Ridgid 18V SubCompact Drill and Hammer Drill Review

Ridgid 18V SubCompact Drill Gets A Power Upgrade

The Ridgid 18V SubCompact lineup includes a number of tools that rival most 12V tools in size but keep you on the popular 18V battery system. Today we’re examining the next-generation versions of the Ridgid 18V SubCompact drill driver and hammer drill.

Ridgid 18V SubCompact Drill Performance

Ridgid 18V SubCompact Drill and Hammer Drill Review

Both tools feature a 24-position clutch, all-metal gears, and brushless motors. These motors churn out up to 450 RPMS in Low and 1,750 RPMs in High, plus, 500 in-lbs. of torque. The hammer drill’s impact mechanism works at a rate of 26,000 BPM. Compared to the previous version, that’s the same speed with a 75 in-lbs more torque. Considering their size, those are impressive specifications and they have more power than you’re going to get out of 12V drills.

Hands-On Testing

We took both of these drills out to our shop to get see how they performed under pressure. Testing a variety of different bits in wood, the drill performed confidently as it powered through the material.

We also chucked up several sizes of masonry bits and drilled them into 4000 PSI concrete. To no surprise, the hammer drill handled those bits with relative ease.

Of course, neither drill is designed to compete against the best of the best. For the compact class, though, they do an excellent job.

One particular factor that we weren’t expecting was the sound that both of these drills make during operation. Even though it may not be a deciding factor for many, these drills produce a smooth whirring sound that is much more pleasant than other drills on the market.

Ridgid 18V SubCompact Drill Design Notes

Ergonomics

As we expect from a related drill driver and hammer drill, these tools are nearly identical, apart from a few identifying marks and a little weight. With a 2.0Ah battery, the drill driver weighs 2.9 pounds while the hammer drill driver comes in at 3.1 pounds. They also measure 6 inches and 6 1/2 inches from tip to tail, respectively. Those compact designs come in handy when space is limited. If you need to reach into even tighter spaces, check out Ridgid’s SubCompact right angle drill.

Generally speaking, I tend to really enjoy the feel of Ridgid tools because they contour nicely to my hands. In this case, they added a little more curve and angle to the grip compared to the prior Ridgid R8701/R8711 and added a full rubber overmold that improves your overall grip.

The design team over at Ridgid did a great job of refining and softening some of the hard edges on these tools to give them a smoother feel. They also slimmed up the base of the tool and increased the size of the vents on the rear for better airflow and cooling.

Additional Features

LED work light
2-position belt hook

Ridgid 18V SubCompact Hammer Drill Quick Comparison

	R8711 (Original)	R87112 (New)
No-Load Speeds	0 – 450/1750 RPM	0 – 450/1750 RPM
Max Hammer Rate	26,000 BPM	26,000 BPM
Max Torque	425 in-lbs	500 in-lbs
Length	6.5 in	6.5 in
Bare Weight	2.2 lbs	2.3 lbs

Ridgid 18V SubCompact Drill Price

Both of these tools are currently available as kits from The Home Depot and come with a pair of 2.0Ah batteries, a single-port charger, and a carrying case. The drill driver retails for $149.00 and the hammer drill goes for $159.00. Both carry Ridgid’s lifetime service agreement when you register them within 90 days of purchase.

The Bottom Line

Compared to the original SubCompact drill and hammer drill, Ridgid primarly tweaked the ergonomics while boosting the overall torque significantly. They are perfect for those light to medium-duty applications where working space is limited or a lighter tool simply proves advantageous. If you’re considering buying into a compact 12V tool platform for these reasons, take a look at the Ridgid 18V SubCompact lineup instead. In most cases, you’ll have access to far more tools that work on the same batteries and you still get a compact, lightweight drill.

Buy the Drill/Driver

Buy the Hammer Drill