The 8 Best Grout Removal Tools

Best Overall

Dremel MM500 1/8-Inch Grout Blade

$22 at Amazon $25 $22 at Walmart $35 at Lowes

Many DIYers and crafts-enthusiasts already have a Dremel Multi-Max, which is a small oscillating power tool designed to hold a wide variety of different types of attachments for cutting, grinding, sanding, and various other workshop needs. One such attachment is the Dremel MM500 1/8-Inch Grout Blade. While it's designed for the Multi-Max, it can also be used with many other brands of oscillating tools, including Bosch, Milwaukee, Ryobi, Craftsman, Skil, and Ridgid.

Specifically designed to grind through and remove grout, this carbide blade attachment takes our top spot thanks to its high-speed capabilities. Its extremely rapid oscillations–tiny side-to-side motions–quickly cut into grout lines between tiles to remove the grout right up to the wall or corner, and it does so neatly and without much effort from you. That means a lot less stress on your hands, wrists, and arms.

At just 1/8-inch thick, the Dremel MM500 removes grout without damaging the tile–an important factor when you just want to replace the grout, not the tile. Note that an oscillating blade like this one works best for long lines of grout where you can move quickly along a continuous line, rather than surfaces with a lot of zigs and zags between tiles.

_{Power Source: Electric | Attachment for Power Tool: Yes, oscillating tool | Best Uses: All types of grout removal}

Best Value

Allway Soft Grip Grout & Caulk Removal Tool

$7 at Amazon

If you are planning a small, one-time grout removal project—maybe you just want to freshen up the grout around some kitchen counter tiles or repair damaged grout around the tiles circling the shower drain—then this simple grout removal tool is all you'll need. It's basically a steel hook with a pointed tip for gouging into relatively thick lines of grout, then using a little muscle power to scrape and lift the grout away from the tile.

The metal hook is seated in a plastic handle that is shaped to fit nicely into your grip, and there's a little bit of cushioning to help ward off fatigue and hand pain. A hole at the handle's base lets you slip the tool over a hanging hook when you're finished. You could also use the tool to scrape out old caulk around a bathtub, toilet, or sink. While this isn't the tool for a big grout job, it's adequate for those small repair projects that crop up occasionally, and it's certainly reasonably priced.

_{Power Source: Manual | Attachment for Power Tool: No | Best Uses: Small areas on horizontal surfaces}

Best Electric

Regrout Tool Electric Grout Removal Tool

$49 at Amazon View on Regrouttool.com

If you don’t already own or want to buy a reciprocating saw or oscillating tool, but still prefer a grout remover driven by electricity rather than your own muscle power, then the Regrout Tool Electric Grout Remover is worth considering. This single-purpose electric grout remover includes two grout bits–one point and one chisel–for use in grout lines up to 1/8-inch thick. With a maximum speed of 7,100 rpm, as well as two lower-speed settings for detail work, you’ll get the job done quickly and without breaking a sweat.

But where the Regrout Tool really shines is in working around oddly shaped tiles–even round tiles–corners, counter caps, or other spots where a larger attachment wouldn’t easily fit or maneuver. Plus, the electric device creates very little grout dust, which is a big plus when working in a bathroom or other low-ventilation area. Use it for removing grout on kitchen counters, backsplashes, vanities, and bathtubs. While it might take a few minutes of practice to fully get the hang of it, you'll soon be removing grout like a pro.

_{Power Source: Electric | Attachment for Power Tool: No, self-contained | Best Uses: Corners and oddly shaped tiled areas}

Best for Reciprocating Saws

Spyder Grout-Out Multi-Blade Set

$16 $13 at Amazon $22 at Walmart $9 at Ace Hardware

Here’s one more power-tool attachment to simplify your larger grout-removal projects. The Spyder Grout-Out Multi-Blade is a single-edge cutting attachment that works with any reciprocating saw. Unlike oscillating tools, which vibrate extremely rapidly in a side-to-side pattern, reciprocating saws work in a back-and-forth motion, providing heavy-duty power to muscle through even large areas of tough grout, all while sparing your hands and wrists a lot of wear-and-tear.

The sawing motion of the blade makes it a little easier to use than an oscillating tool when removing grout from tiles that aren’t rectangular or square. Plus, as a general rule, reciprocating blades produce much less dust than most other types of grout-removing tools, although, of course, you should still wear eye protection and a dust mask when using the saw.

The attachment includes two blades: one 1/16-inch blade and one 3/16-inch blade. Both are made from carbon steel with a carbide grit edge for maximum ability to chew through even tough epoxy or urethane grout. Use the tool carefully, though, as otherwise, you might scratch nearby tiles.

_{Power Source: Electric | Attachment for Power Tool: Yes, reciprocating saw | Best Uses: All types of grout removal, heavy-duty projects}

Best Grout Saw

M-D Building Products Heavy Duty Tile Grout Saw

$15 $14 at Amazon $19 at Walmart View on Hardwareworld.com

This isn’t the right choice for large projects, but if you just want to scrape away the grout from between a few broken tiles slated for replacement or remove chipped grout from a small counter or wall before regrouting the space, the M-D Building Products Heavy-Duty Grout Saw gets the job done, albeit with some effort on your part.

With a double blade, the tool acts something like a reciprocating saw, only powered with your own muscles instead of electricity. Basically, you saw back and forth through the grout until it’s all removed. The tool’s rubber-contoured handle has an ergonomic shape for comfortable holding, and it's long enough so that you can grasp it in both hands for a little extra oomph.

The double steel blades include one with deep serrations and one with carbide bits for extra effectiveness. Use both blades in tandem for most projects, but if working with very thin grout lines, you can remove the serrated blade to thin the tool down.

_{Power Source: Manual | Attachment for Power Tool: No | Best Uses: Small areas only}

Best for Small Walls

Coitak Angled Grout Saw

$9 at Amazon

If you just want to remove some grungy grout from your shower stall, and are willing to put in a little elbow grease, there’s no need to break out a power tool. Instead, reach for the Coitak Angled Grout Saw, which is easy to use while working on a vertical surface. The tool is basically a small steel saw assembly–you get three blades–mounted on a sturdy plastic handle that’s angled so you can hold it comfortably and work without bumping your knuckles against the wall. This definitely isn't for clearing large stretches of grout, but it's perfect for removing the grout on a small section of shower stall walls, counters, or other tiled surfaces.

The Coitak Angled Grout Saw is 5.3 inches along the straight part of the handle, with an additional 3.75 inches of angled handle, so even large hands should easily be able to hold it comfortably. It has a hanging hole at the base of the handle, so you can hang it on a hook in your workshop, where it will be easy to find the next time you need it.

_{Power Source: Manual | Attachment for Power Tool: No | Best Uses: Small areas of vertical surfaces}

Best for Small Counters

QEP 10020 Grout Removal Tool

$14 $10 at Amazon $30 at Walmart $13 at Home Depot

While this isn’t the tool for major projects, such as removing all the grout from a large counter in preparation for laying new tile, it’s perfect when you just want to scrape away some old grout around a few tiles, or even remove all the grout on a small counter. You could also use it to scrape and lift away old caulk around tubs, sinks, or toilets.

Although admittedly your arms and hands are going to get a workout, the QEP Grout Removal Tool’s rubber grip, with its comfortable, ergonomic design, helps to reduce hand fatigue as much as possible. But it’s the business end of the tool that gets the job done quite effectively.

The triangular carbide steel blade tip is held in place with a screw, which is easily removed so you can rotate the tip to whichever of the three sides best suits the grout-line you’re working on. Each side is a slightly different size, including 1/16-inch, 1/8-inch, and 3/16-inch, so you can tackle just about any situation.

_{Power Source: Manual | Attachment for Power Tool: No | Best Uses: Small areas on horizontal surfaces}

Best for Rotary Tools

Dremel Rotary Tool Grout Removal Attachment

$30 at Amazon View on Zoro.com $24 at Ace Hardware

If you have a Dremel rotary tool, including the 3000, 4000, and 8000 series models, then you can turn the tool into a grout remover by adding the Dremel Rotary Tool Grout Removal Attachment 568-01. This is a 2-piece kit that includes a guide with a 30-degree angle attached to your rotary tool. It helps keep your tool steady and on target. You also get the Dremel 1/16-inch carbide grout removal bit, which is a good size for removing grout on both vertical and horizontal surfaces. If you have thicker grout lines, however, you can purchase the 1/8-inch bit separately.

The attachment works best for stretches of grout that are flat—it's a bit tricky if you need to work around corners, tight edges, or oddly shaped areas. But if you need to remove grout on a stretch of countertop, tub or shower surround, tiled floor, or kitchen backsplash, then this tool can make your task much easier.

_{Power Source: Electric | Attachment for Power Tool: Yes, rotary tool | Best Uses: All types of grout removal, flat surfaces without corners}