Chuck Size: The easiest way to differentiate between different cordless drills is to check their chuck size. As you would expect, this allows you to make sure that you are buying the correct size drill bits. You can find chuck size options like ½ inch and ⅜ inch while buying a cordless drill. Battery Power: Cordless drills use battery power for their functioning. Due to this, the batter power offered by them is quite important to know. You can find options like 18 volt or 20 volt batteries in most cordless drills where a 20 volt battery will perform better. Motor Speed: You can also check the motor speed to make sure that a given cordless drill performs as per your needs. Just like various other power tools, the motor speed of a cordless drill is given as 1200 RPM or 1500 RPM. And as you would expect, the 1500 RPM cordless drill will perform better than the 1200 RPM one.
You can find some of the best cordless drills in this article, along with their features and options. And we have also mentioned a detailed Buying Guide with various details related to cordless drills.
Best Budget Cordless Drill 2023
Top Cordless Drills: Reviews
1. DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill
Cordless grass shears Cordless screwdrivers Cordless impact driver Cordless impact wrench
Dewalt is one of the most popular and mainstream brands of power tools. As it offers various kinds of power tools, you can also find cordless drills options made by Dewalt. The Dewalt DCD771C2 is present in the 1st position in this article as it is a high-performance cordless drill. It comes with a 20-volt battery that is responsible for powering its ½ inch chuck. You get a motor speed of either 450 RPM or 1500 RPM depending on your speed setting. And this is more than enough for most users for easily drilling into different objects and surfaces. As this is a reputable brand of power tools, Dewalt offers a 3-year warranty with this cordless drill. You also get a decent build quality that means that it can easily last for a long time without any issues. This cordless drill has an ergonomic handle that offers both grip as well as comfort while using it for drilling into different surfaces. It even comes with various useful accessories. Highlights
½ inch chuck size 20-volt battery 3-year warranty Motor speed of up to 1500 RPM Decent build quality Ergonomic and comfortable handle for grip Easily change motor speed
Components
Cordless drill Battery Charging kit Carrying bag User manual Warranty card
2. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Drill
Black and Decker is a highly popular brand of power tools that is mainly known for making affordable options. And this is also true for the Black Decker cordless drill mentioned here in this article. Black and Decker’s LDX120C cordless drill is present in the 2nd position in this article as it is one of the cheapest cordless drill options available out there. But it is still able to offer a lot of things for its given price. While it has a slightly smaller ⅜ inch, you get a pretty good drilling performance with it. This is possible because it uses a 20-volt battery to power its motor. You also get an 11 position clutch in this cordless drill that can be quite handy for many users. And you can even change the drill speed if needed for drilling into softer or harder objects. A great thing about this cordless drill is that it comes with multiple accessories that make it an excellent value for money option. Since this is a budget cordless drill, you only get a 2-year warranty with it. Thankfully, the build quality is quite decent in this Black Decker drill. Highlights
⅜ inch chuck size 20-volt battery 2-year warranty Motor speed of up to 650 RPM 11 position clutch Adjustable motor speed Easy to replace batteries
Components
Cordless drill Battery Charging kit Double-ended drill bit User manual Warranty card
3. KIMO Cordless Drill Driver Kit
Kimo is a comparatively smaller brand of power tools that also makes cordless drills. But its cordless drill has a high user rating due to the accessories and features that it offers. This Kimo cordless drill is present in the 3rd position in this article as it comes with various accessories. It includes things like a carrying bag, battery, charger, various screwdriver bits, drill bits and brushes. As a result, this is a great value for money product, especially when you consider its affordable price tag. You get a 12 volt battery in this cordless drill that is quite powerful for the given price. Just like the previous Black Decker cordless drill, this one also comes with a ⅜ inch chuck size. Thankfully, it has a decent drilling performance due to its 18+1 clutch. You get 280-inch pound torque in this portable cordless drill that allows you to drill into various materials with ease. It offers a decent build quality along with a 2-year warranty to its users that is always great to have. Highlights
⅜ inch chuck size 12-volt battery 2-year warranty Motor speed of up to 1350 RPM Comes with various accessories Inbuilt LED light 18+1 clutch 280-inch pound torque
Components
Cordless drill Battery Charging kit Carrying bag Screwdriver bits Drill bits Brushes User manual Warranty card
4. PORTER-CABLE 20V MAX Cordless Drill Combo Kit
Porter Cable is one of the oldest and highly popular brands of power tools. It offers power tools of all shapes and sizes, including this cordless drill. As per the name of this cordless drill, it is a pack of two that comes with a combination of two cordless drills. Due to this, it offers great value for money, and it can be a great option if you need multiple drills for commercial usage. One of these drills has a chuck size of ½ inch that uses the 20-volt battery to offer a drilling speed of up to 1500 RPM. On the other hand, the second drill has a ¼ inch chuck size that is powered by the same 20-volt battery. But unlike the previous option, this one comes with a motor speed rating of up to 2800 RPM. Both of these drills offer a great build quality along with a 3-year warranty. You also get other useful accessories included in this kit that make it a great value for money option. Highlights
½ inch and ¼ chuck sizes 20-volt battery 3-year warranty Motor speed of up to 1500 RPM and 2800 RPM Inbuilt LED light Space for drill bit storage Compact and portable design Weighs 3.5 and 3.3 pounds
Components
Two cordless drills Batteries Charging kit Carrying bag User manual Warranty card
5. CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
Craftsman offers various kinds of power tools that can be quite handy for different applications. It also makes a cordless drill that offers various things for its given price tag. This Craftsman has a comparatively lower price tag when compared with other cordless drills. Even then, it offers a 20-volt battery pack that power its ½ inch chuck size. As a result, you can expect decent performance from this drill. You also get a 3-year warranty along with great build quality. As a result, it can easily last for a long time. Its 20-volt batteries take 60 minutes or less to fully charge. And just like various other options, it offers two motor speeds that go up to 1500 RPM. Highlights
½ inch chuck size 20-volt battery 3-year warranty Motor speed of up to 1500 RPM Easy to switch speeds Inbuilt LED light 60 minute charging time
Components
Cordless drill Battery Charging kit User manual Warranty card
6. Makita XFD131 18V LXT Cordless 1/2 In. Driver-Drill Kit
Makita is one of the more premium brands of power tools out there. And as you would expect, it also offers cordless drill options, including the XFD131. The Makita XFD131 comes with an 18-volt battery that can be found in various other Makita power tools out there. But despite its lower voltage rating, this battery can offer excellent performance in this cordless drill. You get to choose from 2 motor speeds that include 500 RPM and 1900 RPM. Since this is much higher than other options out there, you get an excellent drilling performance. Its ½ inch chuck size is powered by an 18-volt battery that is rated at 3.0 Ah. As a result, you can expect a great battery life from this cordless drill. Since this drill uses a brushless motor, it is quite silent and smooth. You also get a 3-year warranty with this motor since it is quite reliable. And just like other Makita tools, this one also has a great build quality that means that it can easily last for a long time. Highlights
½ inch chuck size 18-volt battery 3-year warranty Motor speed of up to 1900 RPM Two adjustable motor speeds Ergonomic handle Brushless motor 440-inch pound torque Great build quality
Components
Cordless drill Battery Charging kit Carrying bag User manual Warranty card
7. Ryobi P208 One+ 18V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver kit
Ryobi is one of the most popular value for money power tool brands out there. You can even find various cordless drill options from Ryobi, including the one mentioned here in this article. The Ryobi P208 One+ cordless drill is one of the cheapest drill options present in this article. And even then, it comes with a ½ inch chuck size. While this is powered by an 18 volt battery system, you get decent performance out of it. This is possible as it uses a 24 gear system. Even though this is a budget cordless drill, you get a 3-year warranty with it. You even get useful features like inbuilt LED lights in this drill. It offers an ergonomic rubber grip that is quite comfortable and provides a decent grip while using this drill. Highlights
½ inch chuck size 18-volt battery 3-year warranty Motor speed of up to 1500 RPM Inbuilt LED lights Ergonomic rubber handle for comfortable grip Value for money 24 gear system Keyless chuck
Components
Cordless drill Battery Charging kit User manual Warranty card
8. Kobalt 24-Volt Max Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) 1/2-in Cordless Brushless Drill
Kobalt is a fairly unknown brand of power tools when compared with other power tool brands. But if it offers high-performance options like its cordless drill. While this cordless drill from Kobalt is slightly on the expensive side, it offers a 24-volt battery. This battery is quite powerful when compared with other options. It is used to power its ½ inch chuck size for great drilling performance and high motor speeds. Another great thing about this cordless drill is that it is the most durable option present in this article. You get a 5-year warranty along with decent build quality. Highlights
½ inch chuck size 24-volt battery 5-year warranty Motor speed of up to 2000 RPM 0 Ah battery life rating 650-inch pound torque
Components
Cordless drill Battery Charging kit Drill bit holder Belt clip Double-ended driver bit Carrying bag User manual Warranty card
Buying Guide for the Best Cordless Drills
We have mentioned various cordless drill options in this article, along with all of their drills. And this can be quite helpful to easily pick the best one for you. Although, if you still have any doubts regarding cordless drills, we are here with a detailed guide for you. You can find all of the various details related to cordless drills in this buying guide. As a result, you can simply go through this buying guide and choose the perfect cordless drill for you:
1. Chuck Size
One of the easiest ways to distinguish between different drills is their size or chuck size. This simply tells you the supported drill bit size that you can use with a given cordless drill. You can find different options like ⅜ inch or ½ inch chuck sizes while buying a cordless drill. And as you would expect, this means that such cordless drills can use a ⅜ inch or a ½ inch drill bit, respectively. While the chuck size of a drill size does not directly affect the drilling performance of a cordless drill, it is generally recommended to go with an option that offers a larger chuck size. As a result, a cordless drill with a ½ inch chuck size is to be considered the better option.
2. Battery Voltage
Just like any other power tool or a drill, cordless drills also need power for powering their motor that is used for powering the drill bit and drilling into a given object or surface. But since a cordless drill does not need a power socket, it simply means that such drills use batteries for powering their motor. Therefore, the battery power offered in a cordless drill is also quite essential to check. It ensures that you are getting enough power while drilling. The battery power of a cordless drill is given in volts as 18 volt or 20 volt. And in most cases, a cordless drill with a higher voltage rating of 20 volts will perform better for drilling into a given object.
3. Battery Life
You should also check the battery life offered by a given cordless drill. Batteries run out of power if you are using your cordless drill for a long time. And the battery life offered by a drill is quite important to check, especially if you want to use it for professional applications. You can check the battery life rating in a drill by check the Ah rating of the battery. Different cordless drills come with different Ah rating as 1.0 Ah or 2.0 Ah. And as you would expect, a 2.0 Ah battery will last longer than a 1.0 Ah in most cases. Thankfully, most cordless drills allow you to quickly and easily change the batteries if you run out of power. This can be quite handy as you can keep multiple batteries in your bag and keep using your drill for a long time without any issues.
4. Motor Speed
Another important factor to look for while buying a cordless drill is its motor speed. Just like various other power tools out there, you can also find the motor speed mentioned in such cordless drills. This directly affects the drilling performance of a drill as a faster motor speed allows you to easily drill even in hard surfaces. You can find motor speed options like 1100 RPM or 1200 RPM while buying a cordless drill. And as you would expect, a higher speed of 1200 RPM results in a better performing cordless drill. A great thing about cordless drills is that most of them allow you to change the motor speed. This can be quite useful to decrease the motor speed while drilling into soft materials and increase it while drilling into hard ones.
5. Size and Weight
Since cordless drills run on battery power and do not require a power socket to function, a lot of them can be a great portable option. But to ensure that you can use them on the go, you should also check their size and weight. As you would expect, a smaller and compact cordless drill can be quite easily used on the go. It also takes less space to store when not in use. You can also check the weight of a given cordless drill as a lightweight drill has less strain on your wrists and arms while drilling for a long time at once.
6. Accessories
A lot of cordless drills out there come with different accessories that can be quite handy. This mainly includes things like batteries and battery charger kits. As cordless drills use battery power to function, you should go with one that comes with included batteries. On the other hand, if your drill does not come with included batteries, you might have to buy separate ones that increase the overall price of the drill. You can also find other things like carrying bags and drill bits included with a cordless drill. As you would expect, this makes the given cordless drill an excellent value for money option since you do not have to buy these accessories separately.
7. Durability and Reliability
As cordless drills are used for drilling into all kinds of objects and surfaces, you should make sure that you are buying a durable and reliable cordless drill. But there are various factors that might affect the durability of a given drill. Therefore, the easiest way to ensure that a given cordless drill is durable is to check the warranty duration offered by it. Most of the portable drill options out there come with a 2 year or a 3-year warranty. But some of them even come with a 5-year long warranty. You can also check the materials used by the drill bits of a given cordless drill. Drill bits made of titanium or tungsten carbide usually last for a long time that makes them highly durable and reliable. Such cordless drills can be used for a long time without facing any issues.
What does torque mean on a cordless drill?
Torque in power tools such as cordless drills is the force produced by the drill to rotate the drill bit. It is usually measured in Newton Meters (Nm) and it doesn’t represent the speed of the drill but rather the rotational force. Torque is an important specification of a drill as higher torque means the cordless drill can easily be used on hard surfaces (such as concrete).
What cordless drill has the most torque?
Some popular cordless drills with most torque figures are: DEWALT 20V MAX XR, Milwaukee 2803-20 M18 FUEL, POPOMAN Impact Driver, Makita XFD12Z 18V LXT.
What can a cordless drill be used for?
A Cordless Drill is a battery-operated power tool that is primarily used for making holes in different materials (wood, concrete, etc.). It can also be used for inserting screws and fasteners.
Are cordless drills powerful enough?
While corded electric drills are significantly more powerful than their cordless counterparts, cordless drills are powerful enough for drilling holes in different materials. With the usage of brushless motors and Lithium-ion batteries, cordless drills are more powerful than ever and they can easily handle everyday household jobs.
What is the difference between a drill and an impact driver?
Drill and impact driver are two similar looking power tools but there are small differences between them. A Drill is an essential power tool used for making holes and fastening screws. It is available as corded or cordless. It usually consists of a hex chuck to firmly secure the drill bit. An impact driver on the other hand is slightly more powerful than a standard drill with higher torque and lower weight. Instead of a chuck, impact drivers usually have a quick-change clamp to hold the bit. Drills can be used to drill holes, drive screws and fasteners (usually smaller ones). Impact Drivers are usually used for drive screws and fasteners for a long duration, longer and bigger screws and bolts.
Are cordless drills as good as corded drills?
Corded Drills are generally lighter, powerful and noisier than Cordless Drills. You can use them for a long time and are usually more durable. That said, modern cordless drills are quite powerful than older models due to brushless motors and lithium-ion batteries. They may be slightly heavier (due to batteries) but are portable and very convenient to use. For simple household jobs, cordless drills are more than enough and are powerful enough as well.
How long do cordless drills last on a single charge?
If we are talking about the duration of usage after a full charge, then typical cordless drills usually last anywhere between 90 – 120 minutes of continuous usage. If we are talking about the overall lifetime of cordless drills, then with proper care, regular charging and usage and definitely not over charging the battery, cordless drills can easily last anywhere between 3 – 5 years.
What is the difference between 20v MAX and 20v max XR?
The 20V MAX and 20V MAX XR are couple of cordless tool categories from DEWALT. The 20V MAX lineup has the same standard size and regular brushed motor and the batteries are lithium-ion. The 20V MAX XR is an improved version of the 20V XR and is usually compact in size with enhanced components and a better and efficient brushless motor.
What makes a cordless drill more powerful?
The two important jobs of cordless drills are making holes and tightening screws and fasteners. Cordless drills with higher voltages usually have bigger motors and hence they are more powerful with higher torque values. Using brushless motors instead of brushed motors will also make a difference as brushless motor can have higher RPM and better torque than brushed counterparts. Another thing that impacts the cordless drill’s power is the size of the chuck. A bigger chuck can hold bigger drill bits and can deliver more power.
What cordless drill has highest RPM?
Cordless Drills with speeds greater than 1500RPM are generally considered good and anything less than that might not deliver the power. That said, there are some cordless drills that have over 2500RPM. The Metabo BE 18 LTX 6 is capable of reaching 4000RPM and has a torque of approximately 4Nm.
Conclusion
Cordless drills are quite practical and easy to use. Since these do not need a power socket and use battery power, they are a great portable option. Thus, we have mentioned some of the best cordless drills in this article. Although, if you still have any doubts regarding these cordless drills, here are some of our recommendations:
If you are on a budget, then you can go with the Black Decker LDX120C cordless drill. Even though it is one of the cheapest options out there, it comes with a 20-volt battery that offers decent performance for its ⅜ inch chuck size. And despite its lower price tag, you get a 2-year warranty with it. You even get multiple accessories with it, including a battery and charging kit that makes it an excellent value for money option. Although if you want a highly reliable and powerful cordless drill, then the Kobalt cordless drill can be another great option. It has a 24-volt battery along with a ½ inch chuck size that makes it one of the best options out there. This battery is rated at 2.0 Ah for decent battery life. And since it has a 5-year long warranty along with great build quality, you can expect it to last for a long time without any issues. The Dewalt DCD771C2 can be another great option if you are looking for a powerful cordless drill option. Just like various other options out there, this one also comes with a 20 volt battery. This battery offers great performance along with decent battery life while using this ½ inch cordless drill. You also get a decent build quality along with a 3-year long warranty with it since it is a reliable brand of power tools.
Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments section. You can also post any questions down there if you have any! Comment * Name * Email * Website
Δ
