DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless 4-1/2 in. - 5 in. Angle Grinder Kit with XR POWERPACK

Why I reached for this grinder

I spent a long week bouncing between metalwork and concrete cleanup, and I kept reaching for this DeWalt 20V grinder because it promised corded-like power without dragging a cord across the jobsite. It ships as a complete kit, so I could go from unboxing to cutting and grinding in minutes. After running it on rebar, angle iron, fastener flush-cuts, and a bit of mortar removal with a shroud, here’s how it stacked up.

What you get in the kit

• Grinder with brushless motor (rated up to 1,590 MWO and 9,000 RPM no-load)
• 8.0 Ah XR POWERPACK battery
• Fast charger
• 5 in. Type 27 guard
• Side handle, inner/outer flanges, wrench
• Kit bag

Between the big 8.0 Ah pack and the fast charger, it’s a ready-to-work bundle. The 5 in. guard lets you run both 4-1/2 in. and 5 in. wheels, which is handy if you want a touch more cutting depth or grinding surface.

Ergonomics and build

The form factor is what you’d expect from a modern paddle-switch grinder: compact head, slim body, and a side handle you can mount on either side. With the included 8.0 Ah battery, the tool feels substantial. The kit is listed at 10.3 lb, and in the hand it balances toward the rear with that large pack installed. For bench-height work and floor-level grinding, the weight works in your favor by helping the disc track smoothly. For overhead or ladder work, that mass shows up fast in your forearms.

The paddle switch has an integrated lock-off, so you need a deliberate motion to start it—good for safety, slightly slower for quick, gloved taps until muscle memory kicks in. The guard and flanges are straightforward to set up, and the bag actually fits the tool, charger, and a small assortment of discs without wrestling the zipper.

Fit and finish are what I expect from DeWalt: clean molding, a robust gear housing, and a side handle that doesn’t feel hollow or flimsy.

Power and performance

Power-wise, this grinder bites. At 9,000 RPM no-load and a brushless drive rated at up to 1,590 MWO, it behaves like a mid-range corded 4-1/2–5 in. grinder under load. I made dozens of cuts in 1/2 in. rebar using a thin-kerf cutoff wheel and never felt like it was running out of steam. The brushless motor holds speed well in metal, and it’s confident removing mill scale with a flap disc.

Grinding concrete is a tougher test. With a 5 in. diamond cup and a dust shroud attached, the grinder kept pace on small patches—like flattening a high mortar line or smoothing a chipped step. It’s not a full-time concrete prep solution, but for punch-list tasks it did exactly what I needed. Expect the motor to run warmer and the battery to drain faster in this scenario; that’s normal for concrete grinding.

Vibration is well controlled for a compact grinder. I wouldn’t call it class-leading isolation, but the handle and housing don’t buzz your hands numb. The gear mesh sounds tight, and there’s minimal play at the spindle.

Safety features that matter

Two systems stand out:

• Anti-rotation protection: If the wheel binds and tries to wrench the grinder out of your hands, the tool detects the sudden rotational spike and shuts down. I purposely pinched a cutoff wheel in a kerf to test it, and the tool responded instantly. That’s a big confidence booster in cramped cuts and awkward positions.

• Electronic brake: Releasing the paddle brings the wheel to a stop quickly. It’s not instantaneous—this is still a grinder—but it’s far faster than free-spinning to a stop. It also helps limit damage in a bind-up.

Combined with the lock-off paddle switch, these features make the tool feel attentive to real-world mishaps without being fussy during normal work.

Dust control and connectivity

This grinder is chip-ready for DeWalt’s Tool Connect system. If your crew tracks assets, the chip slot is a nice touch (chip sold separately). More immediately practical is Wireless Tool Control: pair the grinder to a compatible dust extractor and the vac toggles with the tool. When I attached a shroud and paired with a DeWalt extractor, it worked reliably—start the grinder, the vac spools up; stop the tool, it shuts down after its run-on period. It reduces the chore factor when you’re moving around a room doing spot-grind work.

Tip: If you’re planning concrete or mortar grinding, add a proper shroud and a Type 27 cup rated for your RPM. The included guard is great for metal work, but it’s not a replacement for a sealed shroud when dust is involved.

Runtime and charging

The included 8.0 Ah battery is the right match for a grinder. Expect:

• Metal cutting with a thin 4-1/2 in. wheel: plenty of cuts on a single pack—enough to complete a small gate or railing repair without a recharge.
• Grinding with a flap disc on steel: comfortably long sessions with breaks to check progress; heat, not capacity, is what prompts me to pause.
• Concrete spot grinding with a cup wheel: the most demanding use; this is where that 8.0 Ah pack earns its keep.

I also ran the tool with a 4.0 Ah pack to check compatibility. It works fine, but the smaller pack drains quickly under heavy load and shifts the balance a bit forward. For regular grinding, I’d stick with 6.0–8.0 Ah packs.

The fast charger gets a depleted 8.0 Ah battery back in the game quickly. Plan on well under a long lunch break to top off, so rotating two big packs would keep you working continuously.

Accessories and setup notes

• The included Type 27 guard covers grinding and most general tasks. If you do a lot of cutoff work with Type 1 (flat) wheels, consider adding the matching Type 1 guard for better clearance and spark control.
• The side handle is basic but comfortable, and swapping sides is tool-free.
• The wrench and flanges are standard fare and grip discs securely without marring.

Where it falls short

• Weight with the 8.0 Ah pack is real. For overhead or long single-handed cuts, you’ll feel it.
• Paddle-switch preference is personal. I like it for safety and grip, but some users who favor fixed-speed slide switches may need an adjustment period.
• Heat during sustained heavy grinding is expected; the housing does get warm. Let the tool breathe between long passes and keep the vents clean to maintain performance.
• The kit includes only a Type 27 guard. If your work leans heavily toward cutting, budget for a Type 1 guard.

Who it’s for

• Pros already on DeWalt 20V MAX who want a grinder with real cutting and grinding chops, plus safety features that earn their keep.
• Remodelers and fabricators who need a portable, 5 in.-capable solution for mixed metal/concrete tasks.
• Serious DIYers who value a complete kit with a high-capacity battery and fast charger.

If you run a fleet, the chip-ready design and Wireless Tool Control are bonuses. If you’re a solo user, those features won’t get in your way—and the safety and stopping power will still be there when you need them.

The bottom line

This DeWalt grinder delivers the balance I look for in a cordless grinder: enough real power to replace a corded unit for most day-to-day tasks, practical safety systems, and a kit that doesn’t nickel-and-dime you on batteries and charging. It’s not the lightest setup, and concrete grinding will still challenge any 20V tool, but the overall package is capable, confidence-inspiring, and efficient to use.

Recommendation: I recommend it. The included 8.0 Ah battery and fast charger make it a strong value as a kit, the brushless motor holds speed under load, and the anti-rotation and electronic brake features add meaningful safety without compromising performance. If you prefer slide-switch grinders, work overhead for long stretches, or need a dedicated cutoff guard out of the box, weigh those factors. For most metalwork, repair, and light concrete prep, this grinder is an easy choice—especially if you’re already on the 20V MAX platform.