To determine the best cordless drill, we considered the following features: weight, clutch (torque) settings, included accessories, power, and the battery life. You’ll need to determine whether you want a compact or full size drill as this will impact how easily you can operate the cordless drill. If you’re new to power tools, prioritize options that include a bit set. Included accessories like additional batteries, USB ports on the charger base, and even built-in LED lights help to improve functionality.
After considering all of the above, we nominated the Black & Decker 20-Volt Max Cordless Drill LD120VA as our Top Pick and the best drill brand. This lightweight compact cordless drill is ideal for beginning users thanks to the included 30-piece drill and driver bit set. But you’ll also like that the battery can hold a charge up to 18 months, and is compatible with other Black & Decker power tools. Keep reading to learn more about other highly-functional tools.
Top 5 Best Cordless Drills
#1 BLACK+DECKER LD120VA 20V MAX Cordless Drill
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: A compact complete cordless drill kit with a powerful 750 RPMs, a 30-piece accessory set, and a lithium ion battery that holds its charge for up to 18 months making it ideal for people who forget to charge their batteries.
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- Include 30-piece drill & driver bit set
- Lightweight design ideal for beginners
- 24 clutch settings
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- Not ideal for heavy duty projects
- Doesn’t come with charger
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If you’re trying to maximize your spending power, you should always consider a cordless drill kit over buying a drill that doesn’t come with accessories. The Black & Decker LD120VA 20 Volt Max Cordless Drill is our Top Pick because it checks off many of the most important factors you need to consider when shopping for a cordless drill. We like the lightweight 3.95-pound weight, making it perfect for occasional or beginning power tool users.
But the biggest draw is that this kit comes with a comprehensive 30-piece drill, driver, and nut bit set. This means that you won’t need to buy separate drill bit sets, and you’ll be able to task any manner of home repair project with ease. Another nice feature is that the batteries for Black & Decker’s power tools are universal — meaning that you can easily transition between any of their power tools without needing new charging systems or batteries. While this option doesn’t come with the charging base, we do like that you get 24 clutch settings, and a variable speed trigger. This gives you more freedom than the best-corded drill.
#2 SKIL PWRCore 20V 1/2 Inch Drill
Award: Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: A powerful 20-volt cordless drill that doesn’t hamper productivity thanks to a charger that can recharge the battery to full capacity in as little as 30 minutes.
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- Fastest charging (30 minutes)
- 25% more runtime than competitors
- Portable USB charging
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- Not ideal for metal work
- Expensive
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No one wants to wait all day for a power tool’s battery to recharge. The Skil PWRCore 20 Volt ½ Inch Drill is the perfect solution thanks to an impressive charger that can quickly get you back to work with just five minutes of charging and can fully recharge the lithium ion battery in as little as 30 minutes.
Related: If you want to get accurate measurements, consider using the best digital caliper.
We also like that this cordless drill can also be used to power your mobile devices thanks to the USB port, which makes it truly intuitive for modern needs. You’ll also like that you get 25 percent more runtime than you would get with most competitor brands. Other common features include two power settings (high and low), 17 clutch settings, and a keyless metal chuck so you can quickly and easily swap out drill or driver bits. Speaking of bits, the best drill bits are a must.
#3 BLACK+DECKER LDX120C 20V MAX Cordless Drill
Award: Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: An affordable and compact cordless drill that’s ideal for a loyal Black & Decker tool owner thanks to the universal lithium ion battery that is compatible with a wide range of other power tools from this brand.
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- Black & Decker universal battery
- Compact design for tight spaces
- Good for plastic, metal, or wood projects
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- Lowest clutch settings
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There’s nothing more frustrating than having to deal with a wide range of charging systems — especially if they all feature unique adapters. The Black & Decker 20-Volt Max Cordless Drill is not just our Best Budget recommendation, but is a smart buy for someone who wants to stay within that brand’s ecosystem. One of the biggest benefits of opting for this particular drill is that if you’re thinking about investing in Black & Decker, all of their power tools use the same lithium ion battery.
This means you can seamlessly switch between tools, using the same battery. Aside from that, we like that this lightweight compact drill only weighs 3.35 pounds, making it ideal for even a novice drill user. Other common features you’ll find is that this is compatible with plastic, metal, and wood projects. This is also a ⅜ inch drill with variable speeds and 11 clutch settings. And this model comes with the charging adapter. Another versatile tool for your tool box are the best allen keys.
#4 DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill Combo Kit
Award: Best Kit
WHY WE LIKE IT: A comprehensive cordless drill kit that gives you versatility to easily transition between a compact and standard size cordless drill, and a compact drill with built-in LEDs to help improve visibility in tight or dark spaces.
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- Built-in LED light + 2 batteries
- Includes ¼” impact drill and ½” drill
- Includes storage bag & charging base
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- Brushed motor
- Expensive
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Tight spaces and full-sized cordless drills don’t mix. But depending on your usual DIY or home improvement projects, you might find that you don’t use a compact drill as frequently as a standard one. So, what’s a homeowner to do? The DeWalt 20-Volt Max Cordless Drill Kit is a great solution since it offers a ¼ inch compact impact driver drill and ½ inch standard sized drill in this kit, along with a carrying bag for storage.
We’ve nominated the Dewalt kit as our Best Quality because we think it’s the best cordless drill driver combo. The compact impact drive comes with built-in LED lights so you can clearly see while working in darker spaces. You’ll also like that this kit comes with two batteries to help you power through projects. You will use this tool more than you use the best pipe wrench.
#5 Avid Power 20V MAX Lithium Ion Cordless Drill
Award: Best for Beginners
WHY WE LIKE IT: A lightweight compact drill that only weighs 2.2 pounds and is ideal for people new to tools who need a comprehensive kit that comes with 22 drill and driver bits.
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- And most lightweight (2.2lbs)
- Includes 22 drill & driver bits
- Charging base has USB port
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- Removing battery can be difficult
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There are a range of power tool users out there. Some people are hardcore power tool owners, with a range of cordless drills and drill bit sets. But there are also people who may not own more than one or two screwdrivers that they keep in their junk drawer. So, if you’re buying a power tool for the first time, an option like the Avid Power 20-Volt Max Lithium Ion Cordless Drill is ideal. In addition to being a compact and lightweight 2.2 pounds, it comes with a 22-piece drill and driver bit set.
This means that you don’t need to buy a separate drill or driver bit set in order to use this cordless drill. Another major feature that we liked is that the charging base features a USB port to power your mobile devices while you work. Other core features include the LED light for improved visibility, variable speed trigger, and the 16 torque settings. Don’t forget the best bench vise, so you can hold materials firmly while drilling.
Note: Other notable drivers and hammer drills not reviewed here that are worth mentioning are the Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Drill Driver, DEWALT DCD791D2 MAX XR 20-Volt Drill/Driver Kit with high speed driving screws, and the driver kit includes 2 battery packs, a charger, a kit box and belt hook. The new Milwaukee M18 brushless drill motor comes with the latest brushless motor technology for twice the lifespan and 50% more efficiency than your common motor. Lastly, there’s the WORX XWX372 Hammer Drill with the latest battery tech, so no self-discharge, and a 0.5-inch chuck that is keyless, so you can easily change bits.
How We Decided
Depending on your comfort level with power tools, the factors you use to find the right cordless drill for your needs may vary. If you’re interested in tools, you may also be interested in the best screw gun. However, to help narrow down the options for our guide, we looked at the following features in these cordless tools — weight, clutch (torque) settings, included accessories, power, and the batteries.
For power, all of the cordless drills in our recommendations are 20 volts. This is ideal because they offer more power than lower voltage models. In terms of weight, compact models are always going to be lighter than full size options. If compact is preferable for you, then we recommend the Top Pick, Best Budget, and #5 picks. All of these models are less than four pounds, making them easy to operate.
Clutch or torque settings can vary across brands and even models within one specific brand. For example, our Best Budget and Top Pick recommendations are both from Black & Decker. However, the Best Budget only offers 11 clutch settings while the Top Pick features 24 settings. However, most options range between 15 to 17 clutch settings.
Next we considered batteries, as this might impact which cordless drill model you choose to purchase. If you’re a frequent power tool user, then the Top Pick and Best Budget should be on your shortlist. Both of these options are from Black & Decker. That’s important because if you’re a fan of Black & Decker tools, this means you can use one battery to power all of them. We also recommend other popular options including the Honorable Mention and #5 picks. Both of these options come with the charging base, and offer a USB port to also power your mobile devices.
First time cordless drill shoppers should also prioritize our Top Pick and #5 choices. Both of these models come with a drill bit set. Although the Top Pick offers more drill bits (30 pieces), both are great options since it eliminates the need for buying a separate drill bit set.
And finally, we recommend looking for added accessories. A great example is our Best Quality recommendation from DeWalt. This cordless drill driver combo features a compact impact drill and a standard cordless drill. But the impact drill has built-in LED lights to help illuminate when working in tight spaces.
Best Cordless Drill Buying Guide
The Most Important Factors to Consider
- Project Compatibility
Are you someone who works with wood? Or do you plan on using a cordless drill for metalwork? Depending on the materials in your project, you’ll need to pick the right cordless drill that can effectively help you power through your tasks. If you’re working with metal, look for tougher drill models that feature more power. And especially if you’re going to use a cordless drill to work with masonry such as brick, you’ll need a cordless drill with a hammer function. - Power
For the average home user, a 12-volt cordless drill will be more than enough to tackle household tasks and will hold their charge for a fair amount of time. But if you’re concerned that you might need more power, there are also 18-volt compact models. While there are higher voltage options, these are often considered professional grade. - Ease of Use
Depending on what you’re comfortable using, and where you plan on storing your cordless drill, you can choose between standard and compact sizes. A drill that’s too big or too heavy will be difficult for you to hold for extended periods of time, and may even impact how effectively you can operate the drill. Look for models with a comfortable grip that fits easily in your hand and isn’t too weighty. - Motor
Typically, you’ll come across either brushless motors or brushed motors. Brushless motors are preferable because they tend to reduce the overall weight of your cordless drill while improving the power output and battery life. - Additional Features
Depending on what matters to you, you can find drills with nice value-added features such as a belt clip or an LED light. An LED light can be ideal, especially if you’re working in dark spaces — such as in the cabinet under the sink.
