Intro
Drilling into reinforced concrete, chasing channels through brick, or setting heavy-duty anchors in stone is not a job for an ordinary hammer drill. A standard drill with a hammer function will eventually get through a single hole in a soft brick, but ask it to drill a dozen 12-millimetre holes through a structural concrete lintel and you will quickly understand why rotary hammers exist. These tools use an electro-pneumatic hammer mechanism — a piston driving a striker against the back of the bit — to deliver impact energy measured in joules, not just blows per minute. The result is drilling that feels less like forcing the tool and more like guiding it. For anyone fitting conduits, mounting radiators, installing overhead racking, or doing any trade work that regularly meets concrete, stone, or hard masonry, a proper SDS-Plus rotary hammer is the difference between finishing the job before lunch and still being there when it gets dark.
Generalities
When you are choosing an SDS-Plus rotary hammer, the numbers that matter most are impact energy — measured in joules — and the maximum drilling diameter in concrete. A tool delivering around 3 joules of impact energy sits in the sweet spot for most professional trades: enough power to drill up to 28 millimetres in concrete and to use core bits for socket boxes, yet still light enough to use one-handed when needed. A 3-mode selector that adds a chiselling function with rotation stop turns the tool into a light demolition hammer for removing tiles, chasing channels, or breaking out small sections of masonry. Bosch Professional has been making rotary hammers for decades, and their GBH series is among the most widely used on European construction sites — known for durable hammer mechanisms, excellent vibration damping, and a vast ecosystem of SDS-Plus accessories.
In this review we examine the build quality, performance, and day-to-day usability of a corded rotary hammer that has earned a #2 bestseller ranking in its category. We cover its power output and drilling capacities, the interchangeable chuck system that sets it apart from fixed-chuck competitors, the ergonomic features that reduce user fatigue, and the accessories and accessories you get in the box. By the end you will know whether this is the right rotary hammer for your next concrete-drilling job.
Description
The Bosch Professional GBH 2-28 F is powered by an 880-watt corded motor that delivers 3.2 joules of impact energy to the SDS-Plus bit holder — enough to drill through concrete at up to 28 millimetres in diameter with a solid bit, and wider still with core bits for socket boxes and conduit entries. The electro-pneumatic hammer mechanism operates at up to 4,000 blows per minute, while the spindle rotates at up to 900 revolutions per minute under no load. These numbers place it in the compact 3-joule class — powerful enough for structural anchoring and through-drilling in reinforced concrete, but not so large that it becomes unwieldy for overhead work or smaller-diameter holes. The 230-volt corded design means unlimited runtime on site as long as you have mains power, with no batteries to swap or recharge mid-shift.
What distinguishes the GBH 2-28 F from simpler rotary hammers is the 'F' in its name — short for 'Futter', the German word for chuck — indicating Bosch's interchangeable chuck system. The standard SDS-Plus chuck accepts all SDS-Plus bits and chisels with a tool-free push-and-lock action, but you can swap it for the included keyless 13-millimetre chuck in seconds, instantly turning the rotary hammer into a conventional drill for wood and metal. The 3-mode selector on the side of the gear housing lets you choose between rotary drilling only, rotary hammer for concrete and masonry, and hammer-only with rotation lock for light chiselling tasks. An overload clutch protects both the user and the gearbox — if a bit jams in rebar, the clutch disengages instead of wrenching the tool out of your hands.
Day-to-day handling is where the GBH 2-28 F earns its reputation. At 3.1 kilograms it is light enough for one-handed operation when drilling into walls at chest height, yet substantial enough to feel planted and stable when working downward into a floor. The soft-grip main handle and the 360-degree adjustable auxiliary handle give you a secure two-handed hold for heavy horizontal drilling. Bosch's vibration control system is integrated into the hammer mechanism itself — a dampening element between the percussion unit and the tool housing absorbs recoil before it reaches your hands, reducing the vibration values to levels that allow comfortable use over a full working day. The variable-speed trigger gives you precise control from a gentle start to full power, essential when starting a hole in a precise spot on a finished surface.
The GBH 2-28 F comes well-equipped straight out of the box. The interchangeable 13-millimetre keyless chuck is included, giving you immediate flexibility to drill into wood and metal without buying additional accessories. A 210-millimetre depth stop rod slides into the auxiliary handle and locks with a thumb screw, letting you set a repeatable drilling depth — useful when drilling multiple holes for wall plugs at the same depth. The carry case is a robust Bosch Professional L-BOXX-style injection-moulded plastic case with space for the tool and essential accessories. A cleaning cloth is also included. The right/left rotation switch sits above the trigger, making it easy to reverse out of a deep hole or use the tool for screw extraction.
The GBH 2-28 F measures approximately 340 millimetres in length and weighs 3.1 kilograms as a bare tool. It carries a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating from over 1,200 customer reviews and ranks #2 in Rotary Hammers on Amazon France — a position that reflects its status as one of the most trusted rotary hammers in its class. Bosch Professional backs the tool with their standard 2-year warranty, extendable to 3 years with online registration. It is manufactured in Germany to Bosch's professional tool standards. SDS-Plus remains the most widely supported bit standard in Europe, so finding compatible drill bits, chisels, and core bits at any builders' merchant is never a problem. For a corded rotary hammer that bridges the gap between compact convenience and genuine concrete-punching ability, the GBH 2-28 F is hard to beat.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 3.2 joules of impact energy drills up to 28 mm in concrete — genuine punch for structural anchoring, through-holes, and core drilling without stepping up to a heavier machine
- Interchangeable chuck system lets you swap between SDS-Plus and a 13 mm keyless chuck in seconds — one tool handles concrete, wood, and metal without reaching for a second drill
- 3-mode operation — rotary drilling, rotary hammer, and chisel-only with rotation lock — adds light demolition capability for tile removal and channel chasing
- Built-in vibration damping reduces user fatigue significantly over a full working day, meeting EU occupational exposure guidelines for prolonged tool use
- Overload clutch disengages if the bit jams in rebar or dense aggregate — protects the user's wrists and prevents gearbox damage
- At 3.1 kg, light enough for comfortable overhead drilling into ceilings and soffits, yet the 880 W motor never feels underpowered on the job
- Comes in a proper L-BOXX carry case with the depth stop, auxiliary handle, interchangeable chuck, and cloth all included — ready to work straight out of the box
Cons
- Corded design limits mobility — you need mains power or a generator on site, and the cable can snag when moving between rooms or climbing scaffolding
- No dust extraction port or integrated dust collection — drilling overhead or indoors creates significant dust unless you use a separate vacuum attachment
- At 3.2 joules, it is not powerful enough for sustained medium demolition — breaking out floor tiles or thick concrete slabs still requires a dedicated breaker
- The interchangeable chuck, while versatile, is one more item to keep track of on a busy site — losing it means buying a replacement before you can drill into metal again
- No variable chisel angle lock for the hammer-only mode — the chisel position is fixed, which is fine for basic tile removal but limiting for precision chasing work
Use cases
The Bosch Professional GBH 2-28 F is a corded SDS-Plus rotary hammer that excels at concrete drilling, anchoring, and light chiselling for electricians, plumbers, HVAC installers, and general builders who need reliable power in a compact body.
Concrete Anchoring and Fixing
Whether you are securing a steel beam with 16 mm through-bolts, mounting heavy radiators, or fixing cable trays to a concrete ceiling, the GBH 2-28 F punches clean holes at speed. The depth stop ensures every hole is exactly the right depth for the anchor, and the variable-speed trigger lets you start a hole precisely where your pencil mark says — no wandering.
Electrical and Data Cabling
Electricians running conduits through poured concrete walls or drilling backboxes into brick will find the GBH 2-28 F the ideal size — powerful enough for 25 mm core bits for socket boxes, yet light enough to drill overhead all day. The hammer-only mode with rotation lock helps chase shallow channels in plaster and soft block for cable runs.
Plumbing and Heating First Fix
Running central heating pipes through masonry walls, drilling flue holes for boilers, and fixing pipe clips to concrete floors are daily plumbing tasks where a reliable rotary hammer pays for itself. The interchangeable chuck means the same tool drills the pilot hole through the wall and then drives the fixing screws — no tool swap needed.
Door and Window Installation
Fitting steel door frames, window sills, and roller shutter housings into concrete and brick openings demands accurate, repeatable holes for expanding anchors. The GBH 2-28 F's compact length fits between the reveal and the frame, and the auxiliary handle gives the control needed to drill horizontally without drifting.
Light Demolition and Renovation
Stripping ceramic wall tiles, removing old plaster in patches, and breaking out small sections of brickwork for pipe runs are within the GBH 2-28 F's hammer-only mode capability. It is not a replacement for a full-sized breaker, but for the kind of localised demolition that comes with every renovation project — opening up a wall, chipping out damaged render — it is more than up to the task.