Top 5 Drills
Best Handle: DEWALT Cordless Drill/Driver Kit Best For Medium Tasks: BLACK+DECKER Cordless Drill/Driver Best Accessories: TECCPO Cordless Drill Best For Heavy-Duty Tasks: DEWALT Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver Kit Best Corded Drill: BLACK+DECKER Corded Drill
Best Handle: DEWALT Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
The handle on this cordless drill is completely covered in a textured, rubberized material, giving you something comfortable and non-slip to hold onto. This drill comes with a carrying bag for holding the tool and its two batteries and charger. It also has a large tip, or chuck, of half an inch and a powerful battery of 20 volts for heavy-duty tasks. Additionally, it has two speed settings, with the second setting offering up to 1,500 revolutions per minute (RPM).
Best For Medium Tasks: BLACK+DECKER Cordless Drill/Driver
This cordless drill has a chuck size of three-eighths of an inch, a battery capacity of 20 volts, and a maximum speed of 750 RPM, making it a good choice for medium-duty tasks around the home. With 24 clutch positions, you have maximum control over this drill. This product also comes with a battery and the charger to power it as well as 30 bits for driving screws and drilling holes. Its 20-volt battery is compatible with an array of other power tools from this brand.
Best Accessories: TECCPO Cordless Drill
This drill comes with a plethora of useful accessories that will make your drilling experience easier, including two batteries, one charger, one carrying bag, and 33 bits. This drill’s 33 bits come in an organizer for easy organization and transportation. Its battery charger is also small in size, preventing it from taking up too much space in your toolbox or tool chest. Additionally, the drill can handle heavy-duty tasks with its 20-volt battery and maximum 1,700-RPM speed.
Best For Heavy-Duty Tasks: DEWALT Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
Despite being relatively compact at just 6.9 inches, this cordless drill has a chuck size of half an inch, a maximum speed of 2,000 RPM, and a battery voltage of 20 volts, giving it the features that are needed for heavy-duty work. Additionally, this drill comes with two batteries, one charger, and one carrying case. The case is made of hard plastic, making it more durable than the fabric carrying bags that come with most drills. The brushless motor means that this drill can provide a longer runtime compared to standard brushed motors.
Best Corded Drill: BLACK+DECKER Corded Drill
This drill uses a cord for power, making it more powerful than its cordless counterparts. It’s also lightweight at just 3.25 pounds, allowing you to use it for longer without becoming fatigued. This corded drill has a chuck size of three-eighths of an inch, a maximum speed of 1,500 RPM, and a power rating of 5.2 amps, It works best for medium-duty construction tasks or any household tasks and comes with a variable speed trigger for maximum control.
Buyer’s Guide
Read our buying guide below to learn about power, speed, and other factors that will inform your drill purchasing decision.
Power Source
Drills are either cordless or corded.
Battery
Cordless drills use a lithium-ion battery for power. They’re more portable because you aren’t limited to how far a cord can reach, but they’re not as powerful. You also have to pause every so often to recharge the battery.
Cord
Corded or electric drills are typically more powerful in terms of speed and torque, making them better for heavy-duty tasks. However, you have to set up near a wall outlet or use an extension cord.
Power
Power for cordless and corded drills are measured differently.
Battery
The power of battery-operated drills is measured in voltage. Most cordless drills have a power of 12 or 18 volts. Twelve volts is enough for household projects, while 18 volts is needed for heavy-duty projects. If you see a drill measured in 20 volts, that means the manufacturer measured maximum voltage instead of nominal voltage. Maximum voltage is the initial surge of power when you first turn the drill on, while nominal voltage is the power the rest of the time. This means that a drill with 20 volts of maximum voltage is the same as a drill with 18 volts of nominal voltage.
Cord
Corded power is measured in amps, with four, eight, and 10 amps being common. Four amps is sufficient for the occasional household task, while 10 amps is needed for heavy-duty use. Eight amps is a good in-between rating for those who complete more tasks around the home.
Speed
Most drills have a variable speed trigger to change how fast the chuck is spinning. This allows you to tailor the drill’s speed to the task at hand, as lower speeds are better for driving screws, while higher speeds are better for drilling holes.
Chuck Size
This indicates the maximum diameter bit the chuck can handle. You’ll see a quarter of an inch, three-eighths of an inch, and half of an inch sizes. A quarter of an inch is enough for the occasional light task, three-eighths is enough for regular home improvement projects, and a half is needed for heavy-duty projects.
Ergonomics
Your drill should be easy and comfortable to handle. It should have a light weight that’s evenly distributed from the base to the chuck. It should also have a rubberized handle for comfort and slip prevention.
Extra Features
Some drills have extra features for easier use. Some common extras include an LED light for better visibility, onboard storage for holding bits, and a belt clip for hands-free use.
How long does a cordless drill run for?
It depends on the battery. A battery’s runtime is measured in amp hours (Ah), with a higher Ah rating indicating a longer life.
Will my drill come with accessories?
Some drills come with accessories, while some just come with the tool. Some common accessories bundled with drills include drill bits, batteries, and carrying cases.
What’s the difference between a drill and an impact driver?
Impact drivers are more compact and lightweight than drills. They also have more twisting power, or torque. Instead of a chuck, they have a clamp that holds drill and driver bits with a hexagonal shank. Because of their higher torque, they’re best for driving large fasteners or a large quantity of fasteners. Drills, on the other hand, are better for smaller fasteners or fewer fasteners.
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This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations. To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
