Last Updated on June 29, 2023 by William

Our Top 5 Reviews of the Best Cordless Drills for 2022

One of the basic tools required for the maintenance of your house is an effective drill. The advancement of technology is always working on ways to make our lives a little bit easier and with the addition of cordless drills, you now no longer have to stress over finding a nearby switch before getting to work. There are a number of different cordless drills in the market allowing you the option of choosing the best tool from a wider range of options.

However, there are a few important things you must consider before buying this tool. Having complete knowledge about the exact type of drill you require is essential.

A cordless drill is a portable power tool, fitted with a cutting tool attachment or a driving tool attachment. These tools help you in installing fixtures of just about any kind and can also be used in taking apart anything. A cordless drill will be your friend in fixing about anything so as long as that it is fixed with screws and fasteners. Before you consider which drill is the best choice for your house, you need to acquaint yourself with the different types of drills available in the market.

Our TOP Pick!

Bosch DDB181-02

After careful examination and comparison, our best pick for you is “Bosch DDB181-02 18-Volt Lithium-Ion 1/2-Inch Compact Tough Drill/Driver Kit with 2 Batteries, Charger and Contractor Bag”. The Bosch is an ideal solution for professionals who require additional power in a compact package. With its two speed transmission combined with 20+1 settings, it offers you a variety of options to adjust the speed levels just right for the current task. Furthermore, this cordless drill also provides electronic cell production which is used to help increase the life of its two batteries!

The lightweight and compact design, not only makes it easy to handle in tight spots but also, allows you to work for greater periods of time without feeling fatigued. This allows you to cover more work with less breaks required.

Furthermore, the design of this machine ensures great maneuverability. With its head length of about only 7.1 inches, it is able to give the user greater control in tight corners that just cannot be compared with other cordless drills! Since this tool also has an ergonomic soft grip handle, it gives you a higher amount of comfort and is the ideal tool for all day operations.

One of the many amazing features of this tool is its electronic cell protection function. This function is used to increase the battery lifetime of this device. The machine does so by protecting the battery from the three main risks all batteries face – overheating, overloading, and deep discharging.

A cordless drill has four different types, each designed with their own unique purpose:

Cordless Screw Drivers

Cordless screw drivers are the most compact and light of the four drills. Consequently, these drills also have the least amount of power in them in comparison to the other four types.

The primary function of this particular tool is to drive screws. Think of it as an effective helping device for your everyday light home maintenance. However, this is not ideal for drilling holes.

Cordless Drills/Drivers

These are the most common type of drills that can be used to do just about any of your ‘do it yourself” tasks. Its versatility is a primary reason behind the tool’s frequent usage in most home maintenance jobs and professionals that don’t require tough drilling like plumbers or electricians. The product has the ability to drill holes in both, light metal and wood. The tool is specifically designed for drilling and removing screws, regardless of the surface.

It consists of an adjustable clutch, used not only to regulate the drill’s torque but also, for spinning power. It has an adjustable chuck that caters varying sizes of drill/screwdriver bits along with wire-wheel brushes, rotary sanders, and hole-saw etc.

Cordless Impact Drivers

The cordless impact drivers show their true potential during heavy duty jobs. As far as appearances are concerned, the cordless impact drivers are almost identical to a cordless drill/driver except for one thing. Cordless impact drivers have a collet which works with hex-shanked driver bits. This is different than the basic cordless drill, which has a keyless chuck.

Upon sensing resistance, the impact driver automatically enhances the level torque. Not only does this unique feature prevent slipping, but also eliminates the need for a pilot hole.

Furthermore, this device is the best tool for driving screws, even if they are large and long fasteners. However, when compared to basic cordless drills, the cordless impact wrench or drivers are not as efficient in drilling holes. Therefore, cordless impact drivers are your best bet, if your current project requires driving lots of large-sized or long screws, rather than extensive drilling.

Cordless Hammer Drills/Drivers

Out of all of the four types of drills, the cordless hammer drills/drivers have the most amount of power which makes this the ideal tool for drilling into relatively harder surfaces, such as concrete or bricks. However, this feature comes at a cost. The machine weighs more and is relatively louder than the other three types. To see which one we chose as the best cordless hammer drill, click the link!

A cordless hammer drill consists of an adjustable clutch. However, what makes this device different is that it comes with a setting designed especially for this tool. It has a final setting which is specific to the use of hammer drill. When set to this mode, the machines drill bit not only punches in and out repeatedly, but simultaneously spins as well.

How to choose the best cordless drill

Before purchasing a cordless drill, out of the many choices you have out of there, you must consider a number of factors. Research about the different features available is highly essential in order to make a well informed decision. You don’t want to regret after investing in one.

Some of the important factors you should keep in mind prior to purchasing the cordless drill include the following:

Convenience and Comfort

Your comfort should always be your number one priority. These different machines are all designed to make your life easier. Opting for a device that is not high on convenience will most definitely be a wasteful investment. An ergonomically designed drill will have comfortable handles and it should make the device easier to use as well. This will allow the user to have greater control and more precision.

Power

The amount of power your cordless drill has is very important. Greater the power, greater will be the torque- spinning strength. Having a greater torque (spinning strength) means that it will be easier for you to overcome resistance.

Power is measured in battery voltage. Battery voltage tends to range between as low as 2.4V to as high as 36V (40V MAX). It can’t be assumed that just because the device has higher power, it will perform better as well. Both the lower voltage and higher voltage machines have different purposes and advantages. Therefore, it is important to know your own needs before you consider the type of power your device should have. Lower voltage drills are useful for tasks that require less effort. However, higher voltage devices can be used for more professional and heavy duty work such as construction. Since higher voltage machines are relatively more powerful, they are ideal for jobs such as drilling into masonry or steel and installing desks.

If you are looking for a drill that is good enough for everyday light-duty tasks, then the average voltage your device should have is 12V in order to the job properly. While if you need it for construction work then the best cordless drill for you should have a voltage of 18V or higher. If you get a lower voltage unit, you can always use a small drill press to stabilize the drill for more control.

Another method to judge the power, is to look at torque it delivers. The torque is essentially the measure the intensity of twisting force the drill applies to a fastener. Generally, the higher the drill’s voltage, the higher will be its torque. Therefore, you can assume that your drill has a higher power if it has a higher torque.

Two power cells

Having a cordless drill with two power cells has multiple advantages. You should prefer a drill that has two batteries as not only will it increase productivity but it will reduce the downtime as well, on a particular project. Moreover, even if one battery is removed or runs out of power, the second battery will keep your drill running!

Clutch

A clutch’s purpose is to give you control in order to prevent you from stripping a screw or overdriving it, once it’s snug. It helps protect the motor when a lot of resistance is met in driving a screw or tightening a bolt. A good cordless drill will have at least 24 different clutch settings. When you have an option between that many clutch settings, you will be able to smoothly control the power your drill delivers. Multiple settings are used for varying tasks, for example, the lower settings are used for smaller screws, while larger screws will require a higher setting.

Chuck size

Different tasks will require varying sizes of chuck. Most drills commonly use 3/8” and ½”, which essentially refers to the extent of a drill bit-shank, which is acceptable by the chuck. If you are a professional then your needs will require models of half-inch size. However, if you are using a drill for the general ‘do it yourself’ tasks then a cordless drill, with an average 3/8 inch chuck will be sufficient.

The important thing that you should be mindful of is the grip of the bit. In the case, if the chuck does not have a good bit then you are likely to experience excessive wobbling while carrying out the tasks. This will not only be uncomfortable but also significantly reduce the tool’s efficiency. Furthermore, keeping your comfort in mind, you should ensure that it is east to remove the bits and to change them as well.

Speed

Rotations per minute is the measurement used for drill speeds. The least expensive drills run at a single speed but most have two fixed speeds-300 rpm and 800 rpm. Cordless drills have a trigger that allows you to move between these various speeds in order for you to be able to choose the perfect speed for the job, with ease.

Most models of cordless drills are created specifically to function as a combination of drill/driver. They are able to perform every function by using varying speed settings. For example, for drilling operations, fast speed settings are offered with additional rotation per minute (RPM) while for driving screws, they offer a relatively slower speed and additional torque.

You can determine the efficiency of the machine in drilling holes by looking at its maximum speed. In order to get the best cordless drill, it is recommended that you opt for the one with higher speed ratings coupled with multiple options for speed. This will allow you to drill holes in harder materials without cracking or breaking materials of softer nature. This is also true for most “drills” and drill presses as well.

The Weight Factor

Having a light weight cordless drill will get you one step closer to having the best cordless drill. The lightweight feel will allow you use the product for long periods of time without fatigue getting the best of you. Many manufacturers are now focusing on making the perfect ergonomic drill for you, as they realize the importance of giving the users their freedom to work in tight spaces. There are areas where it might not be possible to work otherwise with any bulky equipment.

Battery Types and Battery Chargers

One of the key factors determining the price of a cordless drill, is its battery. The drills with advanced batteries tend to cost more compared to their traditional nickel-cadmium counterparts. The difference between these two batteries is significant and it is important that you do not opt for nickel cadmium batteries, simply based on the price.

Most new drill models have Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries which apart from offering you more power, will last a significantly longer period of time. Moreover, these are also lighter in comparison with nickel-cadmium batteries. Lithium-ion batteries tend to be the most popular rechargeable batteries in the market and for a good reason, as they offer the best of energy densities. These offer slow charge loss whenever the product is not being used. Moreover, these batteries are better for the environment as they do not produce any toxic metals. It’s a win-win situation.

Considering the amp-hours (Ah) rating is important as this is an indication of exactly how long the battery will last. Models that come with two batteries increase the user’s convenience as these type of drills allow you the user to continue on with their task, without having to wait for the recharging process. For further user convenience, there are certain brands that have made models with interchangeable batteries. This essentially means that you can utilize all the batteries of that brand’s tools in your drill.

It is also important to consider the type of charger that comes along with your drill. Battery charges tend to be of two common types-Rapid Chargers and Slow Chargers. The rapid chargers have the ability to fully charge a battery in about 15 minutes whereas, in the case of slow chargers, they can often take a few hours to do the same job.

There is currently a new type of battery charger, which has only recently become available in the market. What makes this charger different from other chargers is that it informs the user regarding the extent of charging process reached, using a light feature as an indicator. The best part is that it will automatically turn off once the battery is charged fully. This is advantageous as overcharging a battery can damage it, which can now be prevented using this feature.

Cordless Drill Reviews

Cordless Drill/ Driver Kit, Keyless

Cordless drill/ driver comes with a dual battery option and has a Lithium-ion battery. This basically means that it will be more efficient, last longer, and be lighter in weight. The featured clutch comes with 16 different adjustable settings. It has a RPM 0 to 600/0 to 1900 with a chuck size of ½ inches. It has a maximum power of 480UWO and maximum torque of 480 in.-lb.

Pros

• Dual battery
• Lithium-ion battery
• Max power of 480UWO
• Lighter in weight

Cons

• More expensive than drills that use nickel-cadmium batteries
• Has only 16 clutch settings

DEWALT DCD791D2 20V Brushless Compact Drill / Driver Kit

This device has two Li-Ion batteries! It also has a fuel gauge that provides 33% more capacity. The Dewalt brushless motor delivers 57% more run-time. The compact and lightweight design makes it ideal to be used in tight spaces. It has 3-Mode LED lights with a spotlight mode which makes this device easy to use in dark places. It has two speed settings with its high speed transmission. The device comes with a 3 year warranty as well allowing you a safe investment.

Pros

• Dual batteries
• 3-Mode LED lights with a spotlight mode
• Li-Ion batteries
• 57% more run time
• Lightweight and compact
• 3 year warranty

Cons

• Relatively expensive
• No bit holder makes switching ends inconvenient

Milwaukee 2703-22 XC M18 Fuel Brushless 1/2-Inch Drill/Driver 18v 4.0aH

This device is a high powered drill perfect for professional use. Its brushless motor guarantees torque up to 725 in lbs. This allows the tool to complete even the toughest of applications. It uses Lithium Ion battery which allows it to work more efficiently and for a longer duration of time. It has a voltage of up to 18V which is good enough for professional use.

Pros

• torque up to 725 in lbs
• Lithium Ion battery
• Dual battery

Cons

• 18V is just about good enough, higher voltage would give more power
• Relatively expensive
• No warranty

Bosch 18-Volt Compact Tough Drill DDB181-02

This compact cordless drill is the best tool to use in tight spaces. The structure and lightweight design makes it the optimal tool to handle in tight spaces. Its light weight guarantees less fatigue while working for longer periods of time. It offers you the option complete your tasks quicker without multiple breaks required. The additional LED light feature makes this tool easy to use even in dark spaces. It guarantees optimized torque and speed for screw driving and drilling with its 2 speed transmissions. Due to the feature of variable-speed trigger, the user is offered a certain degree of versatility to match the speed according to the task at hand. Furthermore, the lithium-ion batteries make it more efficient in use and long lasting.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Easy to handle in tight spaces
• Lithium-ion batteries
• Led light makes working in dark spaces easier
• 2 speed transmissions
• 1 year warranty
• Comparatively cost effective

Cons

• Clutch ring is narrow and hard to adjust without loosening the chuck
• Relatively Quick battery drainage
• No drill bits included

Rockwell RK2852K2 Drill/Driver, 20V

These cordless drills come with a promise of 50% greater run time. Owing to the brushless motor, in comparison to standard brushed motor, you are able to gain the additional run-time. The featured single sleeve ratcheting chuck holds bit securely through tough applications. Moreover, its ½ chuck size combined with its high voltage of 20V makes it the preferable tool in construction work. The LED feature allows the user to continue on working even in dark spaces. What makes this product great is that it comes with the option of batteries-for-life replacement guarantee! It can even be used in compact places due to its lightweight, which can also decrease the fatigue you face while carrying out the tasks.

Pros

• 50% greater run time
• Lithium-ion batteries
• Batteries for life, replacement guarantee
• Lightweight
• Led feature
• Compact design
• 20V

Cons

• Relatively expensive