Bosch 18V Compact Brushless 1/2 In. Drill/Driver Kit GSR18V-400B12 Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
| Awards |  Best Budget Drill |  Best Drill For Most People | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $125 List Check Price at Amazon | $120 List Check Price at Amazon | $159 List | $119 List Check Price at Amazon | $47 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Battery life and solid performance make this a good choice for average homeowner tasks | This drill contains potent power in a compact package, especially for a 20-volt model | This heavier drill toes the line between budget and brawny | While being absolutely amazing at driving in fasteners, the below average battery life of the DCD771C2 precluded it from winning an award | Inexpensive and only suitable for light duty jobs |
| Rating Categories | Bosch 18V Compact Br... | Dewalt Atomic 20-Vol... | Ryobi One+ HP 18V Br... | DeWalt 20V Max Compa... | Avid Power 20V Max A... |
| Drilling (30%) | |||||
| Driving (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Battery Life (5%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Specifications | Bosch 18V Compact Br... | Dewalt Atomic 20-Vol... | Ryobi One+ HP 18V Br... | DeWalt 20V Max Compa... | Avid Power 20V Max A... |
| Battery Voltage | 18V | 20V | 18V | 20V | 20V |
| Motor Type | Brushless | Brushless | Brushless | Brushed | Brushed |
| Measured Weight | 2.8 lb | 3.2 lb | 3.9 lb | 3.5 lb | 1.5 lb |
| Five Inch Hole Saw Test | 56 seconds | 21 seconds | 17 seconds | 46 seconds | 112 seconds |
| Lag Screw Test | 3.4 in | 4.8 in | 5.0 in | 5.0 in | 1.8 in |
| Max Chuck | 1/2 in | 1/2 in | 1/2 in | 1/2 in | 3/8 in |
| Included Battery Pack(s) | 2.0 Ah | 2.0 Ah | 4.0 Ah Tested with 2.0 Ah |
1.3 Ah | 2.0 Ah |
| Manufacturer Peak Torque | 400 in-lbs | 404 UWO | 850 In-lbs | 300 in-lbs | 280 in-lbs |
| Measured Charge Time | 63 min | 47 min | 63 min | 58 min | 185 min |
| Measured Length | 6.3 in | 5.9 in | 7.2 in | 8.4 in | 7.0 in |
| Clutch Settings | 20 | 15 | 23 | 16 | 15 |
| Manufacturer Stated RPM | Low: 0 - 500 High: 0 - 1900 |
Low: 0 - 450 High: 0 - 1650 |
Low: 0 - 700 High: 0 - 2150 |
Low: 0 - 450 High: 0 - 1800 |
0 - 550 |
| Drill Model Tested | GSR18V-400 | DCD794 | PBLDD02 | DCD771 | ACD316 |
| Box Model (Kit) Tested | GSR18V-400B12 | DCD794D1 | PBLDD02K1 | DCD771C2 | ACD316 |
| Battery Indicator Location | Battery | Battery | Battery | N/A | Battery |
| LED Location | Above the battery | Above the battery | Above the battery | Above the trigger | Above the battery |
| Included Belt Clip | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Our Analysis and Test Results
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
—Austin Palmer, Benjamin Hickok
