HYCHIKA BETTER TOOLS FOR BETTER LIFE Cordless Hammer Drill Driver 18V, HYCHIKA 400 In-lbs Torque Power Drill with Auxiliary Handle, 1/2” Metal Chuck, 2.0Ah Battery, 1H Fast Charger, 21+3 Clutch, LED Light for Drilling Wood Metal Wall

I spent a week putting the Hychika 18V hammer drill through the kinds of jobs most homeowners will face: assembling furniture, hanging shelves, drilling a handful of Tapcon holes in brick, and knocking out light metalwork in the garage. It proved to be a capable, no-fuss driver/drill with a useful hammer function, a robust 1/2" metal chuck, and a sensible feature set for the price. It’s not a pro-grade rotary hammer or a high-end brushless flagship, but it consistently hit the mark for light to medium-duty work.

Design and ergonomics

The drill feels well-balanced with the included 2.0 Ah battery. The grip contour is comfortable and the rubber overmold provides traction without getting tacky. I appreciated the included belt clip when I was up a ladder, and the LED work light is placed well—it illuminates the work area without casting the bit in deep shadow.

The 13 mm (1/2") metal, single-sleeve ratcheting chuck is a standout at this price. It locks onto bits securely and doesn’t require heroic hand strength to tighten. The auxiliary side handle threads on quickly and, for a compact drill, makes a real difference when you’re in hammer mode or boring bigger holes in lumber.

Overall build quality inspires confidence: nothing rattles, the gearbox switch moves with a positive click, and the mode ring (screw, drill, hammer) is easy to read and change with gloves.

Drilling and driving performance

With two gears (0–400 and 0–1500 rpm) and up to 45 Nm (about 400 in-lbs) of torque, the Hychika has the grunt for most household tasks.

• Wood: In low gear, it handled spade bits up to 1 inch in studs without bogging, and a 1-1/2 inch hole saw through softwood with steady feed pressure. In high gear, general drilling with brad-point or twist bits was quick and controlled. I drove dozens of 3" deck screws into pine without pre-drilling, and the clutch let me dial back for cabinetry hardware and pocket screws where finesse matters.

• Metal: With a sharp 3/8" HSS bit, low gear and cutting fluid, it pushed through mild steel plate cleanly. The top speed of 1500 rpm isn’t especially fast for small-diameter metal drilling, but torque delivery is consistent, so it’s easy to maintain steady pressure.

• Plastic: The trigger modulation is smooth enough to prevent cracking or melting edges when you start holes in PVC and acrylic—just step up bit sizes and keep the speed controlled.

This isn’t the fastest 18V drill I’ve used, but it’s predictable—and predictability beats peak specs for most DIY users.

Hammer mode for masonry

The hammer function is genuinely helpful for brick, block, and the kind of “homeowner concrete” you meet mounting a hose reel or setting light anchors. I used it to sink several 1/4" Tapcon pilot holes in a brick veneer and in older mortar joints; it got the job done at a reasonable pace with a standard carbide bit. In denser poured concrete, progress slowed, as you’d expect from a percussion hammer drill. The auxiliary handle is worth installing here; it gives you leverage and keeps the bit from walking.

A few tips that helped:
- Use proper masonry bits and let the hammer action do the work.
- Stick to low gear for better impact energy per blow.
- Clear dust by withdrawing the bit periodically; it speeds drilling and reduces heat.

If you’re planning lots of anchor holes in hard concrete, you’ll want an SDS rotary hammer. For occasional masonry tasks, this mode is more than serviceable.

Chuck, clutch, and controls

The metal chuck holds round-shank and hex bits securely and releases cleanly. I didn’t experience bit slip, even when it stalled on an over-ambitious hole saw. Runout at the bit tip was minor enough not to affect accuracy in practical use.

The 21-position clutch is well spaced; numbers are large and readable. For driving, I found settings in the mid-teens about right for 2-1/2" screws into studs, and the lower settings protected cabinet hardware from stripping. Switching among Screw, Drill, and Hammer on the dedicated ring prevents accidental clutch engagement in drill modes—a small but appreciated detail.

The forward/reverse switch is positive and positioned where you expect it. Trigger response is linear, which makes slow starts and controlled countersinking easy.

Battery, charging, and runtime

The kit’s 2.0 Ah battery and 1-hour fast charger are a practical pair. From empty to full took right around an hour in my testing. The three-LED fuel gauge is visible at a glance; it’s nice not having to guess if there’s enough charge for “one more” task.

Runtime will always depend on workload, but I was able to:
- Hang a set of shelves (pilot holes in studs, a couple of masonry anchors) and
- Assemble a flat-pack cabinet and
- Drill a handful of metal holes

…on a single charge with a bar to spare. Repetitive holes in masonry or extended hole-saw work will drain it faster, naturally. If you foresee tackling bigger projects, a second 2.0–4.0 Ah battery would keep you moving; availability of extra packs can vary by region, so plan ahead if you like to work without downtime.

Accessories and value

The included starter set—twist bits, masonry bits, a handful of 50 mm driver bits, a socket adapter, and a storage bag—gets you drilling right away. The driver bits are fine for occasional use, but I’d still invest in a better bit set if you’re doing a lot of fastener work, and a quality masonry set if anchors are on the agenda. The storage bag keeps everything together and is easier to stash than a hard case.

Durability and maintenance

This is a brushed-motor drill. Under sustained heavy load (long hole-saw runs, extended hammer drilling), the housing warmed up, which is expected. Let the tool cool between heavy cycles and it should serve you well. The metal chuck and overall fit-and-finish suggest it can withstand regular weekend use without complaint. Keep the chuck jaws clean, blow masonry dust out of the vents after hammer drilling, and don’t store it in a damp bag, and you’ll avoid most longevity issues.

What could be better

• Top speed: 1500 rpm is adequate, but a higher upper range would speed small-diameter drilling in metal and hardwoods.
• Single battery: The kit ships with one 2.0 Ah pack. It’s fine for intermittent work; a second pack would make the kit more job-ready out of the box.
• Battery ecosystem: Depending on where you are, spare batteries and brand-specific accessories aren’t as ubiquitous as the big pro brands. If you plan to build a large cordless stable, consider ecosystem breadth.

None of these are dealbreakers for the intended user, but they’re worth noting if you have specific demands.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and DIYers who need one cordless that can drill wood, metal, plastic, and tackle occasional masonry without fuss.
• Makers and light-duty shop users looking for a 1/2" chuck and a usable clutch for mixed drilling and driving.
• Anyone who values a sturdy metal chuck, an auxiliary handle for control, and a fast charger in the box.

If you’re a contractor drilling anchors all day, sinking large augers into LVL, or you demand maximum speed and runtime, you’ll outgrow this quickly and should look to a brushless, higher-end platform with larger batteries.

Recommendation

I recommend the Hychika 18V hammer drill for homeowners and DIY users who want a straightforward, capable drill/driver with a genuinely useful hammer mode and a robust 1/2" metal chuck. Its torque, two-speed gearbox, and 21-position clutch cover most household and light workshop tasks with ease, and the auxiliary handle adds control when you need it. The 2.0 Ah battery and 1-hour charger keep downtime short, and the included accessories make it usable right out of the bag.

It’s not built to be a daily driver on a commercial jobsite, and the single battery plus ecosystem depth may give power users pause. But for the price and the target user, it strikes a smart balance of power, features, and practicality. If your projects range from furniture assembly and shelf hanging to occasional brick anchors and light metal drilling, this drill will earn its spot on your shelf.