Bosch GAS18V-3 Review

The Bosch GAS18V-3 is a unique machine in the contemporary field of toolbox-shaped wet/dry vacs. This machine sticks to the old-school look and keeps the extension tubes that allow the user to remain standing while vacuuming the floor. It also has a transparent canister that makes monitoring the filter as easy as can be. The downside is that the machine requires more space to store than its peers. The bulkiness is partly because the hose does not self-retract and the fact that it, and the extension tubes, store outside the machine.

Performance Comparison

Dry Work

Overall, the Bosch delivered a slightly below-average performance in the dry work evaluation. Primarily, this can be attributed to the machine's relatively long hose. All of the other models were tested with their hoses fully retracted, a capability that the Bosch lacks. As such, this model suffers from a decrease in airflow compared to its snub-nosed peers. Caveats aside, this machine did pretty well picking up heavy materials so long as they had a lot of surface area. Additionally, loose debris posed little trouble as this machine moved through 9 cups of sawdust in a middling 15 seconds, a time that is comparable to the Craftsman CMCV002B.

In contrast, this machine does deliver above-average performance when it comes to plunging between car seats and couch cushions or along baseboard gaps. With 8 ⅜ inches of reach, its crevice attachment is among the longest. Additionally, its suction power produces an additional ⅝ inch of reach, which is at the top of the class.

Wet Work

Overall the Bosch didn't impress in the wet work evaluation. For starters, the machine delivered a slightly below-average water suction performance. While its motor didn't fail to pull the 2 gallons of water up to the elevated canister, the 18 seconds it took to do so was rather humdrum by comparison; the Ryobi P3240 did so in a mere 9 seconds. It did perform decently in the wet sawdust test, which consists of vacuuming 9 cups of sawdust mixed with 6 cups of water.

Unfortunately, the Bosch didn't build on its wet sawdust performance in the subsequent puddle on a hard surface and wet carpet tests. The floor attachment's lack of airflow channels made it difficult to pull water off a linoleum floor. Additionally, the airflow issue created by the model's long hose left more of the 2 cups of water saturating the carpet than its peers. The Bosch did throw the smackdown on the competition in the suction test with a measured 28 inches of water lift. However, in comparison to the other test results, this outcome illustrates that superior suction will not overcome inadequate airflow.

Battery

All other vacuum tests aside, without an adequate battery cell, these machines are basically expensive step stools. While the Bosch didn't flunk this test, its performance was slightly below the class average. So, how do we know that? We took a fully charged battery cell, popped it into the vacuum, and turned it on, letting it run on air until it died. The time it spends sucking air is called the runtime. We divided the runtimes by the battery cell's respective amp-hour rating to directly compare the various batteries.

At 4.5 minutes of runtime per amp-hour, the Bosch's performance in this evaluation was below average. However, with a four amp-hour battery cell, the 18 minutes of vacuum time will be adequate for many non-professional projects.

Convenience

A notable bright spot for the Bosch is its above-average score in the convenience evaluation. The vac is a bit heavier (10 lbs, 3 oz), and it requires more space to store than its competitors, yet it has several redeeming features. For starters, the hose on this machine is super tough. We had a 200 lbs person stand on it with two feet to no effect.

The Bosch's hose isn't the longest in the class on its own. However, nothing else comes close to the 103 inches of reach that the Bosch offers after adding extension tubes. This model also comes standard with a HEPA-rated filter — a definite plus for respiratory health. Finally, at 77 dBa, the motor in this machine is relatively quiet.

Should You Buy the Bosch GAS18V-3?

The Bosch features a more familiar and traditional design that may draw you in at first glance. However, it does not measure up to the more innovative modern iterations of a wet/dry vac and is on the high end of the price range. If you specifically need a product with a long reach that allows you to stand upright while vacuuming the floor, the Bosch is one of the few that will accommodate you. However, we recommend perusing the options before committing to this vacuum.

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