Best Cordless Drills: You Know the Drill

Top 8 Best Cordless Drills

There will be a few in our readership who are going to immediately point out that cordless drills aren’t strictly an automotive tool or accessory. And, for once, they’re technically correct. The first genre one generally thinks of when an ad for cordless drills appears is the construction industry. An maybe the props department for a science-fiction B-movie.

But there are plenty of uses for a cordless drill in the garage. How about attaching a polishing tool for buffing paint? A wire wheel for cleaning metal before welding can come in handy. And let’s not forget about those of us who still rivet stuff together as if we lived in the 1920s.

With that in mind, check out these picks from Amazon.

To say that DEWALT has a variety of hand tools is akin to saying that Canada has a variety of bacon. This particular selection slips in under a hundred bucks and included the drill, battery, charger, and carrying case. You're on your own for bits and attachments.

That's not a wholly bad thing, however, since it means you're not paying for stuff you may not ever use. By picking up the basics, you've pocketed some cash to go out and buy the ancillary items you actually need, instead of having a bunch of weird sized bits that'll rattle around in your toolbox forever. A 4.6 out of 5 rating is stellar considering there are 6,000+ reviews.

This brand has taken a few knocks over the last couple of decades, a result of chasing profit margins and market share at the expense of using good internal parts. As an example, your author still has a B&D corded drill his grandfather used in the '70s.

Recently, these issues have been addressed - at least partially - leading to much better than average ratings on this particular drill. It comes with an array of accessories, some of which you'll never use. Reviewers recommend picking up a second battery, despite the brand's assertion that one holds a charge for "18 months".

Some people have been shying away from the Craftsman brand since Sears went under, logically assuming that they'd be in the same boat as all of us who had/have Kenmore appliances and need service.

However, thanks to a licensing agreement that's only slightly more complicated than a middle eastern peace treaty, Craftsman is still a going concern. This drill is part of the brand's V20 cordless system, meaning the battery can be swapped between different tools in its ecosystem. Brushless motors are said to provide up to 25 percent more run time and improved durability compared to conventional units.

Seeing this brand always reminds your author of Stan Mikita, the Blackhawks great who dominated the NHL 50 years ago. Useless hockey associations aside, this drill is nearly a pro-grade unit, with a mechanical two-speed transmission just like a Chevy Powerglide.

Makita says the electronically-controlled BL Brushless motor efficiently uses energy to match torque and RPM to the changing demands of the application. In other words, hitting a knot in a board should 'make drill go BRRRR'. Its torque rating is higher than others, too.

This brand first appeared in the 1990s and has grown to include a power tool line aimed at both 'tool gurus and DIYers'. Like others, they have developed a lithium-ion single-battery system to power each of their 20V tools. A built-in LED is a very helpful inclusion on this drill.

Its 11.6-inch shaft is said to be designed for extending bits into narrow space, twisting and rotating at different angles. This always sounds like a gimmick with a weak point that'll fly apart at any second but customers seem to give it the thumbs up. I've never had any luck with them.

Avid Power might sound like a nerdy superhero but is actually the name applied to a series of budget power tools. Priced in the under-$40 class, this power drill set should be enough to get the cost-conscious hobbyist off to a good start.

At a glance, this drill could be confused for a Craftsman thanks to its color scheme. Whether this is a good or bad thing is up to you. Complaints from customers include carping about battery life and charging units going on the fritz. However, several reviews mention that the company's customer support is helpful.

Straying into the "never heard of 'em" end of the pool is this pistol-shaped tool that's alternatively marketed as a cordless drill and cordless screwdriver via some wonky English translations. It does come with drill bits, permitting its inclusion on this list.

A pair of batteries are included, speaking to either a long run time or the lack of juice in a single pack. It does feature a variable speed motor and a two-speed setting. Basic stuff, yes, but necessary for even the most entry-level of DIY. Reviews are largely positive.

Free of extra addenda, this $70 drill is packaged simply with a battery and charger. That's it. Extra bit sets are available for about twenty bucks ... but you've already got a million of those, right? The annoyingly all-caps SKIL brand boasts of a longer run time and battery life than its competitors.

An LED light illuminates your work area when the trigger is pressed and, in a fit of practicality, the light remains on 10 seconds after the trigger is released. The PowerCore line of battery-powered tools includes the likes of grinders, vacuums, and saws - the latter of which are so ubiquitous that some people (raises hand) simply refer to a circular saw as a SKIL saw.

FAQs

What are the best cordless drills out there?

It’s all about everyone’s individual choice and their specific needs. Nevertheless, listed below are some cordless drill models and their brands that have been appreciated by many users for both domestic and professional purposes:

Best Overall

DEWALT DCD771C2 20V Max ( Buy here!)

Offering 1500 RPM at 20 Volts of power consumption and with two-speed transmission modes, this is a complete kit that includes a 45-piece screwdriver set.

Best Value for Money

BLACK+DECKER 20V Max ( Buy here!)

This one has an 11-position clutch that offers precise grip while drilling different material types like metal, wood, plastic, etc. The machine has variable speeds to provide accurate power and impact while using.

Best Light-Duty

Makita DF012DSE 7.2V ( Buy here!)

This piece of equipment has an LED recharge indicator that flashes when the built-in lithium-ion battery needs to be charged. DF012DSE offers a speed of 650 RPM at the power consumption of 7.2 Volts which makes the cordless drill a perfect machine for domestic uses. In addition, the speed can also be lowered down to 200 RPM using the 2-speed adjustable switch to drill soft materials.

What cordless drill do professionals use?

Because the professionals tend to use the machines more frequently than home users, their cordless drills need to be more durable, powerful, and trustworthy. Listed below are some cordless drill models and their brands that you can consider while looking for a professional piece of equipment:

DEWALT 20V Max (DCD791D2) ( Buy here!)

With 2000 RPM running at 20 Volts, this cordless drill comes with a ½ inch ratcheting chuck and offers up to 57 percent more runtime as compared to other standard drill machines.

DEWALT 20V Max (DCK290L2) ( Buy here!)

This one also has a ½ inch ratcheting chuck. In addition, the all-metal 3-speed switch enables you to adjust the RPM according to your specific needs.

Makita XDT14R ( Buy here!)

With a 3-speed selection switch that enables you to run the machine at 0 – 1,100 RPM, 0 – 2,100 RPM, and 0 – 3,600 RPM, this cordless drill consumes 18 Volts and comes with a 3-year warranty.

Is DeWalt or Milwaukee better?

Broadly, both the brands manufacture quality products, and choosing one over the other would be a matter of your personal preference. Nevertheless, if you want to compare the two, it would be a good idea to check their history, country of origin, and the organization they are owned by. For your convenience, a quick comparison table is given below:

DeWalt

Milwaukee

Established/Founded In

1923

1924

Parent Company

Black &Decker (Since 1960)

Techtronic Industries (Since 2005)

Origin (Parent Company)

U.S.A.

Hong Kong

Inception

Manufacturing

Product Line

20V MAX, 60V MAX, FLEXVOLT

M12, M18, M18 FUEL

Because both brands produce quality products, the competition between the two is quite challenging. That said, preferring a cordless drill from one manufacturer over the other is solely your personal choice.

What is the longest-lasting cordless drill?

From time to time, TTAC will highlight automotive products we think may be of interest to our community. Plus, posts like this help to keep the lights on around here. Learn more about how this works.

(Editor’s note: This post is meant to both help you be an informed shopper for automotive products but also to pay for our ‘90s sedan shopping habits operating expenses. Some of you don’t find these posts fun, but they help pay for Junkyard Finds, Rare Rides, Piston Slaps, and whatever else. Thanks for reading.)

[Main photo credit: monticello / Shutterstock.com. Product images provided by the manufacturer.]