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Over the course of two days, we put 33 cordless drills to the test using a pre-determined methodology.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
We also consultedJesse Newell, a contractor at Montcalm Construction, for additional insight.
TheMilwaukee M18 Fuelis our best pick overall.
Our tester also felt that it was easy to use.
Credit: Home Depot
Keep in Mind:Testers noted that the clutch had some trouble engaging with small screws.
This hammer drill features a contemporary brushless motor and has a long-lasting battery youre sure to appreciate.
As you might expect from a hammer drill, the M18 is heavy, at about 5 pounds.
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 18-Volt Hammer Drill was ideal for drilling through tough materials like cement.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Still, they noted this isnt what theyd be buying such a heavy duty drill for.
Theres also an LED light thats bright enough for crawl spaces and tricky corners.
Keep in Mind:Our tester found that this drill stalled when using bits around the 1 1/2-inch range.
Our top pick for DIYers looking for value and performance is the Ridgid R86001K Cordless Drill/Driver Kit.
Our tester noted that the drill began to stall out with bits at 1 1/2 inches.
When it came to ergonomics, our tester found that the drill was comfortable for long-term use as well.
If youre looking to invest in a drill, look no further than this model from Dewalt.
Its chuck was also successful at grasping and driving both large and fine bits.
Keep in Mind:The thick, triangular handle may be difficult for some people to grip.
Two battery packs are better than one, especially when theyre designed and weighted for different uses.
Thats what makes this Milwaukee model well worth considering.
The M12 isnt all about its batteries, however.
The 12-volt drill drives screws with an authority thats similar to what youd expect from an 18/20 volt.
Our tester found that lags and 1-inch holes were not an issue.
Testers were overall impressed with the drills performance, especially since it has such a compact size.
The chuck was particularly well calibrated, grasping even the smallest bit without trouble.
Keep In Mind:Its not ideal for heavy-duty jobs.
The Dewalt Xtreme 5-in-1 DCD703F1 is our choice if youre working on a variety of projects.
Plus, it features a handy bag that consolidates these accessories for storage.
Each can be mounted onto the head at 360 degrees.
The Xtreme 5-in-1 is handy, thats for sure, but its also powerful.
If youre working on heavy-duty projects, the Dewalt XR DCD996P2 is our pick.
This 18/20 volt brushless drill can drill through asphalt and wood alike.
Thankfully, the drills trigger is highly responsive and is fully capable of sensitive feathering work.
Credit: Amazon
Brushless motors use electromagnets within their rotor that are monitored by sensors.
By applying the amount of force necessary, they are able to save battery charge.
However, theyre not only an energy-saving rig, they also deliver more force than classic brushed motors.
The Ridgid 18V drill had sufficient torque for drilling holes and driving small fasteners, making it a great choice for installing hardware or putting together furniture.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Brushless motors often require fewer repairs.
Voltage
In regards to cordless drills, voltage refers to power.
The smaller size of a 12-volt drill often makes it highly appealing for work that requires dexterity.
Its also important to remember that 18/20-volt drills are the same as 20-volt drills in real voltage.
In this case, 20 volts represents peak voltage.
Otherwise, you may end up with an option that wont last you through the projects youre working on.
The higher the amp number, the more power the drill will provide for a longer amount of time.
In general, different amp hour batteries shouldnt affect power output too much.
Chuck Size
A drills chuck holds the bits for the drill.
All of the drills on our list feature a 1/2-inch or 3/8-inch chuck size.
Some light drills andelectric screwdriversalso feature 1/4-inch chucks which will only be compatible with smaller bits.
Weight
Weight is a major factor in any power tool, and drills are no different.
However, sometimes when youre looking for the best cordless drill, more weight isnt a bad thing.
Our testers also found that it lost charge quickly and was slow to recharge.
Makita FD09R1
TheMakita FD09R1is the drill to consider if it’s crucial that you drill smaller screws.
Even though it weighs less than 2 pounds, we thought the drill had decent power and excellent precision.
However, the drill stalled frequently on tougher substances and heavier gauge bits.
The driver is also incompatible with some larger bits due to the 38 chuck.
It also includes two batteries that provide 1.3 amp hours each.
At 3 pounds, we also thought the drill was a bit heavy, although the weight was well-balanced.
However, we found that the drill stalled on tougher jobs with a spade bit.
Over the course of two days, we put 33 cordless drills to the test using a pre-determined methodology.
The testers did not know the prices of each drill while testing.
A drills rating decreased if it was slow or struggled with certain sizes.
Credit: Amazon
Power was measured by whether or not it could drive and seat the largest tested screws without stalling.
They also noted any included accessories, as well as if there was an LED light.
Your Questions, Answered
How much does a cordless drill cost?
During testing, we found that the Dewalt drill was powerful enough to drive a half-inch lag into wood without a pilot hole.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Most of the cordless drills on this list cost between $100 and $300.
What size cordless drill do I need?
Hammer drills include a hammering mechanism and are generally larger than standard and compact sizes.
Remember that your drills battery pack can often add significant size and weight.
Eighteen/20 volt drills are often compatible with large 4 or 5-amp-hour batteries.
Who We Are
Gabriel Morganis a writer for Better Homes and Gardens.
He writes about outdoor gear, goods for the home and garden, and technology.
He supplemented this information with personal research on cordless drills and their mechanisms.
He also consultedJesse Newell, a contractor at Montcalm Construction in Nashville, Tennessee.
What Is BHG Recommends?
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Credit: Acme tools
We were extremely impressed with the Milwaukee M12 Fuel drill’s performance during testing, especially with its compact size. We found that it drives screws with the power you’d expect from an 18/20 volt drill.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Lowes
Although we wouldn’t recommend it for drilling into concrete, the drill’s brushless motor drove standard screws with ease.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
Drilling five holes into concrete in just 20 seconds, the DeWalt XR DCD996P2 20-Volt Hammer Drill has plenty of power for heavy-duty jobs.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
