Best Battery Powered Drills and Drivers for Superior Performance
Updated: Mar. 28, 2024
Looking to buy a new cordless drill? We've rounded up some of the best options for you to consider.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
via lowes.com
Best Cordless Drill for Home and Light DIY Use
DeWalt 20V Max DCD777C2
Offering a balance between price and performance, the DeWalt 20V Max DCD777C2 drill/driver delivers enough power for home and DIY use for less than $100. The 1/2-in. chuck allows you to use larger bits, and it comes with two batteries and a charger.
That two-battery package is a massive time-saver because you can charge one battery while the other powers the drill. The cordless drill and batteries are covered by a three-year warranty.
Take careful note of the DCD777C2 model number. Don’t confuse it with the DeWalt DCD771C2, which comes with a brushed motor. Luckily, the DCD777C2 has “Brushless” printed on the side of the drill.
via homedepot.com
Best Cordless Drill for Intermediate DIYers
Milwaukee M18 Compact/Drill
The Milwaukee M18 Compact/Drill with a 1/2-in. chuck steps things up in power and performance. It features a brushless motor and weighs less than 3-1/2-lbs. with the M18 battery installed.
To help control all that power, the Milwaukee M18 comes with an 18-step clutch, variable-speed trigger and two-tier speed switch. It delivers only as much force as you need for the task at hand.
via homedepot.com
Best Cordless Drill for Advanced DIYers and Pros
DeWalt 20V Max XRÂ DCD800
If you’re ready to take your drill/driver game to a professional level, take a look at the DeWalt 20V Max XRÂ DCD800.
DeWalt’s 20V Max XR line costs about twice as much as similar DeWalt 20V Max models, but it comes with upgrades in quality and performance. The XR has a brushless motor, giving it a long run time and lifespan to get you though projects for years to come.
It’s significantly more compact than the 20V Max drill we showed you earlier, allowing you to get into tighter spaces. A three-level LED light shines on your workspace even when you’re not pulling the trigger.
If you only need a drill to occasionally hang shelves or set a few screws, stick with the more affordable DeWalt 20V Max. But for longer work or a long-term investment, step up to the DeWalt 20V Max XR.
via homedepot.com
Best Cordless Impact Driver
Milwaukee M18 1/4-in. Impact Driver
An impact driver adds extra bursts of force to the rotation of the drill chuck. This makes them terrific at setting screws or bolts, but not as effective at drilling holes.
One of our favorite impact drivers is the Milwaukee M18 1/4-in. Impact Driver. At a little more than five inches, it’s compact even for an impact driver, and the brushless motor delivers power when you need it most. Milwaukee touts this model as “the industry’s fastest 18-volt compact impact solution.” Once you use it, it’s hard to argue with them.
via lowes.com
Best Cordless Hammer Drill
DeWalt XR 1/2-in. Hammer Drill
A hammer drill adds extra force to the front of the drill, rather than the rotary motion. It’s a powerful thrust that speeds up drilling through tough material like stone or concrete.
Our pick is the DeWalt XR 1/2-in. hammer drill. It comes with a brushless motor, three speeds and all-metal gear casing. It ships with a side handle, an accessory many less expensive cordless hammer drills skip. We do wish that it came with a depth gauge as well.
If you already own a DeWalt 20V battery and charger, they’re compatible with this drill, saving you money.
via amazon.com
Best Cordless Electric Screwdriver
Metabo HPT DB3DL2
An electric screwdriver combines the convenience of a cordless drill with the minimal weight and ease of use of a screwdriver. The lithium-ion powered Metabo HPT DB3DL2 weighs less than a pound but offers amazing versatility.
The handle pivots, allowing for straight or pistol-grip use. A 21-step clutch lets you find the right amount of torque to set screws without stripping them. We also like its drill setting (you’ll need a hex-bolt shank drill bit) and LED light.
via walmart.com
Best Value Cordless Drill/Driver
Hart 20V Cordless Drill/Driver
A relatively new player on the cordless tool scene, Walmart’s Hart line is aimed at price-conscious DIYers. The brushed motor Hart 20V Cordless Drill/Driver with a 3/8-in. chuck should appeal to new homeowners or those who want a spare drill on hand.
It comes bundled with a battery, charger and tool bag. The drill is compatible with the rest of the Hart 20V line, so it’s a good choice if you already own one or more of those tools.
via homedepot.com
Best Value Drill/Impact Driver Combo Kit
Ryobi 18V One+ Combo Kit
If you want a drill/driver and an impact driver, the 18V One+ Combo Kit from Ryobi is an excellent budget-friendly option. The kit features a variable-speed drill/driver, an impact driver, charger and two 18-volt batteries. It’s all covered by Ryobi’s three-year warranty.
Note: Pros who need to set long screws use both the drill/driver and the impact driver. Bore a pilot hole with the drill, then use the impact driver to set the fastener. It’s easy to switch from drill to driver, and the reduced strain makes both tools go farther on a single charge.
Why You Should Trust Us
I am an Ohio-based freelance writer and author who was previously a residential remodeler, commercial site supervisor and maintenance manager. I’ve worked and written about all aspects of building and DIY. Since I’ve used many tools in my own work and conducted hours of research to round up suggestions for Family Handyman readers, I only recommend reliable products that I find trustworthy.
This guide features expert input from Josh Tarini the Director of Product Management at Stanley Black & Decker. He works in the drilling department at Stanley Black & Decker, the company that makes well-known brands DeWalt, Black & Decker, Craftsman, Stanley, Cub Cadet, Hustler and Troy-Bilt. Since they’re the number one world leader in the tools industry, their employees know what features to look for and the mechanics behind what makes a high-quality drill.
FAQs
What is the best voltage for a cordless drill?
Necessary voltage varies between users and depends on what you’re using the drill for. “A user who is only performing light-duty applications, such as fastening screws and drilling small holes, may be best suited by a low voltage (12V) product as it will have plenty of performance in a generally smaller form factor with lighter weight,” says Tarini. “High voltage, such as DeWalt’s 60V MAX platform, is best when executing highly demanding applications. These tools offer the most power and torque, but come at the expense of being larger and heavier.”
Is a brushed or brushless motor better?
Brushless motors are more efficient and have a few advantages over brushed motors. They have increased performance, are typically smaller in size, run longer on a single charge and don’t require as much maintenance because you don’t need to replace the brushes over time.
Are cordless drills as powerful as corded drills?
“Due to advances in motor and battery technology, many cordless drills today meet or exceed the power levels of historical corded products,” says Tarini. Keep in mind that cordless drills don’t need to be recharged, though. You can just plug them in and get started, but you will have a limited radius to work in.
