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Regarding drills, going cordless has many advantages. Battery-operated tools are portable, versatile and ergonomic. Contrary to popular belief, they can deliver outstanding power output and sustained high performance. Have a look at the best cordless drills on the market.
BLACK+DECKER 20V Power Drill (LD120VA)
This 20-volt drill is excellent for anyone who’s new to tools or has a growing collection. It easily handles screwing through wood, plastic or metal surfaces with up to 750 revolutions per minute (rpm) while providing a soft grip for your continued comfort. If you’re tired of overdriving or stripping screws, you’ll love LD120VA’s 24-position clutch.
Regarding accessories, your purchase will come with these 30 extras, including brad-point drill and screw-driving bits, nut drivers and a magnetic bit tip holder.
You only need one lithium-ion battery to power it. It has the POWERCONNECT battery system, which is interchangeable with other BLACK+DECKER products.
DEWALT 20V Compact Brushless Drill (DCD708C2)
The DCD708C2 spans only 6.3 inches from front to back and weighs 2.4 pounds, allowing it to fit into tight spaces. Its brushless motor delivers 340 unit watts out, and its maximum rotational speed reaches 5,800 rpm.
It also has a variable speed trigger for precision and control, especially on delicate work surfaces. You don’t have to drill in the dark with its built-in light-emitting diode (LED). This tool puts a premium on ergonomics for comfort and balance, which comes in handy when drilling for an extended period. It runs on two lithium-ion batteries, too.
As a testament to DEWALT’s confidence in this product, it backs it with a three-year warranty.
Metabo HPT 18V Sub-Compact Drill-Driver (DS18DDXS)
The next-gen version of the Metabo HPT 18-volt cordless sub-compact drill-driver offers tremendous value for your money. Its tool body warranty lasts for life, and it has one and two years of protection for the batteries and charger, respectively.
This model takes on 485 inches per pound of torque, so masonry, hardwood and other rigid surfaces don’t stand a chance.
The DS18DDXS is just 6.2 inches long and 1.9 pounds heavy, making it suitable for cramped environments. It beams a bright LED light and boasts a center-balance design. Its ½-inch keyless chuck renders bit replacement painless and ensures a tight grip to prevent slippage.
In addition to two lithium-ion batteries and a charger, a pair of Phillips bits is part of the package, too.
Makita 18V Hammer Drill-Driver (XPH14Z)
If you have the budget for a feature-packed drill, you’ll enjoy the XPH14Z. It delivers 1,250 inches per pound of max torque and 0-31,500 blows per minute, speeding up hammer drilling into masonry materials.
This model is 14% shorter than its predecessor, promising a more compact and ergonomic design. It features an all-metal 1/2-inch self-ratcheting chuck for enhanced bit-gripping strength, LED lights for increased safety, and a rubberized soft grip for improved comfort.
The XPH14Z is part of the world’s largest cordless tool system powered by 18V lithium-ion slide-style batteries. That’s why it has a speedy charging time, sitting less on the charger and spending more time working.
Plan to use it every day? Makita monitors its condition to protect it against overheating, overloading and over-discharging.
DEWALT 20V Hammer Drill-Driver (DCD998B)
This second entry from DEWALT has a brushless motor, which can deliver 57% more runtime than its brushed counterparts.
The DCD998B has a 3-speed transmission optimized for masonry. It also demonstrates exceptional bit retention because of its robust ½-inch ratcheting nitro-carbonized metal chuck with carbide inserts.
Regarding lighting, this lithium-ion battery-powered drill’s LED brightens dark and confined areas up to 20 times better than its previous version. Spotlight — one of its three LED modes — has a 20-minute shutoff feature for extended drilling sessions.
DEWALT engineered this drill with POWERDETECT. This technology maximizes the performance of high-capacity XR batteries, resulting in 60% more runtime and 29% more power than tools equipped with standard XR batteries.
WAKYME 12.6V Power Drill (0821)
This mini power drill is a must-have for homeowners who like getting their hands dirty around the house. Its all-copper double gear bearing motor can produce a load capacity of 300 inches per pound max torque. It has a no load speed of 19,000-23,000 rpm.
This model has two variable speed settings — 0-350 and 0-1,500 rpm — and comes with a stepless speed trigger to easily regulate how fast it goes as your DIY brick, wood or metal drilling project requires.
Moreover, it has 18 adjustable clutch settings, an LED work light and a pair of lithium-ion batteries with a charging speed of 1 to 2 hours. Its ⅜-inch keyless chuck enables one-hand changing of accessories and provides an automatic spindle lock. Its Forward/Reverse switch empowers you to control the drilling direction and secure or remove screws.
PORTER-CABLE 20V Drill-Driver (PCCK607LB)
This compact and lightweight drill has a brushless motor capable of 370 max watts out of power, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications with minimal interruption. Its rotational speed can go up to 1,800 for drilling and fastening. Its ½-inch ratcheting chuck promises excellent bit retention.
The PCCK607LB’s impressive feature set translates to less fatigue, 14% shorter length, 50% more runtime, 20% more power, and 20% more improved bit grip strength. With its Collar Mode, switching from drilling to fastening and vice versa prevents clutch setting loss.
This PORTER-CABLE drill can be a significant expense. However, you can confidently buy it because of its 3-year limited warranty.
Milwaukee 18V Compact Brushless Drill-Driver (2801-21P)
The Milwaukee 18-volt drill doubles as a powerful driver. Its combination of brushless motor, REDLINK Electronics and REDLITHIUM batteries allows it to consume power efficiently, which means fewer trips to the charger.
This tool lends itself to overhead drilling and tight-space projects. It’s only 6 and ½ inches long and 3.4 pounds heavy when loaded with a lithium-ion battery, so it’s convenient to use no matter how long the job takes.
Update Your Toolbox With Any of These Cordless Drills
These brief descriptions of the best cordless drills only scratch the surface of what they can do. Read as many Amazon reviews as possible to know whether they do precisely what their manufacturers say on the tin.
Original Publish Date 1/4/2021 — Updated 11/23/2023
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About The Author
Evelyn is the founder and editor-in-chief of Renovated with over 5 years of experience researching and writing about home living. Her passion project is writing about the real estate market and home staging. Her other passion projects include reading and exploring Lancaster for the best coffee shops.
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