Bosch Professional 18V System GAS 18V-1 cordless handheld vacuum cleaner (excl. rechar. batt. and charger, with suction pipe, crevice nozzle, carpet nozzle, 1 litre container volume, in cardboard box)

Product Information

The UniversalVac 18 doesn’t come with a battery or charger and these need to be bought separately. Unless you’ve got one already, that is. Not having the option to buy the UniversalVac 18 as a kit including batteries is annoying for newcomers. However, buying into the Bosch POWER FOR ALL RANGE is a good investment. Buying the batteries and charger gives you a base from which you can add myriad tools. With the battery sitting at the base, it pulls the weight to just behind your wrist. Obviously, it’s not a lot of weight, but it certainly helps with how well the UnviersalVac 18 handles. It's much better than the more tube-shaped models, such as the Shark Cordless Handheld. We also really liked the rubberised grip around the handle. A wet/dry vacuum cleaner can be used for dry vacuuming with or without a bag. For wet applications, the vacuum cleaner is used without a bag. An introduction to the UniversalVac 18 is also an introduction to the Bosch 18V Home & Garden family of tools. It’s like meeting your partner’s relatives for the first time. Bosch’s 18V POWER FOR ALL batteries sit at the heart of the entire range. They’re compatible with dozens of Bosch Home & Garden tools, from drills to lawn mowers. For parity’s sake, it’s fair to add the price of a battery and charger set onto the cost of the vacuum itself when comparing with competition. Most of the UniversalVac 18’s competition comes from brands that focus on vacuums, such as Shark and Gtech.

In terms of performance, the UniversalVac 18 is excellent and stands out among other lightweight cordless vacuums. It also comes with a brush and crevice too, which are the two important attachments for car cleaning. You also vacuum boot carpets by using the floor tool without the extension tubes. Some wet and dry vacuums also have an integrated outward blow function. They can also clean where vacuuming is not possible - protective goggles should be worn during such operations. The UniversalVac 18 doesn’t come with a battery or charger and these need to be bought separately, unless you’ve got one already. But sliding on the 2.5Ah battery and firing it up, blimey this is the first cordless vacuum cleaner we’ve used that can be classed as such. It's more than a dust buster. It’s also important to look at battery technology. Bosch’s 18V POWER FOR ALL batteries have cell protection from overloading and overheating. They also don’t suffer from memory effect and maintain charge when stored for long periods of time. Ergonomics and usability Beyond price, another obvious difference between the Bosch and the aforementioned brands is that the Bosch batteries are compatible with an enormous range of other, desirable tools. There are other tool brands that have big 18V ranges for the DIY market, such as Worx. But the UnversalVac 18 is better than the Worx Cube Vac. VerdictAs a rule, wet/dry vacuums have a larger capacity and higher suction power than conventional household vacuums. It is intended for dry vacuuming of coarse dust or rough dirt from smooth surfaces. The dry dust extractor is compatible with all Bosch Professional 18 V batteries (Professional 18V System). Also compatible with AMPShare, the multi-brand battery alliance. Additional Information They are particularly robust and therefore practical for use in the garage or workshop and outdoors – whether in the yard, terrace or garden shed. We vacuumed stuff. Not wanting to sound like an obnoxious schoolkid but really, that’s what we did. Over a few weeks we used this vacuum around the house and for car cleaning.

What we don’t like is that there is no option to buy the UniversalVac 18 as a kit with a battery and charger. Often you can and gives you better value. But in this instance, you must buy a battery-charger set separately, if you don’t have them already. Price and competition Having a short and stout body, the UniversalVac 18 is great to hold. The motor and battery are right on your hand, so it doesn’t feel wobbly. It’s much better than the more tube-shaped models, such as the Shark Cordless Handheld. We also really liked the rubberised grip around the handle. The batteries are available in several capacities, and they’re excellent. They have cell protection against overloading and overheating. POWER FOR ALL batteries don’t suffer from memory effect either, and maintain charge when stored for long periods of time. Ergonomics and usability The crevice tool just long enough to reach down beside seats, but not really under because the tool body is a bit fat. The bin capacity is 0.5 litres, which doesn’t sound like much but it’s more than what the Gtech Multi MkII offers, and certainly enough for a car clean.

Any downsides?