A little over a year ago, we briefly discussed Bosch’s plans for a new line of brushless cordless power tools. There were some delays, but it looks like Bosch’s next-generation of EC brushless cordless drills and drivers are finally in production. Here’s a quick first look at the new Li-ion-powered tools.
- 18V drill/driver DDS182
- 18V hammer drill/driver HDS182
- 18V 1/2″ compact impact wrench IWBH182BL
- 18V hybrid Impactor 1/4″ hex + 1/2″ square IDH182
- 12V Max drill/driver PS32
- 12V Max 1/4″ hex driver PS22
ETA: February 2014
Two Bosch 18V EC brushless cordless power tools are already available – a rotary hammer and oscillating tool.
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18V EC Compact Tough Drill/Driver DDS182
- 1/2″ keyless chuck
- 18+1 clutch settings
- 7″ length
- 442 in-lbs max torque
- 0-500/0-1700 RPM gearbox
- 3.5 lbs
- DDS182-02 kit comes with (2) 2.0Ah lithium-ion batteries (BAT 612), charger, bit holder accessory, (4) bits, bit holder, belt clip, carrying bag
- MSRP $199 for the kit
Both the new EC drill and hammer drill are described by Bosch as being tough, dependable, and with unparalleled performance and durability. The drill/drivers are said to be well suited for most heavy-duty applications, such as using auger bits to drill 3/4″ holes in 4X Douglass Fir and driving 6-inch lag bolts though 4X pressure-treated wood.
18V EC Compact Tough Hammer Drill/Driver HDS182
- 1/2″ keyless chuck
- 18+1 clutch settings
- 7.4″ length
- 442 in-lbs max torque
- 0-500/0-1700 RPM gearbox
- 0-27,000 BPM
- 3.75 lbs
- HDS182-02 kit comes with (2) 2.0Ah lithium-ion batteries (BAT 612), charger, bit holder accessory, (4) bits, bit holder, belt clip, carrying bag
- MSRP $219 for the kit
18V EC 1/2″ Impact Wrench IWBH182BL
- 1/2″ square drive with pin detent
- 5.75″ length
- 1600 in-lbs max torque
- 0-2800 RPM, 0-3200 BPM
- 3 speed and torque settings
- 160 in-lbs max torque at low setting
- 3.6 lbs (with 4.0Ah battery)
- IWBH182BL bare-tool bundle includes a belt clip and L-Boxx 2 with inlay
- IWBH182-01L kit comes with (1) 4.0Ah battery, charger, L-Boxx kit
- MSRP for the kit is $299
18V EC Hybrid Impactor (1/4″ Hex, 1/2″ Square) IDH182
- 1/4″ hex bit chuck and 1/2″ square drive
- 6.2″ length
- 1650 in-lbs max torque
- 0-2800 RPM, 0-3200 BPM
- 3 speed and torque settings
- 3.2 lbs
- IDH182-02 kit comes with (2) 2.0Ah lithium-ion batteries, 60-min charger, double-ended impact bit, belt clip, carrying bag
- IDH182-02L kit comes with an L-Boxx as well
- MSRP for the L-Boxx kit is $279
The IDH182 features an all-in-one tool holder that works with 1/4″ hex screwdriver bits, as well as 1/2″ sockets.
Buy Now: via Amazon | Home Depot | CPO
12V Max EC 3/8″ Drill/Driver PS32
- 3/8″ keyless chuck
- 20+1 clutch settings
- 6.5″ length
- 265 in-lbs max torque
- 0-400/0-1300 RPM gearbox
- 2 lbs
- PS32-02 kit comes with (2) lithium-ion batteries, magnetic bit holder, bit holder attachment, 4-piece bit set, charger, belt clip, soft carrying case
- MSRP is $159 for the kit
12V Max EC 1/4″ Hex Driver/Drill PS22
- 1/4″ hex chuck
- 20+1 clutch settings
- 5-5/16″ length
- 179 in-lbs max torque
- 0-400/0-1300 RPM gearbox
- 1.6 lbs
- PS22-02 kit comes with (2) lithium-ion batteries, magnetic bit holder, bit holder attachment, 4-piece bit set, charger, belt clip, soft carrying case
- MSRP is $149 for the kit
According to Bosch, the new 12V drill and 1/4″ hex screwdriver are the lightest and most compact tools in their respective classes. This is sure to be a boon to anyone that frequently works overhead.
New Bit Holder Attachment
New 18V and 12V Max EC brushless drills and drivers come with a 4-piece screwdriver bit set and a removable bit holder attachment that is fixed to the rear of the tools.
Built-in LED Worklights
The new 18V hybrid Impactor and impact wrench will feature a 3-LED worklight design, while the 18V and 12V drills and drivers will feature a single diffused LED.
Overall First Impression
A lot of people have been eagerly anticipated Bosch to come out with brushless drills and drivers, and it doesn’t look like the new models will disappoint.
I find it curious that there aren’t any standalone 18V or 12V impact driver designs included in the initial launch, but perhaps they will be included in a phase two release.
It remains to be seen whether users will welcome or avoid the hybrid Impactor’s “all-in-one” tool holder chuck, but I personally think it offers valuable time-saving convenience without much of a sacrifice in tool length.
Surprisingly, the pricing is lower than I anticipated. While the new brushless drills, drivers, and impacts won’t be confused as value offerings, they are not as pricey as I had anticipated.
LORDDiESEL says
Nov 11, 2013 at 12:47 pmNot a bosch fan, but that’s an impressive line up. The Hybird hex / 1/2 impact looks to be a little low on power tho. 1600 in-lb is the same as my hex fuel. That’s going to limit the 1/2 drive of it, as most 1/2 drivers are around 200 ft-lbs.
Javier says
Nov 11, 2013 at 12:49 pmVery impressive offerings. I like their designs, very compact and lightweight yet powerful.
The 18v drills have full size power in the most compact size. Probably best in class. The impact driver wrench is innovative and the teeny tiny screwdriver has 12v power in the size of a 8v. Nice
Wonder what “EC” stands for? Probably an abbreviation that makes sense in German
Stuart says
Nov 11, 2013 at 12:57 pmEC = Electronically Commutated, which is just another term for brushless DC motor.
Humberto says
Nov 11, 2013 at 3:10 pmIs that a battery gauge on the new PS22? I never upgraded from my PS20 to the PS21 because I didn’t think it would be worth while since it didn’t include a battery gauge.
Stuart says
Nov 11, 2013 at 3:33 pmYes it is, good eye!
John S says
Nov 11, 2013 at 3:51 pmWeird placement of the belt clip on the PS-22…looks like the mass of the battery would just rotate it right off your belt.
John S says
Nov 11, 2013 at 4:03 pmThanks for the update! I was hoping they were coming out sooner, but this is great to know a final ETA
George says
Nov 11, 2013 at 5:33 pmIt should be PS22, not PS33
Stuart says
Nov 11, 2013 at 6:22 pmAnd now it is. Thanks! =) It seems as though I make more typos when writing about tools I am very excited about.
JML says
Nov 11, 2013 at 7:54 pmDoesn’t look like I’ll be upgrading my existing Bosch drills. The DDS-182 specs are almost identical to the existing DDS-181 model, except for two changes, as far as I can tell: the drill is .5 pound lighter and comes with 2Ah batteries in place of the previous 1.5Ah batteries. The PS-32 is almost identical to the PS-31, too: the weight goes down from 2.14 pounds to 1 pounds, the length drops from 7″ to 6.15″, and it comes with slightly uprated batteries (which I already have).
JML says
Nov 11, 2013 at 10:09 pmMake that PS-32 weight reduction from 2.14 to 2 pounds (not 1)!
Dan says
Nov 11, 2013 at 10:33 pmWith the 12v tools the “soft torque” is much higher than the brushed equivalent. From everything I’ve read and seen trying to figure out what that meant, it means the real, practical torque of the brushless tool is going to be higher in everything but peak torque running down a self-tapping sheetmetal screw. I’m guessing the 18v brushless tools will have similar improvements in torque when used for driving screws in wood/drilling/holesaws etc that really put a load on the tool.
DJE3 says
Nov 12, 2013 at 3:41 pmThe main point is runtime. By moving to 2.0Ah batteries plus a brushless drill, you will be able to work much longer. For example, a 2Ah battery give you 25% more run time plus brushless is another conservative 50%. That means a single charge battery is going to last you 87.5% longer than your current brushed tool with a 1.5Ah battery.
Phil says
Nov 11, 2013 at 9:24 pmDammit, Bosch, take my money already. What’s missing is a 3/8″ impact wrench, I am after one and it is still likely to be a Milwaukee Fuel.
I wonder what happened to their originally proposed “Core” branding for the brushless tools? I be someone raised a trademark stink. “EC” works fine for me, and it’s subtle, not like the Milwaukee branding. Must be that Euro style.
The brushless multi-tool is a beast! I love mine, and I’ve barely gotten a chance to use it.
LORDDiESEL says
Nov 12, 2013 at 11:06 pmI own the fuel 3/8’s and it’s a beast! The run time is just stupid long on it.
Garrick says
Nov 11, 2013 at 10:07 pmI’m sure I can resist the MRSPs, but it might not take much of a discount to get me to discover a need for one of them.
Or maybe I could wait for Stuart to spend some time with one of them. I vote for the PS32 first. My second vote would be for the 1/4″ hex / 1/2″ square impact driver.
Michael Veach says
Nov 13, 2013 at 12:50 amits about time they put a bit holder and belt clip on these little gems. what I would see are some of the Europe only tools in the USA
JimmyZ says
Nov 13, 2013 at 4:08 amcan’t wait for it to hit the street
4sb8 says
Nov 19, 2013 at 2:24 amBased on Bosch’s website it seems that HDS182 will have torque rating of 442 which is 25% less than HDS181. I’m hoping that this is inaccurate, but can’t find any evidence to the contrary.
BD says
Nov 25, 2013 at 12:26 pmI am wondering the same thing. Ready to give one a shot but not if it’s got 25% less torque. Hopefully somebody can shed some light.
Josh says
Dec 3, 2013 at 11:33 amI sent Bosch an email asking about the torque numbers for the 182. I’ll post an update when I hear back from them.
Stuart says
Dec 3, 2013 at 11:47 amI have updated the post, thanks to everyone for pointing out the error. I have also been seeing 442 in-lbs mentioned on sales sheets as well.
It looks like someone might have copied the technical specs box from the DDS181/HDS181 pages when building the product pages for the 182’s and the accidentally left torque specs unedited.
Honestly though, I own a DDS181, and always felt its torque rating to be a little inflated.
While there is a difference in on-paper specs, performance and application speed might not be affected. If/when test samples are available, I’ll see if I can do some benchmark tests to see what’s what.
Josh says
Dec 5, 2013 at 4:43 pmThanks, Stuart.
Here’s what Bosch had to say about it via email:
Stuart says
Dec 5, 2013 at 5:29 pmThanks for sharing their reply! That’s very interesting, and I do like that they’re being honest. It’s also good to know that the outlook is that the final torque levels will be comparable.
Alan says
Nov 27, 2013 at 5:32 amLooking for my next gen cordless tools as we speak with the best balance of size, features and power. Bosch might be it. What a surprise they announce a release date of 2/14 right before the 2013 holiday season shopping spree. Do they usually stick to those dates or should I opt for another line today with al the deals and bargains of the moment?… Hmmm…
Dan says
Dec 6, 2013 at 10:42 amI found a nice comparison video (in german, but the performance testing is worth a 1000 words) of 3 generations of Bosch 10.8 compacts using the same battery, the original PS20, the PS 130, and the brushless PS22. All 3 tools are compared using a 2.0 AH battery on pretty damn huge lumber screws. This is why I’m not worried about the lower paper specs on the new brushless tools.
OldBronco says
Dec 25, 2013 at 3:22 pmStuey, do you have any insider info on Bosch releasing a high torque 1/2″ impact wrench anytime soon in brushless? Basically a brushless version of the IWHT180-01. I’m hoping that since they are now finally (finally!) releasing these brushless tools that the others won’t be far behind.
Ryan says
Feb 7, 2014 at 6:41 pmFor a limited time, it appears Bosch is offering up some of these with a free 2.0 battery pack. They’re not in stock yet, but they’re on Home Depot’s website. That’s a nice little sweetener for some of us on the fence.
mastabac says
Mar 10, 2015 at 6:04 amwould be really nice to make an unique system of batteries for all cordless tools.
they are more and more used, and would help to have them all supplied from same batteries. I guess would help also on marketing, since people would buy more cordless tools, if they could use the same battery packs.
My best tool for what i do is Bosch Uneo multitool. For mountain and caves (alpinism) it’s the perfect tool (due to low weight and good performance), wish they could do the brushless option and maybe also a plug for external direct supply.
Wanted to change for the blue version, but that one has SDS Plus. SDS Quick is really good for anything (especially for hex bits), I really don’t want to change it.
Travis says
May 30, 2015 at 12:30 pmI’ve had 2 12 volt Bosch drill drivers that have just died on me in the last 2 years! When you pull the trigger all the lights come on but nothing else! Only light duty use! I’ll never buy another one! I’ll stick to ridgid! They’ve never let me down
Reginald Isaac Sr. says
Apr 1, 2016 at 11:57 amAre the Bosch PS20 series brushless drills
Stuart says
Apr 1, 2016 at 12:02 pmPS20? No.
PS21? No.
PS22? Yes.
Walter G. Hannig says
Jun 29, 2016 at 8:16 pmI just today bought a PS31-2A for my wife at Lowes. Impossible to get the battery pack off: not enough squeez in my thumb and finger; let alone hers. What are we missing? (otherwise I like the drill.)