Neo the Ultimate 12v Cordless Multi Head Tool Review

Best 12V Cordless Multi-Head Drill Driver Head-to-Head

This category has been effectually a long time, or at to the lowest degree in that location has been i multi-head meaty cordless drill around for a long time and that's the Festool CXS. As best we can tell the outset version of it was released in Europe over 8 years ago (that's a lifetime in cordless tools!). Other than some minor changes and improved battery technology non much has changed on the current version of the CXS. But it'due south popularity here in the US has conspicuously pushed other manufacturers to accept notice. In fact, the contempo release of the Milwaukee 2505 looks similar a close relative of the CXS.

Multi-head cordless drill drivers are condign more popular these days. Mostly due to their lightweight, compact size, ability to provide admission in uniquely challenging locations, and precision drilling and driving command. The electrical, plumbing and installation trades will do good most from these tools as they provide the best access and characteristic-rich accessories in i tool. These are best thought of as "installation" drivers used in the finishing stages of construction and remodeling.

Multi-head drill drivers utilise interchangeable attachments to address different installation situations, such every bit:

• ¼" Hex Quick Release Chip Holder
• 3/8" Keyless Chuck
• ¼" Hex Quick Release Beginning Scrap Holder
• Correct Angle Attachment

With these compact cordless tools combined with the accessories mentioned higher up, ane kit can tackle a wide range of tasks on the job without requiring multiple cordless tools. The flexibility and portability capabilities that these multi-head drill drivers offer are quite impressive.

12V Cordless Multi-Head Drill Commuter Evaluation Format

For this head-to-caput evaluation, the following categories will be used to calculate the overall winner of the all-time 12v cordless multi-head drill commuter.

• Features – This category isn't typically included in our rankings. Withal, with this type of tool that offers multiple heads, the characteristic set is an of import consideration on which tool may be best for you.
• Ergonomics – This category is a subjective comparison ranked by our grouping of testers. Each guy that worked on the performance tests ranks the ergonomics categories after using the tools.
• Performance – For this category two tests were developed to help requite a relative comparing of performance. I exam included the speed of fastener installation and the other test was a power test comparing speed to drill larger diameter holes.
• Price – For this category, the current (at time of publication) toll is compared and ranked. We've recently decided to just count the ranking of cost 50% towards the terminal rankings as we feel the pricing isn't quite every bit important as the other categories.

12V Cordless Multi-Head Drill Driver Lineup

For this evaluation five compact 12-volt cordless multi-head drill drivers were selected including:

• Bosch Flexiclick Drill/Driver Organization GSR12V-140FCB22
• Festool 564535 CXS Li-Ion Cordless Drill Set due west/ Right Angle Chuck
• Metabo PowerMaxx BS 12 BL Q Cordless Drill / Screwdriver
• Milwaukee M12 FUEL Drill/Driver Installation Kit 2505-22
• Hilti SFE 2-A12 Subcompact Course 12V Drill Driver

Bosch Flexiclick® 5-In-ane Drill/Driver Arrangement GSR12V-140FCB22

• RPM Low 0-400
• RPM Loftier 0-1300
• Max Torque 265 In. lbs
• Chuck 3/eight"
• Right Angle Yes
• Offset Attachment Yes
• ¼" Hex Attachment Yes
• Head Indexing Positions 12
• Weight (w/ battery) ane.8 lbs
  
• Height 7-3/8"
• Length 5-3/16"
• Width 2"
• Bosch Flexiclick

Festool 564535 CXS Li-Ion Cordless Drill Set w/ Correct Angle Chuck

• RPM Low 0-430
• RPM High 0-1300
• Max Torque 142 In. lbs
• Chuck three/8"
• Correct Angle Yeah
• Offset Attachment No
• ¼" Hex Attachment Yeah
• Head Indexing Positions 16
• Weight (westward/ bombardment) 2.0 lbs
• Height 6-7/eight"
• Length half dozen-one/2"
• Width 2-1/2"
• Festool 564535 CXS

Hilti SFE 2-A12 Subcompact Class 12V Drill Driver

• RPM Depression 0-400
• RPM High 0-1600
• Chuck one/2"
• Right Angle Yes
• Offset Attachment Yes
• ¼" Hex Attachment Yes
• Clutch 12 settings
• Weight (w/ bombardment) ii.2 lbs
• Elevation 6.9"
• Length 5.1"
• Width 2.seven"
• Hilti SFE 2-A12
  

Metabo PowerMaxx BS 12 BL Q Cordless Drill / Screwdriver

• RPM Low 0-500
• RPM High 0-1650
• Max Torque 398 In. lbs
• Chuck iii/8"
• Correct Angle Yes
• Kickoff Zipper Yes
• ¼" Hex Attachment Yes
• Head Indexing Positions 12
• Weight (w/ battery) 1.9 lbs
• Summit nine"
• Length four-13/xvi"
• Width 3"
• Metabo PowerMaxx BS 12 BL Q

Milwaukee M12 FUEL Drill/Commuter Installation Kit 2505-22

• RPM Low 0-400
• RPM High 0-1600
• Max Torque 300 In. lbs.
• Chuck 3/8"
• Right Angle Yes
• Outset Attachment Aye
• ¼" Hex Attachment Yes
• Caput Indexing Positions xvi
• Weight (westward/ battery) 2.0 lbs
• Summit 7-3/eight
• Length five-iii/iv"
• Width 1.eight"
• Milwaukee M12 FUEL Drill

Comparison of Features

Winners – Tied Metabo and Milwaukee

Past the very nature of a multi-caput drill commuter, these are total of features and it's a great place to start our evaluation and comparison. While nosotros didn't rank all features (some are similar for all, like all offering a right angle attachment and they are all similar) nosotros did rank ones that had variations that may exist of import to users when choosing a new tool. For this comparing the following items were ranked:

• LED Calorie-free – This is a subjective comparing of how effective the LED light is. Considering these are "installation" drivers good lighting is crucial in tight spaces.
• MAX Torque – This is from the published values. Small meaty drill drivers tin can benefit greatly from higher torque values equally it allows a wider range of fastener applications.
• Offset Accomplish – This is a measure of how close each of the offset heads can install a fastener upwardly against a side obstacle.
• Storage – The team evaluated and compared the storage bags/boxes that send with these drills. The team felt this was important for a tool that has multiple accessories that must be stored, and ideally not lost when moving from job to job.

LED Calorie-free

LED lighting on tools has come a long way. Years ago companies just put a light on to say they had 1. Today, there's a lot of focus on having an effective light that truly lights the piece of work area. For this evaluation, we lined up the tools next to each other to subjectively rank the lighting. Our team ranked the LED lights every bit follows:

1. Festool conspicuously had the all-time overall distribution of light. The light was diffused nicely with no hot spot and lit up a much larger area. One downside to the Festool was the light does NOT stay on later on releasing the trigger.
2. Hilti came in a close second with a like light pattern to the Festool but not quite as brilliant.
3. Milwaukee has a really brilliant light and does a good job lighting the piece of work expanse, just it does have a rather large hot spot that is a scrap too vivid compared to the Festool and Hilti.
4. The LED location on the Metabo created a clean diffused calorie-free that conspicuously defined the piece of work area. The light simply isn't as brilliant as some of the others.
5. Bosch is bright but spotty and yellow-colored and can be blocked by fingers, creating a shadow. Overall the Bosch diffusion was not great.

Maximum Torque

With smaller compact tools torque isn't exactly at the pinnacle of the list of features we call up about. Notwithstanding, with a tool that's designed to perform a wide range of applications we experience having some actress torque certainly is a benefit. This is a comparison based purely on the published torque values.

Outset Reach

One of the really cool accessories that most (all but the Festool) of these drills offer is an commencement caput. Beginning heads are invaluable to anyone doing installation work where tight spaces and fasteners located close to obstructions must exist installed. Then the real question is how close tin can you get? Each drill driver was placed upwards tight confronting a sidewall obstacle and a screw was installed. The distance from the sidewall and center of fastener was measured to create the ranking.

Storage

With a multi-head tool similar these having a practiced storage solution is paramount to protect your investment and keep things organized. The rankings for storage are included beneath:

1. Festool – Festool CXS comes packaged in a Festool Systainer storage box with a photo showing accompaniment placement. For a tool with lots of accessories, the Systainer is hands the nicest storage option of all these tools.
2. Milwaukee – Milwaukee has a soft case that has individually defined accessory compartments (non specific) to the accessories.  The squad liked that the compartments are non designed to any specific accompaniment, "just throw them in there and you lot're done".  The soft instance has plenty of room for all the accessories and additional bits.
3. Metabo – Metabo comes in a molded plastic instance with enough of room for accessories. However, there are no compartments for the various attachments for the tool.
4. Hilti – Hilti comes with a soft bag with no specific compartments. While this bag doesn't accept compartments, it is much larger than the Bosch allowing for more accessories.
5. Bosch – The Bosch comes with a soft canvas instance. The Bosch soft bag uses rubberband bands to secure accessories, with no indication of which accessory goes where. Besides, the bag is quite minor with little to no actress room for additional accompaniment storage.

Stand-Out Features

Several tools also had some unique or stand-out features worth mentioning that were non considered in the rankings.

• Keyless Drill Chuck – All of the tools with the exception of the Hilti have a iii/viii″ keyless chuck. The Hilti has a one/2″ chuck which awesome!
• Accessory Holders – Magnetic fleck holder holds multiple $.25 on board to save time when switching accessories. Both the Festool and Milwaukee magnets worked well. The Bosch and Metabo both come with ¼" hex clip style accessory holders that worked fine for what they are but the team preferred the lower profile and ease of use of the magnetic scrap holders also as the flexibility to concord metallic fasteners.
• Note on the Festool Centrotec Accessories – The Festool CXS can only accept their proprietary Centrotec accessories in its quick-release scrap holder. The Centrotec line has a unique shaft that is a slightly dissimilar size and much longer than standard ¼" hex accessories. Unfortunately, this limits what accessories tin can exist used with the tool and the only way around it is to chuck ¼" hex bits into the three-jaw drill chuck or with some third political party adapters. Either of these options will add together additional length and bulk to the tool.

Overall Features Results

For this category, there was a tie between Metabo and Milwaukee for the top spot. Both did very well in the torque and offset reach comparison. Following upwardly in second was Festool followed past Hilti in third. The results are shown in the table below.

	LED Low-cal	Max Torque	Starting time Accomplish	Storage	TOTAL	RANK
Metabo	4	i	ane	3	nine	1
Milwaukee	3	two	two	2	9	ane
Festool	1	five	5	1	12	2
Hilti	two	four	4	4	14	3
Bosch	5	3	3	5	16	4

Ergonomics Evaluation

Winner – Milwaukee

Ergonomics is the scientific discipline of designing and producing tools that improve a worker's efficiency while reducing discomfort, fatigue, and risk of injury. The cardinal point to consider is whether or not the tool eases your work and prevents yous from straining in ways that could lead to injury. Ergonomics is the nigh difficult evaluation in these head-to-head evaluations due to the subjective nature of ergonomics. Tools companies accept all invested a lot of time, money and inquiry into designing their tools to provide superior balance and ergonomics.

For each category, the team ranked them 1-5, (1 beingness the best). With everyone on the team using drills differently throughout our normal workday, this was a peachy style to develop a consensus on which tools nosotros felt were the most comfortable for users. We held the 1 score for the tool that was truly outstanding in that category.

For the ergonomics department the squad used the tools and evaluated the post-obit:

• Weight – Each tool was weighed with the bombardment installed.
• Size (equivalent box book – HxWxL) – While these tools are not "boxes" it's a relative mode to compare the "size" of the tools past multiplying the length, wide and height.
• Grip – This is a bailiwick evaluation where each team member ranked the grip and the tools were ranked by the cumulative score.
• Balance – This is a subject field evaluation where each team member ranked the balance and the tools were ranked by the cumulative score.
  
• Switch Placement (Ease of Use) – This is a bailiwick evaluation where each squad member ranked the switch placement (how easy the switches are to operate) and the tools were ranked by the cumulative score.
• Accessory Attachment – Head Change – In this category, each team member ranked the drills on how easy it was to change heads on the drills.
• Accessory Aligning – Head Adjust – In this category, each team member ranked the drills on how like shooting fish in a barrel it was to conform the accessory heads.

Weight

All five tools are compact and lightweight. For this category, each tool was weighed with the battery attached. Bosch was the lightest at 1.eight lbs and Hilti was the heaviest at two.2 lbs. All of the weights are shown in the nautical chart below.

Size

Trying to compare size is an interesting chat with tools that are configured in so many unlike shapes. For this comparison, the "box" book was calculated to give a relative comparison of overall size. The "box" volume was calculated past multiplying the length, width, and meridian. Bosch had the smallest size at eighty.3 cubic inches with Metabo being the largest at 129.9 cubic inches. All of the volumes are shown in the chart below.

Grip

The grip rankings are a subjective evaluation by our team of testers. The final grip ranking is based on the cumulative ranking from all testers, with their eues airtight. The final results tin be seen in the tabular array below.

Switch Placement

The switch placement rankings are a subjective evaluation past our team of testers. The last switch placement ranking is based on the cumulative ranking from all testers. The last results can be seen in the table below.

Accompaniment (Caput) Attachment

The Milwaukee has the easiest accessory attaching and detaching characteristic (it has precise tolerances on the machining). The Bosch came in every bit a close second. I ding on the Bosch is that when wearing gloves, and adjusting the clutch – the accessory can get accidentally disengaged. This happened quite a chip during this testing. The Metabo attachments were the about difficult and awkward to adhere and disassemble. The final rankings can exist seen in the tabular array below.

The Milwaukee attachments become on similar butter ~ Jeff Deitz

Accompaniment (Head) Adjustments

Bosch has the BEST adjustment on the xc degrees and offset attachments. This is due to its spring-loaded, pull forwards feature that lets you lot chop-chop and easily rotate the 2 attachment heads. While changing accessories on the Metabo was more difficult than the other tools in the exam, adjusting the 90-degree and get-go attachments was quite easy. Just pull back on the red retention ring and rotate the zipper to the desired position.

The Milwaukee Attachments connect in sixteen unlike positions for admission at virtually every angle and is easy to reach. The Milwaukee was easy to adjust as well merely required partially removing the attachment and rotating it. The Festool besides required partially removing the right-bending attachment to rotate it into the desired position.

The final rankings are shown in the table below.

	Weight	Size	Grip	Balance	Switches	Head Change	Head Adapt	Total	RANK
Milwaukee	3	2	3	3	i	i	2	15	ane
Bosch	one	i	5	4	2	3	1	17	2
Hilti	iv	four	1	two	2	2	3	18	3
Festool	3	3	4	three	1	2	five	21	iv
Metabo	2	5	2	1	3	iv	4	21	4

Performance Evaluation

Winner – Metabo

For the performance evaluation, two dissimilar tests were designed to help highlight both speed and power. These two tests provide a great side-by-side comparing so readers can see how they perform in a couple of typical applications. With whatever evaluation, there are endless tests that could be developed, just these two felt very appropriate for this category.

Speed of Installation Exam

For this examination, dozens of fasteners were installed to make up one's mind the average time to install a 3" framing screw into a six×6 PT seasoned post. All of the drivers except Festool were able to accomplish this chore at their high-speed setting.

The Metabo averaged 1.32 seconds, followed closely past Hilti at 1.67 seconds and Milwaukee at ane.71 seconds. The Festool was the slowest driver and came in averaging four.46 seconds. Admittedly this is an aggressive test for an installation driver, simply not for the Metabo.  We felt that there may be times when you need to use these drivers for their power to get into challenging locations and need to drive a larger screw. Bottom line – they all do it, some faster than others.

Ability Exam

The ability test cutting sled removes the human element and variability with a standard driving angle and consequent force per unit area.  The sled was used to compare drilling times using a three/4″ Bosch Daredevil spade bit through three″ of framing lumber. The sled was designed to roll along a linear path. The strength used during cut was practical with an 11 lb. weight, delivered by a series of pulleys, wheels, and cables.

Titan rubber straps and clamps were used to secure the drills in the jig and agree them deeply in place. The drill attachment was used for each drill driver, a fully-charged battery was installed, and each drill driver was attack low speed, and a new a ¾" Bosch Daredevil spade flake for each tool was used.

Equally yous tin see in the chart below, Metabo led the way again with the fastest boilerplate time of 8.xc seconds. Post-obit closely backside in second place was Hilti with a time of ix.threescore seconds and Milwaukee in third identify with a time of 12.30 seconds. It'southward interesting to betoken out that the results from this test match the aforementioned every bit the iii″ screw exam too.

Cost Evaluation

Winner – Milwaukee

These are sold every bit kits and we have priced them equally such. The kits include the tool, a storage bag/box, ane battery, and a charger. We've used the current prices at the time of this publication (pricing changes constantly, so yous'll have to expect up current pricing if this is really important to y'all). Also, as nosotros did in our last head-t0-caput we are only counting the Price Evaluation at 50% in the terminal rankings. In large part, this is based on years of feedback on this topic and how price shouldn't be a huge determining gene when tool longevity isn't considered in these tests.

Note: The Hilti price is our best guess as it's not available withal. However, back in Dec it was bachelor online for a very brusk menstruation and was listed at $209. A couple of dissimilar editors nosotros spoke to have gotten a price range of $199 to $219, so we're feeling comfy that the $209 is pretty likely. UPDATE: Hilti is now selling the kit for $306 as of 2/1/21 (tabular array has NOT been updated).

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All-time 12V Cordless Multi-Head Drill Driver

Winner – Milwaukee

The winner of the best 12V cordless multi-head drill driver in our Tool Box Buzz Caput-to-Head is the Milwaukee M12 FUEL Drill/Driver Installation Kit 2505-22. It won the Features, Ergonomics and Price categories and finished third in the performance testing. With a meaty size, great features and a great price this multi-caput drill driver/installation driver is top-notch. Coming in a strong second place is the Metabo PowerMaxx BS 12 BL Q Cordless Drill / Screwdriver. The Metabo is exceptionally powerful and fast making it an exceptional option where a powerful drill commuter is needed. Coming in a shut third place was the all-new Hilti SFE ii-A12 Subcompact Grade 12V Drill Driver. The Hilti is also a powerful drill commuter and came in a close second to Metabo in our performance testing.

	Features	Ergonomics	Operation	Cost (l%)	Full	Rank
Milwaukee	1	1	3	1	5.five	ane
Metabo	1	4	ane	4	8	two
Hilti	3	3	two	iii	nine.5	three
Bosch	4	two	four	ii	11	4
Festool	2	iv	5	5	13.v	5

Concluding Thoughts – 12V Cordless Multi-Caput Drill Drivers

This category has clearly been around for a long time with the Festool CXS which didn't have any contest until recently. Now there are dissimilar Brands offering a cordless multi-head drill driver perfect for a wide range of applications. While this may not be your everyday go-to drill driver, information technology may well end upwards being one you rely on the almost to get you lot out of a jamb with a bag full of attachments for every application.

If you spend fourth dimension doing installation work (think building finishes, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC) then you lot may do good from having one of these in your arsenal.

All-time 12V Cordless Multi-Head Drill Driver Video

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