If you are buying a cordless drill for yourself or as a present for a husband, brother, or father, then it can be a bit of a hassle to pick the best drill to buy. To help make life easier, I have compiled a list of some of the best cordless drill drivers on the market today. And to make things even easier, I have divided them into drills that are best for beginners, best for professionals, and best for all-around use.
Best Cordless Drill for beginners
Beginner drills are typically less powerful and cheaper. The idea is that since you are probably not used to using a drill, it is best to start off with a cheap drill, that is easy to control and maneuver. These drills are typically best for small to medium jobs but lack the torque to drill through tougher materials. They are often powered by 6V to 12V batteries.
Light-Duty Drill for Beginners
Black & Decker AD600 6-Volt Alkaline 1/4-Inch Hex Cordless Drill/Driver
A small light duty cordless drill for beginners. This little guy, though lacks in power, is an excellent choice for doing for around the house work like hanging pictures and mirrors, assembling furniture etc.
This is one of the best lightweight cordless drills for women and fits nicely in women’s hands.
Review
What I like
Provides good power (130RPM and 40-inch-pounds of torque) for the price. The price point is the real attraction here; finding a good power drill that costs less than $20 is pretty amazing. So for less than $20, you get a decently powerful cordless drill, which can handle most small to medium-sized jobs.
It is also very easy and quick to switch out drill bits.
It is also very small and not very heavy, making the drill very easy to maneuver and hold.
Best cordless drill for the woman who wants a light-duty tool for their tasks around the home.
What I don’t like
My biggest complaint is that the drill runs on 4 AA batteries. The batteries are included with the drill itself, which is nice, but I would have preferred to have the system powered by a rechargeable battery.
Rated at just 6-volt, the product leaves a lot to be desired for an experienced user.
Features and Specification
| Model: | AD600 |
| Brand: | Black and Decker |
| Voltage Rating: | 6V |
| Torque: | 40 in./lbs. |
| Speed: | Variable speed up to 130 RPM |
| Battery: | 4 AA alkaline batteries. |
Overall Review
Given how cheap the cordless drill is, it is not a bad purchase. It is very good for beginners because if they end up not liking it, the worst you have lost is around $20; as opposed to losing $100 on a regular cordless drill. But, keep in mind that this is only suitable for light-duty jobs and the fact that it uses disposable batteries instead of a rechargeable one is a bit annoying.
In short, this is a great choice for beginners, but the drill does not really offer anything for experienced power tool enthusiasts.
Medium duty general purpose Cordless Drill
This section belongs to all of you DIY enthusiasts and woodworking hobbyists out there. Affordable cordless drills with power that is suitable for all the remodeling, DIY and even professional jobs.
Black & Decker LDX120C Cordless Drill
An inexpensive power tool with decent power. The Black and Decker LDX120C is a lightweight cordless drill with a 20V battery. It has 11 clutch positions and variable speeds up to 650rpm.
Review
Thanks to it’s well balanced compact and lightweight design you can work in tight spaces comfortably with this drill. The built-in LED works when you press the trigger which provides enough light to see the work area.
What I like
The price point is really agreeable, much like the AD600 Black & Decker cordless drill I just covered. It comes in at around $50; so it is a great option for those who are looking for an affordable tool.
It has more power than the Black & Decker AD600 drill (115 in-lbs of torque versus 40 pounds, and 650RPM versus 130RPM).
It also has a 20-volt rechargeable battery, which holds a decent amount of charge.
The drill handle size is perfect for both men and women. It is small enough for the woman to grip firmly, yet large enough for men to hold comfortably.
What I don’t like
The drill feels a bit cheap (it is only $50 after all), so be extra careful when handling the tool and make sure you do not drop it.
You would expect a much higher torque from a 20V cordless drill. The 115 in-lbs may not be sufficient for heavy-duty operations.
Also, the cordless drill does not come with any sort of carrying case, which is a pretty big annoyance.
Overall Review
The Black & Decker is a good drill for the price, and since you do not have to break the bank to get it, it is a good option for people who want a cheap cordless drill without compromising on power.
Bosch DDB181-02 Compact Tough Drill
Review
Pros -What I like
The Bosch DDB181-02 is extremely powerful, being able to deliver 350 lbs of torque and is able to operate at a whopping 1300RPM. Despite this, it is not very heavy; the Bosch is actually very maneuverable and comfortable to hold. As an added bonus, the drill comes with an LED light, so you can work in dark spaces.
Cons -What I didn’t like
The biggest complaint I have with this drill is that, while it is powerful, it does not compete in terms of power with its competitors, like Dewalt. The Bosch could definitely afford to be a bit more powerful.
Overall:
The Bosch is an all-around great drill; what it lacks in power, it makes up for in compactness and maneuverability.
Best Cordless Drill for professionals
These drills are good options for power tools enthusiasts who need heavy-duty, reliable cordless drills. They may not be cheap, but they are durable and able to handle the toughest jobs.
Typically, professional-grade drills used in the construction industry got power ratings from 18V to 24V.
Dewalt DCD771C2 Compact Drill Kit
Review
DeWalt is known for professional quality power tools. The Dewalt DCD771C2 cordless drill is a compact device with excellent torque and speed. The 20V max battery ensures that it longs enough to perform your task.
Pros -What I like
Much like the Bosch, the Dewalt is very lightweight and compact; together with the ergonomic handle, these features make the Dewalt very comfortable to use and maneuver. But, the Dewalt does not skimp on power; it can deliver a max of 1,500 RMP. And in terms of torque, very few, if any, home cordless drills can beat the Dewalt.
Cons -What I didn’t like
The drill comes with a little LED light that is just above the trigger, but the placement means that the Chuck’s shadow will just cover the screw you are using the drill on, so the light is pretty pointless.
Also, the batteries (it comes with two) are fairly lightweight, but they also burn out really easily. So, if you are tackling a big job, you may want to upgrade to a more powerful battery.
Overall:
The Dewalt is a great drill and is reasonably priced when you consider the quality of the drill. There are a few minor flaws, but they can be pretty easily ignored.
Best all-around Cordless drill
Makita LXFD01CW Cordless Drill Kit
What I like
The Makita delivers great power and speed. The motor can deliver a maximum of 480 lbs of torque. While the drill allows you to select two speeds (0-400RPM and 0-1,500RPM). It is easy to hold and maneuver, which is surprising given the powerful motor.
What I didn’t like
Really the only critique I can level at the Makita is that the case is a bit poorly designed, and you will struggle a bit to get all the components back into place.
Overall Review
This is probably the best cordless power drill you can buy for home use. Absolutely amazing, I whole heartily recommend this drill if you can afford it.
Dan Miller is a professional toolmaker with extensive experience in the metalworking and tooling industry.
An avid DIY enthusiast and passionate hobbyist woodworker, Dan shares his expert knowledge here.