Key Features
Compact 18V PowerThe Festool CXS 18 HPC 4.0Ah I-Set Cordless Drill Kit with 30-Piece Drill/Driver Bit Set gives you full 18V drilling and fastening performance in a short, lightweight body that is easier to control in cabinets, corners, and overhead work. FastFix VersatilityThe FastFix and CENTROTEC interfaces let you switch between drilling, driving, and specialty attachment setups without slowing down. That matters when the job changes from pilot holes to hinge screws to awkward-angle fastening. Brushless RuntimeIts EC-TEC brushless motor is built for longer runtime per charge and longer service life than a brushed drill. You get a compact drill that is not just easier to carry, but worth relying on day after day.
Overview
The Festool CXS 18 HPC 4.0Ah I-Set Cordless Drill Kit with 30-Piece Drill/Driver Bit Set is a compact cordless drill kit built for drilling and fastening where size, balance, and control matter as much as raw power. This is a cordless drill kit designed for drilling and fastening in tight spaces, finish work, installation, and general punch-list work. Model number 576889. If you spend your day inside cabinets, around hardware, on trim, or working overhead, this C-shaped drill layout makes a real difference.
What stands out here is how much capability Festool packs into a short-body 18V platform. The drill measures just 15.6 cm in length and 20.6 cm in height with the battery installed, so it is easier to get into casework, corners, and cramped assembly spots than a larger pistol-grip drill. Festool also rates it for Forstner bits up to 35 mm and screws up to 6 x 240 mm in softwood, which tells you this is not just a light-duty installer tool. It is compact, but it is built to do real work.
The drivetrain and interface system are a big part of the appeal. Festool uses a brushless EC-TEC motor for longer runtime and service life, and it pairs that with the FastFix interface for quick, tool-free changes between drilling and driving setups. The CENTROTEC system is there for fast changes between drilling, countersinking, and screwdriving, which saves time when you are moving through multi-step install work instead of doing one repetitive task all day.
Control is another reason this drill makes sense for finish carpenters, installers, and anyone doing detail work. Festool calls out 13 torque settings for controlled power delivery, and the C-shaped body keeps your hand position in line with the drilling and driving axis. In plain terms, that makes the tool feel steadier when you are setting hardware, driving cabinet screws, or working one-handed in a tight opening where a bulkier drill wants to twist out of line.
Jobsite practicality is well thought out too. The integrated LED light can be activated by the trigger or controlled manually, which helps when you are working inside vanities, closets, utility spaces, or shadowed corners. There is also an onboard bit holder and belt clip, so the drill stays close and ready instead of bouncing around a bag or bench. Festool also notes that the battery pack has a protective rubber coating and an LED charge indicator, which is exactly the kind of small but useful detail you appreciate on a busy install day.
From a system standpoint, this kit fits nicely into Festool’s 18V platform. Festool states that all current 18V screwdriver attachments are compatible with the latest CXS 18 and TXS 18 drills. If you already use Festool drilling accessories, that matters. If you do not, it means the platform has room to grow as your work changes. Bluetooth battery functionality also opens up additional control through the Festool Work App for certain settings, including LED behavior and selector preferences.
The included 30-piece drill and driver bit set adds real value for users who want a ready-to-work setup instead of just a bare drill. Based on the product details, the bit assortment is aimed at common installation and fastening work in wood, metal, and plastic, including furniture assembly, kitchen fitting, door and window installation, trim and hardware work, and small wood construction tasks like pergolas, fences, and substructures.
Who should buy it? This kit makes the most sense for cabinet installers, finish carpenters, remodelers, service techs, and serious DIY users who care about access, precision, and clean handling more than brute size. If you mostly drill large holes all day or lean on one drill for heavy rough framing, you will probably want a larger primary drill. But if your work lives in finished spaces, tight clearances, and detail-driven fastening, this is the kind of compact 18V drill that earns its keep fast.
See the Full Kit Layout
This kit is set up for users who want a compact drilling and fastening system, not just a standalone drill. The case, power components, chuck options, and bit assortment make it easier to go straight from unboxing to actual install work.
- Compact CXS 18 drill platform built around drilling and fastening access
- 30-piece drill and driver bit set included for common installation tasks
Key Specifications
| Voltage (V) | 18 V |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity (Ah) | 4.0 Ah |
| Overall Length | 15.6 cm |
| Overall Height | 20.6 cm with battery |
| Chuck Capacity | Up to 10 mm |
| Torque Settings | 13 |
| Forstner Bit Capacity | Up to 35 mm |
| Screw Capacity | Up to 6 x 240 mm in softwood |
Compatibility
Battery Platform Runs on Festool’s 18V battery platform. FastFix Attachments Compatible with all current Festool 18V screwdriver attachments for the latest CXS 18 and TXS 18 drills. CENTROTEC System Supports quick changes between drilling, countersinking, and screwdriving with the CENTROTEC interface. Work App Functions Additional LED and selector-switch settings are available when used with a Bluetooth battery pack and the Festool Work App.
Built For
Cabinet InstallationFinish CarpentryFurniture AssemblyKitchen FittingDoors and WindowsWood FasteningMetal and Plastic FasteningRemodeling
Tool Nut’s Take
Tool Nut’s Take
Festool CXS 18 HPC 4.0Ah I-Set Cordless Drill Kit with 30-Piece Drill/Driver Bit Set
This is the kind of compact drill kit that makes sense the first time you have to work inside a cabinet box, above shoulder height, or around finished surfaces where control matters more than bulk.
- Who it’s for: Installers, finish carpenters, remodelers, service pros, and serious DIY users who want a compact 18V drill for precise drilling and fastening.
- Why it stands out: The short C-shaped body, brushless motor, FastFix and CENTROTEC interface, and 18V platform give it more real-world range than most compact install drills.
- Worth knowing: This is a precision-first cordless drill kit. It is powerful for its size, but the real advantage is access, balance, and fast setup changes, not replacing a full-size heavy-duty drill for every rough task.
Common Questions
- Is this an 18V drill? Yes. Festool lists the CXS 18 on its 18V battery platform.
- Can it work in tight spaces? Yes. Festool states the drill body is 15.6 cm long, and the compact C-shaped design is intended for tight clearances and controlled fastening.
- What size chuck does it use? The standard chuck accepts up to 10 mm.
- Is it compatible with other Festool 18V drill attachments? Yes. Festool states that all current 18V screwdriver attachments are compatible with the latest CXS 18 and TXS 18 drills.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.