After drilling over 1,000 holes and sinking at least 60 pounds of screws in drill tests dating back to 2013, we’ve found the DeWalt DCD701F2 Xtreme 12V Max Brushless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver Kit to be the best one yet.
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Manufacturers like to market them to pros, but don’t be put off: For all of those slightly-more-involved home tasks—from hanging a baby gate to mounting shelving—a drill will make the work faster, easier, and more enjoyable. And you’ll be more likely to achieve solid, professional-looking results than if you used hand tools alone.
Cordless drills are more powerful than they’ve ever been. Yet they’ve also gotten so compact and lightweight that you can probably handle one even if you’ve never picked up a drill in your life.
This DeWalt is similar to the 18-volt Milwaukee, but it offers a little more battery life and an LED that can be used independent of the drill. It also has a higher price tag.
The 18-volt Milwaukee 3601-22CT handles demanding work faster and easier than the smaller, 12-volt drills, yet it manages to retain the great ergonomics and other features of our top-pick DeWalt drill.
This Milwaukee isn’t as comfortable to hold as our top pick, but it has all-day power, especially when used with the high-capacity battery.
The Bosch PS31-2A 12V has power similar to that of the DeWalt DCD701F2, but it’s clunkier to hold. And the little touches, such as the LED, aren’t as nice.
The DeWalt DCD701F2 Xtreme is the most comfortable drill we’ve ever held. It’s loaded with convenience features and packs enough strength and stamina to easily handle common jobs around the home.
The DeWalt DCD701F2 Xtreme 12V Max Brushless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver Kit combines power, comfort, and convenience in a way that none of the other tested drills do. In our tests, it bored 30 1-inch holes through a 2-by-10 on a single battery charge, showing it can handle just about anything within the four walls of a home (and even the occasional foray into more aggressive work, like a small decking repair). Other drills we tested had similar power, but the DeWalt DCD701F2 really excels in ergonomics and convenience features. The molded handle seems to account for every curve and bulge of the hand, the battery is designed so that the drill can stand upright when not in use (other drills, like the runner-up Bosch PS31-2A 12V, need to be placed on their side), and the LED is positioned so that it illuminates the drill front better than most. In all our years of testing, we haven’t found a drill that’s as much a pleasure to use as this one.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTIf the DeWalt DCD701F2 is overpriced or unavailable, we also like the Bosch PS31-2A 12V Max 3/8 in. Drill/Driver Kit. In our tests, this 12-volt Bosch couldn’t drill as many 1-inch holes on a single charge as our top pick, but it still has more than enough power for general home tasks. In our own measurements, we found it to be about 5 ounces lighter than the DeWalt DCD701F2, but it feels heavier because the balance isn’t as nice. The Bosch battery slides up into the handle, making the grip fatter and not as contoured as the DeWalt’s. Also, the LED doesn’t illuminate as well. Even with these drawbacks, we’ve been using (and recommending) this drill for years, and we’ve seen firsthand a long track record of reliability.
If you’re looking for a real workhorse of a drill, or if you have other tools in the Milwaukee 12-volt ecosystem, we like the Milwaukee 3403-22 M12 Fuel 1/2 in. Drill/Driver. It’s pricey for a 12-volt tool, but when we tested it with the included 4.0 Ah high-capacity battery, it put up numbers that rivaled or exceeded many of those of the 18-volt drills we looked at. Its considerable power is emphasized by the fact that it comes with a 0.5-inch chuck (the nose of the drill, where the bits fit in), which is larger than what is found on a standard 12-volt drill. This allows the Milwaukee to accept larger drill bits. The downsides are that, like the Bosch PS31-2A 12V, the handle isn’t as comfortable as the DeWalt DCD701F2’s, and when using the lower-capacity battery, the tool can be placed only on its side when set down. We think most will be just fine with the capabilities and comfort of our top-pick DeWalt, but this Milwaukee can definitely get a lot of work done.
If you take on projects that have you drilling lots of holes and sinking long screws, we recommend stepping up to the Milwaukee 3601-22CT M18 Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit. This 18-volt drill shares the most important characteristics of our less powerful top pick: It’s extremely comfortable to hold and use, and the little convenience features, such as the belt hook and LED, are spot-on. It’s also extremely short—shorter than even any of the 12-volt tools we tested—so it fits into tighter spots. Compared with our 12-volt Milwaukee pick, this larger drill completes tougher jobs much faster, doing the same work in less than half the time with a battery that lasts a lot longer. We tested drills during a kitchen remodel and a few smaller house renovations, and this is the drill we reached for over all the others.
If the Milwaukee 18-volt drill is not available, or if you have other 20-volt DeWalt tools and batteries, we also like the 20-volt DeWalt DCD800E2 20V Max XR Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit. It’s very similar to the 18-volt Milwaukee in power, ergonomics, and overall design. The DeWalt lasted a little longer in our battery test, and it has an LED that can also be switched on independently of the drill and slightly rotated, a unique feature that turns it into a rudimentary flashlight (which could come in handy in nearly any crawl space). The light is neat but not necessary, so we prefer the typically less expensive 18-volt Milwaukee, which is a little shorter and delivers roughly the same power and battery life.
If you’re looking for more power and battery life than what the 12-volt models provide, but you’re hesitant about the cost of the 18-volt Milwaukee and 20-volt DeWalt drills, we recommend the Ridgid R87012 18V Brushless SubCompact Cordless Drill/Driver Kit. It doesn’t have the same strength as the other two, but it has enough power for most midsize DIY projects, such as light framing. We see it as a good drill for someone starting out on the DIY road who might want a decent drill at a lower cost.
Ryobi’s 300-Piece Drill and Drive Kit and 95-Piece Drill and Impact Drive Kit are the best drill bit sets we’ve found in years of testing.
We’ve tested so many cordless drills over the years that we’ve lost count. At one point, we filled our shop with 50 drills for an epic shootout. We nearly lost our video editor over that one, but we also learned a lot. For this article, we focused on the top brands and brought back the top contenders for a fresh round of head-to-head testing to determine which flagship model is the best cordless drill in 2024.
Want to watch our head-to-head testing? Check out our best cordless drill video!
After tallying up the results, Milwaukee takes home three significant accolades, including our pick as the best cordless drill overall, best lightweight, and best compact. There’s some push and pull here, though. The only area Milwaukee ranked first in was length. However, it’s the holistic look that makes the 2904 so compelling.
First of all, there are lighter drills in the DIY and Prosumer categories, but Milwaukee does take the top spot for Professional models. The trade-off here is that it’s with a 5.0Ah battery. If you want Milwaukee’s top performance, you need to switch over to the 6.0Ah High Output or Forge batteries, and they both bump up the weight.
Considering Milwaukee’s lowest ranking was 5th with a 5.0Ah battery and 4th with a High Output pack, it’s a contender in performance, though. Features such as the kickback control that’s new to this model, plus the massive width of Milwaukee’s M18 platform, and a solid 5-year warranty help solidify the 2904 as our top selection.
This model is also available with One-Key as model 2906.
Price: $299
Flex launched its 24V line with this hammer drill and it continues to be a top-performing model several years in. Its high speed and high torque ratings showed in our testing where it earned the highest overall performance rating. There’s a caveat, though. That’s with using the 6.0Ah Stacked Lithium battery. If you’re a Pro, going with the Stacked Lithium kit is without a doubt the way to go.
It’s not just about speed and torque for Flex. This is a full-featured drill that includes kickback control and the ability to turn the Turbo mode off when you’d like more control.
When you take away Flex’s Stacked Lithium advantage, Bosch’s GSB18V-1330CN is your next best bet. Technically, the Core18V 6.3Ah battery we tested with is an advanced battery, but it’s so common on today’s Bosch cordless tools that it’s effectively the standard pack.
Price: $219
Metabo’s SB 18 LTX BL I continues to carry the torch as the best hammer drill for concrete drilling in our tests. Its 3800 RPM top speed plays a big part in that.
There are some trade-offs to consider, though. This is a beefy drill and the largest we tested. For many applications that won’t be a bother, but if you’re used to working in tight spaces, you’ll want to look at something else.
Another consideration is that this model is great at low- to medium-load applications but more middle-of-the-road as the load gets heavy. It’s certainly capable of doing almost any job you’d ask of your hammer drill, but there are better ones if you frequently dive into heavy-load jobs.
Still, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a hammer drill that enjoys the high level of quality Metabo packs into their flagship hammer drill.
Price: $449.99
As the HP Brushless lineup rolled out for Ryobi, one of the big things we noticed was how much smaller many of the tools are. That’s the case for their flagship hammer drill sitting at a mid-range 7.5 inches long and well under 5 pounds with a battery. It’s a significant change for a brand that used to be on the bigger, heavier side of the conversation.
Boasting the lowest-rated torque of the group (Craftsman is likely lower, but reports UWO instead), its results weren’t surprising. The drill had no trouble completing our tests, though, and it is easier to handle than some of the larger, heavier models we tested.
Competing in the DIY/Prosumer class, it’s a very good choice based on its performance and design. What makes it more compelling than its competitors is that Ryobi now has more than 300 products that all work on any 18V One+ battery. Chances are, if you need it Ryobi has it. And if they don’t, most likely no one else in the Prosumer class does, either.
Price: $179
Bosch proved its flagship hammer drill to be a solid all-around performer. Its strong performance got better as the load increased, and it was certainly no slouch in the low and medium-load tests. From a performance perspective, there’s no reason to shy away from it, and current Bosch users shouldn’t feel like they need to switch brands.
The downside is that this is a larger, heavier hammer drill compared to the others. Keep in mind that Bosch’s 18V line is robust, and there are more compact models you can grab as a supplement when you’re working on lighter-duty days.
Three key features help Bosch stand out from the competition. It’s one of the few that has kickback protection. You can also turn it into a smart tool by adding the Connected Module. It’s also the only model in our test group that includes an electronic angle detection function to help you drill and drive straighter.
Price: $299
If you’re shopping at the top of DeWalt’s drill lineup, there are four models to wade through. You won’t go wrong with the DCD996, DCD997, DCD998, or the highest performer, the DCD999. Similar in size and weight, it’s all about what battery you’re primarily going to use (and if you want Tool Connect for the DCD997).
To get the highest performance from the FlexVolt Advantage, you need to use a FlexVolt battery, and that significantly increases both the size and weight. It also has good performance when you’re using a standard 5.0Ah battery. However, it’s like having two different tools because of how much the FlexVolt battery boosts performance—something you can see in our test results.
With a 6.0Ah FlexVolt battery, this drill pushes close to 6 pounds. Moreover, it’s one of the longer models, so it’s not ideal for tight spaces. DeWalt has a wide range of drills to choose from, so you can always pick up a compact supplement when you need it.
When you need top-tier performance, the DCD999 has it. Plus, its 3-mode gearbox has an all-important middle gear for when high speed isn’t quite enough. But you don’t want to drop into low gear. Also, keep in mind that this drill operates at higher speeds in all three gears when you’re in hammer drilling mode.
Price: $329
We know that people use their cordless drills to mix frequently, but Hilti was the first brand we saw intentionally build a cordless drill for this purpose while maintaining the full capabilities of other drill drivers. The 4-mode SF 10W-22 ATC has a low-speed mixing gear that delivered more torque than anything else we tested came close to. Hilti’s addition of ATC kickback control is particularly helpful with that much torque on board.
When standard drilling and driving tasks are on the docket, the top three gears take over and there’s plenty of speed and power on the top end.
As we saw from the previous cordless lineup, Hilti does not include a hammer drilling mode on this model, so we certainly can’t fault its performance in our concrete drilling tests. If you want a drill driver that includes a hammer drilling mode, Hilti’s SF 6H-22 is your best bet on the Nuron platform. With Hilti’s expertise in the concrete industry, the next logical step up from there for concrete drilling is into the cordless rotary hammers.
As an extremely powerful drill, this is another model that’s on the heavy side, especially with the 2P 7.9Ah battery. However, you can shave some weight with the 1P 4.0Ah pack. It’s also the second longest in our tests. But, like other brands, there are more compact models you can add as a supplement when space is tight.
Price: $289
Kobalt’s XTR hammer drill was a big step forward for the Lowe’s exclusive brand. In addition to higher performance, it also gave us kickback control—a luxury most value-focused brands didn’t have at the time.
While this model didn’t light up our tests the way some of the other drills did, it proved itself to be capable of handling all our tasks without pushing close to its limits. Both the weight and size are reasonable, and it’s hard to argue with the price.
Price: $269
Makita ended up with a mixed bag of results. It delivered excellent power and speed. And it got even better as the load increased. Nonetheless, its ranking in concrete drilling was a bit of a head-scratcher, with speed and blow rate ratings that should have been higher up the list. However we ran multiple tests and used averages to help us identify issues and outliers, and the numbers were consistent.
Like Hilti, Makita runs deep in concrete tools. As such, if drilling in concrete is one of your primary tasks, one of Makita’s cordless rotary hammers should be on your list. For that reason, the lower concrete drilling results don’t dissuade me from recommending this model with enthusiasm.
What you can’t tell from our test results is how smooth this drill is. Ergonomically, it’s excellent with a shape that’s comfortable to hold. Plus, the size is compact for its performance level, and the weight is lower than you’d expect from a 40V max battery system.
As for features, Makita includes kickback control on this model. For those of you who are more OCD in driving mode, there are 41, yes 41, electronic clutch settings in low speed and 21 settings in high gear. Having that many settings and electronically controlling them are characteristics you won’t find on other drills we tested.
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If you’re thinking about jumping on Makita’s 40V max XGT system (or you’re already on it), the GPH01 is just one of many tools that will confirm you’re making a great choice.
Price: $499
Ridgid’s most recent brushless drills have been a breath of fresh air since leaving the Octane line behind. Even with the High-Torque R861152 model, it’s much more compact and lighter than we’ve been used to from Ridgid, making for a more pleasant user experience.
The results were not what we were hoping for, though the drill had no trouble completing our tests in the slightest. However, we suspect that stepping up to the 6.0Ah Max Output battery will help it step up.
Price: $199
Craftsman’s big win is that it’s the lightest drill we tested. That’s significant for those of you looking for a quality DIY/Prosumer option. While its overall performance was the lowest for that group, keep it in context. It was able to complete our tests without feeling strained. That said, there are plenty of other drills we didn’t bring in that would have struggled or failed to complete some of the runs.
Price: $199
Harbor Freight made bold claims about the performance of its latest Hercules hammer drill. To its credit, it did outperform the others in the DIY/Prosumer class. Targeting Milwaukee’s Gen 4 M18 Fuel hammer drill as a comparison in its marketing, it failed to beat that model in any of the tests and was significantly far behind with the soft torque and self-feed bit. However, it was within sight of the other two.
Compared to the other flagship drills in our test, Hercules does a nice job of keeping the weight and size on the lower side of the scale.
We haven’t used this drill enough to make a recommendation on its long-term reliability. However, Harbor Freight now offers a 5-year warranty that’s sure to raise eyebrows. Nevertheless, Harbor Freight lists it as a professional hammer drill. I’m not convinced it’s ready for that designation. But, for DIY use, it’s an attractive option.
Price: $79.99
Note: At the time of writing, the Skil HD5295 was not available at any retailers. We’re still including it in the results because it was the top-performing drill in the DIY/Prosumer class and still points to Skil as a quality choice.
Skil sets itself apart in the Prosumer and DIY class by outperforming its competitors from Ryobi and Craftsman. While it’s not the most compact or lightest of the three, it’s still very reasonable in both departments.
Two features also jump out that push Skil over the top. The battery includes a USB port for charging your devices. It’s a super-handy value add that you can take advantage of at home or on the road.
Skil also packs their kit with a PWRJump charger. It gives a super-fast initial charge from 0% to 25% so you can wrap up projects you’re close to finishing. Then it charges at a rapid rate to 80% before tapering off to complete the job. It gets you back in the game quicker and doesn’t hurt the overall life of your battery.
Price: Unavailable
Not every drill we’ve used went through our full suite of flagship testing. However, after putting them to use, they’re certainly worth your consideration.
If you’re looking for a drill to use around the house for DIY projects, Greenworks has a 24V brushless model worth considering. It’s a 2-speed model with 1,450 RPM on the top end and 310 in-lbs of torque. This model is reasonably lightweight. Furthermore, it has batteries that double as USB power supplies to charge your devices on the go.
Thinking about going with battery power for your lawn care tools (or maybe you already have)? These tools work with the same batteries Greenworks uses in its 24V and 2 x 24V outdoor power equipment.
Price: $129.99 with two 1.5Ah batteries and a charger
Ingersoll Rand brings their focus on extreme reliability into the cordless drill sector with a couple of options. Our favorite is the D5241 hammer drill. This model’s gearing steps down the speed a little while stepping up the torque to 1100 in-lbs. While the numbers may not seem quite as eye-popping as some models, the durability of the build is what sets Ingersoll Rand’s design apart.
Price: $199.99 bare tool, $399.99 with two 5.0Ah batteries and a charger
Metabo HPT’s 36V MultiVolt hammer drill has the advantage of using a 36V battery that also works with their 18V tools. Plus, you can add an AC adapter if you’d like to have corded power as an option. As a member of the high-torque class, you get 1,220 in-lbs to work with in low gear and a quick 2,100 RPM/31,500 BPM in high gear.
Add in solid ergonomics, the safety of kickback control, and a lifetime warranty, and you get a hammer drill that’s a solid performer for professional contractors.
Price: $189.00 bare, $289.00 kit with two 4.0Ah batteries and a charger
Even though Skil’s PWRCore 20 Brushless Compact Hammer Drill isn’t in the same class as the other drills in our tests above, it’s worth serious consideration. It has a compact, lightweight design, yet still has the power to complete the majority of weekend projects and DIY repairs around your home. And if you don’t need the hammer drilling mode, the drill driver version (DL6293B-10) is even more compact and has a price tag under $100.
Price: $129 kit with a 2.0Ah battery and charger
There’s no way to ensure every drill has the same capacity battery. We’re dealing with multiple voltages and there are more advanced battery packs on the market to consider as well. We did the best we could to keep every model working with a 2P pack. For most brands, that’s somewhere in the 4.0Ah to 6.0Ah range. Here are the batteries we tested:
ModelPrimary BatterySecondary BatteryBosch GSB18V-1330CNCore 18V 6.3AhEditor’s Note: We recharged each battery to full capacity before beginning each test.
Weight is straightforward but important. Indeed, the lower the weight, the less fatiguing it is to use the drill, especially on overhead applications. Here are the weights we measured, starting with the lowest weight using the primary battery and going up from there:
ModelBare WeightWeight withLighter weight and a smaller size tend to hand-in-hand. Models that swap out plastic components for more durable metal ones can beef up in a hurry, so it’s no guarantee. A more compact cordless drill gives you the advantage of working in tighter spaces.
ModelHead LengthMilwaukee 29047.1 inHercules HCB92B7.2 inMakita GPH017.2 inFlex FX12717.3 inRidgid R8611527.3 inRyobi PBLHM1017.5 inKobalt KXHD 1424A-037.6 inSkil HD5295-1A7.6 inCraftsman CMCD7217.9 inBosch GSB18V-1330CN8.3 inDeWalt DCD9998.4 inHilti SF 10W-22 ATC9.5 inMetabo BS 18 LTX-3 BL Q I9.8 inTo get a general idea of a drill’s performance, the speed offers an idea of how fast you can drill while the torque is an indicator of how strong it is. For hammer drills, the hammer rate (or blow rate) tells you how fast the chipping action is while using hammer mode.
Keep in mind that the speed is based on having no load on the tool. Once you start drilling or driving, the motor has to work hard to keep the speed up. Drills with stronger motors and more efficient energy transfer can outperform models with higher specifications—which is why we test.
ModelMax SpeedsMax Hammer RateMax TorqueBosch GSB18V-1330CN550/2,200 RPM30,000 BPM1300 in-lbsCraftsman CMCD721600/2,100 RPM35,700 BPM400 UWO **DeWalt DCD999450/1,300/2,000 RPM *38,250 BPM1219 UWO **Flex FX1271700/2,500 RPM32,000 BPM1400 in-lbsHercules HCB92B550/2,000 RPM32,000 BPM1200 in-lbsHilti SF 10W-22 ATC300/560/1,300/2,230 RPMNA1062 in-lbsKobalt KXHD 1424A-03550/2,000 RPM32,000 BPM1200 in-lbsMakita GPH01650/2,600 RPM39,000 BPM1250 in-lbsMetabo BS 18 LTX-3 BL Q I500/2,050/3,800 RPM32,300 BPM1062 in-lbsMilwaukee 2904500/2,100 RPM33,000 BPM1400 in-lbsRidgid R861152550/2,000 RPM32,000 BPM1250 in-lbsRyobi PBLHM101500/2,100 RPM31,000 BPM750 in-lbsSkil HD5295-1A550/2,000 RPM32,000 BPM859 in-lbs* DeWalt’s DCD999 runs at higher 500/1500/2250 RPM speeds when in hammer drilling mode.
** Note that DeWalt and Craftsman spec the power of their drill in unit watts out rather than in-lbs of torque.
There’s no great to test maximum torque on a drill—trust me, we’ve built several rigs trying. What we finally settled on is using an in-line torque meter between the drill and nutsetter to measure the maximum torque as we drive a large lag screw into stacked OSB.
It’s a tough test designed to force each drill to stop while measuring the top torque it produces. However, there’s a flaw. Modern brushless motors are designed to sense when things aren’t quite right and shut down to protect themselves. Our test isn’t capable of measuring the full hard-stop torque that’s in the specifications, but it does give us an idea of how much torque the motor is willing to provide in a soft-stop setting.
ModelMeasured Soft Torque* After retesting and getting similar results, we believe Ridgid’s brushless motor protection kicked in earlier than the other drills in this test and that it is not representative of its actual real-world performance.
ModelMeasured Soft Torque UsingIn the first of our timed tests, we used a 1-inch self-feeding spade bit to drill through 4 inches of stacked glued USB subfloor to test the medium-load capacities of each drill. We started the test at high speed. If a drill was unable to complete the test, we dropped it into low gear. The result is an average of three successful runs without a bind-up.
ModelAverage Speed w/Primary BatteryMetabo BS 18 LTX-3 BL Q I2.20 secMakita GPH012.64 secFlex FX12712.82 secHilti SF 10W-22 ATC2.91 secMilwaukee 29043.36 secBosch GSB18V-1330CN3.39 secDeWalt DCD9993.39 secKobalt KXHD 1424A-033.67 secHercules HCB92B3.78 secSkil HD5295-1A3.87 secRyobi PBLHM1013.92 secRidgid R8611524.27 secCraftsman CMCD7219.96 sec ModelAverage Speed w/Advanced BatteryFlex FX1271 (SL 6.0Ah)2.44 secMilwaukee 2904 (HO 6.0Ah)2.62 secDeWalt DCD999 (FV 6.0Ah)2.73 secTo push the drills into a heavy-load rough-in application, we used a 2 9/16-inch self-feed bit to punch through 2x studs. The best drills were able to complete the test in high gear. Some that didn’t but had the advantage of 3 or more gear settings settled into a mid-range gear, while others had to complete the test in low gear. The results are the averages of three successful runs without bind-ups.
ModelAverage Speed w/Primary BatteryMakita GPH012.12 secBosch GSB18V-1330CN2.18 secMilwaukee 29042.59 secHilti SF 10W-22 ATC2.83 secDeWalt DCD9993.58 secFlex FX12714.74 secSkil HD5295-1A6.04 secRidgid R8611526.42 secMetabo BS 18 LTX-3 BL Q I6.68 secCraftsman CMCD7216.73 secHercules HCB92B6.89 secRyobi PBLHM1016.93 secKobalt KXHD 1424A-037.30 sec ModelAverage Speed w/Advanced BatteryMilwaukee 2904 (HO 6.0Ah)2.21 secDeWalt DCD999 (FV 6.0Ah)2.31 secFlex FX1271 (SL 6.0Ah)2.47 secThe final test we ran involved drilling a 3/8-inch concrete bit 3 inches deep into cured 4000 PSI concrete using high gear. We used the hammer drilling mode for each drill except Hilti’s, which only has drilling and driving modes. The result is an average of three successful runs without a bind-up.
ModelAverage SpeedMetabo BS 18 LTX-3 BL Q I2.60 secFlex FX12713.44 secMilwaukee 29043.74 secBosch GSB18V-1330CN3.78 secHercules HCB92B4.06 secRyobi PBLHM1014.16 secDeWalt DCD9994.18 secMakita GPH014.22 secKobalt KXHD 1424A-034.54 secCraftsman CMCD7214.78 secSkil HD5295-1A4.91 secRidgid R8611525.32 secHilti SF 10W-22 ATC *5.51 secNote that Hilti’s model does not have a hammer drilling mode.
ModelAverage Speed w/Advanced BatteryFlex FX1271 (SL 6.0Ah)2.55 sec DeWalt DCD999 (FV 6.0Ah)2.85 secMilwaukee 2904 (HO 6.0Ah)3.38 secCordless drills are one of the most fundamental tools you can own, and it’s no surprise that there are a dizzying number of brands in the space. The good news is that there are a lot of trustworthy names. The bad news is that it can be difficult to tell which one you should buy if you’re new to the industry. Not to worry—we’ve got your back!
We recommend each of the brands listed below, and we’ve broken them up into the classes where they typically do their best work.
Think you know everything? Our How to Use a Drill article might still manage to show you a thing or two.
Performance: Speed, blow rate, and torque give you an idea of how fast and strong a drill or hammer drill will perform. They’re helpful when you’re comparing data during research, and typically the higher the battery, but it’s the motor’s ability to keep the RPMs high under load that separates them.
Size and Weight: Size and weight tend to go hand-in-hand, with larger drills weighing more. Ideally, we want the lightest and most compact tool that still does the job effectively. That keeps the fatigue to a minimum while maximizing access.
Ergonomics: Beyond the size and weight, how the weight is balanced and how the grip feels in your hands brings ergonomics full circle. As you narrow down your choices, there’s something to be said for a tool that feels right in your hands.
Features: As you move up from entry-level cordless drills, you should expect more features that make working more convenient than just performance boosts alone. Here’s what to look for:
Few power tools are as basic for both professionals and homeowners as cordless drills. At its core, these are hole-making tools. They help us hang pictures, run wiring and plumbing, create pilot holes, and a host of other projects that require a hole in wood, metal, or drywall.
But the best cordless drill does more than that now. Drill clutch settings give us control over screw driving. Hammer modes let us drill smaller holes in concrete and masonry. In short, cordless drills let us drill and drive in almost any material without the need for a cord.
The are a whole lot of publications and authors out there trying to convince you that they know what the best cordless drill is. Let’s give credit where credit is due—they use good SEO writers and may have even used some of the top sellers in the process.
But do they have more than a decade of experience using drills and hammer drills, understand the key features to look for, and have they experienced the differences in quality in the field? Have they been around to see advances in brushless motor development, the injury reduction of kickback control, and how smart connectivity is changing the way Pros work?
We have. We’ve been testing and reviewing drills since we started back in 2008, and they’re a core part of the construction process. They’re also an essential part of a homeowner’s tool kit once they move in and are enjoying their home.
So, you can take the advice of whatever Big Media company decides to offer product reviews designed first and foremost to rank for Google, written by someone who may or may not understand the difference between what Pros and DIYers need. While you’re there, don’t forget to check up on breaking news, weather updates, and maybe even play a few games.
Or you can trust Pro Tool Reviews because tools are what we do. When I recommend a drill for you, it’s because it’s the one I would buy. My primary motivation is to recommend what I genuinely believe is the best in each category based on more than a decade of experience and being involved in the power tool industry every day. If you choose to buy something I recommend, I hope that it works exactly the way you expect on your next project.
That’s how I hope to earn your trust. Not because I work for a high-profile media company with massive name recognition. But because I’m like you, and when I choose to make a purchase, I see the dollars come out of my bank account. I expect products to work when I need them. I want authentic recommendations when I’m shopping, and I’m committed to offering you the best of my experience and knowledge when you see my name as the author.
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