Last updated on March 19th, 2023 at 12:57 am
The cordless drill is one of the most common tools you’ll find in every home, workshop, or job site. Every homeowner wants one because it can be used to tackle many projects at home, like hanging picture frames and curtains, driving screws into furniture, drilling holes, and so on.
Every professional craftsman uses it, including plumbers, electricians, carpenters, contractors, landscapers, and gardeners. It’s one single tool everyone needs.
It’s often called a drill/driver because it serves two functions: drilling holes and driving screws into materials.
Our Top Picks
Bosch PS31-2A | Dewalt DCD996B | SnapFresh |
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Best Cordless | Hammer Drill | Best Budget |
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What makes it even more unique is that it’s not just any power drill; it’s cordless. That means it is battery-operated. You don’t need access to electricity to use one, as long as you have the batteries charged, and it’s even better when you have a charged spare battery to go when the one you’re using runs down.
Cordless drills haven’t always been this popular, but due to advancements in battery technology, they’re now widespread since the batteries last longer and take less time to recharge.
What to Consider When Choosing A Cordless Drill
When buying a cordless drill, there are many brands to choose from. There are also many parameters to look at. Here’s what you must consider if you want to select the right one for your projects.
Battery – Runtime
Instead of a power cord or wire to connect it to a power outlet, cordless drills use batteries as their power source. That’s why it’s crucial to consider the type of battery and how much runtime you can get from a particular one before pulling the trigger on it.
It’s important that you also consider whether you can use the same battery for other tools in your arsenal. For instance, Dewalt’s Flexvolt batteries are interchangeable and can power any of Dewalt’s Flexvolt tools.
It’s the same with Milwaukees M18 Fuel and Ryobi’s One+ batteries. This is something you should put into consideration so you don’t need to buy several batteries to power your tools.
12V vs 18V vs 20V
If you’re buying a cordless drill, the voltage rating is one thing you must look out for because it’s directly related to how much Torque and speed the drill will have.
12 Volt drills are usually smaller and more compact but less powerful than 18V/20V drills. They’re meant for light-duty applications around the home or in the shop.
18V and 20V drills are basically the same in terms of Torque. A 20V cordless drill comes with a battery that’s 20V when fully charged but usually settles back to 18V as soon as it’s unplugged.
18V and 20V drills have more Torque and are ideal for carrying out more demanding tasks, such as drilling through concrete or cutting a hole with a hole saw. However, they’re less compact than a 12V unit.
Price
When you visit your local hardware store or shop online, you’ll find cordless drills at different price points.
Some are less than $50, while others are greater than that—their price range from $30 to $500. Units lower than $50 are usually DIY-level drills. So if you need a cordless drill for the occasional DIY projects at home, such as hanging a picture frame or TV, these are the ones you should look out for.
If you regularly carry out DIY projects at home, such as building a shed, deck, or some basic patio furniture, you’d want to look at those that range between $100 and $150.
Finally, if you’re a professional craftsman who will use it daily in job sites or your workshop, you’d want to look at the premium models for $150 plus. These are usually built with better materials and equipped with more powerful and efficient brushless motors.
Performance – Power – Torque
The amount of muscle or rotational force a cordless drill has is known as Torque. The more Torque a cordless drill has, the more power it has to carry out heavy-duty tasks cutting through metal or concrete.
For cordless drills, the Torque ranges between 250 to 1000 inch pounds. For the occasional light-duty tasks at home, such as hanging pictures and putting together a simple bench or bookshelves, 250 in-lbs of Torque is enough.
Other than that, if you plan to carry out more heavy-duty tasks around the home, such as doing your own home renovation, building a deck, fence, or some patio furniture, you’d do well with 350+ inch pounds of Torque.
For professional applications on the job site, like working with large hole saws and self-feed bits, a thousand inch-pounds of Torque will get the job done.
Sometimes, tool brands like Craftsman, Black+Decker, and Dewalt use Units Watts Out to measure the Torque or power of their cordless drills instead of inch pounds.
In this case, I’d recommend 200 Unit Watts Out for light-duty tasks around the home, 300+ UWO for medium-duty applications and 700+ UWO for heavy-duty applications.
Speed
When it comes to cordless drills, speed is inversely related to Torque. The more Torque it produces, the lesser the speed; the less Torque it makes, the greater the speed.
Some units have two speeds. A lower speed for high torque applications like cutting holes with a large hole saw, and a higher speed for high-speed applications like driving screws into wood.
For such units with two speeds, you can switch to the lower speed setting if you need a higher torque and then switch to the higher speed setting if you prefer speed to Torque.
Size
Cordless drills are specifically designed so they can be used without worrying about dragging a wire cord around. That makes them more portable and easy to use wherever you need them.
Sometimes, however, the size of a cordless drill can make it cumbersome or even useless in certain applications. The smaller and more compact it is, the easier it is to fit into tighter spaces. So, make sure you consider this before pulling the trigger on any one.
Chuck Size
You should always consider the chuck size before choosing a cordless drill. The chuck size will determine the size and type of bits you can use with the drill.
Less powerful cordless drills usually come with a 3/8-inch chuck that will accommodate most bits but not all.
However, certain self-feed bits and twist bits can only be accommodated with a 1/2-inch chuck. So, make sure to consider the chuck size when making your choice.
Having considered this, here are our top 10 picks for the best cordless drills.
1. Bosch PS31-2A Cordless Drill Set
The Bosch PS31-2A is one of my favorites among the ten cordless drills listed here because of its simple and streamlined design.
It’s a set that includes the drill itself, two lithium-ion batteries, a 12 volts fast charger, screwdriver bits, and a soft blue carrying bag for easy transport.
The PS31-2A is very lightweight, weighing just 1.8 lbs combined with its simple and streamlined design, making it ideal for craftsmen like contractors, electricians, plumbers, and professional woodworkers looking for a powerful but compact unit for their projects.
With the Bosch PS31-2A, you have the option to choose between 2-speed settings of 0-350 RPM and 0-1300 RPM, allowing you to vary the speed according to the application, making it versatile.
Integrated LED lights light up your workpiece, making it easy to use in low-visibility areas.
The dual 12-volt batteries that come with it increase runtime because you can use one battery while the other one charges.
As for its chuck, it’s a 3/8-inch-sized single-sleeve 3-jaw chuck that will allow you to hold different types of drill and driver bits for your projects.
Related: How To Choose A Right Angle Drill For Your Projects
2. Dewalt DCD996B 20 Volts Max XR Cordless Hammer Drill
The Dewalt DCD996B is a 20 Volts Max cordless Hammer drill that packs much more punch or has far more torque than your average unit.
It’s also called an impact drill or percussion drill because it produces a rapid succession of short impacts or hammering motion to help drive through harder materials like concrete.
To withstand the heavy-duty tasks it’s meant for, the Dewalt DCD996B features a heavy-duty ½ inch ratcheting nitro-carburized metal chuck fitted with carbide inserts for superior bit gripping strength.
It has 3 speed settings of 0-450, 0 – 1300 and 0-2000 RPM respectively, allowing the user to make precise adjustments that will fit the project in hand.
The DCD996B is up to 82 percent more powerful than the average cordless drill, and apart from that, it even has longer runtime up to 2.8 times longer.
It comes equipped with a 3 mode LED light to illuminate dark or confined spaces, and the light on this model is 20 times brighter than its predecessors, such as the Dewalt DCD980M2.
Every feature of this tool is top-notch, including build quality, ease of adjustments, power, and ergonomics. If you’re a Dewalt tool fan, you’ll surely find this one interesting.
3. SnapFresh 20V Cordless Drill
With up to 22 torque settings and 2 speed settings, the SnapFresh cordless drill comes with everything you need to tackle most home improvement and DIY projects at home or on the jobsite.
The 2 speed settings of 0-400 and 0-1400 RPM allow the user to make fine adjustments to help drill into hard or soft materials by simply sliding the gear at the top of the drill.
It also features a variable speed trigger that increases the speed or reduces it depending on how much force you apply to the trigger.
You don’t just get the bare tool when you get this SnapFressh, but you also get several accessories to help you get to work immediately which include 43 drill bits, 1 flexible shaft, 1 charger, 1 battery and a tool bag to keep everything compact and portable.
Charging the battery for 1 hour can provide between 50 to 60 minutes of work, providing enough runtime to use the tool. My only caveat is that it came with just one battery, but you can always get an extra battery later to reduce downtime when one battery runs down.
It can be used even in dark or confined spaces because it’s equipped with a bright LED work light that will surely illuminate whatever you’re working on. With a weight of just 2.65 lbs, handling it with one hand will not be an issue for anybody. It’s lightweight with ergonomic rubber overmold handle for easy grip and comfort during use.
Related: 10 Super Useful Power Drill Accessories You Should Get
4. Makita XFD131 Brushless Cordless Drill And Driver
Do you want to know what 440 in.lbs of max torque feels like in a cordless drill? Then try the Makita XFD131.
It’s one of the best cordless drills you can use for your projects. With it delivering up to 440 in.lbs of torque and weighing only 3.8 lbs, it’s got one of the best power-to-weight ratios, making it easy to use for long periods without getting fatigued.
Equipped with a brushless motor that delivers up to 50 percent more work per charge, the Makita XFD131 will certainly make it possible for you to work for long periods without the need to recharge the battery every time.
It features mechanical 2-speed transmission settings of 0-500 and 0-1,900 rpm, which affords you more control for a wide range of drilling and driving operations.
For instance, you can adjust the torque settings accordingly when using large fasteners, small fasteners, and delicate screws.
You can adjust it to make sure you use the right amount of torque depending on the type of fasteners you’re working with.
The XFD131 Makita drill is compatible with any Makita 18V LXT Lithium-ion batteries. The kit comes with an efficient 18V LXT 3.0Ah battery which you can get to full charge in under 30 minutes, allowing you to spend less time charging and more time working.
If you have more than one of these batteries, you can use one while recharging the other.
Overall, the Makita XFD131 is one of the best options for contractors and DIY enthusiasts to carry out their projects.
Related: The Best Battery-Powered Tools For Your Projects
5. Porter-Cable PCCK604L2 20V Max Drill And Impact Driver Combo Kit
The red, white, and black brand, Porter-Cable, is one of my favorite power tool brands because they make some of the best power tools in the market today.
With this Porter-Cable PCCK604L2 cordless drill and Impact driver kit, you’ve got 2 cordless tools, and a combo kit to help you with every type of drilling and screw-driving task you have to handle.
The model PCCK604L2 features a ½ inch chuck with a 2-speed gear transmission capable of delivering speeds of 0 -350 and 0-1500 rpm.
It weighs only 3.5 lbs with a length of 8.25 inches, which is a pretty compact and lightweight design if you ask me.
Both the drill and the impact driver feature LED lights which help illuminate your workpiece when it’s getting dark.
The ¼ inch chuck impact driver is capable of mustering up to 1450 in.lbs of torque and has a 2-speed transmission delivering speeds of 0-2800 rpm and 0-3100 rpm.
This makes it suitable for a wide range of projects or tasks you wish to carry out. Talking about the best cordless drills for contractors, the Porter-Cable PCCK604L2 is definitely one of the best budget-friendly options you can ever get your hands on today.
6. Ryobi P208 Cordless Drill
If you want a dirt cheap cordless drill and driver to use for your projects, then you’d find this Ryobi P208 pretty difficult to resist.
Even though a contractor can still use this one, this Ryobi is best for a homeowner or DIYer who’s not looking to spend much on power tools.
Ryobi really overdid themselves here fitting it with all the necessary features you’d ever need in a cordless drill.
A tool-less chuck for quickly replacing screw and drill bits, a 2 speed gearbox for varying the speed and torque to fit the task you have in hand, and an LED light to illuminate a dark work area.
To top it all off, the P208 features a rubberized overgrip pistol-style handle which makes handling the drill very easy and super comfortable, even allowing you a firm grip in slippery conditions.
Overall, the Ryobi P208 is surely a cordless drill you’ll fall in love with whether you’re a contractor, homeowner or DIY enthusiast.
Related: 10 Drilling Tips You Must Know To Drill Like A Pro
7. CRAFTSMAN CMCD700C1 V20 Drill And Driver Kit
Craftsman prides itself as one of the best cordless tool manufacturers, and I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t doubt that after using this Craftsman 20V cordless drill and driver.
This Craftsman drill comes equipped with a powerful motor capable of producing 280 UWO for tackling different types of projects.
A 2-speed gearbox with speeds of 350 rpm and 1500 rpm, respectively, allows you to adjust the speed of the drill according to the task you have in hand.
It features a ½ inch keyless chuck that allows you to swap bits as quickly as it takes me to type the dot at the end of this sentence.
If you’re working in a dark area, the LED light that’s included allows easy illumination of your work area to allow you to do your job without any difficulty.
Charging the 20V max lithium-ion batteries that come with it can be done within 60 minutes, and the charged battery provides you ample run time to complete lots of tasks with the tool before it runs down again.
Overall, this CRAFTSMAN CMCD700C1 gets a spot among the best cordless drills for both contractors and simple DIYers.
8. TECCPO Cordless Drill Set
The TECCPO cordless drill set consists of the drill/driver unit, two 2.0Ah lithium-ion batteries, a fast charger, 33 pcs drill/driver bits, and a case to carry them all.
You’d think all this would come at a very high price, given the quality of the tool and the accessories that come with it, but instead, it comes with a very reasonable price tag.
The most important part of any power drill is the motor that comes with it which does all the work. The TECCPO cordless drill comes equipped with a 20V high-performance brushless motor, which is more than you can say for other units out there.
Brushless motors perform better because there’re no brushes inside that you need to change from time to time, and since there’re no brushes, there’re no sparks created as well. Thus, they use less energy but perform better and last longer.
The TECCPO produces up to 530 in-lbs of torque, powerful enough to drill into different materials like wood, plastic, ceramics, and even metal workpieces.
It features a 21+1 clutch and two speed settings of 0-400 RPM for driving screws and 0-1500 RPM, allowing maximum tool control to suit the application.
Equipped with a ½ inch all-metal keyless chuck, you’ll find it very durable and compatible with most of the bits and accessories needed for your projects.
Depending on what you need, it also features a forward/reverse switch to either screw or unscrew bits and screws. A pair of batteries and a fast charger ensures maximum run time.
All in all, I’d say it’s an excellent cordless drill, especially for homeowners and DIYers because it also comes with most of the accessories or bits you’ll need and even an extra battery in case the first one runs down.
9. Milwaukee 2606-22CT M18
When you buy the Milwakee 2606-22CT kit, you get an M18 ½ inch chuck cordless drill and driver, two powerful M18 REDLITHIUM compact batteries, an M18 and M12 multi-voltage charger and a solid carrying case to help you hold and stow everything safely.
This Milwaukee features a 4-pole frameless motor that delivers 500 in.lbs of torque and produces up to 1800 rpm of speed.
You’ll find it suitable and powerful enough for any drilling and driving task you have to carry out. The 1/2-inch metal will accept various kinds and sizes of bits, so you can tackle any kind of project with it.
It includes Milwaukee’s advanced overload protection, which protects the tool against abusive use and harsh worksite conditions.
The quick 30-minute charge time of the battery means you get quality run-time and less downtime, even if you’re using just one battery.
The Milwaukee 2606-22CT is definitely one of the best cordless drill and driver for contractors, and it will last even longer in the hands of a competent homeowner or DIY enthusiast.
10. Skil DL527502
Tighten screws and drill into surfaces with the Skil DL527502 20V cordless drill and driver. It’s the ideal tool you need for these daily home improvement and DIY tasks.
With a max speed of 1450 rpm, there’s enough power on it to match all your drilling and screw-driving projects at home.
It features 2 speed settings. A low-speed setting for more torque and a high speed setting to help you get the job done faster.
This cordless drill features Skil’s PWR core 20 2.0Ah lithium battery which has an innovative temperature and heat management system for keeping the battery and tool cool as you carry out your work.
Changing bits is fast and simple as it’s equipped with a ½ inch keyless chuck with an auto spindle lock. A bright LED work light helps light up your workpiece so that you can work in low light, and a belt clip helps you keep the tool within reach if you’re using multiple tools.
