Makita vs Bosch Router – Which is Better for you

If you’re new to woodworking, you probably have many questions about routers – which would be the most effective router for you.

Considering different available options, it makes sense! Makita routers seem to be classy on paper, while Bosch cuts 10% more in some stores.

Perhaps, you have got an amateurish hand, so you need to choose your router wisely whether it will serve your purpose or not. Let’s demonstrate the Makita vs bosch router comparison in detail.

Comparison Table Between Makita Vs Bosch Router:

Key Point	Makita	Bosch
Power	11-15 AMP with 8,000 – 24,000 No Load RPM	5.6-15 AMP with 8,000-25,000 No Load RPM
Collet Capacity	1/2″, 1/4″	1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 8 mm
Max. Load	2-1/4 HP to 3-1/4 HP	1.25 to 2.3 HP
Length	8-3/4″ to 12-1/4″	3.5″ to 6.75.”
Net Weight	7.2 lbs. to 13.4 lbs.	4.25 lbs. to 12.6 lbs.
Variable Speed	Yes	Yes

Real Differences Between Makita vs Bosch Router:

Depending on your main purpose of getting a new router, different types are available with various features enabled.

For instance, you may have a dilemma to choose between a Plunge Router, D-Handle Router, or a Trim Router, but you don’t know the pros and cons either.

That being said, let’s discuss the core points to consider before making your next purchase. It will help to make your decision which is to prefer easier.

Types

Both Makita and Bosch come with various routers based on specific woodworking purposes. Makita mainly manufactures D-Handle Router and Plunge Base Router having variable speeds in the application.

Bosch has four alternative routers in their manufacturing list, and each of them has its precision of being used with ease. These are Palm Routers, Plunge Routers, Fixed-Base Routers, and Combo Pack Routers.

D-Handle Routers are ideal for trim, remodeling, home improvement, and other woodworking aspects. It creates a lower center of gravity and triggers a lock-on feature to enhance tool control on hard and soft wooden surfaces.

Macro adjust-tool, including cam-lock, leverages simple edge woodworking processes. Usage of micro-depth adjustments boosts the accuracy to a way higher as 1/128 of every inch – synchronizing bit depth changes. 

On the other hand, Plunge Routers is handier to use when your approach allows a hands-on experience to your craft. It starts biting off inside, not the outside of the router unit. 

While others may go for tremendous crafting projects and be willing to expense higher so that the machine itself puts more efficiency, you can get the same with a mere physical involvement to cut the edges using a plunge router.

Power and Accuracy

You should’ve specified goals set before starting your woodworking project. According to your intent to acquire, it must include adequate Power to cut through the wooden surface.

Makita routers have powerful amperages from  11-15 AMP; depending on your needs, they offer this variety. Every router has a superior power combination to accelerate its performance; it comes with the most used accessories that will meet needs to use in a range of applications.

For instance, Makita 2-1/4 HP has a powerful 11 AMP motor that delivers 8,000-24,000 RPM in almost all use cases.

Another 3‑1/4 HP Plunge router has a compelling 15 AMP motor having variable speed controlling worth 9,000 – 22,000 RPM. Thus, it boosts performance up to the peak.

Bosch also manufactures routers with different amperages in a range of  5.6-15 AMP. The Palm Routers contain the Power of 5.6 to 7.0 AMP, Fixed-Base Routers 11 to 15 AMP, Plunge-Base Router 15 AMP, and Combo Pack Routers are from 5.6 to 12.0 AMP.

However, make sure the power doesn’t go against the advantages of using a router for handwork.

Switch and Base Aperture

As far as our concern, the simpler the switch is, the better it is. What if you strictly use the router on the table and don’t find the control that works? You may bypass it with an external one, but a modest one would do the job quite well, right?

The switch in Makita Router is set mostly on the trigger handle, you just need to push, so the router would start working. It is as simple as that!

In the Bosch router, the switch is placed on the side sticking into it. It also triggers push on/off the system. The same goes for the base aperture too. The larger its radius, the better it would be. Especially if you do woodwork on the router table, a bigger diameter helps make it done with ease. 

Both Makita and Bosch routers include large diameters. Based on your requirements, you can get one from your nearest store.

Collet

Collets are made precisely, and tempered steel is used as the raw material.

Makita 2-1/4 HP plunge base router comes with (1/4″, 1/2″ collet along with the nut, 2-1/2″ smooth sub-base, wrenches), and 3‑1/4 HP plunge router having variable speed is almost identical but added extended depth of the knob.

For Bosch Palm Routers, the collet capacity is 1/4″, Fixed-Base Routers (1/2″ and 1/4″) to 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 8 mm, Plunge Routers include 1/2″-1/4″ collet chuck that is self-released with 24mm nut wrench as well.

Dust Collection

Almost all manufacturers offer dust extraction facilities to connect to the routers, but it’s not necessarily needed to include them; instead, it’s optional. Also, the extraction process is a bit different on the router table.

According to OSHA-compliant options, Makita Routers has dust extracting attachments, but verified engineers must operate it to connect accessories components to the dust collector.

Bosch Routers don’t offer any dust collection solution. In that case, you may need to figure out alternatives.

Plunge Depth

Plunge depth is crucial to regaining depth cut lost, especially while working on a router table or guide bush template.

The plunge depth of Makita routers is 2-19/32″ to 2-3/4″, and for Bosch Palm Router, the lowness is 2-1/4″.

Makita vs Bosch Router: Which is Ideal for What?

Bosch manufacturers trim routers mainly while Makita brings plunge base and plunge routers, maintaining enhanced quality. It also offers plunge base and fixed base routers, which are excellent tools recommended by users.

And, if you’re looking for a trim router that would work great on light finishing of the wood edges like flush-trim – meaning the removal of the small amount of material with ease, you can go for Bosch Palm Routers.

On the other hand, if you require a router to align your all woodwork projects, Makita Routers will perform amazingly. But it’ll be ungainly for you if used in light-edged woodwork.

For example, if you want to cut speaker holes, a plunge router will provide much more stability and control by having a dual-grip facility.

Although Bosch Routers are well made, Makita makes professional tools that hardly trigger unexpected issues.

Final Words

Bosch was pretty good when manufactured in Germany years ago. It is mostly made in China, which reduced its lasting significance. As said that Makita is way better than Bosch.

Makita routers are green-bodied and mainly produced from Indonesia or Malaysia. Most professionals use silver-gray-colored Makita, which is a bit expensive.

The most distinctive part of choosing a router is your main usage purpose, durability, and the capability to meet your needs. Bosch is more promising for small projects, while Makita does better in all other aspects of heavy woodworks.

So, we’ve wrapped up a comprehensive guide on Makita vs Bosch router that we hope to help you most in regards to getting your next wood router.