Bosch has launched a new line of 18V cordless outdoor power tools, and at least one of them – a leaf blower – will be available in the USA.
The European tool brand is no stranger to cordless OPE products – we reported on Bosch’s dual battery mower back in 2015.
In the years since then, Bosch refrained from joining competitors and has not brought cordless outdoor power tools or lawn and garden equipment to the US market.
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Bosch USA has posted a new listing on their website for an 18V battery-powered cordless blower, indicating that their long absence from North America is about to change.
The new Bosch 18V cordless blower, GBL18V-450N, will be part of their ProFactor line of premium power tools, and is advertised as delivering “corded performance.”
The Bosch GBL18V-450N Professional blower features a BiTurbo brushless motor with an axial fan design, and can deliver 459 CFM and a max air speed of 123 mph.
It has a control wheel for adjusting the air speed, allowing users to choose between maximum power or lower noise and longer runtime.
A trigger lock-on button offers convenience but also still allows for air speed adjustment.
- 459 CFM max air volume
- 123 mph max air speed
- 64 dB noise rating
- Air speed control wheel
- 8,000-20,800 RPM
- Weighs 6.6 lbs (presumably without battery)
- 33.6″ length with nozzle tube
- Twist-and-click nozzle attachment
Bosch recommends that the blower be paired with their 18V 8Ah or 12Ah batteries for maximum performance.
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Pricing information is not yet available.
Thank you to Ken for the tip!!
Discussion
Bosch brought additional 18V cordless outdoor power tools to the European market.
At this time, their USA website only lists the cordless blower, but it’s possible we could see the hedge trimmer, string trimmers, and mower launch here as well.
Where?
Most cordless outdoor power tool brands have partnered with a retail home improvement center, aiding their visibility and availability.
Lowe’s has Craftsman, Kobalt, and Skil, plus EGO and others outside of the handheld power tool space.
Home Depot, Lowe’s top competitor, carries Dewalt, Milwaukee, and Ryobi cordless power tool systems and OPE products, plus a line of Ridgid cordless OPE products online.
Bosch’s biggest big box home center retailer is Lowe’s.
We have yet to see any AmpShare products, advertisements, or promotions at Lowe’s stores, despite Bosch making major announcements about cross-brand adoption and USA availability one year ago.
A leaf blower is a good start, I suppose.
Bosch has not made any announcements about the new blower that’s featured on their website, giving us no insights as to their plans or intentions.
Skeptics might question whether the listing for the blower is a mistake. The model number is GBL18V-450N Professional, with the “450” part referencing the “exceeds 450 CFM” product performance claim. CFM units are used in the USA, while cubic meters are used for blowers marketed in Europe and other markets.
A nearly identical EU model, GBL 18V-750 PROFESSIONAL, delivers air volume of 780 cubic meters, which converts to 459 CFM. The EU model delivers 198 km/hr max air speed, which converts to 123 mph, the same as is advertised for the US model. Thus, the GBL18V-450N is named for the US market and appears to be functionally* (but not quite cosmetically) identical to the GBL 18V-750 sold overseas.
*Note: Ken brings up in the comments that the EU version doesn’t have a locking-on feature.
I expect to see the blower at independent and online dealers, such as Amazon, but hope for broader availability.
It doesn’t make sense that Bosch would launch just one outdoor power tool here, but they also could just be testing the waters.
Jason
I could see this being a play at Menards which has a bit more Bosch 18v adoption.
Was hoping Husqvarna might bring their 18V that uses Bosch batteries internationally as it makes a bit more sense but it’s a start.
Jared
I see a blower as a sort of crossover tool between OPE and regular power tools. Maybe that’s just because I don’t use my blower for yard care – whereas a string trimmer and mower only have the one application. A blower seems handy to clean up a dusty garage, air dry your car, sweep a sidewalk and myriad of other tasks.
Basically, I’m wondering whether this is really a prelude to things to come – or just a one-off introduction because Bosch realized the blower would sell.
Munklepunk
95% is what I use my leaf blower for is sawdust.
Hon Cho
Changes in the OPE market are happening fast. Many people with smaller yards and less demanding needs are very happy with cordless OPE. The transition to cordless is creating lots of opportunities and that’s why companies like Ego, Greenworks, others and now Bosch are jumping in to the marketplace, even if only dipping their toes gently in.
Bonnie
Absolutely. With our 1/8th acre suburban house years ago there was already zero reason to need gas powered lawn tools, I could get by with battery powered OPE. These days even my 2-acres out in the country I could almost swing going fully battery powered but it was just barely out of reach when I was shopping for a riding mower a couple years ago, and everything small than the mower are fully electric.
Eric
I can foresee their mower named “Decapitator” or “Slicer”
Jared
Ha
Peter
Haha!
So glad they dropped that nonsense or didi they?
A-A-Ron
Pretty sure they dropped it. Amateur hour twentysomethings that probably never used a power tool in their life trying to appeal to the same demographic. It made Bosch look like a joke.
Jody
” doesn’t make sense that Bosch.. .”
Bosch north american division can be summed up like that unfortunately.
KG21Unth
LOL. So true.
Stephen
Finally, although I suspect for the Bosch die-hards this may be too late. I gave up waiting on Bosch importing their 18V OPE years ago and got some Milwaukee 18V gear.
The blower’s specs are comparable to the M18 single-battery blower. I assume battery life would be similar as well. My M18 blower chews through a 5.0Ah battery, which is barely enough capacity for my modest driveway, walkway and patio.
Chris
I gave up and bought an inexpensive Ryobi blower and trimmer set this spring. What a bummer.
Chris
What could Bosch possibly bring to the table that other brands haven’t already provided?
You know it won’t be price.
This company never seems to want to be first at anything and would prefer to wither on an end cap at Lowes.
Is this because they rely on their name to carry them through everything?
They are no different than Makita to me in the US market. A presence that we are aware of but nothing compared to how they are in other countries. What is the point?
Bonnie
Makita with less breadth, and feels like even less marketing somehow. I know there are die-hard fans of the tools, and they do make good power tools still, but I really just associate them more with dishwashers than anything else at this point.
Chris
I agree, they do make good core tools (drill, impact, saw, etc) and if that’s all you need, great. But I can’t recommend a battery platform like bosch just like I can’t recommend Metabo, flex, kobalt, ridgid, makita, hart, skil, or any other brand that seems to put little effort in further development. Milwaukee, Dewalt, ryobi, and maybe craftsman (seems like they got all of dewalts old tool molds and copied an almost identical product line) keep putting out new or improved tools on a regular basis.
Luis
Bosch has been making a slow comeback for the last 3 years and they cover many segments. Other than OPE, a cordless ratchet, a fan and a cordless straight die grinder (they sell a couple in Europe) I can’t think about any segment they don’t participate in.
Ryobi and Craftsman have the innovation or are backed up by a big company to share their old models and wrap them in a new color but you won’t find the sustained performance nor longevity of a PRO brand. You won’t find an SDS Max rotary hammer either, Craftsman is missing many cordless tools like a die grinder, planer, band saw.
Bosch now has many tools to choose from but don’t expect to find more than half of them in Lowe’s or Menards. Go to their website, Acme, CPO outlets and you’ll be much better served
Stephen
Bosch Tools is a small part of a huge, diverse, multinational Bosch company that dips their toes in many different fields: automotive parts, services, healthcare, home appliances, industrial technology, and energy technologies. Perhaps their Tools division gets the short end of the straw sometimes.
As opposed to other large competitors like TTI and Stanley-Black & Decker, which focus almost completely on tools and home appliances.
Michael F
I think the comparison between Bosch and Makita from a corporate strategy and marketing perspective is apt. Both seem to be unwilling to spend the energy and capital required to hold their positions in North America and both seem to be completely without marketing or product strategy. However, from a lineup perspective, Makita blows Bosch away especially from the perspective of OPE. I just switched to Makita XGT OPE (21″ commercial mower, blower, and powerhead with string trimmer) from a combination of Milwaukee M18 (blower and powerhead/trimmers) and Kobalt 80V (mower). The Makita XGT OPE is just incredible. I expected the XGT mower to be better than the 80V Kobalt, but I wasn’t expecting the XGT blower and trimmer to be so much higher quality and performance than the Milwaukee M18 counterparts.
Tony
Thanks for the article. I love my Bosch power tools, but I’m already invested in the Ryobi platform for my Cordless Outdoor Power Equipment that I use to manage my small sized yard. It seems like it’s already a crowded market for OPE, and Bosch seems (regrettably) late to the game.
Nate
This. I have the Ryobi 40v line (chainsaw, polesaw, hedge trimmer). I am quite impressed with their quality. I also think that OPE is a place where I am willing to go with “good enough”, and that OPE (other than leaf blowers) Leibes a fairly hard life with wet grass, accidental rock strikes, etc. great place for Ryobi, which I expect to be able to replace quickly and fairly inexpensively when it wears out.
Frank D
It will not matter, they are several years too late. Only people who run Bosch exclusively might pick up an outdoor tool. I love my Bosch tools but my electric garden tools have been a growing collection of lime green for a few years.
Hon Cho
Bosch may be entering the USA market with too little, but I don’t think they’re too late. The cordless OPE market is still gaining steam. California’s ban on most new under 25hp internal combustion engine powered equipment has taken about 12% of the U.S. population into the cordless zone for all new smaller OPE (save chain saws over 45cc and maybe a few other specialized tools) . I don’t like bans on ICE equipment but I’m only one person swimming against the tide and other states are likely to follow California’s lead on banning small internal combustion engines.
In any case, I don’t think anyone should say it’s too late for Bosch (or other players). There are plenty of smaller OPE vendors that have niche market segments and are not found in Lowes or Home Depot.
Nate
I am not always a fan of ICE bans, but I am fairly happy that many of my neighbors (and us) have moved to battery powered OPE. Everything is quieter and cleaner. Frankly, unless folks have a large property or are cutting down a large tree, OPE is sufficient for most uses. ICE yard equipment also emits more pollutants than modern vehicles.
James
They don’t care about being late. They are consistently quality and people will buy.
I might pick up the blower.,,I have a Milwaukee blower in my shed that I throw in the truck sometimes but my wife gets sensitive about me taking the “home tools” 🙂
I was going to get another Milwaukee but I like splitting my high draw tools between Bosch and M18 as it helps me have more fresh batteries on hand.
Ken
Stuart, you mentioned that the US and EU models are “functionally identical”, but it appears to me this is not quite true. After comparing photos, the US model appears to have a trigger lock that the EU model lacks. I don’t recall seeing a Bosch tool that had a functional difference between EU and US releases before, so the cosmetic and functional difference in the blower is kind of strange.
Also, I just noticed that the Bosch website specs state:
Battery Backpack Included : NO
Why is that specification even listed since Bosch doesn’t offer a battery backpack? My only guess is that they have one in the works. Now *that* would be a notable difference from many other 18V blowers.
And why is this Bosch blower so heavy at 6.6 lbs? My 24V Kobalt (Chervon) is 500cfm/120mph and only 3.7lbs bare tool, and the Milwaukee is 450cfm/120mph and 4.9lbs.
Stuart
That could be a difference. Thanks – I added a note about this in the post.
Generally, except for cosmetics and perhaps finer details like a locking-on switch (I didn’t fact-check you on this yet), the blowers appear to be closely co-developed.
My point is that the -450 model is inarguably designated for the US market, in case anyone expressed doubt that it’s really launching here.
Anthony
it would have to beat my ego which I already invested in…if I could have gotten a Bosch weed Wacker and blower I might have bought them instead
Michael F
I think this will be welcome to anyone who already runs Bosch tools. A blower is such a useful tool for many things outside of landscaping that I can see anyone invested in the platform picking it up.
kri
Bosch green has made garden power tools for years . Bosch Blue pro made lawn mower few years ago that was 36 volt only tool i seen that used Bosch green battery .
But the main thing is the procore batterys that uses 21700 batterys instead og old bosch pro batterys that used 18650cells. And they are starting to do 2X18 packs for 36volt least on the mover and few saws. think battery power was the issue that they did not start this selling this before Bosch pro. i bought makita garden tools splitshafts 2 years ago im in europe so they are late to game thats for sure. Do they not sell bosch green in the states ?
Michael F
They did not sell Bosch outdoor power equipment in the US until this blower.
kri
the us version leaf blower is 64 dB and euro model 82dB clearly not the same tool
kri
Euro 96dB sorry
CoBlue
96dB seemed a little high, so I checked the German manual and it is indeed rated as 82dB(A).
64dB would be quiet enough to use under (nearly?) every leaf blower ban, so it is a desirable target. But that’s a pretty big difference. It could be in quiet mode, or perhaps the lower value is when measured at a distance vs. for the operator.
Stuart
US spec sheet could be giving the minimal noise level, as it has multiple settings.
Minimal air volume is 160 CFM, and minimal air speed is 50 MPH.
Bosch’s US user manual specifies the different settings, but only one noise level.
The tools have the same form factor (size and geometry), and same airflow and motor specs.
If the tools have the same geometry, and the airflow performance specs are identical, they should be largely the same on the inside.
The tools have the same geometry and share the same max performance specs. They’re clearly mostly the same but with minor differences.
JR Ramos
I think that’s a standard 50′ rating. Up close by the user is supposed to be something like 82dB and that seems to be the same-ish for other brands as well. Seems odd but it may be geared toward marketing the no-gas-engines crowd and perhaps multi-family apartment complexes and such that want lower noise disruption.
I think I saw this alluded to in one of the review replies from DeWalt or Milwaukee on HD reviews.
jayne erin defranco
I would hope that they bring all there OPE over here. I have a Bosch grinder and router. They are wonderful, built to last, and they rock….
Brent
Maybe Costco… The Costco by me has a $180 kit of drill, their Freak Driver, small reciprocating saw and and the obligatory light. 2 Batteries. Even included 24 driving bit. 10 pc Spade set, 14 pc metal Drill Set.
Joellikestools
Sometimes the Costco deals are pretty good. Sometimes they are older brushed/compact models or one off brands like Porter Cable.
Luis
yes it is. I saw that kit a couple months ago and all tools are brushed but still more than enough for home use and then some. Kit number GXL18V-496B22. Old-ish but the price is as low as some of those lower quality, homeowner grade brushed Ryobi kits.
Steve C
Bosch is open about their OEM and ODM business but it is up to the different brands that utilize Bosch as an OEM and ODM to spill the beans about it.
Brands owned by Husqvarna Group are another reason why Bosch is sticking to their corner and keeping out of the way:
https://www.bosch-presse.de/pressportal/de/en/bosch-agreed-to-acquire-roughly-12-percent-shares-in-husqvarna-in-total-250560.html
JR Ramos
I think I will probably pick one of these up if I can score a deal either on pricing or a free battery like they often run. I’ve used the DeWalt 20v extensively and it’s ok…not really that different from the Milwaukee equivalent and I don’t expect the Bosch to be much different than them, either. The two things I like about the DeWalt are the large foot on the bottom (mostly a great thing) and the included “concentrator” tip that does help a little sometimes. It’s mostly underwhelming but these are medium performance very high drain tools anyway. I did not like the ergonomics of the DeWalt – handle seemed as though they were thinking “drill” instead of an entirely different tool, and while better than the Milwaukee, the battery placement kind of got in the way at times. The Milwaukee was just kind of awkward with speed controls, handle was better but not great…that battery sticking out into the stratosphere was terrible, though, and it felt less balanced/more effort to swing to and fro in use. The instant full-speed is kind of nice but gosh that unit will eat and kill batteries more than some of their other high drain tools. Milwaukee needs to back way up and produce some smart/good/durable battery packs…it’s inconceivable at this point how poor their packs and management are.
Bosch has fantastic batteries. If not for one tool I wanted and got on a sweetheart deal, I would never know this because I’m heavily invested in Milwaukee. The cells are better, the packs are better, and they are priced very reasonably. I have several of their 18V tools now and they are all winners (a big standout is their wonderful 18V random orbit sander, just superior compared to all others). They still give good focus on and produce measurable results for things like vibration and ergonomics, and generally give honest or conservative specs. What isn’t shown until you use them is that under load most of their tools will perform a bit better for longer (depends) even if it’s not peak performance, so in use they are actually good professional working tools most of the time. I’ve been either very impressed or at least not at all unhappy with all the models I have.I like the handle design and battery placement on this blower much more than the others, and the variable speed dial seems GREAT.
I’ll probably wait to see if any reviews show up and hopefully feel it in hand before purchasing, but it looks good.
I like the handle design and battery placement on this blower much more than the others, and the variable speed dial seems GREAT. Looks like you should be able to rest the forearm on the handle and have room for the elbow, which is pretty comfortable for longer use with the trigger locked…can’t do that with the others (if it works, and if there are no suction issues on the back end). There have been many times with the DeWalt where the lower speed of two provided was still too much, and times where some oomph between low and high would have been nice while conserving the short battery run time vs. high speed. It’d be nice if they brought out a mid-size model that is between the spot blowers and the leaf blowers…..more oomph than spot but with some nozzle options that are lacking in the wide-area leaf/lawn models. These are utility and light concrete/crevice use for me…they really aren’t well suited for lawn and landscape work, imho (probably why gas still rules the roost in my region). I did get to play with one of the Husqvarna models last summer, and wow…those are real gas replacements.
Lincoln
I love my 18v Bosch stuff and have a lot of batteries now, I’m all in on their lineup…. but when I decided to start converting my outdoor tools to electric or cordless last year I went for the Kobalt 40v lineup. Now I’m pretty heavy into that line which I’m not disappointed with at all, I’ve had a good experience with everything so far. Funny enough I’ve kinda been waiting on the blower to go on sale mostly to get another 4ah battery though more then anything. I was glad to see Bosch finally announce their OPE in Europe last year and am definitely excited to see it coming here along with any new unreleased items. That being said I doubt I’m running out to switch over from my Kobalt 40v tools. There is a certain upside to having a separate battery line for OPE and not overly stressing or adding unnecessary cycles to all my 18v packs for household yard work. Maybe in a few years when my Kobalt warranties run out and the tools finally stop working, or I finally use up the life of any 40v batteries that I have I’ll look into the Bosch options. Or if they get put on a sale/clearance that’s too good to pass.
Ken
The blower is listed for sale at ToolUp for $219. Way too expensive. The comparable Milwaukee models are $129 or $179 and the Ryobi is $149. I paid $79 for the excellent Kobalt 24V and it is currently available for $119.
Mike+I
Seems like little more than a “me too” offering, nothing innovative or better than what is already out there. Likely just trying to keep people from choosing alternative brands where the can use same batteries with both tools and lawn equipment.