A cordless drill driver is a power tool that can drill holes and drive screws. It is perhaps the most useful power tool for anyone from DIY enthusiasts to professionals.
If you ask anyone to name the most common father day’s gifts, many will probably say “power tools.” Those who know specifics will probably say “cordless drills.” Cordless power drills have become probably the most iconic power tool, and it is easy to see why they are an essential power tool that every homeowner should keep around to make home repairs easy.
Cordless power drills have been the most popular household power tool ever since they were first developed back in the 60s by Black & Decker. But it was Makita, the Japanese company, who invented the first rechargeable cordless power drill in 1978.
Around every special occasion (Christmas, Father’s Day, birthdays, etc.), you can safely bet that many people will be running out to buy cordless drills as a present for themselves or their fathers and husbands. That can be an issue, though; after all, there are tons of cordless power drills on the market and hundreds of different manufacturers, so how is a first-time buyer supposed to know what to look for when buying a cordless power drill?
I understand how daunting it can be to break into the world of power tools, so to help you make your decision easier, here is a comprehensive buying guide for cordless drills.
Uses of Cordless Drill Driver
Power drills are electrical tools that are primarily used for two purposes.
- Firstly, they put holes in wood, metal, walls, or other tough material.
- Secondly, they drive screws and fasteners onto surfaces.
A cordless drill, as you can probably tell from the name, is simply a power drill that works without a cord.
You can use a cordless drill driver to drill holes in walls, assemble furniture, and do woodworking. And by selecting the one with the right power, you can even build a deck and do the home improvement work like remodeling your kitchen.
Choosing a Cordless Drill
So, what features should you look for when buying a cordless drill?
High Voltage
You can tell how powerful a cordless drill is by looking at its voltage. Simply put, more voltage equals more power. So, if you think that the drill is going to be used on tough materials, then make sure you get a high-voltage drill.
Light-duty Drills: These are the ones suitable for small household jobs. They normally come with 6V to 12V battery.
Medium General Purpose: 12V to 18V cordless drills are the most popular models. They are suitable for nearly all types of drilling and driving work except very heavy-duty jobs.
Heavy-duty drills: Professionals like construction workers need heavy duty cordless drill that has more power and long-lasting batteries. Normally, these are rated as 18V to 24V, and there are specialized units that go up to 36V.
I suggest you get an 18V cordless drill. It can handle most of the household work, DIY, and remodeling jobs, and is even suitable for professionals.
Note: While higher voltage typically indicates more power, the overall performance of a cordless drill also depends on the efficiency of its motor, the gear system, and the tool’s ability to manage heat and power distribution efficiently.
Torque
The voltage rating always will not give you a clear picture of the total power of the drill. If you are going to drill on a harder surface, you need more torque. Torque is the twisting force that the drill is capable of applying onto the work surface. Torque is measured in Newton-meter (Nm) or in-lbs if you are in the US.
For woodworking and drilling on softer materials like plastic, you don’t have to worry about the torque since nearly all the power drills able to perform such operations. However, when drilling on metal, concrete, and other hard surfaces, you need more torque and less speed.
I have come across 20V cordless drills with less than 200 in-lbs torque and 18V drills with more than 500 in-lbs torque. So, you can’t always rely on voltage rating alone. For heavy-duty jobs, look for a cordless drill with more than 400 in-lbs torque.
Power Output (UWO)
Units Watts Out (UWO) is the new standard of measuring the maximum power of a drill. It is a combination of speed and torque. In short, the higher the UWO, the more powerful the drill is.
Drive Motor
Select the one with a brushless motor since it can be used for a longer period of time without the motor getting overheated.
Brushed vs. Brushless Motors
A brushless motor can sense the resistance and adjust according to the task. That means it pulls only less power during a task that requires less force and when performing heavy-duty tasks, it will draw more power. This results in optimum use of battery power and, thus, longer run time.
Furthermore, brushless motors do not suffer from friction and voltage drop, unlike regular motors. This will increase the life of the cordless drill. Also, they can be more powerful than the motors with brushes because there is more area to make the motor larger.
In short, brushless motors are more battery-efficient, powerful, and durable.
Cons
They are expensive compared to regular motors. On average, brushless motors are approximately 25 to 30% more expensive.
In addition to that, brushless motors require Lithium-ion batteries.
Chuck Size
The chuck size determines the maximum size of the drill bit you can hold. The most commonly available chuck sizes are 3/8- and ½-inch.
Batteries
Look for cordless drills that come with an extra battery. Having your cordless drill die in the middle of an intensive job can be very frustrating, so having an extra battery charged and ready to go is a great bonus.
The battery can last much longer if you are mainly using the cordless drill for driving screws. However, drilling hard materials can eat up your battery pretty fast.
New Battery Technologies: While lithium-ion is still the standard, there have been developments in battery technology, such as lithium-polymer, that offer higher energy density and a lower chance of leakage.
Charging Station
With the advancement of technology, batteries have improved a lot. Today, there is an inductive charging station that works on the principle of alternating magnetic fields to power up your battery.
There are also voltage-changing batteries that allow you to run the power tool according to your usage. Your battery will last longer between charges when you are performing light-duty jobs.
If you own a power tool of a certain brand, check if the cordless drill of the same brand can accept the battery of your existing power tool. Often you can use the same battery between your power tools manufactured by the same brand.
Speed Ranges
Some cordless drills come equipped with the ability to control the speed at which they work. This is a good feature, as different speeds allow for more flexibility when working with different materials.
- Dual Speed: Inexpensive basic models come with a single speed (RPM). Other variants are equipped with dual speed; one for drilling and one for driving screws.
- Variable Speed: In addition to the dual speed, most high-end models also have the facility to operate at variable speeds. This is desirable when you are working on different types of workpieces. For example, softer materials require a higher RPM whereas you need to reduce the speed to drill harder surfaces and metals.
Grip
You, or the person you buy the cordless drill for, will be holding it a lot. So, make sure you look for a drill that really advertises its grip. Look for ones that advertise “ergonomic grips” or “comfort grips.”
Built-in LED
A popular feature in modern cordless drills is the built-in LED light, which illuminates the work area when drilling in low-light conditions.
This may sound like a minor feature, but in my experience, the LED light really helps when working in tight spaces.
Cordless Drill Set
Do you know what is better than receiving a cordless drill as a present? Receiving a cordless drill combo set.
It’s very common to package cordless drills with large amounts of drill bits and other tools. If you can afford it, then you should always get a kit, after all, you never know when more tools and drill bits can come in handy.
So next time when you come across a cordless drill on sale, you know what to look for to select the best one. If you are still unsure if a cordless one is the right choice for you, then read on to find out why you should buy a cordless drill instead of a corded one.
Cordless Drill vs. Corded
So, why should you go with a cordless drill over a regular corded power drill?
Advantages of Cordless Drill/Driver
Convenience
One of the big selling points of cordless drills is that they are extremely convenient. You can pack them up in minutes and take them practically anywhere. Have to do some work inside the house? Grab your cordless drill and take care of it. A family member is asking you to fix something at their house across town? No problem, pack your cordless drill up and take it to their house. With a cordless drill, doing work is simple and quick. As long as you have a charged battery pack, you can work anywhere, even if no outlets are nearby.
Maneuverability
Modern cordless drills are very portable. If you have ever used a corded drill, then you know that it can be very bulky, and the cord will prevent you from moving the drill into tighter spots. Cordless drills are easy to hold, easy to handle, and easy to move into tight spots.
Doing jobs that require a lot of movement will be much easier with a cordless drill since they are convenient to operate.
Disadvantages
Battery-operated
Being powered by batteries is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, being battery-powered means that cordless drills can be taken anywhere. On the other hand, if your cordless drill’s battery is not charged, then you cannot use the drill.
So, if you forget to charge your drill’s battery the night before you use it, it may die while you are working, in which case you will have to wait several hours while it charges.
Regular drills with electric cables can be more powerful. In other words, a corded drill with the same power of a cordless drill/driver is normally much lighter. This is because of the extra weight of the battery pack in a cordless drill.
Weight (They can wear out your hand quickly)
Cordless drills, especially powerful ones with bigger motors, can become pretty cumbersome to hold after a while. Furthermore, cordless drills can experience resistance when trying to drill into tough materials; this means that you will have to hold the drill extra tight, further tiring your hand and wrist.
Cordless Driver Drill vs. Screwdriver
Why should I buy a cordless driver drill instead of a cordless screwdriver?
Power
Cordless drills are much more powerful than cordless screwdrivers. Cordless drills have better gear systems and higher voltage batteries, meaning they can deliver more torque.
To give you an idea of the power disparity, your average cordless drill can deliver 50 Newton meters (the unit used to measure torque) of torque; on the other hand, your average cordless screwdriver can only deliver around 10 Newton meters of torque. Your cordless drill will have no issues drilling through hard surfaces like hardwood, plastic, or even metal; the same cannot be said about cordless screwdrivers.
Multi-Purpose
A power drill driver can be used for making holes as well as to drive screws, whereas power screwdrivers are used solely for the purpose of driving screws. This is a tool that is becoming obsolete.
Cordless Drill Brands. Which is the Best?
American Brands
- DeWalt: Professional grade power tools for construction and heavy-duty work.
- Black and Decker: A very popular brand in the world of power tools.
- Porter-Cable: While DeWalt is known as a professional-grade tools brand, Porter Cable is the affordable grade from Stanley Black and Decker.
- Craftsman: This is a brand popular for mechanic tools.
*All the above brands are owned by one company, Stanley Black and Decker.
- Milwaukee: Many consider the Wisconsin-based Milwaukee Tool (now a subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.) as the industry leader in power tools. The company is behind innovations such as RedLithium and Force Logic, which are widely used in Milwaukee cordless drills.
- Ryobi: Good choice for DIY enthusiasts and household chores. The Ryobi brand is also now owned by TTI Group.
- RIDGID: Another North American brand that was established in 1923 in Ohio, U.S. They are a big name in hand tools, especially plumping tools like pipe wrenches. Ridgid cordless drills are of decent quality.
- SKIL: They are a US-based company that manufactures a number of power tools. But honestly, cordless drills are not their strength. SKIL is well known for power saws, especially circular saws.
German Brand
Bosch: The German tool manufacturer makes high-quality power tools.
Japanese Brands
- Makita: The Japanese-based Makita Corporation is a multi-national company with worldwide operations. However, a large number of their power tools are made in the USA in their factory in Nat Buford, Georgia.
- Metabo HPT (Hitachi Tools): The massive Japanese corporation is known for a wide range of products. In my experience, Hitachi cordless drills are very reliable.
What Brand Should You Buy?
If you are buying the cordless drill/driver for regular home improvement jobs, DIY, furniture assembly, etc, the brand really doesn’t matter. All the above-mentioned power tool brands produce good quality drills. So take a look at the important features that I told you about and choose the one that you can afford.
If you are looking for a professional-grade cordless drill, then I suggest that you go for DeWalt, Milwaukee, or Makita. For more detailed recommendations, see the list of best cordless drill drivers.
As of 2024, DeWalt and Milwaukee continue to lead the market, closely followed by Makita and Bosch, which are renowned for their reliability and excellent quality. For DIY enthusiasts, I would recommend Ryobi due to its excellent value and versatile product range.
How Do Drills Work?
You already know that drilling machines have a driving motor that rotates the drill bit which is the cutting tool. But let’s get a bit more in-depth than that.
Cordless drills run on battery power. The battery in a cordless drill powers the motor that is in every cordless drill/driver.
So, what happens when you press the trigger on a cordless drill?
Well, when a current is applied to the motor, powerful magnetic forces cause the rotor (an internal component of the motor) to begin turning. As the rotor turns it creates a sort of domino effect.
The rotor turns an axle, which then turns a transmission. The transmission has several gears that start to turn the spindle rapidly, creating the drilling action. All this happens within milliseconds of you pulling the trigger on your cordless drill.
Cordless Drill Operating Tips
Here are some tips to keep in mind when using a cordless drill:
- Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes while drilling.
- When drilling big holes in hard material, always drill a pilot hole.
- If you are drilling metal, mark and dot punch the position. It helps you to locate and drive the drill bit easily.
- Never hold a cordless drill by the trigger; someone may get hurt if your finger slips.
- Make sure the space you are drilling in is clean and clear.
- Never touch a drill bit after using the drill; the metal may be hot from friction.
- Make sure the battery on the cordless drill is properly installed before using the drill.
- Avoid baggy clothing or anything that could potentially get caught by the drill.
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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.