top 3 picks.
One of the main things we look for in power tools is safety features. As standard, this model has what Hitachi call overcurrent protection. This feature cuts the power out when it starts to overheat, protecting the user and the angle grinder itself. This helps extend the life of both the angle grinder and the battery stopping any unnecessary damage to be caused. It is also surprisingly light for an affordable angle grinder, making it very easy to use on large polishing projects, and easy for beginners to work with.
The one drawback of the Hitachi G18DSLP4 angle grinder is that it doesn’t come with an 18v battery or a case included. You’ll have to use the one from your existing cordless angle grinder or pick up one, but they’re not expensive it’s just a slight inconvenience. If you’re a beginner or you don’t have a large budget to spend then this is simply the best cordless angle grinder for you.
Specifications
- Motor Size: 18 Volts
- Size: 4.5 Inches
- Maximum Speed: 9,000 RPM
What We Like:
- Great Motor
- Hitachi Overcurrent Protection
- Incredible Value for Money
More Photos
Cordless Angle Grinder Buying Guide
A cordless angle grinder has a few different names, depending on where you are in the world (and sometimes state) so at Wonkee Donkee we have created this list of the most common to make sure you’re definitely in the right place. These common alternative names for an angle grinder are:
Side Grinder
Disc Grinder
Grinding Machine
When picking an angle grinder, in our opinion you should always opt for a well-known brand. You get the peace of mind that they are built well, high-quality and have all of the best safety features available. A cordless angle grinder is potentially a dangerous piece of kit, if it is not used properly or if it breaks whilst in operation, so safety is of the utmost importance. If you are interested in knowing what we think the best angle grinder overall is then you should read our best angle grinder review. At Wonkee Donkee we believe that when you are deciding on which angle grinder is the best model for you, there are typically 3 critical factors:
Disc Size
For the most part, angle grinder discs normally fall between 4 and 12 inches in diameter. However, as standard most grinding discs will be 4 to 4.5 inches because that takes care of most tasks as well as meaning that you can get into hard to reach places easily. Larger grinding discs are useful for extensive tasks such as polishing large sheets of material, however, they come at the cost of being unable to get into hard to reach positions.
If you have a large project, especially if you’re polishing a large area, then you probably shouldn’t be looking at a cordless angle grinder anyway, you will find that you will be more productive with a corded. Especially has the corded drills have more options with larger grinding discs. But for all other tasks, you’ll find the 4-4.5 inches plenty big. Saying that cordless models are improving in their power and battery life so if it is just now and again that you take on a big task then a cordless angle grinder is suitable for you.
Motor Size / Torque
For angle grinders, size matters. You want as compact of an angle grinder as possible, without losing out on comfort or power. Standard models have motors that are around 7.5 amp in size which provides a decent power output allowing you to get on with any task you may come across. In our opinion, you shouldn’t settle for any smaller of a motor unless you only need an angle grinder for small jobs where additional power isn’t required.
Obviously, larger angle grinders exist with motors up to 12-13 amps in size, but you’ll find that most of these are corded angle grinders so you lose something in practicality. These are particularly good for larger or heavy-duty projects like when you are working with a lot of welding materials.
Cordless Angle Grinders vs Corded Angle Grinders
Finally, let’s look at the difference between corded and cordless angle grinders to help you decide which would better suit your needs. You may realise in this section that it does not actually matter which type of angle grinder you buy for the tasks you will be completing. This means that the decision you need to make will be down to price and personal preference.
The fact is that corded angle grinders can be a pain. You need the right energy sources, you have the cable getting in the way and the cable length restricts your working area. On the flip side, they are traditionally more powerful and some variations have larger grinding discs. This makes them perfect for an intensive activity like smoothing, finishing welds or when you need to polish a large surface area.
But, the reality is that as technology has advanced and continues to advance, especially in cordless angle grinders. There can be a difference in power between the corded and the cordless but it’s extremely limited, and it only makes a difference on certain heavy-duty projects. The best piece of advice we could offer at Wonkee Donkee is to get a cordless angle grinder 9 out of 10 times. The other time a corded option would be more suitable where large materials need to be treated over a long period of time.
