We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never changes which grinders we pick or what we say about them.
You can buy an angle grinder for £25. Owners on DIY forums say the same things about them again and again: the switch fails, the guard will not stay put, the disc wobbles, and the motor burns out on the first big job. A grinder spins a disc at up to 12,000rpm, so it is not the tool to buy on price alone.
The best budget angle grinder is the cheapest one that is still safe and durable: soft start, restart protection, a guard that locks firmly, and ideally a brushless motor. Surprisingly, you can now get all of that with two batteries and a charger for around £210 to £240.
Every pick below is a complete kit or a corded tool, so there is nothing else to buy apart from discs. If you want the absolute best rather than best value, see our best cordless angle grinder guide.
At a glance: our top picks
- Best budget angle grinder overall: Einhell AXXIO 18/125 Q Brushless 125mm (2 x 5.2Ah kit) – £211.95 at My Tool Shed
- Best budget with variable speed: Bosch AdvancedGrind 18V-80 125mm (2 x 4.0Ah kit) – £211.95 at My Tool Shed
- Best budget corded: Makita GA5091X01 1,900W 125mm (240v corded) – £209.99 at My Tool Shed
- Best budget 115mm: Sealey CP20VAGX 20v Brushless 115mm (1 x 4.0Ah kit) – £212.95 at My Tool Shed
- Best budget 230mm: Einhell AXXIO 36/230 Q Brushless 230mm (2 x 4.0Ah kit) – £238.95 at My Tool Shed
How we chose
We filtered our UK retail partners' grinders to complete, ready-to-use packages at the lower end of the range, then ranked them on:
- Total price including batteries and charger.
- Essential safety: soft start, restart protection, adjustable guard.
- Motor: brushless where possible, with a long warranty.
- What else it runs: a cheap grinder on a good battery system is better value.
The best budget angle grinders to buy in 2026
1. Einhell AXXIO 18/125 Q Brushless 125mm (2 x 5.2Ah kit)
- Disc size125mm
- Speed8,500rpm
- Cut depth33mm
- In the box2 x 5.2Ah, charger
Pros
- Cheapest 125mm brushless kit in our list
- Tool-free quick nut
- Aluminium gear housing
Cons
- Fixed speed
- No brake
The cheapest 125mm brushless kit in our list, with two 5.2Ah batteries and a charger. It has an aluminium gear housing, soft start, restart protection and a tool-free nut. Register it with Einhell and the brushless motor gets a 10 year warranty, which is rare at this price.
2. Bosch AdvancedGrind 18V-80 125mm (2 x 4.0Ah kit)
- Disc size125mm
- Speed2,800 to 12,000rpm
- Weight1.7kg bare
- In the box2 x 4.0Ah, charger
Pros
- Widest speed range here, down to 2,800rpm
- Soft start and tool-free quick-change nut
- Power for All batteries fit 100+ tools
Cons
- DIY build, not trade
- No brake
For the same money you get Bosch's speed dial (2,800 to 12,000rpm), a soft start and a tool-free nut. Power for All batteries also fit tools from Bosch, Gardena, Flymo and others.
3. Makita GA5091X01 1,900W 125mm (240v corded)
- Disc size125mm
- Power1,900W
- Speed2,800 to 11,500rpm
- SafetyAFT, mechanical brake, anti-restart
Pros
- Never runs flat
- Constant speed plus variable speed
- Mechanical brake
Cons
- Cable
- Heavier than cordless
A trade-grade 1,900W Makita with AFT, a brake and variable speed for about £210. If you work near a socket, this is the most grinder you can get for the money.
4. 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 4.0Ah battery, fast charger and bag. Sealey gives the tool a 3 year guarantee. It is light and handy for car and garage work.
5. Einhell AXXIO 36/230 Q Brushless 230mm (2 x 4.0Ah kit)
- Disc size230mm
- Power36v (2 x 18v)
- Cut depth70mm
- In the box2 x 4.0Ah, 2 chargers
Pros
- Cheapest cordless 230mm kit we found
- 70mm depth of cut
- Rotating rear handle, battery spark shield
Cons
- 4.0Ah packs run down fast on 230mm
- No brake
A cordless 230mm grinder with two batteries and two chargers for under £240 is remarkable value. It cuts 70mm deep for slabs and blocks. Just expect short runtimes from the 4.0Ah packs.
Why very cheap grinders are a false economy
- No soft start: the grinder twists in your hand at switch-on.
- No restart protection: if it is switched on when you plug it in or fit a battery, it starts instantly.
- Loose guards: guards that slip mid-cut leave you unprotected.
- Brushed motors under strain: they burn out on hard jobs.
- Poor spindle and bearings: disc wobble ruins cuts and stresses discs.
Where to save and where not to
Save on the grinder by buying a bare tool on a battery platform you already own. Do not save on discs. Cheap discs shatter and wear fast, and a good disc improves any grinder.
Not sure what size to buy? Our best 115mm angle grinder guide explains when the smaller size makes sense. For heavy jobs, see the best 9 inch angle grinder.
Quick buying checklist
- Known brand with a UKCA or CE mark.
- Soft start and restart protection.
- A guard that locks firmly.
- At least a 4Ah battery if cordless.
- Register it. Some brands double or triple the warranty for free.
Expert corner: work out the true cost
The cheapest grinder is not the one with the lowest price tag. Add up:
- The tool.
- Batteries and charger if you do not already own them. They often cost more than the grinder.
- Discs. A pack of good 1mm cutting discs lasts longer and cuts faster than cheap ones.
- Warranty. Einhell, for example, extends Power X-Change batteries to three years when registered within 30 days, and offers up to 10 years on registered brushless motors.
A mid-priced kit with a long warranty and batteries that run your other tools is usually the real budget winner.
Expert tips that save time and money
- Register within 30 days. It is the most commonly missed free upgrade.
- Buy a corded grinder if you work near a socket. It gives the most power per pound. See our corded guide.
- Buy a bare tool if you already own batteries on that platform. See our cordless guide for platforms.
- Spend your savings on discs and safety gear: glasses, gloves, ear defenders and a spare side handle.
- Choose 125mm over 115mm unless you need to fit into tight spaces. See our 115mm vs 125mm 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.
- Farming Forum members found little difference in disc cost between 115mm and 125mm, and one says: "I can still run 115 discs, cant I?" (The Farming Forum: 125mm vs 115mm)
- On the MIG Welding Forum, hobby users say a 115mm is "adequate for light use", while others prefer 125mm for the extra reach. (MIG Welding Forum: what size angle grinder)
Beginner mistakes to avoid
We see these again and again
- Buying the cheapest kit, then finding the batteries do not fit your other tools.
- Forgetting to register for the extended warranty.
- Using unbranded discs with no speed rating or use-by date.
- Saving money on eye protection.
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: Einhell UK: Power X-Change warranty · 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
What is the best cheap angle grinder?
The Einhell AXXIO 18/125 Q kit is our pick. It comes with two 5.2Ah batteries, a charger and a brushless motor with a 10 year motor warranty when registered.
Are cheap angle grinders safe?
Many very cheap models lack soft start, restart protection and a secure guard. Look for those three features before price.
Is a corded grinder cheaper than cordless?
Yes, for the same power. A 1,900W corded Makita costs about the same as a budget cordless kit but has far more power.
Should I buy a bare tool to save money?
Only if you already own batteries on that platform. Otherwise a kit is usually cheaper than buying the parts separately.
How do I get a longer warranty on a cheap grinder?
Register it with the manufacturer, usually within 30 days of purchase. Einhell, for example, extends battery cover to three years and registered brushless motors to 10 years.
Are cheap cutting discs OK?
Only if they carry EN 12413 markings, a speed rating and a use-by date. Branded discs usually cut faster and last longer, so they often cost less per cut.
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