Comparison
Bosch Professional vs Makita cordless tools
Published
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In short
Both make excellent cordless tools, so choose on the platform. Bosch Professional (blue) 18 V batteries are shared with other brands through AMPShare, and Bosch is strong on drills, SDS and measuring tools. Makita LXT has one of the widest 18 V ranges, especially in garden tools, and runs bigger tools on two 18 V packs. Bosch green tools are a separate home range.
Bosch Professional
Bosch GSB 18V-45: 920 g brushless kit for home jobs
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkMakita
Makita DHP453RFE: classic LXT combi with 3 Ah packs
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- Bosch GSB 18V-45: 920 g brushless kit for home jobs
- Voltage
- 18 V
- Max torque
- 45 Nm
- Weight
- 920 g
- Batteries in box
- 2 x 2.0 Ah
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Makita DHP453RFE: classic LXT combi with 3 Ah packs
- Voltage
- 18 V
- Max torque
- 42 Nm
- Weight
- 1.8 kg
- Batteries in box
- 2 x 3.0 Ah
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| Product | Voltage | Max torque | Weight | Batteries in box | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch GSB 18V-45: 920 g brushless kit for home jobs | 18 V | 45 Nm | 920 g | 2 x 2.0 Ah | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Makita DHP453RFE: classic LXT combi with 3 Ah packs | 18 V | 42 Nm | 1.8 kg | 2 x 3.0 Ah | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.
Our verdict
Pick Bosch Professional, for example the GSB 18V-45 kit, if you want a light brushless drill and access to AMPShare partner tools. Pick Makita LXT, for example the DHP453RFE kit, if you want one battery for a broad range of house and garden tools.
Bosch and Makita are two of the most common names on UK tool shelves, and both sell everything from compact drills to table saws. The choice is less about one drill against another and more about which battery family you will build on. This comparison covers the battery systems, the ranges, a pair of home drill kits from each brand and the Bosch colour coding that confuses many buyers.
Bosch blue, Bosch green and Makita
Bosch sells two ranges. Bosch Professional tools are blue and aimed at trades. Bosch home and garden tools are green and aimed at DIY. They use different marketing, warranty terms and sometimes different battery families, so check which range a tool belongs to before you buy. This article focuses on Bosch Professional, which competes directly with Makita.
Makita sells one main 18 V range, LXT, in its familiar teal colour, plus a 40 V max XGT range and a 12 V max CXT range with different batteries.
Battery platforms
Bosch Professional 18 V batteries belong to AMPShare, a partnership in which a number of other brands build tools that take the same packs. Bosch listings state that the packs and chargers work across the Bosch Professional 18 V system and many AMPShare partner tools. That widens the range, especially for specialist trade tools.
Makita LXT is a single brand system with a very large range of its own. Larger Makita tools often take two 18 V packs at once, which lets you run a plunge saw or SDS drill on the same batteries as your drill. See how to choose a battery platform and are tool batteries interchangeable.
10-cell packs: two strings of five in parallel, still 18 V, double the Ah. Wh = V x Ah.
Two home drill kits side by side
Both kits below come with two batteries, a charger and a case, which suits someone starting a platform. Figures are from the listings.
| Bosch GSB 18V-45 kit | Makita DHP453RFE | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Brushless hammer drill (combi) | Combi drill |
| Max torque | 45 Nm | 42 Nm |
| Chuck | 13 mm metal | 13 mm keyless |
| Torque settings | Not stated in listing | 16 |
| Weight listed | 920 g | 1.8 kg |
| Batteries | 2 x 2 Ah | 2 x 3 Ah |
| Case | L-Case | Carry case |
Range strengths
Bosch Professional is strong in drills and SDS drills, impact drivers, multi-tools with Starlock blades and measuring tools such as laser levels. Bosch designed the Starlock multi-tool fitting, which many brands now use; see multi-tool blade fittings.
Makita LXT covers drills, drivers, saws, grinders and a very wide garden range, from mowers to blowers, on the same 18 V packs. If you want one battery for house and garden, Makita is hard to beat. Its compact brushless drills are light, as in the Makita LXT drill comparison.
Warranty, support and buying tips
Both brands offer extended UK warranties when you register a tool within a set time after purchase. Terms differ by range, change over time and may treat batteries differently, so check the brand's UK site before you buy. Keep receipts and register promptly.
Buy from reputable sellers to avoid copies; see how to spot fake Makita and DeWalt tools, as similar fakes exist for other brands.
Note:Only use genuine or maker approved batteries and chargers. Unapproved adapters and cheap copy packs may lack protection circuits and can overheat.
Which platform suits which buyer
If you are a homeowner who wants a drill, a multi-tool and perhaps a cordless SDS drill, both brands will serve you well, and the choice can come down to feel and kit price on the day. If you also want garden tools on the same batteries, look closely at Makita. If you are a trade who uses specialist tools from partner brands, AMPShare may tip the balance to Bosch Professional.
Hold both drills if you can. Grip shape and balance vary, and a tool that feels right is one you will reach for. Think about the next five tools you want, then check that each is available in the UK on the platform you pick.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bosch blue better than Bosch green? Blue Bosch Professional tools are built for trade use with different warranty terms. Green Bosch tools suit lighter DIY. Both can be good choices for home use.
Do Bosch batteries fit Makita tools? No. They use different battery fittings. Adapters exist but can bypass safety features and may void warranties.
Which is better for garden tools? Makita LXT has a particularly broad garden range on its 18 V packs. Check the specific tools you need.
Which brand makes lighter drills? Both have light compact models. Compare listed weights with the battery you will use.
What you need
- Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
Bosch GSB 18V-45: 920 g brushless kit for home jobs
- Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
DeWalt DCD996P2: 95 Nm, three speeds, two 5 Ah packs
- Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
Makita DDF486RTJ: 130 Nm drill driver, 2 x 5 Ah