10 Best Bench Grinders Reviews 2021 – Top Picks and Expert’s Guide

1. Rikon 80-805 Bench Grinder - Best Overall Pick

The Rikon 8-inch Bench Grinder is a solidly constructed machine perfect for sharpening lathe knives and other uses that require a slow speed. This makes it the best bench grinder for woodworking. It is a great choice for woodturners, carvers, and carpenters.

This high-quality piece of equipment includes a 60-grit and a 120-grit white aluminum oxide wheel, both at 8 inches. The slower 1,750 RPM speed and powerful ½ horsepower motor give enough power and performance to ensure professional results.

A heavy cast iron base covered with an anti-vibration rubber boot guarantees stability and user comfort. Meanwhile, user safety is ensured through an adjustable eye shields and spark resistors. We consider this not only our top overall choice but also the best slow speed bench grinder.

2. WEN 4276 Bench Grinder - Best for the Money

Our best budget bench grinder, the WEN 4276, comes at a surprisingly low cost for a high-performance bench grinder. The product includes two 6-inch wheels. One is 60-grit for general purpose usage and material removal. The second wheel is a coarse 36-grit for faster or heavier work.

The attached Flexible work light is an incredibly handy extra for increasing visibility and accuracy. Together with a quiet motor, minimal vibration, and steady speeds of up to 3,450, the WEN bench grinder is a pleasure to use. We consider this one of the best 6-inch bench grinder for the budget-conscious DIY enthusiast.

3. JET 577102 JBG-8A Bench Grinder - Premium Choice

The JET 577102 JBG-8A 8-Inch bench grinder is a premium bench grinder designed for heavy-duty performance. Cast iron wheel guards and a rubber feet that gives weight and stability to the base of the unit. Meanwhile, a 1-horsepower motor delivers 3,450 RPM for high power and performance, even on the heaviest surfaces.

The JET 577102 JBG-8A grinder comes with two 8-inch wheels for fine and coarse work, one 36-grit, and one 60-grit. Easy adjustment with the guarded toggle switch makes it ideal for a wide range of projects.

Other handy features include dust vents, large eye shields with easily adjustments, and adjustable tool rests.

JET 577102 JBG-8A bench grinder comes at a premium. We consider it definitely worth the investment, however, if you’re a professional or regularly perform heavier-duty tasks. Expect power, performance, and reliability with the JET 577102.

4. Palmgren 82602 Bench Grinder

Palmgren may not be the first name that springs to mind when you’re searching for a perfect bench grinder. However, the 82602 Powergrind might surprise you. It is sleek, black, and more powerful than you think. Don’t let the ⅓ horsepower engine fool you. It has more than enough power to tackle even the toughest materials.

Speeds are variable and range from 2,000 RPM to 3,300 RPM. Speed adjustment is quick and easy, making it ideal for a wide range of domestic DIY ventures.

The Palmgren 82602 is stable, powerful, and gets you a lot for your money. For this reason, we figured it deserved a spot in our top ten.

5. DEWALT DW758 Bench Grinder

You can't go wrong with Dewalt DW758 Bench Grinder. This is one of the best 8-inch bench grinder models available.

Dewalt DW758 package includes a 36 grit wheel, 60 grit wheel, eye shields, spark deflectors, tool rests, and an adjusting wrench. It’s ideal as a heavy duty grinder and great for sharpening your tools, rust removal, shaping parts, deburring, or cleaning up objects.

Its heavy cast iron base and housing gives maximum durability and increases weight and stability. This minimizes movement or wobbling during use. A powerful ¾ horsepower induction motor with 3,600 RPM gives high-speed results, and the adjustable aluminum tool rests allow for accurate positioning while you work.

6. Delta Power Tools 23-197 Bench Grinder

With a smooth, strong, and quiet motor, you’ll barely know this Delta 23-197 8-Inch Bench Grinder is running. This model has a 5-amp induction motor to drive a powerful and seamless performance.

The variable speed control feature allows you to easily switch between grinding, sharpening, or polishing operations with minimal fuss. Speed variations range from 2,000 RPM to 3,400 RPM. Combined with the choice of a 36-grit or 60-grit wheel, it offers maximum versatility for a wide range of uses in both home workshops and heavier industrial environments.

Additional features include a water tray to keep it cool during run time and a convenient work light. Unlike other models, the work light has an independent on/off switch rather than working only when the wheel is running.

The Delta 8-inch bench grinder is our top choice for variable speed. It is heavy, stable, and durable with a smooth performance. Packed full of features to enhance safety and convenience, you’ll be sure to kick your DIY up a notch with this bench grinder.

7. POWERTEC BG800 Bench Grinder

The Powertec BG800 is another bench grinder that we think is definitely worth a mention. The unique feature of this bench grinder is that the wheel is made from white aluminum oxide. This produces less heat than other materials, and it prevents overheating at slow speeds.

With a maximum speed of 3600 RPM, the Powertec is ideal for sharpening lathe turning tools. The coolant tray prevents the common problem of tools overheating (and possibly warping) while being sharpened.

The quiet motor gives a smooth performance with 1-inch wide wheels to make the job easier. The base is constructed from heavy gauge steel. This increases stability and reduces vibrations when running.

The Powertec is not suitable for heavy duty work. It is definitely worth considering, however, if you’re looking for the perfect bench grinder for woodworking or for sharpening tools.

8. Neiko 10207A Bench Grinder

The Neiko 10207A 3-inch Mini Bench Grinder is a lovely little machine for small and lightweight home DIY jobs. Despite its’s size, it is very sturdy, efficient, and powerful. The compact design, when combined with the flexible 31-inch long-arm shaft, offers excellent maneuverability for intricate work. This makes it an ideal tool for jewelry makers or arts and crafters.

A powerful 120W high-speed motor is teamed up with sensitive variable speed controls ranging from 0 to 10,000 RPM. This provides excellent capabilities in fine carving, grinding, deburring, or buffing. The package includes 1/8-inch mounted stone bit accessories, a 3-inch grinder stone, and a 3-inch fiber wheel.

While it may not be one of the biggest names in bench grinders, the Neiko 10207A might just become your new best workshop buddy. We love that it’s compact, portable, and lightweight. Sometimes that’s all you need.

9. Sunex Tools 5001A Bench Grinder

The Sunex 5001A 6-inch Bench Grinder is surprisingly heavy-duty for the size and price. It takes a few seconds to get up to full speed, but once up and running, it packs a powerful punch.

A choice of 36-grit or 60-grit wheels makes it suitable for polishing and buffing, as well as sharpening and grinding. The model comes with protective eye guards and spark guards to give you peace of mind while you work.

The built-in light is bright, adjustable, and flexible. It’s designed to take 60 watts, which is brighter than similar models with work lights.

All in all, this is an excellent mid-cost 6-inch bench grinder offering quality and durability for those on a budget.

10. TruePower 199 Bench Grinder

A pint-sized bench grinder at a pint-sized price. The TruePower 199 might be small, but its multi-purpose design includes a 3-inch grinding wheel, 3-inch fiber polishing wheel, and a flexible shaft attachment.

Its small size makes it inappropriate for bigger jobs. This is definitely not a commercial-grade grinder. However, it’s ideal for many domestic DIY projects, and the compact design makes it ideal for those who have little workshop space.

Surprisingly enough, even at the low price point, it comes with a powerful 150W high-speed motor as well as variable speed controls for up to 10,000 RPM. We definitely consider this a great, low-cost investment if you’re looking for a bench grinder that’s compact and multi-functional.

Final Verdict: Our Overall Winner

Rikon 80-805

Now that you’ve read our bench grinder reviews, its’ time to make a choice. Obviously, your best bench grinder will depend on your own personal requirements and preferences. Our bench grinder guide have included different sizes, wheel types, and budgets.

Our favorite has to be the Rikon Professional Power Tools, 80-805, Slow Speed 8-inch Bench Grinder. For a heavy-duty, powerful, and reliable machine, it comes in at a great price. It’s not the most compact model on the market. However, it is a top choice for woodworkers and carpenters.

Buyer’s Guide: The Need-To-Know Before You Buy

Bench grinders are a multi-faceted tool, useful for a whole host of DIY tasks as well as basic tool maintenance. Whether it’s the best bench grinders for woodworking or a model geared toward metalwork, a good bench grinder will help you with a vast array of DIY projects.

Bench grinders can help smooth out welded joints for a professional finish. As well as this, bench grinders can be used to sharpen old tools. This will improve results, increase work efficiency, and improve workshop safety.

Uses for Bench Grinders

Flooring: Remove stubborn grout, smooth out imperfections, and raise nail heads at a fraction of the speed of conventional tools.

Painting: Prepare and smooth out imperfections and remove old paint.

Woodworking: Whether its bespoke furniture, built-in shelving units, or door frames, you can cut the job time in half.  

Plumbing: Surprisingly enough, bench grinders can come in handy during plumbing projects too. You can cut old pipes, smooth out joints, and smooth over welding with ease and precision.

Tool Maintenance: The perfect bench grinder will improve the lifespan of your old favorites. It can breathe new life into old drill bits, sharpen scissors, and give knives a sharp edge.

Thankfully, for non-professionals, the best bench grinder doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. They also tend to be quite compact and don’t take up a lot of your valuable workspace. The added benefit of a bench grinder is that it is mounted on your benchtop. Not only is this space-saving, but it also increases stability and safety during use.

If you’re on the lookout for the best bench grinder, our recommendation is to keep three factors in mind:  Consider what you will be using the bench grinders for, what features you will need the most, and how much you want to pay.

Power

For domestic and non-professional purposes, it’s not necessary to invest in a high-powered industrial-grade bench grinders. Usually, a quarter or half horsepower is plenty to get the job done. You can, of course, buy higher powered bench grinders for your home workshop. They typically come at a higher cost, however, and more power can be more difficult to control.

Wheel Size: 6-inch or 8-inch

Bench grinders come with different sized wheels. Standard sizes are 6-inch and 8-inch. For home DIY projects, the 6-inch is usually fine and will carry out the majority of DIY tasks with no trouble. The more powerful 8-inch wheel is generally used for industrial or commercial purposes, with a powerful rotation of up to 3,600 RPM.

Wheel Type

Believe it or not, choosing the right wheel for your bench grinder is just as important as the grinder itself. Even the best bench grinder won’t perform well with the wrong wheel. Wheels for bench grinders vary according to size, material, and shape. Knowing what you want and choosing the right wheel for the job will give you better results in a shorter time.

Materials

The material the wheel is made out of will have a huge impact on your results. Consider what you’ll be using the bench grinders for before buying. Generally, tough brittle materials will grind better under a softer grade wheel with a finer grit. In contrast, softer materials respond better to hard grade, coarse-grit wheels.

Bench grinder wheels are primarily made from one of two different materials: aluminum oxide or silicon carbide abrasive. Aluminum oxide is best for grinding steel, while a silicon carbide abrasive is better for cast iron.

Wheel Style

There are several different styles of wheels that offer different grinding techniques and finishes.

Straight Wheel

This is the most common and is best for surface grinding. Straight wheels are ideal for sharpening tools such as chisels.

Cylinder Wheel

These can only be used with vertical or horizontal bench grinders. The cylinder wheel is hollow inside and tends to be larger than the standard straight wheel. Cylinder wheels can be as large as 12 inches in diameter. The large size helps to produce level surfaces.

Tapered Wheel

These taper off at the edges, making them ideal for more intricate or delicate work. Tapered wheels are usually used for grinding threads or gear teeth.