Bosch GXL18V-901B25 18V 9-Tool Combo Kit

Happy with everything battery’s last a long time

I’ve been using Ryobi cordless tools forever. It’s always a challenge to switch to a new brand, since it requires investing in a new battery system. In this case, if you’re a Ryobi user, it’s absolutely worth it. The difference in power is absolutely phenomenal on the drill and driver. With a masonry bit, the Bosch drill cut through concrete block like it was butter. Even on a battery that I only charged for five minutes, I had enough high speed power to drill six holes, about 3″ deep, on hammer drill mode, through concrete block, after struggling to drill one hole with my Ryobi for 30 minutes. That alone is enough to make me a 100% convert to Bosch.

Even though I’m ecstatic with the performance of the tools compared to what I’ve been using, some of the tools that are included in the purchase are significantly less valuable to me. The set comes with nine different tools, two batteries and one charger, plus two tool bags to hold them. The reciprocating saw, grinder, circular saw, oscillating tool, drill and driver will get the most use in my house. The work light, while bright, feels like a throwaway – I’m never really working in dark corners – and I already have a shop vac that performs better than the handheld vacuum. It’s convenient and can be used for more than cleaning up sawdust, but it’s not a “must have” on my tool bench. I also don’t really need the blower, though I might change my mind after I use it a few more times to clean up the grass clippings that… someone… leaves in my driveway every. single. time. he. cuts. the. grass. The bags, while nice, have no dividers inside and aren’t very padded. If you put your power tools in them, everything is going to bang up against everything else. However, right now at the Blue home improvement store, to put all of this into my cart without the tool bags, blower, vacuum and lamp, I get a subtotal of $1,022.72 – so even if you don’t necessarily need those tools, this is still a fantastic value at $879 – especially if you get it with the 10% off coupon that’s there right now on March 24, 2023.

If you’re a recent homeowner who plans on DIY’ing your kitchen, Bosch provides better performance than the less expensive Ryobi. This kit would also make a wonderful housewarming give to give a child or grandchild when they’re buying their first home.

Pros:
Convenient
All-In-One
Kit For Anyone
Brushless Motors
Good Performance
Name Recognition = Quality

Cons:
None

What I received in the package:
1 x BOSCH Cordless Reciprocating Saw
1 x BOSCH Cordless Angle Grinder
1 x BOSCH Cordless Oscillating Tool
1 x BOSCH Cordless Blower
1 x BOSCH Cordless Circular Saw
1 x BOSCH Cordless Vacuum
1 x BOSCH Cordless Hammer Drill
1 x BOSCH Cordless Impact Driver
1 x BOSCH Cordless Work Light
1 x BOSCH Charging Station
2 x BOSCH Lithium Batteries
2 x Soft Tool Storage Bags
1 x Set of User Manuals

This BOSCH GX18V-901B25 9-Tool Combo Kit product comes with every basic necessary power tool that you would typically need. I am a DeWalt guy myself but I saw this and wanted to compare it to my DeWalt kit. Bosch has quality name recognition to me and is up there with the DeWalt and Porter Cable products.

Power
So the first thing I noted was that this Bosch kit was using the next generation CORE 18V 4.0Ah Lithium Batteries. The DeWalt kit offers 20V 2.0 Ah Lithium batteries. So while the DeWalt product offers a higher voltage the Bosch batteries have a larger capacity. So the Bosch has a longer uptime of about twice as much with sustained power. Bosch batteries have charge indicators which is a nice feature to see the charge on this at a glance. The Bosch batteries release by pushing in … most brands have a push down button. This makes it a bit more difficult when taking the battery off of the circular saw for instance. That being said, I would give the power nod to Bosch in this category.

Included Equipment
Both kits offer the same power tools with the exception of the DeWalt kit also includes a Work Site Bluetooth Speaker. Each kit comes with a fast charger and two batteries. So I will give have to give the nod to DeWalt in this category. As you get more tools for a lower price.

Price
At the time of this review, the Bosch kit was $879 and the DeWalt kit was $729. That is $150 difference. In which most of the tools are equivalent and you are getting one more tool from DeWalt. DeWalt definitely beat out Bosch for pricing.

Tools
Bosch Impact – 1800 In lbs; 2-In-1 (1/4” & 1/2”) Impact Driver
DeWalt Impact – 1400 In lbs

Bosch Drill/Driver – 20 Setting; Hammer Drill
DeWalt Drill/Driver – 2 Setting; 0 – 1500 RPM

Bosch Oscillating Multi-Tool – Quick Change System; 8000 – 20000 oscillations per minute
DeWalt Oscillating Multi-Tool – Quick Change System; Quick Change System

Bosch Angle Grinder – 4 1/2” face to get into tight spots; 11000 RPM
DeWalt Angle Grinder – 4 1/2” face to get into tight spots; 8000 RPM

Bosch Reciprocating Saw – 1 -1/8” Stroke; 2 Speed; 0 – 2400 SPM; 0 – 2700 SPM
DeWalt Reciprocating Saw – 1 -1/8” Stroke; Variable Speed 0 – 3000

Bosch Circular Saw – 6 1/2”; 3900 RPM; Brake
DeWalt Circular Saw – 6 1/2”; 5150 RPM

The remaining tools (Blower, Vacuum, Light) are standard and are relatively too similar to effectively compare pros and cons. That is with one exception, the blower. The Bosch blower offers air force: 71 CFM and 167 mph. While the DeWalt blower offers air force: 100 CFM and 135 mph. These are roughly similar but the Bosch power cell is just piece that makes it a better choice.

Performance
To my surprise, the Bosch kit actually faired better in head to head specs.
In actual use, I found the Bosch kit to be just a easy to use and effective as the DeWalt kit. In some instances, the Bosch tools offers more power and better options. Bosch products were effective and powerful with an impressive uptime. There was nothing that these tools could not do that my DeWalt brand have. The power was consistent and the torque is there if you needed it. In testing, I performed the standard tests. From ripping boards to cutting through 2 x 4s to plunging door trim to knocking off exposed nails to driving screws and lags. In every test I performed. The Bosch tool was equally capable to my goto DeWalt tools.

The only negatives were the DeWalt tool really beat out the Bosch is the reciprocating saw. The Bosch product has two speeds and is not really variable. The DeWalt reciprocating saw was variable and allows you to slowly attack your intended area at your pace. Variable is a MUST and is a necessity for my needs. This is also one of the only tools that did not beat out the DeWalt just in specifications.

The work light is not my favorite design but it does work. The light itself is quite small compared to the overall body of the tool. The collapsing design I guess is useful for storage but I would not use this light.

The circular saw has a plastic guard. Would not be my choice for durability and lasting strength. A quality saw needs a quality guard for MY protection. I would not compromise my safety for a lighter tool. I would not use this saw just for that reason. It also offers a mediocre 3900 RPM. Just an underwhelming but average tool IMO.

All of the tools that required a blade came with one blade with the exception of the angle grinder which did not. All tools also came individually packed. The bags are quality and durable and should hold all the tools for some time without being punctured. I would watch sharp edges though. Like spare blades.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this. All in all, this is a very usable kit. While a battery operated power tool is not always what you need to reach for. It is becoming more common than it used too. This set of battery operated power tools stands head to head with any brand I would use. The overall kit is one of the most expensive. In my research only surpassed in cost by the Makita Combo Kit but that also has also more tools. The tools in this kit do offer larger capacity batteries and are on the whole more powerful tools. But there is still room for improvement. Hope this information was helpful. [4 Stars]