Best Cordless Drill Reviews: 6 Drills Actually Worth Buying in 2021 (18v – 20v)

Gone are the days of hand-held screwdrivers and antique hole drills. Thankfully in these moderns times we have the best power drills at our disposal, a handy invention that allows us to rapidly screw/unscrew and drill holes effortlessly in whatever materials we need.

In today’s handheld power drill market the cordless variety stands out at the forefront. Cordless power drills offer portability, and anyone who’s worked with a drill for a more than a few hours knows how important this is. This handy guide and cordless drill reviews will cover everything you need to know about how to pick and get started with power drilling.

5 Best Cordless Drill Reviews

Best Cordless Drill Overall

1. DEWALT DCD796D2 20V Hammer-Drill Kit

This Dewalt cordless drill is actually a complete lightweight hammer drill kit. It takes the number one spot here because it delivers insane amounts of power for it’s size and is a solid, durable construction. Unless you work on an industrial level, this will be the only drill you’re going to need for years to come.

It has a high speed transmission with 2 variations of speed, giving it great performance on various materials from soft wood to tough masonry jobs. It’s tough build means no wobble (assuming you’ve properly tightened the chuck) and it includes the charger with this kit.

Pros:

• Light and Compact
• Ergonomic and Comfortable Handle
• Handles tough surfaces like Concrete
• 2 Speed Variations
• Great 3 Year Warranty
• Additional Hammer Function if needed

Cons:

• Pricier than other options
• Heavier than typical Cordless Drills

Best Compact Cordless Drill

2. Makita Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless 

Makita is a great cordless drill to add to any arsenal. It’s quick charging, going from dead to full in 30 minutes. It’s compact and lightweight build let you easily work in tight spaces ergonomically.

It’s motor delivers a torque of 480 lbs up to 1900 RPM. The set includes the drill as well as an 18 volt lithium-ion batter and the Makita Rapid Charger.

Pros:

• Great Value
• Very compact
• All-Metal build (solid construction)
• LED light for dark spots
• Powerful, breeze through light to medium workloads

Cons:

• Hard time with thick brick and concrete
• No battery or charger included

Best Brushless Drill

3. PORTER-CABLE 20V MAX

This cordless is a favorite for  daily tasks, whether light or heavy duty. The brushless motor means up to 50% longer usage at 1,800 Max RPM and 370 MWO. Drilling speeds are very fast and provide minimal stalling as well.

It is one of the most compact and lightweight drills on this list, which means it’s ideal for tight spaces and all-day usage. There’s an option on the collar for you to switch between drilling and fastening modes which won’t lose the normal clutch setting.

Pros:

• Great Value
• Less chance of Stalling and Overheating (Thanks Brushless Motor!)
• Very compact
• Mode Collar

Cons:

• Not for industrial use
• Better options for Concrete

Best Cordless Driver

4. Bosch 18-volt Drill

Bosch is renowned for its fantastic tool lifespan and usability. This brushless driver claims to double that of previous models.

The motor protection means this is a maintenance free option and is able to drive screws and drill at high speeds with ease. The trigger makes it easy to apply various settings and the driver kit includes a belt clip and bit holder for ease of use.

Pros:

• Long tool lifespan
• Various speeds with trigger
• Unlikely to overheat (compared to brushed motors)

Cons:

• Lighter options available
• Past reviews report problems with the trigger switch

Best Cordless Screwdriver

5. Hitachi DB3DL2 Power Cordless Screwdriver Kit 

This ones a bit of a curve-ball, but it’s worth mentioning for those who are doing light tasks. The Hitachi cordless screwdriver has a switchable handle, offering both a straight shaft and ‘L’ pistol shape for added versatility.

It includes a li-ion battery which provides a faster charge and up to 3 times longer charge than typical cordless screwdriver batteries. Toss in a good LED light built into the head and this is truly a great addition to any tool box.

This model includes a lifetime tool and 2 year batter warranty.

Pros:

• Pocket-sized
• Very handy for small jobs
• A DIY Dream tool

Cons:

• Light Tasks only (Not a Cordless drill or driver)

Best Cordless Drill for Women

6. Pink Power Electric Drill/Driver Set for Women

I’ll be honest, I have no idea if coloring a drill pink is enough to say it’s a ‘drill for women’, but obviously there must be a market for it. Either way this pink cordless drill makes the list because it is a surprisingly agile and lightweight option for around the house DIY tasks. For those of you looking for a drill that is easy to handle, control, and only need it for drilling wood, then this is your pick.

It has a keyless chuck, meaning it’s simple to swap out your best drill bits. The 18 volt battery is enough for consistent drilling power, and the included charger and carrying case is a nice touch. Overall this is a basic cordless drill that just works.

Pros:

• The perfect ‘around the house’ tool
• Great value for the quality
• Solid performance and power

Cons:

• Less powerful than other options
• Not great for tough surfaces and heavy-duty jobs
• 1 year warranty is low for modern power tools

Cordless Drill Buyers Guide

Whether your working on DIY projects in your living room or are installing heavy duty equipment, a power drill is going to make it easier and faster. They’re useful in almost any hands on task and can use a large range of the best drill bits and regular bits. With the availability and affordability of the cordless power drill these days, there’s almost no excuse to not add one of these to your tool kit. This guide will cover the various factors to consider when looking to pick up a drill and help you better understand what drill reviews are talking about.

How to Choose a Cordless Power Drill

There are many things to consider when you’re looking for the perfect drill. These next few features and functions are important considerations when you’re looking to buy.

The weight of the drill is often overlooked, but imagine you’re planning on drilling all day or for multiple days. Holding up an extra few pounds is often the difference of working all day and quick exhaustion. While it’s nice to have the most powerful drill, if you don’t plan on utilizing it it’s often better to go for a light cordless drill.

Torque is an easy way to measure a drills power output. The higher the number the more force it’s able to apply to the task. If you are planning on drilling hard surfaces like steel or concrete often, you’ll need to look at drills with a very high amount of torque, possibly even consider getting a cordless hammer drill as they offer more drilling power than regular cordless drills.

Another under appreciated feature is comfort. This is a tool you may be using day-in and day-out, so look for updated models with proper ergonomic handles. This will ultimately produce less stress on your wrist and make drilling much easier overall.

Brushless and Brushed Motors

Magnets are what create the circular motion in the drills shaft for both brushless and brushed drill motors. How the power is delivered is what differentiates the two. In brushed motors the power uses carbon brushed, while brushless motors create magnetic fields using internal circuitry, which means you don’t need brushes.

How is works is one thing, what you only need to know is that a brushless motor provides more power more efficiently than a brushed motor. Another added benefit is it creates less heat due to less friction. Although a brushless motor is more expensive, consider the benefits and whether they’re worth it for your usage.

Common Questions – FAQ

What’s the difference between a Drill and Hammer drill?

A power drill is able to drill in one clockwise or counter-clockwise motion, making it great for drilling screws or holes (especially for wood). A hammer drill provides the same function, but also has a pounding hammer motion, applying a lot more torque and pressure to the drill bit or screw. A hammer drill is preferred for hard masonry surfaces or materials like concrete.

Is a Brushless Drill Better?

Brushless motors have been on an upward trend in recent years (because they are better). A brushless motor is able to adjust to tasks in real-time, so as resistance levels change the motor can react by drawing more or less power. This means it provides power more efficiently and creates less motor heat due to less motor friction. A standard brushed motor always drills at the speed settings max capacity.

Which Power tool Brand Cordless Drill is Best?

Dewalt has a long-standing history of making some of the best power tools and equipment in the industry. The Dewalt hammer-drill is great for drilling and screwing in the toughest of surfaces.

What is the difference between NiCad and Lithium Batteries?

NiCad (nickel Cadmium) have been in the drill market for a long time. They’re inexpensive and durable, usually lasting over 1000 charge cycles. The downside is they need to be recharged often and require toxic chemicals to be produced. Li-ion (lithium-ion) batteries are a newer alternative source, offering a lighter battery, faster charge, and holds twice the capacity of typical NiCad batteries. However, Li-ion are the more expensive option.

Wrap Up

Ultimately, there’s no wrong choice in this best cordless drills review list. We’ve covered the pros and cons of the drills and what they’re best for. The handy guide hopefully helped out with helping you make an informed choice. Read our guide on ‘How to Use a Drill‘ if you need more information. In the end it depends on your budget and what sort of materials you plan on drilling. If you have any additional questions or are looking for more information drop a comment down below or feel free to contact me through the linked form.