Bosch has an 18V battery that works with 10 different tool brands

Published Oct 27, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT Cory Gunther is a senior author and Newsletter Editor at Valnet, covering cutting-edge tech, Android, and more for How-To Geek. He's covered Android, cars, and technology for over a decade. When he's not reviewing the latest gadget, you can find him off-roading in his Toyota truck, fixing said truck, or doing something outdoors with friends and family. He's covered CES, SEMA, and MWC and reviewed countless phones, TVs, speakers, EVs, e-bikes, and more. Before Valnet, Cory worked for GottaBeMobile. His writing has also appeared on SlashGear, InputMag, and AndroidCentral. He's written over 9,000 articles. Whether you're a DIY homeowner or a professional, you know that buying a cordless power tool means getting trapped in a single brand's battery ecosystem. If you buy any other brand, you'll need a new set of batteries and chargers. However, the complete opposite is true with the Bosch Power for All system, which lets you use a single battery with 10 brands across more than 150 tools. Yes, Bosch has an 18V power tool battery that'll work perfectly with other tools and products from Gardena, Husqvarna, and countless others. It's a unique approach, one that the company offers for DIY and homeowner lines, as well as a similar "AMPShare" technology for professional-grade tools. Here's what you need to know. The Bosch "Power for All" Alliance One battery, over 10 brands, and countless tools you'll love Imagine being able to buy a single 18V power tool battery and use it with dozens of power tools from multiple brands, countless home and garden tools, Husqvarna lawn mowers, vacuums for indoor use, and beyond. Sounds great, right? As we all know here in the United States, Ryobi batteries only power Ryobi tools, and you'll never be able to officially use a Milwaukee battery on a tool from another brand. Sure, adapters exist, but those can be risky. Battery lock-in is the problem Bosch set out to solve, and it arrived in 2020. It's called the Bosch Power for All Alliance, and if you haven't heard much about it, that's because it's not available in the United States. However, it's pretty popular in Europe and select other international markets. Bosch does have something similar for the U.S., only it's not for homeowners, and instead, is geared towards professionals, but more on that in a moment. Basically, Bosch wanted to partner with other brands to create a unified system that helps homeowners and DIYers get more done without all the hassle, e-waste, and other challenges. The results are the Power for All Alliance. And while Bosch and Gardena are the most active in the system (and both are co-owners), there are 8 other brands you can use that run on a single battery. Here's the complete list: Bosch Home & Garden tools: Cordless power tools and DIY gear Bosch Home Appliances: Vacuum cleaners and home products Flymo: Cordless garden tools Gardena: Gardening and watering products Gloria House and Garden: Plant and weed care products Husqvarna: Lawn, forest, park, and garden tools Ledvance: Lighting solutions Rapid: Fastening tools, staplers, and guns Steinel: Cordless thermo tools Wagner: Paint sprayers and other surfacing tools In total, you can buy over 150 different power tools, vacuums, sprayers, lights, and more, from nearly 10 completely different brands, and all of them will work with that single Bosch 18V PowerPlus (Power for All) battery pack. It's a bold approach and a brilliant idea, but one that's a constant uphill battle. Naturally, most brands want customers to buy their own batteries and tools, rather than share products and markets with competitors. So, who is this actually for? The Bosch Power for All 18V system is designed for casual weekend DIYers and homeowners who do light-duty tasks or repairs on occasion, with a strong focus on gardening. If you want capable, lightweight, and affordable tools without all the battery hassle, and you're in Europe, it might be worth considering. Bosch has a similar platform in the United States It's called AMPShare, and it's for pro-grade tools only Credit: Bosch This idea is actually amazing. I'd love to be able to use my affordable Ryobi tools, niche items from Bosch, and maybe a few specialty tools from Milwaukee, all under one roof, with a single battery design and a single charger. Sadly, I can't. However, following Bosch's Power for All launch in 2020, the company launched a similar initiative in 2022, this time for expert- and professional-grade tools. It's the same novel idea, sharing one battery across different brands, categories, trade, and tools, and it's called Bosch AMPShare. AMPShare is available in the United States and Canada, Europe, and select markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. It's actually a far bigger project, and in total, nearly 35 different brands offer over 400 compatible tools. That's pretty impressive. Some big names include Bosch, FEIN, Wagner, Steinel, and ROTHENBERGER, to name a few. Unfortunately, it's been an uphill battle with slow adoption, limited retail presence in stores like Home Depot and Lowe's, and extremely stiff, well-established competition from Ryobi, DeWALT, Milwaukee, Makita, and others. Plus, many of the included brands are more popular outside the States, like FEIN, which hasn't helped U.S. customers see the need to jump on board. And Bosch isn't the only one It's worth noting that there's also a large initiative called CAS (Cordless Alliance System) in Germany by the popular brand Metabo, which uses Metabo's battery technology to power 400+ tools from 40 to 50 different brands. At the end of the day, people all over Reddit describe these systems as great ideas in theory, but ones that struggle in practice. And that's mainly because not enough big-name brands are included. European customers note that they'd love to see Makita, DeWalt, Festool, Hilti, and other big names join the cause. And because they haven't, the niche brands on board aren't enough to convince anyone. If you're a casual DIYer in Europe who wants affordable tools, the Power for All system might be perfect for you. On the flip side, professionals can consider AMPShare, though you may again run into a similar situation where there isn't enough genuine variety from big brands to support your workflow.