Skil 20V 3-Tool Kit: Drill Driver, Impact Driver, PWR ASSIST USB Adapter

First impressions and what’s in the kit

I put the Skil 20V combo kit to work over a few weekends of mixed DIY—assembling garage shelving, hanging cabinets, and building a small planter box—so I could get a feel for how the pieces hold up in typical homeowner scenarios. The kit includes a 1/2-inch drill/driver, a 1/4-inch hex impact driver, two 2.0Ah 20V lithium batteries, a charger, two PH2 bits, two belt clips, and Skil’s PWR ASSIST USB adapter that lets the batteries double as on-the-go power banks. It’s a practical bundle that covers most fastening and light drilling tasks without forcing you to buy into a wider ecosystem right away.

Both tools are compact: the drill/driver is 7-7/16 inches long with a 1/2-inch chuck and 17+1 clutch, while the impact driver comes in at 6 inches long with a standard 1/4-inch hex collet. The battery platform includes a temperature management system, which is worth calling out—more on that later.

One important note: the tools in this kit are brushed, not brushless. You can see the telltale signs under load (slight sparking in the vents) and you hear the classic brushed motor pitch. That isn’t a dealbreaker, but it frames expectations: brushed tools generally cost less and are perfectly fine for light-to-medium duty, while brushless variants tend to offer better efficiency, runtime, and power in the same size.

Ergonomics and design

Skil has been doing nice work in the ergonomics department. Both tools feel balanced with the 2.0Ah packs installed. The handles have a comfortable, slightly tacky overmold, and the rubberized surfaces are placed where your fingers actually land. The belt clips are easy to swap between sides, and the LED work lights do a decent job of eliminating shadows around the bit in tight spaces.

The drill/driver’s two-speed gearbox (0–420/0–1450 RPM) and 17+1 clutch give plenty of control for delicate tasks—think cabinet hardware and pocket screws—without overdriving. The clutch ring clicks positively with clear markings, and the half-inch chuck is a perk in a value kit, giving you more options for larger bits than a 3/8-inch chuck would. The chuck jaws hold round-shank bits securely; I didn’t experience any surprise slip.

On the impact driver, the single-speed trigger curve is smooth, ramping predictably up to 0–2500 RPM and 0–3200 IPM. There aren’t multiple modes, so finesse comes down to finger control. For most DIY tasks, that’s fine. If you frequently toggle between delicate and heavy fasteners, multi-mode impacts are nicer—but they also usually belong to pricier, brushless kits.

Drill/driver performance

The drill/driver is rated at 177 in-lbs of torque, which places it squarely in a light-duty bracket. In practice, it’s happiest with smaller diameter wood bits, spade bits up to modest sizes, and general assembly work. I used it for pilot holes in pine, drilling into studs with auger and brad-point bits, and mixing small batches of thin-set. It kept pace without bogging as long as I sized the bit appropriately and let the tool do the work.

Where it runs out of steam is predictable: large hole saws, thick hardwoods, and high-torque applications can stall it. That’s not a knock—it’s an honest read of a compact, brushed drill tuned for control over brute force. The upside is excellent clutch performance and a slow first gear that makes it easy to seat screws flush without climbing out of the fastener head. If you’re used to modern brushless drills that bulldoze through anything, this will feel gentler; if you’re looking for a versatile household driver with a full-size chuck, it lands where it should.

Impact driver performance

The impact driver is rated at 1100 in-lbs of torque. In real use, that’s plenty for structural and deck screws, construction screws, and driving lag screws with pilot holes. I drove 2-1/2 and 3-inch screws into framing without drama and appreciated the compact nose for getting between studs. It has that characteristic impact chatter under load and a slightly higher pitch that’s common to brushed motors. Noise is normal for the category—use ear protection if you’re driving fasteners for extended periods.

Where the impact starts to feel outgunned is heavy structural hardware and larger lag bolts without proper pilot holes. It will do it, but it takes longer and you’ll sense the tool working near its ceiling. Again, fair for its class. If your work regularly includes long ledger lags, thick hardwood, or wide-diameter structural screws, a higher-torque (and likely brushless) impact is a better fit.

Batteries, charger, and runtime

The two included 2.0Ah batteries are a smart choice for a starter kit. They keep the tools light and compact, and swapping between them minimizes downtime. For typical DIY sessions—installing shelves, assembling furniture, small projects—I could rotate the packs and keep moving. The temperature management system seems to do its job; even after a string of drives with the impact, the packs were warm but not hot, and I didn’t hit a thermal cutout.

Runtime expectations should align with the pack size. Two amp-hours isn’t designed for all-day production work. If you plan a long day of building a deck or repeated drilling in masonry, stepping up to a larger capacity pack (or adding a third battery) would be prudent. The included charger is straightforward. It’s not a fast charger by pro standards, but it’s perfectly serviceable for topping up between tasks or while you break for lunch.

PWR ASSIST USB adapter

The USB adapter is one of those add-ins that sounds gimmicky until you actually use it. With two ports and a total output of 5V/3.6A, it turned the spare battery into a reliable power bank for my phone and a rechargeable headlamp. I appreciated it during an afternoon working away from outlets; my phone stayed topped up, and I didn’t have to run an extension cord just to feed a wall wart. If you camp, tailgate, or keep tools in a truck, this is more useful than it looks on paper.

Build quality and reliability

Fit and finish are solid across the kit. The housings feel well-molded with minimal flex, switches and selectors engage positively, and the chuck and collet operate smoothly. As brushed tools, there’s a bit more motor whine and some visible sparking under heavy load—both normal. I didn’t encounter wobble in the chuck or collet, and the included PH2 bits are a thoughtful touch for getting started immediately.

Long-term durability always shows itself over months, not days, but nothing in my time with the kit raised red flags. The battery interface is snug, and the pack electronics kept temperatures in check. If you plan to push tools hard and often, brushless models generally pay dividends in longevity and efficiency. For routine home projects and weekend work, this kit’s construction inspires confidence.

Where it fits

This Skil 20V combo kit makes the most sense for homeowners, apartment dwellers, and DIYers who want a capable drill/driver and impact without overspending or adding complexity. It excels at:

• General assembly and repair
• Cabinet and hardware installation
• Framing and decking with appropriately sized fasteners
• Light drilling in wood and light metals
• Jobsite or tailgate charging via the USB adapter

It’s less ideal if you need:

• Maximum power for large hole saws or frequent heavy drilling
• High-torque driving of big lags without pilot holes
• Advanced features like multi-mode impacts or smart controls
• All-day runtime on a couple small packs

The bottom line

This kit is honest about what it is: a compact, brushed 20V pairing that covers the majority of household and light construction tasks, with the bonus of a genuinely handy USB adapter. The drill/driver prioritizes control and precision over raw torque, and the impact driver brings enough muscle for most screws and small lags without becoming bulky. Two 2.0Ah batteries and a simple charger make it easy to keep working, and Skil’s temperature management helps the packs run consistently without getting hot.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit for DIYers and homeowners who want a well-rounded, value-friendly setup for everyday projects. You’ll appreciate the comfortable ergonomics, the thoughtful clutch and gearing on the drill, the compact impact’s usefulness, and the convenience of on-the-go charging. If you routinely tackle heavy-duty fastening or need the efficiency and speed of brushless tools, consider stepping up to a brushless combo with larger batteries. But for typical home improvement and weekend builds, this Skil kit hits a practical sweet spot.