Welcome to the Black and Decker cordless drill review! Here I will be covering the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to purchasing Black and Decker’s best-selling cordless drill, and I hope that you enjoy every piece of this article as much as I enjoyed producing it. By the end of the review, you should have all the knowledge you need to make the best choice for your power tool needs. Best of all, you will know if you should buy a Black & Decker cordless drill.
About Black and Decker
Named after Duncan Black and Alonzo Decker, Black and Decker was established over a century ago in 1910 America. Since becoming a diversified manufacturer of homeowner tools at the most affordable prices, the brand has one of the most versatile ranges of 12v and 18v cordless drills. In 1960, Black and Decker acquired Dewalt and essentially became the “homeowner version” of Dewalt, becoming a go-to brand for everyday homeowners with little to no affiliation in construction.
Black and Decker 18V Cordless Drill Review
What’s included
- 18V Black & Decker Cordless Drill
- 18V Battery Pack
- DC Plug Charger
- Storage Bag
- Stud Finder
Pros
- Variable speed and reverse for controlled drilling and driving in diverse materials
- 24-position clutch keeps screws from stripping
- Keyless chuck for quick and easy bit adjustments
- Soft grips for comfort, ergonomics, and reduced slipping
- Lightweight, compact, and easy to handle at just 4.7 pounds
- Stud finder included assisting in locating optimal wall spots for drilling
- 2 year limited warranty
Cons
Features
The Black and Decker 18v cordless drill kit features a variable speed function that lets the user adjust the drilling speeds and enables you to reverse the rotation so that you can screw and unscrew bolts and drill through tougher surfaces by drilling both ways.
In addition, the drill comes in at just 4.6 pounds, making it both lightweight and easy to handle. The soft grips of the handle are built for ergonomics and comfort, which maximizes hand grasp and eliminates slipping tendencies. Finally, this product comes with a stud detector that allows you to find the studs in the walls (particularly for non-concrete walls) and drill bolts without damaging your walls.
Quality
This item is rated a 4.5-star rating on Amazon reviews with almost 1000 user ratings, making it a convincingly great quality cordless drill. The adjustable speeds and the keyless chuck allow for a versatile tool that can tackle just about any home-related drilling tasks. Complete with a stud finder and a storage bag, this highly acclaimed drill is lightweight, ergonomic, and compact for the most pleasurable drilling experience in the house.
Battery
As with all cordless tools, this power drill comes with a rechargeable 18v DC NiCAD battery pack and charger. NiCAD battery, which stands for Nickel-Cadmium battery, is an extremely long-lasting battery that lasts over 1000 discharge cycles and has a fast and simple recharge, even after an extended period of time not in use. The only downside of this battery is that it is not very eco-friendly as cadmium is a rather harmful material to produce.
Price Range
Black & Decker is by far the most affordable drill that I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing, as you are looking at an average of one hundred dollars for a kit like this. As a homeowner tool, this is a great relief for those everyday people that really just want something that can work without too much fuss. It is highly affordable and highly effective for the right customer, Black & Decker more than delivers when it comes to its price range. Black & Decker cordless drills also made our list for best cordless drills.
Learn about the difference between brushless vs. brushed drills here.
Who is this drill best suited for?
This drill is best suited for homeowners that will be using the tool for tasks such as building shelves, furniture, or even backyard fences. This item is not suitable for construction workers looking for something powerful, nor for hybrid buyers who want to use it for various task types. Black & Decker is, as I’ve mentioned, the “homeowner version” of Dewalt, so while it is a high-quality manufactured drill, it is also specialized for a specific audience, so make sure you know your goals and needs before investing in this one!
What are people saying about it?
The majority of comments for the Black and Decker 18v cordless drill are fairly positive, with many alluding to the ergonomics and lightweight nature of the item. With an Amazon rating of 4.5 stars and a feature-specific rating of 4.6 stars for “value for money,” it is easy to see that the drill’s best feature is not by destroying its competitors with state of the art perks but by being a one-of-a-kind solution at the most affordable price.
When it comes to complaints, some have mentioned the charger is not as effective as it’s advertised to be, while another comment felt his drill was second-hand. Fortunately, the few complaints that do exist could mostly be solved through the 2-year warranty provided by Black and Decker’s return policy (1).
How do B & D Drills Compare to other brands?
Black and Decker Drill vs. Hilti
While Black and Decker may be a step-down from Dewalt in terms of their intended use, catering more towards homeowners and having no business with construction sites, the brand is greatly different from Hilti in terms of product lines, build, and price.
Hilti is designed with professionals and tradespeople in mind. Black & Decker has a wider range of products that are intended for homeowners, have a lower price point, and a 2-year limited warranty. Read more about them in our Hilti Drill Review.
Black and Decker Drill vs. Dewalt
Both these brands are different parts of the same American manufacturing group, Stanley Black and Decker Group, the overarching parent company that essentially acquired Dewalt in 1960. Dewalt’s warranty is better, with a 3-year limited warranty against Black & Decker’s 2-year warranty.
In terms of portfolio, Black and Decker’s range of products is targeted primarily towards homeowners, whereas Dewalt targets both homeowners and construction workers. As such, you could expect to pay less for Black and Decker and should definitely consider them for strictly home-related tasks. However, Dewalt is a great brand for hybrid users that are likely to use the tool for both home and construction work. Learn more about Dewalt in our Dewalt Drill Review.
Black and Decker Drill vs. Bosch
Bosch and Black and Decker boast a great range of 12v tools that are catered for homeowner use. These brands are equally as vast in their range of homeowner power tools, but I do like Bosch’s flexibility in this instance as they are not strictly used for the home and can be applied to construction work, too, making itself a hybrid much like that of Dewalt. If not for the relatively poor 1-year warranty of Bosch, it would almost be a no-brainer for me to choose Bosch over Black and Decker, but the latter’s 2-year warranty definitely evens it out. Read more about it in our Bosch Cordless Drill Review.
Black and Decker Drill vs. Makita
Black and Decker is like the “homeowner” version of Dewalt, as this is indeed what the company set out to be since its establishment in 1910. As such, it’s not too surprising that Black and Decker would have a slightly larger range of homeowner drills, particularly around the 12v mark.
I recommend that if you feel your tasks will be strictly homeowner-related without the possibility of delving into anything construction-related or overly ambitious, then go with Black and Decker, as you’ll likely find just what you need at the best price. On the other hand, if you think you may need the drills for more than just homeowner-related tasks, then I suggest looking into Makita’s range of 12v and 18v cordless drills. Read more about it in our Makita Cordless Drill Review.
Black & Decker Drill Review FAQ
What is the Black & Decker Drill warranty?
B & D offers a 2-year limited-time warranty.
What is the Black & Decker Drill return policy?
Black & Decker allows you to return your product within the first 2 years of purchase and have it replaced at no extra charge, provided that there are manufacturing defects or lack of quality with the item.
What else comes with the Black & Decker Drill?
In addition to the Black and Decker 18v drill, you will also receive a NiCAD battery pack, charger, storage bag, and stud finder.
How long does the battery last?
The NiCAD battery lasts for over 1000 discharge cycles, which equates to 15-20 years of regular use.
What’s the difference between the 12v and 18v drill?
The main difference between any 12v drill and an 18v drill is the amount of voltage held. To explain the meaning of voltage in this context, it refers to the force that pushes the electrical current through a conducting loop. All you need to know is the higher the voltage, the more ambitious tasks the drill can perform, and a higher voltage often equates to a larger drill too.
Is Black & Decker 18V Cordless Drill worth it?
All things considered, Black & Decker’s 18V Cordless Drill is literally the most affordable high-quality drill on the market and is, therefore, a worthy purchase for anyone concerned about budget. Of course, as mentioned, the drill is catered towards home-related tasks, such as building furniture, drilling holes into the walls, or DIY projects like building a fence in the backyard.
Keeping this in mind, and ensuring that you do not misuse the drill for the wrong reasons, such as using it on a construction site, then you will be fairly pleased with its performance and results. On a final note, Black & Decker is an incredibly good choice that delivers bang for your buck, and as an ordinary home-dweller myself, this is the brand I would be looking for to tackle the tasks around my house.
Source:
1 – https://www.blackanddecker.com/utilities/warranty/2-year-limited-warranty