At a glance
Makita’s 18V LXT range is one of the most trusted cordless platforms in the UK trade and DIY market, and the DGA452Z sits at the compact end of the angle grinder lineup. A 115mm disc grinder, it trades raw power for a lighter and more manageable package that works well for light metalwork, weld dressing and surface preparation. For anyone already invested in the LXT system, it shares batteries with the Makita DHP486 combi drill and a wide range of cordless saws, making it a natural addition to the toolkit.
Whether it justifies its price against the growing number of budget cordless grinders now available in the UK is worth examining closely. We put the DGA452Z through a solid run of real-world testing to find out where it excels and where it falls short. For a full head-to-head comparison with the competition, see our best cordless angle grinders UK guide.
Overview and first impressions
The DGA452Z arrives body only, standard practice for Makita’s professional-grade tools. You need an 18V LXT battery and charger separately, or pull one from your existing collection. The body is compact and well-balanced – noticeably lighter than 125mm grinders, which makes a genuine difference during sustained overhead work or tight-access grinding jobs where fatigue accumulates quickly.
Build quality is reassuringly solid throughout. The main body is a hard composite that feels robust without being excessively heavy. The side handle attaches via a threaded post on either side of the gearbox housing, giving both left and right-handed users a comfortable position. The guard adjusts and locks firmly with no play or rattle.
The spindle lock button is well-positioned and positive to operate, making disc changes quick and clean. The power switch is a sliding type with a lock-off button that prevents accidental start-up when picking up the tool – an important safety detail on any angle grinder.
Always fit the guard before use. UK health and safety guidance is unambiguous: angle grinder guards must be correctly fitted and positioned for every job. The guard on the DGA452Z fits securely and should never be removed for any reason.
Specifications and scores
How it performed in our tests
For its intended application – light to medium metalwork on a compact platform – the DGA452Z performs well. Cutting through 10mm mild steel bar is handled cleanly, and weld dressing on flat plate is smooth and controllable. The 10,000rpm no-load speed translates to a confident cutting feel, though disc speed drops more noticeably than brushless models when the disc meets resistance. For occasional DIY and light trade use this is not a meaningful issue, but for sustained heavy cutting it would frustrate.
Vibration levels are well managed for a brushed motor, and the grip is comfortable through extended sessions. The unit runs warm during prolonged cutting but never uncomfortably hot in normal use. The compact 115mm format genuinely earns its keep in tight spaces – fitting between frame members or working on installed steelwork where a 125mm grinder would be awkward to manoeuvre.
Use a 4Ah or 5Ah battery for best results. The DGA452Z is a brushed motor and draws more current than brushless equivalents. A compact 2Ah battery will run noticeably shorter on sustained cuts – the larger cells keep runtime up and the motor cooler during extended use.
Battery system and runtime
The DGA452Z uses Makita’s standard 18V LXT battery format, compatible with the full range of over 300 LXT tools. Runtime depends heavily on battery capacity and the nature of work being done. The brushed motor draws current harder than brushless equivalents, so runtime is shorter on the same battery than you might expect from a modern cordless grinder.
The 5Ah is the natural everyday choice for trade use, giving a noticeably more comfortable working session than the 3Ah. The 6Ah delivers maximum runtime but adds front-end weight that partially offsets the compact advantage of the 115mm format – worth considering before committing to the heaviest cell.
Performance and limitations
The brushed motor is the primary limitation of the DGA452Z. It is not a deal-breaker for light and occasional use, but Makita’s brushless LXT grinders offer meaningfully better runtime, less heat generation and longer motor life for sustained professional use. If this grinder will see frequent heavy use on site, the brushless variants are worth the extra cost. For DIY and occasional light trade work, brushed is perfectly adequate for the applications this compact tool was designed for.
The 115mm disc size is both strength and limitation. It makes the tool compact and light – ideal for tight-access work – but it cannot carry the larger grinding and cutting discs needed for heavier fabrication. Anyone regularly cutting thicker steel sections or grinding large weld runs will find themselves wishing for a 125mm model.
- Compact, lightweight 115mm format – excellent in tight spaces
- Full LXT battery compatibility across 300+ Makita tools
- Solid build quality and well-positioned safety controls
- Low vibration for a brushed motor grinder
- Brushed motor – shorter runtime and lower efficiency than brushless
- 115mm only – cannot handle larger discs for heavy fabrication
- Body-only pricing feels high given the brushed specification
- Existing Makita LXT users
- Light to medium metalwork tasks
- Tight-access grinding and weld dressing
- DIY and occasional trade use
- Heavy fabrication with thick steel sections
- High-frequency professional site use
- Those wanting brushless motor efficiency
Final verdict – is it worth it?
The Makita DGA452Z is a well-built, reliable compact angle grinder that serves LXT users well for light to medium metalwork. The 115mm format is genuinely useful in confined spaces, the build quality is up to Makita’s usual standard, and the LXT battery compatibility across a huge range of tools makes it a convenient addition to an established collection.
The case against comes down to the brushed motor and the price. It is not cheap for a brushed grinder, and Makita’s brushless LXT variants are not dramatically more expensive. If this grinder will see regular professional use, spending the extra for brushless is the right call for long-term efficiency and motor life.
For DIY use and light trade work by someone already in the LXT ecosystem, the DGA452Z earns its place. For heavier or more frequent cutting and grinding, look at the brushless alternatives before committing your money.
A capable compact grinder for Makita LXT users doing light to medium metalwork. The brushed motor limits runtime and efficiency for heavy use, but for occasional cutting and grinding in tight spaces it delivers reliably. Worth buying at the right price if you already own LXT batteries.
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