Bosch vs Makita

[Gavster]

Currently have a 18v Bosch drill and need to get some other tools. Tried some Makita stuff from a pal who lives around the corner which was nice to use too. The question is whether to build on the Bosch or start a collection with another brand.

Obviously the correct answer is Festool but they’re out of budget and I’m not sold on DeWalt so those two are out. Previously had a collection of Ryobi 1+ which were great value but I didn’t enjoy the design of them.

The question is whether the overall product range and quality/accuracy of Bosch or Makita is better? Any thoughts?

[duncs500]

I feel like Bosch used to be better made, but now I feel like Makita is better (based on no real world experience).

[mik]

I voted Bosch as I have a couple of items from them (old electric leaf blower, hedge trimmer, old 14.4v drill), but my recent stuff is all DeWalt and I’m very happy with it.

[McSwede]

I have a DeWalt drill/driver and it's been brilliant. Makita would be a good choice and I hear good things about Milwaukee too.

[Mito Man]

If you buy Bosch you need to buy their blue line as the green is shit. I’ve got their non battery saws and they’re solid.
Otherwise for 18v stuff I ended up with both DeWalt and Milwaukee as they both make niche tools.

[Gavster]

My current drill is Bosch professional (blue) so would continue with that range. It sounds like there's not much to choose between them, so might be easier to buy bare Bosch kit. It's not like I'm gonna be using them daily and testing their full capabilities

[jamcg]

I have full makita stuff for work and it takes some serious abuse. Had a few battery failures a few years ago but they’d had a hard life and new ones are still strong- they improved the design so there’s limitations on using them on older tools without a star on the battery connector or if it’s yellow- not a problem with new stuff but if you look at second hand it’s worth knowing

Avoid ‘g’ series stuff as it’s diy bollocks.

milwaukee Is worth a look from YouTube vids but no real world experience

[jamcg]

Also you can buy adaptors to other makes now. So if you want a certain tool and only want to pay ryobi money you can get an adaptor to bosh

[Gavin]

I have a Makita drill that has done many years service, battery charges up very quickly and it must have lasted 15 years, last year the charge tailed off and I replaced it with DeWalt and it is just better kit.

I have an old mains Black & Decker drill but Bosch are not of the same quality as they were, neither are B & D. You don't see many tradesmen using Bosch or B&D which is probably illuminating.

[Broccers]

My trade friends use Makita.

I've Makita stuff, never gone wrong.