NEW YEAR, NEW SKILL 🛠️ Master 8 Essential Tools in 2025
By Glenda Taylor, Glenda Taylor emery grinding wheel
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Certain tools make life a whole lot easier in the workshop, but they don’t always get the credit they deserve—and the bench grinder is a prime example. We tested three of the top bench grinders to see which ones excelled at smoothing metal, sharpening tools, and tackling tough jobs—and we found a favorite! The DeWalt DW785 Bench Grinder earned top honors in our hands-on tests thanks to its powerful performance, smooth, vibration-free operation, and heavy-duty build.
In addition to the bench grinders we tested, we’re including three other highly rated models based on thorough research, user reviews, and standout features. Keep reading to learn more about these essential power tools, and find out how the following models earned a spot on our lineup of the best bench grinders.
A good bench grinder should run smoothly, have adjustable tool rests, and be safe to operate. The first three models all excelled in our hands-on tests, and they will appeal to a variety of users based on wheel size, revolutions per minute (RPM), and budget. One is sure to be a good option for your workshop projects.
Our Ratings: Assembly 4.5/5; Build Quality 5/5; Performance 5/5; Value 5/5
The DeWalt DW785 is a beast! At 39.5 pounds, it was the heaviest model we tested, but that heft makes it solid and gives it stability during operation. It comes with 8-inch diameter grinding wheels, so we were able to grind larger items, such as axe blades and wide chisels. It took about 20 minutes to assemble and bolt to the workbench.
The DeWalt DW758 comes with standard safety items like clear eye shields and spark deflectors over both wheels to protect users without obstructing their view. We did end up raising the shields when we worked on larger items because they reduce the working area when they’re in the down position, but we always took the precaution of wearing safety masks.
The DW758 features adjustable aluminum tool rests that allow users to position the item they’re sharpening at an optimal angle. The grinder wheels rotate smoothly at 3,600 RPM for quick shaping of metal blades. It has two grinding wheels: a coarse 60-grit wheel and a coarser 36-grit wheel. It doesn’t offer any bells and whistles—it’s just a powerful grinder at a competitive price.
What our tester says: “For general grinding and burr removal, I think the DW785 is a good choice. After letting it run for 25 minutes straight, the motor casing was barely warm. A good sign!”—Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the DeWalt DW758 bench grinder at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Our Ratings: Assembly 4.5/5; Build Quality 4.5/5; Performance 5/5; Value 4.5/5
The Wen BG4260 6-inch bench grinder’s affordable price point means users can grind a lot of blades without spending a lot of money. It comes with the standard safety features, and we actually thought its spark deflector worked better than the more expensive models. Assembly was simple and straightforward, taking about 15 minutes.
The Wen grinder comes with 36-grit and 60-grit grinding wheels that spin at 3,450 RPM. We used the 36-grit wheel to reshape edges and the 60-grit wheel to hone them; if you’re looking for a knife-sharp edge, though, you’ll need to purchase an even finer-grit wheel.
The BG4260 features see-through eye shields to protect the user’s eyes while grinding, and they adjust for grinding larger items. Also, each wheel on this relatively small bench grinder comes with adjustable tool rests to help steady the tool the user is grinding or sharpening, which is key to getting consistent results. It packs a 2.1-amp motor, which is suitable for most general grinding needs, but it did become pretty warm after we ran it nonstop for 25 minutes. If you have extensive grinding to do, we’d suggest taking a break every 15 to 20 minutes or so to give it a chance to cool off.
Get the Wen BG4260 bench grinder at The Home Depot or Wen.
Our Ratings: Assembly 4.5/5; Build Quality 4.8/5; Performance 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5
The Jet bench grinder offers users added versatility with a very coarse 36-grit grinding wheel and a wire wheel. Assembling the tool was straightforward and took about 20 minutes.
We tested the Jet’s grinding wheel for deburring and removing metal and then used the wire wheel to clean rust from bolt threads. The upside to this configuration is the ability to use the wire wheel to strip paint, buff, polish, or remove slag without removing too much material. The downside is being unable to switch to a 60-grit standard wheel for finer sharpening on mower or axe blades. Still, if you have a small workshop, combining a wire wheel with an extra-coarse grinding wheel makes sense because you won’t need to purchase another power tool, like an angle grinder. You can always purchase another grinding wheel if you prefer.
The Jet JBG-6W bench grinder has a ½-horsepower motor that spins at 3,450 RPM. Its build quality is good, and it didn’t heat up at all during testing, even though we ran it for 25 minutes nonstop.
What our tester says: “I found the JBG-6W to be very stable and smooth during operation. I also liked the dust port on the back, which kept messes to a minimum when attached to a shop-type vacuum.”—Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Jet JBG-6W bench grinder at Acme Tools.
While we didn’t test the following bench grinders–they made our short list thanks to excellent user reviews, build quality, and versatile options. We’ve included a low-speed choice since some users want the ability to control the grinding process to a higher degree for precise or delicate work. We hope to test one or more of these in the future.
Different metals require adjustable speeds for the best grinding results, and we like the idea that Delta’s 6-inch variable-speed bench grinder allows users to adjust the motor’s speed between 2,000 and 3,400 RPM, allowing them to dial in the best speed for the project. 3,400 RPM quickly removes quite a bit of material, such as burrs. At 2,000 RPM, users can fine-tune the edge of a blade without worrying about removing too much material.
This Delta grinder comes with two 6-inch grinding wheels, including 36-grit and 60-grit wheels. It includes eye shields for safety and adjustable tool rests for support. We like the idea of grooves in the tool rest because it allows users to get the exact angle on their blades, chisels, or other tools while protecting their eyesight. This bench grinder even features a water tray where users can drop hot fasteners for quick cooling. Plus, it has an LED light that helps provide optimal illumination while working.
Get the Delta bench grinder at The Home Depot or Walmart.
We think the 6-inch Wen bench grinder is a solid pick for home mechanics and DIYers alike. It offers features like adjustable speeds, tool rest adjustment, and onboard illumination for a quality finished result.
This model’s motor spins at speeds between 2,000 and 3,400 RPM, allowing DIYers to adjust it according to the range of projects they might tackle. We really like the inclusion of an 80-grit wheel, which is finer than the 60-grit wheel most grinders offer. This makes the grinder well suited for fine-tuning sharper edges on blades.
It also has the basics, like flip-down eye protection and adjustable tool rests, and the tool rests provide grooves for consistent results (helped along by the onboard lighting). The one area where it falls short is that there isn’t any information about the motor’s horsepower, so its 2.5-amp variable motor may not be suitable as a heavy-duty grinder. Still, with the consumer reviews we’ve seen, the Wen is a top-notch pick for all-around grinding and sharpening.
Get the Wen BG625V bench grinder at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Wen.
Folks looking for a tabletop grinder built specifically for sharpening will want to consider the 80-805 model from Rikon. This slow-speed bench grinder features a ½-horsepower motor that spins at 1,750 RPM, helping to prevent the machine from overheating blades, such as those on knives and chisels, while sharpening. If you’re looking for a grinder primarily for sharpening knives, this is the one we suggest.
The 8-inch wheel grinder comes with two wheels with higher-than-typical grits: 60 and 120, both of which are made from white aluminum oxide. This combination allows for a finer approach to sharpening, with the 60-grit reshaping the blade and the 120-grit wheel honing a sharp edge. This model features a heavy-duty cast-iron base as well as rubber nonslip feet. The result is reduced vibration for safer, more controlled sharpening. Just keep in mind that this grinder is designed for sharpening knives, chisels, and similar tools, not necessarily heavy-duty pieces like lawn mower blades and badly damaged axes.
Get the Rikon bench grinder at Walmart, Acme Tools, or Rockler.
When we set out to curate a list of the best bench grinders on the market, we wanted to ensure that the models we suggested were the cream of the crop. We researched more than 20 bench grinders and then narrowed the list to six models. Of those six, we chose the top three for testing. We were looking for build quality, exceptional user experience, varied features, and different price points to offer something to a wide range of DIYers and mechanics.
In actual testing, we used the grinders on the same materials most DIYers would. We ground metal burrs off axes and used the grinders to remove material and sharpen chisels and bolts. While testing, we scored the grinders using a rubric and awarded points. The better a grinder did on a test or assessment, the higher the points. After testing, we averaged the points to determine our best overall pick and to categorize the other models for their best use.
Shoppers won’t find a lot of bells and whistles on the average bench grinder—just two wheels that spin at rapid speeds. While it’s possible to change a wheel on a bench grinder, it’s not always the most successful undertaking because it can be challenging to balance the new wheel, which is necessary to prevent wobbling. For the best results, it’s better to purchase a bench grinder with the desired type of wheels already installed on the tool. The two wheels on a bench grinder usually differ: One may be a coarse grit, while the other might be a less coarse grit, wire brush, or even a buffing wheel. The best bench grinder will depend on the type of grinding, cleaning, or polishing the user intends to do.
Though electric bench grinders can be beneficial for anyone who wants to sharpen a blade or grind rust away from a steel item, they’re found most often in the workshops of auto mechanics, DIYers, and classical woodworking artisans who use many hand tools. One thing you’re unlikely to find is a cordless bench grinder, because these power tools have high energy demands and are mostly corded. If you need to take your grinding to the field, consider using a cordless angle grinder.
Automotive workers, including both auto-body workers and mechanics, use bench grinders regularly to remove rust from nuts and bolts as well as to polish steel and chrome engine and body parts to a high sheen. A bench grinder designed for the automotive industry typically features the fastest spinning speeds—up to 3,450 RPM. Cleaning and polishing auto parts with a bench grinder greatly cuts the time it would take to clean and polish by hand.
Woodworkers and craftspeople depend on sharp hand tools, such as planes and chisels, for creating well-fitting dovetail joints and smoothing out rough wood, but sharpening these metal tools by hand is time-consuming. A bench grinder keeps hand tools sharp, but grinders designed for woodworkers feature slower spin speeds than those marketed to automotive workers. The tempered steel in hand tools can be damaged by the high heat that results from fast-spinning grinding wheels, so anyone looking to sharpen tempered tools should look for a grinder with a slower (1,725 RPM) wheel. You may also want to consider a handheld angle grinder, such as the Makita grinder, which excelled in our tests.
DIYers who dabble in both woodworking and car or auto-body repair typically rely on variable-speed bench grinders. These grinders allow the user to operate the tool at its highest speed when they need to clean car bolts, reducing it as needed when sharpening chisels and other woodworking hand tools. Variable-speed grinders typically run $65 to $125 more than their same-brand counterparts that feature single speeds. However, choosing a variable-speed grinder is less expensive than purchasing two separate bench grinders to get both high and low speeds.
Standard bench grinders are heavy, weighing up to 50 pounds, and they perform best when mounted to a workbench to prevent movement. Those who need to take a grinder with them to different work sites will want to invest in a smaller, lighter-weight model (around 10 pounds) that features rubber feet to prevent it from sliding when positioned on a table.
The type of material from which the wheels are made will determine the tool’s best use. Except for wire and buffer wheels, most grinder wheels come in one of two grits: 36 grit for aggressive grinding and 60 grit for finer grinding. In addition, they’re made from the following materials:
Bench grinders are advertised by the size of their wheels, which are commonly either 6 inches or 8 inches in diameter. Both types of grinding wheel machines perform similarly, with a couple of considerations.
All power tools present a measure of risk, bench grinders included. Grinding iron creates sparks and sends shards of metal flying, so it’s imperative to wear safety glasses when operating a bench grinder. Fortunately, grinders are usually designed with some safety features to help reduce risk.
Common bench wheel grinder accessories are designed to make it easier to use the tool. These are some accessories you might find included or sold separately from a bench grinder.
If a DIYer has space on their workbench, they’ll most likely want to mount a new bench grinder to keep it stable while sharpening or smoothing tools and parts. Bench grinders are pretty heavy on their own, but bolting them to a workbench, using the provided holes in their base, is optimal. A stable grinder is easier and safer to control.
Your grinding needs are not identical to anyone else’s, so the grinder you choose should reflect the type of materials and items you’ll be grinding. Below are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about bench grinders.
A good all-purpose speed for a bench grinder is between 3,000 and 3,600 RPM. For flexibility and general usefulness, most models without variable speeds run at around 3,450 RPM.
Most pros would agree that the best size for a bench grinder is 8 inches. These models are small enough to move around, the wheels stay relatively cool during use, and the motors are built to withstand a lot of work. However, for a DIYer or part-time user, a 6-inch model will likely be more affordable and just as capable of getting the job done. If you’re looking for a small grinder, consider a rotary tool with a grinding disc attachment.
If you need to sharpen woodworking tools but you also work on cars, a variable-speed grinder will allow you to use the lower speed for sharpening woodworking tools and the higher speed for grinding down bolt ends or cleaning away rust from auto parts.
A 4,000-grit to 6,000-grit wheel is best for sharpening knives to a razor-sharp edge. You may be able to get a finer edge by using a bench sander.
Until you’re skilled at using a bench grinder, you could inadvertently create uneven edges or remove too much material.
Avoid loose clothing, pull long hair back and out of the way, and use safety goggles—or better yet, a full-face shield.
In the best-case scenario, you should. Bolting it to a non-moveable surface, like a workbench, will keep it stable, reduce vibration, and enhance safety. The exception is when you purchase a bench grinder with a stand that will support it. A bench grinding stand is usually made from cast iron and, in many cases, will need to be bolted to the floor.
Glenda Taylor is a contractor, product tester, and writer focusing primarily on construction, DIY tools, and home appliances.
Additional research provided by Tom Scalisi.
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Glenda Taylor is a BobVila.com staff writer with a background in the residential remodeling, home building, and home improvement industries. She started writing for BobVila.com in 2016 and covers a range of topics, including construction methods, code compliance, tool use, and the latest news in the housing and real estate industries.
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