Bosch has come out with a new 18V cordless handheld vacuum, model GAS18V-02N.
Features include a “two-stage rotational airflow technology” that they say delivers long-lasting suction and helps to keep the filter clog-free for longer.
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The vac produces up to 21.2 CFM of airflow.
The handle design looks like it could be ergonomic and comfortable. But this isn’t the type of cordless vac you’ll use for long cleaning sessions. With hand vacs like this, you get a smaller and lighter tool, but limited dust collection capacity before having to empty out the container.
Bosch says the vac will run for up to 7 minutes per amp-hour of battery life. A 6.0Ah battery pack will give you up to 42 minutes of runtime.
The vacuum comes with the necessary attachments to convert it from a portable hand vac to an upright stick vac with longer and more comfortable reach.
The vac comes with 2 extension wands, a floor nozzle, crevice nozzle, and a hose.
It weighs 2.9 lbs, without battery or attachments, and has a collection capacity of 61 cubic inches (1.06 quarts).
Update: There was an error – the filter is NOT HEPA-rated.
Price: $99 for the bare tool
Buy Now(via Amazon)
First Thoughts
On one hand, I love cordless hand vacs like this. You get a lightweight and portable vac that’s convenient to use. You also get a bunch of accessories that make it even more versatile and convenient to use.
But on the other hand, all those attachments tend to spread out, unless I dedicated a bag to help keep them contained. It’s no big deal for workshop use, but it does impede the portability a teeny bit.
The press release clarifies the 2-stage airflow feature, and also mentions the HEPA rating of the filter. Update: No HEPA filter.
Overall, this looks to be a good new 18V cordless vac entry by Bosch.
fred says
I have a Milwaukee 0882-20 M18 vacuum – mostly used by my wife. To get reasonable run time out of it – we use a 9Ah battery that makes it heavy in the hand and a bit of a strain on the wrist because of handle position. This Bosch looks like it might be better in ergonomics and its canister capacity is almost 2x the Milwaukee. The price looks to be identical.
Peter Rudy says
Stuart, I did a pre order on Amazon a few days ago when the press release came out. It says delivery mid year. The current model outside of the US is GAS 18v-1. I can find nothing that says the difference on a -2. Seems the -2 is only for NA.
Do you know any more other than from the PR release?
Stuart says
I don’t. I saw the Amazon page prior to the release, and as far as I can tell, given that info and the press release, the tool is the same.
The -2 could just mean different packaging or something simple like that, but I’ll look into it.
Peter Rudy says
I used the big GAS 18v-10l in the UK. Light, powerful and all the new Core big batteries fit. It simply won’t fit in my luggage…… In this case, Bosch says the -10l stands for 10 liters. Canister size. Developed as part of the OSHA respirable silica regulations. All the Bosch Asian sites feature -10l with hammer drills and cool pickup adapters.
Peter Rudy says
FWIW, A Bosch official blog months ago predicted both the GAS 18v-2 and -10l coming to the US this summer.
Stuart says
The European “01” and the American “02” are essentially the same product. The differences are that the GAS18V-02 will have the labels and manual indicating that it has agency approval that it meets North American agency requirements and that it has the required warnings for North America.
Peter Rudy says
Thanks Stuart!! Why waiting, I found the specs for each and they are the same. BTW, Amazon went from Pre-Order status to Unavailable at this time for this vac.
A Bosch GGS18v-LI die grinder is waiting for me at my FIL’s home in GB. I have no idea why something as mundane as a die grinder is not sold in the US, but everywhere else in the world.
Peter Rudy says
Stuart, Amazon canceled my pre order for the GAS18V-2. Said: not available.
Stuart says
Hmm, that’s weird. Thanks for the update!
It was officially announced and with a “summer” ETA. Maybe the delivery estimate is too far out?
Peter Rudy says
My guess as well. No one in US lists it for sale yet. I have also seen Amazon cancel pre orders when the pricing bots screw up. I will keep waiting. Really liked the GAS18V-1 and -10L I used in the UK. The 10L is great and dead easy with the cool new hollow SDS bits for hammer drills to meet respirable silica regs.
Peter Rudy says
Stuart – Amazon just sent an email that the GAS18v-2N is now available for order – when you go to listing, it says temporarily out of stock but Amz took the order. $99. I will let you know when it ships.
Peter Rudy says
I was planning on buying the -1 in the UK when over in two weeks. Glad I waited. Cheapest UK price on the-1 for UK delivery was about $110. Same or a bit less for all the Korea sellers on EBay. $100 with US warranty is a good deal. I have used the -1 in the UK and like it for odds and sods pick up. It’s predecessor, the GAS 18v-Li was horrible.
Peter Rudy says
Thanks Stuart. There was the Bosch US product manager for this item listed on the pr. I have never had luck getting a response from them. But you are the famous Toolguyd.
Now, Bosch does have a weird numbering system after a hyphen with its universal three letter model identification. The – something is not just an updated version. Often a difference in number of accessories. Or even a reference to a feature.
Jim Felt says
Let’s hoe this model is a dramatic improvement over its immediate predecessor. Which Amazon is still listing and I bought in Korea via eBay year ago. The 18v Core batteries don’t fit the earlier version without carving out the plastic receiver a bit.
And thought I’ve been pretty lucky I only let my tradesmen use a black Dustbuster as it’s nearky foolproof. Just doesn’t offer interchangeable batteries.
This one looks like a great version ll.
We can only hope.
Jim Felt says
Blame the iPhone for my spelling. Please.
Joe says
How does it compare to the Ryobi stick vac ? Looks nice, Bosch makes great tools. Love their 12v line .
Koko The Talking Ape says
I have reluctantly concluded that hand vacs need to be corded. The things are already big and awkward, because of the (too-small) debris chamber. The battery adds weight, often in the wrong place. And even so, they don’t run long enough. At least version from tool companies have swappable batteries. But my corded hand vac has a 1000-watt motor (it claims), a powered brush, and doesn’t quit. The 20-foot cord is long enough for me.
Nathan says
I disagree a number of people have done a decent job of getting the ergo right. I pains to say this this but Dyson is one of those. So is Hoover with their new device. I would love to see a tool company partner with the hoover setup so as to use a cordless tool battery system for it. Would be awesome.
I like the idea of this thing and hope there are more like it – especially a dewalt flavor so I don’t have to buy a new battery setup
jab says
Isn’t Hoover also TTI, same as Milwaukee and Ryobi, these days?
jab says
TTI by brand according to their web site.
MILWAUKEE
AEG
RYOBI
HOMELITE
EMPIRE
STILETTO
HART
HOOVER
ORECK
VAX
DIRT DEVIL
Nathan says
Huh – wonder when that happened. Well I guess I won’t look at a hoover anymore either.
Jim Felt says
Nathan. “It happened” because whichever hedge fund owned it wanted to cash out. It’s their modus operandi.
TTI wants to operate and build. Not part out and sell.
So I admire the builders. Not the scavengers. Wherever they may appear to reside.
Keylow says
TTI only owns a few of those brands. They have a agreements to produce things for the other brands.
Peter Rudy says
I agree with you Nathan. My wife would pick her Dyson V8 cordless over me!
Moreover, TALKING APE fails to understand the purpose of the cordless vacs: convenience, spot use and quick set up. They are not made for construction cleans. Or for using more than a few minutes. If I had an hour’s clean up, I certainly would not use either a cordless or corded hand vac. But when I have wood bits on the floor from mortising in a new lock, a cordless vac does the job in a few seconds, with no set up time. I trust many of us make messes where there is no convenient power outlet.
Wait till the cordless GAS18v-10l vac comes to the US. I demoed it with a cordless hammer drill. When I wasn’t looking, it swallowed a 3/8″ SDS bit and a box of lead expansion anchors.
Koko The Talking Ape says
I do understand the point of them. But in my experience, the cordless guys don’t last long enough and wasn’t powerful enough for even quick cleanups. And it takes literally seconds to plug in a cord. But I work in a shop, and a lot of my mess is piles of sawdust, not bits of wood from a mortise. If I took my show on the road, I might want a cordless vac.
Michal says
I bought this vacuum for my wife, small kids make a lot of mess. She had cordless vacuums without removable batteries which tend to degrade over time and you could throw that thing out or attempt messy battery rebuild. This thing is great. I put 4.0Ah battery on it and it is still managable with it. She has that floor attachment on it almost permanently, it is great for hard floor, but not so good for carpets. Great vacuum for small accidents in house, too small and weak for workshop. Funny thing is that European specs show only 6 minutes per Ah. I bought it for (roughly) $84… Now I need to make some kind of holder for it.
Brian A says
21 CFM on some hyped tech in 18v? M12 is 34 CFM, M18 hand one is 40 CFM.
fred says
A holder/rack with an inductive-coupled charger would be neat.
Nathan says
issue I have with most vacuum companies that put out ratings (looking back at you Dyson) is they might well say __- CFM but without a PSI value for the pressure in the tube or across the fan – it’s about useless.
OH it moves 40 CFM – as long as it’s not sucking up anything with that – or with the filter off – or . . . CFM measured in the canister doesn’t equate to suction at the end of the tube – where the work is being done.
I normally wait till there is a test of some sort to show how well it picks up off the floor before I concern myself with ratings. It’s almost but not quite as bad and picking out audio amplifiers.
ROB says
The only thing stopping me from buying both of the new Bosch cordless vacs coming to the States from across the pond is that they are bagless. I have never, and cannot understand why you would want to introduce all of that yuck into your face as a giant plume of gross when you empty the cannister. :0
Toolfreak says
Your face isn’t supposed to be under or anywhere near the container when emptying it.
Bagless is great, both for not having to constantly buy bags to fill and throw away, and for allowing designs with higher suction. Bags had their own issues as well, and were frequently nasty and dusty, so you still got a bunch of debris everywhere when emptying it, and had to clean out the bag compartment when replacing the bag.
Much, much easier to open the container, dump the stuff it picked up, wash/rinse the container if needed, attach and good to go.
Nick Marques says
I wonder if they have an LBOXX insert and if it fits in one with the attachments?
Tim Butterfield says
I too want a bosch cordless vacuum. I really want to know if it will fit in an l-boxx.