A reader’s email (more on that tomorrow) led me to find out about Bosch’s newest cordless drill, the DDS181A.
At a glance, I can tell that the Bosch DDS181A is visually different from their DDS181, and a look at the specs describes changes beneath the surface.
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Here’s a quick look at the Bosch DDS181A’s side profile. I can immediately see that the chuck is metal – or appears to be metal – and that the grip has some new overmolded texturing.
The adjustable clutch also looks different, which I can only tell since I own a DDS181 as my personal drill and know it quite well.
Taking a look at both drills side by side, with at attempt to scale them according to battery pack width and screw spacing, as well as trigger switch length, the new drill looks to be comparable in size.
Similarities
- 600 in-lbs max torque
- 0-500/0-1700 RPM
- 7.0″ length
Differences
Product pages for the Bosch DDS181A drill don’t describe many differences. A sales page for the DDS181A kit that comes with compact battery packs reads the same as one for the DDS181. There are a few added details for the DDS181A kit that comes with FatPack batteries.
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Durable, heavy-duty chuck – better bit retention and great torque transfer.
The chuck does look different, and it looks to be metal instead of plastic. (But… if you go by our recent plastic vs. metal drill chuck post, it seems that despite the appeal of a metal chuck, few users have had issues with plastic-sleeved chucks.)
Innovative, lighter 18V canned motor – more compact but the same power.
The DDS181A weight is listed as being 4.0 lbs, while the DDS181 weight is listed as 3.4 lbs.
Comfortable to use – weighs only 3.5 lbs. and is only 7.0 In. long.
Oh, so it’s 3.5 lbs and not 4.0 lbs despite what the specs tables show for all DDS181A models?
This is a durable and beefy drill that can power through the toughest materials.
Sorry, as much as I love my DDS181, it could NOT power through “the toughest materials.” For really heavy duty drilling jobs, I’ve had to reach for my corded drill, although these days competitors’ super-duty cordless drills might suffice.
Looking at the product summary for the FatPack kit, it says:
The Bosch DDS181A-01 Compact Tough 1/2 In. Drill/Driver kit has a tool that features Bosch’s innovative canned motor, which provides the drill/driver the same power but at a lighter weight and a more compact design.
And for the SlimPack kit it says:
The Bosch DDS181A-02 Compact Tough 1/2 In. Drill/Driver kit has a drill that features Bosch’s efficient, lighter canned motor, an innovation that gives the drill/driver the same power with lighter weight and a more compact design.
Okay, so it’s becoming a little clearer. Unless some of the benefits carried over from the DDS181, the main highlight of the DDS181A is that it is more compact and lighter in weight, while delivering the same level of power and performance. Plus there’s that updated chuck.
I wonder why Bosch didn’t just give the new model its own model number. DDS181A? That seems likely to cause some confusion.
Ah, looking at the SlimPack kit on Amazon, it’s described as the metal chuck version, with the DDS181 described as the plastic chuck version. So maybe that’s the main differentiation after all.
Pricing: $159 for the 2 SlimPack battery kit, $229 for the 2 FatPack battery kit, $99 for the bare tool, $169 for the drill and impact combo kit
There will also be an L-Boxx kit, pricing unknown.
Buy Now(Bare Drill)
Buy Now(Compact Battery Kit)
Buy Now(FatPack Battery Kit)
Buy Now(Drill & Impact Combo)
First Thoughts
So… the new drill looks to offer 2 main updates: a new metal chuck, and a lighter motor design that is said to result in lighter tool weight.
It’s hard to make sense of all this when the new drill’s specs actually show a higher weight (3.5 lbs or 4.0 lbs, depending on whether you look at the specs table or description bullet points, vs. 3.4 lbs).
But hey, surely it must be better, right? Right?
It looks to me like the drill has been redesigned from the ground up. So why give it a confusing model number, DDS181A? I would be more understanding if Bosch had simply changed the plastic chuck for a metal one. But the entire housings are different, the base area is different, the adjustable clutch is different, the grip is different, the vents are different.
The torque, motor speeds, and overall tool length are said to be the same, but that doesn’t seem like enough for this to simply be an “A” version.
I was initially excited to learn of a new Bosch cordless drill. Now, after trying to find out what’s new and improved, I’m a little confused and somewhat underwhelmed. Come on, Bosch, at least pretend that you want our money.
Scott
I wonder if this metal chuck would fit the DDS181 as a replacement.
Drew M
Same here… I generally like my DDS181 but it would be nice to have a better chuck.
T
Just an opinion, and a bit of a side rant, pertaining to the “confused and underwhelmed” comment – That seems par for the course when dealing with Euro based conglomerates doing business in North America. I have regular dealings with a few larger companies and their NA management, when compared to home base brass overseas, is lacking to say the least. MisInformed, knowledgeless, disorganized… Often, I know more about their product or widget or what they offer in services than the reps. I really dont know why it seems to be an illness that plagues many. It is too bad, one company I work with has an overwhelming majority market share basically everywhere else in the world but cant seem to crack 10% in NA – and it isnt their products that are lacking.
Regarding the drill itself, I have been looking for an excuse to switch over to Bosch cordless for a while… I guess I can wait a bit longer for more solid information and whatnot.
Good stuff as usual Mr. Stuart.
BikerDad
T, regarding subpar North American management of Euro conglomerates, I have a theory.
Heavy handed management back in the Old Country drives away quality management here. Subpar management here fails to build/maintain quality staff here. The end result is what you see. Folks who do enough to get by, but know that it doesn’t matter how good they are, they won’t get to play in the company’s big leagues, so “why bother?”
Patrick
It’s an update to an existing drill which will be phased out, a replacement with the exact same specs/usage scenarios and an improved design… who cares how they choose to call the model, but it makes sense to me.
I have a DDS181 as well (unless, that happens to be the model I traded during the Milwaukee trade-in promo as I have a few Bosch drills) and I’m fine with the power it puts out. Remember, it’s an inexpensive COMPACT CORDLESS drill… it can’t do everything. The line of succession for me goes to the Fuel 1/2, Bosch 36V cordless, then various corded drills… but usually I would pick the right tool for the job ahead of time.
Matt
Has the impact in the kit been updated as well or is the same model bosch seems to package with everything?
Stuart
It’s the same 25618 impact driver.
Dwain (oztooltalk)
this is an update to the brushed DDS181, whilst a brushless (very similar) drill will replace the current brushless model.
What’s not to like about getting a little upgrade to an already awesome drill? I have this in my shed at the moment, and it looks fantastic.
BikerDad
“innovative can motor”?
Something that’s been in use for a LONG time in model railroading, but I don’t think I’ve seen their use called out in power tools. If so, then THAT’S the big difference, and it’s A BIG change. Not so much for the user as for the manufacturing process.
RaruTru
I just received this item from Amazon, the DDS181A, in a combo kit. I had to return it as the chuck had a significant wobble. I’m waiting for the next one to arrive, sometime next week.
Dan
Hey guys,
if you take a look over at Europe, the DDS181A is sold over there as GSR18V-EC.
At the UK-page you can see that the successor offers some really nice features, such as kickback-control and the so-called ‘precision clutch’. After the clutch ratches a few times the motor will shut down to prevent wear out of screws… and the LED is now red and white, to indicate overheating or a shutdown due to kickback-control
Stuart
Maybe you’re talking about the new DDS183?
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/bosch-18v-dds183-compact-brushless-drill/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
The DDS181A is a brushed motor tool, DDS183 is a potentially new brushless drill. GSR18V-EC would be brushless, given the EC in its name,
Those sound like some pretty nice features!
Michael
Sorry but YAWN
michaelgath
Please help un-confuse a “non corporate america” speaking woodworker; Looks to me that Bosch just couldn’t let marketing get by with “standard motor with brushes” or Brushed motor or what I think is the best “NOT BRUSHLESS” and choose to use relatively obscure term: “Canned Motor” . IMO; doing this has cursed Bosch integrity and will absolutly cause me to re-read all their product discriptions with an eye of skepticism. This is a real shame … especially since I don’t think anyone at Bosch cares.
“NUTS”
Stuart
Sometimes brands describe the brushed motor type. “Canned motor,” “4 pole,” “permanent magnet,” and so forth.
Daniel
Whats the difference between DDS models and the GSR or GSB models?? Thank you!
Stuart
As far as I am aware, they simply changed the naming. Later tools have GSR (drill) and GSB (hammer drill) model number prefixes, previous ones had DDS and HDS prefixes.
The GSR18V-535C is newer than the DDS183 which is newer than the DDS181.