8 Best Concrete Grinders of 2023 – Top Picks & Reviews
- Pete Ortiz
- Last updated:
Concrete grinders produce a smooth finish on concrete, which they do quite quickly. Choosing the right concrete grinder can make a seemingly difficult job very easy. Not all hand-held concrete grinders are made equal.
There are many factors to consider when selecting the best model, including speed, dust collection, and other features. To help you choose the best model for your needs, we have reviews of the eight best concrete grinders. We’ll also discuss all the features to look out for in our buyer’s guide.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
|
Bosch CSG15 Concrete Surfacing Grinder |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
Best Value
|
Makita GA4530 Angle Grinder |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
Premium Choice
|
Metabo 603825750 Concrete Renovation Grinder |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
|
Metabo US606467800 Concrete Renovation Grinder |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
|
Bosch 1773AK 5-Inch Concrete Surfacing Grinder |
|
CHECK PRICE |
The 8 Best Concrete Grinders
1. Bosch CSG15 Concrete Surfacing Grinder – Best Overall
Bosch makes high-quality tools, and the Bosch CSG15 Concrete Surfacing Grinder is no different. It has 12.5 amps of power, which is more than most other concrete grinders on our list. We also liked the grinder’s new guard system that prevents injuries and accidents. You will appreciate the 4-stage dust intrusion seal; you’ll have to deal with less concrete dust, which can be a pain to clean up. The Bosch grinder’s high-torque power also allows it to handle higher loads and sustain its speed while grinding.
The best feature of the CSG15 is that it prevents silicosis caused by dust. You should always put your safety first, and we rated this grinder so high because it’s the safest grinder on the market. Its dust collection system can remove airborne dust, which creates a safer working environment.
The only problem with the Bosch CSG15 is that the wheel cup seems to come off more than usual. This isn’t a huge deal but can get annoying over time. Despite that, we still rank it as the best overall concrete grinder this year.
- 5 amps
- Guard system
- Reduces airborne dust
- Decreases chance of silicosis
- The wheel cup comes off occasionally
2. Makita GA4530 Angle Grinder – Best Value
Not everyone has a few hundred dollars to spend on a concrete grinder. The Makita GA4530 Angle Grinder is much cheaper than the Bosch grinder and is the best concrete grinder for the money. This may be the best option if you need to stay on a budget. It is a bit lower-powered than other brands, with only 6 amps. However, the motor delivers 11,000 RPM of power. This should be enough for most homeowners, though professionals probably need something with more power.
The Makita GA4530 is a very compact machine. It weighs only 4 pounds, which allows you to use it for a long time without fatigue. The labyrinth construction protects the motor and bearings from the dust that will inevitably be created, which improves the machine’s longevity. The slide switch design is very convenient.
- Compact design
- Lightweight at only 4 pounds
- Labyrinth construction seals
- Slide switch design
- Affordable
- Less powerful than other options
3. Metabo Concrete Renovation Grinder – Premium Choice
The Metabo 603825750 Concrete Renovation Grinder is quite expensive, making it out of reach for some homeowners. However, professionals may find that this concrete grinder is just what they’re looking for. It is designed explicitly for effective spot sanding and is effective on concrete coatings. It produces 1,900 watts at its max speed, but when under load, it will typically decrease. It has a no-load speed of 3,800-8,200 RPM.
The integrated folding segment allows you to work close to the edges. It also customizes its speed to suit different materials and speeds, which remains constant even under load. We also liked that the Metabo is very durable, which is ideal considering its cost. It is also pretty easy to operate if you’ve used other concrete grinders.
The only major negative we’ve noticed regarding this grinder is the price tag. The Metabo is the perfect tool for professionals, but it’s too expensive and powerful for the average homeowner or DIYer.
- 1,900 watts
- Dust guard
- Integrated folding segment
- Speed remains constant under load
- Expensive
4. Metabo Concrete Renovation Grinder
The Metabo US606467800 Concrete Renovation Grinder is a step down from our premium pick; it does not come with as many features and is not as powerful. However, it’s better for casual users who don’t want to spend a fortune. It has a tool-free adjustable guard and a safety switch that prevents it from starting unintentionally.
The integrated dampening system and innovative side handle prevent vibrations. This protects the user from fatigue and prevents accidental injuries. The side handle can be mounted in three positions depending on your preferences. It can grind surfaces at various angles, and the main handle can also swivel. This improves safety and provides better handling.
Our main problem with the US606467800 is that the dust shield doesn’t work as well as we would like. Because dust reduction is essential for the user’s health and safety, we had to rate this grinder lower.
- 15 amps
- Adjustable guard
- Reduced vibrations
- Not a budget-option
- Poor dust guard
5. Bosch 1773AK 5-Inch Concrete Surfacing Grinder
The Bosch 1773AK 5-Inch Concrete Surfacing Grinder is a sub-par tool compared to its competitors. It is not as powerful as other brands at only 10 amps. It is designed for grinding concrete but can be used for smoothing pavement and cleaning concrete surfaces. The ball bearings are double-sealed to prevent dust from messing up the grinder. This increases the lifespan and is always a nice feature to have.
It can produce 11,000 RPM when not under load despite being less powerful than other grinders. Of course, when you start using the surface grinder, it will produce less power and slow down. The wrap-around handle makes this machine easy to use, but it does not reduce the prominent vibrations.
This concrete grinder is not “almost dustless” despite the advertisement. You will also need to wear hearing protection; it isn’t the noisiest model but is loud enough to be unpleasant to use without ear protection.
- 11,000 RPM
- Double-sealed
- Wrap-around handle
- Produces a lot of dust
- Less powerful than other options
6. DEWALT DWE46253 Concrete Surface Grinder
As a moderately-priced concrete grinder, the DEWALT DWE46253 Concrete Surface Grinder is also a moderate-quality grinder. It isn’t terrible, but it isn’t excellent either. The brushless motor requires less maintenance than other brands, and the electronic kickback break turns on when the machine pinches, stalls, or binds up. This quickly stops the wheel and reduces the movement of the grinder. The motor is shut off instantly as well, preventing kickbacks and injuries. This reliable safety feature is one reason the Dewalt DWE46253 is #6 and not lower.
The on/off switch has a no-volt release function. If the power goes out or the machine shuts down unexpectedly, the trigger can be cycled when restarting the tool. The variable speed functionality lets you control the wheel speed for complete control. The bail handle offers multiple positions, so you can choose which one you like best.
The assembly of the DWE46253 is complicated. The instructions are unclear, and getting the guard off is difficult. The sliding cap also creates much more dust than necessary.
- Brushless motor
- Kickback brake
- Handle can be put in multiple positions
- Difficult assembly
- Guard is hard to remove
- Sliding cap doesn’t work well
7. Stadea SWP101K Stone Polisher Grinder
The Stadea SWP101K Stone Polisher Grinder has an innovative design and looks unique compared to other grinders. However, it doesn’t work as well as you might expect it to. It has a 6-month warranty, which is much shorter than the warranty on other grinders. Truthfully, 6 months is not a long time in the least, and very few manufacturers include a warranty that lasts less than a year.
The Stadea is a wet grinder, which can be used for more tasks than a standard model. However, it is not very good at being a wet grinder. The guard does an excellent job of deflecting water away from you so you won’t get wet. However, getting the hose to hook onto the machine is a pain. It is very demanding, and you have to line it up just right for it to work. Even after tightening, the connections seem to leak a bit.
Furthermore, this machine does not seem to be very durable. There are many reports of it breaking after only a year or so, which might be why the warranty is only 6 months long.
- Wet grinder
- Good guard
- The hose is difficult to connect
- Not durable
- Leaks
8. KIMO 7601 Brushless Cordless Angle Grinder
The KIMO 7601 Brushless Cordless Angle Grinder is one of the few cordless grinders available on the market. There is a good reason for that. Cordless grinders aren’t very powerful, and the batteries cannot provide the same power as an outlet. The guard also requires a screwdriver to adjust it. Decades ago, most guards required tools to adjust them, but today, most grinders can be adjusted without using any tools.
The fact that this one still requires a tool is very disappointing. The battery on the Kimo 7601 only lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, which is unsuitable for most jobs, so you will likely need to purchase a backup battery.
- Portable
- Not as powerful
- Guard requires tools to adjust
- The battery only lasts 15 minutes
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Concrete Grinder
Investing in a quality concrete grinder is more practical than buying a discount mode. Not only will a quality grinder last longer, but it will also get the project done faster. Both of these aspects save you time and money. Choosing the best brand isn’t always obvious, especially since you cannot test several models before buying one.
In this buyer’s guide, we’ll discuss some of the essential features to consider when selecting a concrete grinder. Your preferences and situation play a role in which product you should get. There is no one-size-fits-all grinder.
Power
Concrete grinders are usually around 15 amps, which is plenty for most users, even professionals. At 15 amps, they can grind concrete with very little force on your part. This reduces fatigue and makes the grinder more comfortable to use overall.
However, not all concrete grinders are that powerful. Our reviews revealed a few concrete grinders that were as low as 10 amps. Anything under 10 amps is not going to be able to cut concrete efficiently. It will make your project take longer, and you will likely get worse results. Simultaneously, overloading the machine can cause damage, which will wear down the grinder faster over time.
RPM
RPMs are related to the machine’s power, but other factors go into the maximum RPM. Many low-powered machines can produce high RPMs until they grind concrete. Still, you should look for a machine that can produce high RPMs to grind away concrete efficiently. Anywhere from 8,000 to 11,000 RPM is typically an acceptable range.
Dust
Concrete grinders can produce a lot of dust. After all, when they grind away at the concrete, they turn it into dust. Concrete dust can be dangerous. It can hurt your lungs and eyes and cause lung damage in healthy adults.
When grinding, you should always wear a mask. It is your first layer of defense against breathing in tons of dust. However, even if you have a quality mask, you don’t want to clean up mounds of dust when you get done.
The easiest way to avoid this is to choose a machine with a good dust management system. The size of the grinder’s connections is important. If you have a shop vac you want to use, ensure the grinder you purchase can be connected. You may need a shop vac or an industrial vacuum, depending on the size of the project.
You also need to ensure that the dust gets directed toward the vacuum. Otherwise, it isn’t going to do you much good. Each brand seems to have a different way of reducing dust, and some are more effective than others. No matter how the grinder is designed, you do not want the machine to spit dust all over the room!
FAQs
How Much Can a Concrete Grinder Remove?
A concrete grinder can remove minute amounts of concrete, along with paint, glue, and other imperfections. This isn’t a tool used to change the slope of a concrete slab or anything like that. Instead, it effectively removes small bumps. Depending on the grinder’s size and strength, you may be able to take off about 1/16 of an inch.
Can You Grind Concrete With an Angle Grinder?
You can grind away concrete with an angle grinder, but you will need a diamond cup wheel attachment and a vacuum cleaner. Some of the machines in our reviews above are angle grinders that come with the necessary attachments.
Can I Use a Grinder to Cut Concrete?
Maybe. Some machines have enough power to cut concrete. However, they will likely perform the job poorly, and you will be there forever. For cutting concrete, you should use a walk-behind concrete saw, preferably. They are designed specifically for this purpose.
More buying guides like this:
- Which 7-inch angle grinder gives the most bang for the buck?
- Our favorite angle grinder models: take a look!
- Top 5 bench grinders reviewed
Conclusion
Concrete grinders can remove imperfections, paint, and glue from concrete, and for most professionals and homeowners, we recommend the Bosch CSG15 Concrete Surfacing Grinder. It is powerful and excellent at controlling dust. We also liked the Makita GA4530 Angle Grinder. It is inexpensive and compact but powerful enough to grind concrete efficiently. We also liked that it was designed to withstand dust. Hopefully, this article will help you determine which concrete grinder meets your needs.
Related Read: Which cement mixer performed best in our tests?
Contents