DEWALT 20V MAX Angle Grinder Review: DCG413B

DEWALT 20V MAX angle grinder review: the short verdict

The DCG413B is a cordless brushless angle grinder for 4.5-inch wheels, running on the DEWALT 20V MAX battery platform at up to 3450 RPM. The headline features are safety-driven: a kickback brake that stops the wheel in 2 seconds or less on average when a pinch, stall or bind-up is sensed, E-switch protection with a no-volt release that requires the trigger to be cycled after a power outage, and a Two stage trigger that needs two actions to start the tool. The brushless motor needs no brush changes. The tool weighs 3.8 pounds, measures 12.2 by 4.7 by 6 inches, and the listing states a 3-year limited warranty. It ships as a bare tool: no battery or charger in the box.

The trade-offs are the bare-tool format and the 20V platform ceiling: without a 20V MAX battery it does nothing, and a cordless grinder will not match a corded grinder for all-day grinding. The listing gives no battery runtime figures.

Key specs

Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 19 October 2026.

The grinder

What the DCG413B does well

Kickback brake and Two stage trigger

The safety stack is the story: the kickback brake senses a pinch, stall or bind-up and stops the wheel in 2 seconds or less on average with maximum braking force, shutting the grinder off and reducing the tool’s movement. The Two stage trigger requires two deliberate actions to start, and the E-switch protection means a power interruption will not restart the tool until the trigger is cycled off and on. For a grinder, the tool most likely to bite, that stack matters.

Brushless motor, no maintenance

The brushless motor requires no brush changes, which the listing calls out as the maintenance win. Brushless also runs cooler and more efficiently than brushed motors, which is the runtime story on a battery platform: more work per charge from the same 20V MAX pack.

3.8 pounds, one-handable

At 3.8 pounds and 12.2 inches long, the DCG413B is light enough for overhead and one-handed work where a corded grinder’s cord fights you. The paddle switch suits gloved hands. For a garage, that means cutting exhaust hangers, grinding rust and slicing bolts without dragging a cord across the bay.

3-year limited warranty

The listing states a 3-year limited warranty. The same 20V MAX batteries fit other tools on the DEWALT 20V MAX platform.

Limitations to know before you buy

Bare tool: battery not included

The listing is explicit: this is the tool only, with 1 angle grinder in the box and no battery or charger. Without a 20V MAX battery it is a paperweight. Factor a battery and charger into the cost if the platform is not already in the garage.

No runtime figures stated

The listing gives no battery runtime or amp-hour figures, so grinding time per charge is unstated. Heavy grinding drains any battery fast; the listing stays silent on it.

3450 RPM is modest

The spec table lists 3450 RPM maximum. That is the stated figure; corded grinders typically spin faster, and the listing does not claim otherwise.

4.5-inch wheels only

The DCG413B takes 4.5-inch wheels. Larger cutting jobs want a bigger grinder; this is the compact class.

Fine print and buying details

Spec-table power rows to ignore

Two spec-table rows deserve a raised eyebrow: Wattage lists 20 watts and Horsepower lists 0.16 hp. Those figures do not describe a real 20V cordless grinder’s output; they read as catalog artifacts copied from a template. The listing’s actual power story is the 20V MAX battery platform and the brushless motor. Do not plan work around the 20-watt row, and do not quote the 0.16 hp figure to anyone.

The XR wrinkle in the listing name

The title sells a 20V MAX* angle grinder, but the item type row calls it a 20V XR Brushless 4.5-inch angle grinder. XR is DEWALT’s extended-runtime branding, and the title does not claim it, so trust the title: this is a 20V MAX tool. The mismatch is a catalog naming quirk rather than a second model, but if XR branding matters to the purchase, confirm with the seller before ordering. The model number DCG413B and manufacturer part number DCG413B are consistent across the rows.

What is in the box and what it is made of

The included components list is short: 1 angle grinder, with no battery, no charger and no wheels stated. The body materials are listed as metal and plastic, and the color row says Multi, which is catalog shorthand rather than a finish description. For verifying the exact listing against a store shelf or a second seller, the GTIN is 00885911510844 and the model is DCG413B. One count, one item, one grinder: the box is exactly what a bare-tool listing should be.

Size, weight and the battery question

The listed dimensions are 12.2 inches long by 4.7 wide by 6 high, and the listed weight is 3.8 pounds. That weight is the tool as listed; a 20V MAX battery adds weight the listing does not state, so the in-hand weight with a pack will be higher. The 12.2-inch length fits a toolbox drawer or a tool bag without drama. If the grinder will live on a high shelf, remember the battery weight the listing leaves out.

No-volt release in practice

The E-switch protection is a no-volt release: if the battery dies mid-cut or the tool shuts down unexpectedly, the grinder will not restart when power returns. The trigger must be cycled off and then on. On a cordless tool that means a dead battery cannot surprise you when the fresh pack clicks in; the tool stays off until you deliberately restart it. It is a small feature that matters the first time a battery cuts out with the wheel buried in a cut.

How we scored it

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.

The Garage Score weighs performance, build, value, safety and warranty. The grinder scores for its kickback brake, Two stage trigger, brushless motor and 3-year warranty. The bare-tool format and unstated runtime hold it back.

Who should buy the DCG413B, and who should skip it

Buy it if

• You own 20V MAX batteries and want cordless cutting and grinding.
• Safety features matter: kickback brake and Two stage trigger.
• You want a light 3.8-pound grinder for overhead and one-handed work.

Skip it if

• You have no 20V MAX batteries; the bare tool needs them.
• You grind all day; a corded grinder suits continuous work.
• You need wheels bigger than 4.5 inches.

Alternatives

For more cordless tools, browse our cordless tools guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the kickback brake do?

It senses a pinch, stall or bind-up and stops the wheel in 2 seconds or less on average, shutting the grinder off.

Does the DCG413B come with a battery?

No. The listing sells it as a bare tool with no battery or charger; it needs a 20V MAX battery.

What is the warranty?

The listing states a 3-year limited warranty.

How fast does it spin?

3450 RPM maximum, per the spec table.

How much does it weigh?

3.8 pounds, at 12.2 by 4.7 by 6 inches.

Does it come with wheels?

The included components list 1 angle grinder; no wheels are stated as included. It takes 4.5-inch wheels.

Related guides

For more cordless gear, see our cordless tools guides.