With decades of combined experience covering the latest news, reviewing the greatest gear, and advising you on your next car purchase, The Drive is the leading authority on all things automotive.

The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Read more.

BY Noelle Talmon / LAST UPDATED ON May 26, 2021

Bench grinders are affixed to a worktable or other worktop. They are used for sharpening tools such as tool bits and chisels, but you can also use them to roughly shape metal before welding it. Some bench grinders are better than others, so we've put together this buying guide to help you select the top products available.

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

Woodworking bench grinders are largely designed to smooth out dull edges, and you can also use them to grind wood. They are also ideal if you require a lot of precision during a particular project. This type of grinder uses a low speed, so it's a good option if you want more accuracy when you’re grinding.

Don't be fooled by the name of this bench grinder. Unlike the name suggests, it's not intended to be used by those in the automotive profession. Instead, you can use this type of grinder on cutting tools and to shape other types of metal equipment. This type of grinder is very popular due to its stability.

This is the best all-around bench grinder that can be used for a variety of different tasks. These grinders are long-lasting and can tackle nearly any type of project. They can accommodate several different grinding wheels, so you can use them on almost anything. You can also adjust the precision as well as the speed. If you’re not sure what type of grinder to get, this is the best option due to its versatility.

Raymond E. DeWalt, who invented the radial arm saw, founded DeWalt in 1923.  Black+Decker has owned the brand since 1960. The company's headquarters is in Towson, Maryland. One of its top bench grinders is the DEWALT Bench Grinder, 6-Inch.

JET Tools was founded by Leslie P. Sussman in 1958 after he flew on a Boeing jet from Seattle, Washington, to Japan in 1958. The company initially sold chain hoists and trolleys before expanding to a variety of different tools and equipment, including paving breakers, forklifts, and bench grinders. We recommend the JET 577101 6-Inch Industrial Bench Grinder.

WEN, headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, was founded in 1951 and has been producing power tools for decades, such as chainsaws, electric jigsaws, and wet wheel sharpeners. The company also pioneered random orbital technology. One of its popular bench grinders is the WEN 5 Amp 8" Variable Speed Bench Grinder.

When you're shopping for a bench grinder, you need to decide whether you want one with 6-inch or 8-inch wheels. Six-inch wheels are usually adequate for most DIY tasks. The downside is that these grinders tend to be less powerful. If you want to sharpen chisels, for example, opt for an 8-inch grinder, which has a slightly bigger wheel.

Grinder wheels have different grit levels for grinding and sharpening. They are also designed to be used at a particular rotating speed. Straight wheels, for example, can be used on any type of surface and to sharpen chisels and other tools. Tapered wheels are better for more delicate projects, while saucer wheels are good for sharpening saw blades. And if you need a lot of grinding power, a diamond wheel can do the job.

In general, most grinders do not have a feature that lets you change the speed. However, some have adjustable speed knobs, so you can speed up or slow down the wheel as required. This is not too important if you have projects that only require a constant speed, but it's helpful if you are working on something in which speed adjustments are necessary.

One of the most important safety features is an eye shield. This will protect your face from sparks and any debris that can be expelled during use. Even better, look for one with adjustable eye shields. Other features to keep in mind are spark deflectors and a sturdy base that will stay firmly in place while you work.

This bench grinder from DEWALT is simple to operate and has a 5/8-horsepower induction motor for heavy-duty grinding. The motor runs at 3,450 RPM to remove material at high speeds. It has a durable cast-iron base and motor housing, and a long lifespan.

It features tool rests made of precision-machined aluminum, so the user can correctly position his or her work. This grinder is quieter than its rivals because of its high-quality wheels and bearings. There is a 12.5-inch distance between the wheels for larger and longer items, and you can use it to sharpen tools, remove rust, and clean and shape objects. It's also smooth, solid, and quick to set up.

One problem with this grinder is that it can be hard to adjust the guards. In addition, it wobbles and vibrates. Another downside is that it can be challenging to remove or replace the wheels due to the design of the wheel covers.

This 6-inch variable speed bench grinder allows you to control the speed of the tool from 2,000 RPM to 3,400 RPM, depending on whether you're buffing, grinding, polishing, or sharpening an object. It has a 2.5-amp induction-type motor and has two different grits: 36 and 60. The grinder has a left tool rest with a drill bit rest that ensures you get the right angle on the tip.

Delta makes good tools, and this grinder is high-quality, operates with little vibration, and has good power for a 6-inch device. Plus, it's an excellent value for what you get. It runs smoothly even at the highest speed, and overall does exactly what it's supposed to do.

However, you may have to tighten the nuts on a regular basis. Also, the instruction manual doesn't have very good diagrams and is very hard to follow. In addition, the tool rest may not be square to the wheel.

This grinder from WEN has a 5-amp, variable-speed motor that goes from 2,000 to 3,400 RPM. It includes an 80-grit and 36-grit 8-inch by 1-inch grinding wheel. The grinder is designed for everything from sharpening blades and cleaning objects to deburring ragged edges.

It starts up quickly and provides smooth operation. It has eye guards, a sturdy cast-iron base with mounting holes to keep it from moving around, and a flexible work light for added precision. It produces very little to no vibration and provides plenty of power. The company also provides a two-year warranty, so you have some peace of mind should it fail after a short period of use.

One problem with this grinder is that the tool platforms can't be adjusted very much. In addition, it can be hard to change the wheels because you must disassemble the wheel guards. The grinder also has a lot of small screws/nuts that can easily get lost.

This 8-inch bench grinder from BUCKTOOL has a ½-HP dual-speed induction motor that provides consistent torque and smooth performance at low and high speeds. The slow speed is intended for sharpening the edges of woodworking tools, while the high speed is designed for removing metal.

The grinder comes with a 60-grit and 120-grit white aluminum oxide wheel, which is designed to reduce heat. The base is made of cast iron and has mounting holes, so it's less likely to move around. It comes with a buffing wheel for polishing, and you can adjust the cast aluminum tool rests to get different angles. The tools do not get hot, it's really quiet, and there's very little vibration.

There are very few downsides with this device. The tool rests aren't the best quality, and it's a little bit more expensive than some of its rivals. It can also take a while to reach its highest speed.

If you don't have a lot of space in your home garage or workshop, the JET bench grinder is a great option. You can use it for buffing, cleaning, sharpening or to remove rust or burrs from metal. It has industrial-grade 36-grit and 60-grit 6-inch wheels and a 1/2-HP 115V motor that operates at 3,450 RPM.

This grinder provides enough power for heavy grinding and has a rubber foot and mountable options, so it doesn't wobble around on your work table. It has pre-lubricated ball bearings, cast-iron wheel guards, dust vents, spark guards, and adjustable eye shields. The company also provides a two-year limited warranty. Overall, it's easy to assemble, the motor accelerates very quickly, and it's pretty powerful for its size.

The biggest complaint about this tool is that the tool rests are a rough casting, and you may need to grind them down on the edges. Also, the motor can get hot even if the tool has only been operating for a few minutes.

This 6-inch bench grinder from POWERTEC operates at 3,600 RPM at 2.1 amps. It has a powerful motor that maintains consistent speed and a heavy steel base that minimizes vibration and increases stability during operation. It has integrated lights on the grinding wheels, a coolant tray, and a large safety shield and magnifier.

This tool is great for tasks such as sharpening knives and gardening tools to buffing jewelry. It is simple to convert to a buffer, and the lights are very convenient. It is easy to assemble, and everything lines up properly. The tool is well-balanced and isn't too loud. While it may not be as powerful as some other units, it does a good job of sharpening lawn mower blades, hedge trimmers, and hatchets.

However, the wheels produce quite a bit of debris, and the safety shields and coolant tray may come off during operation due to vibration. There have also been some complaints that it gets damaged during shipping.

This bench grinder from Bucktool is also a belt sander. It has a ⅓-HP, 120V, 3.5-amp motor that operates at 3,450 RPM. You can use it for sanding and finishing metals, woods, plastics, and more. It comes with a 2-inch by 42-inch metal sanding belt, a 60-grit white grinding wheel, an adjustable eyeshield, an LED light, and an extra brush wheel to remove dust.

This is a good sander/grinder combination. It's quick and simple to change the belt using the quick-release tension and tracking control mechanism. It can remove serious stock with lower grits and provides a nice finish with higher grits. It works well on both wood and metal and is a great price. Knifemakers in particular like this tool.

However, it can vibrate a bit if you don't bolt it down. You may have to adjust the tracking a bit, and in order to use the brass wire brush wheel, you may need to add some spacers to get the arbor nut to tighten correctly.

If you plan on doing delicate work, consider this mini multipurpose bench grinder. It's designed for deburring, grinding, and polishing smaller objects. It has a variable speed to aid in cutting, engraving, grinding, and polishing. The flex shaft provides added control for more accuracy.

Where would you use a grinder like this? One user mounted it on the door in his locksmith van for small tasks on the job site. It's ideal for hobbyists, and not heavy-duty work. The grinder is 1.3 amps with 120 watts and operates up to 9,900 RPM.

Unfortunately, the flexible shaft may break at the connection point after a short period of use. Also, too much pressure can cause the wheels to stop spinning. In addition, there are no extra parts available if you need to make repairs to the grinder.

A: Bench grinders are great for grinding various types of metals. You can use them to shape, sharpen, or polish objects, depending on what type of wheels you use.

A: Check all the parts to make sure they are functioning properly. If you notice the wheel is chipped, cracked, or wobbling, it should be replaced. Otherwise, it may shatter and potentially harm you.

A: The number on the grinding wheel is related to how coarse it is. For example, a 36-grit wheel removes material quickly, while a 100-grit wheel is intended for finer sharpening.

Our pick for the best bench grinder is the DEWALT Bench Grinder, 6-Inch. It's easy to set up and operate and can be used for heavy-duty grinding projects.

For a more budget-friendly option, consider the SKIL 6-Inch Bench Grinder.

Other ‘Tools’ Reviews You Might Like:

Sign up for our newsletter

Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox.

© Brookline Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.