How to choose the right angle grinder

Once found primarily in metalworking shops, machine shops, and construction sites, more recent compact designs and a more comprehensive range of accessories have made the angle grinder one of the more versatile power tools any professional or DIYer can add to their tool collection. Although corded models offer power and unlimited runtime, more and more DIYers and hobby makers (crafting enthusiasts) prefer the flexibility and portability that comes with cordless models. Choosing the correct angle grinder is largely a matter of deciding the size you require and the material you would like to work with. Bigger, and more powerful or if a smaller one with or without variable speed is better suited to the types of things you want to do with it. A smaller angle grinder can still be all that’s needed to accomplish a wide range of home-based projects for DIYers and crafters alike.

How to choose the right angle grinder

Once found primarily in metalworking shops, machine shops, and construction sites, more recent compact designs and a more comprehensive range of accessories have made the angle grinder one of the more versatile power tools any professional or DIYer can add to their tool collection. Although corded models offer power and unlimited runtime, more and more DIYers and hobby makers (crafting enthusiasts) prefer the flexibility and portability that comes with cordless models. Choosing the correct angle grinder is largely a matter of deciding the size you require and the material you would like to work with. Bigger, and more powerful or if a smaller one with or without variable speed is better suited to the types of things you want to do with it. A smaller angle grinder can still be all that’s needed to accomplish a wide range of home-based projects for DIYers and crafters alike.

How do they work?

The angle grinder is probably one of the simplest power tools from an operational perspective. A motor drives a gear head and spindle, that is set at a right angle to the tool’s body and handle, at a very high rate of speed. Angle grinders use a wide range of bonded abrasive, or diamond “discs” or pads can be attached to the arbor and spun at high speeds to accomplish a range of functions, including cutting, grinding, sanding, and polishing. Angle grinders are designed to work on a diverse range of materials including concrete, masonry, metal, plastic, and ceramic or porcelain tiles.
Explore our angle grinder

Worx Advantage

Worx Advantage: Slimmer designs for better grip
The Worx MakerX angle grinder with brushless motor was designed for an optimal amount of power and speed in an ultra-compact, slim design, making it especially appropriate for crafting enthusiasts as well as all kinds of smaller applications any DIYer or homeowner will find useful, including rust removal from metal objects, cutting small pieces of wood, cutting ceramic tiles, and a variety of sanding projects. With an ultra-slim design and weighing little over 140 g, users will rarely have to take a break because of fatigue. The lightweight Nitro 20 V PowerShare 115 mm angle grinder with brushless motor can handle heavier duty applications. It’s slim body design fits snugly into any size hand and helps get into tighter spaces than normal sized angle grinders. The ergonomically designed handle provides better comfort and control for longer, fatigue-free use.

Ergonomics in action

If you’ve ever used a handheld power tool from years ago, you might wonder how people got anything done. Older power tools were bulky and hard to maneuver, which meant users couldn’t use them for very long before they needed a break because of fatigue. Those days are long gone. Most recent models feature compact, lightweight designs with more attention paid to how the ergonomics and functions provide greater user comfort. The result is DIYers getting more done with less fatigue.

Worx Advantage

Worx Advantage: Slimmer designs for better grip
The Worx MakerX angle grinder with brushless motor was designed for an optimal amount of power and speed in an ultra-compact, slim design, making it especially appropriate for crafting enthusiasts as well as all kinds of smaller applications any DIYer or homeowner will find useful, including rust removal from metal objects, cutting small pieces of wood, cutting ceramic tiles, and a variety of sanding projects. With an ultra-slim design and weighing little over 140 g, users will rarely have to take a break because of fatigue. The lightweight Nitro 20 V PowerShare 115 mm angle grinder with brushless motor can handle heavier duty applications. It’s slim body design fits snugly into any size hand and helps get into tighter spaces than normal sized angle grinders. The ergonomically designed handle provides better comfort and control for longer, fatigue-free use.

Ergonomics in action

If you’ve ever used a handheld power tool from years ago, you might wonder how people got anything done. Older power tools were bulky and hard to maneuver, which meant users couldn’t use them for very long before they needed a break because of fatigue. Those days are long gone. Most recent models feature compact, lightweight designs with more attention paid to how the ergonomics and functions provide greater user comfort. The result is DIYers getting more done with less fatigue.

Low vibration

Every angle grinder will vibrate to some degree, but some models vibrate more than others. Prolonged exposure to micro-vibrations over extended periods of use can cause serious problems to the user’s hands. Better models of angle grinders have high-quality bearings along with anti-vibration shock absorbers built into the tool to greatly reduce the amount of vibration. Models with a brushless electric motor will also vibrate less than brushed motor versions. For bigger grinding jobs, you may want to consider a low vibration angle grinder to protect against harmful vibration exposure.

Pro tip: watch out for kickback

While angle grinders are commonly designed with large bearings to counteract side forces generated when using one for cutting tasks, a phenomenon called kickback can still occur during cutting operations. It’s essential to keep in mind that angle grinders used as a cutting tool are only capable of making straight cuts. Any significant deviation from a straight line could cause the blade to catch and pop up out of the cut in the opposite direction in which the disc or blade is spinning. The key here is to keep the tool moving in a straight line and not to use excessive force when pushing or pulling the tool to make a cut. Kickback can also occur when using abrasive wheels if the disc gets pinched by or snagged on the workpiece. Whenever possible, make sure a workpiece is held firmly in place with clamps. Unsecured workpieces increase the chances of kickback occurring.

Worx Advantage

Worx Advantage: Electronic anti-kickback control
Both the MakerX angle grinder with brushless motor and the Nitro 20 V PowerShare 115 mm angle grinder with brushless motor have a built-in safety feature to deal with kickback. The electronic anti-kickback control will automatically turn the machine off to avoid dangerous “kicking” of the tool back towards to the user.

Pro tip: watch out for kickback

While angle grinders are commonly designed with large bearings to counteract side forces generated when using one for cutting tasks, a phenomenon called kickback can still occur during cutting operations. It’s essential to keep in mind that angle grinders used as a cutting tool are only capable of making straight cuts. Any significant deviation from a straight line could cause the blade to catch and pop up out of the cut in the opposite direction in which the disc or blade is spinning. The key here is to keep the tool moving in a straight line and not to use excessive force when pushing or pulling the tool to make a cut. Kickback can also occur when using abrasive wheels if the disc gets pinched by or snagged on the workpiece. Whenever possible, make sure a workpiece is held firmly in place with clamps. Unsecured workpieces increase the chances of kickback occurring.

Worx Advantage

Worx Advantage: Electronic anti-kickback control
Both the MakerX angle grinder with brushless motor and the Nitro 20 V PowerShare 115 mm angle grinder with brushless motor have a built-in safety feature to deal with kickback. The electronic anti-kickback control will automatically turn the machine off to avoid dangerous “kicking” of the tool back towards to the user.

Some angle grinders are special

As with many power tools, there is a huge array of specialty angle grinders whose designs are optimized for very particular tasks. Most DIYers and crafting enthusiasts are interested in getting more functions out of fewer tools than going the other way, unless they have very particular needs.

Worx Advantage

Worx Advantage: The mini cutter
The angle grinder is probably one of the simplest power tools from an operational perspective. A motor drives a gear head and spindle, that is set at a right angle to the tool’s body and handle, at a very high rate of speed. Angle grinders use a wide range of bonded abrasive

Pro tip: wear protection

Angle grinders can be dangerous tools and it’s really important to use heavy gloves and wear eye protection whenever you use an angle grinder. Common issues like abrasive discs breaking apart or just normal metal or concrete chards being spun off can cause injury.

Pro tip: wear protection

Angle grinders can be dangerous tools and it’s really important to use heavy gloves and wear eye protection whenever you use an angle grinder. Common issues like abrasive discs breaking apart or just normal metal or concrete chards being spun off can cause injury.

Electric motors: brushed vs brushless

Higher-quality brushless electric motors have many advantages over traditional brushed motors. A brushless motor is quieter, 25% more powerful, runs 50% longer, has an overall 10% longer life, and is also smaller, allowing for even more compact and lightweight power tool designs.

Worx Advantage

Worx Advantage: Electronic anti-kickback control
Worx Advantage: The Nitro angle grinder The larger Nitro 20 V PowerShare 115 mm angle grinder features a brushless motor, which is part of it can handle heavier-duty applications while still featuring a slim design for tighter spaces along with an ergonomically designed handle for a more comfortable grip resulting in less fatigue when using the tool for longer periods. When a two-handed grip is required for some tasks, it has an auxiliary handle and anti-kickback technology. This super compact grinder weighs only 1.7 kg.

Vision, matter, shape

Jonathan is a sculptor. He spends most of his time in the workshop, covered with a fine layer of white stone dust just like the whole space around him.

I start from a sketch or a terracotta model - he says - and then I start removing what’s in excess. There’s no going back, of course, and this causes a certain anxiety. It took a long time to learn about materials and how to look through them to see how they will allow me to shape them. The complex part about giving a form to my vision is understanding where and how matter will break and which tools to use.

Vision, matter, shape

Jonathan is a sculptor. He spends most of his time in the workshop, covered with a fine layer of white stone dust just like the whole space around him.

I start from a sketch or a terracotta model - he says - and then I start removing what’s in excess. There’s no going back, of course, and this causes a certain anxiety. It took a long time to learn about materials and how to look through them to see how they will allow me to shape them. The complex part about giving a form to my vision is understanding where and how matter will break and which tools to use.

Same battery, expandable powe

Worx PowerShare is a unique 20 V modular system that allows you to combine the same battery to multiply voltage to 40 V and even 80 V. PowerShare batteries are available in a choice of capacities so that you can choose what you need.

Worx Advantage

The Worx 20 V PowerShare battery platform.
The Worx cordless power sanders mentioned in this buying guide are all powered by the exclusive 20 V PowerShare battery pack that can be shared across more than 70 other tools in the PowerShare family. This innovative approach combines great power and easy portability while saving you money with fewer batteries and chargers.
Power equal to 800 W corded, brushless motor

20V brushless cordless angle grinder 115mm - tool only - WX813.9
Powerful, compact and safe

Cordless angle grinder 115mm 20V - tool only - WX800.9
Powerful, compact and safe

Cordless angle grinder 115mm 20V - with 2 x 2Ah batteries and charger - WX800
Power equal to 800 W corded, brushless motor

20V cordless brushless angle grinder 125mm - tool only - WX812.9
Slim body design with soft grip

Cordless angle grinder 125mm 20V - tool only - WX803.9
Compact and lightweight grinder and cutter

Chopper cordless mini cutter 20V - tool only - WX801.9
Compact and lightweight grinder and cutter

Chopper cordless mini cutter 20V - with battery and charger - WX801
750W high power and lightweight, 11000 RPM

750W 115mm angle grinder - WX717
Power equal to 800 W corded, brushless motor

20V cordless brushless angle grinder 125mm - with battery and charger - WX812
900W high power and lightweight, 12000 RPM

900W 125mm angle grinder - WX718
800W high power and lightweight, 12000 RPM

800W 125mm angle grinder - WX713

Explore our angle grinder
If you spend more time in your shed than your living room, you’re probably wondering what can we possibly teach you about tools that you don’t already know, right? Challenge accepted.