Angle Grinders

An angle grinder is defined mainly by the disc diameter it takes: 115mm for light, precise work in tight spaces, 125mm as the most versatile all-round size for everyday cutting and grinding, and 230mm when you need real depth for masonry and thick steel. This range holds angle grinders from Makita, Milwaukee, Metabo and Fein, in both corded (110V/240V, up to 2300W) and cordless (18V/40V) versions, with brushless motors and tool-less Fixtec disc changes on several models.

Disc diameter isn't just about the tool's size, it caps what the grinder can safely do. A 115mm angle grinder is easiest to control one-handed and excels at trimming, deburring and detail cutting, but it can only take smaller, lower-capacity discs. A 230mm angle grinder is heavier and needs two hands throughout, but its larger disc gives the depth of cut needed for block, brick and thicker steel. If you're only buying one grinder, 125mm is usually the safer all-round choice: enough disc capacity for most cutting and grinding jobs, while still being manoeuvrable enough for detail work.

Whatever size disc an angle grinder takes, never fit a larger one than the guard and rated speed allow, a disc spun beyond its rated RPM, or used without the matching guard, is a genuine safety risk rather than a minor inconvenience. Check the maximum disc diameter and RPM stamped on the grinder before ordering discs, and match the disc type to the job: thin cutting discs for slicing through material, thicker grinding discs for removing material from a surface, and flap discs for finishing, a cutting disc used for grinding can shatter, since it isn't designed for that side loading.

A corded angle grinder is the straightforward choice for a fixed workshop or workbench: full power on tap, no battery to plan around, and often the more affordable option for the same power output. A cordless angle grinder costs more for equivalent performance but removes the trailing cable entirely, which matters more once you're working on site, up a ladder, or moving between jobs through the day. Brushless motors, used across most of the cordless models here, add better run time per charge and less wear over the tool's life than the older brushed design.