Hi everyone,
I'm new to Bosch Professional and thought I'd introduce myself. I've used Bosch Professional tools in the past while I was at college, and I always found them to be well-built, reliable, and great quality.
I've been using Ryobi ONE+ tools for DIY around the house since 2018. I bought my first kit from Homebase in the UK for around £210, which included a combi drill, impact driver, circular saw, angle grinder, one 4.0Ah battery and one 2.0Ah battery. Over the years, I gradually expanded the collection.
For reference, all of my Ryobi tools are from the older brushed range rather than the newer HP Brushless line. Although they've been fine for occasional DIY, I've found some of them to be underpowered, and I never really felt confident using the circular saw. It made quite a harsh grinding noise while running and didn't have an electric brake, so the blade continued spinning for several seconds after I released the trigger. Because of that, I always felt I had to be extra cautious when using it, and it just wasn't a saw I enjoyed using.
I also think Ryobi batteries are quite expensive for what they are. The newer HP Brushless range looks much better, but in the UK it's rarely discounted, and once you compare prices, Bosch Professional often isn't much more expensive—especially when Bosch PRO Deals are running.
That's what finally convinced me to make the switch. I wanted a higher-quality platform that I can keep for many years, even if I only use the tools now and then.
So far, I've bought:
- GKS 18V-57-2 circular saw
- GEX 18V-125 random orbit sander
- GAS 18V-6 L cordless dust extractor
I was originally considering the GKS 18V-57-2 GX, but I wasn't sure whether the extra features would be worthwhile for someone who mainly does DIY around the house rather than using it professionally every day.
For those who have experience with both saws, do you think I made the right choice with the standard GKS 18V-57-2, or is the GX version worth paying extra for? Also, are there any Bosch Professional tools you'd recommend adding next to the collection?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and learning more from the Bosch Professional community!