Features
- Includes drill driver, reciprocating saw, oscillating multi-tool, Bluetooth speaker, sander, and spotlight.
- Includes one 4.0Ah PWRCORE 20 battery and one 2.0Ah PWRCORE 20 battery with PWRASSIST USB port.
- Auto PWRJUMP charger for rapid charging.
- PWRCORE 20 battery design with cooling material around cells (manufacturer claim of extended run time and life).
- PWRASSIST mobile charging via battery USB port.
Specifications
Drill Driver | {"Chuck capacity" => "1/2 inch", "Variable speed" => "Yes"} |
Oscillating Multi Tool | {"Speed settings" => "6", "Accessory system" => "Starlock basic & OIS"} |
Reciprocating Saw | {"Motor" => "Brushless", "LED light" => "Yes", "Variable speed" => "Yes"} |
Random Orbital Sander | {"Grit rating" => "120", "Sanding orbit" => "1/9 inch (3.0 mm)"} |
Bluetooth Speaker | {"Auxiliary port" => "Yes", "Bluetooth range" => "Approx. 100 ft (30 m)"} |
Spotlight | {"Lumen output" => "300 / 150 lm (two output levels)", "Lamp head rotation" => "104 degrees"} |
Batteries | {"Included" => "1 × 4.0Ah PWRCORE 20 lithium, 1 × 2.0Ah PWRCORE 20 lithium with PWRASSIST USB", "Battery technology note" => "Cells wrapped with cooling material (manufacturer states improved run time and life)"} |
Charger | {"Type" => "Auto PWRJUMP", "Charge time (manufacturer example)" => "2.0Ah battery 0%→25% in 5 minutes; 0%→100% in 45 minutes (manufacturer-stated)"} |
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A 6-tool 20V brushless combo kit containing a drill driver, reciprocating saw, oscillating multi-tool, Bluetooth speaker, sander, and spotlight. The kit includes one 4.0Ah PWRCORE 20 lithium battery, one 2.0Ah PWRCORE 20 lithium battery with a PWRASSIST USB port, and an Auto PWRJUMP charger. The PWRCORE 20 battery design uses cooling material around each cell (manufacturer-stated benefits include longer run time and extended battery life). The Auto PWRJUMP charger provides fast charging times (manufacturer notes: 0–25% in 5 minutes and 0–100% in 45 minutes for a 2.0Ah battery).
Skil PWR Core 20 Brushless 20V 6-Tool Combo Kit Review
Why I reached for this kit
I spent a couple of weekends tackling a punch list of projects—building a small shelving unit, trimming branches, sanding closet doors, and some light remodel prep—and I used the Skil 20V combo kit for all of it. It’s a broad starter set: drill driver, reciprocating saw, oscillating multi-tool, random orbital sander, Bluetooth speaker, and a spotlight, plus one 4.0Ah battery, one 2.0Ah battery (with a USB charging port), and Skil’s fast Auto PWRJUMP charger. It’s aimed at giving you the essentials for household projects without piecing together a system.
What’s in the box and what stood out
- The basics are covered: drilling/driving, cutting, sanding, lighting, and a bit of shop entertainment.
- The batteries and charger make or break any kit. One big positive here is the fast charger—Skil’s PWRJUMP does get you back in the game quickly, especially for the 2.0Ah pack. The flip side is that two batteries for six tools can feel thin if you’re bouncing between tasks or sharing tools with a helper.
Battery platform and charging
Skil’s PWRCORE 20 packs include cooling material wrapped around the cells. The claim is longer run time and life because of improved thermal management. I can’t confirm long-term life in a short review window, but I did notice the packs stayed only mildly warm after extended cuts with the reciprocating saw. The fast-charging experience is real: the 2.0Ah pack went from “dead” to enough juice for a quick finish in roughly the time it took me to sweep up—Skil rates 0–25% in 5 minutes and a full charge around 45 minutes for the 2.0Ah. The 4.0Ah understandably takes longer.
A nice bonus: the 2.0Ah battery’s PWRASSIST USB port. I topped off a phone while running the speaker; it’s exactly the sort of “quality of life” feature that makes a jobsite day a little easier.
Practical tip: dedicate the 4.0Ah pack to the saws and sander, and keep the 2.0Ah on the drill or multi-tool. If you’re tackling a full-day project, budget for a third battery (another 4.0Ah) to eliminate downtime.
Drill driver: reliable control, no drama
The drill driver has a 1/2-inch chuck and variable speed. For general carpentry, it handled 3-inch screws into studs without stalling and spun spade bits for rough holes in plywood just fine. Chuck bite was secure; I didn’t have issues with bits slipping under load. Trigger control is smooth, making it easy to set screws flush without overdriving. It’s not a hammer drill, so for masonry you’ll want a dedicated tool, but for wood, plastics, and light metals, it hits the mark.
Reciprocating saw: brushless grunt with decent manners
This brushless recip saw is the muscle of the kit. With a fresh 4.0Ah pack and a wood blade, it sliced through 2x material and green branches quickly. The variable-speed trigger gives you good control for plunge cuts, and the onboard LED helps in low light. Vibration is present, as expected for a compact saw, but manageable—good gloves help. Blade changes are straightforward, and the saw feels balanced enough for overhead pruning. If you’re doing lots of demo, a second high-capacity battery becomes essential.
Oscillating multi-tool: flexible and easy to live with
The multi-tool offers six speed settings and supports both OIS and Starlock basic accessories. That compatibility is a win—you can find blades and pads almost anywhere. I used it for undercutting casing for flooring and trimming a stubborn stud screw; power was sufficient, and the speed range helped me keep cuts clean. It’s not the quietest tool in the world, but the vibration is reasonable for its class. If you’re new to multi-tools, start at a lower speed and let the blade do the work; you’ll get cleaner results and keep heat down.
Random orbital sander: good finish, keep the dust in check
The random orbital sander has a 3.0 mm orbit and ships with 120-grit paper. It leaves a smooth finish and doesn’t swirl if you let it float rather than bear down. Dust collection with the included canister is surprisingly good on pine and primer sanding, but you need to empty it frequently to maintain airflow. After about 45 minutes of steady sanding on the 4.0Ah pack, I was around half battery—typical for this class, but worth planning around. If you’ve got a shop vac, hook it up for best results and less cleanup.
Practical tip: mark your grits on the backing with a Sharpie and swap paper when it’s dull; pushing a worn pad just burns battery and leaves scratches.
Bluetooth speaker: simple and handy
The speaker is straightforward with an auxiliary port and a Bluetooth range right around the advertised 100 feet in open space. It’s loud enough to fill a garage without distorting at normal listening levels. It sips power compared to the cutting tools, making it a nice “always-on” companion using the 2.0Ah pack. If you’re charging a phone from the battery’s USB while streaming, you’ll notice the pack drop faster, but the convenience is worth it on longer sessions.
Spotlight: brighter than a phone, better than a headlamp for setup
The spotlight has two modes—300 and 150 lumens—with a lamp head that rotates 104 degrees. It’s not a floodlight, but it’s perfect for crawl spaces, panel boxes, or aiming into a cabinet. The pivoting head lets you set it on the floor and angle it where you need. I used low mode most of the time to preserve battery and avoid glare.
Build quality and ergonomics
Across the kit, the tools share a family feel—similar grips, sensible triggers, consistent battery fit. The handles are on the slimmer side, which helps for smaller hands and reduces fatigue during overhead work. The plastic housings and rubbers feel solid; no rattles showed up after dropping the recip saw onto plywood from bench height. The LED on the recip saw is useful; I’d love to see every tool in the kit adopt work lights where practical.
Runtime, heat, and the fast charger in practice
Runtime will always depend on how you use the tools, but here’s how it played out for me:
- Light drilling and driving: the 2.0Ah battery carried me through multiple cabinet installs and hinge adjustments.
- Recip saw and sander: these are the pack-drainers. A 4.0Ah battery is noticeably better here; plan to swap or charge every long session.
- Heat management: after extended cutting, the pack was warm but not hot, and the tools never thermal-locked on me.
- Charging: the fast top-off is the quiet hero. A 5–10 minute coffee break genuinely adds useful runtime to the 2.0Ah pack. For the 4.0Ah, I took longer breaks between heavier tasks and kept moving with the other battery.
Who this kit is for
- DIYers and homeowners building out a first cordless platform who want broad coverage in one box.
- Light remodelers or handypeople who value the fast charger and can add a third battery later.
- Anyone who appreciates having a speaker and spotlight in the same battery ecosystem.
If you’re a pro doing daily demo, framing, or continuous sanding, you’ll want more high-capacity batteries (and possibly higher-spec individual tools). But for general-purpose work, this kit punches at or above its weight.
Wish list
- A second high-capacity battery in the box would better match the number of tools.
- A vacuum adapter for the sander included by default would elevate dust management.
- More universal work lights across the tools would be welcome.
Recommendation
I recommend the Skil 20V combo kit for homeowners and DIYers who want a capable, balanced entry into a 20V platform with a thoughtfully fast charger. The drill, multi-tool, and recip saw cover most project scenarios, the sander finishes well if you keep the dust bin clear, and the speaker and spotlight are genuinely useful add-ons rather than filler. Plan on pairing the kit with an extra 4.0Ah battery if you anticipate longer cutting or sanding sessions. With that tweak, it’s a practical, easy-to-live-with setup that kept me moving through weekend projects without fuss.
Project Ideas
Business
Mobile Small-Job Carpentry and Repairs
Offer door and casing undercuts, trim repairs, shelving installs, and pet door cut-ins. The oscillating multi-tool excels at plunge cuts and jamb undercuts, the drill/driver speeds hardware installs, and the reciprocating saw handles light demo. Use the spotlight for crawlspaces and the Auto PWRJUMP charger to top up a 2.0Ah battery quickly between stops.
Furniture Flipping and Refinishing
Source secondhand pieces, tighten joinery with the drill/driver, replace hardware, and use the sander to strip and refinish tops. The oscillating multi-tool can patch veneer and flush-cut dowels; the recip saw speeds disassembly for hybrids. Document transformations and sell locally. Keep the Bluetooth speaker at your booth and use PWRASSIST USB on the 2.0Ah battery to charge your phone for listings on the go.
On-Site Custom Shelving and Closet Installs
Provide same-day floating shelves, pantry upgrades, and closet reconfigurations. The multi-tool makes clean outlet and bracket cutouts, the drill/driver sets anchors, and the sander eases exposed edges. Battery power avoids HOA or high-rise power hassles, and the fast charger minimizes downtime between installs.
Event and Photo Backdrop Fabrication
Design and rent arches, marquee frames, and modular scenic walls. Prefab in the shop, then assemble on site with the drill/driver; tune fit with the oscillating multi-tool and finish edges with the sander. The spotlight helps with late setups, and the Bluetooth speaker can provide background music at installs. Offer branded add-ons and quick turnarounds.
Pop-Up Maker Booth: Custom Planters and Boards
Set up at markets to build personalized planter boxes and charcuterie boards on demand. Use the multi-tool for inlays and plunge cuts, the sander for silky finishes, and the drill/driver for fast assembly. Engage crowds with the speaker, invoice from your phone powered by PWRASSIST USB, and keep work flowing with rapid battery top-ups.
Creative
Modular Vertical Herb Wall (Pallet Upcycle)
Disassemble pallet slats with the brushless reciprocating saw, flush-trim embedded nails and make precise notches with the oscillating multi-tool (Starlock/OIS blades), then smooth everything with the random orbital sander. Use the 1/2-inch chuck drill/driver to assemble modular planter boxes and mount French cleats for easy reconfiguration. The spotlight helps with evening work, and the Bluetooth speaker keeps the vibe while you build.
Mid-Century Plant Stand Trio
Cut round tops and tapered legs from hardwood or plywood blanks; the oscillating multi-tool handles precise joinery notches and flush trims, while the sander creates soft chamfers. Use the drill/driver for dowel joinery and threaded inserts. Build three heights as a matching set. Quick swap batteries and fast charge between stages to keep momentum.
Entryway Floating Shelf with Hidden Key Cubby
Glue up a thick shelf blank, then plunge-cut a concealed compartment with the oscillating multi-tool. Sand to a furniture-grade finish and mount with hidden brackets using the drill/driver. Add a small magnetic closure. The spotlight’s adjustable head is handy for accurate layout and level checks in dim hallways.
French-Cleat Tool Wall with Speaker/Spotlight Docks
Rip and mount cleats, then build custom holders for each tool. Create a clip-in cradle for the Bluetooth speaker and a swivel mount for the spotlight to aim task light at the bench. Use the multi-tool for precision cutouts, the sander for smooth edges, and the drill/driver for fast installs. This doubles as a showpiece and shop organizer.
Rustic Lantern Frame for the Spotlight
Craft a wooden lantern-style frame that securely docks the kit’s spotlight as a removable light source. Cut joinery and ventilation slots with the oscillating multi-tool, refine with the sander, and assemble with the drill/driver. The two-level 300/150 lm spotlight becomes a functional patio or camping lantern you can pop out for jobsite tasks.