Buying a spare battery for a Bosch tool should be simple, but there's one catch that trips people up: Bosch has two separate 18V battery systems, and they don't fit each other's tools.
Green: 18V POWER FOR ALL
Bosch's green Home & Garden tools use the 18V POWER FOR ALL system. Bosch says all 18V POWER FOR ALL batteries are compatible with each other, so one battery can move between your drill, hedge trimmer, lawnmower and leaf blower. The system is shared with other brands in the POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE, including Gardena and Wagner, and Bosch puts the total at more than 10 brands and 150 products.
Blue: Professional 18V (AMPShare)
Bosch's blue Professional tools use a different 18V system, now called AMPShare. It's designed for trade use.
Can you mix them?
No. Bosch states that the two systems are not compatible. A green battery won't fit a blue tool, and a blue battery won't fit a green one. Before you buy, check the colour of your tool and look for the POWER FOR ALL or AMPShare logo on your existing battery.
What does Ah mean?
Ah stands for amp hours, and it tells you how much energy the battery holds. Think of it as the size of the fuel tank. A 4.0Ah battery runs about twice as long as a 2.0Ah one in the same tool, but it's a little bigger and heavier.
- 2.0 to 2.5Ah: light and compact, good for drills and short jobs.
- 4.0Ah: a good all-rounder for garden tools such as trimmers and blowers.
- 6.0Ah: longest runtime, best for power-hungry tools you use for long stretches.
Why a second battery helps
With two batteries, one can charge while you work with the other, so you never have to stop halfway through the hedge. The Bosch PBA 18V 4.0Ah W-C battery fits the green 18V range and has a 4-step LED indicator so you can see how much charge is left. A charger isn't included, so check the list of compatible Bosch chargers on the product page.
How to look after a battery
- Store it indoors, somewhere cool and dry. Avoid a freezing shed in winter or a hot car in summer.
- Don't leave it completely flat for months. Top it up before putting it away for the season.
- Keep the contacts clean and dry.
- Only use a charger made for the system.
Sources: Bosch: The 18V POWER FOR ALL battery system; Bosch Professional: AMPShare
