Brushless vs Brushed Die Grinder: Which One Should You Buy?
Brushless vs brushed die grinder motors compared through the 4 cordless grinders in this guide, with stated speeds, collets and batteries.
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Top picks at a glance
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A die grinder earns its keep on gasket removal, rust cleanup and detail work in tight corners where a straight grinder cannot reach. For the brushless vs brushed die grinder question, the short answer is: pick a listing that states a brushless motor if motor life and efficiency matter to the job, since the Milwaukee listing claims more run-time and longer life, the VERVEWAVE listing claims a longer lifespan and lower energy consumption, and the LCICDV listing claims extended lifespan by reducing friction and heat buildup, while the listing that states no motor type makes no such claim.
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Below: how the two motor types differ in the listings, what the stated speeds, collets and batteries mean, and the 4 grinders ranked as gear.
Brushless vs brushed die grinder: how the motors differ
Three of the 4 listings here state a brushless motor, and each states the same kind of advantage in its own words. The Milwaukee listing states POWERSTATE Brushless Motor Technology that provides more power, more run-time and longer life. The VERVEWAVE listing states a brushless pure copper motor that provides a longer lifespan and lower energy consumption than ordinary motors. The LCICDV listing states a brushless motor that increases efficiency and extends lifespan by reducing friction and heat buildup. No listing here states a brushed motor by name. The RhovixStar listing states a robust motor pulling up to 8A and names no motor type, so it cannot be counted on either side of the brushless vs brushed die grinder question from its listing alone.
That gap matters for how to read the rest of the listings. Where a maker states brushless, the listing ties that motor to life, run-time or efficiency claims. Where a maker states no motor type, those claims are absent, so that listing must be judged on its other stated facts, such as speed, voltage and included battery.
| Motor stated | What the listings claim | Grinders here |
|---|---|---|
| Brushless | Life, run-time or efficiency claims, stated differently by each listing | Milwaukee M12 Fuel, VERVEWAVE, LCICDV |
| Not stated | No motor life or efficiency claim tied to motor type | RhovixStar |
Speed, collet and battery: reading the listings
Speed is stated as a maximum on three listings. The VERVEWAVE listing states 6 adjustable speeds between 10000-26000RPM with a maximum speed of up to 26000 RPM. The LCICDV listing states a maximum speed of 24,500 RPM with a variable speed trigger and 4 speed dial settings. The RhovixStar listing states 4 adjustable speed settings up to 24500 RPM. The Milwaukee listing states 4-mode RPM control with a responsive variable-speed trigger and no RPM figure, so its speed range is not stated.
A 1/4 inch size is the shared fact across all 4 grinders. The Milwaukee listing states a 1/4 INCH right angle die grinder, the VERVEWAVE listing states a 1/4 inch precision collet and includes a 1/4 inch carbide tungsten bit, the RhovixStar listing states a 1/4 inch collet with a 6.35mm chuck, and the LCICDV listing states a standard 1/4-inch collet. Battery inclusion splits the group. The VERVEWAVE listing states tool only with no battery and no charger, and states fit with DEWALT 20V MAX lithium-ion batteries. The RhovixStar listing states a 2.0Ah battery and charger in the kit. The LCICDV listing states 2 x 2.0Ah batteries. The Milwaukee listing states no battery inclusion in its bullets.
Right-angle heads are stated on three listings. The Milwaukee, RhovixStar and LCICDV listings state right angle heads, while the VERVEWAVE listing states no right angle head. Stated weights are 5.07 Pounds for the Milwaukee, 1.5 Pounds for the LCICDV and 0.5kg bare tool for the RhovixStar, with no weight stated for the VERVEWAVE.
The gear: 4 die grinders ranked
Milwaukee M12 Fuel Right Angle Die Grinder. Ranked first on its stated motor package: POWERSTATE Brushless Motor Technology, 0.4 HP motor output, 4-mode RPM control with a responsive variable-speed trigger, and a right angle head. The spec table lists 12.48 inches x 9.92 inches x 4.02 inches and 5.07 Pounds. Who it is for: a keeper who wants the stated brushless motor with mode control in a right angle body. Who should skip it: a buyer who needs a stated RPM figure or stated battery inclusion, since neither is stated in its bullets.
VERVEWAVE Cordless Die Grinder for DEWALT 20V MAX. Ranked second on the highest stated speed here and its stated speed range: a brushless pure copper motor, 6 adjustable speeds between 10000-26000RPM, a maximum of up to 26000 RPM, an eccentric mechanism design stated to reduce vibration, and a 1/4 inch carbide tungsten bit included. It is tool only with no battery and no charger, and states fit with DEWALT 20V MAX lithium-ion batteries. Who it is for: a DEWALT 20V MAX owner who wants the highest stated speed here. Who should skip it: a buyer who needs a battery and charger in the box.
LCICDV Right Angle Die Grinder. Ranked third on a complete stated kit: a brushless motor with a maximum speed of 24,500 RPM, a variable speed trigger with 4 speed dial settings, a right angle head, a standard 1/4-inch collet, and 2 x 2.0Ah batteries. The spec table lists 10.07 Inches x 2.28 inches x 2.28 inches and 1.5 Pounds. Who it is for: a buyer who wants a brushless right angle grinder with batteries included. Who should skip it: a buyer who needs the highest stated speed, since 24,500 RPM sits below the 26000 RPM stated on the VERVEWAVE.
RhovixStar Right Angle Die Grinder. Ranked fourth because its motor type is not stated, even though the rest of the listing is strong: a 12V cordless right angle grinder with 4 adjustable speed settings up to 24500 RPM, a motor pulling up to 8A, a 1/4 inch collet with a 6.35mm chuck, a 2.0Ah battery and charger, a weight of 0.5kg bare tool, and an anti-touch safety lock switch stated to prevent accidental startups. Who it is for: a buyer who wants a light right angle grinder with a safety lock switch. Who should skip it: a buyer who wants a stated brushless motor, since this listing names no motor type.
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FAQ: garage tools
Is brushless better than brushed for a die grinder?
On the listings here, brushless is the only motor type with stated advantages, but each listing states different ones: the Milwaukee listing claims more run-time and longer life, the VERVEWAVE listing claims a longer lifespan and lower energy consumption, and the LCICDV listing claims extended lifespan by reducing friction and heat buildup. No listing here states a brushed motor, so there is no brushed claim to weigh against those brushless claims, and the RhovixStar listing states no motor type at all.
What speed should a die grinder run?
Match the speed to the task with the stated controls. The VERVEWAVE listing states 6 speeds between 10000-26000RPM, the LCICDV listing states a variable speed trigger with 4 speed dial settings up to 24,500 RPM, and the RhovixStar listing states 4 speed settings up to 24500 RPM. The Milwaukee listing states 4-mode RPM control with no RPM figure stated.
Do these grinders come with batteries?
Two state batteries included, one states tool only, and one states no battery inclusion in its bullets. The VERVEWAVE listing states tool only with no battery and no charger. The RhovixStar listing states a 2.0Ah battery and charger. The LCICDV listing states 2 x 2.0Ah batteries. The Milwaukee listing states no battery inclusion in its bullets.
What collet size do these grinders use?
All 4 state a 1/4 inch size. The Milwaukee listing states a 1/4 INCH grinder, the VERVEWAVE listing states a 1/4 inch precision collet, the RhovixStar listing states a 1/4 inch collet with a 6.35mm chuck, and the LCICDV listing states a standard 1/4-inch collet.
Can a die grinder reach tight engine bays?
The right angle listings state that they can. The Milwaukee, RhovixStar and LCICDV listings state right angle heads. The RhovixStar listing names narrow engine bays and close quarters directly, and the LCICDV listing names narrow corners and confined areas. The VERVEWAVE listing states no right angle head.
Related: our best cordless die grinder picks, corded vs cordless die grinder, die grinder vs angle grinder and straight vs angled die grinder. Also see the cordless tools hub.
