Bosch ADS181 Review
Editor Rating: 4.6/5
Great
Bosch ADS181 Review
Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson
Last modified:
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Bosch ADS181 Review Summary:
After being around for more than a century, it’s no wonder that Bosch managed to bring their power tools close to perfection. It’s probably the most well-known manufacturer of drills in the world, famous for the outstanding quality and reliability of their products. We all know everything about their standard corded and cordless models, but did they manage to achieve the same excellence in the field of right angle drills?
Bosch ADS181 is their attempt to win the market of right-angle drills by combining versatility, durability, and powerful performance. The model is not competitively priced without reason – it’s packed with features that deserve a more in-depth look.
Because of that, we’ve decided to check out this drill and find out if it’s worth the money Bosch is asking for it. Join us, and let’s find out its pros and cons together!
Specifications:
- Weight – 2.2lbs
- Dimensions – 15.5″ x 10.2″ x 4″
- Chuck Size – 1/2″
- Torque – 160 in-lbs
- Voltage – 18 volts
Bosch ADS181 – The Basics
The Bosch ADS181 is a right angle drill – its purpose is to help you do the drilling work in all those tight spots you’re bound to encounter around the house. It’s a compact, well-designed tool that weighs only a bit more than 2 pounds, so maneuvering with it is a breeze.
The model sports a motor that achieves 1,150 RPM and 160 in-lbs of torque – it’s not suitable for heavy duty jobs, but it’s guaranteed to do the trick when it comes to weird drilling angles. It comes with an 18V battery and the dedicated charger, as well as with a Bosch carrying case.
The drills manufactured by this German company are some of the best in the world, so we always look forward to reviewing them. Let’s check out the features!
The Features
The Design
When it comes to the design of this right angle drill, we have only words of praise. Featuring the signature blue/black/red color combination, the Bosch ADS181 sports a genuinely durable construction that’s guaranteed to give the tool a long lifespan. This is made possible by using the so-called DuraShield housing, as well as the dedicated gearbox-shielding (Electronic Cell Protection) and motor-shielding (Electronic Motor Protection) systems. The ADS181 is guaranteed to withstand the job site conditions – it’s something we’re used to when it comes to Bosch tools.
Besides that, the device features an ergonomic design. There’s a soft grip handle for comfortable handling, an extended-position trigger for easier operation, as well as the low weight (only 2.2 pounds) that provides the user with superior control over the machine.
Power
The heart of the device is a Bosch electric motor that achieves 0 – 1,150 RPM of speed and 145 in-lbs of torque. This is more than suitable for most drilling tasks, and will undoubtedly be of great help when it comes to, for example, installing the wiring in the attic. However, the low torque makes the drill unsuitable for heavy-duty jobs – avoid those if you’d like your ADS181 to have a long lifespan.
One thing that deserves special praise is the ½-inch-diameter chuck – the ADS181 is one of the very few tools featuring it.
Battery
The drill comes with one standard 18V battery and the dedicated charger. Both of these do their job well, especially the charger, as it recharges the battery a lot quicker than we expected.
Pros:
DuraShield housing
Soft-grip handle
Lightweight
½-inch-diameter chuck
Cons:
Expensive
Not for broader use
Things we liked about it the Bosch ADS181
Just like many other tools manufactured by Bosch, this one excels in a number of fields. First of all, it sports a truly durable design, as it features the manufacturer’s signature DuraShield housing that’s guaranteed to protect the vital components from mechanical damage.
The size, the weight, and the design of this right angle drill make it a perfect choice for those who often have to deal with working in tight corners and enclosed areas. Getting to those hard-to-reach spots is a breeze with ADS181.
We were also impressed with how quickly the battery charging is, as well as with the fact that there’s a power indicator that shows how much of the battery juice is left. We should also mention that the drill comes with a light charge, so you’ll be able to use it right out of the box.
Things we didn’t like
On the downside, this tool is not intended for broader use and as such is unsuitable for heavy-duty tasks. Its slim 90˚ form factor isn’t exactly fitting for all purposes – it’s great when it comes to reaching the tight spots but very awkward and challenging when it comes to regular drilling.
We also didn’t like that the tool is quite expensive, as its high price puts it out of reach to many handymen. Bosch means quality, and quality doesn’t come cheap.
What Users Say About The Bosch ADS181
Despite its price, the Bosch ADS181 has received praises from users from all over the world. They’re saying that ADS181 is one of the best right angle drills they ever used, adoring the model’s build quality, excellent performance, and the long-lasting battery.
One user called the model “a wonderful combination of power and size,” while the other called it “the most useful tool in my toolbox.” There’s nothing that the users particularly disliked about this model, which is a pretty good indicator of its quality.
Conclusion
Detailed testing showed us that the Bosch ADS181 is more than capable of tackling tough jobs in enclosed areas and tight spots – its design serves the purpose and makes it an invaluable tool for every handyman. There’s a lot to like about this machine, from its durable construction to the ease of operation that makes it suitable for both the DIY beginners and the experienced contractors. It’s unsuitable for heavy-duty jobs and should be used only where using a right angle drill is absolutely necessary – but we’re sure you’re already aware of that.
Once again, Bosch has created a tool that’s worth every penny of its price – we recommend it without hesitation.
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