
DEWALT DCG413BDEWALT 20V MAX XR 4-1/2 in Angle Grinder
Brushless cordless grinder with a kickback brake that stops the wheel fast.
- Motor power
- —
- Weight
- 3.75 lb
- Kickback brake
- Yes
A good angle grinder cuts, grinds and polishes metal and masonry, so the best one balances motor power, disc size and control. Safety features matter too: a kickback brake or clutch stops the wheel when it binds, and a tool-free guard makes it easy to keep the guard in the right place. We put 25 angle grinders on one spec sheet so you can compare power, speed, weight, safety features and what comes in the box.
Quick answer
Ranked from 25 angle grinders that met our standard, compared on power input, disc diameter, and weight.
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Brushless cordless grinder with a kickback brake that stops the wheel fast.

Brushless M18 grinder with electronic clutch and anti-vibration handle.

| Spec | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Scoreout of 100 | 70 | 67 | 65 | 61 | 58 | 57 | 55 | 54 | 54 | 53 |
| Motor powerA | — | — | — | 6.2 A | 7.0 A | 7.5 A (best in row) | — | 7.5 A (best in row) | — | — |
| No-load speedrpm | 9000 rpm | — | 19500 rpm (best in row) | 10000 rpm | 12000 rpm | 12000 rpm | 8500 rpm | 11000 rpm | 9000 rpm | — |
| Disc diameterin | 4.5 in | 4.5 in | 3.0 in | 4.5 in | 4.5 in | 4.5 in | 5.0 in | 4.5 in | 4.5 in | 4.5 in |
| Weightlb | 3.75 lb | 4.99 lb | — | 4.00 lb | 3.90 lb | 5.07 lb | 5.60 lb | 4.20 lb | 4.59 lb | 3.30 lb (best in row) |
| Power source | Cordless brushless (best in row) | Cordless brushless (best in row) | Cordless brushless (best in row) | — | Corded AC/DC | — | Cordless brushless (best in row) | — | Cordless brushless (best in row) | Cordless brushless (best in row) |
| Brushless motor | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| Kickback brake | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tool-free guard adjustment | — | — | — | — | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | — |
| Spindle lock | — | — | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | Yes |
| Adjustable side handle | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | Yes |
| Warrantyyr | — | — | — | 1 year | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Included accessories | Tool only, no battery or charger | Tool only (no battery or charger) | 2x batteries, charger, 6 discs, hard case | 5 wheels, carrying case, side handle, wrench | — | 2 cut wheels, 2 grind wheels, side handle, guard, wrench | Tool only; battery and charger not included | Auxiliary handle, wheel guard, flange kit, spanner wrench, wheel | Tool only, no battery or charger | 2 batteries, charger, 2 guards, wheels, case |
We reviewed 34 angle grinders and kept only the 25 that pass every check below. Those are ranked by a Best Score built from spec fit for this job, warranty, sales rank.
These reviews are based on each grinder's published specifications and listing information, in the order of our Best Score.
Brushless DEWALT with the safety features that matter
The DEWALT DCG413B leads our Best Score at 69, mostly because of its safety features. Its Kickback Brake senses a pinch, stall or bind-up and engages the electronic brake with full force to stop the wheel. In normal use, DEWALT says the brake stops the wheel in 2 seconds or less on average.
It also has E-Switch Protection. If the power cuts out or the tool shuts down unexpectedly, the trigger has to be released and pressed again before the grinder restarts. That stops a surprise restart when a battery is swapped. The brushless motor needs no brush changes and runs at 9000 rpm with a 4.5 in disc.
At 3.75 lb it is one of the lighter grinders here. It is sold as tool only, with no battery or charger, so it is best for people who already run DEWALT 20V MAX tools. Warranty is not listed in our data.
VerdictThe safest all-round grinder on this page for anyone already on the DEWALT battery platform.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL grinder with kickback protection
Second with a Best Score of 66, the Milwaukee 2880-20 is the M18 FUEL answer to the DEWALT. It is brushless and cordless, takes 4-1/2 in or 5 in discs, and works with all M18 batteries, which makes it an easy add-on for Milwaukee users.
Safety is covered by an electronic clutch that acts as kickback protection, and overload protection helps the motor last longer when you push it hard. The anti-vibration side handle reduces the buzz that tires your hands on long grinding jobs.
At 4.99 lb it is heavier than the DEWALT DCG413B, and no-load speed is not listed in our data. Like the DEWALT, it is tool only with no battery or charger. Choose between the two based on which battery platform you already own.
VerdictA strong brushless grinder that makes most sense for existing Milwaukee owners.
Corded Metabo HPT kit with wheels and a case
The Metabo HPT G12SR4 ranks third with a Best Score of 60. It is a corded grinder with a 6.2 A motor rated at 980W of max output and a 10000 rpm no-load speed. It weighs 4 lb, light for a corded model.
The kit is generous: you get the grinder, five grinding wheels, a carrying case, a side handle and a wrench. A spindle lock makes disc changes quick, and the left-mounted slide switch has a quick-off feature, so you can kill the motor fast if something goes wrong.
There is no kickback brake listed, which is the main gap compared with the two cordless leaders. It carries a 1-year warranty in our data. For someone who wants a plug-in grinder that is ready to work out of the box, it is a sensible kit.
VerdictA complete corded kit that gets you grinding without buying extras.
Fast corded DEWALT with tool-free guard and wheel changes
Fourth with a Best Score of 58, the DEWALT DWE4011 is a corded grinder built around convenience. Its 7 A AC/DC motor runs at 12000 rpm, tied for the highest speed on this page, which DEWALT says gives faster material removal and better overload protection.
The One-Touch guard adjusts without a tool, so you are more likely to keep it positioned correctly as you switch between cutting and grinding. The quick-change wheel release lets you remove wheels without a wrench, and a common hex wrench replaces the usual spanner if you do need one.
At 3.9 lb it is light and easy to handle. The listing does not mention a kickback brake or spindle lock in our data, and no warranty term is given. It suits people who change wheels often and want speed from a corded tool.
VerdictA quick, light corded grinder that makes guard and wheel changes painless.
Budget corded grinder ready for home metal jobs
The AVID POWER AAG589 also scores 58 and is aimed at home DIY. Its 7.5 A, 900W motor reaches 12000 rpm, tied for the fastest here. AVID POWER suggests it for metal cutting, grinding and polishing, including sharpening lawn mower blades.
It can also handle masonry and concrete grinding with diamond discs, which are not included. The box does include 2 cut wheels, 2 grind wheels, a side handle, a guard and a wrench. A tool-free guard and spindle lock make setup easier, and the standard 7/8 in arbor fits most brands of wheels.
At 5.07 lb it is heavier than most corded grinders on this page, and no kickback brake or warranty is listed. For occasional jobs around the house and garage, it gives you a fast motor and a starter set of wheels.
VerdictA capable starter grinder with fast speed and wheels in the box.
Best among the reviewed tools
Corded grinders give steady power all day and need no batteries. Cordless grinders go anywhere and, with brushless motors, now handle most jobs. If you already own a battery platform, a tool-only cordless grinder is the cheapest way in.
A kickback brake or electronic clutch stops the wheel when it binds, which is the most dangerous moment with a grinder. No-volt restart protection stops surprise starts. Only two grinders in our top five list kickback protection.
A 4.5 in disc suits most cutting and grinding jobs and keeps the tool light. Larger 7 in grinders cut deeper but weigh much more. Speeds here range from 8000 to 12000 rpm; higher speed removes material faster.
Grinders are often held at awkward angles. The models here weigh from 3.7 lb to 12.05 lb. A light body, a slim grip and an adjustable side handle make long jobs less tiring and easier to control.
For most people a 4.5 in grinder is the right size. It handles cutting, grinding and polishing, takes common wheels and stays light. Larger 7 in grinders suit heavy concrete and steel work.
Brushless cordless grinders handle most metal cutting and grinding. For long, heavy jobs, a corded grinder avoids battery swaps. If you already own batteries, cordless is often the better buy.
It senses when the wheel pinches or binds and stops it quickly, reducing how much the tool jerks. The DEWALT DCG413B and Milwaukee 2880-20 list this type of protection.
Yes, with a diamond disc. Several grinders here, like the AVID POWER AAG589, say they can handle masonry and concrete with diamond discs, which are usually sold separately.
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