Bosch announced a new 18V cordless rear handle circular saw, model GKW18V-26, which they say delivers worm drive-like performance.
The new Bosch rear handle circular saw features a brushless motor and was designed for “reduced weight and improved balance.”
Unless I am mistaken, this is Bosch’s first cordless rear handle circular saw, and I believe their first rear handle-style saw since selling their Skilsaw business to Chervon.
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Technical Specs
- 7-1/4″ blade size
- brushless motor
- 5000 RPM
- 360° pivoting dust port
- Rafter hook
- 2-5/8″ max depth of cut at 90°
- 53° max bevel capacity
- Electronic convenience brake
- Weighs 10.6 lbs (presumably without a battery)
Price: $249 (tool-only)
Nathan
Interesting but not seeing where it would be industry leading or even competitive
S
I don’t see that anywhere in any of the material I can find. Only that it is part of the Ampshare battery program, and has a reduced weight.
Stuart
I think he’s just saying that he’s not impressed.
Jim Felt
I have a fair number of Bosch 12 v and 18 v tools. Mostly acquired internationally as they never seemed available locally (aka the U.S.) when I first knew about and/or considered them. And other more easily accessed alternatives.
At this point this particular saw isn’t likely to be something I’d be interested in.
Especially if I needed to buy locally which in my market area eventually would mean (yawn) Lowe’s.
Alexander Barfield
I like the design of the rafter hook, but as always….Bosch is several years behind the curve. Frankly have never seen any pro tradesmen/companies that run Bosch cordless equipment
Pat
The only thing I’d disagree with you on is the fact this has a vac port. I’d been shopping for this style of saw recently and gave up because I could find one with that feature.
Leo B.
The M18 Fuel saw comes with a vac port that can swap out for the standard dust slot. The new M18 saw has the port built in like this Bosch saw, but it’s not coming out until later in 2025. SkilSaw’s 7 1/4 saw has a built in port as well.
Nathan
DeWalt has a dust port you can put on their saws too but I think a lot of places only advertise it fits the corded one. Fits all the cordless ones to I have one on mine
Jarod
Makitas first version of this saw did not have a dust. They’ve since added to the latest gen. I’m considering this saw as use mainly bosch tools.
JR Ramos
They introduced a lot today – several features/tools worthy of mentioning. The new 1-1/4″ stop-cut recip saw is a smart one.
The “live” video is pretty “produced” and the live segments are a little lame and short, but it’s a good watch.
Doesn’t appear that they have plans to exit the US market or such and such as was bantered about on here recently. Lowe’s-B-Damned.
https://www.youtube.com/live/ZOfV5KwGjNM
Luis
I just saw it. The 14″ dry cut saw is quite interesting. Actually it’s the first of it’s kind.
The 9″dry/wet cut-off saw as well as the mud mixer and the recip saw with auto stop seem like good additions too.
Mateo
Reduced compared to what though? It’s half a pound heavier than the milwaukee, a pound heavier than the flex, over two pounds heavier than the Metabo hpt. So it’s not competitive in weight. It’s also the lowest rpm of all rear handle saws I could find.
JR Ramos
I guess a real world test will tell the truth but with several tools Bosch (remembering angle grinders notably) had lower out the gate rpm but were able to maintain that rpm better under load and for a long time, so although it appeared slower it was doing the same or more work over time as the battery depleted. DeWalt seems to be doing a good job of that sort of constant current-ish approach with many tools and Bosch has on several now. That said, a circ saw generally isn’t going to be used for longer periods that allow that…feature…to shine as much. Of course a lot will depend on the particular battery pack.
Luis
that’s no load RPM. It means nothing once the saw blade touches the surface.
Agree about the weight but it’s still lighter than the DeWalt and the Flex is only 0.5 lb lighter but it looses that advantage with the battery in
Julian Tracy
I bought Makita’s dual 18v rear handle saw. Didn’t care for it much as it’s not a great one handed saw; pretty much need both hands on it. Switched it out for the dual 18v top handle saw. Same exact power, same capacity, but it can be used one handed. I use it mainly for ripping 2×4’s, it powers thru them no issues and it’s a much safer and faster process compared to the tablesaw.
Old School Tools
I have been buying Bosch tools for over 45 years. All of my Bosch cordless and corded tools are still running strong. I can’t say that for my Milwaukee or DeWalt tools. I love my FLEX 24v tools but I am definitely going to buy one of these Bosch rear handle saws. When Lowes dropped the 12v Bosch line I bought several at clearance prices. The 12v power plane and chameleon multi-head drill are awesome . Bosch and Flex always seem to have better ergonomics and more features than the other tools brands.
Nathan
I mean where is the track base compatibility. That would have gotten my attention. Nothing points to this being as fast or torque laden as either the DeWalt or the Milwaukee.
At least it’s not a 2x battery device.
MM
I’d really like to see more tool companies competing with Flex’s “inline” circular saw. That saw is a brilliant design: extremely narrow, excellent visibility from both sides, light weight. Also the handle is truly inline with the blade.
CoBlue
It’s sufficiently different that they’ve probably got a pile of patents on it that none of the other companies want to touch without any perceived major gain.
It seems nice, but I’ve always wondered about the long-term reliability.
Luis
they’ve got a generous warranty. What I’m wary about is if FLEX will stick around in North America long enough
MM
I don’t own any Flex tools but I’ve used them many times, the inline saw included. In my experience they are built just as tough as other pro brands like Milwaukee, Makita, Dewalt, etc. They are introducing new tools; last year they added cordless table saws, new compact drill & impact driver, and a pretty powerful 1/2in impact gun. They also have recently added more nailers and staplers too, though I didn’t pay very close attention to exactly what model came out when. I think they also have a trio of 24v polishers that has either just came out or will be out soon. One is a straight rotary, one is RO, the other is DA. They also introduced a 2.0ah pouch cell battery last year. There hasn’t been a whole lot of fanfare about Flex lately, but it looks like they aren’t just sitting on their butt and they are introducing new tools.
My only real complaint is that it’s hard to find deals on Flex. That’s honestly the only thing that has stopped me from buying.
Jorn
I have the GKS18V-25GCN, which is also a 7-1/4″ blade brushless saw with the additional ability to plunge cut and use a track and it has dust collection, it’s a monster and has tons of power… I’m not sure why I would want/need this new model. I guess if you’re partial to rear-handle saws? I suppose the model I have is more geared towards woodworking and this new model is geared more towards construction?
Anyway, thanks for posting links to new Bosch tools because that’s what I use and I get all my updates from this site.
AC
I love my Bosch 12v and 18v. Too bad they never see to get ahead in innovation. Across the line, the tools are consistently very good and seemingly very under appreciated.
Jim Felt
I tend to agree with your assessment. But honestly it’s their own darn fault. My occasional customer service interaction with Bosch NA has been really good. On the other hand their NA tool and battery tech “introductions” over the years have to me seemed very lackadaisical at best.
Luis
they’ve released a bunch of tools over the last 3 years, close to 100. Problem is many people still prefer getting tools from brick & mortar stores and Lowe’s, Menards and Tractor Supply which carry Bosch don’t have a very wide selection of tools to begin with.
Look on CPO, Acme and such online reailers, though, and you’ll find most of their catalog and then some.
Now when it comes to innovations the newest releases at 2025 World of Concrete included a recip saw with auto stop and a 14″ dry cut machine. The later is the first cordless one on the market.
blocky
Dust port up front makes so much sense.
I agree with others that Bosch tools tend to push through more evenly under strain than other tools that may spin faster. The 12v mini circ saw is one such tool, but I’d love to see an update. It blew my mind that Dremel got a brushless version first.
Jim Felt
That to me speaks volumes for what kind of “logic” drives their decisions. Is Dremel somehow a bigger deal to Bosch than their own much more robust self named brand product?
Luis
is this the one you’re referring to? https://www.ebay.com/itm/364227637554?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1IM310pMjQbuz6kMz46f1vw33&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=21562-222008-2056-1&mkcid=2&itemid=364227637554&targetid=325425753764&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9136850&poi=&campaignid=21384589900&mkgroupid=164552185618&rlsatarget=pla-325425753764&abcId=&merchantid=118873172&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAkc28BhB0EiwAM001TfSXA5TZPpRptDX1881Im44o4QoNk7kkAkH7Aj33Ctw-hewWEz8lfBoCGpkQAvD_BwE
For $60 refurbished kit with a battery, charger and 2yr warranty I’d just pull the trigger and use it with my Bosch batteries, as long as there’s battery compatibility I won’t complain honestly.
OTOH I thought this was a brushed tool
blocky
This one, recently launched:
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dremel-blueprint-tools-launch/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Ken
My main platform is Bosch, but I can’t say that this particular saw interests me. But this post did make me look up any other new Amazon listings for Bosch tools and it looks like there are several, including a new 7-1/4″ track compatible saw, a mud mixer, a starlock MAX multi tool, and a biscuit joiner. Also some more specialized tools including a massive concrete saw and large demo hammer. I had read that some of these were coming but others are surprises. Nice to see more new tools from Bosch IMO.
CoBlue
The “new” track-compatible circular saw seems to simply be the current model without the connectivity and variable speed control. There’s also a budget brushless jigsaw and a lighter laminate trim router.
The starlock MAX has an adaptive starting speed control and auto-stop that could be nice if they work well and reliably.
Luis
have a look at the rest of new releases announced at World of Concrete this week. I like the direction they’ve been heading over the last 3 years to the point they’ve probably doubled their tool offerings over that timeframe
LE
For anyone interested it looks like Lowe’s is having a great sale on the current 7 1/4″ GKS18v-25cn at $99 bare tool. Super tempted to get it to replace my older brushed CCS180, but I’d really like the brushless 6 1/2″ GKS18v-22ln instead of the 7 1/4″ as I have a cs10 corded saw if needed. If it was the guide rail version I would absolutely get it. I’d really love a guide rail version of the 6 1/2″ GKS18v-22!
Luis
I made that exact jump about 2 years ago and I don’t regret it one bit.
The 25cn is noticeably heavier but it also got better build quality and is much more capable. The 22 would be a great buy if you want to keep the weight down but it’s retail price is still high.
For whatever is worth the GKS18V-25CN is made in Hungary (like the new wormdrive and other Profactor saws), while the 22 is made in China. The CCS180 was also made in China so I’m not sure it’s at a disadvantage here but some might appreciate that
JML
I’m curious about differences in the Bosch saws as far as balance with the battery installed. On this model it looks like the battery is closer to the center of gravity of the saw, and not off the back. Plus the dust port points off to the right, instead of being on the rear of the saw, so it is less likely to get in the user’s way.
I’m not a tradesman, and I’m a Bosch fanboy of their 12V, 18V, and corded tools (drills, jigsaw, router, sanders, etc.). The one basic power tool I don’t have now for working on stuff at home is a circular saw. Their ergonomics work well for me, and their warranty support is outstanding.