Product · Bosch Professional
Bosch GSB 18V-45: 920 g brushless kit for home jobs
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The GSB 18V-45 is Bosch Professional's entry point to the 18 V system, aimed at home owners and light trade users who want a proper brushless hammer drill without the bulk of a site tool. Its standout is the head length of only 174 mm and a listed weight of 920 g, which make it one of the lighter 18 V combi drills in our guides while still offering a 13 mm metal chuck and AMPShare battery compatibility.
- Voltage
- 18 V
- Max torque
- 45 Nm
- Weight
- 920 g
- Batteries in box
- 2 x 2.0 Ah
In its favour
- At 920 g with a 174 mm head length, the listing describes one of the lightest 18 V drills here.
- Brushless motor and a 13 mm metal chuck are listed, so bits hold firmly.
- AMPShare batteries also fit tools from several other brands in the alliance.
Good to know
- Single speed only according to the listing, so slow driving of large screws needs a gentle trigger.
- Two 2.0 Ah packs are enough for home jobs but small for long sessions.
Our take
Key numbers from the listing
Bosch quotes 45 Nm hard torque and up to 1,900 rpm from a brushless motor. The spec table lists one speed. A 13 mm metal chuck is a step up from the plastic sleeves on budget drills, and Bosch says it improves torque transfer, which in plain terms means less bit slip when the drill is working hard.
Drilling capacity is listed as 13 mm for both wood and metal. That is a modest wood figure, so this is a drill for pilot holes, wall plugs and cabinet fixings rather than large spade bits.
Single speed in daily use
Most combi drills have two mechanical gears. With only one, you rely on the variable trigger for slow work. For screws this is workable, but when driving long screws or turning large bits you will need a gentle finger. It is the main compromise of keeping the tool so small.
Batteries and the AMPShare system
The kit includes two 2.0 Ah packs, a GAL 18V-20 charger and an L-case. Small packs keep the drill light but give limited run time on a long day. The benefit, according to Bosch, is that they slot into any Bosch Professional 18 V tool and many AMPShare partner tools, so a larger pack bought later will also fit.
Against the Makita DHP453RFE, which offers 42 Nm and two 3 Ah packs, the Bosch is slightly stronger and lighter, but has smaller batteries. The DeWalt DCD799P2T has more torque at 74 Nm and two 5 Ah packs, so it suits heavier jobs.
Who should skip it
Anyone planning to bore large holes in joists, fit decking or drill lots of hard engineering brick will outgrow it. The DeWalt DCD996P2 with 95 Nm and three gears is a better fit for that sort of work.
Verdict
Buy the GSB 18V-45 if you want a light, compact 18 V hammer drill for household fixing and you like the reach of the AMPShare battery system. If you need more torque or bigger packs, look at the DeWalt DCD799P2T, or the Makita DHP453RFE if you want slightly larger batteries in a similar class.
Compared with alternatives in: Best combi drills for home DIY, Best combi drill kits with batteries and charger
Amazon listing title: Bosch Professional GSB 18V-45 18V System Cordless Hammer Drill (Speed 1,900 min-¹, Includes 2X 2.0Ah Battery, GAL 18V-20, L-Case)