Features
- Digital brushless motor (up to 450 in-lbs torque)
- Three operating modes: hammer drill, drill, screwdriver
- 17 torque settings with variable speed trigger
- 1/2-inch keyless single-sleeve ratcheting chuck for quick bit changes
- Strip LED worklight with after-glow (lights workspace up to ~10 minutes)
- Hammer action up to 27,000 impacts per minute
- Includes 20V 2.0Ah lithium battery with USB (mobile charging) and Auto fast-charger (PWRJUMP)
- Belt clip, screwdriving bit, and battery jacket included
- Battery design includes cell cooling material to increase runtime and lifespan
- Fast charge capability: charger can bring battery to ~25% in about 5 minutes (2.0Ah basis)
Specifications
No Load Speed | 0–500 / 0–1,800 RPM |
Impact Rate | 0–7,500 / 0–27,000 IPM |
Chuck Capacity | 1/2 in |
Maximum Torque | 450 in-lbs |
Clutch Settings | 17 + 1 + 1 |
Number Of Speeds | 2 |
Variable Speed Switch | Yes |
Chuck Type | Keyless single-sleeve ratcheting |
Pre Light | Yes |
After Glow | Yes |
Led Light | Yes |
Tool Weight | 2.03 lbs |
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Compact cordless hammer drill with a digital brushless motor. Designed for drilling and driving in a range of materials including wood, masonry, and concrete. The tool supports hammer drill, drill, and screwdriver modes and uses a 1/2-inch keyless single-sleeve ratcheting chuck for bit changes.
Skil Brushless 20V 1/2 in Compact Hammer Drill Kit Review
First impressions and setup
I put the Skil 20V compact hammer drill to work the way most people will: unbox, charge, and go. The kit includes the drill, a 2.0Ah battery with a built‑in USB port, and the PWRJUMP fast charger. The battery arrived with a partial charge, but I topped it off and immediately noticed the charger’s active cooling fan. It’s not whisper‑quiet, yet it’s purposeful—there’s real cooling happening so the pack can accept charge quickly. The promise of getting to roughly a quarter charge in just a few minutes wasn’t hype in my experience; it’s a handy safety net when you need to finish a few holes or wrap up a hardware install.
At just over 2 lb bare, the drill feels genuinely compact. With the 2.0Ah pack, it stays light and well balanced. The overmold is grippy without being too tacky, and the belt clip sits high enough to keep the drill from banging into my knee. Fit and finish are better than I expected at this price: the mode collar clicks positively, the clutch ring has distinct detents, and the chuck spins true with minimal wobble.
Power and speed
This is a brushless drill rated at 450 in‑lbs of torque with a two‑speed gearbox (0–500/0–1,800 RPM) and a hammer mechanism that tops out at 27,000 IPM. On paper that puts it in the compact/mid‑tier category, and in use that’s exactly how it behaves: plenty of muscle for real work, without the brute force (or weight) of a flagship pro model.
In low speed, it has the grunt to spin 1‑1/8 in self‑feed bits through SPF studs and 3/4 in spade bits through treated lumber without stalling. For a quick deck repair, I predrilled and countersank half a dozen ledger bolts; the drill stayed composed, and the trigger control made it easy to feather torque as the bit broke through. In high speed, it’s crisp and quick for smaller twist bits and pilot holes in softwood and sheet goods.
If your day‑to‑day involves 6 in lag bolts or continuous 3 in hole‑saw work in hardwoods, you’ll want more torque. For everything else most homeowners and prosumers do—furniture assembly, cabinet installs, framing punch‑list work, and general maintenance—this compact size‑to‑power ratio is right on target.
Drilling metal and masonry
In 1/8 in to 3/8 in mild steel, the drill held a nice pace using quality cobalt bits. The brushless motor delivers smooth power, and the variable‑speed trigger gives you the slow starts needed to avoid skating. The 1/2 in ratcheting chuck grips well; I didn’t have any bit slip, even with step bits.
Hammer mode is the pleasant surprise. No, it’s not a rotary hammer, and I wouldn’t reach for it to set a dozen 1/2 in anchors in cured concrete. But for light masonry—brick, block, mortar, stucco—it works. I bored several 3/16 in and 1/4 in holes in brick for Tapcons; the drill maintained speed in high gear with the hammer engaged, clearing dust effectively as long as I let the bit do the work. In older, harder concrete, I stepped down to low speed for more control. If you do occasional masonry, this mode saves a trip to the truck.
Driving fasteners
Seventeen clutch settings plus dedicated drill and hammer positions give you enough granularity to protect hardware. For cabinetry and furniture, I lived around clutch 6–10 and got consistent, repeatable recess without stripping heads. Driving 3‑1/2 in exterior screws through fence pickets into 4x4s, low speed with the clutch off provided solid driving power without wrist‑snapping kickback. Trigger modulation is excellent; it’s easy to start slow and ramp up, which matters with long screws in dense material.
Lighting and usability
Skil’s strip LED is brighter and more useful than the typical pin‑light under the chuck. There’s pre‑light when you graze the trigger and a long after‑glow that can stay on for minutes. I like that you can switch the light on without spinning the motor when you just want to aim or mark, though it still comes on any time you pull the trigger. Working inside cabinets and closets, the extended after‑glow serves almost like a task light; I didn’t have to juggle a flashlight.
The control layout is straightforward: a top‑mounted 2‑speed slider, a front mode collar for screwdriver/drill/hammer, and the rear clutch ring. The chuck is a single‑sleeve ratcheting design that genuinely locks down one‑handed. Bit swaps are quick, and the ratchets are positive without being hard to release.
Battery, charging, and runtime
The included 2.0Ah pack is the right pairing for a compact drill. You’ll get a morning of intermittent work—furniture installs, hinge adjustments, small hole drilling—without needing a charge. On heavier drill‑and‑drive sequences, especially with hammer mode, you’ll drain it faster. That’s where the fast‑charge is valuable: plug in during cleanup or layout, and you’re back to a workable state in minutes. The pack stayed cool under load, and I didn’t encounter thermal throttling. The USB port turns the battery into a power bank, which is more than a gimmick; I topped off a phone and a laser measure on site.
I’d still buy a second battery if you plan full‑day projects. Fast top‑offs are great, but having one pack on the charger and one in the tool keeps the workflow smooth.
Noise, vibration, and ergonomics
In drill/drive modes, noise is modest and vibration is low. Hammer mode adds the expected chatter, but the tool remains controllable. The handle angle and balance are comfortable for overhead tasks; hanging shelf standards and working over my head didn’t fatigue my wrist. The compact head helps in tight spaces like between studs and inside cabinets.
Durability and build
Nothing about this drill feels flimsy. The gear selector is confident, the chuck collar has zero slop, and the plastics feel dense. I inadvertently dropped it from waist height onto a plywood subfloor; it picked up a scuff and kept going without any functional change. Skil’s recent battery packs with internal cooling material seem to manage heat well, which bodes well for battery longevity. The kit also includes a belt clip and a basic driving bit; both are fine to get started.
What could be better
- Power ceiling: 450 in‑lbs is ample for most DIY and maintenance work, but it’s not a replacement for a high‑torque flagship. If you routinely drive large structural fasteners or run big hole saws, you’ll want more motor.
- Single battery: The kit ships with one 2.0Ah pack. It’s a reasonable choice for price and weight, but a second battery would make the kit universally ready out of the box.
- Charger noise: The active cooling fan enables fast charging but adds audible fan noise. It’s not loud, just present in a quiet shop.
- No onboard bit storage: There’s a belt clip, but no integrated bit holder. Not a deal‑breaker, though I miss it for quick swaps on cabinet hardware.
Who it’s for
This drill is a sweet spot for homeowners, DIYers, and prosumers who want a compact, capable tool that handles wood, metal, and occasional masonry without weighing them down. It’s also a strong pick for trades as a second drill/driver—especially for punch lists, finish work, and service calls where weight and size matter more than maximum torque.
Recommendation
I recommend the Skil 20V compact hammer drill. It balances size, performance, and price with thoughtful features that matter day to day: a bright strip LED with practical pre‑light/after‑glow, a genuinely quick top‑off charger, a solid ratcheting chuck, and a pack that stays cool. It won’t replace a rotary hammer or a high‑torque drill for heavy structural work, but it isn’t trying to. For most drilling and driving tasks around the house or on light‑to‑medium duty jobs, it’s reliable, comfortable, and efficient—and that’s exactly what I want from a compact hammer drill.
Project Ideas
Business
Quick-Anchor Install Service
Offer a flat-rate, same-day service to mount TVs, shelves, curtains, mirrors, and handrails into drywall, brick, or concrete. The hammer drill mode speeds through masonry, and the clutch prevents fastener damage on delicate fixtures. Add upsells: proper anchor selection, wire concealment, and post-install cleanup.
Masonry Signage & Pop-Up Mounting
Specialize in temporary or semi-permanent mounting of retail and event signage on brick and block. Provide clean, fast anchor installs and removals, with hole filling as an add-on. The compact brushless drill fits in tight storefront windows, and the LED after-glow aids evening setups without extra lighting.
Van/Closet Micro-Installations
Market compact retrofit packages: closet organizers, cabinet hardware refreshes, wall hooks, and van-life interior mounts. The 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck accepts step bits for hardware bores, and 17 torque settings help prevent overdriving into thin panels. Offer mobile service and complete most installs in under 90 minutes.
Concrete Planter Production & Workshops
Produce small-batch concrete planters and sell locally or online, offering custom drainage and mounting holes. Host hands-on workshops where attendees cast planters; you handle drilling drainage on-site with the hammer drill. The battery’s fast-charge gets you back up quickly between sessions.
Content + Affiliate Channel: Anchors & Bits
Create short-form videos reviewing masonry bits, anchor types, and mounting techniques, showcasing the drill’s hammer mode vs. standard drilling. Monetize through affiliate links and sponsor packages. Include quick field tips like variable-speed starts, clutch use, and choosing IPM/RPM settings for different materials.
Creative
Brick Wall Floating Shelves
Build chunky hardwood floating shelves and mount them into a brick or block wall. Use the hammer drill mode (up to 27,000 IPM) with masonry bits to bore anchor holes, then switch to screwdriver mode with the clutch to drive sleeve anchors without stripping. The LED pre-light/after-glow helps you line up holes in dim hallways, and the 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck makes quick bit swaps between drilling and driving.
Concrete Planters With Clean Drainage
Cast simple geometric concrete planters in cardboard molds. After curing, use hammer drill mode to create crisp drainage holes and side holes for optional trellis rods. The compact 2.03 lb body is easy to control for precise hole placement, and variable speed lets you ease into the concrete without blowouts.
Backlit Headboard With Wall Standoffs
Make a plywood or slat headboard that floats slightly off the wall on metal standoffs with a hidden LED strip. Drill pilot holes in the headboard in drill mode, then switch to hammer mode to set masonry anchors in a plaster/brick wall. The LED after-glow gives you light for up to ~10 minutes while marking and leveling without extra lamps.
Adventure Gear Rack Panel
Create a custom wall panel for bikes, skis, or climbing gear with a layout of through-holes and threaded inserts. Use the clutch’s 17 settings to drive inserts flush in hardwood without over-torquing. For garage cinderblock mounting, pop anchor holes in hammer mode and secure with sleeve or wedge anchors.
Outdoor String Light Poles on Concrete
Fabricate steel or 4x4 wooden poles on base plates and anchor them to a patio slab or retaining wall. Drill holes in masonry using hammer mode and a carbide bit; switch to driver mode to set sleeve anchors. The variable speed and high torque help snug hardware without overtightening, and the belt clip keeps the drill handy on a ladder.