Metabo HPT 36V 6

Most of us are familiar with the 4 1/2 and 5-inch variety of angle grinders, but there are some jobs that require a bit more muscle or capacity than what these can safely offer. The tradeoff is that larger-capacity grinders are often heavier or have larger profiles to house the more powerful motors. The Metabo HPT 36V 6-Inch Cordless Angle Grinder is challenging this notion by offering a lightweight design that still packs a serious punch.

The Metabo HPT 6-inch grinder features a brushless motor with a max power output of 1500 watts and speeds the disc up to 8,000 RPMs. During our in-house testing, we were able to apply significant pressure before the motor started to bog down. This blend of speed and power makes it extremely versatile across a wide range of grinding and cutting tasks.

Along with the six individual speed settings, this grinder features a soft start Auto Mode. This mode does two things for us. The grinder to start at a lower speed which gives you more initial control when you begin a task and ramps up the speed to meet the demand.

Vibration is pretty much unavoidable with angle grinders of any size, but there are some designs elements that help reduce felt vibrations better than others. When the tool isn’t under load, the vibration is definitely noticeable but not overwhelming. However, we noticed during our testing is that putting it under load didn’t really add much extra vibration. That’s great news for anyone who plans on getting a lot of hands-on time with this grinder.

The Metabo HPT 6-inch grinder’s overall size and weight definitely aren’t too overwhelming, even for a 36V tool. As a bare tool, it weighs 5.9 pounds, and adding a 4.0Ah Multivolt battery only brings it up to 8 pounds. The tool body measures 15.25 inches from tip to tail, but what stands out the most is the grip size. With just a 2.2-inch diameter, it’s very easy to handle and maneuver even while wearing work gloves.

Personally, I’m a huge fan of paddle switches when it comes to grinders for the added safety benefits they bring to the table. This grinder has a 4-finger paddle with a safety switch to prevent accidental activation. It also features an electronic brake, anti-kickback protection, zero-voltage restart, and overload protection.

Metabo HPT did add one unexpected feature to this angle grinder—LED worklights! The lights are located on both sides of the gear housing to fully illuminate your workspace. It comes programmed with three settings: Off, Always On, and Intermittent. You can easily cycle through these settings using the small blister button at the base of the tool.

This cordless angle grinder is currently available as a bare tool and retails for $219.00. Metabo HPT includes a spanner wrench, a removable side handle, a 6-inch Type27 grinding disc, and a soft storage bag. They back this grinder with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

After diving deeper, there’s no doubt that the Metabo HPT 36V 6-Inch Angle Grinder is a real contender on the Pro level. It has ample power for demanding jobs and plenty of safety features that make it more enjoyable to use compared to some others on the market. Overall, you have all the standard features you’ve come to expect from a premium brand, plus, this one has headlights.