Product · Bosch Professional
Bosch GBH 18V-22: compact SDS plus in L-BOXX, bare
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The GBH 18V-22 is Bosch Professional's compact SDS plus rotary hammer, aimed at electricians, kitchen fitters, shopfitters and home renovators who drill lots of small holes in masonry for plugs and fixings. Bosch is unusually specific about its sweet spot: holes from 6 to 10 mm. It is sold without a battery, in an L-BOXX 136. The appeal is a light SDS tool with the safety aids usually found on larger hammers.
- Impact energy
- Not stated
- Concrete capacity
- 10 mm metal (listed)
- Modes
- Not stated
- In the box
- Tool, L-BOXX 136, depth gauge
In its favour
- Vibration Control and KickBack Control are listed to reduce strain and jams.
- Constant speed motor gives more holes per charge, according to Bosch.
- Works with the GDE 18V-12 extractor attachment for cleaner drilling.
Good to know
- No battery or charger in the box, only the tool, case and depth gauge.
- Best suited to holes of 6 to 10 mm, so not the drill for large anchors or cores.
Our take
Features from the listing
Bosch lists a constant speed motor for more holes per charge and continuous power, Vibration Control to absorb pulses through the handle, and KickBack Control to cut the motor if the bit jams. On a tool that may be used at head height or on a ladder, KickBack Control is a genuine safety feature rather than a marketing extra.
The spec table gives up to 1,050 rpm and a weight of 2.3 kg. The 10 mm listed capacities fit Bosch's 6 to 10 mm guidance. The listing does not quote impact energy or number of modes.
Dust and box contents
The drill can work with Bosch's Auto Power GDE 18V-12 or GDE 12 extractor attachments, which collect dust at the bit and switch on with the tool. They are not included but are worth considering for work in occupied homes.
In the box you get the drill, an L-BOXX 136 with a full inlay, a cleaning cloth and a depth gauge. The depth gauge helps you drill every plug hole to the same depth, which stops plugs sinking too far.
Compared with its siblings and rivals
The GBH 18V-22 X is the same class of tool with OneChuck, taking round and hex bits as well as SDS plus. If you often switch to timber or metal, it is the better pick. The Bosch GSB 18V-45 plus GBH 18V-22 kit includes this drill with a combi drill, two 4 Ah packs and a charger, a better route for anyone without Bosch batteries.
Against the DeWalt DCH172D2 at 1.4 J and 16 mm, the Bosch is aimed at a narrower range of hole sizes. For large anchors, the DeWalt DCH263N at 28 mm is the stronger tool.
Not ideal for
Anyone who needs holes above 10 mm regularly, chiselling, or core drilling. Those jobs call for a larger SDS tool.
Verdict
Buy the GBH 18V-22 if you already own Bosch 18 V packs and drill mainly small plug holes in brick and block, with good safety and vibration control. Choose the GBH 18V-22 X for OneChuck flexibility, or the GSB 18V-45 plus GBH 18V-22 kit if you need batteries and a combi drill too.
Compared with alternatives in: Best cordless SDS drills
Amazon listing title: Bosch Professional 18V System Cordless Rotary Hammer GBH 18V-22 (with SDS Plus, Ideal for Drilling 6 mm to 10 mm Holes, Kickback Control and Vibration Control, incl. Inlay, L-BOXX)