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Not every job needs a big grinder. Cutting a seized exhaust bolt, trimming a pipe behind a boiler, notching a tile or cleaning up a small weld is easier, and safer, with a tool you can hold comfortably and see past.
"Small" means two different things. Compact 115mm grinders (4.5 inch) are full grinders in a lighter, slimmer body. Mini cut-off tools take 76mm discs, weigh around a kilo and are for precise cutting rather than grinding. The best small angle grinder for you depends on which of those jobs you do more.
First-time buyers often find a small grinder less intimidating, and that matters. A tool you feel in control of is safer. For full-size options see our best cordless angle grinder guide.
At a glance: our top picks
- Best small angle grinder overall: Einhell TP-CO 18/76-C Li BL 76mm (2 x 5.2Ah kit) – £209.95 at My Tool Shed
- Best mini cut-off for trades: DeWalt DCG430 18v XR Cut Off Tool 76mm (bare) – £235.95 at My Tool Shed
- Best compact 115mm: Einhell AXXIO 18/115 Brushless 115mm (1 x 8.0Ah kit) – £229.95 at My Tool Shed
- Best small grinder for DIY: Bosch PWS 18V-70 115mm (2 x 6.0Ah kit) – £239.95 at My Tool Shed
- Best premium compact: Milwaukee M18 ONEFSAG115XPDB Fuel 115mm (bare) – £479.95 at My Tool Shed
- Best mini with dust port: Stanley FatMax V20 SFMCM300 Brushless 76mm (2 x 4.0Ah kit) – £209.95 at My Tool Shed
How we chose
We compared the lightest grinders and cut-off tools from our UK retail partners and ranked them on:
- Weight and grip size: easy one-handed control where needed.
- Head size: small gearheads and slim bodies for tight spaces.
- Safety: brakes, restart protection and guards that adjust without tools.
- Kit value: batteries and discs in the box.
The best small angle grinders to buy in 2026
1. Einhell TP-CO 18/76-C Li BL 76mm (2 x 5.2Ah kit)
- Disc size76mm
- Weight0.74kg
- Cut depth16mm
- In the box2 x 5.2Ah, charger, turbo diamond + 3 metal discs
Pros
- Under 1kg
- Variable speed and depth stop
- Motor brake, LED light, four discs included
Cons
- 16mm maximum depth
- 76mm discs cost more per cut
At 0.74kg this is the lightest tool in our list, yet it has a brushless motor, variable speed, a depth stop and a brake. It comes with four discs, including a turbo diamond for tile and stone, and two 5.2Ah batteries.
2. DeWalt DCG430 18v XR Cut Off Tool 76mm (bare)
- Disc size76mm
- Weight1.1kg
- Discs includedDiamond and bonded abrasive
- FeatureReversible disc direction
Pros
- Fits where a 125mm grinder cannot
- Reverse direction to send sparks away from you
- Light enough for one hand
Cons
- Shallow cut
- Bare tool
DeWalt's 76mm cut-off tool weighs 1.1kg and can reverse the disc direction to throw sparks away from you. Perfect for threaded rod, pipe and bolts in tight spots.
3. 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 slim, 1.66kg brushless 115mm with an 8.0Ah battery. It is a proper grinder, but light enough for overhead and awkward work.
4. 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 PWS 18V-70 is designed to be small and comfortable, with soft start and restart protection. The kit includes two 6.0Ah batteries that also fit the huge Power for All range.
5. Milwaukee M18 ONEFSAG115XPDB Fuel 115mm (bare)
- Disc size115mm
- Speed8,500rpm
- SafetyRapidstop brake under 2s, paddle
- FeatureOne-Key app
Pros
- Slim handle, small gearhead
- Brake stops the disc in under 2 seconds
- Tool tracking via One-Key
Cons
- Expensive bare tool
- Needs M18 batteries
Milwaukee shrank the gearhead and angled the battery on this 115mm so it fits into tighter spaces. It has a paddle switch and a brake that stops the disc in under 2 seconds.
6. Stanley FatMax V20 SFMCM300 Brushless 76mm (2 x 4.0Ah kit)
- Disc size76mm
- Speed20,000rpm
- FeatureDust port, depth shoe, LED
- In the box2 x 4.0Ah, charger
Pros
- Dust port on the guard
- Adjustable depth shoe
- Two batteries
Cons
- Small discs only
- V20 range is smaller than DeWalt or Makita
A 76mm cut-off tool with a depth shoe and a dust port, good for plasterboard, thin tile and PVC pipe as well as sheet metal.
76mm, 115mm or 125mm?
| Size | Cut depth | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 76mm (3 inch) | About 16mm | Bolts, pipe, tile notches, sheet |
| 115mm (4.5 inch) | About 28mm | General DIY, car work, finishing |
| 125mm (5 inch) | About 33mm | The best all-rounder |
Never fit a bigger disc
Never fit a 125mm disc to a 115mm grinder by taking the guard off. The 115mm grinder spins faster than a 125mm disc is rated for, and the guard is there to stop fragments if it shatters.
Mini cut-off tools are especially good for tiles. See our best angle grinder for tile cutting guide. For more on the 4.5 inch size, read our best 115mm angle grinder round-up.
Quick buying checklist
- 115mm grinder for general work in tight spaces.
- 76mm cut-off tool for bolts, notches and bodywork.
- Light weight with the battery fitted. Check the real figure.
- Slim grip if you have smaller hands or work overhead.
- Never remove the guard to reach a tight spot. Use a smaller tool instead.
Expert corner: what you lose with a smaller disc
Cutting depth is roughly half the disc diameter, minus the flange and guard. So a 125mm grinder cuts about 33mm, a 115mm about 28mm, and a 76mm cut-off tool much less. Check the spec, as it is usually under 20mm.
Smaller discs are rated for higher rpm because the rim speed limit stays the same (usually 80 m/s). Small tools therefore spin faster, which is good for clean cutting but means you must check the disc rating every time.
Expert tips that save time and money
- 115mm and 125mm grinders often share the same body. Only the guard differs, so a 125mm may give you both options.
- Use thin 1mm discs to get the most out of a small cutting depth.
- For car exhausts and bodywork, a 76mm cut-off tool reaches where no grinder can.
- Cutting bolts? Our cutting metal guide covers the best discs.
- Notching tiles? Our tile guide covers the right blade.
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 Farming Forum, the main downside of 125mm is "squashing into tight spaces", where owners admit they "may have to remove the guard". That is exactly the job a smaller tool should do instead. (The Farming Forum: 125mm vs 115mm)
- MIG Welding Forum owners note 115mm and 125mm grinders are often "exactly the same body except the guards are different". (MIG Welding Forum: 115 or 125mm cordless grinder)
Beginner mistakes to avoid
We see these again and again
- Removing the guard instead of using the right size tool.
- Using a cut-off tool for heavy grinding.
- Fitting a disc larger than the grinder is rated for.
- Fitting a worn-down big disc to a small, fast grinder.
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: The Farming Forum: 125mm vs 115mm · MIG Welding Forum: 115 or 125mm cordless grinder · HSE HSG17: Safety in the use of abrasive wheels · Abrasive wheel marking explained (EN 12413)
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest angle grinder?
115mm is the smallest common grinder size. For even tighter spots, 76mm cut-off tools handle small cuts in bolts, tiles and sheet.
Is a small angle grinder safer?
It is easier to control, which helps. Kickback is less violent with smaller discs. You still need a guard, eye protection and a firm grip.
Can a mini grinder cut metal?
Yes, bolts, rod, pipe and sheet. It cannot cut thick bar or box section because the disc is too small.
Can I use a mini cut-off tool for grinding?
No. They are designed for cutting only. Use a 115mm grinder for grinding and flap disc work.
How deep does a 76mm cut-off tool cut?
Much less than a grinder, usually under 20mm. Check the spec for your model. It is enough for bolts, tiles and thin sheet.
Can I fit a worn 230mm disc to a small grinder?
No. A 230mm disc is rated for about 6,600rpm, and a 115mm grinder spins at around 11,000rpm or more. It could burst.
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