What's inside
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Our Top Picks
Milwaukee 2880-20 M18 Fuel Brushless Lithium-Ion 4-1/2 in.Large13 x 8.5 x 3.5 inches5 PoundsCheck on Amazon
Milwaukee 2888-20 18V Cordless 4.5"/5" Grinder w/Variable Speed13.94 x 8.23 x 3.78 inches5.4 poundsCheck on Amazon
Quick verdict
The Milwaukee 2880-20 and Bosch GWS18V-10 are 18-volt, 5-inch cordless angle grinders aimed at cutting and grinding metal without a cord. Both use brushless motors and require a separate battery, charger, and wheel. The practical choice is less about a headline power claim than about which battery platform you already own, how the grinder feels in your hands, and whether its controls suit the work.
Choose the Milwaukee if you already use Milwaukee M18 batteries and want a grinder with a paddle switch and a brake designed to stop the wheel quickly after release. Choose the Bosch if you are invested in Bosch Professional 18V batteries and value its adjustable guard and anti-vibration side handle. Neither is a good reason on its own to buy into an entirely new battery platform for occasional grinding.
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At a glance
| Feature | Milwaukee 2880-20 | Bosch GWS18V-10 |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | M18, 18V nominal | Bosch Professional 18V, 18V nominal |
| Wheel size | 5 inches | 5 inches |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Switch | Paddle switch | Model-specific switching arrangement; check the exact regional version |
| Notable features | Rapid-stop brake and tool-free guard adjustment | KickBack Control, restart protection, and adjustable guard |
| What you need to buy | Battery, charger, and compatible wheel | Battery, charger, and compatible wheel |
Specifications and included accessories can vary by market and kit. Check the product listing and manual for the exact version before ordering; the bare-tool names do not mean a battery or wheel is included.
Cutting and grinding performance
Both grinders are suited to common metalwork: trimming threaded rod, cutting mild-steel stock, removing weld spatter, and cleaning up edges. A 5-inch wheel offers more reach than a 4½-inch wheel, but it does not make either tool a substitute for a bandsaw or chop saw when you need repeatable, square cuts. The grinder’s cut depends heavily on wheel type, pressure, and how steadily you hold the work.
Use a thin cutoff wheel for cutting, not a thick grinding wheel. For stock that is ¼ inch thick or more, expect to make a controlled cut from more than one angle rather than twisting the wheel to force it through. Pinching a cutoff wheel can break it; side-loading a wheel that is not rated for grinding can do the same. Clamp the work securely, keep the guard between you and the wheel, and let the tool’s speed do the work.
Neither machine eliminates the usual cordless-grinder trade-off: hard, continuous cuts drain batteries quickly and can heat both the tool and pack. A higher-capacity battery generally gives more runtime, but adds weight and can make overhead or one-handed work tiring. If your jobs involve long, repeated cuts, a corded grinder may be the better buy even if you already own cordless tools.
Handling, controls, and safety
The Milwaukee’s paddle switch is useful when you want a hold-to-run control: release it and the grinder turns off. Its brake is a practical safety feature because it shortens wheel coast-down, though it does not stop the wheel instantly and should not change how you handle the tool. The Bosch adds electronic protections such as KickBack Control, which can reduce the motor’s response during a jam, and restart protection to help prevent an unexpected start after a power interruption. These features reduce some risks; they cannot make a pinched wheel safe.
Before buying, handle the exact grinder if possible. Switch feel and body shape matter more during a long deburring session than small differences in published specifications. A large battery can shift the balance backward, while a compact pack may run down quickly during heavy work. Both tools need a correctly fitted guard and side handle. Do not remove either to reach an awkward cut; reposition the work instead.
Wear eye and hearing protection, plus a face shield for grinding. Sparks can travel farther than expected and ignite oily rags, dry leaves, or nearby solvents. Keep the cutoff wheel’s plane out of your body’s line, and replace a wheel that is cracked, dropped, or past its marked speed rating. A grinder that bogs, vibrates unusually, or smells hot needs a pause and inspection—not more pressure.
Platform and value
For an owner of M18 tools, the 2880-20 is usually the straightforward purchase. For a Bosch Professional 18V owner, the GWS18V-10 avoids paying for another battery system. Compare bare-tool prices only with bare-tool prices, then include a suitable battery and charger if you need them. A low tool price can stop being a bargain once you add a pack capable of handling sustained grinder loads.
If you are buying your first grinder, the cheaper tool can be perfectly adequate for occasional cuts, farm repairs, or light fabrication. Spend the difference on quality wheels and a good battery rather than paying extra for features you will not use. To compare current platform options, browse Milwaukee M18 angle grinders and Bosch 18V angle grinders.
Budget separately for consumables. Match the wheel’s diameter, arbor, material rating, and maximum RPM to the grinder. A metal cutoff wheel is not the right choice for masonry, and a grinding wheel is not a replacement for a cutoff wheel. If you are unsure which type your job needs, look for 5-inch metal cutoff wheels with clear compatibility information, then confirm the markings against your tool manual.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the Milwaukee 2880-20 if your batteries are already M18, you prefer a paddle switch, and rapid braking is a priority. Buy the Bosch GWS18V-10 if you already own Bosch Professional 18V packs and want its electronic protection features. For occasional metalwork, either can do the job; platform compatibility and handling are more useful tiebreakers than assuming one will cut dramatically faster.
If you have no batteries for either system, compare the total cost of tool, charger, and a suitable pack before deciding. If the grinder will see daily production use, test the balance with the battery you intend to use and consider whether a corded tool or a dedicated metal-cutting saw would be safer, faster, and less tiring for your most common cuts.