5 Best Electric Die Grinders – Easy to Use & Lightweight
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Not everyone wants to move around an air compressor. That’s why a lot of people started using electric die grinders. These types of die grinders are easier to work with, and you don’t have to spend more money for an air compressor.
Finding the best electric die grinders can be hard. But with our list (down below), you will find 5 different units that will do a good job.
Except for that, we have also made a buying guide where we listed all the things you have to check before buying one. Don’t miss it!
| Products | Product Name | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Adjustable Speed  | Adjustable Speed |
| Buy On Amazon |
Lightweight  | Lightweight |
| Buy On Amazon |
Long Spindle  | Long Spindle |
| Buy On Amazon |
Lock-on Button  | Lock-on Button |
| Buy On Amazon |
SJS Technology  | SJS Technology |
| Buy On Amazon |
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Best Die Grinders
1. DEWALT DCG426B – Best Cordless Die Grinders
Best Features 
- Cordless
- Adjustable Speed
- Brushless Motor
More detailed review ↴
When it comes to power tools — DeWalt is a very known brand. I use their tools a lot, and I’m never disappointed. A good die grinder that is used by a lot of people is the DEWALT DCG426B.
What makes this grinder different is the fact that it’s cordless. Instead of using electricity as a power source, this one uses a battery.
This could be very helpful for you if you work outside. You are not limited by anything and you can work anywhere you want, plus it provides the same results as the corded ones.
It comes with variable speed and speed limit — you can change the speed and match it with the project you are working on. This helps you use this same die grinder for different projects.
This unit comes with a brushless motor that gives the tool a longer life. Another thing that I like about this grinder is the LED lights — the led lights are located at the nose of the tool. This can be helpful if you are working in dark spaces.
On the downside, you have to buy the battery and charger separately.
Pros:
- Variable Speed – You can adjust the speed and put a limit on it.
- Brushless Motor – You don’t have to change the brush.
- LED Lights – Located at the nose of the tool to help you see the surface.
- You have to buy the battery and charger separately
2. Makita GD0601
Best Features 
- Lightweight
- 25,000 RPM
- Easy to Use
More detailed review ↴
If you are looking for a lightweight electric die grinder then you should check Makita GD0601. With a weight of only 3.7 pounds, this die grinder is one of the lightest grinders listed here.
The Makita GD0601 is made of aluminum — which is a known material for being durable and lightweight. The aluminum housing gives the tool a longer life.
It comes with an AC/DC 3.5-Amp motor that delivers up to 25,000 RPM (no-load) speed. It has enough speed to deal with most of the grinding tasks.
What I like most about this tool is the motor protection — it comes with a labyrinth construction that protects the motor by creating different sets of channels, plus it comes with an anti-dust varnish that protects the motor from contamination.
The tool is very easy to use and hold. It comes with comfort and ergonomic design. On the downside, it doesn’t come with variable speed.
Pros:
- Lightweight – Weighs 3.7 pounds.
- Durable – It comes with an aluminum housing.
- Motor – Features a 3.5 Amp motor.
- Speed – The motor provides up to 25,000 RPM (no-load).
- Easy to Use
- No variable speed.
3. Metabo GE 710 – Best Variable Speed Electric Die Grinders
Best Features 
- Long Spindle
- Automatic shut-down
- 30500 RPM
More detailed review ↴
If you are looking for a high-quality die grinder then you should check the Metabo GE 710. This grinder is one of my favorites.
It comes with variable speed — allowing you to change the speed and match it according to the project you are working on. The maximum speed of this grinder is 30500 RPM.
It comes with a long spindle that I like a lot — this spindle allows you to work without having to bend or twist when you are dealing with a difficult angle. Except for that, it comes with different safety features that will protect the tool and the user. It includes the automatic shut-down safety feature to prevent the tool from burning.
It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a professional — this lightweight grinder will exceed your expectations.
Pros:
- Durable – Solid German construction.
- Variable Speed – Allows you to adjust the speed.
- Fast – The maximum speed is 30500 RPM.
- Long Spidle – You don’t have to bend if you are working with a difficult angle.
- Safety Features – Automatic shut-down, thermal overload protection, etc.
- It’s powerful so you have to be careful while working with it.
4. DEWALT DWE4887
Best Features 
- 4.2 Amp Motor
- Lock-on Button
- 25,000 RPM
More detailed review ↴
Next in our list, we have another DeWalt die grinder, but the difference between this one and our first pick is the power source — this one is a corded die grinder.
The DEWALT DWE4887 comes with a powerful 4.2 Amp motor that delivers up to 25,000 RPM. It features a paddle switch with a lock-on button that helps you a lot, especially if you are working long hours.
What I like most about this die grinder is the fact that the collet and the collet nut are in one piece. That helps you to change the fitting faster and better. Another good feature is that this unit is able to run from generators, welding machines, power outlets with ease.
On the downside, this unit doesn’t come with variable speed.
Pros:
- Powerful – Features a 4.2 Amp motor.
- Speed – It delivers up to 25,000 RPM.
- Lock-on Button – Helps you if you work long hours.
- No variable speed.
5. Makita GD0800C
Best Features 
- SJS Technology
- Electronic Limiter
- 6.6 Amp Motor
More detailed review ↴
If you are looking for an electric die grinder that can be used for heavy-duty projects then you should check the Makita GD0800C.
One of the many things that make this grinder special is the motor. It features a very powerful 6.6 Amp motor that can deliver up to 28,000 RPM. The speed can be adjusted from 7,000-28,000 RPM, making this a versatile grinder.
The GD0800C comes with a soft start-up — this helps you to protect the tool and also gives the surface a smooth finish. It comes with a lot of safety features — it has an electronic limiter that protects the motor from overloading, plus the SJS technology protects the motor and gear from damage.
On the downside, the motor power makes the grinder to heat a lot of times faster.
Pros:
- Powerful – Features a 6.6 Amp Motor.
- Variable Speed – You can adjust the speed from 7,000 – 28,000 RPM.
- Soft Start – Helps to protect the tools and gives the surface a smooth finish.
- Electronic Limiter – Protects the tool from overheating.
- Due to its higher power, the grinder heats faster.
Best Electric Die Grinders — Buyers Guide
As you can see from our best die grinders review, different grinders have different features. But, just because a feature exists, that doesn’t mean that you need it or that will help you. It’s important to know which features are good for you and which aren’t.
Down below, we will list all the features we think are important. These are the things that you should check before buying an electric die grinder. These are the features we checked when we made our best electric die grinders list.
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Power
A lot of people tend to look at the RPM before buying the tool. The RPM stands for rotations per minute. While this is a good thing to check, there are a few things that you have to keep in mind.
The RPM for electric die grinders stands for a “no-load” speed — which is the maximum speed a gender can reach when the grinder is spinning freely.
To know the exact speed of the grinder while it’s in use you should check the torque. The higher the torque, the faster the grinder will be. Power plays a big role too. The more power it has, the more torque it will have (most of the time).
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Motor Protection
The most important thing in your electric die grinder is the motor — if the motor dies, so will your tool. That’s why it’s important to keep the motor safe and make sure it lasts longer.
There are a lot of things that could damage the motor, but these two things are damage motors a lot — heat and dust. If you find a way to protect the motor from these two things then it will last longer. The heat and dust can damage the fan blades inside.
Different manufacturers came with different solutions. Personally, I like the automatic shut-down feature. This feature automatically stops the grinder when a maximum temperature is reached. This will protect the motor.
Except for this, there are a lot of features to prevent the dust to interfere with motor work. Before buying a grinder, make sure to check if it has these features or not.
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Safety Features
The heat is a problem for the motor, but it could be a problem for the user too. Except for the heat, there are a lot of different safety features a grinder should have to protect the tool and the user.
Most of the grinders come with a wheel guard. But, sometimes doing adjustments to wheel guards is difficult, and most people just decide to not attach it to the tool.
While this could be a faster way to start working, it’s also a faster way to injure yourself. While looking for die grinders, look for models that allow you to adjust the wheel guard without additional tools.
This will help you to adjust the wheel guard to protect you. And if the wheel guard is hard to adjust, then you should waste 5 more minutes to completely adjust it and protect yourself.
Except for this, check if the die grinder has more safety features.
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Size
To know the perfect size of the grinder you have to know the type of your project. If you are planning to use the die grinder for small and home projects then having a large die grinder isn’t necessary. A large and powerful grinder costs more than a small one.
On the other hand, if you are planning to use the grinder for industrial work, then you need a large and powerful unit, a small one won’t do the job.
If you have to work on small areas and difficult corners then having a cordless electric die grinder might be your best option.
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Electric vs Pneumatic
Another important thing that you should check before buying an electric die grinder is the power source. An electric die grinder could be electric or pneumatic. While neither of these two is more powerful than the other, the models still have some differences.
The electric die grinders come with a power cable that needs electricity to run. So, wherever you are, you need a power outlet near you. You can also use generators or batteries as a power source (if you know how to set them up).
On the other hand, the pneumatic die grinders need air in order to run. So, for that, you need to use an air compressor. When buying a pneumatic grinder make sure to have an air compressor that can provide enough air for the grinder to run. If it doesn’t, then the die grinder could stop or not reach its full speed.
If you already have an air compressor then you should consider buying a pneumatic die grinder. If not, then I don’t recommend doing it. It will just add another unnecessary expense to your project.
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FAQS
1. How powerful should an electric die grinder be?
This question doesn’t have an exact answer. It all depends on your project. Not everyone needs a powerful and large die grinder. If you are planning to use the tool for a smaller project, then buying a small die grinder is recommended. Why spend more money on something you won’t use.
Also, if you are working on small areas then make sure to check the size of the grinder and see if you can easily move it.
2. Do I need variable speed on my die grinder?
If you are planning to use the grinder for just one project, then having a variable speed die grinder isn’t necessary. But, if you are planning to use the grinder in different projects, surfaces, then having a variable speed die grinder is more than recommended.
In my opinion, you should always get a model that offers variable speed — you could use it for different projects, if not now, you will do it in the future.
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Final Words
This is all the information you ever need for electric die grinders. As you can see in our best electric die grinders list, there are a lot of different units available that come with different features. Depending on your project, you can choose one or the other.
If you don’t know which one to choose, then read our buying guide where we listed all the things you should check before buying one.
The DEWALT DCG426B is a good option if you are looking for a cordless die grinder. If not, then you should check the Makita GD0601.
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