Intro
Whether you are putting up shelves on a Saturday morning, assembling flat-pack furniture, or tackling a full-scale renovation, one tool sits at the heart of almost every DIY project: a reliable cordless drill driver. The right drill does more than spin a bit — it gives you the control to drive screws flush without stripping them, the power to bore through hardwood and masonry, and the freedom to move around without a cable trailing behind you. Modern cordless drills have come a long way from the underpowered, short-lived tools of a decade ago. Today you can get brushless motors that run cooler and last longer, lithium-ion batteries that hold their charge for months, and safety features that protect your wrists from sudden kickback. But with so many models on the market — ranging from compact 12-volt screwdrivers to heavyweight 18-volt combination hammers — picking the right one can feel overwhelming. Do you need a hammer function for drilling into brick? Is a brushless motor worth the extra cost? How much torque is enough? These are the questions every buyer should ask before committing to a tool that may live in their workshop for the next decade.
Generalities
Before investing in a cordless drill driver, there are a few things worth thinking about. First, consider the battery platform — most manufacturers now build entire ecosystems around a single battery voltage, so your drill's batteries can also power circular saws, angle grinders, and garden tools from the same brand. An 18-volt system sits in the sweet spot between power and weight for most users. Next, look at the motor type: brushless motors deliver more runtime per charge, need less maintenance, and pack more power into a smaller body than their brushed cousins. Torque tells you how much twisting force the drill can apply — soft torque matters for precise screwdriving, while hard torque is what gets you through tough materials. If you plan to drill into brick or concrete, a hammer function is non-negotiable. And do not overlook the physical size of the tool: a shorter head length means you can fit the drill into tight corners and between joists, which matters more than you might think on a real job.
This review takes a close look at one of the more popular 18-volt combination drill drivers available today, a model from a brand that has been making professional power tools for over a century. We will go through the key specifications, break down the design choices that affect everyday usability, and give you an honest sense of what this tool does well — and where it falls short. By the end, you will know whether it deserves a spot in your tool bag, whether you are a weekend DIY enthusiast or a tradesperson who needs a dependable daily driver.
Description
At its core sits a brushless motor that delivers 31 Nm of soft torque and up to 65 Nm of hard torque, putting it firmly in the upper tier of 18-volt drill drivers. The two-speed gearbox gives you 0–550 revolutions per minute (RPM) in low gear for controlled screwdriving and high-torque tasks, and 0–2,100 RPM in high gear for fast drilling through wood, metal, and plastics. A dedicated hammer mode adds a percussive action that makes light work of drilling into brick and masonry — a feature you will miss the moment you need to mount a bracket on an external wall. The 13-millimetre keyless chuck grips bits securely and swaps them out in seconds without needing a separate key.
What sets this drill apart from bulkier competitors is its compact design. The head measures just 175 millimetres from front to back, which is among the shortest in its class. That extra clearance means you can drill and drive inside kitchen cabinets, between ceiling joists, and in other cramped spaces where a longer tool simply would not fit. The metal gear housing adds durability without excessive weight, and the brushless motor is fully enclosed to keep out dust and debris. Two bright LED lights flank the chuck, casting a wide, shadow-free beam across the work area — a genuine help when you are working under a sink or inside a dimly lit garage.
Weighing just 1.2 kilograms without a battery, this is a tool you can use one-handed for extended periods without arm fatigue setting in. The rubberised grip feels secure even with sweaty or gloved hands, and the forward-reverse switch is positioned so your thumb finds it naturally. The variable-speed trigger gives you precise control — you can start a screw slowly to avoid cam-out, then ramp up the speed once it bites. The torque adjustment collar has enough clicks to fine-tune the clutch for delicate materials like plasterboard, and a dedicated drill mode locks out the clutch entirely for full-power boring.
The drill belongs to a large 18-volt battery platform, meaning the same batteries can power dozens of other tools from the same manufacturer — circular saws, jigsaws, angle grinders, even garden equipment. This is a real cost-saver if you are building out a tool collection over time. A kickback control system automatically cuts power if the bit jams suddenly, protecting your wrist from a painful twist — a safety feature that is particularly valuable when using large hole saws or mixing attachments. Note that this particular model is sold as a bare unit without a battery or charger, so it makes the most sense if you already own compatible batteries.
The drill holds a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 100 customer reviews on Amazon, and it ranks at number 34 in the drill drivers category — a strong vote of confidence from buyers who have put it through its paces. It is backed by the manufacturer's standard warranty, and spare parts are widely available through authorised service centres. At around 100 euros for the bare tool, it sits in the mid-to-upper price bracket for a cordless drill driver without batteries, but the combination of brushless efficiency, compact size, and proven brand reliability makes a compelling case for the investment.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Brushless motor delivers longer runtime per charge, less maintenance, and more power in a compact body than comparable brushed-motor drills.
- Impressive 65 Nm of hard torque handles demanding tasks — driving long lag bolts into timber or boring large holes with a spade bit — without stalling.
- Ultra-compact 175-millimetre head length fits into tight spaces where standard drills cannot reach, such as inside cabinets and between floor joists.
- Kickback control automatically cuts power when the bit jams, protecting your wrist from sudden twisting — a genuine safety advantage when using large bits or hole saws.
- Dual LED work lights cast a shadow-free beam across the drilling area, making a real difference in poorly lit workspaces like under-sink cabinets.
- Hammer function adds versatility for drilling into brick and masonry, meaning you do not need a separate rotary hammer for light wall-mounting jobs.
- Part of a broad 18-volt battery ecosystem — the same batteries power dozens of other professional-grade tools, saving money as you expand your kit.
Cons
- Sold as a bare unit without battery or charger — the price climbs noticeably if you need to buy into the battery platform from scratch.
- The 13-millimetre chuck is standard for the class but limits you to bits with a round shank — no SDS-plus or large-diameter auger bits without an adapter.
- No belt clip or bit holder is included in the box, so you will need to budget for these separately if you move around a lot on site.
- Only two mechanical speeds — some competitors at this price point offer three-speed gearboxes that give finer control for mixed-material work.
- With 13-millimetre maximum drilling capacity in wood and metal, it is not a replacement for a dedicated heavy-duty drill or rotary hammer on larger jobs.
Use cases
A versatile cordless combination drill driver best suited to DIY enthusiasts and tradespeople who already own compatible 18-volt batteries and need a compact, powerful tool for drilling, screwdriving, and light masonry work.
DIY Home Improvement
From mounting curtain rails and assembling flat-pack furniture to building garden planters, this drill handles the full range of weekend projects with ease. The hammer function means even drilling into external brick walls for a wall-mounted hosepipe reel is no problem.
Professional Trade Work
Carpenters, kitchen fitters, and electricians will appreciate the compact 175-millimetre head for working inside units and tight stud walls. The brushless motor stands up to daily use, and the high torque handles repetitive screwdriving into hardwoods without overheating.
Furniture and Cabinet Assembly
The variable-speed trigger and precise torque clutch make driving screws into chipboard and MDF predictable — no more stripped holes or sunken screw heads. The lightweight 1.2-kilogram body keeps fatigue at bay during long assembly sessions.
Light Masonry Drilling
Need to hang a heavy mirror on a brick wall or install an outdoor light fitting? The hammer mode, combined with a masonry bit, makes quick work of 6-to-8-millimetre holes in brick and block without needing to reach for a heavier rotary hammer.
Working in Confined Spaces
The 175-millimetre head length is what you will appreciate most when drilling inside a kitchen cabinet for new hinges, between exposed ceiling joists for cable runs, or under a car bonnet for a DIY repair. This is where longer drills simply cannot fit.