Tool Test: 18-Volt Drill/Drivers

Bosch Compact Tough (DDS181-02)

Battery: 18 volts; 1.5 Ah
Battery gauge: Yes; on battery
Weight: 3.42 pounds
Lenght 7-1/4 inches
RPM 0–500; 0–1,700
LED headlight: On base; no delay
Belt hook: Included
Web price: $190

Includes: Two batteries; charger; blow-molded plastic case
Warranty: 1 year tool, battery, and charger;
1 year free service; 30-day satisfaction guarantee; register for free ProVantage plan (3 years tool,
2 years battery, 1 year charger)
Country of origin: Mexico
Comments:—
Pro: Very short front-to-back; responsive trigger; includes battery gauge; available as bare tool (DDS181B)
Con: Light has no delay function

Bosch Brute Tough (DDH181-01)

Battery: 18 volts; 3.0 Ah
Battery gauge: Yes; on battery
Weight: 4.72 pounds
Lenght 9-3/8 inches
RPM 0–380; 0–1,600
LED headlight: On base; no delay
Belt hook: Not available
Web price: $295

Includes: Two batteries; charger; side handle; blow-molded plastic case
Warranty: 1 year tool, battery, and charger; 1 year free service; 30-day satisfaction guarantee; register for free ProVantage plan (3 years tool,
2 years battery, 1 year charger)
Country of origin: Malaysia
Comments:—
Pro: Comfortable grip; responsive trigger; includes battery gauge; available as bare tool (DDH181B)
Con: Light has no delay function

DeWalt 20V MAX (DCD780C2)

Battery: 18 volts; 1.5 Ah
Battery gauge: No
Weight: 3.50 pounds
Lenght 7-11/16 inches
RPM 0–600; 0–2,000
LED headlight: Above trigger; 20-second delay
Belt hook: Included
Web price: $200

Includes: Two batteries; charger; plastic case
Warranty: 3 years tool, charger, and battery; 1 year free service tool and charger; 90-day satisfaction guarantee
Country of origin: China
Comments:—
Pro: Very compact; thin comfortable grip; high top speed; right-sized case just big enough for what it needs to hold
Con: Feels somewhat less powerful than other compact models; chuck partially blocks light and creates a blind spot

DeWalt 20V MAX (DCD980L2)

Battery: 18 volts; 3.0 Ah
Battery gauge: No
Weight: 5.22 pounds
Lenght 9-3/8 inches
RPM 0–575; 0–1,350; 0–2,000
LED headlight: Above trigger; 20-second delay
Belt hook: Sold separately
Web price: $280

Includes: Two batteries; charger; side handle; plastic case
Warranty: 3 years tool, charger, and battery; 1 year free service tool and charger; 90-day satisfaction guarantee
Country of origin: Mexico
Comments:—
Pro: Good power; three-speed gear box; noticeably higher max rpm than other models; thin comfortable grip, sturdy metal side handle
Con: Heavier than average; belt clip not included; trigger not very sensitive; chuck partially blocks light and creates a blind spot

Festool T 18+3

Battery: 18 volts; 3.0 Ah
Battery gauge: Yes; on tool
Weight: 4.22 pounds
Lenght 8 inches
RPM 0–450; 0–1,500
LED headlight: Above trigger; 1.5-second delay
Belt hook: Two included; one on either side of battery
Web price: $625

Includes: Two batteries; charger; Centrotec chuck; right-angle chuck; eccentric chuck; Systainer case
Warranty: 3 years tool, battery, and charger; 30-day satisfaction guarantee
Country of origin: Germany
Comments:—
Pro: Good power; superior runtime; includes four chuck options: standard, right angle, offset, and Centrotec; brushless motor; very sensitive trigger; electronic clutch; drill/drive modes separate from clutch
Con: Expensive; clutch adjustment wheel is easily knocked off setting; dual-sided belt hook is nice idea but harder to use than others; only tool in the battery system

Hilti SFC 18-A

Battery: 21.6 volts; 1.6 Ah or 3.3 Ah
Battery gauge: Yes; on battery
Weight: 3.94 pounds (1.6 Ah); 4.62 pounds (3.3 Ah)
Lenght 8 inches
RPM 0–600; 0–1,800
LED headlight: On base; 10-second delay
Belt hook: Sold separately
Web price: $270 (1.6 Ah); $450 (3.3 Ah)

Includes: Two batteries; charger; soft gate-mouth bag
Warranty: Lifetime tool, battery, and charger against defects; 2 years wear and tear on tool, battery, and charger; fleet-management program
Country of origin: China
Comments:—
Pro: Excellent runtime with either size battery; thin comfortable handle; feels more powerful than the average compact tool; large carry bag; available as bare tool
Con: Longer and heavier than other compact models; belt hook not included

Shown with 1.6-Ah battery

Hitachi DS18DSAL

Battery: 18 volts; 1.5 Ah
Battery gauge: No
Weight: 3.44 pounds
Lenght 7-11/16 inches
RPM 0–350; 0–1,500
LED headlight: Above trigger; no delay
Belt hook: Included
Web price: $155

Includes: Two slide-mount batteries; charger; flashlight; plastic case
Warranty: Lifetime tool; 2 years battery; 1 year charger; 30-day satisfaction guarantee
Country of origin: China
Comments:—
Pro: Light and compact; thin comfortable grip; nice belt clip; includes flashlight
Con: Limited number of tools compatible with these slide-mount batteries; no battery gauge

Hitachi DS18DL

Battery: 18 volts; 3.0 Ah
Battery gauge: No
Weight: 5.25 pounds
Lenght 9-3/16 inches
RPM 0–400; 0–1,600
LED headlight: On belt hook; manually operated
Belt hook: Included
Web price: $280

Includes: Two tower batteries; charger; side handle; plastic case
Warranty: Lifetime tool; 2 years battery; 1 year charger; 30-day satisfaction guarantee
Country of origin: China
Comments:—
Pro: Good power; can be set to very low rpm for delicate work; includes belt hook; fan-cooled charger; available as bare tool (DS18DLP4)
Con: Tower-style battery makes for bulky grip; no battery gauge; funky belt clip of questionable durability contains manually activated light

Makita LXFD01CW

Battery: 18 volts; 1.5 Ah
Battery gauge: No
Weight: 3.40 pounds
Lenght 7-1/2 inches
RPM 0–400; 0–1,500
LED headlight: Above trigger; 12-second delay
Belt hook: Included
Web price: $190

Includes: Two batteries; charger; plastic case
Warranty: 3 years tool; 1 year battery and charger; 30-day satisfaction guarantee
Country of origin: China
Comments:—
Pro: Very light and compact; excellent fan-cooled charger
Con: Feels less powerful than other compact models; no battery gauge

Makita LXFD01

Battery: 18 volts; 3.0 Ah
Battery gauge: No
Weight: 3.90 pounds
Lenght 7-1/2 inches
RPM 0–400; 0–1,500
LED headlight: Above trigger; 12-second delay
Belt hook: Included
Web price: $295

Includes: Two batteries; charger; plastic case
Warranty: 3 years tool; 1 year battery and charger; 30-day satisfaction guarantee
Country of origin: China
Comments:—
Pro: Same internal parts as LXFD01CW; reasonable power and runtime with included 3.0-Ah batteries; excellent fan-cooled charger; available as bare tool (LXFD01Z)
Con: No battery gauge