The best corded drills are an integral companion for your home improvement projects. Our evaluation focused on hybrid drill and hammer action for precision versus impact projects, chuck size, variable speed controls, power, warranty, and comfort/design. When you are shopping for the best tools, you need to make sure they have all the features that are important to you. And, these are the features we focused on during our tests.
After more than 15 hours of research and testing, our top pick goes to the SKIL 7.5 amp Corded Hammer Drill. It delivers an impressive combination of power with its 7.5 amp rating and a hammer function to drill through tough brick and stone, along with variable speed control and a monstrous accessories kit with differently-sized drill bits to accommodate wood, metal, and other softer surfaces.
Top 7 Best Corded Drill Compared
#1 Black and Decker DR260C Corded Drill – Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: This corded drill is a dynamo across the board, featuring variable speed controls, a ⅜-inch chuck size,on-board bit storage, and a light weight at only 3.5 pounds. It is a solid choice for anyone looking for quick and easy access to multiple drill bits instead of frantically searching your toolbox for the right drill bit before switching.
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- On-board bit storage
- Lightweight
- Variable speed control
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- Stored bits may poke hand while drilling
- Some users reported lock-on switch jamming
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Our favorite feature on this Black Decker model is its on-board bit storage, a tiny compartment at the bottom of the handle which houses drill bits of various sizes. This makes it easier to retrieve drill bits for differently-sized screws, especially with Ikea furniture assembly projects requiring 10 screw sizes for TV stands, day beds, cabinets, and more. Absent-minded or clumsy folks can definitely benefit from this feature. If you need more high-quality products to add to your tool chest, check out our guide to the best chisels.
Variable speed controls allow users to apply gentle or full-on trigger pressure, hitting RPMs of up to 1500. With most corded drills topping out at 3000 RPMs, this corded drill is more of a fine screw driver for than crude hole driller. Its weight of only 3.5 pounds makes it easier to control for these types of projects as well. If you like this drill but prefer a cordless version, check out our guide to the best cordless drill.
#2 SKIL HD182002 7.5 Amp Corded Hammer Drill – Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: This heavy-duty corded drill packs a punch, featuring a 7.5 amp motor, hard thrusting hammer function, half-inch heavy-duty keyed chuck, and a 2-finger variable speed trigger. This is an excellent choice for users looking to alternate between regular drill use for lighter drilling (metal, wood) and a harder, hammer drill used for masonry projects on bricks and stone, indoors, or outdoors.
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- Best Accessories Kit
- 2-finger variable speed trigger
- Great for masonry
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- Cheap plastic housing
- Some users reported flimsy chuck
- Very loud
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This unit comes with a 100-piece accessories kit, including 16 masonry, ten nut drivers, and three spade bits for work on all types of materials. A 2-level variable speed trigger also helps increase or decrease speed and pressure of drilling depending on the application. This works equally well with crude hole drilling on harder surfaces or precision hole drilling for furniture assembly and other light projects.
Bonus points for its side assist handle for a comfortable grip and reduced finger fatigue. A built-in bubble level also keeps drilling level, with the handle adjustable to different positions based on the angle of drilling. This allows users to retain better control, especially with ceiling and ductwork with its odd angle positioning. You can also read about the best tool brand.
#3 DEWALT Corded 8.0-Amp DWD115K Drill – Best Motor
WHY WE LIKE IT: This Dewalt corded drill packs a punch, including a list-leadingn 8-amp motor (1.04 HP), 3/8-inch all-metal keyless ratcheting chuck, and drilling speeds of up to 2,500 RPM. It is a solid choice for light home or garage projects requiring precision drilling, such as assembling Ikea cabinets, bolting a TV bracket in place, or nailing several pieces of thin plywood together for a craft project.
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- Best for Driving Screws
- 3/8-inch all-metal keyless chuck
- Variable speed control
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- Some wobbling reported with drill bits
- Sensitive trigger
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This corded drill’s 8.0 amp powerful motor is tops on our list, squeaking past the SKIL HD182002’s 7.5 amp motor . This level of power works fine for home improvement projects requiring a lot of repetitive drilling. It also offers speed variable controls using trigger pressure. The harder you pull the trigger, the faster the drill rotates. Two built-in bubbles also assist with accurate vertical and horizontal drilling for precision projects.
Its grip is excellent, using a non-slip rubber surface in a mid-handle grip style, keeping the motor closer to the center for even weight distribution and better balance. An all-metal, ⅜-inch keyless chuck also accommodates both fine and heavy bits, including spade bits and hole saws. ⅜-inches is an excellent midway point between ¼ and ½-inch chucks, better for fine and heavy projects. Once you get your job done you can get on the best riding lawn mower and trim the lawn.
If you’re interested in drills from Dewalt, check out the DEWALT DWD210G – a 10-Amp 1/2-Inch Pistol-Grip Drill with a patented DEWALT built motor designed to generate 50% more power with increased overload protection for added durability.
#4 Porter Cable PC600D Corded Drill – Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: This budget corded drill delivers steady performance, with a 6.5 amp motor, 3/8-inch keyless chuck, and a variable speed trigger to control drilling rotation. It works well for those on a budget looking to partake in quick home projects using wood or metal. Bonus points for being the lightest of all of the drills on our list.
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- Best Value
- Clamp extensions to accommodate different drill bit sizes
- Durable
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- Louder than average
- May be too light for some users
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Its reversing trigger offers a 0-2500 rpm variable speed with a reverse feature to drive and drill with greater accuracy. For a budget drill, 2500 RPM matches our #1 and #2 picks, creating exceptional value. A pistol-style handle design helps alleviate wrist and hand fatigue and allows for improved multi-angle control. At only 4 pounds, it is also the lightest drill on our list, beating our second lightest #4 pick, the Meterk ½ inch corded drill (5.35 pounds)
Bit changes are speedy with different clamp sizes for increased productivity, especially for projects that have different sized holes to fill. It also carries a six-foot cord, ideal for ladder work. For repetitive drilling tasks, a lock-on button also exists to help alleviate fatigue. The best heaters will keep your garage warm too.
#5 Hammer Drill Meterk 7.0 Amp 1/2 Inch Corded Drill – Best Design
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WHY WE LIKE IT: This corded drill is a dynamo, breaking through with a 7.0 amp copper motor, dual-mode selector (hammer/drill), and a 360 ° adjustable side handle for improved controls. It is an excellent choice for anyone looking to drill and extract screws on all types of surfaces, such as steel, ceramic tile, and wood.
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- Hammer/drill functions
- 360 ° adjustable handle
- Exhaust vent design
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- Not the best depth gauge
- Overheats quickly
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Its best selling point is arguably its hammer and drill function, allowing for quick switching for lighter or more intensive applications using short hammer thrusts on harder materials.
A 360° adjustable/detachable side handle also provides improved handgrip and controls.
Drilling speeds go up to 3000 RPM using variable speed control, allowing users to drive screws with a slower rotation or go all-out with hole drilling with a faster rotation based on applied trigger pressure. A lockdown button also locks the gear in, allowing users to maintain a better focus on the task at hand. A forward and reverse switch also locks the spindle in place. A man needs only a good drill and the best portable grill to be happy.
#6 Metabo HPT D10VH2 7-Amp 3/8-Inch Corded Drill – Best Grip
WHY WE LIKE IT: This budget corded drill is a solid performer, featuring a 7 amp motor, all-metal 3/8-inch keyless chuck for fast drill bit swaps, and a variable speed trigger. It is an excellent starter drill for anyone looking to engage in light home improvement, furniture assembly, or crafts projects.
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- Great torque
- All metal 3/8″ keyless chuck
- Excellent palm grip
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- Side handle not included
- Flimsy build quality
- Gets hot quickly
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Palm soft grip design simply works, supported by a molded rubbed handle that limits vibration. A variable speed trigger adjusts drill rotation based on the pressure applied with a lock-on trigger to provide relief for repetitive drilling projects. The power to weight ratio is on point and a forward and reverse button allows users to spin out of a hole very quickly. If you like this drill, you might also be interested in the best screw gun too.
This corded drill comes with a 5-year warranty, which is above average for the class. Bonus points go to its belt hook and its solid bit hold ability with a ⅜ inch chuck. These features allow different sized bits to be added for finer and heavier projects, a lot more versatile than ¼-inch and ½ inch chucks. You might also want to read about the best garage lighting.
#7 Hammer Drill, TACKLIFE 7.1-Amp 3000 RPM Corded Drill – Best Professional
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WHY WE LIKE IT: This hammer drill features a 7.1 amp copper motor, variable speed adjustment up to 3000 RPM, and a 360-degree metal side handle to hit harder to reach places. It is a solid choice for anyone focused on light and heavy construction projects that require drill bits in all shapes and sizes.
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- 360-degree rotating handle
- Aluminum alloy head
- Hammer function
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- Some users reported durability issues
- Overheats easily
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This hammer drill is equally good with driving screws or hard thrust hole drilling on harder surfaces such as concrete and brick. This makes it a good choice for indoor or outdoor use. It also includes a 360-degree rotating metal handle, which hits hard-to-reach areas above standing furniture while minimizing shock absorption a bit better than the SKIL and the Metabo, which rank higher on our list.
Variable speed controls work well, with a max of 2,800 RPM, which allows for precision on lighter projects and all-out effort on tougher projects. A lock button also helps prevent hand fatigue by keeping the trigger in place to spin at a constant speed. Bonus points for its copper motor, which helps with power. Also, check out the best shop cloth for the garage.
How We Decided
Choosing the best corded power drill can mean the difference between exasperatingly jamming drill bits into a flimsy chuck and watching them detach or a smooth and steady operation on all types of home improvement projects large and small. If you’re trying to take your toolset cordless, take a look at the best cordless drill instead.
In determining the best corded power drill to buy, for heavy duty maintenance or simple DIY projects, you should consider its drill/hammer capability, chuck sizing, speed, and design/comfort. Corded drills with hammers use shorter, harder thrusts to pound holes into thicker material such as brick and stone while keeping regular drill action for lighter projects on wood, metal, and other softer surfaces. Chuck sizing should range from 1/4 -inch to ½-inch, with ⅜ inch chucks being versatile enough for finer versus heavier applications.
Variable speed is critical, helping accommodate different speeds while pulling a trigger. This is especially helpful on projects where you are alternating between driving screws and drilling holes, where rotation output is critical. A max of 3000 RPM is more than enough for tough jobs. Bonus points go to drills with ergonomic grip handles, and 360-degree rotation, which allow them to be maneuvered in odd angle projects such as ceiling and duct work.
You might also want to consider safety features as well such as overload protection that prevents the motor from stalling.
Best Corded Drill Buying Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Speed/Motor
We recommend a minimum of 6 amps and 1000 RPMs with variable-speed triggers, which combine power with quicker or slower rotations of the drill depending on the application. Slower rotations will allow greater control while driving screws, whereas higher speeds is better for drilling holes, so variable speed combines the best of both worlds. - Comfort
Look for corded drills with ergonomic handles and a power to weight ratio. Weight should be evenly distributed through the drill, which allows for greater control. T-handles do an excellent job of distributing weight and reducing wrist fatigue a little better than pistol-grips with rear handles. - Chuck
For more intensive applications, look to a 3/8-inch chuck, which can accommodate fine and heavy bits for driving screws and drilling holes on softer and harder surfaces. Larger ½-inch chucks work for masonry projects and ¼-inch chucks are better suited for light drilling. When possible, opt for keyless over keyed chucks. Keyless drills do not need a chuck key manually adjusted to tighten and loosen drill bits, increasing your productivity. - Warranty
Warranty length is very important to extend your corded drill’s service life and receive a replacement if needed. Two drills on the list offer a two year warranty, 2 provide a 3-year warranty, 1 provides a 1-year warranty, and our #5 pick, the Metabo HPT d10vh2 offers a stellar 5-year warranty.
