The Best Cordless Drills
  • 2022-03-09

The Best Cordless Drills

A cordless drill is one of the most important power tools that you can ever buy. The best thing about a cordless drill is that you get to drive screws and drill holes using the same tool, without having to find an outlet that is near your working station to power the drill. A cordless drill offers you better mobility since you can move around with it or take it anywhere and not have the extension cable behind you.

What to look for in a Cordless Drill

The clutch

The best cordless drills will have an adjustable clutch.  This means that the clutch can separate itself from the rest of the electric drill. The number of distinct clutch settings will vary depending on the drill. Get one that has at least 24 settings because the more the clutch settings, the more you will be able to fine-tune the power that is delivered by your drill. High setting numbers are for large screws while low setting numbers are for small screws.

The speed

Some inexpensive drills have a single speed but it is better to have a drill with two fixed speeds. Cordless drills that have two speeds are ideal for varying operations where the high speed is for drilling holes while the low speed is for driving screws. The drill you choose will depend on the kind of tasks that you want to accomplish. You can get one that has high speeds for drilling holes and one that has low speeds for screw driving.

The power

The measure of power for cordless drills is in voltage. If you are looking to have torque spinning strength then you will need higher voltage. The range of voltage models include 6, 7.2, 9.6, 12, 14.4 and 18 V. The higher voltage drills available today can bore holes through flooring and lumber. It is an impressive feature attributed to the availability of higher power voltage. 

Here are the best cordless drills in 2021

  1. DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill Combo Kit

This cordless drill is reliable for a professional working, for DIY projects, and even for home repairs. It is a long lasting tool that delivers 300 unit watts of power ability to help you carry out a wide range of applications.  The drill can power through concrete, lumber and metal sheets. You have the option of operating it at speeds of between zero and 450 revolutions per minute, or between zero and 1500 revolutions per minute. 

The DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill has a compact, lightweight design that makes it easy to handle. The drill also has a ½ inch single sleeve ratcheting chuck that offers a tight bit grip strength.  It has an ergonomic handle that provides control and support, and a compact design to allow it to fit into tight areas. The drill features a 3 LED light ring that has a 20 second delay for visibility without shadows.

What we liked about it:

  • Compact, lightweight design
  • Ergonomic handle
  • 3 LED light ring
  • Single sleeve ratcheting chuck
  1. DEKO 20V Brushless Drill Driver Kit

This cordless drill features a brushless motor on the power drill that ensures that the drill is more stable than others. It also makes it possible for the drill to deliver up to 57% more run time compared to other brushed motors. The DEKO 20V Brushless Drill Driver Kit has an 18+1 position clutch that delivers 371 in-l peak torque. This is more powerful than other brush motors and generates far more precision than regular 16+1 cordless drills.

This cordless drill has a built in LED light that focuses on the drill point and illuminates the work area if you are doing some work in a dark setting. You can quick-charge it for an hour and the 1.5Ah Li-ion battery holds charge for long periods. The drill also has variable speed adjustment with two speed transmission, one for a range of drilling holes and one for screw driving.  It has an ergonomic design that has a no-slip rubber over the handle to give you a better grip and reduce vibration.  The weight of this drill is 2.7 lbs, making it lightweight and easy to use in tight areas.

What we liked about it:

  • Robust motor
  • LED light
  • Ergonomic design
  • Variable speed adjustment
  1. Makita XFD131 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/2 Inch Driver-Drill Kit

This cordless drill has a mechanical 2 speed transmission of 0 -500 RPM and 0-1900 RPM for a wide range of fastening and drilling applications.  The drill features a BL brushless motor that is electronically controlled to optimize battery energy use for up to 5p percent longer run time per charge.

The BL brushless motor on this cordless drill eliminates carbon brushes, making it possible for the BL motor to run more efficiently and cooler over a longer life span. It is electronically controlled to use energy more efficiently and match the RPM and match torque to the varying demands of the application. 

What we liked about it:

  • Mechanical 2 speed transmission
  • Electronically controlled BL Brushless motor
  • 440 inches of max torque
  • Fast charging battery
  1. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Drill / Driver

This cordless drill features Lithium Ion Technology and 20V MAX. It has an 11 position clutch that provides precise control for drilling metal, plastic, wood and all other screw driving tasks. The average speed of this drill is 650 RPM. It also features an integrated bit holder under the drill handle that has double ended bits and is available in either orange or black.

The BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Drill / Driver is lighter, more compact, and has longer life. It has variable speed to allow countersinking without damaging the material. It is a drill that works well on plastic, wood, metal as well as for other screw driving tasks. It also features an LED work light that makes it possible for you to work in dark environments.

What we liked about it:

  • Integrated bit holder
  • Lithium Ion Technology
  • 11 position clutch
  • Variable speed