If you’re looking for the lightest 115mm cordless angle grinder in the UK, the weight of the bare tool is only part of the story. Once you add a battery, the overall weight can increase noticeably, and different battery capacities can change how the grinder feels in use.
A lightweight grinder can be useful for DIY jobs where you’re holding the tool for longer periods or working in awkward positions. However, weight shouldn’t be considered on its own. Battery size, handle position, balance and the type of work you’re doing can all affect how manageable a cordless grinder feels.
In this guide, we’ll compare several lightweight 115mm cordless angle grinders and look at their published tool weights, battery options and features. Where a battery is not included with the bare tool, the final working weight will depend on the battery you choose.
You may also be interested in my Best Angle Grinders UK (2026 Buyer’s Guide)
What Makes a 115mm Cordless Angle Grinder Lightweight?
There are two weights worth paying attention to when comparing cordless grinders:
- Bare-tool weight – the grinder without a battery
- Working weight – the grinder with a battery fitted
The second figure is particularly useful if you’re concerned about arm fatigue. A smaller battery may reduce the overall weight, but it can also provide less capacity for longer jobs. Conversely, a larger battery can increase runtime while making the tool heavier.
This means there isn’t necessarily one battery size that is ideal for every user.
It’s also worth checking whether the manufacturer’s published weight includes the battery, side handle or other accessories. Different manufacturers don’t always present specifications in exactly the same way.
Bosch Professional GWS 18V-7
The Bosch Professional GWS 18V-7 is a compact 18V brushless angle grinder designed around Bosch’s Professional battery system.
Bosch lists a bare-tool weight of approximately 1.6kg, although the exact working weight will depend on the battery fitted.
The grinder uses 115mm discs and has a brushless motor, electronic motor protection and restart protection. Bosch also lists a no-load speed of 11,000rpm for the model.
Key specifications
- Disc size: 115mm
- Battery: Bosch Professional 18V
- Motor: Brushless
- Bare-tool weight: Approximately 1.6kg
- No-load speed: 11,000rpm
- Restart protection: Yes
- Electronic motor protection: Yes
The relatively low bare-tool weight makes the GWS 18V-7 worth considering if keeping the grinder itself as light as possible is your main priority.
Remember, however, that the battery adds to the overall weight.
Check Amazon UK for Price of the Bosch GWS 18V-7 angle grinder.
Other Lightweight 115mm Cordless Angle Grinders
The Bosch isn’t the only option if low weight is important.
Your existing battery platform may be a more important consideration than saving a few hundred grams, particularly if you already own compatible batteries and chargers.
Makita DGA463Z – 115mm
The Makita DGA463Z is a brushless 18V LXT grinder using 115mm discs.
Makita’s specification includes automatic speed control, which adjusts the cutting speed under load, along with an electric brake and anti-restart function.
The bare-tool weight is higher than some of the most compact grinders, but the DGA463Z may still be worth considering if you’re already invested in the Makita LXT system.
Key specifications
- Disc size: 115mm
- Battery: Makita LXT 18V
- Motor: Brushless
- Speed control: Automatic
- Electric brake: Yes
- Anti-restart: Yes
Check Amazon UK for Price and Availability of the
DeWalt DCG405N – 115mm
The DeWalt DCG405N is another 18V brushless 115mm grinder aimed at users of the DeWalt XR battery system.
The grinder includes an electronic brake and electronic clutch, while DeWalt also specifies a mesh cover designed to help reduce dust entering the motor.
The bare-tool weight is approximately 1.75kg, although the complete working weight will depend on the battery used.
Key specifications
- Disc size: 115mm
- Battery: DeWalt XR 18V
- Motor: Brushless
- Bare-tool weight: Approximately 1.75kg
- Electronic brake: Yes
- Electronic clutch: Yes
- Dust mesh: Yes
If you already own DeWalt XR batteries, the DCG405N gives you a lightweight cordless option without having to start another battery platform.
Check Amazon UK for Price and Availability of the Dewalt DCG405N
Ryobi RAG18115-0 – 115mm
The Ryobi RAG18115-0 is a cordless 115mm grinder from the ONE+ 18V range.
Like the other cordless models in this guide, the bare-tool weight doesn’t tell you the complete story because the battery is purchased separately.
Ryobi’s ONE+ system can make this type of grinder particularly interesting to DIYers who already have compatible batteries for other tools.
Key specifications
- Disc size: 115mm
- Battery: Ryobi ONE+ 18V
- Motor: Brushless
- Battery and charger: Sold separately
- Battery platform: ONE+ 18V
Check Amazon UK for Price and Availability of the Ryobi RAG18115-0 – 115mm
Lightweight 115mm Cordless Angle Grinder Comparison
| Model | Disc size | Battery platform | Motor | Bare-tool weight* | Notable features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch GWS 18V-7 | 115mm | Bosch Professional 18V | Brushless | Approx. 1.6kg | Compact design, restart protection |
| Makita DGA463Z | 115mm | Makita LXT 18V | Brushless | Check current specification | Automatic speed control, brake |
| DeWalt DCG405N | 115mm | DeWalt XR 18V | Brushless | Approx. 1.75kg | Electronic brake and clutch |
| Ryobi RAG18115-0 | 115mm | Ryobi ONE+ 18V | Brushless | Check current specification | ONE+ battery compatibility |
*Always check the manufacturer’s specification for the exact version and whether the stated weight includes a battery or other accessories.
Does a Smaller Battery Make a Cordless Grinder Better?
A smaller battery can reduce the overall weight of a cordless angle grinder, but that doesn’t automatically make it the better choice.
Battery capacity affects how long you can work between charges, while the battery itself adds weight to the tool.
For example, if you are doing short cuts or quick grinding jobs, a smaller compatible battery may provide a lighter setup.
For longer jobs, a larger battery may provide more useful runtime even though the grinder will weigh more.
The right balance therefore depends on the work you’re doing.
If you’re comparing cordless grinders purely on weight, look at the complete tool and battery combination, rather than comparing bare-tool weights alone.
Does Brushless Mean Lighter?
Brushless motors are common on modern cordless angle grinders, but you shouldn’t assume that a brushless grinder will always be lighter than a brushed model.
Brushless technology can offer advantages such as reduced maintenance and efficient motor operation, but the overall weight of a grinder also depends on its housing, gearbox, electronics and other components.
When weight is important, compare the actual manufacturer’s specifications rather than choosing a grinder simply because it has a brushless motor.
What Else Should You Consider Besides Weight?
Weight is useful, but it shouldn’t be the only specification you consider.
Battery compatibility
If you already own batteries from Bosch, Makita, DeWalt, Ryobi or another manufacturer, staying within that platform may make practical and financial sense.
Buying a grinder from another platform could mean purchasing additional batteries and a charger.
Balance and handling
Two grinders with similar weights can feel different in your hands.
The position of the battery, motor housing and side handle all affect the balance of the tool.
If possible, handling the grinder before buying can give you a better idea of how comfortable it feels.
Cutting and grinding capacity
A lightweight grinder may be convenient, but make sure it has the specification you need for the work you intend to do.
Check:
- Disc diameter
- No-load speed
- Maximum cutting depth where specified
- Battery voltage
- Motor type
- Available safety features
- Compatible accessories
Battery cost
Don’t forget to include the battery and charger when comparing prices.
A bare-tool price can look considerably lower than the actual cost of a complete cordless setup.
Is a 115mm Grinder a Good Size for DIY?
For many general DIY jobs, 115mm is a useful and relatively compact grinder size.
It can be suitable for tasks such as:
- Cutting smaller sections of metal
- Removing rust
- Cleaning up welds
- Grinding metal edges
- Cutting suitable masonry materials with the correct disc
However, the actual capability depends on the grinder, disc and material.
If you regularly need greater cutting depth, a 125mm or larger grinder may be more appropriate. Larger grinders can also be heavier, so there is a trade-off between cutting capacity and portability.
How to Choose the Lightest 115mm Cordless Angle Grinder
If low weight is your main priority, don’t simply choose the grinder with the lowest advertised bare-tool weight.
Instead, compare the complete setup:
- Check the bare-tool weight.
- Check the weight of the battery you intend to use.
- Add the two together to estimate working weight.
- Consider the battery platform you already own.
- Look at the grinder’s balance and handle position.
- Make sure its cutting and grinding capacity suits your work.
This gives you a much more realistic idea of how heavy the grinder will actually feel when you’re using it.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for the lightest 115mm cordless angle grinder in the UK, the Bosch Professional GWS 18V-7 is one of the compact options worth considering, particularly if keeping the bare-tool weight down is important.
However, there isn’t necessarily one grinder that will be the lightest setup for every user. The battery you choose can make a noticeable difference to the final working weight, and your existing battery platform may be more important than a small difference in bare-tool weight.
For occasional DIY, compare the complete grinder-and-battery combination rather than looking at the tool weight alone.
If you already own an 18V battery platform, that is often a sensible place to start. You can then compare compatible 115mm grinders based on weight, features, battery cost and the type of work you need to do.
For more information, see our guides on the best budget angle grinder UK for DIY, angle grinder discs explained, and how to use an angle grinder safely.