Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 review: a good DIY drill, but know its limits

Photo by Bernd 📷 Dittrich on Unsplash

I’ve been looking over this Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 properly rather than just reading the box, and I think it’s the sort of drill that makes a lot of sense for normal home jobs.

What stands out straight away is that it’s compact, light in the hand, and not intimidating to use. That matters more than people admit. A lot of DIY buyers do not need a monster drill. They need something they can grab to put up shelves, assemble furniture, drill pilot holes, fit curtain poles, and do the odd hole in brick without feeling like they are wrestling with it.

What it’s good for

For general DIY, this looks like a sensible bit of kit. The grip is comfortable, the controls are simple, and the built-in LED is genuinely useful rather than a gimmick. The official spec is decent for this level too: 40Nm max torque, a 2-speed gearbox, 20 torque settings, a 13mm chuck, and hammer mode for occasional masonry work.

That means it should be absolutely fine for jobs like these:

• flat-pack furniture
• kitchen cabinet tweaks and hinge screws
• timber battens and basic wood drilling
• putting up shelves
• light masonry drilling into standard house brick
• general screwdriving around the house and garden

I also think the smaller size is part of the appeal. Bigger, heavier drills can be more powerful, but for overhead jobs or awkward corners they can be a pain. This Bosch looks much more like the kind of drill people actually keep using because it is easy to pick up and get on with.

What its limitations are

This is the bit that matters.

The EasyImpact 18V-40 is a home DIY drill, not a serious site tool. Bosch’s own numbers tell you that as much as the design does. It will handle the odd wall hole, but I would not buy it if most of your work is tough masonry, dense concrete, long fixings into old brick, or repeated heavy drilling.

The other obvious limitation here is the battery. This one comes with a 1.5Ah battery, which is okay for short jobs but not ideal if you are doing a longer run of work. For assembling furniture or a few shelves it should be fine. For a bigger weekend project, you will probably wish you had a second battery or a larger one.

The case is useful, but it is clearly just a basic plastic carry case. It stores the drill neatly, though I would not describe it as especially rugged.

My honest take

If you want a drill for normal homeowner jobs, this Bosch looks like a good fit. It is not overcomplicated, it is not overly bulky, and it should do most of the jobs people actually buy a drill for.

If you already know you are going to be doing more demanding work, though, I would skip this and buy something stronger now rather than buying twice.

Who should buy it

• homeowners who want one drill for general jobs
• DIY beginners who want something manageable
• people doing furniture, shelving, timber work, and occasional brick drilling

Who should look elsewhere

• anyone drilling masonry regularly
• people doing renovation work most weekends
• users who need longer runtime from the start

Where to buy

Main pick: Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40
Buy the Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 on Amazon

Better for more serious work: Bosch Professional GSB 18V-55
If you are doing tougher drilling more often, this is the kind of step-up that makes sense. It is more of a proper trade-leaning combi drill, with a brushless motor and a tougher overall spec.
Buy the Bosch Professional GSB 18V-55 on Amazon

Budget option: BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K-GB
If you just want something cheaper for occasional jobs and do not mind giving up a bit of refinement, this is the budget alternative I’d look at first.
Buy the BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K-GB on Amazon

We may receive a commission for products ordered via these links, at no additional cost to you.

Bottom line

The Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 looks like a solid everyday DIY combi drill. It should be easy to live with, easy to store, and capable enough for the sort of jobs most people actually do at home. Just do not confuse “good all-rounder” with “heavy-duty.” For light to medium home use, it makes sense. For harder work, I would go straight to the Bosch Professional option.

This section may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Tools & Materials

If you buy this drill, a few sensible extras will help it handle the home DIY jobs it suits best.

• Bosch 18V POWER FOR ALL 2.5Ah battery – a handy upgrade if the included 1.5Ah pack feels limiting on longer jobs.
• Bosch X-Line drill bit and screwdriver bit set – gives you a practical mix of bits for flat-pack furniture, shelves and general screwdriving.
• Bosch CYL-3 masonry drill bit set – useful for the occasional hole in standard house brick, which is where this drill makes most sense.
• Bosch brad point wood drill bit set – ideal for cleaner pilot holes in timber battens, cabinets and other indoor woodwork.
• Rawlplug wall plugs and screws assortment – worth having nearby for putting up shelves, curtain poles and other common household fixings.