Bosch IDH182-02 Brushless Impact Wrench Review

Bosch is on a mission to create versatile tools for the serious do-it-yourselfer. Their two-in-one IDH182-02 impact wrench and driver kit is the quintessential blend of form and function at a price that makes it a must-have addition to any home workshop and has been ranked top 7 best cordless impact wrenches.

Designed with best-in-class features like a three-speed brushless motor and flexible chuck, it puts contractor-level capability in the palm of your hand. The kit comes with everything you need right out of the box plus an industry-leading warranty for peace of mind. If you’ve been on the fence about buying an impact tool, let the remarkable ergonomics and the value price of the Bosch IDH182-02 help you make up your mind.

Pros	Cons
Dual-function tool accommodates 1/2-inch square and 1/4-inch hex sockets and bits Brushless motor is durable and maintenance-free Features the smallest grip diameter in its class Comes with a comprehensive three-year warranty	Offers less than average torque 2.0 AH battery packs are less powerful than the competition

Bosch Cordless Impact Wrench Top Q & A

Q: What’s included with the kit?

A: It comes with one impact driver, two 2.0 AH 18-volt lithium-ion batteries, a charger, belt clip and carrying bag plus a double-ended impact bit.

Q: How much torque does it offer?

A: It’s rated for a maximum of 1650 in/lbs. or 137 ft./pounds.

Q: Does the warranty cover the batteries?

A: Bosch’s cordless tools are covered by the ProVantage Tool Protection Program. Defective tools are replaced in the first year and repaired in years two and three. Chargers are covered for one year and batteries for two.

My Take

The IDH182-02 won’t remove lug nuts on a big rig, but if you want the power of an impact tool at home without spending your retirement fund, look no further. With two-in-one capability, it does the work of both a cordless drill and an impact wrench for the price of a single tool.

Tackle jobs from rotating your tires to building a deck with surprising speed. It’s lightweight and compact with the most desirable features on the market, including a variable speed trigger, LED lights and a ready adapter system that takes the frustration out of changing from bits to sockets. With more torque than a drill but less than a pneumatic impact wrench, it’s ideal for home projects that require both power and finesse.

Cordless Impact Wrench Features

Bosch’s IDH182-02 is an impact driver and wrench with a flexible chuck that accommodates both half- and quarter-inch sockets. Offering 1650 in./lbs of torque and 3200 impacts per second, it’s perfect for residential applications from carpentry to light vehicle maintenance.

It features a variable-speed trigger for optimal speed regulation plus a performance control system that limits RPMs to the desired range and minimizes the risk of damaging fasteners. The top-quality brushless motor is quieter than conventional versions and lasts up two times longer.

Convenience features include three front-mounted LED lights for maximum illumination, and the soft, ergonomic grip is the smallest in its class. The kit comes complete with dual 2.0 AH batteries for a steady supply of power and a comprehensive three-year warranty.

Maintenance

The IDH182-02’s brushless motor requires no lubrication — it’s maintenance-free. Store the battery packs in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and you’ll have power to spare when you need it.

What’s to Like

The IDH182-02 stands out because of it’s dual capability — why buy, store and carry a cordless drill and an impact wrench when one tool can do it all for the same low price?

It’s designed with a brushless motor — a feature typically reserved for pricier models — and it’s well-appointed with features that make it frustration-free to operate regardless of users’ mechanical aptitude. The ergonomics are universally exceptional.

The kit comes with everything you need, including two batteries, a belt clip and carrying bag, plus it’s backed by legendary customer service and one of the best warranties in the business — three full years.

What’s Not to Like

Despite its versatility, the IDH182-02 is underpowered, offering 10 percent to as much as 50 percent less torque than comparable models. While it’s stronger than a cordless drill, and it makes easy work of loosening and tightening fasteners, it not the best choice for doing heavy maintenance on a full-size truck or SUV.

The 2.0 AH battery packs are also smaller than the 4.0 AH size found in similar kits, and their performance is capable, but not quite as robust as batteries by Craftsman and DeWalt. For most purposes, it’s adequate or better, but a day-long project might require at least one recharge.

The Bosch IDH182-02 Versus the Competition

How does the Bosch IDH182-02 fare against similar models from DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi, Craftsman and Ingersoll Rand?

The Bosch’s nearest competitors are the Ryobi P1883, the DeWalt DCF880HM2, and the Craftsman C3. All four share similar features, and they’re competitively priced, but while the makers of Craftsman and Ryobi focus on power, Bosch engineers their tools for quality and versatility. They’re one of the few manufacturers that offer a brushless motor and dual driver-wrench capability in this price range.

Batteries are similar in size and capacity among all five brands, but the IDH182-02 comes with smaller 2.0 AH packs. That keeps the weight of the assembled tool down, but it compromises both torque and run time to a degree. The newer Bosch GDX18V-1800CB25 “Freak” kit solves this problem with dual 4.0 AH upgrades — and like Ryobi and DeWalt, Bosch’s batteries are compatible with the other cordless tools they make. Craftsman and Milwaukee also have interchangeable systems but with fewer options.

For professional power, look to brands like Milwaukee and Ingersoll Rand. They cost more, but they’re built with higher-end components that stand up to heavy-duty day-to-day use. For the home market, the Bosch is a worthy competitor.

What do users say?

Users praise Bosch for their thoughtful engineering, calling the IDH182-02 strong and well-balanced. A few people complain that bits fall out too easily — the flexible chuck is to blame — but most folks are thankful they can change from sockets to bits and back without tools or tearing a rotator cuff. The superior ergonomics make it a breeze for anyone in the family to use.

Across the board, reviewers agree it will struggle with rust-encrusted bolts and maintenance on large vehicles. They also note the maximum torque is listed in inch-pounds instead of foot-pounds, so caution is recommended when comparing it to similar models. Still, the consensus is the IDH182-02 is surprisingly powerful despite it’s specifications, and it generally exceeds expectations.

Final Thoughts

An impact wrench is the crown jewel in every well-equipped garage, but if splurging on a single-purpose tool with limited capability isn’t in the cards financially, consider the Bosch IDH182-02. It’s a two-in-one powerhouse and a superb overall value.