REASONS TO BUY
Compact
Metal ratcheting chuck
Great battery life
Includes soft case
REASONS TO AVOID
Trouble with very high torque situations
Strange jaw design leads to uncentered bits
Bosch 18V Compact Brushless 1/2 In. Drill/Driver Kit GSR18V-400B12 Review
A great drill for medium duty projects with a great battery life
Credit: Matt Lighthart
By Austin Palmer ⋅ Senior Review Analyst ⋅ March 7, 2024
Contributions From: Benjamin Hickok
RELATED: The Best Drills of 2025
Our Verdict
The Bosch 18V Compact is a capable drill driver, best suited for lighter to medium-duty tasks. It is a little lighter and more compact than many other models, and its battery life will let you get plenty done between charging cycles. Still, it was outshined by stronger drilling and driving performances from other models that aren't much more expensive. If you are already a Bosch tool owner and have interchangeable Bosch batteries, we don't think this is a bad choice for less demanding tasks, but we think it would be worth considering a handful of other models for more demanding jobs.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Bosch 18V Compact Brushless 1-2 In. Drill-Driver Kit is a decent offering from Bosch.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Drilling
The Bosch 18V performed well overall when it comes to drilling. It only required 56 seconds to bore a hole through a door using a hole saw, which it did in the low-speed, high-torque setting, as the high-speed setting lacks the torque required to complete the task. In our second test of the metric, this model drilled a 1" hole through 2" thick lumber using a spade bit without issues. Like the aforementioned test, it completed the task using the low-speed high torque setting, as the torque did not suffice at high speed. The Bosch 18V demonstrated decent performance drilling holes in steel, whether we were using smaller or medium-sized bits.
The Bosch 18V Compact Brushless 1/2 In. Drill/Driver getting the task done.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Driving
Unfortunately, the Bosch 18V Compact was not able to completely drive a lag screw and tapped out with just over one and a half inches to go with the high torque setting. However, it did a solid job of setting standard deck screws flush to the surface of our test lumber. The screws were mostly flush, but getting perfection was a slight struggle for the Bosch as it lacked the torque to set perfectly flush screws repeatedly.
This was not the most capable driver, we tested, but is be suitable for most jobs.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Battery Life
The battery life of the Bosch 18V Compact Brushless is quite good, and you can expect to get nearly as much done as the top models before recharging. Charging a 2-amp-hour battery also only takes 63 minutes and is one of the faster charging rates for this type that we've seen.
This model offers exceptional battery life.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Convenience
The compact 6 ΒΌ inch size, combined with the comfortable ergonomics of the Bosch 18V, helps make it a convenient model to use. As you might expect from a compact model, it is also on the lighter end at 2 pounds 12.8 ounces compared to many of the other models our team tested. Two speed settings, a work light, a half-inch chuck, and a belt clip are fairly standard. Batteries are relatively simple to swap. However, our testers were not fans of a strange jaw design that doesn't seem to add any holding improvements and makes it easier to inadvertently secure smaller bits at an angle or out of center.
The Bosch utilizes a ratcheting chuck that is easy to use.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Buy the Bosch 18V Compact Brushless 1/2 In. Drill/Driver Kit?
While the Bosch 18V Compact 1/2 In. Drill/Driver Kit GSR18V-400B12 is a decent option for light or medium-duty tasks; there are a few drills that offer a fairly significant step up in performance without being prohibitively more expensive. Therefore, we can't recommend the Bosch over better options.
What Other Drill Driver Should You Consider?
If budget is a concern, then the Craftsman V20 1/2-In. Drill/Driver Kit CMCD700C1 is a safe bet, as it offers similar drilling performance and better driving performance at about a 20 percent discount to the Bosch. If budget is not a concern, and you are interested in a tool, battery, and charger combo, then we strongly urge you to consider the Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless Drill KXDD 1424A-03.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Bosch 18V Compact Brushless 1/2 In. Drill/Driver Kit GSR18V-400B12 versus top competing products:
—Austin Palmer, Benjamin Hickok
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