Five compact cordless angle grinders with brushless motors

The German company Einhell has a reputation for producing high-quality power tools. In the segment of cordless angle grinders, an interesting offer from the brand is the Expert Plus Axxio model.

This grinder is lightweight (1.2 kg) and is designed to work with small discs with a diameter of up to 125 mm. Together with the tool, it is supposed to use cutting, cleaning and grinding discs, as well as cup, wire or petal brushes. The model is suitable for cutting and dry grinding work on metal, stone, concrete, tiles, wood, etc.

The tool is convenient to use with one hand for working at heights and in hard-to-reach places. Inside the grinder is a reliable brushless motor with soft start and electronic protection systems. And in order to avoid accidental start, the model provides for an appropriate lock that increases the safety of operation.

The grinder is powered by 18-volt batteries of the Einhell Power X-Change platform. Note that the battery and charger are not included in the package. If you already have an Einhell tool with batteries, this will save a lot of money on your purchase. As a result, we can say that the model is suitable for both active domestic use and moderately intensive professional use.

The Makita DGA506Z grinder is a prime example of a tool made with an eye on the conditions in which it will have to work. The case, for example, is made of very durable plastic, resistant to shocks and falls. The holes through which air enters the engine are closed with a fine mesh filter so that the device is not clogged with dust. Inside the housing is a brushless motor (more reliable than brushed motors and maintenance-free). The manufacturer does not provide information on engine power (such data is rarely found for a cordless tool), but, according to user reviews, the characteristics of this angle grinder approximately correspond to 700-watt network counterparts.

In addition to the brushless motor, there is a whole package of useful electronic options: soft start and speed maintenance functions (the speed of the disk remains constant, regardless of the load), a motor protection module (in case of overloads, the motor turns off) and a dynamic brake (after releasing the button, the rotating disk automatically decelerates in 3 seconds).

Despite the good (generally) ergonomics of the tool, one detail causes criticism. It's about the start button. Like many other Makita cordless angle grinders, it is not located on the side, under the thumb, but on top. Therefore, turning the tool on and off is not very convenient.

In this configuration, the grinder is sold without batteries. This is beneficial if you already have a charger and 18-volt batteries from any other Makita LXT series tool (screwdriver, jigsaw, router or renovator) and do not want to overpay for additional accessories. A case would not hurt, but it can also be bought separately inexpensively.

The DeWALT DCG406N is a professional grade angle grinder aimed at fitters and metalworkers. It is compact (310 mm long), not heavy (1.74 kg without batteries) and is designed to work with small discs up to 125 mm in diameter. Therefore, this angle grinder is convenient to use for working at heights and in hard-to-reach places. With its help, you can cut a bolt, cut sheet metal, cut rolled metal into parts for welding, snip off a piece of metal or plastic pipe, clean or grind a surface - perform any operation from those for which angle grinders are designed.

The grinder is equipped with a brushless motor with an electronic protection module and a soft start. It also has disc bite protection (overload clutch) and a dynamic brake. When the button is released, the brake instantly stops the cutting wheel. This is for safety. If, while working above head level, you miss the tool, the machine will simply turn off without causing you injury. However, it is difficult to let the grinder out of your hands, because its body is covered on all sides with non-slip rubber pads.

A feature of this model is a long start key instead of the usual button. It is convenient to press it at any position of the angle grinder, but working with the paddle key takes some getting used to. If you doubt that you will be able to get used to it, then it is better to take an identical DeWALT DCG405P2 grinder with a more traditional button.

Rechargeable battery and charger are not included. It is best to buy a 5 Ah battery (this ensures ideal weight distribution), but you can take a smaller battery if you want the tool, together with the battery, to weigh one hundred to two hundred grams less. The same batteries are also suitable for other types of DeWALT XR series cordless tools: from screwdrivers and electric jigsaws to construction staplers and rotary hammers.

Using the example of the Metabo PowerMaxx CC 12 BL grinder, you can see that brushless technology provides huge benefits. Using a compact, lightweight and powerful brushless motor, the manufacturer managed to create a miniature angle grinder with a huge disk rotation speed (20 thousand revolutions per minute). At the same time, the tool turned out to be very light - only 0.8 kg (and this is the weight along with the battery). Therefore, working with the Metabo grinder is a pleasure.

The grinder is equipped with electronic motor protection and soft start function. Due to the presence of a starting current limiter, the tool does not jump in the hands when the revving engine is turned on. The motor keeps its speed well under load, providing fast sawing of any material: metal, plastic, dense wood, stone or ceramics. The maximum cutting depth is small (only 19 mm), but many craftsmen do not need more, because copper and plastic pipes, aluminium profiles and ceramic tiles usually have a smaller diameter or thickness.

The discs used by the grinder are of a rare size (76 mm). They are rarely found for sale. Therefore, the manufacturer carefully put a whole set of nozzles in the tool case: five cutting discs and one peeling disc. The kit also includes a charger and two batteries at once: while one is working, the second is charging.

Bulgarian Metabo PowerMaxx CC 12 BL (which is one of the elements of the Metabo 12-volt cordless tool system) will certainly interest craftsmen involved in plumbing installation, installation of heating and air conditioning systems, assembly of metal profile frames or installation of stretch ceilings.

According to the manufacturer, the Bosch GWS 18V-10 SC grinder is the most powerful among all existing cordless angle grinders and is equivalent in productivity to 1000 W network grinders. It was possible to achieve such characteristics thanks to the use of a brushless motor (it is more powerful than conventional motors and “eats” the battery less).

In terms of the degree of "stuffing" of this angle grinder, it is also difficult to find equals. It is equipped with everything that Bosch could come up with. It has speed control (three modes: 4.5, 6 and 9 thousand rpm), a dynamic engine brake (instantly stops the disc), an electronic engine protection system and a safety clutch (protects the user from “kickback” when the disc is jammed).

Bulgarian is very easy to use. It has a quick lock nut for keyless disc change. The narrow gearbox housing allows easy access to welds in the corners of metal structures. Information about the selected disk rotation speed and the remaining battery charge is displayed and is always clearly visible.

The device comes with two high-capacity batteries (5 Ah). If necessary, you can buy other Bosch 18 V batteries with a capacity of 1.5 to 18 Ah. The grinder, charger and battery are packed in a chic Bosch 1600A012G0 case.

The cost of the grinder makes you gasp. But it should be remembered that it is one of the “coolest” among the battery angle grinders. This tool is bought by craftsmen who are professionally engaged in installation, welding or plumbing, and whose earnings in the truest sense of the word depend on the quality, performance and reliability of the tool used.

To save a little, you can buy a grinder Bosch GWS 18V-10 C Professional 06019G310D. It is exactly the same, but without speed control.