Tool Test: Cordless Drill/DriversPeak Performance: A long way from their ancestors, the latest batch of 18-volt drill/drivers boast innovative features, more power, and all-day comfort.

Twenty years ago, I worked with a Makita 9.6-volt pistol-grip drill/driver, a standout among cordless tools of the time. Since those early models, things have come a long way: more powerful motors; keyless, one-handed chucks; variable-speed triggers; automatic brakes; and batteries that just keep improving. Another advancement has been the addition of a hammerdrill function to many standard drill/drivers. Because it doesn't add much weight, size, or cost, many are opting for the purchase of a convenient, all-in-one cordless hammerdrill/driver, even if masonry drilling is not going to be the tool's primary function. It's just nice to have the versatility.

My company builds and installs historic and custom millwork for commercial and residential projects. In our work, it seems there are no standard tasks. Whether it's driving screws, drilling through old bricks, or boring holes in hardwoods, we need cordless drill/drivers that are versatile and powerful. And as I rely on my crew every day to get the job done right, I also relied on them as my tool test team, providing a valuable blend of opinions and many years of experience.

The Tools

We tested 15 tools: the Bosch 13618-2G, DeWalt DC925KA, Fein ASB18, Festool TDK15.6CE, Firestorm FSX18HD, Hilti SFH181-A 3.0, Hitachi DV18DL, Makita BHP451, Metabo SBP18 Plus, Milwaukee 0824-24, Moty-Ko 18HD, Panasonic EY6950GQKW, Porter-Cable 9987, Ridgid R8411503, and Ryobi P201.

All these tools are 18-volters, except the Porter-Cable, which is 19.2 volts, and the Festool, which is 15.6 volts. All the models have hammerdrilling capabilities except the Ryobi and the Festool. The Hitachi, Makita, and Milwaukee tools have lithium-ion batteries and the Hilti and Panasonic tools have NiMH. All the rest are powered by nicad batteries.

Test Criteria

In my opinion, the most important qualities to look for in a drill/driver are professional power, proper balance, and a comfortable feel in-use. The tools that did best in our test balanced all three qualities.

In order to see which tools had the best combination of performance and ergonomics, we worked them hard on the job and in the shop in a battery of tests. We tested for feel, comfort, and speed by driving screws, we tested power by boring 2-9/16-inch holes into a slab of walnut, and we checked out balance throughout. We evaluated the test results and considered each tool's features to determine a winner.

Features

All the tools in the group have a 1/2-inch chuck, which has become the new standard; a 3/8-inch chuck is too small for larger bits and heavier work. All of the hammerdrill/drivers in the test come with a side handle, great for controlling large bits and heavier work.

Thankfully, all the tools have an automatic brake that activates the moment you release the trigger. This great feature speeds production because you can immediately change bits or start the next screw instead of waiting for the chuck to stop spinning. Another feature common to all is an automatic locking spindle, which allows you to loosen or tighten the chuck with one hand. Gone are the days of trying to fit both hands on a small plastic chuck to crank down on a bit.

Makita and Hitachi both feature an onboard task light. This is great if you ever work in dark spaces (even just a cabinet) and need to place your driver on a screw head or accurately drill a hole. Makita's light is activated by pulling the trigger, and it remains lit for about 10 seconds after release. The Hitachi light is manually activated by an on/off button on its moveable belt clip and can be aimed. The Makita also has a belt hook. Both are great details that other brands should offer.

Another feature we rely on is the easily overlooked onboard bit storage. In old houses, we always seem to need at least three different driver bits, and it is convenient to have them right on the tool and ready to change without digging through pouches or pockets. This may seem like a little thing, but we save lots of time and frustration by having bits situated where we can grab them and go.

The compact Festool model has three interesting drive options. Besides the chuck, it comes with a snap-in bit holder that saves some weight, but only fits special bits. Removing the holder allows you to click standard bits directly into the drive spindle and shave 2 inches off the length of the tool, making it a full 4 inches shorter than most of the tools and the lightest by far. Additional offset, right-angle, and depth-setting bit holders, available separately, also fit this tool.

Weight & Balance

We use drill/drivers in our shop every day, sometimes for hours at a time, so the feel of the tool is a big deal. Just like a hammer needs the proper weight and balance, so does a drill/driver. We want a tool that is easy to handle and doesn't give us a hand cramp because we had to compensate for poor balance.

In order to fairly judge, we waited until after we had a feel for each tool before we checked their weights. Past experience has shown us that the specs in the owner's manuals are often inaccurate within one-half pound, which can make a difference in cordless tools, so we weighed them ourselves with a battery only (no side handles or bits) on our shop scale. Here's what we found, in descending order. The heaviest tool was the Ridgid at 7 pounds. Half of the tools were very close in weight, around 6.5 pounds: the Porter-Cable, Metabo, DeWalt, Bosch, Moty-Ko, Hilti, and Fein. The next bunch was right around 6 pounds: the Milwaukee, Panasonic, and Firestorm. The lightest tools were the Hitachi, Festool, Ryobi, and Makita, weighing in between 5 and 5.5 pounds.

Despite the measured weights, a tool's balance can help overcome gravity. The tools that felt the best right off the bat were the DeWalt, the Hitachi, and the Milwaukee models; those that felt clunky and awkward were the Panasonic, the Fein, and the Metabo.

Comfort in Use

Balance and feel out of the box are important, but repetitive actions and continual use provide the best test of tool comfort. Comfort is related to the tool's ease-of-use. If a tool is easy to use, it is intuitive and instinctive, allowing you to work longer and faster, which leads to better quality work.

To test the comfort and ease-of-use we drove and removed 2-1/2-inch black driver screws into thick mahogany. This repetitive action helped us test switching the reverse and forward functions, driving power, and overall feel.

Discomfort really surfaced in two ways. First, in difficulty switching from forward to reverse. If you have to change hand position to switch from forward to reverse over and over, your hand starts cramping and the hand twisting can lead to raw spots and future blisters. The worst offenders were the Fein, Metabo, Moty-Ko, and Ridgid. The easiest and most intuitive were the DeWalt, Hitachi, Milwaukee, and Porter-Cable.

The second problem is a fat handle. We noticed this as we tried to figure out why the DeWalt grip felt so right: It has a narrower handle than most. We determined that this relative narrowness is a design feature we all liked, but it is hard to put a measurement on the best size because it also depends on the proportions of the oval shape that makes up the handle. Suffice it to say, we prefer the smaller handles for the comfort and control they provide. Some handles that felt too large to ever be comfortable were the Bosch and the Metabo.

It was nice to see that every tool had rubber overmold patches on their grips, but the Ryobi trigger tended to pinch the trigger finger due to the tacky rubber surrounding the area. Porter-Cable supplies different-size grip inserts for its tool, but we liked the medium size that came installed. Overall, the DeWalt, Hitachi, Milwaukee, and Porter-Cable were the most comfortable. We used them all day without fatigue.

Power & Performance

Cordless power has come a long way and much is being made of new lithium-ion (LI) battery technology that companies claim brings more power to lighter tools. We didn't set out to evaluate the differences between the LI, nicad, and NiMH batteries in this group, but it's hard to ignore the fact that three of the top overall performers were LI tools.

To test power and torque, we started by drilling 1-inch-diameter holes into solid walnut, which wasn't a problem for any of the tools.

We increased the degree of difficulty by changing to 2-9/16-inch self-feeding bits, and that's when the differences became clear. We started with fresh batteries, put the drivers in the lowest gear, and let 'em rip. These 2-9/16-inch bits are big, and we needed to be careful not to burn up the motors, but at the same time we were interested to see which tools worked the hardest so we didn't stop until the battery did or until the tool literally started to cook. The Milwaukee was the only one that tripped any heat overload protection; the rest just got hot.

After cooling off, the drill/drivers fell into three categories. The failing group comprised those that couldn't complete two holes--the Ryobi, the Moty-Ko, and the Bosch. The Moty-Ko and Ryobi were especially weak because they couldn't complete even one hole, while the Bosch stopped at one-and-a-half holes. If we are set up to bore holes on a solid-core hardwood door job, the last thing we want is a tool that can't keep up.

The next group did reasonably well but couldn't match the power of the top tools. This group comprised Metabo (two and three-quarter holes), Porter-Cable and Firestorm (both with three holes), Festool (three and one-half holes), Hitachi (three and three-quarter holes), Panasonic (four holes), and Fein (four and one-quarter holes). Although the Firestorm made it to three holes, it was especially slow getting there.

The best tools bored more than five holes. The Ridgid performed well at five and one-quarter holes, but its chuck gave us some problems: After its last hole, we needed locking pliers to get the bit out. The Hilti bored six and one-quarter holes, and the Milwaukee completed six and one-half holes.

The top two were the Makita and the DeWalt. The Makita completed eight holes; its pace was slow, but it steadily worked away and impressed us all. The DeWalt really wowed us, though, not only because it powered through 10 holes without hanging up, but it also was quick. There is nothing like working with a tool that rocks, and the DeWalt really set the pace.

Hammerdrilling

With so many of these tools including a hammerdrill function, which we use all the time on our trim and cabinet installations, we took the models into the field and focused on this feature.

Most of these hammerdrill models switch functions by dialing in the hammer symbol on the clutch setting ring, but the Bosch, Milwaukee, and Ridgid all have a second ring for this and the Makita has a top-mounted sliding switch. These are nice because they keep you from losing your clutch setting every time you hammerdrill.

When drilling into masonry, we found that the DeWalt and the Hilti stood out as the fastest with the least vibration. The Hitachi, Ridgid, Milwaukee, and Fein also showed good performance in this mode. The Panasonic seemed to vibrate more than hammer; although it drilled through concrete block well, it wasn't our favorite for the task. The rest of them were decent performers.

Winners

After all is said and done, we came up with three clear favorites: the DeWalt, the Hitachi, and the Makita, with the DeWalt clearly in the lead.

The DeWalt tool has the best power and a great ergonomic design. Although a little heavy, its ease of use and superb performance won everyone over. The Hitachi and the Makita are close seconds. They are much lighter tools, and they don't give up anything in power, comfort, or even style. The cases are well thought through, and the accessories are good; if you are partial to a lighter tool or want to buy into lithium-ion power, these are great buys.

It should be noted that the Milwaukee won some new fans and came through with great power, design, and feel. Though not in the top three, it's still a strong contender that should be part of anyone's consideration list as they go shopping. The other models finished behind in the following order: Porter-Cable, Hilti, and Festool placed together, followed individually by Ridgid, Moty-Ko, Panasonic, and Bosch. Trailing them were the Fein and Metabo equally, and finally the duo of Firestorm and Ryobi.

--Brent Hull is a historic restoration and millwork contractor. He owns Hull Historical in Fort Worth, Texas.

Photos by dotfordot.com

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Specs and Tester's Comments:

Bosch 13618-2G Bosch	Volts/Amp Hours: 18/2.4 Battery Type: nicad Maximum Torque: 550 inch-pounds Speed: 0-450 / 0-1,500 rpm Published Weight: 6.7 pounds Street Price: $290 Bosch 877-267-2499 www.boschtools.com	Comments:This tool was disappointing in the power department. It felt a little heavy and the grip was too fat. It has an odd onboard bit holder that only fits a magnetic bit extension. It provides some bit slots in the case.
DeWalt DC925KA DeWalt	Volts/Amp Hours: 18/2.4 Battery Type: nicad Maximum Torque: Unavailable Speed: 0-450 / 0-1,500 / 0-2,000 rpm Published Weight: 6.5 pounds Street Price: $299 DeWalt Industrial Tool 800-433-9258 www.dewalt.com	Comments: This tool is a true winner. Its super power and the highest rpm of the group in all three speeds really set the pace. Plus, it was the most comfortable. It includes nice extra-long bit storage on the tool that even fits pilot bits. The case was well thought out with plenty of room for bits and accessories.
Fein ASB18 Fein	Volts/Amp Hours: 18/2.0 Battery Type: nicad Maximum Torque: 531 inch-pounds Speed: 0-400 / 0-1,400 rpm Published Weight: 6.6 pounds Street Price: $167 Fein Power Tools 800-441-9878 www.feinus.com	Comments: This was a generally disappointing performer, with poor ergonomics and no real bells or whistles. It came with a depth-stop rod for hammerdrilling. It had mid-line results in the power test, but had an awkward feel. It lacks a bit holder on the tool and extra storage space in the case.
Festool TDK15.6CE Festool	Volts/Amp Hours: 15.6/2.4 Battery Type: nicad Maximum Torque: 320 inch-pounds Speed: 0-450 / 0-1,500 rpm Published Weight: 5.3 pounds Street Price: $408 Festool 888-337-8600 www.festoolusa.com	Comments: One of the two non-hammerdrill tools, it seemed a bit outclassed in this test, although it is the lowest voltage and the smallest model. Unique chuck options add versatility and really set it apart, but it seems better suited for life in the shop building cabinets. Festool makes a superior tool with a great case.
Firestorm FSX18HD Firestorm	Volts/Amp Hours: 18/2.1 Battery Type: nicad Maximum Torque: 490 inch-pounds Speed: 0-400 / 0-1,600 rpm Published Weight: 6.0 pounds Street Price: $175 (as tested) Firestorm by Black & Decker 800-544-6986 www.firestormtools.com	Comments: Our crew felt this was a passable tool, but really more of a DIY model. It's sold as a tool only, but the price reflects tool, charger, and two batteries, which are available separately. We tested its higher-amp-hour batteries, but overall the tool performed at the lower end of our test. It has decent onboard bit storage.
Hilti SFH181-A 3.0 Hilti	Volts/Amp Hours: 18/3.0 Battery Type: NiMH Maximum Torque: 690 inch-pounds Speed: 0-370 / 0-1,455 / 0-2,000 rpm Published Weight: 6.6 pounds Street Price: $439 Hilti 800-879-8000 www.us.hilti.com	Comments: This was a very good tool that performed near the top of the power test. Three speeds add utility. We wish there was a place to store bits on the tool, and the loose inner tray in the case causes bits to get lost easily and makes for messy storage. This is a top-quality tool, but not the best performer.
Hitachi DV18DL Hitachi	Volts/Amp Hours: 18/3.0 Battery Type: lithium-ion Maximum Torque: 570 inch-pounds Speed: 0-400 / 0-1,800 rpm Published Weight: 5.4 pounds Street Price: $299 Hitachi Power Tools 800-829-4752 www.hitachipowertools.com	Comments: A top performer and one of the lightest and most comfortable. The tool and the charger accept LI, NiMH, and nicad batteries. It has a nice belt hook/light. It has an interesting trigger limiting switch, but we didn't find it useful. The tool has adequate onboard bit storage and a giant compartment for bits in the case.
Makita BHP451 Makita	Volts/Amp Hours: 18/3.0 Battery Type: lithium-ion Maximum Torque: 560 inch-pounds Speed: 0-300 / 0-600 / 0-1,700 rpm Published Weight: 4.9 pounds Street Price: $299 Makita 800-462-5482 www.makita.com	Comments: This lightweight powerhouse really shined. Its three-speed design allows high torque for heavy work. Dual headlights are handy. It has a reversible belt hook and long bit holders on the base. The case is well laid out, with a large divided storage bin built in. It also included a depth-stop rod for hammerdrilling.
Metabo SBP18 Plus Metabo	Volts/Amp Hours: 18/2.0 Battery Type: nicad Maximum Torque: 575 inch-pounds Speed: 0-400 / 0-1,400 rpm Published Weight: 6.7 pounds Street Price: $369 Metabo 800-638-2264 www.metabousa.com	Comments: This heavy tool was a low performer across the board. The forward/reverse switch was difficult to use one-handed. There is limited onboard bit storage and no decent place for bits in the case. The tool has a pulse feature that mimics a slow impact driver to help with stripped screw heads, but we rarely needed it.
Milwaukee 0824-24 Milwaukee	Volts/Amp Hours: 18/2.0 Battery Type: lithium-ion Maximum Torque: 550 inch-pounds Speed: 0-450 / 0-1,700 rpm Published Weight: 6.2 pounds Street Price: $329 Milwaukee Electric Tool 800-729-3878 www.milwaukeetool.com	Comments: A great performer, this tool was among the best in balance and comfort, and it placed third in the power test. The tool and charger work with both LI and nicad batteries. Its reversible battery positioning feature improves balance and accessibility. The fuel gauge on the batteries is especially helpful. Long bits can be stored on board and the case has a secure, dedicated storage locker.
Moty-Ko 18HD Moty-Ko	Volts/Amp Hours: 18/2.0 Battery Type: nicad Maximum Torque: 400 inch-pounds Speed: 0-400 / 0-1,200 rpm Published Weight: 6.4 pounds Street Price: $249 Moty-Ko Professional Power Tools 317-322-5265 www.motyko.com	Comments: This is a decent tool with a few neat features, including a battery fuel gauge and a small, built-in bubble level. But it's no comfort or performance winner. Its power was unacceptably low in our test. It has nice onboard bit storage, but no available storage in the case. It comes with a depth stop rod for hammerdrilling.
Panasonic EY6950GQKW Panasonic	Volts/Amp Hours: 18/3.5 Battery Type: NiMH Maximum Torque: 425 inch-pounds Speed: 75-450 / 250-1,500 rpm Published Weight: 5.9 pounds Street Price: $299 Panasonic 800-338-0552 www.panasonic.com	Comments: This was an awkward tool; it's not too heavy, but the battery made it feel out of balance. It performed in the middle of the power test, but it just didn't win raves from anyone. There's no bit storage on the tool, but there is a great shelf built into the case.
Porter-Cable 9987 Porter-Cable	Volts/Amp Hours: 19.2/2.4 Battery Type: nicad Maximum Torque: 470 inch-pounds Speed: 0-500 / 0-1,500 rpm Published Weight: 6.3 pounds Street Price: $239 Porter-Cable 888-848-5175 www.porter-cable.com	Comments: A good tool with a good feel. It scored high marks for comfort but low marks in the power test. It comes with interchangeable grip inserts. Two bits store on the tool and the case was well thought out with a secure locker for bits and screws. We were a little disappointed that the larger 19.2-volt battery didn't deliver more in the power test, but it was capable enough for most work.
Ridgid R8411503 Ridgid	Volts/Amp Hours: 18/1.7 Battery Type: nicad Maximum Torque: 585 inch-pounds Speed: 0-400 / 0-1500 rpm Published Weight: 7.0 pounds Street Price: $249 Ridgid 1-800-4-RIDGID www.ridgid.com	Comments: This was the heaviest tool. And though it had decent balance and power, it didn't really test well, and the chuck gave us problems. The carrying case is a duffel bag, a detail everybody loved; it provided great storage space. One bit will fit on the base of the tool itself. A decent tool with good power, but needs to lose a half a pound and gain more comfort to catch up to the competition.
Ryobi P201 Ryobi	Volts/Amp Hours: 18/2.0 Battery Type: nicad Maximum Torque: 350 inch-pounds Speed: 0-440 / 0-1600 rpm Published Weight: 5.3 pounds Street Price: $90 (P811 kit w/light) Ryobi 800-525-2579 www.ryobitools.com	Comments: The other non-hammerdrill in the test, it wasn't really up to most of the challenges. Its inability to perform in the power test placed it at the low end of the competition. Overall it seemed like an inexpensive model intended for DIY use. Some features we liked included its magnetic pad for screws and bits and the fact that it's one of the lightest tools. The case has a small bit storage area.