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115mm (4 1/2 inch) is the classic UK DIY grinder size. It is lighter and smaller than a 125mm, easier to use one-handed for a moment, and the discs are cheap and sold everywhere.
The trade-off is depth. A 115mm grinder cuts about 28mm deep compared with about 33mm for a 125mm. That matters on 40mm box section or thick bar, but not for bolts, sheet, rust removal, weld finishing or car body work, where a 115mm is often the better tool.
The best 115mm angle grinder is light, well balanced and has the modern safety features: soft start, restart protection and ideally a brake. If you mainly cut thick metal, compare our best angle grinder for cutting metal picks first.
At a glance: our top picks
- Best 115mm angle grinder overall: Einhell AXXIO 18/115 Brushless 115mm (1 x 8.0Ah kit) – £229.95 at My Tool Shed
- Best 115mm for DIY: Bosch PWS 18V-70 115mm (2 x 6.0Ah kit) – £239.95 at My Tool Shed
- Best 115mm for garages: Sealey CP20VAGX 20v Brushless 115mm (1 x 4.0Ah kit) – £212.95 at My Tool Shed
- Best pro 115mm: Makita GA028G 40v XGT Paddle Switch Variable Speed 115mm (bare) – £229.95 at My Tool Shed
- Safest 115mm: Fein CCG 18-115-12 PD-SEC AS Protago 115mm – £389.99 at My Tool Shed
- Best corded 115mm: Makita GA4541R01 1,100W 115mm (240v corded) – £213.95 at My Tool Shed
How we chose
We compared every 115mm grinder from our UK retail partners and ranked them on:
- Weight and balance: the main reason to choose 115mm.
- Safety: soft start, restart protection, brake, paddle switch.
- Motor: brushless for power and runtime in a small body.
- Value: kit contents and platform.
The best 115mm angle grinders to buy in 2026
1. Einhell AXXIO 18/115 Brushless 115mm (1 x 8.0Ah kit)
- Disc size115mm
- Weight1.66kg
- Cut depth28mm
- In the box8.0Ah battery, charger
Pros
- Light, slim grip
- Huge 8.0Ah battery
- Soft start and restart protection
Cons
- Only one battery
- Fixed speed
A 1.66kg brushless grinder with a slim grip, soft start and restart protection, plus an 8.0Ah battery. It hits the 115mm brief perfectly: light, comfortable and properly powerful.
2. Bosch PWS 18V-70 115mm (2 x 6.0Ah kit)
- Disc size115mm
- Power18v Power for All
- SafetySoft start, restart protection
- In the box2 x 6.0Ah, charger
Pros
- Small and light
- Two big 6.0Ah batteries
- Side handle fits left or right
Cons
- Light duty only
- No variable speed
Bosch's compact PWS 18V-70 comes with two 6.0Ah Power for All batteries, which also fit many garden and DIY tools from several brands.
3. Sealey CP20VAGX 20v Brushless 115mm (1 x 4.0Ah kit)
- Disc size115mm
- Power700W brushless
- Speed10,000rpm
- In the box4.0Ah, fast charger, canvas bag
Pros
- Complete brushless kit
- 3 year guarantee on the tool
- Popular with car workshops
Cons
- Only one battery
- No discs supplied
A brushless 115mm kit with a 3 year tool guarantee, popular in UK car workshops for panel and exhaust work.
4. Makita GA028G 40v XGT Paddle Switch Variable Speed 115mm (bare)
- Disc size115mm
- Speed3,000 to 8,500rpm
- SwitchSafety paddle
- In the boxBare tool, Makpac
Pros
- Paddle switch and AFT
- Variable speed dial
- AWS dust extractor link
Cons
- Bare tool
- Heavier than 18v 115mm grinders
Makita's 40v 115mm with a paddle switch, variable speed, AFT and a brake. It has everything, though it is heavier than 18v models once the battery is fitted.
5. Fein CCG 18-115-12 PD-SEC AS Protago 115mm
- Disc size115mm
- Speed2,500 to 8,500rpm
- SafetyTwo-hand AutoStop, kickback monitoring, fixed guard
- BatteryAMPShare 18v
Pros
- Stops if either hand lets go
- Guard and handle cannot be removed
- Variable speed and brake
Cons
- Expensive
- Less flexible for awkward cuts
Two-hand AutoStop, a fixed guard, kickback monitoring and variable speed. The Protago is ideal for anyone nervous about grinders, and for workplaces with strict safety rules.
6. Makita GA4541R01 1,100W 115mm (240v corded)
- Disc size115mm
- Power1,100W
- Speed2,800 to 11,000rpm
- Cable4m
Pros
- Variable speed
- Long 4m cable
- Discs included
Cons
- Corded
- No brake
1,100W with variable speed and a 4m cable. It is simple and reliable, and it never needs charging.
115mm or 125mm?
| 115mm | 125mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Cut depth | About 28mm | About 33mm |
| Weight | Lighter | Slightly heavier |
| Disc max speed | Usually 13,300rpm | Usually 12,200rpm |
| Best for | Car work, finishing, carving, DIY | General cutting, trade use |
Some 125mm grinders accept 115mm discs with the right guard, which gives you flexibility. You cannot go the other way: never fit 125mm discs to a 115mm grinder.
Good to know
115mm is also the size most wood carving discs are made for. See our best angle grinder for wood carving guide.
Want even smaller? Our best small angle grinder guide includes 76mm cut-off tools. On a budget? See the best budget angle grinder.
Quick buying checklist
- 115mm if you work in tight spaces, want a lighter tool or do light DIY.
- 125mm if you want extra depth and wider disc choice.
- Brushless if cordless.
- Soft start and restart protection.
- Check whether a 125mm model includes a 115mm guard. Some do.
Expert corner: 115mm vs 125mm by the numbers
| 115mm | 125mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting depth | About 28mm | About 33mm |
| Spindle thread | M14 | M14 |
| Disc centre hole | 22.23mm | 22.23mm |
| Disc rpm limit (80 m/s) | About 13,300rpm | About 12,200rpm |
| Other disc size | Cannot take 125mm | Can take 115mm with the right guard |
Expert tips that save time and money
- Many 115mm and 125mm grinders share the same body. The guard is the difference, so a 125mm with a spare 115mm guard gives you both.
- Disc prices are close. Forum users found little difference, so do not choose 115mm to save on discs.
- Car and restoration work suits 115mm for weight and control.
- Even smaller jobs? A 76mm cut-off tool is in our small angle grinder guide.
- Carving wood? Lighter 115mm grinders are easier to control. See our wood carving guide.
What owners actually say
These points come from UK trade and hobby forums. We have linked each thread so you can read the full discussion.
- In a MIG Welding Forum poll, 58% chose 115mm and 42% chose 125mm. The main reason for 115mm was that it is "more widely available", so you may find more disc choice. (MIG Welding Forum: 115 or 125mm cordless grinder)
- Fans of 125mm point out that you "can use a 115 disc if you want to", and one Farming Forum member's Metabo 125mm "came with a 115mm guard in the box". (The Farming Forum: 125mm vs 115mm)
- The main downside of 125mm is "squashing into tight spaces". (The Farming Forum: 125mm vs 115mm)
Beginner mistakes to avoid
We see these again and again
- Removing the guard to squeeze a bigger disc on.
- Buying 115mm for heavy site work where 125mm is the better tool.
- Choosing 115mm only to save on discs.
Read the disc before you fit it
Every resin-bonded cutting or grinding disc sold in the UK carries markings under EN 12413. Two matter most:
- The use-by date is stamped on the metal centre ring as a "V" followed by the date, for example V12/2027. It is set no more than three years after manufacture. Out-of-date resin bonds can break up at speed.
- The maximum rpm must be equal to or higher than your grinder's no-load speed.
A disc's limit is really its rim speed, usually 80 metres per second. That is why bigger discs are rated for lower rpm: 80 m/s works out at about 13,300rpm for a 115mm disc, 12,200rpm for 125mm, 8,500rpm for 180mm and 6,600rpm for 230mm. Never fit a worn-down 230mm disc to a small grinder. It is still only rated for about 6,600rpm, and a 125mm grinder spins nearly twice that fast.
Sources: MIG Welding Forum: 115 or 125mm cordless grinder · The Farming Forum: 125mm vs 115mm · MIG Welding Forum: what size angle grinder · HSE HSG17: Safety in the use of abrasive wheels · Abrasive wheel marking explained (EN 12413)
Frequently asked questions
Is a 115mm grinder big enough?
For most DIY, car and light metal work, yes. It cuts about 28mm deep, enough for bolts, sheet and small box section. Choose 125mm if you often need more depth.
Is 115mm the same as 4.5 inch?
Yes. 115mm is the metric size of a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder disc.
Can I put 125mm discs on a 115mm grinder?
No. The guard will not fit, and the grinder may exceed the disc's rated speed. Never remove the guard to fit a bigger disc.
Which is the lightest 115mm angle grinder?
Of our picks, the Einhell AXXIO 18/115 at 1.66kg without battery.
Do 115mm and 125mm grinders use the same thread?
Yes. Both use an M14 spindle, and discs have the same 22.23mm centre hole.
Are 115mm discs cheaper than 125mm?
Slightly, but UK forum users found the difference small, and some stockists charge the same for both.
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