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Whether you’re always searching for your next DIY project or you only fix things when they’re broken, a cordless drill can come in handy. It's an essential tool for any home improvement project and should be a part of everyone's tool kit. If you've got some projects to take care of around the house, you'll want to use the best cordless drill possible.
There are many cordless drills on the market, but with such a wide variety of options to choose from, it can be a challenge to tell which drills are actually a good value and which are going to leave you asking to borrow your neighbor's.
That's why I tested 16 of the most popular drills on the market and gathered what I found out here. Grabbing the best cordless drill for your toolbox will probably come down to the types of features you want, your budget and whether you already have a brand in mind. For now, I'll set aside a few categories of drills.
Though impact, hammer, combination and rotary drills all have their uses, for this roundup, I focused on the typical driver, which'll help you accomplish most DIY or home improvement jobs -- whether you're drilling holes in studs, driving drywall anchors or piecing together a home project. A lot of today's drills also include features such as an ergonomic handle and belt clip, making them a pleasure to use.
I'll specifically be looking at cordless drills with brushed motors. I'll tackle brushless motors in a future update.
With the right drill, you can assemble furniture, hang pictures and shelves, perform light maintenance, and repair or even hang your brand-hew TV.
18-volt cordless brushed drills.
If you're stuck on the kind of drill to buy, the answer can be complex. For starters, if you own other cordless tools, the best cordless drill for you is the one you could share batteries with. That's a great reason to stick with the brand and voltage you already own, unless you specifically need different features or you're looking to switch brands. Otherwise, assuming this is your first cordless tool, it comes down to two main factors -- performance expectation and price. If you're only assembling Ikea furniture and hanging shelves, a 12-volt drill is all you need. If you're planning on getting into more substantial work, longer use times or light construction, you're better off with an 18-volt.
As far as price is concerned, you will typically pay more for 18- over 12-volt power tools, as well for brushless versions over brushed. But the price gap between 12- and 18-volt, and between brushed and brushless, continues to shrink. Soon, unless you need a smaller, lighter or less powerful tool, there will likely be no reason to choose 12-volt over 18-volt. Hopefully you'll still at least have the option for the lightweight drill model.
This list only covers 12- or 18-volt drills with brushed motors. Brushed motors are the traditional power tool design that have physical carbon brushes that maintain contact with the part of the motor that spins. That means the brushes see constant friction when the drill is in use and will eventually wear out. That friction generates a fair amount of heat, leading to as much as a 20% loss in torque efficiency (energy that is transformed to rotational force) compared with brushless motors. Brushless motors work primarily by way of magnets and have no physical, friction-inducing parts. This efficiency gain gets you better performance and drilling power over the course of a battery charge compared with the same drill in a brushed model.
The trick is that you might need to pay extra for a drill with a brushless motor. For example, I tested the Milwaukee brushed motor Model 2606-22CT, which costs $179. The brushless version, Model 2801-22CT, normally costs $20 more. Holiday deals might narrow that gap (or even make some 18-volt drills cheaper than their 12-volt counterparts), so keep an eye out if you see a good power tool deal. I'll update this list with brushless drill tests on my next pass.
That said, in rare cases, some drills can fail at performing some of the basic functionality you might expect. Keep reading and you'll be sure to avoid those pitfalls and end up with the cordless power drill that will best suit your needs. I took 16 of the most popular brushed cordless drills, bored over 200 holes and seated over 4,000 screws over a few days to lock down performance expectations.
Although it's the most expensive 18-volt drill, this Milwaukee drill has tons of drilling power. It crushed the competition in our high-torque tests, completing 20% more bored holes than the second-place finisher. At 500 inch-pounds, no other drill has a higher maximum torque rating. It has one of the better warranties, with five years for the tool itself, and two years for the battery. This cordless drill kit includes an M18 compact half-inch drill driver and two M18 lithium-ion batteries.
It includes a hard carrying case and two 1.5-aH batteries. Its charger supports both M18 and M12 batteries.
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$99 at Amazon $99 at Amazon
This Bosch drill is dynamite -- explosive performance in a small package. It topped the performance scores across the board and came in second in our measurements for getting into the tightest spots. It has all the bells and whistles you'll find among 12-volt brushed drills, but you will pay for all this handy goodness, as this drill is tied for second most expensive in the category. This drill combo kit includes a two-speed driver, screwdriver bit, clutch settings, and precise torque settings for accurate screw driving and drilling.
Includes a soft carrying case and two 2-aH batteries -- the largest battery capacity in this category.
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$213 at Zoro $213 at Zoro
This is the second most expensive of the 18-volt drills on the list, but if you need to get into a tight spot, this is the drill for you. This compact drill centers at 1-33/64 inches, which may be a far cry from the Black & Decker 12-volt pick at 1-18/64 inches, but it still beats out the next best 18-volt option by 7/64 inches.
Includes two 1.5-aH batteries and a soft carrying case.
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$37 at Amazon $37 at Amazon
This B&D compact drill will help you get in and drill in tight spaces.
With overall midlevel performance, a keyless chuck for easy drill bit changes, and the lowest price tag on the list, this cordless drill is a solid pick. I measure down to the 64th of an inch for clearance in tight spots. At 1-18/64 inches side clearance, this drill gets into tighter spaces than any other I've tested, although it's worth noting that our overall pick, the Bosch PS31-2A was just behind at 1-19/64 inches.
Includes one 1.5-aH battery, no carrying case.
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$17 at Amazon $17 at Amazon
This category was almost too close to call. The Ryobi's performance, drilling power and specs were nearly identical to the Bosch. So it boiled down to how each drill felt during the performance tests. This Ryobi felt like it could be the most powerful drill on the entire list, while the Bosch just felt weak and had trouble breaking through the two-by-fours during the high-torque bore test. Although the Bosch scored second overall in the low torque test and third in high torque, Ryobi took first in low torque. Combined with the overall feel of the two drills, it puts the Ryobi drill kit as the value pick.
The Ryobi includes two 1.5-aH batteries and a soft case.
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See at Walmart See at Walmart
Tacklife is a relatively new tool brand that you'll find on Amazon's tool-related search results.
For the 12-volt brushed variable speed trigger cordless drills, Tacklife offered near-optimal performance at only 0.5 unit per amp hour shy of first place in our light duty battery tests. Its body size is one of the bulkier options, but it does have a battery life LED indicator, variable speed and is priced near the bottom of the pack to be named best value.
Includes one 2-aH battery and the hard plastic carrying case contains extra bits and accessory goodies.
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All of the drills I tested are brushed models that use a 12- or 18-volt battery. You can find different bundles online and in your local big-box retailer, some with extra batteries, some with only one battery and some that are even packaged with other power tools or bare tools only. To keep the pricing comparison as level as possible, each of these includes the drill, a charger, one (or two) batteries and, in most cases, some kind of accessory to carry everything around.
Along with the six drills above, here is a list of the other drills I tested, along with some context about why they didn't get the nod as best in class.
Other than general use and impressions, I have three main ways of testing drills. There's a clearance test, where I determine the tightest space the drill can get into and still drive or drill at a perfect 90-degree angle perpendicular to the drilling surface. Then there are two different types of power/longevity tests; one with a high torque load and one with a lower load.
Examples of the battery/torque testing process for 12-volt brushed cordless drills.
For the high-torque test, I use a new 1-inch wood spade bit for each drill. I use the bit to drill a series of holes into standard yellow pine construction grade lumber. After, I divide the number of holes drilled by the battery capacity which gives a "holes per amp hour" data point for comparison. I like this particular metric method because it negates the ability of a drill to win just by having a larger battery.
On this test, the numbers for the 12-volt drills are pretty low -- so if you're looking to bore a lot of holes, it's probably best to stick with the 18-volt drills. For the most part, all of the 18-volt drills felt strong starting this test off with a new battery, and although it did score second-to-last here, the Ryobi felt the strongest out of the gate. There's also the breakthrough feel -- how well the spade bits are able to exit the opposite side of the lumber without snagging and seizing. Here, it was Milwaukee that really showed off. Not only did Milwaukee absolutely trounce the competition, but the spade bit moved from one side of the lumber to the other with almost no snags. On the opposite end of the scale, both Bosch and Ridgid seemed to have trouble exiting the boards almost every single time.
Number of holes bored per amp hour for 18-volt brushed drills.
Number of holes drilled per amp hour for 12-volt brushed drills.
In the low-torque tests I took some screws -- a ton of screws -- and drove them into standard four-by-four construction lumber. Drive in as many as possible until the drill can no longer completely seat a screw; i.e. flush or slightly below flush with the lumber, then count. I use the same previously described method here, dividing by amp hour to get our final metric. The original tests for 12-volt drills used #8 2 1/2-inch screws, and the 18-volt tests use #9 3-inch screws.
Number of screws driven per amp hour for 18-volt brushed drills.
Number of screws driven per amp hour for 12-volt brushed drills.
Running the low-torque tests takes longer than the high-torque tests, so there's more time to get the feel of the tools themselves. Generally speaking, the drills all feel like you'd expect, but there were a couple of features that stood out. On the 18-volt DeWalt, the hand grip feels small. This may actually be a benefit for some people, but for me, it was a little off-putting. I was also not a fan of the trigger on the 18-volt Ridgid. It felt like I had to pull the trigger farther back to reach max power than on other drills. This, over time, leads to a little extra hand cramping. Not ideal if you're planning on using it for hours at a time.
For the clearance test, I measured the distance from the center of the drill chuck opening to the top of the drill and separately to the side of the drill. The lowest value for each drill you will see charted below. I converted the measurements to decimals for purposes of the chart, but I did measure these in 1/64-inch increments. The lower the value, the smaller the overall size of the drill is, allowing it to be used in tighter spaces than the drills with larger values.
Clearance results for 18-volt brushed drills.
Clearance results for 12-volt brushed drills.
There were a couple of other features worth pointing out that may help if you're still undecided. Most drills now come with LED lighting to help with visibility in lower lighting settings. These typically activate once you pull the trigger and go off either when you release the trigger or with a small delay. The placement of the LED is either at the base of the tool near the battery, or above the trigger on the main barrel of the tool. I prefer the placement near the battery. The LED on the barrel creates a hard shadow line above the midpoint of the chuck, while the lower-placed LED offers more available light above the tool -- ideal if you're in a position where you're looking down at the tool, and not holding it above your sight line. In 18-volt drills, Bauer, Ryobi and Bosch all have the lower-placed LED, and Ridgid is the only model without any LED.
Battery life indicators can help out when you find yourself in places where switching out batteries isn't convenient, say, on a ladder, roof or any other less accessible location. One push of the button and you get an estimate of battery power remaining -- usually in 25% increments. Bauer, Ridgid, Milwaukee and Craftsman 18-volt drills all have this feature.
18-volt drill battery life indicators.
Another feature, which may not necessarily be a decision-maker for you, is the battery-release mechanism. The front-tab has become the standard and works better on some models than others. All of the battery-powered tools I own personally are front-tabs. I've grown to really like the side tab release, however. It's a more natural feel and tends to be an easier release as well. In the 18-volt drills listed, Ridgid, Milwaukee and Ryobi all have side tab releases. For me, Ridgid's design feels the most comfortable.
There's a larger performance variance in 12-volt drills than I expected and probably less of one at the 18-volt level. If you're in the market, just make sure you have a clear idea of what exactly you're hoping to get out of your drill, then take a look at the information provided here. It should be easy enough to get a clear picture of performance, price and capabilities to make sure you end up with the best cordless drill for your needs.
Show moreOVERALL
SCORE
REASONS TO BUY
Tons of drilling and driving power
Heavy-duty
Great battery performance
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Heavier than average
18V, Lithium-Ion |½"
If you're on the hunt for a heavy-duty cordless tool and are looking for a tool-only option, then the Milwaukee M18 FUEL is a prime candidate. It is great for heavy-duty applications, offering more than enough drilling and driving power for just about every task imaginable. The battery is also efficient as it bores more holes and drives in more screws than other models using the same-capacity battery.
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL is noticeably heavy, weighing quite a bit more than other contenders. It also lands on the pricier end of the spectrum. Those who don't plan on using a drill regularly or might not require the drilling and driving power for heavy-duty applications may find other options more suitable for their budget. While the M18 FUEL is the best model we tested from a pure performance perspective, the tool alone costs nearly as much as the entire Kobalt XTR 24-volt kit, which offers comparable performance while including a battery and charger, and may be the better option for those just starting to build out a power tool set.
Read more: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2" Drill Driver review
This is a heavy-duty drill and a great performer all-around.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
OVERALL
SCORE
REASONS TO BUY
Great drilling and driving performance
Metal ratcheting chuck
Great battery life
Includes bit holder
REASONS TO AVOID
Bit holder is flimsy
Heavier than most
24V, Lithium-Ion |½"
If you're in search of a cordless drill driver and battery combo that can do it all, and you don't already have a preferred tool brand, then we strongly urge you to consider the Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in. It excels at heavy-duty tasks, delivers ample drilling and driving force, and includes a battery and charger at a price point that other brands charge for a bare tool.
In addition to great performance and a budget-friendly price for a complete kit, the batteries offer a lot of life before needing to be recharged. Also worth noting is that there are many Kobalt 24V battery-compatible tools for when you are looking at expanding the capabilities of your workspace or garage shop. While the Kobalt XTR 24-volt is a top recommendation, it is a little heavier and bulkier than other top models. The DeWalt 20V Max Compact DCD777C2 cuts almost a pound off in comparison but still performed valiantly in our tests. The drawback is that the weight is carried in the battery, so the Dewalt scored lower in our battery life testing.
Read more: Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless Drill review
A strong option for buyers building out a set of power tools.
Credit: Austin Palmer
OVERALL
SCORE
REASONS TO BUY
Solid drilling power
Offers plenty of control for setting fasteners
REASONS TO AVOID
Mediocre battery life test
Not huge fans of the integrated LED
20V, Lithium |½"
This tool is one of the less expensive options out there but holds its own against tools that cost quite a bit more. The Craftsman V20 1/2-In Drill/Driver did surprisingly well in some of our toughest tests, boring holes up to 5" in diameter without issue and offering plenty of control when it came to setting countersunk fasteners to the appropriate depth. It isn't overly heavy and would be a great complement to the occasional DIYer or a homeowner's toolbox.
The Craftsman V20 1/2-In Drill/Driver isn't our top recommendation if you are shopping on a budget and looking to use this tool as the foundation for your eventual cordless tool collection. We don't think the library of compatible tools is as popular or readily available as other battery systems, and it's overall much smaller as well. Combined with the fact that you usually only get a single battery, we suggest investing a bit more if you plan to procure more cordless versions of your favorite tools in the future. Despite that, we were overall impressed with the performance of the Craftsman given its affordable nature and would readily recommend it if you're planning to buy only a drill. Of course, if the craftsman is still a little outside of your budget, you might consider the even more affordable Black+Decker 20V Max Drill/Driver LDX120C.
Read more: Craftsman V20 1/2-In. Drill/Driver Kit CMCD700C1 review
The Craftsman V20 offers good performance at a budget-friendly price.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
OVERALL
SCORE
REASONS TO BUY
Cheap
Convenient
Fine for light-duty work
REASONS TO AVOID
Not very powerful
Short battery life
20V, Lithium-Ion |3/8"
If you have a limited budget and you're only looking to do light-duty DIY projects around your home, check out the Black+Decker 20V Max Drill/Driver LDX120C. This tool costs significantly less than the top models and has more than enough power for most tasks, all in a compact form that is easy to stash in a drawer. It's lightweight and easy to handle, making it the perfect option for beginners or entry-level DIYers, and it is very convenient and user-friendly.
In terms of drilling and driving power, the Black+Decker 20V Max Drill/Driver LDX120C is severely deficient and pales in comparison to premium models. We found the performance highly unimpressive when using larger hole saws and driving in big bolts. If prolonging its life is important, we can't say we recommend using this model for either of these types of tasks. The battery delivered an uninspiring performance during our battery life tests, and we felt it was less durable than other drills overall. While it is not the best for heavy-duty applications, it is our top recommendation if you want a bare-bones drill on a tight budget. If you can increase your budget just a bit, then take a look at the better, but still affordable Craftsman V20 1/2-In. Drill/Driver Kit CMCD700C1.
Read more: Black+Decker 20V Max Drill/Driver LDX120C review
While we found other models to be stronger and perform better, none of them can match the incredibly affordable price point of this capable drill.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
OVERALL
SCORE
REASONS TO BUY
Great value
Solid drilling performance
Compact
REASONS TO AVOID
Mediocre battery life
No belt clip
12V, Lithium-Ion |3/8"
If you are shopping on a budget and like the pistol grip style and compact size of a 12-volt drill, then the Bosch 12V Max Drill/Driver Kit PS31-2A is a fantastic option for you. This model is a great option for the average homeowner who might want to undertake some DIY or home improvement projects but isn't doing any major renovations. This pint-sized device packs plenty of punch, doing quite well in our drilling and driving evaluations, all while being one of the more convenient tools to operate. This handy cordless is lightweight, ergonomic, and a great addition to any DIYers arsenal. Being smaller and lighter, this tool fits nicely into tight and dark spaces that larger tools cannot access, and it doesn't take up as much space on a tool bench.
Unfortunately, the Bosch PS31-2A can't quite compare to the drilling and driving performance of the top-tier, higher voltage tools. The 12-volt Bosch struggled to drive the ½" lag screw in and complained when getting the 5" hole saw to its full depth. The battery life here is also somewhat lackluster. While other 12-volt models, including the majority of the more recently tested 5-in-1 drills outperform the Bosch overall, we found the price of the Bosch to be enticing, making this Bosch a good bargain for a tool that is more than capable of handling light-duty tasks and house projects. If you can step up your budget while searching for a 12-volt drill driver, then we recommend you look at the superior DeWalt 20V Max Compact Drill/Driver Kit DCD771C2.
Read more: Bosch 12V Max Drill/Driver Kit PS31-2A review
A good value in the 12 volt drill space.
Credit: Laura Casner
OVERALL
SCORE
REASONS TO BUY
Great value
Strong drilling and driving performance
Compact
REASONS TO AVOID
Older style battery
Mediocre Battery Life
20V, Lithium-Ion |1/2"
The DeWalt 20V Max Compact Brushless Drill/Driver DCD777C2 is a complete DeWalt kit that includes two older DeWalt style 1.5AH batteries and chargers, while newer kits include 2 AH batteries. The tool itself is very capable of a wide range of both light and heavy-duty tasks, and is a great way to acquire a drill driver and additional batteries that will fit a wide range of cordless DeWalt tools. It is a good value for current DeWalt tool owners and worth considering for new tool buyers, homeowners, or those setting up a garage workshop.
While we liked the DeWalt 20V Max DCD777C2, it didn't perform as well with included batteries as other models using 2.0 AH batteries. As such, we'd encourage those who aren't already invested in the DeWalt family of tools to consider other newer options or other brands altogether. The Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless Drill KXDD 1424A-03 kit is one of those options that provides great performance, a 2 AH battery, compatibility with a wide range of Kobalt brand tools, and is also a great value for those starting out.
Read more: DeWalt 20V Max Compact Brushless Drill Driver DCD777C2 review
A solid offering, especially in a complete kit, but we suggest using newer 2 amp hour batteries
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
OVERALL
SCORE
REASONS TO BUY
Solid overall performance
Compact
Convenient
REASONS TO AVOID
Less battery life than 18 and 20v
12V, Lithium-Ion |⅜"
The Dewalt Xtreme 12V 5-In-1 Drill Driver Kit highlights the benefits of its reduced weight and compact dimensions, all while delivering a level of power and performance that rivals drills with higher voltage ratings. This drill is an ideal choice for tasks performed overhead or in cramped environments, such as attics or crawlspaces. When used in combination with various attachments, it allows for significant adjustments in drilling angles and positions, greatly enhancing convenience when working in tight or obstructed spaces.
Although the Dewalt Xtreme 12V 5-In-1 Drill Driver Kit proved to be a great drill driver, it isn't without some shortcomings. The kit only includes one battery, as opposed to the two that are typically included by competitor brands. We also found that attachments can be a little finicky to line up and attach, and while this is a 12-volt model, it would be nice to see a chuck size up to a half inch as is seen on more powerful models, as opposed to the ⅜ inch chuck. Minor criticisms aside, if a 12-volt system meets your requirements for power, performance, and battery life, then you'll be more than satisfied with this compact and capable model. For a step up in performance from DeWalt, we suggest you look at the DeWalt 20V Max Compact Drill/Driver Kit DCD771C2.
Read more: Dewalt Xtreme 12V 5-In-1 Drill Driver Kit review
The versatile and stackable attachments are occasionally finnicky, but usually quick to attach and release.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
136
$9994
89
84
$9983
$17981
78
$18077
$16076
$10076
$16070
$13963
60
58
$12058
$15052
$22950
$19948
35
34
$6033
$14929
$5017
$40Here's a look at one of our testing boards with the full-spread of the bits we used in our drilling and driving tests.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
To test and review drills, we bought all of the tools from major retailers at standard prices — just like you. At GearLab, we never ask for or accept any free products from companies, ensuring that our reviews aren't compromised by any financial incentives. We put these tools to the test in both controlled side-by-side evaluations and used them for various home renovation projects. We also did an exhaustive battery test to see just how many holes we could make, or screws you could drive, with each device before they ran out of juice. Finally, we scored each power tool's ergonomics, comfort, and convenience features. In addition to our own extensive experience with these products, we also consulted with other contractors and professionals, as well as other dedicated DIYers, to get their opinions on picking out the drills that had the most potential and designing our scoring and testing plan.
Over the years, we've purchased more than 40 cordless drills for testing. We put each model through multiple and repeated performance analyses to rate drilling, driving, battery life, and more. In total, each drill goes through more than 46 individual tests. We drilled hundreds of holes in both metal and wood with these tools, using everything from standard twist drills to paddle bits and giant hole saws. We drove in over 1000 screws — everything from standard #9 wood screws to hulking ½" lag bolts. The most critical metric is drilling, comprising 35% of the overall score. This metric is made up of drilling with a 5" hole saw (50% of total metric score), 1" spade bit (30% of score), and 16 ga Steel with twist bits (20% of total).
Our drill testing is divided into four rating metrics:Our drill testing is divided into
Our testing team consists of Austin Palmer, David Wise, and Matt Spencer. Austin has extensive experience using tools in both an industrial and DIY setting, having worked on an oil rig and undertaking extensive renovations on his own home. David has formal training as a mechanical engineer and has used cordless drills on all sorts of projects, ranging from deepwater surveying robots to Formula SAE race cars. He also has apprenticed and assisted his dad on various job sites- a general contractor for over 30 years. Matt is currently studying engineering and has worked on GearLab projects such as pressure washers and other outdoor tools.
To see which model is the best of the best, we researched and compared specifications of all the top tools around, then bought the most compelling to test side-by-side. We rated and scored these tools in tons of different tests, grouping them into four weighted rating metrics — drilling, driving, battery life, and convenience — with our results discussed below.
If you are shopping for a new drill on a budget, you will notice a pretty direct correlation between the cost of the tool and its performance. However, this doesn't mean you should start to despair if you are on a tight budget because many people don't need the drilling or driving performance that the premium products offer. Even some of the cheapest models in our test offer enough power for homeowners without a ton of DIY aspirations. The Black+Decker LDX120C is our top recommendation for searching for a drill without spending a ton. If you do a reasonable number of DIY and home improvement projects but still want to save some cash, then you should consider the Craftsman CMCD700C1 or the Bosch PS31-2A. These models cost a bit more but offer better overall performance than the LDX120C. If you are a serious DIYer or use tools in a professional capacity, you will want to be shopping in the higher echelon of these tools. The Milwaukee M18 FUEL is a favorite, and when used frequently, its performance advantages outshine the upfront costs. In the compact 12v 5-in1 sector of the drill driver market, we found the Dewalt Xtreme 12V 5-In-1 Drill Driver Kit to offer extreme convenience and great performance at a reasonably affordable price.
1" spade bit testing with the M12 Fuel.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
This metric, which accounts for 35% of the total score for each tool, is based on how each product fared when drilling holes with a paddle bit, drilling through steel, and using a 5-inch hole saw. Specifically, we used a ¼" and ½" twist drill in each tool to make holes in the equivalent of a 16 gauge steel sheet, a 1-inch spade bit to make tons and tons of holes in a standard 2x12 (wood), and saw how each model handled a 5-inch hole saw in a solid-core door. To award points, we looked at how long it took each tool to accomplish each drilling task and how much it struggled while doing so.
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2" Drill Driver outperformed the competition, but with some seriously strong competitors, the margin was narrow. The M18 FUEL proved its ability to easily and swiftly drill 5-inch holes with a hole saw, 1-inch holes with a spade bit, and multiple sizes of holes in sheet steel, with the majority of work performed on the high-speed low torque setting.
Just one of our multiple drilling tests features a 16 gauge steel that each product has to drill through.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
The DeWalt DCD777C2 also delivered top-notch drilling performance right behind the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2" Drill Driver. It delivered fast results in our hole saw test, powering through the door like a hot knife through butter. We didn't even have to shift into the lower gear.
Multiple models tested in a 5 inch hole saw test.
Credit: Austin Palmer
A newly tested model, the Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless Drill KXDD 1424A-03 followed suit with an almost equally impressive performance exhibited by the DeWalt 20V Max Compact Brushless, although it required more use of a low-speed high torque setting and did not perform all the tasks as swiftly.
Some models made swift work of a 5-inch hole in a solid door, while others really struggled to complete the job.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
The Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V made quick work with the hole saw, chomping through the door faster than most other models in our review with a measured time of 20 seconds. When we used this model to make 1" holes with a spade bit into a 2 x 12 board, we found that it hardly struggles and drills very quickly provided that you are in the appropriate gear setting. When we used twist bits, the PBLDD01 was quick and easy with the ¼" size with a measured time of 1 second but slowed down to 4 or 5 seconds with a ½" bit.
The Ryobi had no problem cutting a hole in a wooden door during our testing process.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Our team also saw really strong performances from both the Ridgid 18V Brushless Cordless Sub Compact 1/2 in. Drill/Driver R8701 and the Milwaukee M18 Compact 1/2" Drill Driver Kit 2606. Both models excelled in our drilling challenges and proved there respective abilities to complete difficult drilling tasks.
The DeWalt Atomic nearly matched the performance of the aforementioned models at drilling through the steel with the two sizes of twist drills, quickly and easily making holes with little to no struggle at all. It also made short work of the 2x12 with the 1" spade bit, only stalling for a brief moment right as it punched through the wood.
The DeWalt Atomic easily drilled through dimensional lumber with larger twist drills and spade bits.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
The Atomic performed very inconsistently during the 5" hole saw test, boring into the door effortlessly in one trial and then binding up and taking almost twice as long in others. We aren't entirely sure what caused this inconsistency, but it happened often enough to be mildly concerning.
The DeWalt 20V Max Compact Drill/Driver Kit DCD771C2 and Bosch GSR18V-190B22, deserve a mention for their solid performances as well. These tools also made quick work of making ¼" and ½" holes in sheet metal, and wooden materials.
If you're in the market for a compact 12-volt drill, the Dewalt Xtreme 12V 5-In-1 Drill Driver Kit DCD703F1 exhibited impressive results in our drilling tests, especially considering its lighter and more compact design. Its drilling performance rivaled and even outcompeted a few of the less performant higher voltage models we tested, proving it is not only a convenient and compact model but a very capable one also.
A very capable 12-volt makes swift work of 1 inch holes.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The BOSCH 12V Flexiclick 5-In-1 Drill Driver System GSR12V-300FCB22 and the Milwaukee M12 FUEL Installation Drill Driver Kit 2505-22 exhibited decent performances, with the Milwaukee M12 taking the lead, but both are reasonable options for drilling tasks in the compact 12-volt tool sector, even if they aren't up to the tasks that are better handled by more powerful models.
This 12V model works great for a lower-voltage model.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Our next series of evaluations focused on how well these devices performed at driving in fasteners. These assessments were given equal weight to our drilling tests, accounting for another 35% of the final score for each tool. Scores were based on the results of two different tests: wood screws and lag screws. We compared how quickly and easily each tool drove in wood screws to a pair of stacked dimensional lumber boards, checking if they could countersink the heads flush. We also attempted to drive in a monster lag screw — ½" diameter, 5" long — completely, starting with the appropriate pilot hole.
When it came to driving in screws, the Milwaukee M18 FUEL, DeWalt 20V Max Compact Drill/Driver Kit DCD771C2, and the Makita XFD14Z distinguished themselves from the rest. These devices did exceptionally well in both tests in this metric, earning a perfect score for their top-notch performances. They did a great job driving the screws to their full depth without any difficulties, even the giant lag screw. We also love how these tools offer plenty of control to set the countersunk heads to their proper depth.
This model makes quick work driving in 3" wood screws.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Both the Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless Drill KXDD 1424A-03 and the DeWalt 20V Max Compact Brushless Drill/Driver DCD777C2 offered strong driving performances, nearly as good as the top three models.
Better driving power results in a more reliable tool to get hard jobs done.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Neither the DeWalt DCD777C2 or the Kobalt XTR 24-volt struggled at setting 3 inch decking screws, and felt very controlled. Both also handled driving a five inch lag bolt without issues.
The Milwaukee M18 (non-FUEL version) performed nearly as well as the DeWalt DCD777C2 and Kobalt XTR 24v, but is slightly inferior when setting countersunk screws flush to a surface. It didn't struggle while driving, but it isn't the fastest.
It's a breeze to set countersunk screw heads with some models.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
The Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V was very fast and easy at driving 3" wood screws. It was easy to get the screwheads flush with the board, and this model had great speed control during this part of our assessment. When we performed the lag test with this model, it was able to drive the screw head about ¼" short of all the way to the board without stopping. With multiple trigger pulls, the PBLD01 was able to drive the lag the rest of the way.
We measured the distance each model left to fully drive down a 5-inch lag screw to show you comparable results.
Credit: Austin Palmer
The Dewalt Xtreme 12V 5-In-1 Drill Driver Kit DCD703F1 did the best of the 12 volt cordless drills in this metric, holding its own against the higher voltage models when driving standard screws, matching their speed, and easily setting the countersinks in a controlled manner. It could also drive many more screws and bore more holes in succession than other 12-volt models.
This drill from Craftsman failed to fully seat the lag screw.
Credit: Laura Casner
The Craftsman CMCD700C1 did just a little better than the majority of 12 volt models.
This 12-volt model drives screws nearly as well as more powerful higher voltage drill drivers.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The BOSCH 12V Flexiclick 5-In-1 Drill Driver System GSR12V-300FCB22 and the Milwaukee M12 FUEL Installation Drill Driver Kit 2505-22 both exhibited reliable driving performances, but were less impressive than the Dewalt Xtreme 12V 5-In-1 Drill Driver, and really can not perform as well as much stronger 18 volt and 20 volt models — Although the Dewalt Xtreme 12V 5-In-1 did rival the performance of a few higher voltage models.
Many drills and many chargers.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
After assessing drilling and driving performance, we next ranked and compared the battery performance of each of these cordless tools. We tested how efficiently each device used its battery power, alternating between driving in 16 screws and boring three 1" holes through a 2x12 with the spade bit until each product died. We awarded points based on the number of sets completed. We used the included batteries for the test or a comparably-sized battery from the manufacturer if the device was purchased as a tool-only option. We used the standard manufacturer's charger for the charging test to compare charge times.
Get a Rapid Charger
Many manufacturers and third parties produce rapid chargers for cordless tool batteries. If you frequently wait for your batteries to charge, consider getting a rapid charger to reduce your charging time.
Both the Milwaukee M18 FUEL and the Makita XFD14Z did exceptionally well in this metric. They completed nine cycles and a partial tenth before the battery was exhausted. We used a two amp-hour battery for both of these models for this test.
We tested the battery life of each product with real-world applications.
Credit: Laura Casner
We also liked that both of these battery brands charged very quickly, with the Milwaukee taking 25 minutes and the Makita taking 23 minutes. The Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless Drill KXDD 1424A-03 offered incredible battery life also, however, it doesn't recharge as quickly as the top two models, requiring almost an hour and a half to achieve a full charge.
The progress of some drills during battery testing.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
The DeWalt Atomic made it through a respectable seven full cycles and 12 screws into the 8th before dying. A completely dead battery took 68 minutes to fully recharge in our test. Showing nearly identical results, the Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V completed seven full cycles and 14 screws into the 8th round before running out of juice and could fully charge in 63 minutes.
We liked drills that had good lighting and a belt clip.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
It is worth mentioning that while the best 12 volts can't compete with the best 18 or 20 volts in terms of battery life, similarly rated 2 amp hour batteries charge relatively quickly in 12 volt models, and many of the compact 12 volt model drill driver kits include two batteries, meaning you will be able to handle most home and DIY tasks with little to no down time.
Batteries that are easy to swap are a sure way to keep you going on projects.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The remaining contribution of each model's total score came from convenience. We rated and scored all the features that make these products easier to use, examining everything from the size of the chuck to the ease of swapping batteries, and in the case of compact 5-in-1 models, the ease of changing and versatility of angle changing attachments.
When it comes to convenience, compact 5-in-1 12 volt models are unmatched. Their compact size, lighter weight, and angle changing attachments make working in tight or overhead spaces a breeze. While they may not be as powerful as the 12 or 20 volt models on the market, they can reach places larger more powerful models can not, and in the case of the top performing 12 volt, the Dewalt Xtreme 12V 5-In-1 Drill Driver Kit DCD703F1, they can sometimes rival the performance of more powerful models for shorter durations.
Angle changing heads in compact 5-in-1 models are unparalleled in their ability to work in tight spaces.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
While the Dewalt Xtreme 12V 5-In-1 Drill Driver Kit DCD703F1 proved to be a better drill and driver than both the BOSCH 12V Flexiclick 5-In-1 Drill Driver System GSR12V-300FCB22 and the Milwaukee M12 FUEL Installation Drill Driver Kit 2505-22, all three 5-in-1 12 volt models outshine every other model when it comes to convenience.
In addition to angle changing heads, every model accepts standard ¼ in hex shanks, so you'll have the same feel, and make use of the same bits you may already have for your bulkier higher voltage tools, and use them to reach normally unreachable spaces.
These 1/4 inch hex shanks are pretty standard and convenient across most models.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Behind the 5-in-1 models, the Ridgid 18V Brushless Cordless Sub Compact 1/2 in. Drill/Driver R8701 and the Porter-Cable 20V Max 1/2 In. Drill/Driver Kit PCCK607LB stood out for being chock full of handy features. They have a maximum chuck size of ½", built-in LEDs, a belt clip, a battery level indicator, two different speeds, and neither is overly heavy or bulky.
The DeWalt DCD777C2, the Atomic DCD708C2, the Milwaukee M18, the Milwaukee M18 FUEL, the Makita XFD14Z, the Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V and the Craftsman CMCD700C1 all have a chuck that can expand up to ½".
Some models only accept bits up to 3/8" in diameter. We've noted those specs for you to see what limitations these tools have.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Bosch 12V Max Drill/Driver, DeWalt DCD701F2 Xtreme 12V Max Brushless, and every 5-in-1 12-volt model tested all have chucks that are limited to ⅜". All of the devices in this group have two different speed/torque operating settings and integrated work lights, which are common features on most drills today. However, the light on the Craftsman CMCD700C1 also isn't our favorite — if you're in a pinch, it will work, but supplemental lighting will be appreciated.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Whether you are a professional looking for a top-tier, best of the best tool or a beginner looking for the bare minimum to get started, we believe this side-by-side comparison of the top drills can help you find the perfect tool to match your project requirements and budget
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