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BlogWe independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products-learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.The Best Cordless Drill To Complete Any Job
Last updated: 7 Jun 2023Gone are the days when you would have to call in your dad’s uncle’s brother’s friend’s recommended pseudo carpenter to drill into the walls of your house. Today, you can do that and much more with a cordless drill in your toolkit. But, what if you’ve never picked up a hammer or nail in your entire life, let alone use a powerful cordless drill? Seems rather laborious, right? So, today, we’re going to give you a run-down on the top cordless drills in 2023 and teach you all about them.
A cordless drill is an electric hand drill that is powered by rechargeable batteries. These bad boys are compact, lightweight, and a lot more versatile and convenient than their corded cousins. With easy-to-read instructions and how-to guides, you can hardly go wrong with your purchase.
So, whether it’s hanging up your grandma’s favorite painting or mounting shelves in the guest room, the best wireless drills will help you achieve a seamless look with a professional touch. And, do you know the best part? They are also energy-efficient, thanks to the advancements in battery technology.
Show contentsPremier Cordless Drills Worth Considering in 2023Buyer's Guide to Finding Your Favorite Cordless Drill
Now that you know all about the best that amazon.com has to offer when it comes to cordless power drills, here is a comprehensive guide to buying one. We’ll be breaking down the terms that you need to know and equipping you with some killer tips in this section.
Things to Look Out for in Cordless Drills
Let’s start this section off by telling you about these two things that you must consider before buying a cordless drill for yourself:
Power
When it comes to your drill’s muscles, the unit of measurements used are voltage and torque. The voltage is the power of the battery. A higher voltage will allow the drill to spin with more power. This spinning to overcome resistance is known as the cordless drill’s torque. That might sound quite easy, no? Choose a higher voltage battery for a better drill.
However, it isn’t that simple. You see, a higher voltage battery will weigh more. This heftiness of the battery will make it harder to carry and control the drill. You see the dilemma, now? Well, you must consider models that offer the type of torque that you desire without compromising much on the portability end.
Speed
A higher torque would also equal higher speed. The speed of a drill is measured in RPM. It means how many rotations your drill can manage in a minute. What you should be looking for is a drill that offers variability in speed.
You can either opt for ones that come with an impact driver or a slide switch that lets you toggle the speed. There are even models that let you set the exact speed of the drill for refined carpentry. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need lower speeds for driving in screws while higher speeds are for drilling holes.
Buying Tips for Cordless Drills
These two tips will help you make a more informed purchase decision when in the market for a new cordless drill:
Recharging
When it comes to your cordless drill’s battery, you should look for something that is easy to install and remove and holds a charge for a long time. Many customers prefer models that offer fast charging. However, that should not be your primary aim.
In fact, fast charging can end up damaging the battery due to the excessive generation of heat. Moreover, if you opt for drills that come with a spare battery, you can just swap the battery when it needs charging. This way, you won’t have to stop your work and wait for the battery to fully juice up.
Visibility
You should also prefer cordless drill models that come with some sort of LED-light attachment. This allows you to bring some light to your workshop and see better.
Grip
An ergonomic handle that lets you grip the triggers with ease must also be something that you should look out for in cordless drills. We recommend checking out customer reviews that specifically talk about the comfort and ergonomics of the grip.
How Much Do Cordless Drills Really Cost? Are They Worth Buying?
A cordless drill can potentially save you tons of money since you won’t have to call the handyman for every little thing. The device’s price varies from $40 to around $200. While the exact amount you go for ultimately depends on your budget, we recommend shelling out enough to get something decent enough with variable speed controls and adequate build quality. A higher price tag will generally also get you features like a bigger battery (plus a spare one), more torque, various clutch settings, and additional goodies like a carrying case.
What Else Should You Know About Cordless Drills
However, here are two things that we bet you didn’t know about cordless drills:
Chuck jaws
The chuck jaw is the part that holds the rotating tool of your cordless drill. Generally speaking, chuck jaws can hold screws with a diameter of ⅜ inches. Some can even work with ½ inch ones. So, make sure that you think about this before pulling the trigger on the purchase of your new cordless drill.
Keyless chuck
Since your hand drill will be moving at crazy-fast speeds, your chuck jaw must be able to hold the bits in place. Tightening each drill bit by hand can potentially compromise your application. It is here that a keyless chuck comes into place. It allows you to tighten the chuck around your bit by simply twisting the chuck without the need for any special key. Replacing bits has never been easier.
Premier Cordless Drills Worth Considering in 2023
1DeWalt Cordless Drill Combo Kit
– Best OverallBuy on AmazonCheck Price on WalmartWith its powerful motors and 20V lithium-ion batteries, the Dewalt Cordless Drill kit delivers a hefty torque and offers a high runtime. It includes a drill driver, a brushless impact driver, two belt closures, two battery packs, a battery charger, and a contractor bag.
Key FeaturesThe 0.5-inch drill driver and 0.25-inch impact driver have a lightweight and compact design so they can easily fit in narrow places and are easy to carry around. The built-in LED, on the other hand, assists by providing clarity when you are using the drill in dark places further adding to its versatility. Also, it has three modes of brightness- the lowest light, light increased by 50% and LED turned on for 20 minutes, each suitable for different kinds of applications.
Pros- Lightweight and compact design
- LED light provides clarity in dark places
- Comes with an impact driver to fit screws
- Comes with a three-year guarantee
Cons- Produces a lot of vibrations when it’s working
2Black+Decker Cordless Drill
– Runner-UpBuy on AmazonUsing a lithium-ion battery of 20V, the Black+Decker Cordless Drill can function for up to 18 months on a single charge. This cordless drill comes with 30 accessories that make it great for working through plastic, wood, and metal. It has an ergonomically-designed handle with a soft grip to provide extra comfort for heavy-duty projects.
Key FeaturesBlack+Decker claims that their cordless drill grants significant control and power to the user with its 24 torque adjustments, 650 RPM speed, maximum torque output of 300 in-lbs, and 0.375-inch keyless chuck. However, according to some users, the drill might not be able to hold its head straight at times leading to producing bigger holes than needed.
Pros- Lightweight and portable
- Long battery life of 18 months
- High torque power of 300 in-lbs
Cons- The drill might not be able to hold the drill head straight sometimes which can result in bigger holes
3Avid Power Cordless Drill
– Honorable MentionBuy on AmazonBoasting a phenomenal price to performance ratio, Avid Power’s cordless drill kit includes 10 pieces of drill bits and driver bits each, an extension bar, and a flexible magnetic shaft for maximum coverage. This cordless drill also has a built-in LED light to provide visibility in your working space.
Key FeaturesThis drill runs on a 20V lithium-ion battery with a USB port that can also be used for charging other devices. It performs with a torque of 260 in-lbs to offer precise user control at a variable speed of up to 550 RPM. Also, it has a 0.375-inch keyless chuck for providing superior bit retention.
Pros- Rubber handles for extra comfort and grip
- LED light provides enhanced visibility when you’re working
- 15+1 torque settings provide precise control
Cons- Avid Power doesn’t offer replacement batteries
4WorkPro Cordless Drill
– Also ConsiderBuy on AmazonThe WorkPro Drill driver kit provides you with seven versatile tools including a cordless drill, a storage bag, a battery and charger, six drill bits, ten cr-v bits, and an extension bar. Equipped with a 20V 1.5 Ah lithium-ion battery, this cordless drill provides superior performance and an adequate run time. The battery is rechargeable and easy to change.
Key FeaturesThis drill runs on dual speed settings of up to 400 RPM/1500 RPM. It features 21+1 torque settings at a maximum torque output of 203 in-lbs and a large chunk of 0.375-inch to provide extra bit retention. Moreover, WorkPro’s cordless drill has an ergonomic handle to provide maximize grip and minimize fatigue. And, it is also powered with LED lights to illuminate dark spaces so that you can work safely.
Pros- Ergonomic handle to minimize fatigue
- A powerful dual speed setting of 400 RPM/1500 RPM
- Amazing price point
Cons- Battery life could have been better
Buy on AmazonGoxawee’s Cordless Drill comes with up to 100 accessories that allow you to use this drill on wood and metal. You’ll get two 12V 1500mAh lithium-ion batteries so every time one of them is out of power, you can use the other one. This cordless drill is equipped with a variable speed trigger that allows you to adjust the speed based on your project’s needs.
Key FeaturesThe two-speed settings can go all the way to 350 RPM for screwing tasks and up to 1350 RPM for drilling projects. It features an 18 position clutch delivering a maximum torque of 266 in-lbs. Also, the 0.375-inch keyless chuck locks automatically so that you can change bits using one hand.
Pros- Ergonomic and comfortable to use
- Variable speed settings that go up to 1350 RPM allow users amazing control
- Flexible magnetic shaft for hard-to-reach places
Cons- Not the most durable option
People Also Asked
Q: What is the difference between a brushless and brushed hand drill?A: The difference between a brushless cordless drill and a brushed one lies in the motor. Brushed ones are made from carbon that suffers from voltage variations and friction. Brushless ones, on the other hand, use magnets to generate power. These magnets help them sense the resistance, and the drill varies the power supply, torque, and speed accordingly. Quite efficient, if you ask us.
Q: What are the benefits of cordless drills?A: A cordless drill may not be as strong as a corded one, the versatility, and convenience that they bring to the table are unparalleled. Since there are no wires, you don't have to worry about tripping while working. The hand drill can also squeeze into tight spaces for some refined carpentry.
Q: What do the numbers mean on a cordless drill?A: The numbers on your hand drill indicate its torque power. Torque is measured in pounds-per-inch and represents the force that the drill produces to cause rotation. A bigger battery will generate higher torque but add to the drill's weight.
The Pop Wood Review Team’s product reviews and comprehensive guides are here to help you select the best gear and tools to efficiently complete top-quality woodworking projects. The content is created by The Pop Wood Review Team. Popular Woodworking’s editorial staff is not involved. Popular Woodworking is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.