After you have a hammer, screwdriver and tape measurer in your toolbox, the next piece of home improvement equipment worth picking up is a cordless power drill.
Whether you have extensive home repair and DIY projects coming up, or you just want to be prepared to mount your TV on a wall, an electric drill is a must. It lets you properly install screws into wood and drywall, and it’s much quicker and more accurate than a manual screwdriver.
“In general, cordless drills are most definitely the way to go for DIYers,” Ethan James, a professional carpenter who teaches about tools and home improvement how-tos through courses and his YouTube channel The Honest Carpenter, told the New York Post.
“The presence of a built-in brake and built-in clutch make them drastically more useful than corded models, because cordless can carry out both drilling and driving operations effectively,” James said.
Since there are a lot of drills to choose from and they all have slightly different strengths and weaknesses, James walked the New York Post through the best cordless drills for different budgets, tasks and interests.
While James told The Post that a simple 12-volt power drill will give most shoppers everything they need, he also said more powerful models are worth considering, even for novices. “Don’t be afraid of an 18-volt or 20-volt drill,” James said. “The adjustable clutches let you dial down torque, so they’re gentle and easy to manage. Plus, the extra voltage will let you grow into bigger projects.”
Click below to jump to a category:
- Best Overall Cordless Power Drill
- Best Small Cordless Power Drill
- Best Budget-Friendly Cordless Power Drill
- Best Splurge-Worthy Cordless Power Drill
- Best Heavy-Duty Cordless Power Drill
- Best Lightweight Cordless Power Drill
- Best Cordless Hammer Drill
- Best Cordless Impact Driver
Best Overall Cordless Power Drill
DEWALT 20V Max Cordless ½ ” Drill
Pros:
Cons:
- Compact and lightweight design
- Half-inch drill size accommodates heavy-duty and regular bits
- Two speed settings
- Includes limited drill bit selection in kit
“There’s a reason it has over 35,000 five-star reviews,” said James about this DEWALT drill. It comes with a carrying case, a charging dock and two lithium-ion batteries, and has enough functionality to handle any drilling or screwing tasks you’ll run into with your home construction projects. The drill is also backed by DEWALT’s 3-year limited warranty, should any issues arise.
“Some pros will fight me on this, but DEWALT boxed out the competition long ago on many drills and drivers, especially for the DIY crowd,” said James. “Great price range, too.”
Best Small Cordless Power Drill
Bosch 12V Max Drill
Pros:
Cons:
- Includes five head attachments for different jobs
- Lets you drill around corners and in tight spots
- Built-in flashlight
- Amount of torque (265 inch-pounds) could be higher
This is the drill to get when you want a ton of functionality and need to save space. With Bosch’s 5-In-1 Flexiclick System, you can quickly swap between a wide variety of drill bit types and sizes, as well as use the different heads to reach awkward spots.
“Bosch has been experimenting a lot lately, and their head-swappable 12v cordless drill is extremely interesting,” said James. “Lightweight and versatile, with probably the most ergonomic battery grip out there.”
It also includes a zippered case for easy storage, two batteries and a charging dock so you can be ready to drill whenever you need to. “It may be a splurge tool, but it’s multifunctional,” said James.
Best Budget-Friendly Cordless Power Drill
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Drill
Pros:
Cons:
- Supports 11 speed settings for drilling (high speed) and installing screws (low speed)
- Built-in drill bit holder on handle
- Lightweight to avoid fatigue
- Only includes one battery
- No carrying case
First-time drill buyers will benefit from this affordable option. It’s powerful enough to take care of simple drilling and screwing tasks around the house, and it doesn’t have any complicated settings or attachments that might throw off novices. It also has a trigger-activated LED light to help you clearly see your work area.
“After some very middling years, BLACK+DECKER has reemerged as a great budget tool company,” said James. “Their 20v Max is very reliable for under $50. Glad to see them finding a modern niche.”
One thing to keep in mind: remember to take the battery out of the drill when you’re done using it so it doesn’t get drained. Since this model only includes one battery, you won’t have a backup if it runs out of power.
Best Splurge-Worthy Cordless Power Drill
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless ½” Drill
Pros:
Cons:
- Includes belt clip
- Offers high amount of torque (500 inch-pounds)
- Half-inch drill size accommodates heavy-duty and regular bits
- Only includes one battery
With a higher than average torque output, this cordless drill works extremely well for projects that require a minimum amount of power — such as drilling through wood or installing screws — or a high amount of power — such as drilling through steel or concrete.
This tool also uses Milwaukee’s REDLINK technology to communicate with the REDLITHIUM battery and adjust its power output to match only what the drill needs. Over time, that can result in the battery losing power less quickly and having a longer lifespan.
“Milwaukee is the reigning champ of pro-grade drills, and they have an outrageous variety of them,” said James. “It can be confusing for newcomers, but their simple 18-volt brushless cordless drill is a guaranteed performer. And it’s not drastically more expensive than DEWALT!”
Best Heavy-Duty Cordless Power Drill
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless ½” Drill
Pros:
Cons:
- Compact design for working in tight spaces
- Adjustable LED with three light modes
- Connects to DEWALT Tool Connect app to keep track of drill’s whereabouts
- Price is high for not including extra attachments or accessories
Whether your projects call for drilling through dense materials such as metal, brick or concrete, or you just have a lot of holes to drill, a heavy-duty tool makes your work significantly quicker and easier. DEWALT claims this model operates with 40% more power than their earlier Max XR, making this tool an especially smart choice if you ever have difficulty applying enough force when you’re drilling.
“I’d have to give this to DEWALT for their 20v Max XR,” said James. “It’s a really beefy combination drill with a long run time, provided you use it with their 5 amp-hour batteries.”
James said you’ll notice the extra motor weight when you pick it up, but it’s not so heavy that it becomes difficult to use. “The side handle attachment is a good addition for drills this size, too,” he said.
Best Lightweight Cordless Power Drill
SKIL 4V Cordless Rechargeable Screwdriver
Pros:
Cons:
- Super compact and lightweight
- Built-in Micro USB charging port
- LED light to illuminate work space
- Lacks power and functionality of full-size drills
If you’re mostly looking for a power drill to help you assemble mail-order furniture more quickly and deal with the occasional screwdriving job more efficiently than a manual screwdriver can, this is the tool for you. Its handle is just large enough to let you easily apply leverage without risk of slipping or going crooked, yet small enough to occupy minimal drawer space.
Plus, you get a set of nine bits that include a socket wrench, so you can use this with a variety of screw and bolt types.
“SKIL has a couple extremely lightweight 4-volt cordless drills that people really love,” said James. “I don’t use really small drills too often, but for folks who are just backing out the occasional screw at the house, you really can’t go wrong with this. It’s so cheap it’s practically free.”
Best Cordless Hammer Drill
DEWALT 20V MAX SDS Rotary Hammer Drill
Pros:
Cons:
- Active vibration reduction system
- Dial control easily switches between three drilling modes
- Fold-down side handle reduces bulkiness
“If you really need to bore holes in masonry or concrete, but want to ditch the power cord, then it’s probably impossible to beat the DEWALT 20-volt Max SDS Rotary,” said James.
This hammer drill can quickly and cleanly put holes in bricks, cement and other dense materials — making it a great choice for the truly heavy-duty jobs around your home. Although it requires a bit of calibrating to set up, mainly by adjusting the side handle to give you the right amount of leverage, it’s relatively simple to use for such a powerful tool.
“This is an actual hammer drill,” James said, “you’ll need your SDS masonry bits to even use it. But the three mode settings, drill, hammer and drill/hammer, are everything you’d find in a corded rotary. And at a very decent price for cordless.”
Best Cordless Impact Driver
Milwaukee M18 Brushless Compact ¼” Cordless Hex Impact Driver
Pros:
Cons:
- Massive amount of torque (1,600 inch-pounds)
- Compact size for working in confined spaces
- Built-in LED light
- Doesn’t come with drill bits
If your DIY or construction projects require drilling in many, many screws, you could be better off buying an impact driver. This Milwaukee impact driver is built for power and speed, so even a single person can sink a lot of screws without becoming fatigued.
As with Milwaukee’s other power drills, this model uses their REDLINK technology to maximize battery efficiency and help your battery last longer and provide a more full charge. Your purchase also includes a carrying case and charging dock, which you can use with REDLITUIUM batteries for other Milwaukee devices.
“Once again, Milwaukee is just the choice of pros,” said James. “I’m always amazed when their drivers don’t review as well as DEWALT on Amazon, but either way, they’re still king in the engineering department. Their M18 brushless impact driver is insanely well-priced for a top-line product.”
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