Festool 576868 CXS 12 2,5-Plus Cordless Drill is a compact cordless drill-driver built for cabinet work, assembly, interior finish work, and everyday drilling and fastening where size and control matter more than brute force. This is a compact cordless drill-driver designed for light to medium drilling and driving in wood, metal, and plastic. Model Number: 576868. At just 1.54 lbs, it is made for tradespeople and serious DIY users who want a drill they can keep in hand all day without fighting the tool.

The big reason this drill-driver stands out is the combination of small size and real working torque. It runs a 2-speed drivetrain with no-load speeds of 0 to 470 RPM in first gear and 0 to 1,600 RPM in second gear, giving you the low-speed control needed for clean fastening and the higher speed needed for general drilling. Festool rates it at up to 150.5 in-lbs in wood and 265.5 in-lbs in steel, which is more than enough for hardware installation, cabinet assembly, punch-list work, and most day-to-day shop tasks.

The C-shape body is not just a styling move. It changes how the tool tracks in your hand. Because your grip sits closer to the drilling and driving axis, the tool feels steadier when you are lining up screws, working inside casework, or reaching into awkward spots. That pays off when precision matters, especially on finished material where a slipped bit or a crooked start can ruin the job.

Festool also built the CXS 12 around fast task changes. The FastFix interface allows tool-free conversion for drilling, driving, angular drilling, and angular driving when paired with compatible attachments. The included removable 3/8 in FastFix keyless chuck handles standard drilling duties, while the CENTROTEC system supports quicker bit swaps for repetitive fastening work. If you do install work, furniture assembly, or trim punch work, that flexibility saves time every day.

On the jobsite, the small details are what make this drill easy to live with. There is an integrated magnetic bit holder so you are not constantly digging for the bit you just had. The onboard LED light helps when working inside cabinets, closets, and dim corners. Festool also includes a removable belt clip that can be mounted on either side, plus a battery with a charge indicator and rubber coating that is easier on finished surfaces.

Battery setup is practical too. The tool runs on a 10.8V platform and includes two 2.5 Ah battery packs, along with a TCL 6 rapid charger. Festool states the compact battery pack is compatible with all chargers in the Festool 18-volt cordless range, and the current 18 V drill attachments also fit the CXS 12. That matters if you already use Festool cordless tools and want one compact drill-driver that shares charger support and accessory options instead of becoming a one-off tool in the truck.

Capacity is aimed squarely at finish and installation work. It can drill up to 1-3/8 in in wood with Forstner bits and 3/8 in in steel, with a chuck range of 1/32 in to 3/8 in. Festool also notes it can drive screws into wood up to 1/4 in x 7-7/8 in as a reference value in softwood. That tells you exactly where this tool belongs: not as a framing drill, but as a precise, compact driver for cabinetry, millwork, deck detail work, skylight installation, interior finishing, and general service tasks.

If your work involves furniture, cabinet and kitchen assembly, skirt boards, curtain rods, boxes, facade paneling, patio decks, or general punch-list drilling and fastening, this is the kind of drill you reach for first. The Festool 576868 CXS 12 2,5-Plus Cordless Drill is for users who value control, access, and low fatigue, and who would rather have a compact drill-driver that fits the work than a heavier tool that is overkill most of the time.

Festool 576868 CXS 12 2,5-Plus Cordless Drill is the one you grab first for finish work

This is a smart buy for anyone who spends more time installing, assembling, and fine-tuning than hogging big holes all day.

• Who it's for: Cabinet installers, finish carpenters, remodelers, service techs, and woodworkers who want a compact drill-driver that is easy to control in tight spaces.
• Why it stands out: The C-handle layout, light 1.54 lb weight, brushless motor, and FastFix attachment system make it feel purpose-built for detailed work instead of just being a small version of a larger drill.
• Worth knowing: This is a precision-focused cordless drill-driver, not a heavy-duty hole hog. For assembly, interior work, and everyday fastening, though, it is exactly the right kind of compact.

• Is this a drill or a drill-driver? It is a compact cordless drill-driver designed for both drilling and fastening.
• What materials is it made to work in? Festool lists light and medium drilling and driving in wood, metal, and plastic.
• What is the drilling capacity? The rated drilling diameter is up to 1-3/8 in in wood and 3/8 in in steel.
• Does it have variable speed ranges? Yes. It has 2 gears with no-load speeds of 0 to 470 RPM and 0 to 1,600 RPM.