9 Best Bench Grinders of 2024

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The Best Bench Grinders

Best Bench Grinders
  1. Best 200mm grinder with wheels of different widths - Record Power RSBG8 200 mm Bench Grinder

  2. Best 200mm grinder for power - Draper 05097 550 Watt Heavy Duty Bench Grinder

  3. Best all round bench grinder - Axminster Craft AC1502WSG Wide Stone Grinder

  4. Best budget bench grinder - Silverline 263511 150 Watt Bench Grinder

  5. Best with wire wheel & work light - Sealey BG150XWL Bench Grinder and Wire Wheel

  6. Best small grinder for DIYers - Einhell 4412570 TH-BG 150 150 Watt Bench Grinder

  7. Best mini grinder - KATSU Tools Multi-Function Electric Bench Grinder

Bench Grinder Reviews

Editors Choice

1. Record Power RSBG8 200 mm Bench Grinder[ SAVE 3% ]

Best 200mm grinder with wheels of different widths

best bench grinder Record Power RSBG8 200 mm Bench Grinder
  • The wheel diameter of 200 mm is large compared with the Sealey BG150XWL. The extra size means the wheels last for longer and put out more grinding speed.
  • Most users agree that this is a quiet grinder to operate. Obviously not when actually in use, but the motor isn’t loud under no load.
  • 500 Watts of power is the ideal amount for a small footprint bench grinder. Less powerful grinders can lose speed when grinding or sharpening. This isn’t the case here.
  • Record Power have upgraded their tool rests. They’re now adjustable and more solid than the ones that some users had complained about.
  • Having two different size wheel enclosures is great. You can use the included 25 mm and 40 mm wheels or swap them out for other ones. Sometimes you need more width!

  • Some users have complained about the flimsy tool rests. Record Power recalled this grinder to improve them, so check you get the upgraded ones.
  • Some users have complained about the quality of the instruction manual. First use instructions are vague and not much use to a beginner user.
  • The 40 mm wide whitestone wheel is a bit too fine if you’re expecting it to remove a lot of material. It’s more suitable for fine grinding tasks.
  • If you want to swap out the 40 mm wheel for a 25 mm one, you’ll need to add bushings. They’re readily available if you have accurate measurements though.
Motor
500W
Speed
2,800rpm
Wheel Diameter
200mm
Wheel Widths
40mm, 25mm
Spindle Diameter
16mm
Weight
14.0kg
Work Light
No
Overall Score 4
Build Quality
4
Performance
4
Value for Money
4

One of the best-known tool makers to come from Sheffield, the heart of the British steel industry, is Record Power. Famous for their woodworking machines, the RSBG8 8″ bench grinder is an ideal addition to any workshop.

Its small footprint might lead you to believe it’s not powerful. However, the big 500 Watt induction motor is just that. It can spin the pair of wheels up to 2,800 rpm in seconds and won’t be slowed down when you’re grinding or polishing.

Weighing in at 14 kg, this is a heavy bench grinder. Usually, weight works against power tools, but it really helps to keep the vibrations down during use. The chunky rubber feet work like shock absorbers to reduce vibrations even more.

What makes this one of the best bench grinders available right now is the width of the right wheel enclosure. It’s large enough to fit wide wheels, mops or other attachments and makes this a much more versatile grinder. The included 40 mm wide fine grit wheel is brilliant for sharpening jobs and should last for a long time.

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Runner Up
  • The work light is shielded with a sturdy wire mesh. It means you can position the light close to the work without worrying about shrapnel smashing the bulb. Very useful.
  • There’s a little plastic slide out drawer in the bottom of the grinder. It’s a useful space to put your hex keys you’ll need for changing out stones.
  • Weighing 19 kg, there’s not much chance this bench grinder will wobble around or walk off during use. It’s one of those types of tools that can do with having a bit of weight behind it.

  • Several users have complained that this grinder gets hot when you’re using it. Without proper ventilation, a motor can overheat and shorten its useful life.
  • A big and heavy bench grinder is great if you’re doing a lot of grinding work. However, if you’ve got a small workshop or a bad back, moving this thing around is a real pain.
  • If you’re on a budget, this might not be the best bench grinder for you. Although it takes longer, a smaller and less expensive grinder will get the job done, eventually.
Motor
550W
Speed
2,850rpm
Wheel Diameter
200mm
Wheel Widths
25mm, 25mm
Spindle Diameter
15.8mm
Weight
19kg
Work Light
Yes
Overall Score 4
Build Quality
4
Performance
4
Value for Money
4

British tool brand Draper is a familiar sight to DIYers as well as professional tradespeople. The 05097 heavy duty bench grinder is a big and sturdy piece of kit that will make short work of any grinding job you have in front of you.

Starting with the hefty 550 Watt motor, it can spin up the 200 mm grinding wheels to 2,850 rpm. These 25 mm thick wheels are good for coarse as well as fine grinding, depending on which wheel you choose. They have a 15.8 mm bore in case you want to swap them out for buffing mops or wire wheels.

What makes this one of the best benchtop grinders is the work light on top. It sits on the end of a flexible stalk so you can position it wherever you need light the most. And seeing as it comes with a grinding stone dresser, you can keep the surfaces in top condition easily.

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Also Good

3. Axminster Craft AC1502WSG Wide Stone Grinder

Best all round bench grinder

best bench grinder Axminster Craft AC1502WSG Wide Stone Grinder
  • The extra wide 40 mm fine sharpening stone is a brilliant way to keep all your blades sharp. Compared with hand sharpening on a stone, this is quick and easy to do.
  • The 250 Watt onboard motor is powerful enough for coarse grinding, and it doesn’t make a lot of noise during operation. The rubber feet help to keep the vibrations down too.
  • Setting up the bench grinder straight from the box is straightforward. Axminster have produced a series of videos to help get the most out of this grinder as well.

  • Compared with the Draper 05097, this grinder doesn’t come with a stone dressing tool. They’re essential bits of kit to keep the stones running true, you’ll need to buy one separately.
  • I would like to have seen a shroud over the work light. The bulb is liable to being hit by debris coming off whatever you’re grinding. A wire mesh would be useful here.
  • Some users have complained that the work light is nowhere near powerful enough. You could swap the bulb out for a stronger one, but it should be better from the start.
Motor
250W
Speed
2,950rpm
Wheel Diameter
150mm
Wheel Widths
40mm, 20mm
Spindle Diameter
12.7mm
Weight
10.5kg
Work Light
Yes
Overall Score 5
Build Quality
5
Performance
5
Value for Money
5

Axminster tools have an excellent reputation and for good reason. Their range of tools is impressive, and their customer service is legendary. The Axminster Craft range of power tools is ideal for anyone who wants quality kit without shelling out for professional-level gear.

The AC1502WSG is a wide stone bench grinder. That means it’s got a 20 mm wide coarse grinding wheel for the rough stuff, and a 40 mm wide fine white stone for sharpening up all sorts of tools and other blades. The 250 Watt motor is powerful enough to spin the wheels up to 2,950 rpm, and the 12.7 mm bore is standard size for a bench grinder.

There’s a pair of circular spark guards on top of the adjustable tool rests, and you get a flexible work light to make sure everything is nice and visible.

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4. Silverline 263511 150 Watt Bench Grinder

Best budget bench grinder

best bench grinder Silverline 263511 150 Watt Bench Grinder
  • Even though this is a budget grinder, Silverline have still gone to the trouble of adding a dust protected power switch. Unprotected switches can get gummed up with dust too easily.
  • This lightweight bench grinder also has a small footprint. You can easily store it away when it’s not in use. Compared with a big bench grinder, this is a lot more portable.
  • The rubber feet mean that you don’t always need to clamp it down when you’re using it. They also help to keep all vibrations down to the bare minimum.

  • In comparison to the Draper 05097, this little grinder lacks a work light. If you’re doing any sort of grinding or polishing work, good lighting is key to creating sharp blades, for instance.
  • More than one user has complained that the bore on the included stones isn’t perfectly centred. Any wobble will be amplified by this problem.
  • A 150 Watt motor might spin the stones up under no load, but don’t expect this little grinder to make short work of hard materials. It’s a bit underpowered for any heavy work.
Motor
150W
Speed
2,950rpm
Wheel Diameter
150mm
Wheel Widths
16mm, 16mm
Spindle Diameter
12mm
Weight
5kg
Work Light
1
Overall Score 4.3
Build Quality
4
Performance
4
Value for Money
5

Producing an incredible range of inexpensive DIY tools and accessories, Silverline are an easily recognised brand today. The 263511 is a handy little bench grinder that is great for light DIY work and doesn’t cost a lot either.

Sporting a lightweight 150 Watt motor, this 5 kg bench grinder can still spin up to 2,950 rpm. There’s a pair of 16 mm wide grinding wheels to choose from, and each measures 150 mm in diameter. The slightly smaller 12 mm bore means you can swap out grinding discs for polishing mops if you like as well.

Although this isn’t the biggest or most powerful bench grinder on my list, for the money it’s a handy tool to have in your workshop. For light grinding or polishing, it’s the right tool for the job.

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5. Sealey BG150XWL Bench Grinder and Wire Wheel

Best with wire wheel & work light

best bench grinder Sealey BG150XWL Bench Grinder and Wire Wheel
  • A lot of users favour a grinding stone and wire wheel setup, so it’s an ideal setup already. If you’re cleaning up metalwork or removing paint, a wire wheel is the best tool to use.
  • Having a flexible work light is ideal. It’s useful for lighting up a murky workshop, but it’s essential for fine sharpening jobs. You can position the light to show up defects on a blade.
  • Most users have found this bench grinder to be quiet under no load. It does a good job to keep the vibrations down to a minimum as well.
  • Dressing your grinding stones is a crucial part of keeping a bench grinder performing well. Sealey have included a dressing tool for doing just that. I like it.

  • Be prepared, Sealey haven’t included any setup instructions. All you get is an exploded diagram of every part. You’ll need to use common sense to install the guards and rests.
  • The tool rests are just bent pieces of metal. They’re not strong compared with the ones on the Record Power RSBG8. Don’t put too much pressure on them.
  • The power switch isn’t protected with a dust cover. If you’re doing a lot of grinding work, dust gets everywhere. It might get gummed up before long.
  • It’s not the most cost effective bench grinder around. For the money, I’d expect a more powerful motor or a larger diameter grinding wheel.
Motor
250W
Speed
2,850rpm
Wheel Diameter
150mm
Wheel Widths
20mm, 20mm
Spindle Diameter
13mm
Weight
8.6kg
Work Light
Yes
Overall Score 4
Build Quality
4
Performance
4
Value for Money
4

British heavyweights Sealey have been in the tool game since 1978. Their BG150XWL combination bench grinder and wire wheel is a seriously handy bit of kit. If you need a wire wheel more than two different grit sanding wheels, this is the best bench grinder for you!

Starting with the motor, it’s 250 Watts, so not as powerful as some of the competition. Bear in mind though that the wheel is smaller at 150 mm, so it doesn’t need quite as much power. If you’re using the wire brush, there’s nowhere near as much friction and this little grinder will power through whatever you’re cleaning up.

I like the fact that this tool comes with a built-in wheel dresser. It sits on top of the unit for when you need it. And if that wasn’t enough, you also get a brilliant little work light on a flexible stalk. Getting a good look at what you’re working on really helps, so I’m glad to see it here.

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6. Einhell 4412570 TH-BG 150 150 Watt Bench Grinder

Best small grinder for DIYers

best bench grinder Einhell 4412570 TH BG 150 150 Watt Bench Grinder
  • The anti-spark guards are a good size. Quite often, budget end bench grinders come with tiny little guards that don’t work properly. These look much more substantial.
  • If you’re going to do light grinding work, this Einhell TH-BG is competitively priced. Unless you’re planning to sharpen all the time, a bigger grinder is probably not worth getting.
  • Weighing just 5.4 kg, you won’t need help moving this grinder around. Combined with a simple squeeze clamp, it won’t go wandering off when you’re using it either.

  • If you’re expecting a heavy duty bench grinder for working on big chunks of steel, you’ll be disappointed. The little 150 Watt motor is suited to light DIY work only.
  • The best bench grinders are usually a bit heavier than 5.4 kg. Unless you bolt this one down or use a clamp, it isn’t massively stable.
  • Thanks to the small motor size, it can take a long time to do grinding work. Compared with the big Draper 05097, it lacks a bit of grunt.
Motor
150W
Speed
2,950rpm
Wheel Diameter
150mm
Wheel Widths
16mm, 16mm
Spindle Diameter
12.7mm
Weight
5.4kg
Work Light
No
Overall Score 4.3
Build Quality
4
Performance
4
Value for Money
5

The German tool brand with the red tools, Einhell have made a name for themselves since 1964 by making quality kit without the big brand price tags. The TH-BG 150 bench grinder is a good example because it’s a decent and quiet small grinder for DIYers that don’t want to break the bank.

The onboard 150 Watt motor isn’t the biggest, but it can still crank up the grinding wheels to an impressive 2,950 rpm. The pair of wheels you get are both 150 mm in diameter and 16 mm thick – one is coarse, and the other is for finer grinding work. The 12.7 mm bore is a standard size too.

There’s a pair of anti-spark shields that sit above the adjustable tool rests, so you don’t need to worry about shooting sparks all over your workshop. The power switch has a dust shield on it, and the four rubber feet help to keep vibrations down.

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  • It’s an excellent little bench grinder for delicate, precision work. If you work with things like knives, jewellery, or models, it’s hard to beat.
  • The flexible tool attachment turns this into a completely different machine. You can make use of cutting discs, die grinders, small drill bits or anything else you can fit in the collet.
  • Compared to any of the grinders on my list, this is the only one with a variable speed control. It means you can use the appropriate speed for the job at hand.
  • Weighing in at just 3.4 kg, it’s extremely light and portable. It’s much easier to store compared to the 14 kg Record Power RPBG8.

  • Don’t assume you can carry out heavy duty grinding jobs with this machine. The 150 Watt motor and small diameter grinding wheels aren’t up to it.
  • Several users have had problems attaching different bits to the flexible shaft. You need to insert the bit into the collet and tighten it with a small diameter hex key.
  • If you happen to break the flexi drive shaft, it’s difficult to find spare parts. Some users have resorted to using automotive speedo cables, bought separately.
  • Only one of the grinding wheels has a tool rest and spark guard. Even if it’s a polishing stone, it would be useful to have guards and rests on both sides.
Motor
150W
Speed
0-10,000rpm
Wheel Diameter
70mm
Wheel Widths
20mm, 20mm
Spindle Diameter
10mm
Weight
3.4kg
Work Light
No
Overall Score 4
Build Quality
4
Performance
4
Value for Money
4

Budget tool heroes KATSU make some surprisingly good kit for a brand you probably haven’t heard of before. Perfect for hobbyists and small scale jobs is the KATSU SLM93 multi-function bench grinder.

Don’t mistake this bench grinder for one of the beefy 500 Watt ones on my list. This is a small grinder designed for delicate work and intricate polishing. The 150 Watt motor is more than powerful enough to spin the small 70 mm grinding wheels though. They’re driven up to an astonishing 10,000 rpm, an ideal speed for light work.

What makes this an astonishing bit of kit for hobbyists and model makers is the flexible attachment though. Using the power throw off spindle, the long flexible shaft can take different types of bit for any job. It transforms this bench grinder into a versatile tool that any hobbyist will make good use of.

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Harry's Smart Buying Tips

  1. The best bench grinder should have a motor with a minimum rating of 150W so its grinding wheels won’t be slowed down when you’re grinding or polishing.
  2. Look for wheels that spin at a rate of at least 2,500 rpm.
  3. To minimize vibration and noise a bench grinder should weigh at least 6-7 kgs and come with rubber feet and bolt holes for firm mounting to a workbench.
  4. Spark guards and tool rests are important features too.
  5. There is a wealth of accessories available for use with a bench grinder so you should ensure that the grinding wheels can easily be swapped out for appropriate attachments, such as polishers, mops and wire wheels.
  6. There are many kinds of grinding wheels, with different diameters and widths and available along with coarse and fine grit options. The most common diameter wheels are 200mm and 150mm, whilst widths can vary from 16mm to 40mm.
  7. Bench grinders that come with wheels of different widths are often a good option.

Compare Product Features

Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature you want to see.

  • Record Power RSBG8 200 mm Bench Grinder
    best bench grinder Record Power RSBG8 200 mm Bench Grinder
    • 4
    • 500W
    • 2,800rpm
    • 200mm
    • 40mm, 25mm
    • 16mm
    • 14.0kg
    • No
  • Draper 05097 550 Watt Heavy Duty Bench Grinder
    best bench grinder Draper 05097 550 Watt Heavy Duty Bench Grinder
    • 4
    • 550W
    • 2,850rpm
    • 200mm
    • 25mm, 25mm
    • 15.8mm
    • 19kg
    • Yes
  • Axminster Craft AC1502WSG Wide Stone Grinder
    best bench grinder Axminster Craft AC1502WSG Wide Stone Grinder
    • 5
    • 250W
    • 2,950rpm
    • 150mm
    • 40mm, 20mm
    • 12.7mm
    • 10.5kg
    • Yes
  • Silverline 263511 150 Watt Bench Grinder
    best bench grinder Silverline 263511 150 Watt Bench Grinder
    • 4.3
    • 150W
    • 2,950rpm
    • 150mm
    • 16mm, 16mm
    • 12mm
    • 5kg
    • 1
  • Sealey BG150XWL Bench Grinder and Wire Wheel
    best bench grinder Sealey BG150XWL Bench Grinder and Wire Wheel
    • 4
    • 250W
    • 2,850rpm
    • 150mm
    • 20mm, 20mm
    • 13mm
    • 8.6kg
    • Yes
  • Einhell 4412570 TH-BG 150 150 Watt Bench Grinder
    best bench grinder Einhell 4412570 TH BG 150 150 Watt Bench Grinder
    • 4.3
    • 150W
    • 2,950rpm
    • 150mm
    • 16mm, 16mm
    • 12.7mm
    • 5.4kg
    • No
  • KATSU Tools Multi-Function Electric Bench Grinder
    best bench grinder KATSU Tools Multi Function Electric Bench Grinder
    • 4
    • 150W
    • 0-10,000rpm
    • 70mm
    • 20mm, 20mm
    • 10mm
    • 3.4kg
    • No

How to Choose The Best Bench Grinder

Before you go off and choose a bench grinder, take a look at its main features below to make sure you make the right choice!

Coarse & Fine Grinding Wheels

The main feature of a bench grinder is of course its grinding wheels. Coarse and fine wheels are often used in conjunction with one another.

A coarse wheel removes more material faster but won’t leave a clean finish. So for shaping metal, for instance, the coarse wheel removes bulk and creates a shape, and then the finer wheel can be used for cleaning the piece.

One of the most common uses of the fine wheel is for maintaining tools and creating clean, sharp edges on them.

Wheel / Stone Guard

The grinding wheel or stone produces sparks and debris when grinding. Most grinders come with a protective guard that is positioned near the wheels to help catch the bulk of the waste material and protect against sparks.

Regardless of the function of the guard always wear eye protection.

Tool Rests

A strong and sturdy tool rest is a very important component of your grinding operation. The tool rest needs to be fully adjustable in terms of angle and tilt in order to optimise the tool’s positioning for sharpening. The tool rest also needs to be large enough to accommodate whatever you plan to work with.

Rubber Foot Pads

Rubber footprints ensure that the grinder stays secure on the workbench and go a long way to counteracting vibration and wobble.

Bench Mounting Holes

Better still than rubber foot pads, having good bench mounting holes and fixings ensures the grinder fits securely to the bench, minimising the risk of slippage and injury.

Bench Grinder FAQs

A bench grinder consists of 2 grinding wheels that rotate at speed – one wheel is coarse and one is fine. Material for grinding is offered up to either or both wheels for removal of surplus debris and further refinement into the finished object.

The grinder can also be used to sharpen, buff, polish or clean up rusty or tarnished metal. It is also very good for tool maintenance, enabling you for example to sharpen knives and chisels with relative ease compared to using a whetstone.

If you have never used a bench grinder before a great way to practice your skills is to shape a scrap piece of metal.

Firstly ensure you are properly protected. Both the grinder and the piece of metal may shoot debris towards you. Therefore, it is important to wear eye protection, a leather apron, and gloves.

You then need to check the machine is fit for purpose. Ensure the wheel is correctly mounted and secure so it spins properly and won’t fly off the spindle. You will also need to ensure the tool rest is securely positioned beside the wheel. If you are grinding for any length of time the metal will heat up, so make sure there is a water tray nearby.

Once all safety checks are done the fun part begins! Turn on the machine and begin to shape your metal.

Ensure you grip the metal with both hands. Lay the piece on the tool rest and slowly press against the wheel of the grinder. You want to let the machine do the work – don’t apply excess force on the metal against the wheel. Also never position your work piece on the side of the wheel as this will damage it.

As the machine starts to shape the metal experiment by moving it around and trying to create different shapes and curves.

Finally don’t forget to regularly dip your workpiece into the water to keep it cool.

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