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Updated May 2023
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
DEWALT 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion 1/2-Inch Drill/Driver Kit
DEWALT
20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion 1/2-Inch Drill/Driver Kit
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

A well-priced kit that is hugely popular, and for good reason.

Pros

Nothing beats it for torque output. Outstanding reputation for reliability. Lots of different kit variations, so you can choose the drill and accessories for your needs. Ergonomic handle and lightweight design make it easy to work with, even in tight spaces.

Cons

A bit heavier than the other drills we tested.

Best Bang for the Buck
BLACK+DECKER 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver
BLACK+DECKER
20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

You get what you pay for, but many folks with only an occasional need to drill will be content with it.

Pros

Small and light. Very inexpensive. A popular drill that will come in handy for all sorts of home projects. Several kit options, so you get all the accessories you want without too many parts you don't need.

Cons

Low on power and battery life. Battery takes too long to recharge, and only 1 is included.

Avid Power 20-Volt MAX Lithium Ion Cordless Drill
Avid Power
20-Volt MAX Lithium Ion Cordless Drill
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Easiest to Use
Bottom Line

A basic but powerful drill that will make you feel in control, even with precise drill work.

Pros

Multifunctional battery pack can also charge other household devices like phones. Easy to drill with precision into numerous materials, from wood to metal. Ergonomic, lightweight design makes it easy to use. Has 10 drill bits and 10 driver bits included.

Cons

Some complaints of faulty battery chargers.

Bosch Power Tools Drill Kit
Bosch
Power Tools Drill Kit
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

A reliable and lightweight cordless drill from 1 of the most trusted brands in the power tool industry.

Pros

Battery is powerful and reliable, ensuring more work can be done before needing a charge. Lightweight and compact design allows for easy storage and transport. Comes with multiple screwdriver bits and 2 speed drivers for every task.

Cons

Comes with plastic chucks that are not very durable.

Makita 12V Max Cordless Driver-Drill Kit
Makita
12V Max Cordless Driver-Drill Kit
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Durable & Rugged
Bottom Line

A lightweight and compact drill with a powerful motor that's perfect for all kinds of DIY tasks.

Pros

It has a variable 2-speed design for various drilling tasks, and the motor delivers 250-inch pounds of torque. The ergonomic handle has a rubber grip for increased control and comfort and a slide battery design that lets it stand on its own.

Cons

Some users may prefer a larger drill.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

57
Models
Considered
169
Consumers
Consulted
24
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best cordless drills

A drill is likely one of the first handheld power tools you'll purchase. It is essential for accomplishing numerous tasks that other power tools simply can't handle. Cordless drills rival the most powerful corded drills, yet they have the added benefit of being fully mobile, so you can take them anywhere you need to work.

The most important element is power. You need a brawny cordless drill with a long-lasting battery that doesn't take all day to charge. Purchasing a package that includes the drill, battery, and charger is often the wisest option. A backup battery is nice, as are an LED light, multiple speeds, and a variable clutch.

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Go slow and easy when first learning to use a cordless drill or any other power tool; you’ll quickly gain confidence and experience, making the process easier, and even fun.

Why buy a cordless drill?

You might think the uses for a cordless drill are limited, but it’s actually a highly versatile tool for many situations. Here are just a few of the capabilities you’ll find in a cordless drill:

Driving screws

A good set of screw driving bits allows you to work with traditional Phillips head screws, slotted, or more specialty screws such as Pozidrivs or triple-squares.

Mixing paint

Yes, you can even find attachments to thoroughly mix paint (or, if your drill is powerful, cement!) to ensure your new living room walls look perfect.

Drilling holes

Cordless drills can turn drill bits as easily as screw driving bits.
 

Never wear baggy clothing when working with a power tool. Avoid dangling necklaces, bracelets, or anything else that could become tangled in your drill.

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Nuts and bolts

With a set of socket driving bits, you can work with all manner of fasteners.

Sanding and polishing

Many types of sanding attachments are available, making your cordless drill an excellent tool for smoothing furniture or even restoring car headlights.

Gardening

Believe it or not, you can actually till soil, dig holes, and pull weeds with a cordless drill.

Clean everything

There are plenty of brush and sponge attachments. Let your drill put the elbow grease into cleaning.

Which cordless drill features are most important?

Battery power

Battery power is measured in volts. The more volts, the more powerful the drill, and the more torque it can muster. The majority of cordless drills are either 12-Volt or 18-Volt. The 12v models are sufficient for most household tasks, but if it’s within your budget, you can’t go wrong with the extra power offered by 18v.

LED light

A built-in LED light is very handy when you’re drilling in a dark or recessed location.

Two batteries

Many quality cordless drills come with two batteries, so one can charge while the other is in use.

Battery type

While you can still find drills powered by nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries, they’re not as common as lithium-ion (Li-Ion) models. In general, Li-Ion batteries provide longer run time, more power, and don’t contain cadmium, an environmentally harmful metal. Li-Ion batteries are also lighter than NiCd batteries. They do cost more, but we only recommend drills powered by Li-Ion batteries.

Charging time

Nothing is quite as frustrating as putting your project on hold because your cordless drill needs several hours to recharge. Luckily, chargers for Li-Ion batteries are generally fairly fast. You’ll be recharged and on your way in an hour or less, even if you didn’t invest in spare batteries.

"Let your drill do the work. Avoid pushing or applying too much pressure—this can burn out the drill’s motor, or cause it to slip as you work."
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Speed

Typically, cordless drills have low- and high-speed settings. Low speed provides more torque (twisting power) for driving screws, while high speed is used for drilling holes. Some models also have a variable speed lever so you can set a more specific speed.

Variable clutch

A cordless drill’s clutch stops rotation of the drill bit once a set resistance is reached. This prevents stripping or over-tightening a screw. Variable clutch settings let you tailor the resistance to your needs. Usually, low resistance is for small screws and high resistance for large screws.

Chuck size

The chuck is the part of the drill that holds the bit. Some less expensive models only have a 3/8-inch chuck, but most cordless drills have a 1/2-inch chuck, which is far more versatile.

Belt hook

Some cordless drill kits include a belt hook, which can be very handy when you’re working on a ladder or walking around a project site.

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Did you know?
A variable clutch allows you to set the maximum resistance for the drill, preventing over-tightening screws.
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Cordless drill prices

Under $100

You can find plenty of basic cordless drills for $100 or less. These may or may not include a carrying case, but should have lithium-ion batteries. Features such as variable clutch and LED lights will vary from model to model in this price range. These drills are often a bit more compact and lightweight than other cordless drills, and are often advertised as sufficient for “light duty” jobs.

Over $100

Cordless drills between $100 and $200 should come with more features and often, more power. They often include a second battery, so that you can charge one battery while using the other. Drill bit sets are usually part of the package for drills in this price range, too, and they’ll almost always come with a carrying case.

Always select the right drill bit for the material you are drilling, as well as the size hole you’re making or the screw you’re driving.

Tips for using your cordless drill

  • Drilling a hole to a specific depth? Wrap a bit of colorful tape around your drill bit at the desired depth. When the tape hits the hole, you’re there.

  • Not sure what size drill bit you need? It’s better to err on the side of too small than go too large. After all, you can always make the hole bigger, but it’s hard to make it smaller once you’ve over-drilled.

  • Always start drilling on a low speed and then increase as needed.

  • Typically, your drill will have a lever to set the direction forward (driving screws in) or reverse (unscrewing screws). If the lever is set in between the two directions, it’s locked. So if you can’t figure out why your drill won’t spin, check the direction lever.

  • Remember that the larger the drill bit, the more powerful the torque.

  • Hold your drill so the bit is at a right angle to the work surface. This will prevent the bit from skittering or breaking as you work.

  • Stay safe. Wear eye protection when you use any power tool. Dust from paint, wood, drywall, or masonry can all do serious damage to your eyes.

  • If you’re drilling a deep hole, periodically pull the bit out and dust or blow away the accumulated sawdust and grit.

  • Unless you’re drilling into a wall or similarly fixed object, make sure to clamp the item before starting to drill.

  • A good, basic set of drilling and driving bits should accomplish just about anything the average homeowner or casual DIYer needs to do. Common types of drill bits include:

    • General purpose

    • Phillips head for use with that type of screw

    • Metal or high-speed steel (HSS) for drilling into metal

    • Auger for deep holes

    • Spur point for wood

    • Tile or glass bits for working with those materials

    • Spade bit for large holes in wood

    • Hole saw for even larger holes in wood

    • Masonry bit for concrete, brick, or stone

    • Countersink: these cut a tiny bit of extra space for the screw’s head

    • Sanding bits: these are wrapped with sandpaper and are extremely useful for smoothing surfaces before painting, priming, etc.

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