Skil Brushless 20V 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver Kit with Auto PWR JUMP Charger

First impressions and setup

Skil’s 20V impact driver lands squarely in the “do-most-things-well” category, and that’s exactly why I’ve kept it in my everyday kit. Out of the box, the kit is straightforward: the driver, a 2.0Ah PWRCore 20 battery with a built-in USB charging port, the PWRJUMP rapid charger, a belt clip, and a PH2 bit. No fluff, just what you need to get moving.

The driver itself feels compact and well-balanced. At 2.47 lbs bare, it stays light in the hand even once the 2.0Ah pack is on, and the rubber overmold hits that sweet spot between grippy and not overly tacky. The belt clip is sturdy and reversible. I appreciate that the LED worklight has a pre-light and after-glow—small touch, big payoff when you’re starting screws in dim corners or backing out fasteners after killing the trigger.

Ergonomics and build

The handle angle and trigger reach are comfortable for extended use. I didn’t feel any hotspots in the grip, and the balance point with the 2.0Ah pack sits right under the trigger hand—no nose-heavy droop when you’re working overhead. The 1/4 in. hex collet holds bits securely and didn’t show any wobble with standard 2-inch impact-rated bits. The housing fit and finish are tidy, with no rattles or loose panels, and the brushless motor keeps the head compact.

Noise and vibration are typical for a compact 20V impact. It isn’t whisper-quiet, but the pitch is less shrill than many brushed models, and the brushless motor runs smoother under load. After driving dozens of fasteners in one session, I didn’t notice the tingling hand fatigue that some cheaper impacts induce.

Power and speed modes

On paper, you’re looking at 1800 in-lbs of max torque, with two speed ranges:
- Low: 0–1700 rpm, up to 2400 ipm
- High: 0–2700 rpm, up to 3400 ipm

In practice, that translates to confident driving of 3-inch deck screws, structural screws in the 1/4-inch range, and lag screws up to 3/8-inch with a sensible pilot hole. I also used it for light automotive work—brackets, trim fasteners, battery clamps—and it has the edge control to avoid over-torque on smaller hardware. For rusted, high-torque bolts you’ll still want a stronger impact wrench; this driver is for fastening, not breaking stubborn suspension nuts.

What sets this Skil apart in daily use is its Control Mode. It starts at a lower speed and ramps up as the fastener tightens. That soft start helps reduce cam-out on delicate screws and minimizes the chance of cross-threading in sheet metal or when lining up hardware you can’t afford to strip. I leaned on Control Mode for cabinet hinges, electrical straps, and plastic anchors; it kept screws seated and straight without that sudden hammering surge you get in high gear. When I needed speed, jumping into the high range zipped decking screws home quickly, and the trigger modulation is predictable enough to feather the last few impacts.

Runtime and the fast-charge experience

The included 2.0Ah pack is a reasonable match to the tool. With mixed use—structural screws, cabinet work, and a few small lag installs—I could cover a typical small job on one pack. For longer sessions, the PWRJUMP charger is genuinely useful: getting a pack from empty to roughly 25% in about five minutes is real, and a full charge in the 30–45 minute window held true in my shop at room temperature.

A few practical charging notes:
- Rapid chargers can be picky about temperature. If you’ve run the pack hard, give it a couple of minutes to cool before dropping it on the charger; that reduces error states and extends battery life.
- Keep the charger vents clear. The fast top-off generates heat.
- The battery’s PWRASSIST USB port is a nice backup. I used it to keep a phone alive on a long punch-list day. It won’t replace a power bank, but as an emergency top-off, it’s handy.

I didn’t encounter charging faults during testing, but as with any rapid-charge system, occasional LED fault codes can occur if the pack is too hot or too cold. Following the basics—cool pack, stable outlet, clean contacts—goes a long way.

Lighting and visibility

The worklight is better than average in this price class. The pre-light comes on as you touch the trigger, helping you land the bit before rotation, and the after-glow gives you a moment to inspect the result or grab the next screw without fumbling. It’s not a floodlight, but it’s well aimed and bright enough to matter in cabinets and utility rooms.

Day-to-day performance

A few representative tasks:
- Exterior shutters and trim: Control Mode kept screws straight and cleanly seated without sinking too deep. Switching to high speed for longer screws was seamless, and the driver didn’t bog down in treated lumber.
- Light automotive: Removing and reinstalling battery clamps, brackets, and accessory hardware was predictable. The driver’s size helps in tight bays, and the two-speed ranges prevent over-driving.
- Deck repairs: With 3-inch deck screws, it was all business. The tool has enough torque that you’ll break cheap bits before you bog the driver, so stick to impact-rated bits.

Bit retention stayed solid, the trigger remained linear, and the motor never produced that jittery, uneven feel you sometimes get when a driver is hunting for amperage near the top of its range.

Durability and maintenance

Brushless motors have two practical advantages: fewer wear points and better thermal behavior. After multiple sessions with dense lumber, the head never got uncomfortably hot, and the driver didn’t display any thermal throttling. Keep the collet clean from debris and pitch, and don’t ignore those pack contacts—wiping them occasionally helps maintain a consistent charge.

As with any rapid-charging ecosystem, the charger is a critical component. While mine has been reliable, I always recommend:
- Letting hot packs cool to room temp before charging
- Avoiding extension cords with questionable connections
- Storing battery and charger in a dry, temperate area

These habits reduce stress on the electronics and extend service life.

What could be better

This driver occupies a sensible middle ground, but there are a few natural trade-offs:
- The included 2.0Ah battery keeps weight down but limits runtime for all-day framing or continuous deck work. If you’re on bigger jobs, budget for a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah pack.
- Max torque is adequate for most construction and maintenance tasks, but heavy structural screws and large lag bolts are slower than with a top-tier, high-torque impact.
- No dedicated precision mode for self-tapping metal screws. Control Mode covers a lot of that ground, but metal-specific ramp-down would be nice.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and DIYers who want one cordless impact to handle nearly every fastener they’ll encounter, with enough torque for deck screws and light structural work.
• Maintenance techs and general trades who value fast charging and a compact tool that won’t wear out the wrist.
• Automotive hobbyists for light-duty fasteners, trim, and accessory installs (pair with a torque wrench for final tightening).

If you routinely drive long structural screws all day or remove seized bolts, you’ll want a higher-torque unit or a dedicated impact wrench to complement this driver.

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Smooth brushless power with two useful speed ranges
- Control Mode reduces cam-out and keeps small screws tidy
- Excellent PWRJUMP top-off; practical fast-charge window
- Good ergonomics, light and well balanced
- LED pre-light and after-glow are genuinely helpful
- Battery’s USB port is a thoughtful convenience

Cons:
- Single 2.0Ah pack limits runtime on big jobs
- Mid-class torque; not a brute for oversized fasteners
- Rapid chargers require a bit of temperature awareness to avoid fault states

Recommendation

I recommend the Skil 20V impact driver for anyone who needs a reliable, well-balanced driver with smart controls and fast-turnaround charging. It hits the marks that matter—controlled power, predictable trigger response, useful lighting, and a charger that minimizes downtime. The included 2.0Ah pack keeps it compact and nimble; add a higher-capacity battery if you plan to drive large fasteners for hours at a stretch. For most homeowners, maintenance pros, and light-trade use, it’s a practical, confidence-inspiring choice that gets the job done without fuss.