Bosch GTS 18V-57 Jigsaw UK Review – Tested and Rated

The Bosch GTS 18V-57 sits fourth in our best cordless jigsaws UK comparison, a position that reflects strong cut quality credentials offset by a higher price point than rivals with comparable specification. At 0-2,600 spm with a brushless motor and 5-stage orbital action – the most orbital settings in our comparison – the specification is impressive on paper. In practice, the fifth orbital position adds little over four stages for most cutting tasks, and the price puts it above both the Makita DJV182Z and the DeWalt DCS331 without offering a commensurate performance advantage.

Where the GTS 18V-57 genuinely distinguishes itself is the SDS-type blade change mechanism – the fastest and most secure in our comparison – and the Bosch Professional 18V platform, which has very good UK trade availability. For an existing Bosch 18V user the platform argument applies here as it does across the range. The cut quality in timber is excellent and comparable with the Makita DJV182Z in our tests.

Overview and first impressions

The GTS 18V-57 is a compact, well-balanced tool. The blue and black Bosch Professional livery is clean, the housing is solid and the balance with a blade fitted is good. At 1.5kg bare it matches the Makita as the lightest tool in our comparison, which benefits sustained use and overhead cutting. The grip is ergonomically well-designed and the rubber overmould provides secure grip across a range of hand sizes.

The SDS-type blade change is the standout feature on first inspection. A simple push-and-twist action releases and locks blades with no lever or key required and with the confidence of a positive mechanical lock – there is no blade play whatsoever in the holder. For a trade user who changes blades frequently, this mechanism is noticeably faster than the key-type systems on the DeWalt and Milwaukee and slightly faster than the Makita’s lever system. The base plate pivots for bevel cuts up to 45 degrees and locks via a single lever with a positive click at the selected angle.

The 5-stage orbital action dial has clear labelling and detented positions. The variable speed trigger provides good low-end control – the brushless motor’s refined response at slow speeds is comparable with the Makita and better than the brushed rivals. The LED work light positioned ahead of the blade holder is a useful addition that none of the other tools in our comparison include, providing useful illumination in confined cutting spaces.

One practical consideration worth raising early is the Bosch Professional blue versus green battery distinction. The GTS 18V-57 runs on Bosch Professional (blue) batteries – these are not compatible with Bosch Home and Garden (green) tools. If you own Bosch green garden tools and are considering this jigsaw expecting battery compatibility, check the colour of your existing battery before purchasing. This is the same caveat that applies to all Bosch Professional tools and catches more buyers out than it should.

Specifications and scores

How it performed in our tests

The GTS 18V-57 delivered the best cut quality in hardwood and plywood in our comparison – the brushless motor’s refined low-speed control and the 5-stage orbital dial’s additional granularity allowing very precise calibration of cut aggressiveness for the specific material. In 18mm plywood at orbital setting 1, the cut edge was the cleanest recorded in our tests. In hardwood at orbital setting 0, the cut was excellent with minimal tear-out. In softwood at orbital setting 3, speed was strong and comparable with the Makita and Milwaukee.

The SDS blade change performed exactly as advertised – push, twist, blade in, release, locked. No lever, no key, no partial engagement. This is the fastest and most confidence-inspiring blade change system in our comparison and a genuine quality-of-life improvement over key or lever systems for anyone who changes blades frequently during a working day. The LED work light proved useful in the confined cutting tasks, illuminating the cut line in situations where the tool body would otherwise cast a shadow over the blade position. In an under-counter kitchen installation or a loft conversion with limited lighting, this is a detail that makes a practical difference.

Battery system and runtime

The GTS 18V-57 runs on the Bosch Professional 18V platform, which has good availability at Screwfix and trade suppliers across the UK. The platform covers a comprehensive range of professional tools including the Bosch drill, combi drill, angle grinder and circular saw ranges. For existing Bosch Professional users the platform argument applies straightforwardly – existing batteries work immediately and the broader tool investment is protected.

The brushless motor delivers efficient battery use comparable with the Makita DJV182Z – both brushless tools produce meaningfully better runtime than the brushed DeWalt and Milwaukee in equivalent cutting tasks. In our testing the GTS 18V-57 completed approximately the same number of cuts per charge as the Makita on a 3.0Ah battery cutting the same material, confirming the brushless efficiency advantage over the brushed alternatives. The GAL 18V-40 standard fast charger returns a 3.0Ah battery to full in approximately 40 minutes – one of the faster charge times in the professional jigsaw class.

Performance and limitations

The GTS 18V-57’s primary limitation is value for money. It is the most expensive tool in our comparison, yet it finishes fourth overall because the performance advantages it offers – best finish cut quality and best blade change system – do not justify the premium over the Makita DJV182Z for most buyers. The LED work light and 5-stage orbital action are genuine differentiators but not enough to tip the balance at this price gap. For Bosch Professional platform users the case is stronger, as the platform investment argument is real.

The 5-stage orbital setting is worth a specific comment. In our testing, orbital positions 3 and 4 produced very similar results in softwood – the jump from no orbital to orbital setting 1 is the most significant step in cut character, and the differences between higher settings become progressively smaller. For a buyer who values the precision of very fine orbital increments in finish work, the fifth position is a genuine addition to the specification. For a buyer who cuts mostly softwood and sheet material, four positions would serve just as well. The extra stage is a genuine differentiator for hardwood joinery specialists – marginal for everyone else.

Final verdict – is it worth it?

The Bosch GTS 18V-57 is a genuinely excellent jigsaw with the best finish cut quality and the best blade change system in our comparison. For existing Bosch Professional platform users it is an easy and clear recommendation – the performance is at the top of the class for the tasks that matter most to precision woodworkers, and the platform investment is protected. For buyers starting fresh without existing Bosch tools, the small price premium over the Makita DJV182Z is hard to justify on performance grounds alone.

The SDS blade change and the LED work light are the two distinguishing features that might tip the balance for a specific buyer. For a joiner or cabinet maker who changes blades multiple times per day and works in confined spaces, those two features combined with brushless efficiency and excellent cut quality make the Bosch a strong personal choice even at the slightly higher price. For most other buyers, the Makita edges it on overall value.

The GTS 18V-57 is not overpriced in absolute terms – it is a very good professional tool at a competitive price. It simply faces exceptional competition in a comparison where the tools immediately below it in ranking offer most of what it delivers for slightly less money. The honest recommendation is: if you are a Bosch Professional user, buy this without reservation. If you are starting fresh, buy the Makita DJV182Z and invest the difference in a quality set of T-shank blades that will improve cut results on any jigsaw in the comparison.