Concrete Grinder Types Compared – Full Chart & Buying Guide

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Choosing the right concrete grinder can be challenging with so many options available. Whether you’re polishing floors, removing coatings, or preparing for epoxy, this guide compares handheld, walk-behind, ride-on, scarifiers, and shot blasters. Learn which grinder is best for your project, budget, and finish requirements.

Top Grinder Types (Quick Summary)

  • Handheld Grinders

    Great for edging and tight corners. Budget-friendly and ideal for quick touch-ups.
  • Walk-Behind Single Head

    Good for light prep, glue removal, and small commercial floors.
  • Planetary Grinders

    High-end machines used for full-scale polishing, surface prep, and smooth finishes.
  • Ride-On Grinders

    Industrial-use machines for warehouses, retail, or massive surface areas.
  • Scarifiers & Shot Blasters

    Heavy-duty removal tools that aggressively profile concrete surfaces.

Our concrete floor grinder comparison chart

Grinder Type Best For Grinding Disc Size Grinding Depth Surface Finish Dust Control Cost per Day (Rental) Cost to Buy (£)
Handheld Concrete Grinder Small areas, edge work, and spot grinding. 5" - 7" disc 1-3mm per pass Rough to semi-smooth Usually requires separate dust shroud. £20 - £50 per day £200 - £600 retail
Walk-Behind Single-Head Grinder Medium-sized floors, removing coatings & light polishing. 10" - 18" disc 3-5mm per pass Semi-smooth to polished Works with dust vacuums. £50 - £150 per day £1,500 - £5,000 retail
Walk-Behind Planetary Grinder Large floors, full polishing jobs & surface prep. 20" - 30" disc 5-8mm per pass High-gloss polished finish Integrated dust collection. £100 - £300 per day £5,000 - £15,000 retail
Ride-On Grinder Massive industrial areas, airports & warehouses. 32" - 48" disc 8-12mm per pass Super smooth, polished or prep for coatings. Fully enclosed vacuum system. £300 - £800 per day £20,000 - £50,000 retail
Concrete Scarifier Roughening concrete, removing coatings & creating texture. 8" - 12" disc Up to 6mm per pass Very rough, aggressive removal. Usually requires vac system. £80 - £250 per day £2,500 - £10,000 retail
Shot Blaster Texturing floors for coatings, epoxy prep. 10" - 20" disc 1-4mm per pass Textured, non-slip profile. Enclosed dust containment. £150 - £400 per day £10,000 - £30,000 retail
What is a concrete grinder used for?
Concrete grinders are used to smooth surfaces, remove coatings or adhesives, prep floors for epoxy, and polish concrete to a high-gloss finish. Different types are suited to different applications.
What’s the difference between a grinder and a polisher?
Grinders use aggressive diamond tools for leveling or removal, while polishers use finer grits to smooth and shine the surface. Planetary machines often do both depending on the tooling.
How deep do concrete grinders cut?
Grinding depth varies by machine type. Handheld units cut around 1–3mm per pass, while ride-on or planetary machines can go 8–12mm or more with the right tooling.
Do I need dust extraction with a grinder?
Yes — grinders create heavy dust. Many have built-in vac ports or come with a separate vacuum system to control debris and meet safety requirements.
Can I use a concrete grinder to remove epoxy or paint?
Yes, a grinder with the right tooling can effectively remove epoxy coatings, paint, and adhesives. Scarifiers or shot blasters are better for thicker materials or heavy-duty prep.

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