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Tackle Any Household Project With the Leading Cordless Drills

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By Woodsmith Review Team
Last updated: 17 Jan 2023

Whether you are a professional handyman or simply enjoy doing DIY projects in the comfort of your own garage, a drill is something that you will need at some point in time. Drills are useful for mounting cupboards or TVs, installing doors, building bed frames, hanging curtain rods, and many more tasks. Get rid of that old corded drill because the best cordless drill in 2023 gives you an opportunity to cut holes in wood, walls, and metals regardless of where you are.

Best Overall
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Dewalt 20V Cordless Drill
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Runner-Up
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BLACK+DECKER 20V Cordless Drill
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Honorable Mention
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Avid Power Cordless Drill
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Also Consider
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PORTER-CABLE 20V Cordless Drill
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Show contents
Top Picks for the Finest Cordless Drill
  • 1 Dewalt 20V Cordless Drill
  • 2 BLACK+DECKER 20V Cordless Drill
  • 3 Avid Power Cordless Drill
  • 4 PORTER-CABLE 20V Cordless Drill

Best Cordless Drill Buying Guide

Whether you are a handyman, carpenter, or DIY whizz, you are going to need a cordless drill at some point in your life. In fact, no tool box is complete without one of these power tools. These tools are one of the most versatile and effective pieces of equipment when it comes to putting together furniture and drilling holes in the wall. To help you choose which drill is right for you, we have put together this nifty buying guide to answer all of your questions and point you in the right direction.

What Is a Cordless Drill?

A cordless drill, if you haven’t already guessed, is just like your standard drill, but without the infuriating cables. Cordless drills don’t need to be tethered to your mains socket, which makes them even more versatile than their rudimentary predecessor. These drill batteries are sometimes supplied with an electrical charger that works in the same way as your phone or razor charger. Simply plug it into the wall and give your drill a few hours to recharge before use.

Why Do I Need a Cordless Drill?

As aforementioned, you need a drill if you do any sort of manual labor, woodwork, or odd jobs around the house. These power tools have two main functions. The most obvious one is their ability to put holes in tough surfaces such as wood and brick. They are also a great way to fix screws and fasteners onto a particular surface. In addition, you may also use your drill to assemble furniture. The most powerful drills can help you with even the most arduous home improvement tasks.

What Should I Consider When Buying a Cordless Drill?

There are plenty of things you need to keep in mind when buying the best drill.

Voltage

It is easy to see how powerful a cordless is by looking at the packaging. Check the voltage before making a purchase. The higher the voltage, the more likely your drill will be able to penetrate tough materials.

Light, medium, or heavy-duty

Generally speaking, you can buy three types of cordless drills: light, medium, and heavy-duty. The light drill will come with the lowest voltage battery, while heavy-duty drills will come with the highest. If you are a professional, you will most likely require the heavy-duty model because it can handle all jobs, including remodeling and complicated construction work. The light-duty drill is perfect for all those DIY jobs around the home, and the medium drill sits somewhere in the middle and is suitable for a wide range of tasks.

Torque

Another important feature to look out for is torque. You need plenty of torque (the twisting force of your drill) if you plan on working with tough or difficult surfaces. This may not be particularly important when working with wood or plastic, but you’ll need plenty of torque when dealing with metal and concrete.

Drive motor

You should probably be aware of the difference between a regular and a brushless motor. Ideally, you will want to use a drill with a brushless motor. You can use them for long periods of time without overheating. They actually sense resistance and automatically change power depending on the task. This optimizes the drill’s use of battery power and ensures the drill will last longer. However, they can cost considerably more and require Lithium-ion batteries.

Drill chuck Size

You want to find a drill that can hold your required drill bit. Always make sure you check the drill chuck size before making your decision.

Batteries and charging stations

It is a good idea to buy a drill that comes with a spare battery. You do not want your drill to give up halfway through a job. Better yet, opt for a drill that comes with a charging station and excellent battery life. This way you’ll never have to buy new batteries again.

Speed Range

If you really want to get the most out of your cordless drill, check to see if it comes with the ability to change speed. Some drills now give you this option, which allows for greater control when working with multiple materials. Inexpensive models only come with one speed (300RPM). While more expensive drills feature dual or variable speed functions.

Grip

One of the most valuable tips is to look for a drill that advertises excellent grip. The best drill will use terms like “ergonomic” and “comfort” to describe its grip. These are the ones that will feel best in your hand.

LED Light

Many, but not all, drills come with an LED light to illuminate the area you are working on. This is especially helpful when working in dark spaces, such as in the attic, basement, or shed. If possible, you should purchase a drill with an LED light.

What Are the Different Types of Drills?

Broadly speaking, there are three types of drills on the market today: drill driver, combi-drill, and impact driver.

The drill driver is the most basic type of drill which can easily drive screws and drill holes. The combi-drill has the same features, but also comes with a hammer mode when dealing with tough materials. The impact driver is slightly different. They have a unique chuck, which can fit different screwdriver heads, which makes the drill perfect for jobs that require lots of screws. Hammer drills are also very similar to an impact driver.

Cordless Drill Price Range

Drills vary greatly when it comes to their price tag. For example, you can buy light-duty drills for as little as $20 in certain places. On the other end of the spectrum, you can find heavy-duty, all-purpose drills going for over $1000. The best cordless drill for household use can usually be bought for somewhere between $80 – $120.

How To Use a Cordless Drill

Though using a drill may seem easy at first, there are a few important details that are important to keep in mind. To help your next project go smoothly, watch this video from NextJeneration that shows you how to use these power tools:

Top Picks for the Finest Cordless Drill

1

Dewalt 20V Cordless Drill

– Best Overall
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This cordless drill delivers comfort and control with a compact, lightweight design to fit tight spaces. The high-speed transmission delivers two speeds for a variety of drilling applications.

Key Features

The Dewalt cordless drill comes with a convenient light, which illuminates dark settings for more visibility where lights may not be present. The quality carrying bag it comes with is sturdy with durable seams and doesn’t tear easily. The chuck can have difficulty holding the bits at times, which requires retightening it often.

2

BLACK+DECKER 20V Cordless Drill

– Runner-Up
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Buy on Amazon

This cordless drill is designed with lithium-ion technology and is ideal for drilling into wood, metal, plastic, and various screw driving tasks. It provides excellent control and precision.

Key Features

The Dewalt cordless drill comes with a convenient light, which illuminates dark settings for more visibility where lights may not be present. The quality carrying bag it comes with is sturdy with durable seams and doesn’t tear easily. The chuck can have difficulty holding the bits at times, which requires retightening it often.

3

Avid Power Cordless Drill

– Honorable Mention
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The superior motor of this cordless drill prevents hand fatigue and offers precise control for drilling or removing screws. It has a variable speed with an electric brake function for precise operation.

Key Features

The Porter-Cable cordless drill reverses screws out of materials smoothly and effortlessly, and the magnet tip on the bit is strong to prevent the screws from falling. The weight and balance of the drill are excellent, especially compared to more upscale, expensive brands in the industry. It doesn’t come with a nylon carrying bag to protect the parts and make it more convenient to carry.

4

PORTER-CABLE 20V Cordless Drill

– Also Consider
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Buy on Amazon

The high-performance motor of this cordless drill is paired with a two-speed gearbox and has a lightweight design to eliminate user hand fatigue. It measures less than eight inches in length.

Key Features

The Porter-Cable cordless drill reverses screws out of materials smoothly and effortlessly, and the magnet tip on the bit is strong to prevent the screws from falling. The weight and balance of the drill are excellent, especially compared to more upscale, expensive brands in the industry. It doesn’t come with a nylon carrying bag to protect the parts and make it more convenient to carry.

People Also Asked

Q: What is the best type of drill to use around the home?

A: Most people will never need more than a medium-grade drill for their home DIY projects. These can do a variety of jobs and come with dual-speed settings. You can find some with fairly high voltage and comfort grips.

Q: Should I take safety precautions when using a cordless drill?

A: Definitely. Although there is no wire attached to the drill for you to trip over, you should still wear safety goggles and protective gloves to protect yourself from any stray pieces of material. If you do not know how to handle a drill correctly, it’s always best to ask a more qualified professional for help.

Q: Do cordless drills make good gifts?

A: Cordless drills absolutely make good gifts! Consider giving someone a cordless drill for Christmas, Father's Day, or even for their birthday. If they don't already have one, a cordless drill is a gift that is sure to be well-appreciated and useful for years to come. 

Drills & Drivers
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By Woodsmith Review Team

The Woodsmith Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you choose the best tools and gear to build great-looking projects confidently. The content is created by The Woodsmith Review Team. Woodsmith’s editorial staff is not involved. Woodsmith is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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