Best Angle Grinder for Cutting Metal (2026 UK Guide)

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Cutting metal is the job most people buy an angle grinder for. Chopping a seized bolt, trimming box section for a gate, cutting rebar or slicing sheet steel all look easy on video, and they are, as long as the grinder and disc suit the job.

The common complaints from new owners are the same every time: the disc binds and the grinder kicks, the cut edge turns blue and needs cleaning up, the battery dies halfway through a length of angle iron, or a cheap disc shatters. The best angle grinder for cutting metal handles all four. It has enough power to keep speed under load, an electronic clutch or kickback brake, and a 125mm disc so you get enough depth for common sections.

Below are our picks, then the disc and technique advice that makes the biggest difference to how cleanly metal cuts. If you also plan to join what you cut, read our guide to the best angle grinder for welding prep and finishing.

At a glance: our top picks

• Best overall for cutting metal: DeWalt DCG405 18v XR Brushless 125mm (kit) – £331.95 at My Tool Shed
• Best value cordless: Einhell TP-AG 18/125 CE Q Li Brushless 125mm (kit) – £238.95 at My Tool Shed
• Best for pro kickback protection: Bosch Professional GWX 18V-15 P X-LOCK 125mm (bare) – £346.95 at My Tool Shed
• Best 40v for heavy cutting: Makita GA041G 40v XGT X-LOCK 125mm (bare) – £229.99 at My Tool Shed
• Best corded: Makita GA5091X01 1,900W 125mm (240v) – £209.99 at My Tool Shed
• Best for bolts and tight spots: DeWalt DCG430 18v XR Cut Off Tool 76mm (bare) – £235.95 at My Tool Shed

How we chose

We compared the specifications, safety systems and kit contents of every metal-cutting grinder stocked by our UK retail partners, then cross-checked owner feedback on trade forums for common faults. We scored each machine on:

• Power under load: brushless motors and constant speed electronics that stop the disc slowing as it bites.
• Kickback protection: an electronic clutch, kickback brake or sensing technology that cuts the motor if the disc snags.
• Cutting depth: 125mm discs cut roughly 10mm deeper than 115mm, which matters on 40mm box section and thicker bar.
• Real cost: bare tools look cheap, so we priced in batteries and chargers where they are not included.

The best angle grinders for cutting metal to buy in 2026

Best overall for cutting metal

1. DeWalt DCG405 18v XR Brushless 125mm (kit)

• Disc size125mm
• Power18v brushless
• In the box2 x 5.0Ah, charger, TSTAK case
• SafetyE-clutch, brake under 2s, no-volt release

£331.95 at My Tool Shed

Pros

• DeWalt quotes 69 cuts through 1/2" rebar per 5.0Ah battery
• Electronic clutch reduces kickback if the disc pinches
• Complete kit, ready to cut out of the box

Cons

• No variable speed
• Dearer than bare-tool options if you already own DeWalt batteries

The DCG405 is the one we would buy for general metal cutting. The brushless motor holds its speed through rebar and box section, and the electronic clutch is the feature that matters most: if the cut closes on the disc, the clutch slips instead of throwing the grinder back at you. The kit includes two 5.0Ah batteries, which is the capacity you want for cutting metal, where smaller packs drain fast.

Best value cordless

2. Einhell TP-AG 18/125 CE Q Li Brushless 125mm (kit)

• Disc size125mm
• Speed3,000 to 10,500rpm
• In the box2 x 5.2Ah, charger
• Cut depth33mm

£238.95 at My Tool Shed

Pros

• Constant speed electronics hold rpm under load
• Variable speed and LED speed display
• Tool-free Quick Fix nut
• 10 year motor warranty when registered

Cons

• No electronic brake
• Power X-Change is less common on trade sites

For home workshops this is the value pick. You get two 5.2Ah batteries and a charger for less than many bare pro tools, plus constant speed electronics, which is the feature that stops the disc slowing as it enters thick steel. Variable speed also makes it useful later for wire brushing and flap discs.

Best for pro kickback protection

3. Bosch Professional GWX 18V-15 P X-LOCK 125mm (bare)

• Disc size125mm
• Power1,500W class Biturbo brushless
• SafetyKickBack Control, X-Brake, PROtection switch
• In the boxBare tool

£346.95 at My Tool Shed

Pros

• Corded-class power from 18v
• KickBack Control cuts the motor if the disc jams
• X-LOCK disc changes in seconds

Cons

• Battery and charger extra
• X-LOCK discs cost more than standard ones

The GWX 18V-15 P is the strongest 18v machine here. Bosch rates the Biturbo motor like a 1,500W corded grinder, so it cuts thick steel quickly. KickBack Control and the paddle-style PROtection switch make it the safest pro option if you already run Bosch Professional batteries.

Best 40v for heavy cutting

4. Makita GA041G 40v XGT X-LOCK 125mm (bare)

• Disc size125mm
• Speed3,000 to 8,500rpm
• Vibration3.4m/s²
• SafetyAFT, electric brake, anti-restart

£229.99 at My Tool Shed

Pros

• Very low 3.4m/s² vibration for long cutting sessions
• AFT shuts the motor down if the disc snags
• X-LOCK tool-free disc changes

Cons

• XGT batteries are expensive if you are new to Makita 40v
• Slide switch, not paddle

For anyone already on Makita XGT, the GA041G is excellent. Active Feedback Sensing (AFT) shuts the tool down if the disc suddenly slows, which is exactly what happens before kickback. Low vibration makes a real difference if you are cutting a whole stack of steel.

Best corded

5. Makita GA5091X01 1,900W 125mm (240v)

• Disc size125mm
• Power1,900W
• Speed2,800 to 11,500rpm
• SafetyAFT, mechanical brake, anti-restart

£209.99 at My Tool Shed

Pros

• Never runs out of battery
• Constant speed control and variable speed
• Mechanical brake stops the disc quickly

Cons

• Cable gets in the way on site
• Heavier than cordless

If you cut metal in a workshop, corded still makes sense. The GA5091X01 has 1,900W, constant speed, AFT and a brake, so it has the same key safety features as the premium cordless options with no batteries to buy.

Best for bolts and tight spots

6. DeWalt DCG430 18v XR Cut Off Tool 76mm (bare)

• Disc size76mm
• Weight1.1kg
• Discs includedDiamond and bonded abrasive
• FeatureReversible disc direction

£235.95 at My Tool Shed

Pros

• Fits where a 125mm grinder cannot
• Switch direction to send sparks away from you
• Light enough for one hand

Cons

• Shallow cut, not for thick bar
• Bare tool

Not a replacement for a full-size grinder, but brilliant for exhaust bolts, threaded rod and pipe in cramped spaces. The reversible direction lets you aim sparks away from your face or from a car's paintwork.

Which disc is best for cutting metal?

The disc makes more difference than the grinder. For most steel, use a 1mm thin cutting disc (often labelled "inox"). It removes less metal, cuts faster, uses less battery and puts less heat into the workpiece, so you get less blueing. Use thicker 1.6mm to 3mm discs for heavy bar or where you need a stiffer disc.

How to get a clean cut without kickback

1. Clamp the work so the offcut can fall away freely. Kickback usually happens when the cut closes and pinches the disc.
2. Let the disc reach full speed before it touches the metal.
3. Cut straight. Never twist or lean on a cutting disc. Side pressure is the main cause of shattered discs.
4. Let the grinder do the work. Pushing hard slows the disc, overheats the metal and drains the battery.
5. Stand to the side of the disc's line, never directly behind it.

Cutting metal indoors throws sparks a long way, so clear anything flammable. If you plan to cut masonry too, the dust risk is very different. Read our best angle grinder for concrete guide before you start. For ceramic and porcelain, see the best angle grinder for tile cutting.

Cordless or corded for metal?

Cordless is now powerful enough for almost all metal cutting, and it is far safer on site with no cable to trip on or cut through. The trade-off is battery cost. Budget for at least 4.0Ah batteries, ideally 5.0Ah. Small 2.0Ah packs struggle with a cutting disc. If you only work in a garage near a socket, a corded grinder gives you more power for your money.

Expert corner: choosing a cutting disc like a fabricator

The guard matters too. Cutting discs should be used with a closed cutting guard that covers both sides of the disc. The standard open grinding guard only protects one side, so if a thin disc shatters, fragments can come out the other side. Many grinders come with only the grinding guard, so check the box.

Expert tips that save time and money

• Support both sides of the cut so the offcut falls away. If the cut closes, it pinches the disc.
• Let the disc do the work. Pushing harder slows the disc, turns the metal blue and wears the disc faster.
• Aim the sparks down and away from you. Check what is behind the work first. Sparks can burn car glass and paint and set fire to rags.
• Keep a second grinder with a flap disc so you do not swap discs all day. Welders swear by this, and our welding guide explains which flap discs to buy.
• Cutting in tight spots under a car? A 115mm or a 76mm cut-off tool is safer than removing a guard. See our small angle grinder 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.

• On the MIG Welding Forum, owners agree that keeping more than one grinder with different discs fitted "saves changing". (MIG Welding Forum: what size angle grinder)
• They also point out that 115mm, 125mm, 180mm and 230mm grinders all use an M14 spindle thread, so nuts and wire brushes carry across sizes.
• Farming Forum members note that 125mm grinders often come with a 115mm guard too, so you can run either disc size. (The Farming Forum: 125mm vs 115mm)

Beginner mistakes to avoid

Sources: NovoAbrasive: cutting stainless steel (INOX) · MIG Welding Forum: what size angle grinder · The Farming Forum: 125mm vs 115mm · HSE HSG17: Safety in the use of abrasive wheels · Abrasive wheel marking explained (EN 12413)

Frequently asked questions