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A variable speed bench grinder lets you match the wheel to the job: slow for control and less heat when sharpening, fast for shaping and rust removal. That makes it a good fit for a shop where one grinder has to sharpen chisels, clean up bolts and reshape a screwdriver in the same afternoon.
There is one thing most listings do not spell out. The typical variable speed grinder runs from about 2,000 to 3,400 RPM, so even its lowest setting is faster than the roughly 1,750 RPM the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) recommends for turning tools. If woodturning is your main reason for buying, a two-speed or slow-speed grinder may suit you better. Below are five picks, with the specs WEN, RIKON and Laguna publish, so you can choose with that trade-off in mind.
Our top picks at a glance
Quick picks
- Best Overall: WEN BG4280. Best for an 8-inch variable speed grinder with a light and quench tray at a budget price.
- Best for Woodturners: Laguna G8. Best for switching between 1,725 RPM sharpening and 3,450 RPM shaping.
- Best for Metal and Mixed Shops: RIKON 80-800VS. Best for a 3/4 HP grinder with a wire wheel for cleanup.
- Best 6-Inch: WEN BG625V. Best for a compact variable speed grinder on a small bench.
- Best Slow-Speed Alternative: RIKON 80-805. Best for turners who only need 1,750 RPM.
Comparison table
| Grinder | Best for | Wheel size | Speed | Motor | Wheels included | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEN BG4280 | Overall | 8 x 1 in., 5/8 in. arbor | 2,000–3,400 RPM | 5 A | 36 and 80 grit | See options |
| Laguna G8 | Woodturners | 8 x 1 in., 5/8 in. arbor | 1,725 or 3,450 RPM | About 1/3 HP low, 1/2 HP high | 60 and 120 grit white | Check price |
| RIKON 80-800VS | Metal and mixed | 8 x 1 in. | 2,000–3,400 RPM | 3/4 HP | Gray wheel plus wire wheel | See options |
| WEN BG625V | 6-inch | 6 x 3/4 in., 1/2 in. arbor | 2,000–3,400 RPM | 2.5 A | 36 and 80 grit | Check price |
| RIKON 80-805 | Slow-speed alternative | 8 x 1 in., 5/8 in. arbor | 1,750 RPM | 1/2 HP | 60 and 120 grit | Check price |
The best variable speed bench grinders, reviewed
1. WEN BG4280: Best Overall
Who it's for: home shops that want one 8-inch grinder for sharpening, deburring and cleanup.
WEN's BG4280 uses a 5-amp variable speed motor that runs from 2,000 to 3,400 RPM. It takes two 8 x 1-inch wheels on 5/8-inch arbors, the standard size for 8-inch accessories and most aftermarket wheels, and ships with an 80-grit wheel for general grinding and a coarse 36-grit wheel for fast removal. WEN adds a flexible work light, an onboard quenching tray, pivoting work rests, adjustable eye guards and tool-free guard removal for wheel changes. The warranty is two years, and Amazon's listing puts the weight at about 41 lb.
The 80-grit wheel is a better sharpening wheel than the usual 60, and the 5/8-inch arbor means you can fit white aluminum oxide or CBN wheels later. Just remember the low end is 2,000 RPM, not 1,750.
Pros
- 2,000 to 3,400 RPM on an 8-inch grinder
- 5/8-inch arbor for standard upgrade wheels
- Work light and quench tray built in
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Low end is above the AAW's 1,750 RPM
- Stock gray wheels run warm on thin edges
- No wheel dresser included
WEN BG4280 5-Amp 8-Inch Variable Speed Bench Grinder with Flexible Work Light
by WEN
Currently unavailable on Amazon
2. Laguna G8 Dual-Speed: Best for Woodturners
Who it's for: turners who want a true slow sharpening speed and a fast speed for reshaping, in one grinder.
The G8 is not infinitely variable; it is a two-speed grinder, and for woodturners that is its strength. Retailer spec sheets list 1,725 RPM for sharpening and 3,450 RPM for heavy stock removal, and Laguna's own description says the low speed is for precise sharpening and polishing and helps prevent overheating high-speed steel tools. Wheels are 8 x 1 inch with a 5/8-inch arbor, in 60-grit and 120-grit white aluminum oxide, the softer, cooler-running abrasive most turners prefer.
One retailer lists an AC induction motor rated about 1/3 HP at low speed (1.8 A) and 1/2 HP at high speed (3.1 A) on 110–120V. A diamond wheel dresser and holder are included, along with rubber feet to reduce vibration. Laguna lists the SKU as MBGG8-001; the UK and EU 230V version runs at different speeds, so buy the US model.
Pros
- 1,725 RPM low speed suits turning tools
- White 60 and 120 grit wheels included
- Diamond dresser included
- Standard 5/8-inch arbor for jigs and CBN wheels
Cons
- Only two speeds, no fine dial
- Modest power at low speed
- Premium for a two-speed grinder
Laguna G8 8-Inch Dual-Speed Bench Grinder
by Laguna Tools
3. RIKON 80-800VS: Best for Metal and Mixed Shops
Who it's for: shops that grind and clean metal as often as they sharpen.
RIKON is clear about what this grinder is for: it says the 80-800VS is made for the metalworking trades, and positions it as a companion to its low-speed grinders, which are set up mainly for sharpening woodworking tools. It has a 3/4 HP motor with a front dial from 2,000 to 3,400 RPM, an 8 x 1-inch gray aluminum oxide wheel and an 8-inch steel wire wheel for removing rust, paint and grime. The base has a pullout water tray, and a flexible worklight with an LED bulb is included.
The wire wheel is the reason to choose it. If you also want to sharpen turning tools, swap the wire wheel for a white grinding wheel, or keep this grinder for metal and add a slow-speed grinder for edges. RIKON also sells a 2-inch-wide guard kit (80-980) that fits this model for wider wheels.
Pros
- 3/4 HP, the most power in this group
- Wire wheel included for cleanup
- Pullout water tray and LED worklight
- Wide-wheel guard kit available
Cons
- RIKON pitches it for metalwork
- Only one grinding wheel included
- Low end is 2,000 RPM
RIKON 80-800VS 8 in. Variable Speed Bench Grinder
by RIKON
Currently unavailable on Amazon
4. WEN BG625V: Best 6-Inch
Who it's for: small shops and apartments where an 8-inch grinder will not fit.
The BG625V brings the same 2,000 to 3,400 RPM range to a 6-inch grinder. Its 2.5-amp motor drives 6 x 3/4-inch wheels on 1/2-inch arbors, with 80- and 36-grit wheels, pivoting tool rests, adjustable eye guards and a flexible work light. WEN covers it for two years.
Smaller wheels mean a tighter hollow grind and a narrower selection of jigs and CBN wheels, and Oneway says its Wolverine jig needs a spacer of about 1 inch under a 6-inch grinder. For more 6-inch options, see our guide to the best 6-inch bench grinders.
Pros
- Variable speed in a compact footprint
- 80-grit wheel included
- Work light and pivoting rests
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- 3/4-inch wheels are narrow for wide tools
- 1/2-inch arbor limits upgrade wheels
- Low end is 2,000 RPM
WEN BG625V 2.5-Amp 6-Inch Variable Speed Bench Grinder with Flexible Work Light
by WEN
5. RIKON 80-805 Low Speed Grinder: Best Slow-Speed Alternative
Who it's for: woodturners who only need one speed, and want it to be the right one.
If your grinder is mainly for gouges and skews, a dedicated slow-speed grinder is the simplest answer. The 80-805 runs at 1,750 RPM, the speed the AAW recommends, with a 1/2 HP, 3-amp, 120V motor. It ships with two 8 x 1-inch wheels (60 and 120 grit) on a 5/8-inch arbor, a diamond-faced wheel dresser, and a left tool rest with a groove for drill bits. RIKON backs it for five years. Our lathe tool sharpening jig guide pairs it with the Oneway Wolverine.
Pros
- 1,750 RPM, the AAW-recommended speed
- 60 and 120 grit wheels plus a dresser
- 5/8-inch arbor for CBN upgrades
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Single speed only
- Slower for heavy reshaping
- 1/2 HP bogs under heavy pressure
Buying guide: choosing a variable speed bench grinder
Know the real speed range
Look at the bottom number, not the top. Most variable speed bench grinders, including the WEN and RIKON models here, run from about 2,000 to 3,400 RPM. The AAW's Safety Guidebook for Woodturners says about 1,750 RPM is the best single speed for turning tools, calls 3,600 RPM much too fast, and advises starting a variable speed grinder at its lowest speed. A two-speed grinder like the Laguna G8, or a slow-speed grinder like the RIKON 80-805, gets you to that number.
Variable, two-speed or slow-speed?
| Type | Speeds | Best for | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Variable speed | About 2,000–3,400 RPM, dial | Mixed shops: metal, tools, cleanup | See options |
| Two-speed | About 1,725 and 3,450 RPM | Woodturners who also reshape tools | See options |
| Slow-speed | About 1,750 RPM only | Dedicated sharpening of edge tools | See options |
8-inch or 6-inch
Eight-inch grinders take 1-inch-wide wheels on 5/8-inch arbors, which is what woodturning jigs and most CBN wheels are designed around. Six-inch models are smaller and cheaper, but their 3/4-inch wheels and 1/2-inch arbors limit upgrades.
Wheels make the grinder
Gray aluminum oxide wheels in 36 and 60 grit are for shaping and cleanup. For sharpening, use white aluminum oxide in about 80 to 120 grit, which Oneway suggests for finishing gouges and small tools, or upgrade to CBN wheels made for slow-speed grinders. Dress aluminum oxide wheels regularly so they stay flat and true.
Torque at low speed
Small variable speed motors lose some torque at the bottom of their range, so the wheel slows more under pressure. Use light pressure and short passes. If the motor bogs, you are pressing too hard.
Setup and safety
Bolt the grinder down, ideally on one board with your jig bases. Keep the tool rest gap small, wear eye and face protection, and connect a shop vacuum to the guards if they have dust ports. The AAW recommends at least 70 cfm on a grinder, kept separate from your wood dust system because grinding throws sparks. For technique, see how to sharpen lathe tools.
How we chose
We did not test these grinders ourselves. We compared manufacturer specifications from WEN, RIKON and Laguna with major retailer listings, and weighed them against the AAW's guidance on sharpening speed. Where a spec came only from a retailer, as with the Laguna G8's motor ratings, we say so. We included a slow-speed grinder because, for many woodturners, it is the better answer to the question that leads them to variable speed in the first place.
FAQ
Is a variable speed bench grinder worth it?
Yes if you grind different materials. Slower speeds give more control and less heat on fine edges, and faster speeds remove metal quickly. Be aware that most variable speed grinders bottom out at about 2,000 RPM, which is still above the 1,750 RPM the AAW recommends for woodturning tools.
What speed should a bench grinder be for sharpening?
For woodturning tools, the AAW's Safety Guidebook for Woodturners says about 1,750 RPM is the best single speed and calls the common 3,600 RPM grinder much too fast. If you use a variable speed grinder, the AAW says to start at its lowest speed.
What is the difference between a variable speed and a slow speed grinder?
A slow speed grinder runs at one low speed, usually 1,750 RPM, and is built for sharpening. A variable speed grinder has a dial, typically from about 2,000 to 3,400 RPM. A two-speed grinder such as the Laguna G8 switches between 1,725 and 3,450 RPM.
Can I use a variable speed bench grinder with a sharpening jig?
Yes, as long as the wheel size matches the jig. Oneway's Wolverine and RIKON's 82-1005 jig systems are designed for 8-inch grinders (RIKON also lists 6-inch), so an 8-inch variable speed grinder is the better match. Mount the grinder and jig bases on one board.
Do variable speed grinders lose power at low speed?
Some torque drops as speed drops on most small grinders, so the wheel slows more under pressure at the low end. Use light pressure and let the wheel cut; if the motor bogs, back off.
Verdict
The WEN BG4280 is the best variable speed bench grinder for most home shops: 8-inch wheels, a 2,000 to 3,400 RPM range and useful extras at a budget price. Woodturners should look hard at the Laguna G8, whose 1,725 RPM low speed is what turning tools want, or simply buy the RIKON 80-805 slow-speed grinder. The RIKON 80-800VS suits shops that clean and grind metal, and the WEN BG625V fits where an 8-inch grinder will not.
Related: see our best 8-inch bench grinders guide.