Intro
Drilling into brick, concrete, or stone is one of those jobs that can bring a standard rotary drill to a complete standstill. If you have ever tried to mount a shelf on a masonry wall with a basic drill, you know the feeling — the bit spins, the motor whines, and after five minutes of leaning your full weight into it you have barely scratched the surface. This is where an impact drill changes everything. By adding a hammering action to the rotation, an impact drill punches through tough materials that would defeat an ordinary drill. Whether you are putting up curtain rails, fixing kitchen cabinets to a brick wall, running cable conduits through blockwork, or building a deck with concrete anchors, the combination of rotation and percussion makes quick work of jobs that would otherwise need a much heavier and more expensive rotary hammer. For the home DIYer or the tradesperson who does not need a full SDS drill every day, a good impact drill strikes the perfect balance of power, versatility, and affordability.
Generalities
Before buying an impact drill, there are a few key things to look at. Power is the obvious starting point — for home use, a motor rated between 500 W and 800 W will handle most masonry, wood, and metal drilling tasks without struggling. Next, check the impact rate, measured in blows per minute (bpm) or cycles per second: higher numbers mean faster progress through brick and concrete. Torque matters too, especially when driving screws or using large-diameter bits. A keyless chuck with a good clamping range — ideally 2 mm to 13 mm — lets you swap bits quickly without reaching for a key. Weight and ergonomics are equally important; a drill you can hold comfortably above your head for several minutes is worth far more than an extra 100 watts you will never notice. Finally, look at whether the drill comes with variable speed and electronic control, which lets you start holes gently and ramp up as needed rather than blasting at full speed from the trigger pull.
In this review, we put the Bosch EasyImpact 600 through its paces. We cover its build quality, drilling performance across wood, metal, and masonry, the electronic speed control system, the automatic chuck design, and what it is like to use for extended periods. We also discuss the included carry case, value for money at the sub-€50 price point, and how it compares to other drills in its class. Whether you are a first-time homeowner building up a tool collection or a seasoned DIYer looking for a reliable impact drill that does not break the bank, this review will help you decide if the EasyImpact 600 is the right choice.
Description
At the heart of the Bosch EasyImpact 600 is a 600-watt electric motor that spins the chuck at up to 3,000 rpm in no-load conditions while delivering an impact rate of 45,000 blows per minute. That is enough punch to drill through masonry up to 12 mm in diameter, steel up to 10 mm, and wood up to 25 mm — a versatile spread that covers most household and light trade drilling jobs. Maximum torque is rated at 15 newton-metres, which is respectable for a drill in this power class and gives you enough twisting force to drive large screws and auger bits without the motor bogging down. The 13 mm keyless chuck accepts bits from 2 mm all the way up to 13 mm, so you can use everything from tiny pilot bits to chunky masonry drills without reaching for a chuck key.
Bosch has paid attention to the details that make a drill pleasant to use day after day. The double-ring automatic chuck is a standout feature — you simply rotate the spindle collar by hand to tighten or release the bit, which is noticeably faster than traditional single-sleeve chucks and requires less grip strength. The drill body is made from durable plastic with a soft rubber overmould on the handle, giving you a secure, comfortable grip even when your hands are dusty or sweaty. The compact design — just 29.2 cm long and weighing only 1.7 kg — makes the EasyImpact 600 one of the lighter impact drills in its class, and you will genuinely appreciate this when you are drilling overhead for several minutes at a stretch. The green Bosch colour scheme is familiar and instantly recognisable on any job site.
The electronic speed control is what really elevates the everyday drilling experience. Instead of a simple on-off switch, the trigger is pressure-sensitive — squeeze gently for slow, controlled starts, and press harder for full speed. This is invaluable when you are drilling into glazed tiles or smooth metal where a fast start would cause the bit to skate across the surface. You can feather the trigger to create a small pilot dimple before committing to the hole. Switching between drilling modes is straightforward: rotate the collar to select standard rotary drilling for wood and metal, or engage the impact mechanism for masonry and concrete. The mode selector clicks positively into place, so you will not accidentally slip out of impact mode mid-job.
Bosch includes a sturdy plastic carry case with the EasyImpact 600, which is a genuinely useful extra rather than a flimsy afterthought. The case has moulded compartments that hold the drill body securely and leave room for a selection of drill bits and screwdriver accessories. A proper case means the drill stays protected in the back of a van or on a garage shelf, and you are far less likely to lose small components. The drill also features an automatic spindle lock, so if the chuck ever needs extra tightening or you want to use it manually, you can lock the spindle in place. A depth stop is included for repeatable drilling depth, which is handy when you are installing multiple wall anchors at the same depth.
The EasyImpact 600 measures 29.2 × 38.8 × 10.2 cm and weighs 1.7 kg, placing it firmly in the lightweight category for a corded impact drill. Bosch manufactures the tool in China and backs it with their standard European warranty — typically two years when registered online, though you should confirm the exact terms with your retailer. With a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars drawn from over 4,714 customer reviews, the EasyImpact 600 enjoys strong social proof that is rare at this price point. It also holds a #1 Bestseller ranking in the Impact Drivers category on Amazon and sits at #1,188 overall in DIY & Tools, which speaks to its popularity with both casual users and regular DIYers. At €49.90, it delivers genuine Bosch engineering at a price that undercuts many competitors by a noticeable margin.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Powerful 600 W motor with 45,000 bpm impact rate punches through brick, concrete, and masonry up to 12 mm — easily handles wall mounting, conduit work, and general household drilling.
- Lightweight at just 1.7 kg and compact at 29.2 cm long — you can drill overhead or in awkward positions for extended periods without arm fatigue becoming a limiting factor.
- Electronic pressure-sensitive trigger gives you fine control over speed from a gentle crawl up to 3,000 rpm — perfect for starting holes cleanly on tiles, metal, and smooth surfaces without the bit wandering.
- Double-ring automatic keyless chuck locks bits from 2 mm to 13 mm with a simple spindle rotation — faster and easier than single-sleeve chucks, and no chuck key to misplace.
- Includes a sturdy moulded carry case with compartments for the drill and accessories — keeps everything organised, protected in transit, and ready to grab for the next job.
- #1 Bestseller in Impact Drivers with 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 4,700 reviews — exceptionally strong social proof that gives you confidence in the tool's real-world reliability.
- Drills wood up to 25 mm, steel up to 10 mm, and masonry up to 12 mm — versatile enough that most DIYers will rarely need to reach for a second drill.
- Excellent value at €49.90 for a Bosch-engineered impact drill with case and accessories — costs significantly less than many competitors with similar specifications.
Cons
- Corded-only design means you are tethered to a power outlet — if you frequently work in areas without easy access to mains electricity, a battery-powered alternative may be more practical.
- Maximum masonry drilling capacity of 12 mm is fine for wall plugs and light anchors but falls short if you need to drill larger holes for pipes, cables, or heavy-duty fixings — a rotary hammer is still required for those jobs.
- The 10 mm maximum in steel is modest — drilling through thicker structural steel or hardened metal will push the motor to its limits and is better suited to a dedicated metal drill with lower gearing.
- No built-in LED work light, which is a common feature on many modern drills and genuinely useful when working inside cabinets, under stairs, or in poorly lit corners.
- The plastic body, while durable and lightweight, lacks the overtly premium feel of metal-gearbox drills — it is built for DIY and light trade use rather than daily professional abuse on a construction site.
Use cases
The Bosch EasyImpact 600 is the ideal impact drill for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts who need a reliable, lightweight, and affordable tool for drilling into masonry, wood, and metal around the house — from mounting shelves and curtain rails to assembling flat-pack furniture and light renovation work.
Mounting Shelves, Cabinets, and Curtain Rails
The most common reason anyone buys an impact drill. The EasyImpact 600 powers through brick and blockwork to create clean holes for wall plugs, letting you mount shelves, kitchen cabinets, TV brackets, mirrors, and curtain rails securely. The electronic speed control lets you start gently so the bit does not skate across the wall surface, and the light weight means you can hold the drill steady at chest height without struggling.
General DIY and Home Maintenance
From assembling flat-pack furniture with the drill driving screws to drilling pilot holes for door hinges and hanging pictures, the EasyImpact 600 covers the broad spectrum of household tasks. Switch off the impact mode and it works as a standard rotary drill for wood and metal. The 13 mm chuck handles everything from tiny 2 mm pilot bits to large hole saws, making it the only drill many households will ever need.
Light Renovation and Remodelling
If you are renovating a room — stripping walls, running new electrical conduit, fitting plasterboard, or installing skirting boards — the EasyImpact 600 is a dependable workhorse. Drill through old plaster into the brick behind to run cable clips, fix battening for plasterboard, and drive long screws into studwork. The carry case means you can pack it away neatly at the end of each day without losing bits and pieces.
Outdoor Projects and Garden Structures
Building a garden shed, assembling a wooden pergola, or fixing trellis to a brick wall all become much easier with an impact drill. The EasyImpact 600 drills through wooden posts and beams up to 25 mm thick and switches to impact mode for anchoring brackets into brick or concrete footings. Just make sure you have an outdoor-rated extension lead and keep the drill dry.
Tile and Bathroom Installation
Drilling into glazed ceramic tiles without cracking them is a test of any drill's speed control — and the EasyImpact 600 passes. Use the pressure-sensitive trigger to start at very low speed, create a small guide dimple in the glaze, then gradually increase revs once the bit has bitten. Once through the tile, engage impact mode to drill into the masonry behind for secure bathroom accessory mounting.