Bosch GBH 5-38 SDS-Max Combi Hammer (6kg)

The GBH 5-38 D was Bosch's 5kg-class SDS-Max combi hammer: a two-mode machine for heavy drilling and chiselling that became a hire-fleet staple. In the 6kg bracket it hit the sweet spot between power and usability, big enough to run large bits and breaker steels all day, yet manageable on walls as well as floors. Rugged, simple and famously hard to kill, plenty are still working today.

Bosch replaced it with the GBH 5-40 series, which carries over the same role with more impact energy, vibration damping and modern electronics.

The direct successor and alternatives

The current Bosch GBH 5-40 DCE is the natural upgrade, and we list it alongside every rival in our corded SDS-Max category. For the full Bosch line-up, including the 8kg and 12kg classes above it, see our Bosch SDS drills page.