The best cordless drill to buy depends on your needs. For general home use, a 12V or 18V drill with a brushless motor and variable speed is ideal. For heavy-duty tasks, consider a 20V or higher drill with more torque.
Choosing the right cordless drill can feel a bit overwhelming. You’ve probably seen a dazzling array of options, each promising to be the ultimate tool for your DIY projects. It’s a common question, and for good reason! The sheer variety of voltage, power, and features can make your head spin. But don’t worry, you’re in the perfect spot to get a clear, easy-to-understand guide. We’ll break down what really matters when picking a cordless drill, helping you find the perfect fit for your hands and your tasks. Let’s walk through each step with real examples.
Understanding Cordless Drills: The Basics
A cordless drill is a battery-powered tool that spins a drill bit or driver bit. It’s essential for countless tasks, from hanging shelves and assembling furniture to more involved projects like building decks or even basic car maintenance. The “cordless” part means freedom from power outlets, giving you unparalleled mobility.
Why Your Choice Matters
The drill you choose impacts everything from how easily you can complete a task to how long it will last. A drill that’s too weak will struggle with tougher materials, leaving you frustrated. One that’s too powerful or heavy might be uncomfortable to use for extended periods. Getting it right means smoother work, better results, and a more enjoyable DIY experience.
Key Features to Consider
When you’re looking at cordless drills, you’ll encounter several key specifications. Understanding these will guide you to the best choice for your specific needs.
1. Voltage (V): Power and Performance
Voltage is a primary indicator of a drill’s power. Higher voltage generally means more power, which translates to better performance for demanding tasks.
12V Drills: These are typically smaller, lighter, and more affordable. They are excellent for light-duty tasks like drilling small holes in drywall, assembling furniture with screws, and working in tight spaces. Think of them as your go-to for quick fixes and delicate jobs.
Pros: Lightweight, compact, easier to handle, often less expensive.
Cons: Less power for drilling into hard materials or driving large screws.
Best for: Homeowners with occasional light DIY, apartment dwellers, working in confined areas.
18V (or 20V MAX) Drills: This is the most popular category for a reason. 18V drills offer a great balance of power, runtime, and weight. They can handle most household tasks, including drilling into wood, metal, and even some masonry, as well as driving larger screws. The “20V MAX” designation refers to the peak voltage of the battery when fully charged, while 18V is the nominal voltage. They are essentially the same performance class.
Pros: Versatile, good power-to-weight ratio, suitable for a wide range of tasks.
Cons: Heavier than 12V drills, can be overkill for very simple jobs.
Best for: General homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, most common home repair and improvement projects.
36V and Higher Drills: These are serious powerhouses. They offer maximum torque and are designed for heavy-duty applications like drilling large holes in concrete, driving lag bolts, or working with large-diameter drill bits. They are often heavier and more expensive.
Pros: Exceptional power and torque, ideal for tough materials and demanding jobs.
Cons: Heavy, bulky, can be expensive, often more than a typical homeowner needs.
Best for: Professional contractors, serious DIYers tackling major construction or renovation projects.
2. Motor Type: Brushed vs. Brushless
The motor is the heart of your drill. The type of motor significantly affects its performance, efficiency, and lifespan.
Brushed Motors: These are the traditional type of motors found in many power tools. They use carbon brushes to conduct electricity to the motor’s rotor.
Pros: Less expensive to manufacture, readily available.
Cons: Less efficient, generate more heat, brushes wear out over time and need replacement, can be less powerful for their size.
Brushless Motors: These motors use electronic controls instead of physical brushes. This design makes them more efficient, powerful, and durable.
Pros: More power for their size, run cooler, last longer (no brushes to wear out), better battery efficiency (longer runtime per charge), quieter operation.
Cons: Typically more expensive upfront.
Recommendation: If your budget allows, always opt for a brushless motor. The benefits in performance and longevity are well worth the extra cost for most users. Many manufacturers now offer brushless versions of their popular drill models.
3. Torque (Nm or in-lbs): Twisting Power
Torque is the rotational force a drill can produce. It’s measured in Newton-meters (Nm) or inch-pounds (in-lbs). Higher torque means the drill can drive screws with more force and drill through harder materials.
What to look for: For general home use, a drill with around 300-500 in-lbs of torque is usually sufficient. For more demanding tasks, you’ll want something in the 500+ in-lbs range.
Torque Settings (Clutch): Most drills have an adjustable clutch with numbered settings. This allows you to control the maximum torque applied. When the screw reaches a certain depth or resistance, the clutch disengages with a clicking sound, preventing over-tightening and stripping screws or damaging the material.
Low settings: For driving small screws into soft materials.
High settings: For driving larger screws or drilling holes.
4. Speed Settings (RPM): How Fast It Spins
Most cordless drills offer variable speed control, usually with a trigger that allows you to adjust the speed. Many also have a two-speed gearbox, typically indicated by a switch on the top of the drill.
Speed 1 (Low Speed): Usually around 0-400 revolutions per minute (RPM). This is ideal for driving screws, where you need control and torque.
Speed 2 (High Speed): Typically around 0-1500 RPM or higher. This is for drilling holes, where speed is more important than torque.
Variable Speed Trigger: This allows for fine-tuning the speed within the selected gear range. Essential for precision work and preventing damage.
5. Chuck Type and Size: Holding the Bit
The chuck is the part of the drill that holds the drill bit or driver bit.
Keyless Chuck: The most common type. You simply twist the chuck collar to open and close it, tightening the bit by hand. This is quick and convenient.
Sizes: Most common are 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch.
3/8-inch Chuck: Found on most 12V drills and some lighter 18V models. Sufficient for most home DIY tasks.
1/2-inch Chuck: Found on most 18V and higher drills. Can accommodate larger drill bits and offers a more secure grip, especially for heavy-duty drilling. If you plan on drilling larger holes or using accessories that require larger shanks, a 1/2-inch chuck is preferable.
Keyed Chuck: Requires a chuck key to tighten and loosen. Less common on modern cordless drills but offers a very secure grip.
6. Battery Type and Capacity (Ah): Powering the Drill
Cordless drills run on rechargeable batteries. The two main types are Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) and Lithium-Ion (Li-ion).
Lithium-Ion (Li-ion): This is the modern standard.
Pros: Lighter weight, hold a charge longer when not in use, no “memory effect” (you can recharge them anytime without affecting their capacity), generally provide more power.
Cons: More expensive initially.
Battery Capacity (Amp-hours or Ah): This indicates how long the battery will last on a single charge. Higher Ah means longer runtime.
1.5 Ah – 2.0 Ah: Common for 12V drills or as a standard battery for 18V drills. Good for lighter use.
3.0 Ah – 4.0 Ah: Offers longer runtime for 18V drills, ideal for more extended projects or frequent use.
5.0 Ah and above: For heavy-duty use and maximum runtime.
Battery System: Many brands offer a “bare tool” option (just the drill without battery or charger) and sell batteries separately. If you already own tools from a particular brand, check if the batteries are interchangeable within their 18V or 12V system. This can save you money if you plan to buy more tools from that brand.
7. Ergonomics and Weight: Comfort is Key
A drill that feels good in your hand is crucial, especially for longer projects.
Weight: Consider the total weight, including the battery. A lighter drill is less fatiguing.
Grip: Look for a comfortable, non-slip grip.
Balance: How the drill feels balanced in your hand when holding the trigger.
Trigger Design: A smooth, responsive variable speed trigger is a plus.
8. Additional Features
LED Light: Most modern drills have an LED light that illuminates the work area when you pull the trigger. This is incredibly useful for working in dimly lit spaces. Some have a “dwell” feature where the light stays on for a few seconds after you release the trigger.
Belt Clip: A convenient feature for keeping the drill handy when you’re working on a ladder or moving around a job site.
Onboard Bit Storage: A small compartment on the drill to hold a spare driver bit.
Hammer Function: Some drills have a hammer setting, which adds a percussive action for drilling into masonry. These are often called “hammer drills” or “combi-drills.” If you plan on drilling into brick or concrete regularly, this is a useful feature.
Putting It All Together: What Kind of Cordless Drill Should I Buy?
Now, let’s tie these features to common user needs.
For the Occasional Home User (Light DIY):
What to buy: A 12V cordless drill with a brushless motor and a 1/2-inch chuck (if available, otherwise 3/8-inch is fine).
Why: It’s lightweight, easy to handle, and perfect for assembling furniture, hanging pictures, minor repairs, and drilling small holes. The brushless motor will give it good longevity.
Example Use Cases: Assembling IKEA furniture, installing shelves, changing light fixtures, drilling pilot holes for small screws.
Brands to consider: Check out offerings from brands like Ryobi, DeWalt, and Makita.
For the Enthusiastic DIYer (Moderate to Heavy Home Use):
What to buy: An 18V (or 20V MAX) cordless drill with a brushless motor, 1/2-inch chuck, and at least 3.0 Ah battery.
Why: This is the sweet spot for versatility. It has enough power to drill into wood, metal, and even light masonry (if it has a hammer function), and drive larger screws with ease. The brushless motor ensures efficiency and durability, and the larger battery means you can work longer.
Example Use Cases: Building a deck, installing kitchen cabinets, drilling through thicker lumber, driving long screws into wood, occasional masonry drilling.
Brands to consider: Milwaukee, Bosch, and Porter-Cable.
For the Serious Pro or Heavy-Duty Enthusiast:
What to buy: A 20V MAX (or higher) cordless drill with a brushless motor, 1/2-inch chuck, and 4.0 Ah or higher batteries. Consider a model with a dedicated hammer drill function if masonry work is frequent.
Why: Maximum power and torque are essential for demanding jobs. These drills are built for continuous use and can handle the toughest materials and largest fasteners.
Example Use Cases: Drilling large diameter holes (e.g., for plumbing or electrical conduit), driving large lag bolts, extensive concrete drilling, framing, construction site work.
Brands to consider: DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and Hilti.
Buying a Cordless Drill Kit vs. Bare Tool
When you’re ready to buy, you’ll often see drills sold in two ways:
Kit: This includes the drill, at least one battery, a charger, and often a carrying case or bag. This is the most convenient option for beginners as you get everything you need to start using the drill immediately.
Bare Tool: This is just the drill itself, without a battery or charger. This is a good option if you already own tools from the same brand and battery system, as you can use your existing batteries and charger.
Maintaining Your Cordless Drill
To ensure your new drill lasts a long time and performs its best, follow these simple maintenance tips:
Store batteries properly: Keep batteries in a cool, dry place. Avoid extreme temperatures.
Charge batteries appropriately: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t overcharge, and avoid letting Li-ion batteries completely drain if possible.
Keep it clean: Wipe down your drill after use to remove dust and debris, especially around the vents.
Avoid dropping: Treat your drill with care. Dropping can damage internal components.
Use the right bits: Ensure you’re using sharp, appropriately sized drill bits and driver bits for the job.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the difference between a 18V and 20V MAX cordless drill?
A1: There is essentially no difference in performance. 20V MAX refers to the peak voltage of the battery when fully charged, while 18V is the nominal (average) voltage. They are in the same power class and use interchangeable batteries in most brands.
Q2: Do I really need a brushless drill?
A2: If your budget allows, yes. Brushless drills are more powerful, run cooler, last longer, and are more energy-efficient than brushed drills. For most users, the benefits outweigh the slightly higher initial cost.
Q3: What does the clutch setting on my drill do?
A3: The clutch is a safety feature that prevents over-tightening screws. It has numbered settings; lower numbers apply less torque, and higher numbers apply more. When the set torque is reached, the clutch slips with a clicking sound, stopping the rotation to protect the screw head and the material.
Q4: How many batteries should I get with my drill?
A4: For occasional home use, one battery might be enough. However, having two batteries is highly recommended. This allows you to use one while the other is charging, ensuring you never have to stop working due to a dead battery.
Q5: Can I use my drill to drill into concrete?
A5: Most standard cordless drills are not designed for drilling into concrete or masonry. For those tasks, you need a drill with a hammer function (a hammer drill or a combi-drill). Even then, specialized masonry bits are required.
Q6: What is the most important feature to look for in a cordless drill?
A6: While many features are important, for most users, the combination of voltage (18V/20V MAX) and a brushless motor offers the best balance of power, versatility, and longevity.
Conclusion
Choosing the right cordless drill doesn’t have to be complicated. By understanding the key features like voltage, motor type, torque, and battery capacity, you can confidently select a tool that fits your DIY needs and budget. Whether you’re tackling simple household tasks or embarking on larger projects, the perfect cordless drill is out there waiting to help you build, fix, and create. Happy drilling!
