The Best Cordless Drills for DIYers, Tested and Reviewed
Editor’s Note: Testing for this article took place in late 2023 and these products remain our current top recommendations for 2024 until we revisit this category. Stay tuned for our 2024 updates.
With many of today’s tools running on powerful, long-lasting batteries, DIYers aren’t limited by the length of a cord. Cordless tools offer the flexibility and range of movement that’s often needed for tackling most home improvement projects. The popularity of cordless drills, in particular, has brought numerous models to the market, so we wanted to know if our readers were getting what they were paying for. In order to know for sure, we had to personally test the drills, and that’s exactly what we did.
We didn’t pull any punches in our tests—we pushed each drill to its limit and awarded points based on quality, torque, ease of use, and sheer power. We tested each function on every drill to determine the best use for each make and model.
Keep reading to learn how to navigate the options from the cordless drill industry and to find out why each of the following models earned a spot in this lineup.
- BEST OVERALL: DeWalt DCD771C2 20V MAX Compact Drill/Driver Kit
- RUNNER-UP: Makita FD07R1 12V Brushless Cordless Driver-Drill Kit
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Black+Decker LDX120C 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver
- UPGRADE PICK: DeWalt DCK299M2 20V MAX Hammerdrill & Impact Driver
- BEST LIGHT-DUTY: Makita DF012DSE 7.2V Cordless Driver-Drill Kit
- BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Milwaukee 2804-20 M18 FUEL ½-Inch Hammer Drill/Driver
- MOST VERSATILE: Bosch GSR12V-300FCB22 12V MAX Chameleon Drill/Driver
- BEST COMPACT: Bosch PS31-2A 12V MAX ⅜-Inch Drill/Driver Kit
- BEST COMBINATION KIT: Milwaukee 2801-22CT M18 Compact Drill Driver Kit
- ALSO CONSIDER: DeWalt DCD701F2 XTREME 12V MAX Drill/Driver Kit
How We Tested the Best Cordless Drills
To earn a spot in this cordless drill lineup, every power tool was extensively tested. We started by charging the batteries fully, so each drill had a fair shot from the outset. We separated the drills by voltage to remain product-appropriate and performed the most aggressive tests on the highest-voltage drills.
We demanded more from the powerful models—the 18-volt (V) and 20V drills with ½-chucks—because these are the drills DIYers purchase to construct larger projects, such as garages and sheds. We had to know whether they would overheat and how much torque they could generate. We tested each of the 18V and 20V drills using a variety of drill bits—both standard and specialty, such as auger bits and paddle bits—to determine how much power and torque they had. The larger a bit’s surface, such as an auger bit or a 2-inch hole-saw bit, the more power a drill must have to successfully drill through wood and other materials.
We recorded each drill’s performance using a rubric and awarded numbers from 0 to 4. For example, if a drill did not drill through soft pine easily, it got a 0. If it drilled through pine moderately well, we gave it a 2, and if it drilled through pine exceptionally well, it got a 4. At the end, we added up the points from the rubric to get a better overall picture of how well each drill did.
As we drilled holes, we noted each tool’s runtime. However, we did not award points for runtime because lithium-ion batteries may perform better or worse for a variety of reasons, and things like being stored in subfreezing temperatures can reduce their viability. We didn’t feel it would be a fair assessment of the tool to award points on runtime. We did, however, award points for power and torque. We also awarded points based on ergonomics, the ability to adjust clutch settings, and whether they came with additional features—such as work lamps.
For the drills with less voltage such as 12V and 7.2V, we did not subject them to intensive drilling as we did the others. These smaller drills are not designed to withstand that type of activity, so we tested them in practical drilling and driving situations. We used standard drill bits and drilled holes in softwood and hardwood. We noted whether the drills overheated. We adjusted and tested their clutch settings and tested any additional functions.
In the end, we analyzed each drill’s cumulative score, and those that performed the best within their voltage range earned a spot on our best cordless drill lineup. We’re confident that these drills are among the best cordless drills on the market today—for several different types of users.
Our Top Picks
The following cordless drills represent many of the top brands, which are known for reliability and value, and we tested each drill on the list. We determined the extent of each tool’s power, whether it could withstand repeated use, its battery life, and the drill’s overall quality. Since some of the following drills are better suited to some tasks than others, we’ve defined the best use for each based on our extensive hands-on testing. Keep reading to find out how each drill performed.
Best Overall
DeWalt DCD771C2 20V MAX Compact Drill/Driver Kit
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Product Specs
- Voltage: 20V
- Weight: 3.6 pounds (without battery)
- Speed: Up to 1,500 revolutions per minute (rpm)
What We Like
- Versatile construction has a ½-inch chuck, which accepts most screw and drill bits
- 1.3Ah rechargeable lithium-ion battery included; portable and lightweight construction
- Battery charger and contractor carry bag included; keeps all components organized
What We Don’t Like
- Battery capacity is low, but it can be upgraded separately
DeWalt’s 20V MAX cordless drill/driver comes from one of the most respected names in professional power tools. It offers superb quality and excellent performance at an affordable price, so we couldn’t wait to run it through our battery of tests.
As with all of the drills, the first thing we did was charge the drill’s 20V battery to ensure we had plenty of runtime. We then inserted a ½-inch auger bit and started drilling holes in a tree stump. This DeWalt drill powered right through multiple holes on both low and high speeds. The tool’s grip is comfortable in the hand, and DeWalt has added a bonus palm support on the back of the drill, which allowed us to use our other hand to stabilize the drill and exert pressure on the bit. This is a handy feature for drilling with larger bits.
We switched to a 2-inch hole-saw bit and drilled a dozen or so holes with the DeWalt drill. It powered right through—no loss of torque and no bogging down. After about 55 minutes of solid use, we lost battery power, so we paused to recharge the battery before we tested its driver functions. Keep in mind that runtime is more about the battery than the drill, and things such as the age of the battery and the temperature (lithium-ion batteries don’t run as long in cold temps) can impact runtime.
At 3.6 pounds (without the battery), the DeWalt drill is of moderate weight and well-balanced. The ½-inch chuck is designed to accept most drill and screw bits. An LED light brightens dark corners. The 16 clutch settings allowed us to tweak the torque power for different screw-driving tasks.
DeWalt’s 20V MAX kit comes with a 1.3 amp-hour (Ah) battery, a charger, and a carry bag. Its durability and reliability are among the best in the industry, and this DeWalt cordless drill would make a valuable addition to the tool kit of both DIY enthusiasts and professionals.
Get the DeWalt DCD771C2 cordless drill at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Acme Tools.
Runner-Up
Makita FD07R1 12V Brushless Cordless Driver-Drill Kit
Product Specs
- Voltage: 12V
- Weight: 2.3 pounds (with battery)
- Speed: Up to 1,500 rpm
What We Like
- Built-in 20-setting adjustable clutch to fine-tune torque as needed
- 2 batteries included, one to run tool while the other charges
- Brushless motor for long-lasting power and battery life; suitable for DIYers as well as pros
What We Don’t Like
- Pricier than competitive models that have similar power and features
One of the first things we noticed about this Makita drill was its lightweight, compact size, making it well-suited for smaller jobs. At just 6.5 inches long and 2.3 pounds, with an ergonomic grip to boot, the drill fits comfortably into tight spots where many others won’t. Makita’s brushless motor makes the most of the 12 volts of lithium-ion battery power, which is plenty for everyday tasks, such as drilling holes to hang pictures.
We started with a fully charged battery and inserted a paddle bit. The drill comes with two power settings, and we selected the lowest to have sufficient torque for drilling through our test wood. We drilled dozens of holes and then switched to a hole-saw bit. The 12V 2Ah battery didn’t start to show signs of exhaustion for a full 35 minutes of drilling. Keep in mind that we were drilling holes repeatedly, which put more pressure on the drill than is typical for most situations, so battery runtimes are understandably reduced.
We then swapped in a fresh battery and inserted a driver bit. The compact Makita comes with a 20-setting clutch, so we tested the various torque settings to the screws we were using. This little Makita has slightly less power and torque than the 18V and 20V models we tested, yet it was surprisingly powerful for a 12V cordless drill.
Though it is not an inexpensive cordless drill, this one delivers decent battery life and superior balance, making it well-suited for most DIY projects.
Get the Makita FD07R1 cordless drill at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Ace Tool.
Best Bang for the Buck
Black+Decker LDX120C 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver
Product Specs
- Voltage: 20V
- Weight: 2.7 pounds (without battery)
- Speed: Up to 650 rpm
What We Like
- ⅜-inch keyless chuck for quick, easy bit changes; ideal for use on job sites
- Variable-speed trigger; 11 clutch settings to tweak torque for different tasks
- Built-in LED light for use in low-light situations or for increased visibility
What We Don’t Like
- Light- to medium-duty drill; not suited for heavy drilling
We discovered that we didn’t have to spend a lot of money to get a powerful cordless drill. Few brands have a better reputation for balancing quality and value than Black+Decker, and their 20V MAX cordless drill is a great example.
After charging the battery, we started with a hole-saw bit and drilled 2-inch holes in pine. The Black+Decker provided nearly as much power as the more expensive drills in this lineup, but it didn’t have quite as much torque when we exerted a lot of pressure. Not to worry—it’s not designed for heavy-duty drilling. It’s intended for basic around-the-house drilling and driving, and it does that exceptionally well. We tried a variety of bits, and the Black+Decker handled all but the largest auger bit. The battery went out around the 25-minute mark, so we paused to recharge.
With the battery charged again, we switched to driver mode and inserted the screwdriver bit stored on the back of the tool’s handle. The drill offers an 11-setting clutch, which allowed us to tweak the drill’s torque sensitivity when inserting screws.
While this drill will not be powerful enough for a professional framer, it has ample power for many jobs around the home and yard, yet the price is among the lowest on the market. Even though the brush motor helps keep the cost down, Black+Decker didn’t skimp on features in this lightweight ergonomic drill. An LED work light facilitates jobs in dark corners, and a 1.5Ah battery and a charger complete the kit.
Get the Black+Decker cordless drill at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Tractor Supply Co., or Walmart.
Upgrade Pick
DeWalt DCK299M2 20V MAX Hammerdrill & Impact Driver
Product Specs
- Voltage: 20V
- Weight: 4.7 pounds (drill); 2 pounds (impact driver)
- Speed: Up to 2,000 rpm (drill); up to 3,250 rpm (impact driver)
What We Like
- Kit comes with a hammer drill and impact driver; included batteries are compatible with both
- Ergonomic nonslip grips for comfort and accuracy while in use
- Includes two 4Ah lithium-ion batteries, a charger, and bag
What We Don’t Like
- Plastic leverage bar for the drill might not hold up
This DeWalt combo kit may appeal to both DIYers and professionals. The cordless hammer drill makes light work of drilling into tough materials like masonry. The impact driver effortlessly deals with oversize fasteners like deck screws that can sap the energy from even the most powerful standard drill/driver.
We tested the DeWalt hammer drill on concrete and were impressed by its torque and power. We drilled more than a half dozen holes without the hammer drill bogging down or the battery lagging. Our hands and wrists gave out before the hammer drill did—its 20V 4Ah battery just kept going and going. One slight downside is that the included leverage bar is made from relatively lightweight plastic—it’s OK but feels cheap. We attached it to the drill but ended up taking it off and using the drill without it.
The impact driver is impressive. It comes with a compact nose and three speed adjustments. We inserted screws into soft pine without the impact motion kicking in, but when we added pressure and started inserting screws into ash, the impact motion kicked in and added power to insert the screws more quickly. The impact is smooth and rapid—like a well-oiled machine. Like the hammer drill, the battery power of the driver lasted longer than we did. All in all, it’s an excellent set for the money.
The drill has a ½-inch chuck with a durable all-metal 11-position clutch. The impact driver delivers high torque and 3,600 impacts per minute for consistent fast driving of even the largest fixings. Despite their power, each tool weighs in at under 5 pounds.
Get the DeWalt DCK299M2 cordless drill at Amazon, Lowe’s, or