Intro
Anyone who has built a deck, framed a wall, or fitted out a workshop knows the frustration of constantly swapping bits in a single drill — drilling a pilot hole, changing to a driver bit, driving the screw, then swapping back for the next hole. A dedicated two-tool combo kit solves this by putting a combi drill in one hand and an impact driver in the other, so you drill and drive without ever touching a chuck. The combi drill handles hole-making in wood, metal, and masonry — with a hammer mode for brick and blockwork — while the impact driver takes over for driving long screws, lag bolts, and fasteners with a pulsing rotational force that sinks them effortlessly without stripping heads or cam-out. For tradespeople, serious renovators, and anyone tackling large-scale projects, this pairing is not a luxury — it is the single biggest productivity upgrade you can make to your cordless toolkit. Add brushless motors for longer runtime and shared batteries that swap between both tools, and you have a setup that keeps you moving from first fix to final trim without breaking stride.
Generalities
HiKOKI — formerly known as Hitachi Power Tools — has been engineering professional-grade power tools for decades, and their 18-volt cordless platform has earned a loyal following among tradespeople across Europe. The KC18DFXJAZ kit bundles two of their core brushless tools: the DV18DBFL2 combination drill and the WH18DBFL2 impact driver, along with two 2.0 Ah batteries, a charger, and a carrying case. When evaluating a twin kit like this, the things that matter most are how well each tool performs its specific role, whether the batteries last long enough for a realistic working day, and how the overall package compares to buying the tools separately.
This review looks at both tools in the KC18DFXJAZ kit side by side, covering the combi drill's drilling and hammer performance across wood, metal, and masonry, the impact driver's fastening power and control, the build quality and ergonomics of both units, battery life and charge times, and whether this twin pack represents good value for money compared to rival combo kits from Makita, DEWALT, and Bosch.
Description
The kit's combi drill — the DV18DBFL2 — is built around a brushless 18-volt motor and delivers three operating modes: standard drilling, hammer drilling for masonry, and screwdriving with adjustable torque. It offers a drilling capacity of up to 50 mm in wood and 13 mm in steel, with a two-speed gearbox and a keyless metal chuck. The impact driver — the WH18DBFL2 — uses a brushless motor as well, designed to deliver high-torque rotational impacts that drive screws and bolts with minimal effort from the user. Together they cover the full spectrum of drilling and fastening tasks, from delicate cabinet hardware to heavy structural timber screws.
Both tools share HiKOKI's distinctive green-and-black colour scheme and are built from a tough blend of metal and glass-fibre-reinforced plastic that withstands daily jobsite abuse. The combi drill features a rubberised soft-grip handle and a compact body designed for manoeuvrability in tight spaces, while the impact driver has a shorter nose profile that reaches into corners and between joists where a longer drill body would struggle. Each tool has its own built-in LED work light to illuminate dark work areas — a feature that becomes genuinely essential when working inside unlit cupboards, lofts, or under-vehicle spaces.
In practice, the two-tool workflow is transformative. With the combi drill loaded with a pilot bit and the impact driver holding a screw bit, you move along a job — decking board by decking board, stud by stud — without ever pausing to swap accessories. The combi drill's hammer mode handles masonry fixings for wall-mounted brackets and conduit clips, while the impact driver's pulsing action drives screws into dense hardwood and metal without the bit camming out or the screw head stripping. Both tools feel balanced in the hand, and the soft-grip handles stay comfortable even during long sessions.
The kit comes with two 2.0 Ah 18-volt lithium-ion batteries, a UC18YKSL charger, and a sturdy carrying case that keeps both tools, batteries, and the charger organised. The 2.0 Ah batteries are compact and lightweight, which helps keep the overall handling light and nimble — particularly noticeable on the impact driver during overhead fastening. Because both tools share the same battery platform, you can keep one battery in the drill and one in the impact driver, or swap a flat pack between them as needed. The charger is HiKOKI's standard rapid charger, bringing a spent 2.0 Ah battery back to full charge efficiently.
The complete kit weighs approximately 6 kg including the case, batteries, charger, and both tools — a manageable package for transport between jobs. HiKOKI provides a manufacturer's warranty (terms vary by region; typically 1 to 3 years with registration), and both tools in the kit benefit from the brand's established spare parts network. The KC18DFXJAZ holds the #17 bestseller spot in the Combi Drills category on Amazon, which speaks to its popularity among buyers looking for a capable two-tool solution. The 18V batteries are compatible with HiKOKI's wider cordless range, so you can expand into their circular saws, angle grinders, and other tools over time.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two brushless tools in one kit — a combi drill and an impact driver — so you can drill pilot holes and drive screws without ever swapping bits, dramatically speeding up assembly and installation work.
- Both tools feature brushless motors for longer runtime, cooler operation, and extended tool life compared to brushed equivalents — a genuine upgrade for regular users.
- The combi drill's three-mode operation covers drilling, hammer drilling, and screwdriving — handles wood up to 50 mm, steel up to 13 mm, plus brick and blockwork for wall fixings.
- Shared 18V battery platform — both tools use the same packs, so you can run one battery in each tool or have a spare charging, with full compatibility across HiKOKI's wider cordless range.
- Built-in LED lights on both tools illuminate the work area — particularly useful in lofts, under cabinets, and in poorly lit renovation spaces.
- Compact and well-balanced design on both tools — the impact driver's short nose reaches into tight corners, while the drill's soft-grip handle stays comfortable over extended use.
- Sturdy carrying case included — keeps both tools, batteries, and charger organised and protected, ready to grab for the next job.
Cons
- 2.0 Ah batteries are on the smaller side for a two-tool kit — you may find yourself swapping packs more often during intensive work compared to kits with 4.0 or 5.0 Ah batteries.
- The combi drill's hammer mode is suitable for light masonry only — for sustained drilling into reinforced concrete or hard engineering brick, a dedicated SDS rotary hammer is still the better tool.
- HiKOKI's brand presence is smaller than Makita or DEWALT in some European markets — spare batteries and accessories may be less readily available in local hardware stores.
- No battery charge indicator on either tool body — you need to check the battery's own LED gauge for remaining power, which is less convenient during a fast-paced workflow.
- The kit weighs around 6 kg in its case — portable but noticeably heavier than a single-tool kit, which matters if you carry tools between multiple floors or job sites on foot.
Use cases
The HiKOKI KC18DFXJAZ twin kit is purpose-built for tradespeople and serious renovators who need the drill-and-driver workflow that eliminates bit-swapping — pairing a capable combi drill with a brushless impact driver on a shared battery platform.
First-Fix Carpentry and Framing
When you are building stud walls, roof trusses, or floor joists, the two-tool workflow shines. The combi drill bores clearance holes and pilot holes through timber, while the impact driver follows behind sinking structural screws and coach bolts. The brushless motors run efficiently all day, and swapping batteries between tools means you always have one ready.
Decking and Outdoor Construction
Laying decking boards means drilling hundreds of pilot holes and driving thousands of screws — often into hard, treated timber. Having the drill pre-loaded with a countersink bit and the impact driver ready with a screw bit eliminates the repetitive chuck-changing that slows the job to a crawl. Both tools are tough enough to handle outdoor conditions and jobsite dust.
Kitchen and Bathroom Installation
Fitting kitchens involves drilling through cabinets, tiles, and plasterboard, plus driving screws into varied materials — from soft chipboard to steel brackets. The combi drill's hammer mode handles the occasional masonry wall for mounting cabinets, while the impact driver's controlled fastening prevents overtightening on delicate fittings. The compact bodies reach inside base units without difficulty.
Electrical and Plumbing Second Fix
Mounting sockets, light fittings, radiator brackets, and pipe clips often involves a mix of small pilot holes and precise screwdriving in tight spaces. The combi drill handles the holes, and the impact driver — with its short nose and pulsing action — drives screws cleanly without the bit slipping off brass or chrome-plated hardware. The LED lights on both tools help when working behind appliances or in dark corners.
Workshop Fit-Out and Van Conversion
Building workbenches, installing racking, or fitting out a campervan means drilling into a mixture of plywood, metal profiles, and the van body itself. The drill-and-driver combo covers every hole and every fastener in the project, and the shared batteries mean you only need one charger and one set of spares. The carrying case keeps everything tidy in a small workshop or during mobile jobs.