![5 Of The Best Cordless Dewalt Grinders [Comparison]](https://bettertoolz.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/5-Of-The-Best-Cordless-Dewalt-Grinders-Comparison.jpg "5 Of The Best Cordless Dewalt Grinders Comparison")
There are not too many cordless DeWalt grinders out there but they are very different...
Did you know that?
I did a ton of research and found that the best cordless Dewalt grinder is not really one specific model and what you are going to use it for is the question you want to be asking instead...
You will need to look at the grinder itself for the capacity and power to cut what you need it to cut AND get the right battery so it lasts as long as you need it to, a combination of both elements!
I laid out all of the available models that DeWalt currently carries (updating as needed) and compare them side-by-side looking at reviews, features, the specs and many other elements to help others decipher which model is best suited for their needs. Hope you like it!
1. The DeWalt DCG412B - The Most Affordable Grinder In The Lineup...
The DeWalt DCG412B is one of the most affordable models that DeWalt makes but is intended as a lower end model and is best suited for light-duty use, compared to the other models.
There are no special features like you find on some of the other grinders and is basically intended for small cutting and grinding tasks, where a grinder is needed but where a corded model wouldn't be efficient.
As with all grinders, you will need a decent battery for improved runtimes, I would recommend a 3.0Ah battery AT LEAST.
The major complaint with the DCG412B was battery life and is mainly a result of not having knowledge about cordless grinders and the juice they use.
I found a helpful video on Youtube where a man cuts roofing tiles (cement) using a diamond blade, the DCG412B and a 3.0Ah battery.
PROS
CONS
What Stood Out Above Other Models
The DCG412B was much cheaper than the rest of the other DeWalt grinders and was well under $100 at the time so it can easily be added to your collection without breaking the bank.
The DCG412B also had the most number of reviews online, out of all of the cordless grinders I looked at. There were over 750 in total!
I like the fact that the DCG412B is a 20V model, which is a huge improvement over the older 18V grinders (users have stated this as well).
20V tools will give a little more power and it is designed to be a little more comfortable and more ergonomic over the older models, as well.
What I Noticed That I Didn't Like...
The DCG412B is affordable but is also a basic cordless grinder. It has enough power for smaller tasks and if you are using a decent Ah battery, it will last for several minutes. Nothing special about it though!
With that said, the DCG412B is not going to have the power that a brushless model would and if you compared it to the newer 60 grinder, it seems to come up very short.
Having a brushless motor would have made the tool a little better but I'm sure it would have jacked the price up quite a bit, probably closer to $100.
Kits For The DeWalt DCG412B?
I found a kit that comes with two 5.0Ah batteries, a charger, the DCG412B and a soft carrying case for everything. The kit is the DCG412BP2.
The kit was much more expensive than the bare tool alone but comes with the recommended batteries, so it is a complete kit.
It was priced a little bit more than $300 at the time and was more than $200 difference, compared to the bare tool alone.
2. The DeWalt DCG413B - A Balance Between Price, Functionality & Features...
The DeWalt DCG413B is really just an upgraded version (of the DCG412B) and is still considered one of their lower end cordless grinders but has many features that the DCG412B does not.
The DCG413B has a brushless motor and uses Dewalt's E-Clutch System® and their Kickback Brake as well, making it much safer and more efficient.
The price was about double what the DCG412B was, coming in at around $140 at the time. A great entry level grinder, still for light - medium duty use but has modern features offered by DeWalt and is a great balance of price and features.
The was a pretty in-depth video online that explains the features of the DeWalt DCG413B and the DCG413FB and even shows him cutting some metal so you can get a feel for runtime, performance and so on.
PROS
CONS
What Stood Out Above Other Models
The best thing about the DCG413B is that it is a great balance between price, feature and functionality. You get a decent tool with some of DeWalt's upgrared features at a pretty reasonable price.
These upgraded features include the brushless motor, making it run more efficiently and is less likely to overheating problems. The electric brake and DeWalt's E-Clutch system is also two added features that control blade speed.
What I Noticed That I Didn't Like...
I really wished that there were more reviews online for the DCG413B to get a better overall idea of how it performs and how it stacked up. There were nearly 70, at the time but they were pretty general in nature.
The kit that the DCG413b came with (DCG413R2) was a bit pricey (nearly $350) and is going to be a challenge for some to justify the price but it is a decent kit, which we will look at closer (below).
A Kit For The DCG413B:
The DCG413R2 was the kit I found for the DCG413B and it came with two (6.0Ah) batteries, the DCG413B, a charger and a carrying case.
The kit for the DCG413B was around the $350 mark and was only a little bit more than the DCG412B's kit and well worth the extra money.
You get the 6.0Ah batteries, instead of the 5.0Ah ones and the upgraded grinder with so many more feature and a higher RPM range.
I would opt for the DCG413R2 over the DCG412BP2, a way better value!
3. The DeWalt DCG414B - The Best Cordless DeWalt Grind Available!
The DeWalt DCG414B is the best performing model in the lineup and has some of the richest features as well.
The DCG414B is able to use a 4-1/2" disc, all the way up to a maximum diameter of 6", so the versatility in this feature alone is a huge bonus.
It is also a 60V model which DeWalt claims to have as much power as a 13 amp corded grinder.
The head actually rotates and has 3 different positions you can set it in, a brushless motor and implements Dewalt's E-Clutch System® and their Kickback Brake™. By far, the DCG414B is the best cordless DeWalt grinder in the lineup!
I found a helpful video on Youtube where a helpful user explains all of the features of the DCG414B in a pretty decent video. He also cuts a few different materials, not very in-depth but is an okay demonstration of it's cutting ability.
PROS
CONS
What Stood Out Above Other Models
The biggest thing that stood out from the other grinders was that the DCG414B is a 60V model and really outperforms any other model, hands down!
The DCG414B also is the most feature-rich model in comparison and has all of the updated features that DeWalt uses in their cordless grinders. The DCG414B also has a couple of unique features like the rotating head and the 60V power.
The ability to use a range of different discs (4.5" - 6") is another very cool feature and makes the tool much more versatile and better suited for a wider range of applications.
What I Noticed That I Didn't Like...
The DCG414B was one of the higher priced grinders on the list but well worth the investment, especially if you plan on using a cordless grinder 3-4 times a week or more.
I really wanted to see more ratings for the DCG414B but out of the nearly 50 or so I found, nearly all of them boasted about the surprising power it had.
There were a couple of quality issues but very few at the time and not dealbreaker, in my opinion.
The 60V batteries (Flexvolt) are a little bit more than standard 20V batteries so the additional cost of extra batteries (which are recommended for grinders) will set you back an additional $100 - $300.
2 Different Kits For The DCG414B...
There were two different kits for the DCG414B and the only difference was that one came with one battery and the other came with two batteries.
The DCG414T1: This kit came with one battery (6.0Ah), a charger the DCG414B and a carrying case (soft). This kit was around $300, at the time.
The DCG414T2: This kit was identical to the kit above in what's included but you get two (6.0Ah) batteries instead of one. This kit was a little bit more, coming in at around
DeWalt DCG414T1 Kit
DeWalt DCG414T2 Kit
4. The DeWalt DC411B - An Older Grinder That May Appeal To Some...
The DeWalt DC411B is probably one of the oldest grinders, as far as date released goes and uses the 18V batteries, instead of the 20V ones.
The DC411B was one of the cheapest models (besides the DCG412B) but is still very popular and had a fair amount of reviews backing it up.
The ability to use DeWalt's 18V batteries was one of the biggest selling points of the DC411B.
The DC411B is a basic grinder, like the DCG412B and operates at a much lower RPM than any other model. If you need a basic grinder and want to use you 18V batteries, then this is the model I would recommend.
PROS
CONS
What Stood Out Above Other Models
What stood out about the DC411B was the fact that it could use DeWalt's 18V batteries. These are cheaper and most people have these lying around, so chances are that you won't need to buy extras.
The DC411B was one of the more affordable choices in the lineup, coming in at around the $100 mark. The DCG412B was comprable but is a 20V model, not an 18V.
There were tons of ratings online for the DC411B (nearly 400 in total) which provides a great deal of feedback, giving you an idea of what to expect and what applications it will ideally work better for.
What I Noticed That I Didn't Like...
I stated that the use of the 18V batteries as an advantage for the DC411B but it is also a disadvantage because they are the Ni-Cad batteries, not the Lithium-Ion ones. These are not as light, have less juice and are less efficient.
The DC411B is a basic grinder and has nowhere near the power that some of the other models have. The features are also quite antiquated, compared to the newer DeWalt grinders too.
Kits, Extras, Special Features, Etc.
The DC411B did come in a kit and it was the most affordable kit out there but used the old Ni-Cad 18V batteries, so not comparable to the newer Litium-Ion batteries by any means.
The kit was labeled as the DC411KA and it came with the DC411B, a charger, two 18V batteries and a case. The kit was around $220 but was as high as $400, for some odd reason.
5. The DeWalt DCG413FB - This is What A Longer Title Will Look Like
The DCG413FB is identical to the DCG413B but has a different design to it. It is flatter and is designed to accommodate specialty applications, where a typical grinder design would not perform as well.
This didn't have hardly any reviews online, so it was hard to gauge how well it works, who would use it more (what trade or application) and how it stacked up.
The specs are exactly the same for the DCG413FB as the DCG413B, so I don't want to repeat myself and hash out the same information. Just take a look at the DCG413B to get a general idea of what to expect.
The video that I linked to for the DCG413B also shows the DCG413FB in action and gives a little more background info as to what it can do and how it differs from the DCG413B.
PROS
CONS
What Stood Out Above Other Models
The flathead design is a specialty feature and that is really the advantage it had over the other DeWalt grinders in the list.
The DCG413FB is able to use a 5" wheel, which is an advantage when it comes to size but may be harder to find a wheel that size at every store.
The DCG413FB had nearly all of the features that DeWalt makes in their new cordless tools and is an upgraded model that uses a brushless motor, the E-clutch system and the electric brake.
What I Noticed That I Didn't Like...
The biggest thing I was disappointed about regarding the DCG413FB was the fact that there weren't any reviews to look through, only one at the time on DeWalt's website. Hard to compare and get a feel for how it performs.
The DCG413FB was one of the most expensive models in the lineup and I'm sure it is due to the design. It came in at around $280 at the time and that was for the bare-tool only!
Any Kits For The DCG413FB?
At the time, I didn't find any kits that were specifically for the DCG413FB, so that was disappointing and a major disadvantage.
For now, you will have to buy the bare tool (DCG413FB) and batteries seperately or buy another DeWalt kit and the bare tool seperately.
I will keep this post updated as time goes on and add a kit as they become available!
Cordless DeWalt Grinders & Their Different Features:
The Tool-less Blade Change Feature:
The blade change system that I found with the majority of these cordless DeWalt grinder was pretty simple. You hold the spindle lock doen (button) and hand-tighten the nut, like you normally would.
A wrench is included with nearly every tool but DeWalt states that the wrench is really not needed but is available for people who want to use it. That's what I gathered, anyways.
Many users also stated that the spanner wrench was not needed and placing the nut on the spindle and hand tightening it would hold the wheel in place.
DeWalt's Kickback Brake System For Their Grinders:
The Kickback Brake™ that DeWalt uses on some of their cordless grinders is another safety feature and is similar to the E-Clutch System® and seems to be used in conjunction with it. It is basically a smart brake built into the tool that will slow or stop the blade from turning.
When the grinder senses that the blade is pinched, the Kickback Brake™ feature is then turned on and slows or stops the blade to prevent a dangerous situation from happening.
The E-Clutch System® Is Used On Some Grinders:
The E-Clutch System® is used on a couple of the Dewalt grinders that made the list and is desidned as a safety feature more than anything.
If the wheel on the grinder is beginning to bind, the tool will sense this and displace the torque by stopping the blade, instead of the grinder making a sharp abrupt turn and possibly injuring the user.
I could see this feature being utilized more when cutting, rather than grinding and is a nice safety feature to have integrated into the tool. I have had many close calls because of a binding situation and the grinder CAN pull right out of your hands!
Battery Life, Battery Ah And Other Battery Stuff...
Cordless grinders, in general are known to drain a battery within a few minutes so having a decent battery with a higher Ah rating is the best thing you can do to ensure you have the best possible runtime.
I would recommend a 3.0Ah DeWalt battery to be a MINIMUM requirement and will give you roughly 7-12 minutes of working time on a medium-duty grinding or cutting task.
A 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah or 9.0Ah DeWalt battery is even better and will give you extra runtime because of the extra Ah (or cells) that the battery contains. I recommend looking online at some of the DeWalt batteries yourself.
Remember:
The larger the battery, the heavier the grinder will be and for all of these Dewalt grinders, that weight will be at the back end.
In general, these DeWalt cordless grinders are best for tasks that do not require continual grinding, unless you have multiple batteries.
A dual charger will help out a lot and will charge two batteries simultaneously and significantly cut down (or eliminate) any down time you may have from waiting to have a battery charge.
The Triggers Are A Little Different:
There are two main types of triggers that DeWalt uses on their cordless grinders and they are each a little different and is hard to recommend one type over another because "personal preference" varies so much from person to person.
The Standard Trigger: The standard trigger is pretty common and a design that most users are familiar with (for the most part).
DeWalt uses a "two finger" trigger on all of the models that use a standard trigger and these tend to be more comfortable for people and provide more control, overall.
They also reduce user fatigue quite a bit.
The Paddle Switch: The paddle switch is a little more convenient to use (in my opinion) and a lot safer as well.
You basically grip the tool, like you normally would and the power is on. Most of the time you will find a small safety pin that needs to be activated first before the switch will transfer power.
A Rotating Head And An Adjustable Wheel Guard:
The DCG414B has a rotating head that can be rotated to the left or right 90° by unscrewing the four screws at the front of the grinder, which will give you way more versatility.
The wheel guard is also adjustable and can be moved around using a quick release feature, instead of a wrench or allen wrench. This works by pushing down on the button and rotating the guard to the desired position.
Most of the DeWalt grinders have this feature and makes rotating the guard so much easier than it was before. A huge time saver, for sure!
Soft Start Feature For Some Of The Grinders:
The soft start feature is basically another safety feature more than anything, but it does provide a little bit longer motor life as well.
When you pull the trigger or switch on a DeWalt grinder the blade will start off at a slower speed and work up to max operating speed in a couple of seconds, instead of instantly.
