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BlogThe Best Cordless Drill To Complete Any Job
Last updated: 1 Mar 2024- Best Overall: DeWalt Cordless Drill Combo Kit Shop Now ➔
- Runner-Up: Black+Decker Cordless Drill Shop Now ➔
- Honorable Mention: Avid Power Cordless Drill Shop Now ➔
- Also Consider: WorkPro Cordless Drill Shop Now ➔
- Most Accessories: Goxawee Cordless Drill Shop Now ➔
View all ContentsPremier Cordless Drills Worth Considering in 2024
Best Overall
With 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.
Our reviewer, Luke, is a home DIY enthusiast and a big fan of this drill: “The battery interchangeability is amazing for longer DIY days where I’m switching between my drill, impact driver, or multitool. Also, knowing that the brand is trusted by top contractors and home DIYers alike makes it one of my preferred brands for most projects I do around my house.”
Pros
- Lightweight and compact design
- LED light provides clarity in dark places
- Includes an impact driver to fit screws
- Comes with a three-year guarantee
Cons
- Produces a lot of vibrations when working
Key Features
The 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. If you’re like me, you may struggle to see in shadowy or darkly lit areas. Thankfully, the built-in LED provides 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. Because of its versatility, we rated this drill best overall.
Runner-Up
Using 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 (which is something I look for when shopping).
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Long battery life of 18 months
- High torque power of 300 in-lbs
Cons
- Difficult to hold straight
Key Features
Black+Decker’s 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.
Honorable Mention
Boasting 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.
Pros
- Rubber handles for comfort and grip LED light provides enhanced visibility 15+1 torque settings provide precise control
Cons
- Avid Power doesn’t offer replacement batteries
Key Features
If you’re like me, you always need to charge your phone. Luckily, this 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.
Also Consider
The 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.
This 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
Most Accessories
Goxawee’s Cordless Drill comes with up to 100 accessories that allow you to use this drill on wood and metal. As I say, the more accessories, the better! 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 also equipped with a variable speed trigger that allows you to adjust the speed based on your project’s needs.
Pros
- Ergonomic and comfortable to use Variable speed settings creates amazing control Flexible magnetic shaft for hard-to-reach places
Cons
- Not the most durable option
Key Features
The 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.
Buyer's Guide to Finding Your Favorite Cordless Drill
Now that you know all about the best that the market 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 looking at what you should consider before buying a cordless drill for yourself:
Power
When it comes to your drill’s muscles, the units of measurement 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. The torque is the force the drill produces to turn the head. That might sound quite easy, right? Choose a higher voltage battery for a better drill.
However, it’s not 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? So, 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 result in a 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.
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 shouldn’t be your main goal.
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 look for cordless drill models that come with some sort of LED-light attachment. This allows you to bring some light to your workshop for precise drilling.
Grip
An ergonomic handle that lets you grip the triggers with ease should also be something that you consider 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 like I used to do before buying one. 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 high-quality with variable speed controls and adequate build. 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 Are Chuck Jaws?
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 becomes handy. 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.
People Also Asked
What is the difference between a brushless and brushed hand drill?
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.
What are the benefits of cordless drills?
A cordless drill may not be as strong as a corded one, but 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.
What is the lifespan of a cordless drill?
With proper care, a regularly-used drill should last five to ten years. You may have to buy new batteries at some point, but the drill should still work fine.
What's the lifespan of a cordless drill?
With proper care, a regularly used cordless drill should last five to ten years. While you may need to replace the battery, the drill should still work fine.
How do I take care of my drill?
The most effective drill maintenance practice is oiling. To effectively oil your drill, all you have to do is remove the chuck and add a few drops of lubricant to it. Make sure you don't add excess oil so that you can avoid blocking the chuck.
Article Contributors
Read More About Pop Wood Reviews Team HereThe 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. The Popular Woodworking Review Team is composed of authors, editors, and handymen. Artificial Intelligence (large language models) may have been used in the research and creation of the content.
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