| Design | | Acceptable Design - While this drill has one or more design features that received a C rating, it can still be a good choice if that area is not critical to your particular needs. |
| Power | | Below Average Power - Delivers up to 325 in-lbs of torque, about 30% less than the class average. Power can sometimes be traded for weight or cost. |
| Speed | | Below Average Speed - Generates up to 1200 RPM, about 21% slower than the average 18V cordless drill. The Porter-Cable PCL180DRK-2 ranks in the bottom 1% of its class for speed. |
| Weight | √ | Light-Weight - Weighs only 3.8 lbs, about 25% lighter than the average 18V cordless drill. Ranks in the top 26% of its class for being light-weight. |
| Battery | | Below Average Run-Time - Battery endurance is adequate for many work applications, but is 46% less than the class average. Uses Li-ion batteries with a charge rating of 1.1 Ah. |
| User Reviews | | Less Satisfied Users - 4 users rate this drill 3.2 out of 5 stars and are less satisfied with its operation. Users generally rate this drill average to below average. |
| Power Ratio | | Below Average Power Ratio - Power-to-Weight ratio is 14% below average and ranks in the bottom 17% of its voltage class. P/W is a good indicator of drill efficiency. |
| Gearbox | | Nylon Gears - Transmission includes at least some nylon gears that may need replacing after years of extended use. A nylon gearbox helps reduce drill weight. |
| Chuck | √ | All-Metal Chuck - Dropping a power drill is a common mishap. Having an all-metal chuck provides durability and helps prevent the sleeve from cracking. |
| Motor Brushes | | No External Access - The motor brushes can only be accessed internally by taking the drill apart. While not a coomon problem, external access makes the replacement job much easier. |
| Warranty | √ | Longer Warranty - Backed by Porter-Cable's limited 3-year warranty. This provides extra protection against potential design defects or premature part failure. |
| Bit Change | √ | One-Hand - The single-sleeve chuck has auto spindle lock so the drill bit can be changed with one hand. This is a very convenient feature that makes the job go faster. |
| Charger | √ | Quick Charge - The Porter-Cable PCL180DRK-2 includes a battery charger that will recharge a battery in only 30 minutes. Long charge times are a common complaint with some drills. |
| Belt Hook | | No Belt Hook - Does not include this convenient feature that frees-up both your hands to perform other tasks in-between drilling. |
| Work Light | √ | Work Light - Contains an integrated LED work light that illuminates your work area and allows you to clearly see your drilling / driving position and progress. |
| Side Handle | | No Side Handle - Omits the option to use a side handle that can provide stable support when drilling and driving larger drill bits and screws where additional torque is required. |
| Fuel Gauge | | No Fuel Gauge - Does not come equipped with a handy battery charge indicator that allows you to glance at your drill and check your battery life while you're working. |
