Grinders — Types, Comparisons, and Buying Guides

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Grinders remove material through abrasion. Angle grinders handle broad surfaces and cutting. Bench grinders sit on the workbench for sharpening and shaping. Die grinders fit into tight spaces for detail work at high RPM. The category spans handheld, stationary, and compact rotary tools.

Types of Grinders

Bench Grinders

Stationary grinder bolted to a workbench with two wheels: one coarse for shaping, one fine for sharpening. Sizes run 6-inch and 8-inch.

Compare Bench Grinders

Die Grinders

Small, high-speed rotary tool for grinding, polishing, porting, and deburring metal. Runs 20,000-30,000 RPM in cordless or pneumatic configurations.

Compare Die Grinders

Top Brands

DeWalt 20V MAX
Milwaukee M18 (18V)
Makita 18V LXT
Ryobi ONE+ (18V)
Bosch 18V
Craftsman V20 (20V)
Ridgid 18V Octane
Kobalt 24V MAX

Popular Comparisons

Educational Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of grinders are available?

We cover Bench Grinders, Die Grinders. Each type handles different work. Browse the sections below to find what fits your projects.

Which brands make the best grinders?

DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and Bosch rank high in aggregated user reviews for durability and output. Ryobi and Craftsman hit lower price points and work well for people who use their tools a few times a month.

Should I buy brushless or brushed?

Brushless motors run cooler, last longer, and squeeze more runtime out of the same battery. They cost more upfront but pay for themselves in reduced maintenance. If you use your tools weekly or more, go brushless. For occasional weekend use, brushed is fine.

How does FriendsWithTools review products?

We pull specs from manufacturer data sheets, cross-check pricing at Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe's, and read through real user reviews. We do not test tools in a lab. All claims link back to their source.

How we work: specs come from manufacturer data sheets, prices from Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe's, and feedback from real user reviews on those platforms and construction forums. We do not run a test lab. Read more about our process.