Of course, the defining feature of the best cordless drills is power, with most models offering at least 20 volts to get to work with. That’s a fine amount of power for handling most jobs around the house, but if you’re boring holes or undertaking heavy duty work, you may need something corded to afford you more force. Clutch settings are equally important in the search to find which of the best cordless drills is right for you. An adjustable clutch will avoid you ending up with stripped screws, and give you more control over your drilling. That’s why, within this guide, there are models that have up to 24 clutch settings, so that you can feel assured as you do your DIY. A good spin speed is another feature of the best cordless drills that you’ll want to look out for on your search. For tasks like drilling screws, a slower speed is fine, but tougher tasks will need a higher number of revolutions per minute (RPM), which is why a variation of speeds can come in handy. For more handy DIY tools, check out our guide to the best circular saws (opens in new tab).
1. DeWalt DCD991P2: Best cordless drill overall
The DeWalt DCD991P2 is the best cordless drill overall due to its power, three speeds, and it has a brushless motor. This cordless drill isn’t the cheapest but for what you pay, you get a drill that can reach an impressive 2000 RPM, and the three speed settings mean you can still manage finer jobs that require a slower speed too. An LED torch will illuminate where you’re working and because this DeWalt cordless drill’s motor doesn’t have brushes, you can expect the motor to last longer as well. For its price, you’ll get two batteries and a charger and when it comes to heavy-duty drills, this DeWalt model really is one of the very best around. It doesn’t have a hammer mode though, and with power comes weight, so this is not the drill for you if you need something super lightweight. But, features such as the all-metal chuck which is resistant to rust, will also give you a longer-lasting drill. What seems like an initially expensive purchase, may actually last longer and saving you having to re-buy. For added peace of mind, there’s also a three-year warranty on this DeWalt cordless drill.
Read our full DeWalt DCD991P2 review (opens in new tab)
2. Milwaukee 0726-22 M28: Best cordless hammer drill
Power is something the Milwaukee 0726-22 M28 Hammer Drill certainly isn’t short of. This cordless drill hammer packs a punch with 28 volts of power and a brushless motor that gives you 750-in-lbs of torque. Where this cordless drill really impresses is its hammer mode that goes up to 480 impacts a second, which is great for taking on masonry, providing you use the correct drill bit. This kind of hammer drill has been designed to make light work of bricks, mortar, and concrete and its drill speed ranges up to 1800 RPM. You have the option to buy the drill alone, or you can buy it with batteries too but with the batteries, this drill is one of the most expensive we reviewed and it can’t be used as a corded model. It’s also pretty heavy weighing 6.2-lbs but that’s to be expected with the amount of power it comes with. Since you’ll be forking out quite a bit for this hammer drill, the five-year warranty is a benefit and is the longest we came across for any complete cordless drill.
Read our full Milwaukee 0726-22 M28 Hammer Drill review (opens in new tab)
3. Kobalt KDD 1424A-03: Best value cordless drill
The Kobalt KDD 1424A-03 cordless drill is the best value drill we reviewed. Why? Well, this cordless drill is more affordable than most of the models we looked at and it also rivals some of the biggest brands, but without charging the same amount. The 24-volt battery and two speed settings mean this cordless drill is ideal for pretty much any DIY job, excluding heavy-duty masonry drilling. Included with this drill are 24 clutch settings, something you’d expect from the most premium cordless drills around. The motor is built to last, is brushless, and you can also benefit from a drill speed of up to 2000 RPM - the same we saw with a drill three times as expensive as this one. When you buy this Kobalt cordless drill, you will also get a double-ended driver bit, a charger, a storage bag, and a belt clip. The Kobalt KDD 1424A-03 does only have one battery so you’ll have to buy an additional one if you want a back up.
Read our full Kobalt KDD 1424A-03 cordless drill review (opens in new tab)
4. Makita XPH11RB: Best lightweight cordless drill
Brushless motor: Yes | Spin speeds: Two | Max spin speed: 1700 RPM | Best for: General and heavy-duty drilling A real winner if you’re looking for a super lightweight cordless drill, the Makita XPH11RB weighs just 2.9 lbs and comes from one of the leading drill brands around. This cordless drill has been designed so that it can reach in tricky areas and an LED will light up what you’re working on. However, it still has an 18-volt battery so you won’t be lacking in power either. Another feature that’s been well thought out is the comfortable padded rubber handle which makes it easier to grip too. Reaching a decent 1700 RPM drill speed, the Makita XPH11RB is also geared towards metal to metal fastening and the hammer drill element of this model makes it suitable for more serious projects. Another aspect that makes this cordless drill a real winner is its speedy charging times. The battery charges in just 25 minutes - much quicker than some of the leading models on the market.
Read our full Makita XPH11RB cordless drill review (opens in new tab)
5. Black + Decker LDX120C: Best cheap cordless drill
It’s normally available for around $50, so compared to others we’ve reviewed, this is by far the cheapest. For what you pay, you’ll get a two-year warranty and a 20-volt battery. The spin speed on this cordless drill can reach up to 1500 RPM. The Black + Decker LDX120C does only have one spin speed and this cordless drill is also fitted with a motor that has brushes that aren’t as efficient as brushless drill motors. Aside from that though, if you just want a cordless drill for everyday drill tasks, then the Black + Decker LDX120C offers a great cheap option.
Read our full Black + Decker LDX120C review (opens in new tab)
Are Brushless Drills Better? Nearly all of the drills in our comparison are brushless and this type is much more common in the current market, but you can find plenty of drills with brushes. The main difference is that brushless motors adjust to the task, based on resistance, whereas drills with brushes don’t. Unlike some standard motors, brushless drills do not have a voltage drop, which means their motors should last longer. We think brushless models are worth it, even for occasional use, because they operate more efficiently, more quietly, and longer than brushed models do. However, if you need the most budget-friendly option, you may want to consider a traditional motor. The brushed motor drills we looked at were about $20 cheaper than brushless models. However, you may still pay more in the long run, as the brushes will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.
