A couple of readers (thank you all!) pointed out that there’s a promo on the Bosch Chameleon/FlexiClick drill/driver kit (12V Max), matching its $149 sale price from earlier this year.
The Bosch Flexiclick has been quite popular over the years, featuring 4 attachment heads that can improve drilling and driving accessibility in tight space.
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This kit features the brushless base handle and 2x 2.0Ah batteries, plus a compact charger.
Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Lowe’s
Compare: Dewalt via Acme Tools
Update: It seems that Amazon sold out (temporarily?)(, but Lowe’s still has the promo online with free delivery.
Here’s a tough question though – is this a better buy than the new Dewalt Xtreme 12V Max multi-head drill/driver kit? The Dewalt kit recently launched at $179 (via Acme Tools), and features similar functionality as it is also bundled with 4 tool heads. The Dewalt kit comes with (1) battery.
Priced at $149, the Bosch kit is the better value. Users’ handle preferences will also come into play – Bosch’s stem-style battery slides into their drill/driver’s handle grip, making the tool a little more compact. Dewalt’s slide-style battery is connected at the bottom of their drill/driver handle, giving it a slimmer grip.
It’s a tough choice. Which direction would you go in?
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Amazon also has the Bosch PS21-21 12V Max cordless screwdriver on sale for $69.
This is the brushed motor model – yes, the same one that came out more than 11 years ago. It has grown long in the tooth, but the design still holds up.
If you want a compact cordless screwdriver and don’t want to pay a premium for a brushless motor, this is still a decent kit. It’s bundled with a charger and (2) Li-ion batteries.
The PS21-2A product image has been updated, showing that it includes Bosch’s newer compact charger. The batteries appear to have lost their 2.0Ah labelling, but according to the product description, this is still what you get in the kit.
Nathan
for the longest time I lusted after the Bosch and always said there would be a job one day when I would need that and would buy one when I needed it.
job never came up – desire is still there. Now dewalt version exists and I have some yellow things – so I would probably go that route now if I was buying one. especially if they made a 20V model. as that is the kit I have.
I still like the bosch and it would be my ready number 2 choice now.
Josh
I’m of the same mindset. Wanted one of these for awhile now but was hesitant to invest in yet another battery platform for one tool. I have dewalt and Milwaukee stuff, the Milwaukee iteration never felt quite right in my hand and the regular price was a bit of a turn off. Now that dewalt is offering one I will go that route I think. To be fair, the Bosch felt decent in hand and as Nathan stated, would be a second choice for me as well.
riskin
i have the bosch (brushed version). the offset head has come in handy on furniture assembly, hinges etc. the angled head too but we all have an attachment for that by now.
one of the heads (the driver) is more or less pointless
for drilling , this thing is a bit weak in my opinion but i have only 18v apart from this, so not great frame of reference.
it is light and ergonomic, i dont regret my purchase
John
Driver head locks bits, without it bits fall can pull out easily. Seems quite useful.
Marvin McConoughey
I’ve got the brushed version also, Nathan. It works well but I would like to have the same type of tool but a bit more compact and lighter weight. Which ways less, I wonder, the newer Bosch brushless version or the newest DeWalt? I tried the Milwaukee and didn’t care for how the tool fit my hand.
Mac
I’ve got the Brushless version and it’s very nice. Only use the big drill for things like larger spade bits now.
It’s both more compact, powerful, smooth and with better battery life than the old one. Here in Europe you can buy a body-only version that’s relatively affordable. You can reuse the attachments and batteries and use the old drill as a backup or when doing lots of alternating drilling and driving. Might be interesting to check whether Bosch sells the same body-only version in the States.
Matt the Hoople
I’m already invested I. The yellow 12 and 20v systems so will definitely grab the Dewalt the first time it goes on sale. With that said, I prefer the more compact form factor of the Bosch in this type of tool. For me as just Harry Homeowner, this would be a great tool to live in my “grab and go” tool bag. That’s where the Dewalt will live once I get it but seems it will consume a bit more volume with the bottom mount battery and greater overall height. If I didn’t already have other Dewalt 12v tools, I’d jump on this Bosch deal.
Clay
Seems like the Bosch’s best feature is the overall compactness of the tool. I prefer non-stem batteries but this is one where it makes sense to keep the overall form factor of the tool as small as possible.
Larry
I bought the drill/driver kit a few years ago and it’s my go to/ only set. I picked up the Flexi when it was on sale earlier this year and I use it all the time with the bit holder and I’ve used the 90° a few times. It’s definitely worth it. I thought it was $129 earlier this year though.
Stuart
If it was a few years ago, that was probably the brushed motor model – this is the newer brushless version.
schill
I have the Bosch (brushed version, and a couple others in the series) and have been very happy with it. It has come in very handy at times.
That being said, I expect I will pick up the Dewalt version at some point relatively soon – especially if it happens to go on sale somewhere. While the Bosch has done everything I’ve needed it to do and done it well, the grip on the Dewalts feels better in my hand (I don’t have large hands). I really like the Bosch drivers, but I find myself reaching for the Dewalt 12v driver more.
I might regret losing the compactness of the Bosch, but I expect the improved grip (for me) will be enough of an incentive.
MoogleMan3
Like I said before, I have the m12 installation driver, but if buying today, I’d probably grab the dewalt. I do like the M12 driver a lot; it’s my most used tool, but I much prefer the standard style of driver that the dewalt has.
AC
I’m in the same boat with Nathan. There are few times you need these solutions and it seems nearly all of the those can be handled with a good right angle adapter like this one from Dewalt (DWARA120).
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-Right-Angle-Attachment-Impact/dp/B07NQS465R
Koko The Talking Ape
Yep. I know people use those flex shaft things too, but I haven’t tried them.
For production line work, these things could be the bees’ knees. But for building one-offs, I wonder if they’re worth the expense.
lava
Those adapters are not the same – they take two hands to use effectively which leaves you one hand short to hold a screw. The right-angle attachment of these multi-chuck drills is much superior in practice.
that said – the adapter will get into a tighter space, so its smart to have both.
fred
These were brand new to the market when we bought some for our installers. They really liked them and its versatility at that time – but I’ve not kept up with what they are using now that its 10+ years on
barney
Insightful! Thanks!!!
Frank D
The Dewalt & Milwaukee don’t come close to working in super tight quarters, during renovations, repairs, tricky upgrades, …
The Flexi is not ” perfect ” – like when using it without any head with hex bits there’s no retention – but it sure ticks a lot of boxes and has solved many an issue where the other drills and drivers are too bulky and/or have that silly electronics board / hand guard looking thing. Plus the ergonomics and balance are worse with Milwaukee.
Robert Cunner
That DEWALT Right Angle Attachment is really handy to use. I also have the Milwaukee version which I like even better but it cost twice as much. I didn’t like the Bosch Chameleon and returned it.
Milwaukee 49-22-8510 Right Angle Drill Attachment Kit
TonyT
I have the brushed Flexi-Click and love it. The Bosch handle works well for me, the clutch is awesome, it has enough power, and I do like the shorter tool (versus slide on battery).
However, if I was buying now, I’d think long and hard about the DeWalt, mostly because of the companies’ current attitudes (Bosch seems to be doing little except for social media marketing, while DeWalt is, finally, coming out with a lot of new 12V tools).
Bill W
I have had the Milwaukee M12 version for a about a year and half, and recently purchased the new Dewalt version. My preference is for the Dewalt because of their typically great ergonomics. In another post, someone complained about Milwaukee’s offset hex driver only having a magnet for bit retention, versus the quick release hex chuck on the Dewalt and Bosch tools. While it is true that the quick release chuck provides stronger bit retention, the Milwaukee offset attachment offers a secondary dogleg bend that terminates in a slimmer hex drive. This feature allows for better access into a tight corner.
I really love the new Dewalt 12v Xtreme tools and have purchase several of them. It’s been great to see them return to their 12 volt system, after a long absence.
lava
Its worth noting that the Bosch bit retention collet on the offset chuck is smaller than the DeWalt, and it allows you to get as close to a corner as the Milwaukee. There may be 2/100 of an inch difference in the M12’s favor. So no advantage to M12 for using only a magnetic bit holder there.
Michael Veach
I have the brushed model. I manly use the offset head but the whole kit is nice.
Nathan
is it actually smaller at the head of the unit than the dewalt. I don’t think it really is.
but again with attachment or without – straight on with your hand around it – I can’t imagine there is any difference. the slide battery of the 12V doesn’t stick out much.
Gilbert Garcia
I just purchased off Ebay the GSR12V-300FCB22; however, it states Flexiclick vs Chameleon. What’s the difference in name since the model number looks to be the same?
Stuart
Bosch got creative with their tool names for a while. As far as I am aware, the FlexiClick and Chameleon are the same tools.
LarryB
I use the Bosch 12v system as my main drill driver system. I started with the drill and driver and then added the Flexi which is now my go to. Ergonomics are great for my small
hands and there’s plenty of power. A few years ago it was Wirecutter’s pick and they felt it had as much power as most 18v. That’s was before brushless stuff, but they’re still running strong for my DIY and furniture-making.
Gilbert N Garcia
Thanks!