DeWalt 5 in. Brushless Paddle Switch Small Angle Grinder with Kickback Brake

First impressions and setup

I put this DeWalt 5-inch brushless grinder to work across a few weeks of steel fab and light masonry, and it immediately felt like the kind of tool that’s built to live on a jobsite. Out of the box you get the Type 27 guard, inner and outer flanges, a 6 mm hex key, and the side handle, so you’re ready for grinding and surface prep. The 5/8-11 spindle and 5-inch wheel format are as universal as it gets, and everything mates up cleanly.

The paddle-style trigger is the two-stage type—one motion to defeat the safety, then squeeze to run. With gloves on, the effort is positive without being fatiguing. I appreciate the way DeWalt shaped the body: there’s enough girth to grip securely, but the neck stays slim for precise control when you’re on an inside corner or running on the edge of a flap disc.

Power and performance

On paper, you get a 13 A, brushless powerplant with 1,800 max watts out and a no-load ceiling of 10,500 RPM. In practice, it has the grunt I expect from a strong 5-inch class grinder. I used it to knock welds flat on 1/4-inch plate, cut rebar, and chase a couple mortar joints with a diamond wheel. It holds speed well under load, and the brushless motor’s torque comes on smooth—no surging or bogging when you lean in.

Variable speed is the feature that makes this grinder more versatile than a single-speed bruiser. Dialing it back for wire wheels keeps them from exploding and throws fewer wires, and slowing down with flap discs makes heat management easier on stainless or thin sheet. Full tilt at 10,500 RPM with a Type 27 wheel will still remove material fast. The speed control responds predictably; it’s not just an on/off high and low—it’s usable across the range.

Safety systems that actually help

DeWalt stacked a lot of electronics into this platform, and they pay off. The electronic Kickback Brake and E-CLUTCH work together in a way that feels transparent until you need them. In a bind or pinch, the motor shuts down and the brake clamps the wheel, bringing it to a stop in about two seconds with the right disc. On a cut through some old angle iron that pinched toward the end, I felt the usual twist try to yank the tool, and instead it simply stopped. No drama, no arm-wrenching wind-up.

The power-loss reset (no-volt release) is the other unsung safety feature. If the power goes out or you pull the plug and it comes back live, the grinder won’t restart until you cycle the trigger. That’s exactly what you want in a shop full of extension cords and shared circuits.

A lanyard-ready attachment point is integrated at the rear. If you’re working off a lift or scaffold, that’s not a “nice to have”—it’s mandatory in many safety plans.

Controls and ergonomics

The two-stage paddle is my preferred trigger for grinders. It’s inherently safe, and on this tool it’s tuned well—not too stiff, not too light. The brake’s quick stop time means you can set the grinder down sooner between passes, which saves time and feels safer in tight setups.

There’s a lock-on capability for continuous runs when your safety policies allow it, and AC/DC capability means it plays nicely with jobsite power sources, including certain welders and generators. The side handle threads on quickly and can be positioned for right- or left-handed use. While the body doesn’t advertise anti-vibration tricks, the combination of a balanced rotor and brushless drive keeps the feel civilized for longer sessions.

Wheel changes are straightforward with the included hex key and flanges. The Type 27 guard is the right starting point for grinding and flap discs; if you intend to do a lot of cutting with Type 1 wheels, budget for the dedicated cut-off guard for better debris management.

What the brushless motor changes

On a corded grinder, “brushless” isn’t just marketing. You get fewer wear parts (no brushes to replace), less carbon dust inside the housing, and a motor that runs cooler at a given load. That translates to consistent speed and longer intervals between any service needs. Over my time with it, I didn’t notice the hot, baked smell some brushed grinders develop during heavy use. Efficiency also helps where power is marginal; the tool feels less susceptible to bogging when you’re running long cords or a generator.

Real-world use cases

• Heavy grinding: With a 36-grit Type 27, it chews through welds and mill scale quickly. The brake and E-CLUTCH kept an accidental catch from turning into a ride-along more than once.
• Cutting: Paired with a 0.045-inch cut-off wheel, the tool tracks cleanly. The electronic protections will stop the motor if the kerf closes unexpectedly, which is reassuring on awkward cuts.
• Surface prep: Variable speed shines with flap discs on stainless or painted material. Backing off the RPM helps you blend without bluing or gouging.
• Wire brushing: Slow the wheel down and it’s much kinder to the workpiece—and to you.

Dust, sparks, and housekeeping

It’s a grinder; it throws. The guard does its job, but as always, positioning and workpiece orientation are everything. I didn’t see any unusual tendency to ingest fines, and the motor stayed consistent throughout dusty brick work. Still, keep it out of direct slurry and compressed air it out at the end of the day. The electronics are robust, but no grinder loves abrasive dust.

Durability and service

Between the brushless drive and the electronic clutch/brake, there’s less mechanical wear than in older designs. DeWalt backs this with a 3-year limited warranty, a year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. That’s solid coverage for a pro-grade tool that’s likely to see daily use. I can’t comment on thousand-hour longevity yet, but after repeated heats and cool-downs it stayed tight: no bearing noise, no wobble, and the switch action remained crisp.

Downsides and trade-offs

• Learning curve: If you’re coming from a barebones grinder, the two-stage paddle and safety systems require a few sessions to become second nature.
• Nuisance trips: The E-CLUTCH can occasionally cut power in aggressive cuts that are still under control. It’s a trade-off I’ll take, but it’s there.
• Cutting guard not included: You’ll want the proper Type 1 guard if cutting is a primary task, which adds to the total cost.

None of these are deal breakers, but they’re worth factoring into how you plan to use the tool.

Who it’s for

If you do a mix of grinding, cutting, and surface prep and want one 5-inch grinder to cover it all, the combination of variable speed, a true brake, and electronic kickback protection is hard to beat. Metal fab shops, maintenance techs, and remodelers who tackle both steel and masonry will get the most from it. If you only ever hog steel at full blast and never run wire wheels or flap discs, a simpler, single-speed grinder could save a few dollars. But you’d be giving up the safety suite and the brushless benefits.

The bottom line

This DeWalt 5-inch brushless grinder earns its keep with strong power, well-executed safety electronics, and genuinely useful variable speed. The brake’s quick stop time and the E-CLUTCH make it feel composed in situations where lesser grinders can get sketchy. Add the no-volt release, AC/DC flexibility, and lanyard point, and it reads like a tool designed by people who’ve actually been kicked by a grinder before.

Recommendation: I recommend it. The brushless motor and 1,800 W output deliver real performance, and the safety systems reduce risk without getting in the way. If you value control, versatility, and uptime—and you want a grinder that can live on the job without constant maintenance—this one makes a compelling case.