EmailBest Reviewed
Cordless Drills
- Best cordless drill for homeowners Makita DF030DW *Est. $150
- Cordless drill for construction projects Makita BDF452HW *Est. $200
- Budget cordless drill Hitachi DS12DVF3 *Est. $75
- Best cordless screwdriver Hitachi DB3DL *Est. $65
- Best cordless impact driver Panasonic EY7540LN2L *Est. $315
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- Great power for its size
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Compact and lightweight (1.6 pounds)
- Good runtime
- 30-minute charger
- Screwdriver only -- no drilling
- Can get hot
- Expensive for a cordless screwdriver
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Average Customer Review
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Great Product, October 16, 2009Great tool. I install security systems for a living and this compact driver is perfect for almost everything I do, with the exception of drilling anything larger than 3/8 into wood or metal. It makes up for… it by being perfect size. It fits right into the drill holster on my belt. It has great battery life and charges quickly. I've used it for several months now and have had no problems with it. I would highly recommend this tool to any technician who wants something portable for their belt, and a great complement to full size drill.
good unit but batteries poor in cold weather, October 11, 2009Dont know exactly what to make of it.... I dont have that problem with NiCad.
Nice size but not enough torque and battery doesn't like the cold, July 15, 2009I own a remodeling and cabinet making business and got this tool two years ago. The tool is great for small jobs where alot of torque isn't needed because it easily fits in my tool pouch or back pocket and… bit changes are a snap. But it has trouble driving screws larger than standard drywall screws and it is slow when used to drill pilot holes. It also won't hold a charge in the cold. If I leave the tool in my truck overnight in the winter, it won't drive a single screw no matter what the size. Nevertheless, this is the first tool I reach for because of its convienient size. If it can't do the job, I switch to a bigger tool.
THE best power tool I've ever owned., July 7, 2009LOVE IT! An AMAZING little tool. And, it holds a charge forever! Never have needed to use it (even after it's set unused for months) when I had to charge it first. Would hate to be without it. Have… experienced none of the few negatives I've read. Perhaps my using it for "homeowner-type" projects only where others have tried using it professionally explains this phenomenon. In any event, one more time . . . I LOVE it!
Worked well for 1 year, June 7, 2009
Our Sources
1. Wood MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Three different editors at Wood Magazine test lithium-powered palm-size cordless drivers by driving 2-inch drywall screws into a pine 2x4 without pilot holes. The 10.8-volt Bosch PS20-2 Pocket Driver easily outperforms the two 3.6-volt models by Skil and Black & Decker.
Review: Wise Buys: Our Editors Test Palm Drivers, Editors of Wood Magazine, May 2007
This article compares eight cordless screwdrivers, testing them by driving 2-inch #10 screws into soft wood without pilot holes. The Bosch PS20-2 Pocket Driver (called the Bosch GSR in the UK) shares top ranking as the best screwdriver with the Metabo Powermaxx.
Review: Cordless Screwdrivers Reviewed, Editors of Practical Woodworking, Feb. 9, 2007
3. Fine WoodworkingDetails/Subscribe
This review compares two cordless screwdrivers, the 10.8-volt lithium-ion Bosch PS20-2 Pocket Driver and the 9.6-volt NiCad Ridgid R81030, based on objective tests. The Ridgid is the favorite for big construction jobs because of its superior power and ability to work in tight spaces, but the Bosch Pocket Driver is so much lighter that editors give it top rating for workshop use.
Review: Cordless Screwdrivers Do One Thing Very Well, Asa Christiana and John White, July 2006
4. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
The Bosch PS20-2 isn't tested in the most recent roundup review at Consumer Reports (that's available only by subscription), but editors do give it a single-product review here, complete with a video showing the Pocket Driver in action.
Review: First Looks: Bosch Pocket Driver PS20-2, Editors of Consumer Reports, July 2006
This review says the Bosch Pocket Driver PS20-2 "sets the standard for mini drivers." The review praises the fit and controls, and says it "packs surprising and lasting power for such a compact tool. Great all-around tool for your pouch."
Review: Industry News: Lithium-Ion Hands On, Rick Schwolsky and Michael Springer, Jan. 17, 2007
6. American Woodworker
This article on lithium-ion tools recommends the Bosch Pocket Driver, mentioning testing but without documenting the procedures. However, the publication itself has earned a lot of credibility for past comparison tests of power tools.
Review: Lithium-Ion for the Woodworker, Bill Szydlo, July 2007
This reviewer notes that the Pocket Driver weighs just 1.8 pounds, yet is designed to handle 80 percent of the tasks for which people usually use a much heavier drill. It's also small enough to be carried in the pocket of a tool belt.
Review: Hands-On: The Bosch Litheon Pocket Driver, Chuck Cage and Contributors, July 13, 2006
Woodworker Tom Hintz publishes detailed, well-illustrated single-product reviews of the tools he tests in his own workshop. This is the best-illustrated review we found of the Bosch Pocket Driver.
Review: Bosch PS20 Pocket Driver: A great idea -- and size -- for the shop, Tom Hintz
This hands-on review praises the Bosch Pocket Driver for its ergonomics and size, noting that most cordless drills are overkill and cumbersome for many tasks, but the Pocket Driver is just right. He also likes the 30-minute charger.
Review: Hands on with the Bosch Pocket Driver, Brian Marks, Aug. 3, 2006
10. Amazon.com
At the time of our report, 160 owners give the Bosch PS20-2 Pocket Driver near-perfect ratings in their reviews of it at Amazon.com. The LED light gets mixed reviews here, with some owners complaining that it's obstructed by the bit. Others note that this driver doesn't work well in freezing weather.
Review: Bosch PS20-2 10.8-volt Lithium-Ion, Contributors to Amazon.com
11. Northerntool.com
At the time of our report, all 28 owners reviewing the Bosch Pocket Driver at this retail site say they'd recommend it to a friend. Write-ups note both pros and cons.
Review: Bosch Litheon Pocket Driver -- 10.8 Volt, Model# PS20-2, Contributors to NorthernTool.com
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