Intro
Whether you are assembling flat-pack furniture on a Saturday afternoon, mounting shelves onto a brick wall, or building a garden deck from scratch, a reliable cordless drill is the one tool you will reach for more than any other. The difference between a frustrating project and one that flows smoothly often comes down to having a drill that balances power, battery life, and ease of handling. A good cordless drill should drive screws without stripping heads, bore clean holes through timber and metal, and tackle the occasional masonry task without forcing you to switch to a mains-powered hammer drill. Modern lithium-ion battery systems mean you can work untethered for longer, and features like LED work lights and quick-change chucks turn what used to be tedious setup into instant action. For home DIYers, renters, and hobby woodworkers alike, the right drill sits at the centre of every project — and the wrong one collects dust on a garage shelf.
Generalities
When shopping for a cordless drill, a few key numbers separate the tools that will serve you for years from those that leave you mid-project with a flat battery and a half-driven screw. Torque — measured in Newton metres (Nm) — tells you how much twisting force the drill can apply; around 30 to 40 Nm is plenty for most household and DIY tasks. Battery voltage and capacity together define your working window: 18 V is the sweet spot for cordless drills, offering enough power without the weight of professional-grade tools, while a 2.0 Ah battery gives you a solid runtime for intermittent use. A two-speed gearbox lets you choose between high-torque low-speed driving and fast high-speed drilling, and a hammer function adds masonry capability. Bosch's green DIY range sits between entry-level no-name brands and the professional blue Bosch line, aiming to deliver genuine engineering quality at a price that makes sense for weekend users.
In this review, we put the Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 through its paces — looking at real-world screwdriving performance, how the two-speed gearbox handles different materials, the practical runtime you can expect from the included 2.0 Ah battery, and whether the hammer function is genuinely useful or just a checkbox feature. We also cover build quality, comfort during extended use, and how the drill fits into Bosch's 18 V Power for All battery system.
Description
The Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 runs on the brand's 18 V lithium-ion platform, delivering up to 40 Nm of maximum torque through a two-speed all-metal gearbox. In first gear, the drill spins at 0 to 430 RPM — a controlled speed range ideal for driving screws with precision and power without stripping heads or over-driving. Switch to second gear and the speed jumps to 430 to 1,630 RPM, giving you the speed needed for clean drilling through wood, metal, and with the hammer function engaged, into brick and light masonry. The 13 mm keyless metal chuck accepts a wide range of drill and screwdriver bits, and the single-sleeve design makes bit changes genuinely one-handed — twist, swap, tighten, and you are back to work in seconds.
Design-wise, Bosch has kept the EasyImpact compact and practical. At just 19.5 cm wide and 21.6 cm tall, it fits comfortably into tight spaces like cabinet interiors and between studs where bulkier drills struggle. The green-and-black housing follows Bosch's DIY line styling, with a rubberised grip that provides secure hold even with dusty or sweaty hands. Weighing 1.4 kg with the battery fitted, it is light enough for overhead work — think drilling into ceilings for light fittings — without causing arm fatigue. An integrated LED light sits just above the trigger and illuminates the work area, which proves genuinely useful when you are working inside dim cupboards, under sinks, or in loft spaces with poor lighting.
In everyday use, the EasyImpact feels responsive and well-balanced. The variable-speed trigger gives you fine control — a gentle squeeze for starting screws without cam-out, then more pressure as the screw bites. The 20-plus-1 torque clutch lets you dial in the exact setting for repeatable screw depth, which is a time-saver when assembling flat-pack furniture or fixing plasterboard where consistent countersinking matters. Switching between drill, drive, and hammer modes is done via a collar behind the chuck that clicks positively into each position. The hammer function produces around 22,500 impacts per minute, enough for 6 to 8 mm holes in brick and lightweight block — not a replacement for a dedicated SDS rotary hammer, but perfectly adequate for hanging pictures, curtain rails, and light shelving on masonry walls.
The included accessories add real value. The drill ships with one 2.0 Ah battery, the AL 18V-20 compact charger, and a sturdy plastic transport case that keeps everything organised and protected. The battery is part of Bosch's 18 V Power for All system, meaning it is cross-compatible with over 40 other Bosch DIY and garden tools — from hedge trimmers and lawnmowers to jigsaws and sanders. If you already own green Bosch 18 V tools, this battery slots right into your existing ecosystem. The charger refills a depleted 2.0 Ah battery in approximately 60 minutes, so a coffee break is usually enough to get you back to work.
The drill measures 5.7 × 19.5 × 21.6 cm and weighs 1.4 kg with the battery attached. Bosch covers the tool with a 2-year manufacturer warranty, backed by their European spare parts availability commitment. Customer feedback on Amazon.fr reflects strong satisfaction: the EasyImpact 18V-40 holds a 4.7 out of 5 stars rating from 456 reviews, and it ranks as the #259 bestseller in the Drills category on the French site. At a price point of €66.66 including the battery, charger, and case, it represents one of the stronger value propositions in the entry-level cordless combi drill segment from a tier-one manufacturer.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Genuine 40 Nm of torque in a compact body — enough grunt for driving large screws into hardwood and drilling 25 mm holes in timber without bogging down
- Two-speed all-metal gearbox gives you a dedicated low-speed high-torque range for screwdriving and a fast 1,630 RPM range for clean drilling — no compromise on either task
- Part of Bosch's 18 V Power for All system — the 2.0 Ah battery works across 40+ Bosch DIY and garden tools, making it smart value if you are building out a cordless toolkit
- 20-plus-1 torque clutch with fine gradations lets you dial in repeatable screw depth — no more over-driven or proud screw heads when assembling furniture or fitting hinges
- At 1.4 kg with battery, it is light enough for extended overhead work — drilling into ceilings, fitting curtain rails, and working inside cabinets does not become an arm workout
- Integrated LED work light illuminates the drilling point without casting shadows — genuinely useful in dark cupboards, loft spaces, and behind furniture where you cannot reposition a separate lamp
- Hammer function handles light masonry tasks competently — 6 to 8 mm holes in brick for wall plugs are well within its comfort zone, saving you from reaching for a separate hammer drill
- Comes complete with battery, charger, and a robust transport case — you can start working the moment you open the box, which is not always the case with bare-tool listings in this price range
Cons
- Single 2.0 Ah battery limits continuous work — during longer projects you will either need to plan around the roughly 60-minute charge time or invest in a second battery from the start
- The hammer function is light-duty only — it handles occasional masonry holes for wall plugs but will struggle and slow down noticeably on dense engineering brick or concrete lintels
- No brushless motor — the brushed motor is perfectly capable for DIY use but runs slightly less efficiently, meaning marginally shorter runtime per charge compared to brushless alternatives in a similar class
- The 13 mm chuck, while solid, adds a few extra centimetres to the overall length compared to compact drill drivers with shorter heads — it can be tight in extremely confined spaces like inside kitchen cabinets
- Plastic transport case is functional but not waterproof or particularly rugged — it will survive life in a cupboard or car boot but would not stand up to daily job site abuse from a professional tradesperson
Use cases
Ideal for home DIYers, flat-pack furniture assemblers, and hobbyist woodworkers who want a capable cordless combi drill from a trusted brand — with battery, charger, and case included — without stepping up to professional-grade pricing.
Flat-Pack Furniture Assembly
Assembling wardrobes, bookcases, and bedsheets becomes dramatically faster and less tiring with a cordless drill. The adjustable torque clutch prevents over-tightening and stripped cam locks, while the compact body fits inside cabinet cavities where a bulkier drill would scrape the fresh finish. The LED light helps you see screw holes inside dark cabinet corners.
Hanging Shelves, Curtain Rails, and Wall Fixtures
The hammer function makes quick work of the 6 to 8 mm masonry holes needed for standard wall plugs. Drill into brick or block, pop in a plug, then switch to screwdriving mode to drive in the fixing — all with one tool. No need to drag out a separate hammer drill and then swap tools for the screwdriving step.
Woodworking and Weekend DIY Projects
Building a birdhouse, repairing a fence panel, or crafting custom shelving all demand clean, straight holes and controlled screwdriving. The two-speed gearbox gives you drilling speed for Forstner and spade bits in first gear, plus the torque in low gear to sink long wood screws without pilot holes in softwood and plywood.
Kitchen and Bathroom Fixture Installation
Fitting towel rails, toilet roll holders, and kitchen cabinet handles means drilling into tiles and plasterboard with precision. The variable-speed trigger lets you start slowly on glossy surfaces to prevent the bit from wandering, and the compact dimensions fit between fitted units where longer drills simply cannot manoeuvre.
Garden Structures and Outdoor Repairs
Putting up a trellis, assembling a raised bed, or fixing a sagging gate requires driving screws into pressure-treated timber outdoors. The 40 Nm of torque handles long decking and coach screws without stalling, and the battery compatibility with Bosch's garden tool range means your hedge trimmer and lawnmower can share the same power source.