Skil Brushless 12V Drill Driver & Impact Driver Kit

First impressions and what’s in the box

I put the Skil 12V combo kit to work over a few weeks of typical homeowner tasks: assembling furniture, hanging hardware, drilling pilot holes for anchors, and driving screws in softwood and light framing. The kit includes a 1/2-inch drill/driver, a 1/4-inch hex impact driver, two 12V 2.0Ah batteries, a fast PWR JUMP charger, two PH2 bits, and belt clips. For a compact, budget-friendly setup, it’s a thoughtful bundle that covers most everyday jobs without needing to buy extras right away.

Both tools use brushless motors, which is a big deal in this class. The motors are smooth, compact, and efficient, and the overall footprint of both tools stays small without feeling toy-like. The handles are well-shaped, the overmold is grippy, and the balance with the 2.0Ah battery is spot-on for one-handed use or working off a ladder.

Design details that matter

The drill/driver is the standout in terms of flexibility. Skil’s “hybrid” 1/2-inch chuck accepts round-shank bits like a traditional drill, but you can also pop in 1/4-inch hex bits directly, which means quicker bit swaps when you’re bouncing between pilot holes and fasteners. On a compact 12V drill, getting a full 1/2-inch chuck is unusual and genuinely useful if you own larger-shank accessories.

The impact driver is short and nimble, and it has a two-speed selection. That extra control is handy: low speed for delicate screws or cabinetry, high speed for deck screws, framing brackets, and other tougher tasks. The impact’s halo-style work light surrounds the collet and provides even illumination. It’s one of the better LED implementations I’ve used on an entry-level impact. The drill’s single LED is serviceable, though not as bright or shadow-free as the impact’s ring light.

Skil includes USB-A ports on both the charger and the batteries. I treated them as emergency top-off power for a phone and they worked fine. If you’re hoping to power high-draw devices, look elsewhere; for small electronics, it’s a nice convenience.

Performance: drilling

The drill has two mechanical speeds (0–450 and 0–1700 rpm) and a 17+1 clutch. In low speed, it has enough grunt (rated 350 in-lbs) to run spade bits through softwood studs for small holes and to handle common hole saw sizes for door hardware and junction boxes with some patience. In high speed, it’s great for clean, accurate drilling with twist bits in wood, plastics, and thin metal. The clutch is predictable and the ring has positive detents, which made it easy to dial back torque for delicate assemblies and avoid stripping brass or soft screws.

I used it for installing cabinet pulls, drilling clearance holes in pine, and boring 3/4-inch spade-bit holes in SPF studs. It didn’t stall unless I leaned on it too hard, and heat never became a problem during moderate use. The hybrid chuck saved time when switching between a countersink and a driver bit: push a hex bit in, drive screws, then go back to a drill bit without fuss. Just make sure hex bits seat fully; like most hybrid noses, improper seating can cause minor wobble.

Performance: driving

The impact driver is rated at 1100 in-lbs with two speed ranges (0–1600/2600 rpm and 0–2500/3500 ipm). Numbers aside, it has more than enough punch for construction screws up to 3 inches in softwood and structural screws in the smaller sizes. I drove dozens of 2-1/2 inch screws into studs and plywood without it breaking a sweat. The low-speed mode was perfect for installing hinges and hardware where I wanted to avoid cam-out or overdriving. Trigger control is linear, and the forward/reverse switch has a crisp click.

Noise is typical impact-driver loud, so hearing protection is still a good idea for extended sessions. Vibration is well-controlled for a 12V unit, and the short length helps you get into corners where a full-size 18V tool would be awkward.

Battery life and charging

Runtime on the included 2.0Ah batteries is respectable for a 12V kit. One battery handled a half-day of mixed drilling and driving around the house, and swapping to the second pack kept me moving. For heavier tasks (lots of large screws or repeated hole-saw work), you’ll want to keep the second battery on deck—or consider adding a higher-capacity PWRCORE 12 pack if you plan to do marathon projects. Skil wraps the cells in cooling material to manage heat; while I can’t measure the internal temperature, I never hit a thermal cutoff or noticed power sag beyond what’s normal as the pack empties.

The PWR JUMP charger lives up to its name for quick turnarounds. In my use, an empty 2.0Ah pack reached roughly a quarter charge in just a few minutes and a full charge in under an hour. That “splash-and-go” capability is ideal for home users who work in bursts rather than tethering the tools to a charger all afternoon.

Ergonomics and usability

At 7-1/8 inches long for the drill and 5-7/8 inches for the impact, these are genuinely compact. The smaller 12V form factor is a big advantage if you have smaller hands or if you’re working overhead or on a ladder. Both tools have well-placed belt clip mounting points and include clips in the box. I’d have liked a stronger LED on the drill and a built-in bit holder on the tool body, but those are minor quibbles.

Controls are intuitive: two-speed gearbox selectors are easy to toggle, the clutch ring is grippy, and both triggers allow fine feathering for delicate starts. The plastics and overmold quality are better than I expected at this price point, with no creaks or flex when torqued up.

Capability limits

This is a 12V kit, and that’s the context you should keep in mind. It’s not designed to drive long ledger screws into dense engineered lumber all day, nor is it a great pick for big-bore hole saws or mixing compound. The drill’s 350 in-lbs is perfectly adequate for everyday use, but it won’t replace a mid-tier 18V drill for heavy fastening or boring. If your week routinely includes large lag bolts, big augers, or metal fabrication, step up to a 18V/20V system.

The included 2.0Ah packs keep weight down but naturally limit runtime for pro-level volume. Fortunately, the fast charger and the option to add higher-capacity PWRCORE 12 batteries mitigate that for larger projects.

Durability and warranty

Build quality feels solid: the chuck jaws track true, the impact’s anvil engages cleanly, and neither tool showed play or wobble after a few weeks of regular use. Brushless motors should yield better longevity and efficiency than brushed counterparts. Skil backs its PWRCORE 12 tools with a multi-year warranty, which adds peace of mind for a homeowner kit. As with any lithium-ion tools, store the batteries at partial charge and avoid deep discharges to maximize life.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and DIYers who want a compact, reliable kit for general tasks: furniture assembly, shelving, hardware installs, small repairs, and light carpentry.
• Apartment dwellers and anyone working in tight spaces where size and weight matter more than raw power.
• Occasional jobsite users who want a lightweight secondary setup for punch lists and service calls.

If you’re a tradesperson building decks daily, or you frequently work in dense hardwoods and engineered materials, a higher-voltage platform is a better long-term investment.

What could be better

• The drill’s LED is just okay; a brighter or halo-style light would improve visibility in deep cabinets and closets.
• Including at least one higher-capacity battery option in the kit would extend runtime for big projects.
• The hybrid chuck is fast, but like all designs of this type, it demands careful bit seating to avoid wobble.

Recommendation

I recommend the Skil 12V combo kit for homeowners and DIYers who want a compact, well-rounded setup that punches above its weight for everyday tasks. The brushless motors, hybrid chuck, two-speed impact driver, and fast charging make it easy to move quickly from drilling to driving without juggling accessories or waiting on batteries. It’s not a heavy-construction kit, but within the 12V class it delivers smart features, solid performance, and excellent usability at a friendly price. If your project list skews toward household fixes, cabinet and hardware installs, light carpentry, and occasional weekend builds, this kit is an easy choice.