Festool CXS 18 BASIC Cordless Drill, Tool Only (576887)

Key Features

Compact C-Handle Control

The C-shaped handle keeps your hand in line with the bit, which makes the Festool CXS 18 BASIC Cordless Drill easier to guide in cabinets, corners, and overhead work where a bigger drill feels clumsy.

FastFix Versatility

Tool-free attachment changes let you move from drilling to driving and angle work without slowing down. If you already use Festool 18 volt drill attachments, this body fits right into that system.

Brushless Everyday Power

The EC-TEC brushless motor gives this compact drill-driver longer runtime and longer service life than a brushed setup, while still delivering up to 354 in-lbs of torque in steel.

Overview

The Festool 576887 CXS 18 BASIC Cordless Drill is a compact 18 volt drill-driver built for installers, cabinet crews, finish carpenters, and serious DIY users who want real drilling and fastening power in a smaller body. This is a cordless drill-driver designed for light and medium drilling and screwdriving in wood, metal, and plastic. Model Number 576887. In this BASIC version, you get the tool, keyless chuck, belt clip, and Systainer storage, with battery and charger sold separately.

What makes this drill matter is the balance between size and usable power. Festool rates it at 0 to 470 RPM in first gear and 0 to 1600 RPM in second gear, with max torque up to 194.7 in-lbs in wood and 354.0 in-lbs in steel. On the job, that means it covers a lot of real installation work without forcing you to drag out a larger drill. It is rated to drill up to 1-3/8 inches in wood and 3/8 inch in steel, and Festool specifically calls out driving screws into wood up to 1/4 inch x 9-7/16 inches and using Forstner bits up to 1-3/8 inches.

The design is the real story here. The C-shaped handle puts your grip closer to the drilling and driving axis, so the tool tracks straighter and feels more natural when you are placing hardware, building cabinets, or working inside a box. That matters most when you are reaching into a vanity, setting drawer slides, hanging trim, or driving fasteners one-handed on a ladder. At just 1.54 lbs for the tool, it is also easier on your wrist during repetitive fastening or overhead work.

Festool built the CXS 18 around flexibility, not just raw spec-sheet numbers. The FastFix interface gives you tool-free conversion between drilling, driving, angular drilling, and angular driving when used with compatible attachments. The CENTROTEC system speeds up changes between drilling, countersinking, and driving tasks. If you already use current Festool 18 volt drill attachments, that is a big advantage because this compact body can take on more jobs without eating up more space in the van.