Disclaimer: I earn a small commission if you buy a tool through the links in this article at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Average Nick’s Gear!
I recently ate up an old off-brand, corded angle grinder that had lasted me a couple of years. It finally burned up during some heavy grinding, and I figured it was time for an upgrade.
I headed down to the local hardware store hoping to find another cheap, corded grinder to replace it. To my surprise, almost everything they had on the shelves was cordless. Now, I’m a DeWalt guy, so out of a mix of laziness and not wanting to drive to another store, I ended up forking over the hard-earned money for a new DeWalt 20V Max cordless grinder.
I went home, threw a wheel on it, and got straight to work. After about 20 minutes of heavy grinding, the battery completely ran out.
Because this was a big project, I wasn’t about to sit around waiting between charges, and I definitely didn’t want to drop a fortune on a massive pile of extra batteries. Halfway mad that I was now stuck with a cordless grinder that was out of juice, I called up my brother to borrow his corded Milwaukee grinder so I could actually finish the job.
After putting serious hours on both tools, here is my honest, unfiltered breakdown of how they compare.
The Tale of the Tape: Quick Comparison
| Feature | DeWalt 20V Cordless | Milwaukee Corded |
| Best For | Quick cuts, mobility, light garage fabrication | Continuous heavy grinding, stripping, long projects |
| Power Source | DeWalt 20V Max Battery | Standard 120V Wall Outlet |
| Runtime | Limited (Approx. 20 mins under heavy load) | Infinite |
| Portability | High (Take it anywhere) | Tethered to an extension cord |
Fighter #1: The DeWalt 20V Battery Grinder (The Convenience King)
Let’s start with the surprise of the show: the DeWalt grinder has POWER!!!
To be completely honest, I was not expecting that much raw torque from a battery-operated tool. When you pull the trigger, it feels every bit as aggressive as a traditional plug-in model. If you are doing quick fabrication, cutting a stubborn exhaust bolt under a car, or working out in the driveway where extension cords are a pain, this tool is a lifesaver.
What I Loved (The Pros)
- Incredible Power: It defies the old stereotype that battery tools are weak. It digs in and cuts fast.
- Total Freedom: No cords to tangle around jack stands or trip over in a tight workspace.
What Irritated Me (The Cons)
- The Battery Clock is Ticking: Under heavy fabrication or continuous grinding, expect about 20 minutes of runtime before you’re heading back to the charger.
Fighter #2: The Milwaukee Corded Grinder (The Relentless Beast)
The Milwaukee grinder is absolutely top-notch. For anyone facing long, grueling, heavy grinding jobs—this is the exact tool for you.
After my DeWalt battery died, I plugged this beast into the wall and went to town. I have put many hours on this thing since then (just do me a favor and don’t tell my brother) and it just keeps chugging away without losing a single beat. It doesn’t overheat, it doesn’t bog down, and it never forces you to stop working to wait on a green flashing light on a battery charger.
What I Loved (The Pros)
- Infinite Runtime: It will literally run as long as your arms can hold it up.
- Bulletproof Reliability: Built like a tank for heavy material removal and stripping.
What Irritated Me (The Cons)
- Chained to the Wall: You are completely dependent on extension cords and outlet placement, which can get annoying in a crowded garage.
The Average Nick Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
Overall, both of these tools are great additions to a garage workshop. Instead of picking a “winner,” you should make your selection based strictly on the specific job you are doing.
- Go with the DeWalt 20V Cordless if: You aren’t always doing heavy, continuous grinding. If you need a highly portable tool for quick automotive fixes, cutting brackets, or general garage projects, this is an awesome piece of gear to have on your workbench.
- Go with the Milwaukee Corded if: You are tackling massive projects, stripping frames, prep-welding thick steel, or simply don’t want the hassle and extra expense of managing battery lifespans.
➔ Shop the DeWalt 20V Cordless Grinder on Amazon
➔ Shop DeWalt batteries on Amazon
➔ Shop the Milwaukee Corded Angle Grinder on Amazon
Pin this article to your garage or tool board on Pinterest!
