The 10 Best Bench Grinders
Updated by · How we research
Fast, slow and variable-speed bench grinders compared on motor, wheels and build. The DeWalt DW758 leads for its cast iron heft and steady power. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Speed matters more than size on a bench grinder. Most spin at about 3,500 RPM, fast enough to shape steel but hot enough to soften a chisel's edge, which is why woodworkers favor slow models near half that speed. These picks cover fast, slow and variable-speed grinders for home garages, woodshops and metal shops that grind all day.
Editor's Notes
October 26, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The DeWalt DW758 is our first choice now. It is heavy, steady and still sold, and the one comparison we found that put grinders to work rated it highest. The bigger change is a split by speed: someone sharpening chisels needs a slower grinder than someone cleaning rusty bolts, so the list now gives each job its own picks, led by the Rikon 80-805 for sharpening. The Shop Fox W1840 stays as the large variable-speed choice. Seven older picks are gone. The Baldor 762R, Metabo DS 200 and Craftsman 9-21154 can't be bought new, the WEN BG4260 replaces the Wen 4276, the Skil 3380-01 is an old model, and the Sunex 500 couldn't be confirmed as current. We also dropped the Jet JBG-8A because the Jet IBG-8 doubles the motor for a modest step up. The ranking leans on each grinder's motor, speed and wheel specs, read against the OSHA rules for grinder guards and tool rests and against recall records.
August 19, 2020:
Removed the Baldor 662R in favor of the Baldor 762R and the PowerTec BG600 in favor of the Shop Fox W1840.
A fairly reliable way of distinguishing good bench grinders from casual use grinders is to look at the wheel arbor diameter. A good grinder like the Jet JBG-8A and the Baldor 762R use thick arbors in order to mitigate some of the issues that plague bench grinders. One issue that this helps remedy is wheel wobble that occurs from not providing a large enough clamping surface to hold the wheel steady. Naturally, at 3600 RPM, the wheels are subjected to significant forces that aren't conducive to a steady spin. Really, anything over a half-inch is acceptable. The Shop Fox W1840 comes with a 5/8-inch arbor which makes for a stable grinding surface that can be depended on to allow you to get a good feel for what sorts of movements you have to make to produce the desired grind on a piece of metal.
Another excellent feature on the Shop Fox is the speed variability. If you are grinding tempered steel at 3600 RPM, you'll want to quench it often. This keeps the steel's temperature within acceptable parameters. Otherwise, you'll lose the tempering and essentially ruin the steel's properties. The Shop Fox allows you to lower the motor speed and give you a wider margin of ever before compromising your work piece.
Always wear proper safety equipment while using a bench grinder and inspect the wheels to ensure that they are in working condition.
May 10, 2019:
When identifying the best bench grinders, we wanted to make sure we had models that could stand up to the heaviest-duty needs of commercial shops, as well as budget-friendly options suitable for periodic sharpening of mower blades and drill bits. Whether you actually have a shop or not, if you find yourself in the former category and require something that can stand up to high-volume use day after day, we recommend the Jet JBG-8A, Baldor 662R, DeWalt DW758, and Metabo DS 200. All four of these models feature powerful motors that won't bog down under pressure nor overheat from extended periods of use. For the casual home user who may only pull out their grinder a couple of times a year, we have included the Wen 4276, Skil 3380-01, and PowerTec BG600. Despite being low-priced, they should all be able to handle grinding down or sharpening a variety of materials. It is important to have realistic expectations of these low-priced, consumer-level models however, which means understanding that the process may be slow going on very hard metals. They may also bog down if your press too hard. Falling nicely between commercial-quality units and bargain-priced consumer-level models, we have the Craftsman 9-21154, Sunex 500, and Rikon Power Tools 80-805. These can stand up to constant light- and medium-duty use in professional workshops, or the periodic heavy-duty jobs of the home consumer. In this category, we especially like the Craftsman 9-21154, which offers variable speed control that makes it well-suited to precision work.
Special Honors
Jet IBG-12 For fabrication and maintenance shops, Jet's IBG-12 steps up to 12-inch wheels and a 2 HP motor. It runs on 230-volt power, so it needs the right circuit, and it weighs well over 150 pounds, which makes a stand or a very sturdy bench a must. Its wheels turn at a slower speed than smaller grinders, as big wheels require. jettools.com
ABB Baldor-Reliance Grinders Baldor-Reliance, now part of ABB, builds industrial bench and pedestal grinders with wheels from 7 to 14 inches and motors up to 7.5 HP, in single-phase and three-phase versions. They are sold through industrial suppliers rather than hardware stores and suit plants that run a grinder through every shift. abb.com
Fast, Slow Or Variable Speed
Whatever the speed, keep a cup of water nearby and dip the steel often.
Wheel speed decides what a grinder is good at. Most 8-inch and 6-inch grinders run between 3,000 and 3,600 RPM, which removes metal quickly for mower blades, cold chisels, cut bolts and welds. That speed also builds heat fast, and a hardened edge that turns blue has lost its temper. Bob Vila's bench grinder guide puts the woodworking sweet spot at about 1,725 RPM, and slow grinders such as the Rikon 80-805 and the Bucktool TDS-200C4HL turn near 1,750.
Variable-speed grinders, usually adjustable from about 2,000 to 3,400 RPM, try to do both jobs. They cost more than single-speed models from the same maker. Even their low end is faster than a true slow-speed grinder: Fine Woodworking's review of a Craftsman variable-speed grinder noted that 2,000 RPM can still overheat an edge and recommended a white wheel for tool steel.
Whatever the speed, keep a cup of water nearby and dip the steel often. Light passes with a cool blade beat one long, hard push.
Wheel Size, Grit And Type
Eight-inch grinders are the common shop size. They have bigger motors, more wheel surface and a heavier base, but they weigh 30 to 60 pounds and take up more room. Six-inch grinders are lighter and cheaper and handle sharpening and light deburring well; the WEN BG4260 weighs about 14 pounds.
Most grinders ship with a coarse 36-grit wheel for shaping and a 60-grit wheel for smoothing. Gray aluminum oxide wheels are the all-purpose choice. White aluminum oxide runs cooler on hardened tool steel. Green silicon carbide cuts cast iron and carbide but wears fast. A wire wheel strips rust and paint, and a buffing wheel with compound polishes, according to Bob Vila's guide. No bench grinder makes a razor edge on its own: that takes stones or a strop after the grinder sets the bevel.
A wheel that wobbles or chatters needs dressing with a diamond or star dresser, and stock wheels on budget grinders often need it out of the box (The Drive lists balancing among the common complaints). For handheld work on metal, see our angle grinders and die grinders pages.
Mounting And Safety
Bolt the grinder to a bench or a pedestal stand, even a heavy one. A grinder that walks or rocks puts the wheel at the wrong angle to the work. Check whether bolts come in the box; many don't.
The federal workplace rule for abrasive wheels, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.215, sets the gaps that matter at home too: the tool rest should sit no more than 1/8 inch from the wheel, and the adjustable tongue guard at the top no more than 1/4 inch. Reset both as the wheel wears smaller. Never run a wheel faster than the RPM printed on it, and grind on the front face only, not the side.
Before mounting a new wheel, ring-test it: hang it on a finger or a dowel and tap it lightly with a wooden or plastic handle. A clear ring means it's sound; a dull thud can mean a crack (Yale Environmental Health and Safety; Missouri Department of Labor). Stand to one side when you switch on and let the wheel run for a minute. Wear safety glasses or a face shield, skip gloves and loose sleeves near the wheel, and keep sawdust and solvents away from the sparks.
How we researched this
We compared 22 bench grinders, read the makers' published specifications for the 12 finalists, weighed them against one independent comparison and one review roundup, used OSHA's abrasive-wheel rules for the safety advice, and checked every brand against CPSC recall records. Updated October 26, 2026 by Ezvid Wiki Admin.
Sources (10)
- Bob Vila: The Best Bench Grinders
- The Drive: Best Bench Grinders
- Fine Woodworking: 6-in. variable-speed bench grinder review
- Fine Woodworking: Tool test, bench grinders for woodworkers
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.215, abrasive wheel machinery
- Yale EHS: grinder abrasive wheel testing
- Missouri Department of Labor: grinder safety
- CPSC recalls
- Jet: IBG-12 industrial bench grinder
- ABB: Baldor-Reliance grinders
Frequently asked questions
Is a 6-inch or an 8-inch bench grinder better?
An 8-inch grinder has a bigger motor and more wheel surface, so it's better for regular metal work. A 6-inch grinder is lighter, cheaper and fine for occasional sharpening and deburring.
How fast should a bench grinder run?
Standard grinders run at about 3,450 to 3,600 RPM for shaping metal. For sharpening woodworking tools, a slow grinder near 1,750 RPM keeps edges cooler. Variable-speed models cover about 2,000 to 3,400 RPM.
What is a bench grinder used for?
Sharpening mower blades, chisels, drill bits and lathe tools; shaping and deburring metal; removing rust and paint with a wire wheel; and polishing with a buffing wheel.
Can I sharpen kitchen knives on a bench grinder?
You can, but it's easy to overheat a thin blade. Use a slow grinder with a fine wheel, keep passes light, dip the blade in water often and finish on a stone. Many cooks are better served by a knife sharpener.
Does a bench grinder need to be bolted down?
Yes. Even heavy cast iron grinders can rock or walk when you press work against the wheel. Bolt it to a bench or a pedestal stand.
Are any bench grinders made in the USA?
Few home models are. Industrial makers such as Baldor-Reliance build heavier grinders for factories; check the country of origin on the maker's page for the exact model.
