Bosch: green vs blue, POWER FOR ALL batteries, and a practical DIY guide

Bosch is the only brand we sell that's older than the electric kettle, the toaster and the vacuum cleaner. It started in a small workshop in Stuttgart in 1886, and today it's one of the biggest engineering companies in the world, making everything from car parts to dishwashers. But in a lot of British homes, the word "Bosch" means one thing: the green drill in the cupboard under the stairs.

We sell seven Bosch products at Clean Smile Home. Six are from Bosch's green Home and Garden range: a garden vacuum and leaf blower, a multi-sander, a wall detector, an 18V battery and two drill and screwdriver accessory sets. One is from Bosch's blue Professional range: the GO 3 cordless screwdriver.

This guide covers Bosch's history, the difference between green and blue Bosch tools (and why it matters for batteries), the POWER FOR ALL battery system, each product in detail, and a lot of practical DIY know-how: which drill bit to use, which screwdriver bit fits which screw, how to sand furniture, how to check a wall before drilling, and how to clear leaves without wrecking your back. There's a safety section, a starter toolkit for first homes, care tips and a long FAQ.

The short version

• Robert Bosch founded the company in Stuttgart on 15 November 1886. Bosch made its first power tool, a hair trimmer, in 1928, and its first electric drill in 1932.
• Bosch's green tools are for home and garden use. Its blue tools are for professionals. Green and blue 18V batteries are not interchangeable.
• The Bosch PBA 18V 4.0Ah battery works with green Bosch 18V tools and other brands in the POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE.
• For flat-pack furniture, shelves and small jobs, the Bosch Professional GO 3 is a pocket-sized screwdriver that starts when you push it against the screw.
• Before drilling into a wall, check it with the Bosch Truvo detector.
• For bits, the 70-piece X-Line set covers most home jobs, and the 103-piece set adds holesaws and more.
• For sanding furniture, doors and frames, the PSM 100 A multi-sander. For leaves, the UniversalGardenTidy 3000 blows, vacuums and shreds.

Where Bosch came from

A workshop in Stuttgart

On 15 November 1886, Robert Bosch opened his "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering" in Stuttgart, in southern Germany. It was a small business doing electrical installation and engineering work.

The breakthrough came with ignition. In 1897, Bosch began fitting magneto ignition devices to car engines, and in 1902 its chief engineer, Gottlob Honold, unveiled a high-voltage magneto ignition system with a spark plug. Reliable ignition was one of the things that made early motoring practical, and it turned Bosch into a major industrial company.

From hair trimmers to hammer drills

Bosch's power tool story begins in a surprising place. In 1928 it made the Forfex, an electric hair trimmer, which Bosch counts as its first power tool. In 1930 it developed a universal hand motor, the ancestor of the modern drill, and in 1932 it introduced its first electric drill and the first electric hammer drill of its type for building sites.

A few more milestones that shaped the tools in your cupboard:

• 1952: Bosch enters the DIY market with the Bosch Combi.
• 1959: power tools become an independent Bosch division.
• 1969: Bosch's first cordless power tool, a battery-powered hedge cutter.
• 1984: the GBH 24 V, described by Bosch as the world's first professional cordless hammer drill.
• 2003: the Bosch IXO cordless screwdriver, the first power tool with a lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion is now standard in almost every cordless tool.
• 2019: BITURBO brushless professional tools.
• 2020: Bosch opens its 18V battery platforms to other manufacturers.

Who owns Bosch?

Bosch has an unusual ownership structure. About 94% of Robert Bosch GmbH is owned by the Robert Bosch Stiftung, a charitable foundation, though the foundation doesn't have voting rights. The Bosch family holds a small share. In 2024, the Bosch group had revenue of about €90.3 billion across car parts, consumer goods (including tools and household appliances), and energy and building technology.

Green or blue: the most important thing to know about Bosch tools

Bosch makes two separate ranges of power tools, and they're colour-coded:

• Green: Bosch Home and Garden. Designed for people doing DIY and gardening at home. Lighter, simpler, more affordable.
• Blue: Bosch Professional. Designed for tradespeople who use tools every day. Tougher, built for heavier use, usually more expensive.

Both are genuine Bosch, and both are good. The question is how often you'll use the tool and how hard. For hanging pictures, building flat-pack furniture and occasional DIY, green is usually plenty. For daily use on building sites, blue is built for that.

Why the colour matters for batteries

Here's the bit that catches people out. Green 18V batteries and blue 18V batteries are different systems. A green Bosch 18V battery doesn't fit a blue Bosch Professional 18V tool, and the other way round.

So the PBA 18V 4.0Ah battery we sell is for green Home and Garden 18V tools. It won't fit blue Professional 18V tools.

The GO 3 we sell is blue, but it has its own built-in 3.6V battery charged by USB-C, so it doesn't need either system.

The POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE

The green 18V battery system has a name: POWER FOR ALL. It was started by Bosch, and other brands have joined to make tools that use the same battery. The partnership is called the POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE.

According to the alliance, its member brands include Bosch, Gardena, Gloria, Flymo, Steinel, Wagner, Husqvarna, LEDVANCE, HK Audio and Rapid. That means one green Bosch 18V battery can power a drill, a hedge trimmer, a lawnmower, a garden sprayer, a paint sprayer, a glue gun, a work light and even a speaker, from different brands, as long as they're POWER FOR ALL compatible.

Why does that matter? Batteries are often the most expensive part of a cordless tool. Once you own a couple of batteries and a charger, you can buy many tools as "bare" units, without a battery, and save money. It also means fewer chargers and less clutter.

Always check that a tool carries the POWER FOR ALL logo or says it's compatible with Bosch green 18V batteries before you buy it bare.

The Bosch range at Clean Smile Home

Bosch Professional GO 3 Cordless Screwdriver with 8-Piece Bit Set

The GO 3 is a pocket-sized cordless screwdriver from Bosch's blue Professional range. It's the most useful small power tool many households can own.

What it does:

• Two ways to start: press the on/off button, or simply push the tool against the screw to start driving.
• Up to 5 Nm of torque in hard screwdriving and 2.5 Nm in soft.
• Seven torque settings plus a performance mode, with a mechanical clutch.
• A built-in 3.6V 2.0Ah battery, charged by USB-C.
• A universal bit locker that holds any standard 1/4" hex bit firmly.
• An LED ring that lights the work area and shows the battery level.
• For screws up to 5 mm in diameter.
• In the box: the GO 3, an 8-piece bit set, an extension bit holder, a USB-C cable and a storage case.

Who it's for: anyone who builds flat-pack furniture, puts up shelves, changes door handles, fits curtain tracks or tightens hinges. It's also ideal for anyone who finds manual screwdrivers hard on their wrists.

Worth knowing: the torque settings and clutch matter. They stop the screwdriver once the screw is tight, so you don't strip the screw head or crack chipboard. Start on a low setting for flat-pack and work up. A mains USB plug isn't listed in the box, so use your own USB charger. The GO 3 isn't a drill: it's for screws, not for drilling holes in walls.

Bosch Truvo Digital Detector, 2nd Generation

The Truvo is a one-button wall detector that helps you check for metal and live cables before you drill.

What it does:

• Detects ferrous and non-ferrous metal (such as steel and copper pipes) up to 70 mm deep.
• Detects live cables up to 50 mm deep.
• One-button operation with automatic calibration.
• A traffic-light LED and warning tone.
• Weighs 0.15 kg. Three AAA batteries included.

Who it's for: anyone who drills into walls, from hanging a mirror to fitting a TV bracket.

Worth knowing: a detector is an aid, not a guarantee. Detection depth depends on the wall material and the size of the object. It also won't find plastic water pipes or cables that aren't live. Always drill with care. We cover how to check a wall properly below.

Bosch PSM 100 A Multi-Sander

The PSM 100 A is a compact palm sander for corners, edges and smaller flat surfaces.

What it does:

• A 100 W motor.
• 26,000 orbital strokes per minute.
• A 104 cm² sanding surface with a pointed tip for corners.
• Hook-and-loop fastening for quick sanding sheet changes.
• A microfilter dust box that collects dust as you work.
• Weighs 0.9 kg.
• In the box: the sander, three sanding sheets and a plastic carry case.

Who it's for: furniture upcyclers, anyone preparing doors, window frames, skirting boards or shelves for painting, and anyone sanding small to medium projects in hardwood, softwood, varnish or paint.

Worth knowing: it's a corded mains tool. It's great for detail and medium jobs, but for sanding a whole floor you'd want a floor sander.

Bosch UniversalGardenTidy 3000 Garden Vacuum and Leaf Blower

The UniversalGardenTidy 3000 is a three-in-one garden tool. It blows leaves into a pile, vacuums them up and shreds them as it goes.

What it does:

• Three in one: blow, vacuum and shred.
• Variable power from 1,600 to 3,000 W.
• Airflow speed from 165 to 285 km/h.
• A 50-litre collection bag.
• Shreds leaves at a ratio of up to 12:1, so twelve bags of leaves become about one.
• ProSilence noise reduction, with a sound power level of 99 dB(A).
• Switches between blowing and vacuuming without tools.
• Weighs 3.4 kg as a blower and 4.7 kg as a vacuum, with a padded shoulder strap.
• A corded mains tool for the UK 240V supply.

Who it's for: gardens with trees, lawns that disappear under leaves every autumn, and anyone who composts or uses leaf mould.

Worth knowing: it's corded, so you'll need an outdoor-rated extension lead for bigger gardens, ideally with an RCD (residual current device) for safety. For small patios, cars and garages, a lighter cordless tool like the Shark BlastBoss may suit better.

Bosch PBA 18V 4.0Ah W-C Battery Pack

The PBA 18V 4.0Ah is a battery for Bosch's green 18V Home and Garden range and the POWER FOR ALL system.

What it does:

• An 18V lithium-ion battery with 4.0Ah capacity.
• Part of the 18V POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE system.
• Interchangeable with other Bosch 18V POWER FOR ALL batteries.
• A four-step LED indicator shows how much charge is left.
• Weighs 0.64 kg and measures 118 x 85 x 105 mm.

Who it's for: anyone who already owns green Bosch 18V tools, or POWER FOR ALL tools from partner brands, and wants a second battery or a bigger one for longer jobs.

Worth knowing: the charger isn't included. It charges with Bosch AL 1810 CV, AL 18V-20, AL 1815 CV, AL 1830 CV and AL 1880 CV chargers. It doesn't fit blue Bosch Professional 18V tools.

Bosch X-Line Titanium Drill and Screwdriver Bit Set, 70 Piece

The X-Line 70-piece set gathers drill bits, screwdriver bits and handy extras for wood, masonry and metal in one carry case.

• 11 HSS-TiN metal drill bits, 1.5 to 6.5 mm.
• 6 masonry drill bits, 4 to 10 mm.
• 5 wood drill bits, 4 to 10 mm.
• 3 flat wood bits: 16, 22 and 32 mm.
• 33 titanium screwdriver bits in 25 mm and 50 mm lengths (Phillips, Pozidriv, slotted, Torx and hex).
• 7 sockets, 4 to 10 mm, with a socket adaptor.
• A universal magnetic bit holder, countersink, diameter gauge and 3 m tape measure.

Who it's for: first homes, first toolkits, and anyone who's tired of hunting for the right bit. Accessories only: no drill or screwdriver included.

Bosch Titanium Drill and Screwdriver Accessory Set, 103 Piece

The 103-piece set is the bigger mixed set. It adds holesaws and nut setters to the usual drill and screwdriver bits.

• 19 metal drill bits, 1.5 to 7 mm.
• 5 masonry drill bits: 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 mm.
• 9 wood drill bits, 3 to 10 mm.
• 53 screwdriver bits in 25 mm and 50 mm lengths (Phillips, Pozidriv, slotted, Torx and hex).
• 4 holesaws (32, 38, 44 and 54 mm) with an adaptor.
• 2 spade bits: 16 and 22 mm.
• 7 nut setters, plus a countersink, an Allen key and a bit holder.
• A moulded carry case with a place for every piece.

Who it's for: keen DIYers, anyone fitting door handles, cable holes in desks or downlights, and anyone who wants holesaws in the kit. Accessories only.

All seven at a glance

Product	Range	What it is	Power	Best for
GO 3	Blue (Professional)	Cordless screwdriver	Built-in 3.6V, USB-C	Flat-pack, shelves, small fixings
Truvo	Green	Wall detector	3 x AAA	Checking walls before drilling
PSM 100 A	Green	Multi-sander	100 W mains	Furniture, frames, corners
UniversalGardenTidy 3000	Green	Garden vacuum and blower	Up to 3,000 W mains	Autumn leaves
PBA 18V 4.0Ah	Green	Battery	18V, 4.0Ah	POWER FOR ALL tools
X-Line 70	Accessories	Bit set	n/a	A first toolkit
Titanium 103	Accessories	Bit set with holesaws	n/a	Keen DIY

Which drill bit for which job?

Using the wrong bit is the most common reason a hole goes badly. Here's how to tell them apart.

Wood bits

Wood bits have a sharp point in the centre (a "brad point") that stops the bit wandering, and two cutting spurs at the edge for a clean hole. Use them for timber, plywood, MDF and chipboard.

Flat wood bits (spade bits)

Wide, flat bits with a point, for bigger holes in wood, such as 16, 22 or 32 mm. Useful for passing cables through a desk or fitting door hardware. Drill until the point just comes through the back, then finish from the other side to avoid splintering.

Masonry bits

Masonry bits have a wide, flattened tip (usually tungsten carbide) and are designed for brick, block, stone and concrete. Use them with hammer action if your drill has it, for brick and concrete. For tiles, start without hammer action so the tile doesn't crack.

Metal bits (HSS-TiN)

HSS means high-speed steel. TiN is a titanium nitride coating, which gives the gold colour and helps the bit stay sharp and run cooler. Use them for steel, aluminium and other metals, and also for plastics. Drill slowly, with light pressure, and use a drop of oil on steel.

Holesaws

Ring-shaped saws for large round holes, such as 32 to 54 mm, used for door locks, downlights or cable holes. They're included in the 103-piece set.

How to tell them apart quickly

• Sharp centre point and two spurs: wood.
• Flat, wide carbide tip: masonry.
• Gold-coloured, smooth cone point: metal.

The diameter gauge in the X-Line set helps you check a bit's size when the markings have worn off.

Phillips or Pozidriv? The screwdriver bit mix-up

This is one of the most useful things a DIYer in the UK can know. Phillips (PH) and Pozidriv (PZ) screws look similar: both have a cross. But they're different.

• Pozidriv (PZ): has small extra lines between the arms of the cross. It's very common on screws sold in the UK and Europe, including most wood screws and flat-pack fixings.
• Phillips (PH): a plain cross, with no extra lines. Common on electronics, some appliances and imported products.

Using a Phillips bit in a Pozidriv screw, or the other way round, will often slip and chew up the screw head. Look closely at the screw head: if you see the extra little lines, use PZ. Both Bosch sets include both types, plus slotted, Torx (star) and hex bits.

Bit sizes

Cross-head bits come in sizes like 1, 2 and 3. Size 2 (PZ2 or PH2) fits most common household screws. Size 1 is for small screws, size 3 for large ones. A bit that fits snugly won't wobble in the screw head.

Torx

Torx screws have a six-pointed star. They're common on decking screws and some modern wood screws, as they're less likely to slip. You'll need the matching size (such as T20 or T25).

How to check a wall before drilling

Drilling into a hidden cable or pipe can be dangerous and expensive. A few minutes of checking avoids nearly all of it.

Step 1: think about where cables usually run

In UK homes, electrical cables buried in walls are generally expected to run in "safe zones": straight up or down, or straight across, from sockets, switches and other electrical points, and within a band near the corners and ceiling. That's why you should never drill directly above or below a socket or light switch.

But don't rely on this alone. Older homes, DIY wiring and renovation work don't always follow the rules.

Step 2: think about pipes

Look for radiators, sinks, boilers and toilets nearby, and on the other side of the wall. Pipes often run up from the floor or across from them. Kitchens and bathrooms need extra care.

Step 3: scan with the Truvo

1. Switch it on away from the wall so it can calibrate, as the instructions describe.
2. Hold it flat against the wall and move it slowly across the area where you want to drill, both horizontally and vertically.
3. Watch the traffic-light LEDs and listen for the warning tone. Mark anything it finds with a pencil.
4. Scan a wider area than you need, so you can see where cables and pipes run.

Step 4: if in doubt, don't drill

Move the hole if you can. Remember, the Truvo won't detect plastic pipes or cables that aren't live, and detection depth varies with the wall. If you're unsure, or if the job involves electrics, call a qualified electrician or plumber.

Step 5: drill carefully

Use the right bit, start slowly, and don't push the drill deeper than you need. Many drills have a depth stop for this.

Hanging things on walls: plugs and fixings

Once you know where the cables and pipes aren't, you need the right fixing. The type of wall matters more than anything else.

Know your wall

• Solid walls (brick or block, usually with plaster on top): knock on it and it sounds solid and dull. Use a masonry bit and standard plastic wall plugs.
• Plasterboard (stud) walls: knock on it and it sounds hollow. Standard plugs won't hold well. Use plasterboard fixings, such as self-drill plasterboard plugs, spring toggles or cavity anchors, depending on the weight. For heavy items, fix into a timber stud behind the board.
• Tiled walls: mark the spot with masking tape to stop the bit slipping, start without hammer action, and use a tile or masonry bit.

Matching plugs to bits

UK wall plugs are often colour coded by size. A common system is yellow for 5 mm holes, red for 6 mm, brown for 7 mm and blue for 10 mm, but always check the packaging, as brands vary. Drill a hole the same diameter as the plug, slightly deeper than the plug's length, and choose a screw that suits both the plug and the item you're hanging.

Weight matters

A small picture needs little more than a picture hook. A mirror, shelf or TV bracket needs proper fixings rated for the weight, and for TVs, follow the bracket maker's instructions exactly. If a fixing feels loose, take it out and try again; it won't get better with time.

A tidy tip

Fold a sticky note in half and stick it to the wall under the hole before you drill. It catches the dust. Or ask someone to hold the nozzle of a vacuum under the drill.

Flat-pack furniture with the GO 3

• Read the instructions all the way through first. It's tempting to skip, but missed steps are the main reason for taking things apart again.
• Sort the fixings into bowls or a muffin tin before you start.
• Use a low torque setting for chipboard and MDF. Let the clutch stop the screw when it's snug. Over-tightening strips the thread in chipboard, and once that happens the screw won't hold.
• Finish by hand if you're unsure. Many people drive screws most of the way with the GO 3, then give the final quarter turn by hand.
• Use the right bit. Most flat-pack uses Pozidriv (PZ2) screws. Some uses hex bolts; your bit set has hex bits for those.
• Don't use the GO 3 on cam locks. Those round metal fittings usually only need a half turn by hand.

How to sand furniture with the PSM 100 A

Choosing sandpaper

Sandpaper is graded by grit number. Lower numbers are coarser; higher numbers are finer. As a general guide:

• Coarse (around 60 to 80): removing old paint, varnish or rough marks.
• Medium (around 120): smoothing after coarse sanding, and general preparation.
• Fine (around 180 to 240): a smooth finish before painting, oiling or varnishing, and lightly sanding between coats.

Work through the grits in order. Skipping from very coarse to very fine leaves scratches.

Step by step

1. Clean the piece. Wipe off dust and grease.
2. Fit the sheet. The hook-and-loop backing means you just press it on. Line up the holes with the dust extraction holes.
3. Start the sander before it touches the surface, then lower it gently.
4. Let the sander do the work. Light pressure, slow, overlapping movements. Pressing hard slows the sander and leaves swirl marks.
5. Use the pointed tip for corners, edges and around details.
6. Empty the dust box often. A full box doesn't collect well.
7. Wipe down between grits with a dry cloth or tack cloth.
8. Finish by hand for very fine details if needed.

Old paint warning

Paint in older homes, especially before the 1970s, may contain lead. Don't dry sand old paint unless you know it's lead-free. You can buy lead test kits. If in doubt, ask a professional, and see UK government advice on lead paint.

Clearing leaves the smart way

Blow, then vacuum

1. Blow leaves from borders, under shrubs and off paths into a pile on the lawn or patio. Work with the wind, not against it.
2. Switch to vacuum (no tools needed) and suck up the pile. The leaves are shredded as they go into the 50-litre bag.
3. Empty the bag onto the compost heap or into a leaf mould bag.

Why shredding helps

With a shredding ratio of up to 12:1, you'll empty the bag far less often, and shredded leaves rot down much faster into compost or leaf mould. Leaf mould is a brilliant free soil improver.

Tips

• Dry leaves vacuum and shred far better than wet ones. Pick a dry day.
• Don't vacuum up stones, sticks, gravel or bark chips. They can damage the impeller.
• Wear the shoulder strap. At 4.7 kg in vacuum mode, it makes a big difference.
• Wear ear protection. A sound power level of 99 dB(A) is loud, even with ProSilence.
• Check for wildlife first. Hedgehogs, frogs and insects often shelter in leaf piles in autumn. Leave a wild corner if you can.
• Be a good neighbour: avoid early mornings and late evenings.

Power tool safety

• Read the manual. Every tool has its own safety guidance.
• Wear eye protection when drilling, sanding, blowing or doing anything that throws debris.
• Wear a dust mask when sanding, and use the dust box.
• Wear ear protection with loud tools like the garden vacuum.
• Clamp your work when drilling or sanding small pieces. Don't hold them in your hand.
• Unplug or remove the battery before changing bits or sheets.
• Keep cables away from the work area, especially with sanders and garden tools.
• Use an RCD with mains outdoor tools.
• Keep tools away from children, and lock away bits and blades.
• Check walls before drilling, as described above.

Looking after Bosch batteries and tools

Lithium-ion batteries

• Store batteries indoors, at room temperature. Don't leave them in a freezing shed in winter or a hot car in summer.
• Store them partly charged if you won't use them for a while, rather than completely flat.
• Use only compatible Bosch chargers.
• Keep contacts clean and dry.
• If a battery is damaged, swollen or gets very hot, stop using it. Recycle it at a battery collection point. Never put lithium-ion batteries in household rubbish.

Tools

• Wipe tools clean after use. Dust is the enemy of motors.
• Empty the sander's dust box and tap the filter clean.
• Empty and brush out the garden vacuum bag after each use, and let it dry before storing.
• Keep bits in their case. Loose bits get blunt and lost.
• Replace blunt drill bits. A blunt bit burns wood and wanders on masonry.

A first-home DIY kit with Bosch

If you've just moved into your first home, you don't need a garage full of tools. Here's a sensible starter kit built around what we sell.

1. The GO 3: for all the flat-pack you're about to build.
2. The Truvo: before you hang a single picture.
3. The X-Line 70-piece set: bits for wood, walls and metal, plus a tape measure.
4. A drill: a green Bosch 18V drill driver or combi drill, if you'll be putting up shelves or brackets. Choose a POWER FOR ALL model so the battery works with future tools.
5. The PBA 18V 4.0Ah battery: as a second battery, so one is always charged.

Add the sander when you start upcycling furniture, and the garden vacuum when autumn arrives.

Tool jargon, decoded

Tool boxes and product pages are full of terms that make sense to tradespeople and very little sense to everyone else. Here are the ones you'll meet most often.

• Volts (V): roughly, how much power a cordless tool can deliver. Most home cordless tools are 12V or 18V. The GO 3 is 3.6V, which is plenty for screwdriving.
• Amp hours (Ah): battery capacity, a bit like the size of a fuel tank. A 4.0Ah battery runs about twice as long as a 2.0Ah battery of the same voltage, but it's a little heavier.
• Torque (Nm): twisting force, measured in newton metres. More torque drives bigger screws. The GO 3 delivers up to 5 Nm.
• Clutch: a mechanism that stops the screwdriver turning once a set level of torque is reached, so you don't over-tighten.
• Hammer action: a setting on combi drills that adds a rapid hammering motion, which helps the bit break into brick and concrete. Turn it off for wood, metal and tiles.
• Brushless: a type of motor without carbon brushes. Usually more efficient and longer lasting, often found on more expensive tools.
• Orbital strokes per minute: how fast a sander's pad moves in tiny orbits. The PSM 100 A does 26,000 a minute.
• Grit: the coarseness of sandpaper. Lower numbers are rougher.
• HSS-TiN: high-speed steel with a titanium nitride coating, used for metal drill bits.
• Shank: the end of a bit that goes into the drill or screwdriver. 1/4" hex shanks fit most bit holders and drivers.
• Bare tool: a cordless tool sold without a battery or charger, for people who already own compatible batteries.
• RCD: a residual current device. It cuts the power very quickly if there's a fault, and is strongly recommended for outdoor mains tools.

Bosch compared with the other brands we sell

Bosch is our only tool brand, so the useful comparisons are within Bosch itself (green versus blue, as above) and with outdoor cleaning tools. For small outdoor and indoor dust jobs, the Shark BlastBoss is lighter and cordless. For a whole garden of leaves, the Bosch UniversalGardenTidy 3000 is the tool.

Before you buy: quick checks

• Battery: do your tools have a green Bosch body or the POWER FOR ALL logo? If they're blue Bosch Professional, this battery won't fit. Do you already own a compatible charger?
• GO 3: are your jobs mainly screws up to 5 mm, like flat-pack, hinges and shelves? Then it's ideal. For drilling, you need a drill.
• Truvo: are your walls very thick or unusual, such as stone? Detection depth varies, so take extra care.
• Sander: is your project furniture, frames or doors? Good fit. A whole floor? Hire a floor sander.
• Garden vacuum: how far is your furthest leaf from a socket? Plan an outdoor extension lead with an RCD.
• Bit sets: want a solid all-rounder? The 70-piece X-Line. Need holesaws and more choice? The 103-piece.

Bosch as a gift

• For a first-time buyer: the GO 3 and the Truvo together. Practical, compact and used constantly in a new home.
• For a keen gardener: the UniversalGardenTidy 3000, just before autumn.
• For someone who already owns green Bosch 18V tools: a spare PBA 18V 4.0Ah battery is the gift they'll never buy themselves.
• For a furniture upcycler: the PSM 100 A multi-sander with a pack of extra sheets.

Why we chose Bosch

Bosch has been engineering things since 1886 and making power tools since 1928. It invented the first power tool with a lithium-ion battery. Its green range is designed for people doing jobs at home, and the POWER FOR ALL battery system means a battery bought today can power tools from several brands for years to come. We chose a range that covers the jobs most homes face: fixing, drilling, sanding, checking walls and clearing leaves.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between green and blue Bosch tools?

Green is Bosch Home and Garden, for DIY and gardening at home. Blue is Bosch Professional, for tradespeople and heavy daily use.

Will the PBA 18V battery fit my blue Bosch tool?

No. The PBA 18V battery is for green Bosch 18V tools and other POWER FOR ALL tools. Blue Bosch Professional 18V tools use a different battery system.

Is a charger included with the PBA battery?

No. It charges with Bosch AL 1810 CV, AL 18V-20, AL 1815 CV, AL 1830 CV and AL 1880 CV chargers.

Can the GO 3 drill holes?

It's designed for screwdriving, for screws up to 5 mm in diameter. For drilling holes, especially in walls, use a drill.

How do I charge the GO 3?

With the USB-C cable supplied, plugged into a USB charger. A mains USB plug isn't listed in the box, so use one you already have.

Will the Truvo find plastic pipes?

No. It detects metal and live cables. Plastic pipes and cables that aren't live won't show up.

How deep can the Truvo detect?

Metal up to 70 mm and live cables up to 50 mm, depending on the wall material and the size of the object.

Can I use the UniversalGardenTidy on wet leaves?

It works best on dry leaves. Wet leaves are heavier, can clog the tube and don't shred as well.

What sandpaper fits the PSM 100 A?

Bosch sheets made for the PSM 100 A, with the hook-and-loop backing and matching dust holes. Three sheets come in the box.

Are the bit sets compatible with other drill brands?

Yes. The bits use standard shanks and the screwdriver bits are standard 1/4" hex, so they fit most drills and drivers, including the GO 3's universal bit locker.

Which screwdriver bit do I need for flat-pack furniture?

Usually a Pozidriv size 2 (PZ2), but check the screw head. If it has extra small lines between the cross arms, it's Pozidriv. Some flat-pack uses hex bolts, so check the instructions too.

Find your Bosch

• Bosch Professional GO 3 Cordless Screwdriver with 8-Piece Bit Set
• Bosch Truvo Digital Detector, 2nd Generation
• Bosch PSM 100 A Multi-Sander
• Bosch UniversalGardenTidy 3000 Garden Vacuum and Leaf Blower
• Bosch PBA 18V 4.0Ah W-C Battery Pack
• Bosch X-Line Titanium Drill and Screwdriver Bit Set, 70 Piece
• Bosch Titanium Drill and Screwdriver Accessory Set, 103 Piece

If you only buy one, make it the Truvo. It's the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy for your walls, your wiring and your fingers.

Sources: Robert Bosch GmbH entry on Wikipedia, Bosch Power Tools "Our roots" history, Bosch press archive (Forfex, 1928) and the POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE page on Rapid's website. Product figures are manufacturer specifications.