These 5 Best Cordless Drills Are Your Top Picks
A cordless drill is at the top of the list of tools a new homeowner should own. You will need a drill for many small fix-up jobs – from assembling your furniture to the small building projects; a drill is necessary for every new homeowner.
Sure some jobs you can get away with using a screwdriver, but you can save a ton of time using a cordless drill. It’s like using letter mail when you could use email. Yes, they both work, but one is a lot faster than the other.
But with so many choices, which of these cordless drills should you purchase? Luckily as a builder, I have had tons of experience with cordless drills and have included a list below of some you should consider, plus the one I use on-site.
✅ This specific drill is what we recommend for all new homeowners.
- Cordless drill combo kit features 2-speed transmission (0-450 / 0-1500 RPM)
- High-performance motor of cordless tools combo kit
- Compact, lightweight design of the drill/ impact driver combo kit fits into tight areas
- 1/2-inch single sleeve ratcheting chuck provides tight bit gripping strength
- 3 LED light ring with 20 second delay to provide visibility without shadows
- Variable speed plus reverse for controlled drilling and driving in diverse materials
- Stud Finder feature in this power drill detects studs through walls up to 3/4 inch thick
- 24-position clutch keeping screws from stripping
- Easy-in and easy-out slide pack battery.
- 2-year warranty
- Includes one HPB18 18-volt battery pack, DC plug charger, storage bag, and stud finder
- 18+voltage
- Impact driver features 1/4 in hexagon snap chuck
- Hammer drill driver features keyless chuck
- Includes soft case and 2 batteries
Best Value Drill For Homeowners: Dewalt Combo Drill Kit
Dewalt has been at the top of the cordless market for years, and for a good reason. This set is bombproof and will last the average homeowner a lifetime. It’s one of the best power tools you can add to your toolkit. It’s small enough to reach into many tight spaces and has enough power to get the job done.
Another thing to note is the impact drill that comes with this set. The value of an impact driver cannot be overstated. It allows you to quick-change drill bits and prevents the stripping of screw heads by 80 percent. This will be a great drill for you to speed through drilling holes where you need them is an all-around great cordless power drill.
Dewalt also has an extremely balanced feel and is a top choice among tradespeople everywhere. When people ask me which is best for them, this one is the right mix of performance and price.
A few other things to note. This drill is the number one bestseller in power tools on Amazon. It has a remarkable 4.8 out of 5-star rating with nearly 20,000 ratings. That is some serious love for this set. If you want to know more about this drill, check out our full Dewalt Drill review.
Best Entry Level Drill: Black & Decker
This Black and Decker cordless drill is a great entry-level drill that will accomplish most homeowner handyman tasks. It has a great price point and will easily do for many of your usual around-the-house jobs.
It comes with a stud sensor, storage bag and is really well priced for new homeowners. If you aren’t sure about how much you are going to be needing a cordless drill, this is a good starting point. I would caution that if you think you are going to need a drill, then upgrading may be on your horizon if you get this drill. It’s just really a matter of price and usage when it comes to this type of drill.
Bosch DDB182-02 18-Volt Lithium-Ion 1/2-Inch Compact Tough Drill/Driver Kit with 2 Batteries, Charger and Contractor Bag
Bosch is more of a mid-line maker of cordless drills, which is a bit more ergonomic than the Black and Decker drill.
The Bosch drill also uses a lithium-ion battery, which will have a longer life and durability than a standard battery. This
As an option, you can also upgrade to the Bosch Combo Kit.
Wondering what other tools you need? Check out our best tools for new homeowners list.
Makita XFD11R1B 18V Lithium-Ion Sub-Compact Brushless Cordless Drill
Another top choice for tradespeople everywhere! Many carpenters swear by Makita. Just like the Dewalt drill, it has an extremely balanced feel and performs well.
Makita’s have long-lasting batteries and are great for performance when it matters. Really, what more could you ask for! This cordless drill kit also has an impact driver that will save you a lot of swear words down the road. Learn more about this drill in our Makita drill review.
Builders’ Choice: Hilti Cordless Drill Set (Impact Driver and Hammer Drill combo)
If you are tough on your tools or you want the best cordless drill, there is out there on the market right now this Hilti drill set is for you.
Hilti’s main focus in the market is to service and provide tools for concrete workers. This means that the tools need to be able to stand up to rigorous use.
Concrete workers are notoriously known for being tougher on their tools than any other trade. As a result of this, Hilti’s tools are bomb-proof. They are as tough as it gets, and their warranty backs it up.
They stand behind their products, and they are meant to work in the toughest conditions.
This year they switched their batteries to operate better in colder climates. The batteries don’t lose a single bit of performance up to -4 degrees F (or -20 C). This means that you can use this drill in concrete to fasten things to your basement walls or floor. Learn more in our in-depth Hilti drill review.
Brushed or Brushless which is best? Find out about the difference between brushless vs. brushed drills here.
Which cordless drill should you buy?
Whichever one of these cordless drills you decide to purchase, make sure it suits your needs. If you let price dictate your choice, you may find that you don’t have enough power for the job and need to upgrade, causing you to spend more over time—factor in things speed, pricing, what is included in the set, and warranty. Plus there are other drills that we didn’t discuss like our Ryobi drill review. When you go through all of these items, you will know you have selected the right drill for you. Soon you be drilling holes at a breakneck speed and loving.
While I use Hilti cordless drills in my construction work, the best cordless drill for homeowners would be the Dewalt.