The Bosch PS31-2A drill was the clear winner in our 12 volt drill shootout, beating 9 other drills. The Bosch PS31-2A had the best combination of power, size, weight and price. While not the best in every category, it was overall the best drill, performing at or near the top in every area tested. The Bosch blew away the other drills in the number of holes it could drill at 174. The next closest was the Milwaukee at 103 and the Ridgid at 102. This was thanks to its large capacity 2 AH battery vs 1.3-1.5 AH on the others.
The Bosch PS31-2A was also the second fastest drilling a 1” spade bit through a 2″ pine board at 7.4 seconds, just behind the DeWalt at 7.2 seconds. It was fourth place in torque at 163 inch-pounds behind Ridgid, Milwaukee and DeWalt. It was the most compact drill coming in at 7” in length, great for working in tight spaces. It was also the lightest weight drill at 2.1 Lbs. It was one of the slower drills to recharge the battery at 80 min. This probably won’t be too much of an issue considering the long run time on each battery and the included spare battery.
Test Results for Bosch PS31-2A and other 12 Volt Drills
The feel and ergonomics of the Bosch PS31-2A drill were excellent. The rubber grip is easy to grip. Since the battery is in the handle it is larger than drills with the battery at the bottom like the DeWalt. People with smaller hands may not find this comfortable. Other nice features include a spare battery, a battery gauge to tell you how much juice you have left and soft carrying case. One con was the light on the drill was dim compared to the others. All in all this little drill packs a punch.
Our Video Review of 12 Volt Drills