Best Cordless Drill [2022]

Honestly, nothing else on our list came close to the power that the Dewalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Drill/Driver (DCD991B) offers. Even though it first came out in 2016, it has reigned without giving up its chair. DEWALT built a powerhouse when they built this one.

For anyone on a budget, the BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Drill/Driver (LDX120C) is where you should start. It has plenty of power, plenty of features, and it comes in at less than $50. If you need a light-duty/medium-duty cordless drill, BLACK+DECKER has you covered.

While it is not as strong as its big brother (the DCD991B), the DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless Drill/Driver (DCD791D2) has more than enough power to out power anyone else on this list. Plus, you get a battery and all the other accessories to have the best all-in-one package on our list.

How We Picked

Cordless drills are one of the most used power tools in almost any environment. Whether you are at home or on the construction worksite, they play an integral part in many different jobs.

There are hundreds of cordless drills on the market right now. Some brands literally have more than ten different options to choose from. Knowing what separates each one can make it a little easier when trying to find the right one for you. And that is exactly what we are going to do today.

We have put together a list of the ten best cordless drills for 2020. Some of these will work great on a job site while others will work great for home/DIY projects. To give you an idea of what we look at, we have included a buyer’s guide which will help you narrow down your search too. We have also included some of the most commonly asked questions in the event that you had a few questions yourself. Ultimately, we hope that you find a cordless drill that is perfect for you.

DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless Drill/Driver (DCD991B)

Specs:

• Battery Included: No
• Voltage: 20 Volts
• Max Torque: 885in/lb
• Weight: 4.0 Pounds

Dewalt has become one of the most renowned companies in the power tools industry. The bright yellow and deep black tools look right at home at any job site. In fact, it is almost impossible to pass by a worksite that does not have a few DEWALT products laying around. The reason for that is simple, they make some of the best power tools. And the DCD991B is a perfect example of their dedication to quality and performance.

The DCD991B has been around since 2016 but has maintained its top-tier status simply because of how well it was built. So, is it the strongest, fastest, longest-lasting – not at all. But it is beefy, weighing in at 4.6 pounds. It’s extremely durable with its high-impact ABS outer with rubber surrounds. And, it’s extremely powerful putting out a whopping 885in/lb of torque. Instead of being the best in ONE category, it’s great in MANY categories.

The DCD991B has a brushless motor which is designed to be faster, more energy-efficient, and last longer. In fact, the DCD991B delivers a staggering 820 UWO (unit watts out) in comparison to its predecessor that managed a solid output of 650 UWO (still better than most other cordless drills). The 885in/lb torque rating is astronomical when compared to other cordless drills – the next closest on our list is 600in/lb and that’s another DEWALT product. While the chances of you needing 885in/lb of torque are unlikely, it’s there. You’ll never be wishing you had a little more power with the DCD991B.

Some other notable features of the DCD991B include a three-speed gearbox that gives you extremely precise control of your drill/driver; don’t strip the heads out from over-torque. It also has an ultra-bright, 3-mode, 60-lumen LED light that is great for night projects and for making it a little easier to see everything. Plus, the DCD991B works with all of the 20V MAX batteries in the DEWALT lineup, regardless of mAH rating.

What We Like

For us, there is not another drill that puts out the torque that this cordless drill can. At 885in/lb, there is a good chance that you will break the bolt/screw if it is stuck. But, we love having so much power in our hands.

Overall

DEWALT does not package the DCD991B with a battery; this is our biggest complaint. Otherwise, this is one of the most powerful, most durable, and trustworthy cordless drills on our list. It is a little heavy for some people, but it was built for the worksite. If this is too much for you, there are other compact/lighter options on our list too.

DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless Drill/Driver (DCD791D2)

Specs:

• Battery Included: Yes
• Voltage: 20 Volts
• Max Torque: 600in/lb
• Weight: 3.4 Pounds

Next, we’re going to look at another DEWALT cordless product again. This time we are going to focus on the DCD791D2 which outpowers everyone else except for its big brother – the DCD991B.

The DCD791D2 is the compact/little brother but it packs a serious punch. In fact, DEWALT managed to reduce the weight of this drill by 0.6 pounds. While that might not seem like much, wait until it’s hanging off your tool belt for a few hours and it’ll make a big difference. And while they were reducing the weight, they managed to turn if from a full-size drill into a compact drill, shortening the overall length by a full inch. Even so, they still manage to squeeze out 460 UWO and 600in/lb of torque. In fact, this compact option outperforms some of the other full-size drills on our list!

It is still a beefed-up unit, weighing in at 3.4 pounds. Again, they’ve done a great job of making it durable by covering it in ABS plastic and rubber. But, one thing that the DCD791D2 does better than its big brother is that it comes with two batteries, a charger, and a carrying case. While we do like tool-only options, we love all-in-one setups like this. The MAX XR batteries come with a built-in fuel gauge so you know how much time/power you have left. Plus, they work with all of the other MAX XR cordless DEWALT products so you can use your other batteries too.

DEWALT packed the DCD791D2 with plenty of other features too including a two-speed transmission, a brushless motor, built-in LED work light, and a metal half-inch ratcheting chuck. These are built so well that DEWALT gives them a standard three-year limited warranty too.

What We Like

Small, compact, and POWERFUL! Sure, it’s not ripping bolts in half, but it’s capable of putting down an impressive 600in/lb of torque. There aren’t many jobs where this will not be able to finish.

Overall

For those looking for a compact option that is powerful, this is it. Of course, this is one of the more expensive compact cordless drills on our list, but it’s a DEWALT. They stand behind their products and plenty of people stand behind DEWALT products on a worksite each day. You won’t regret buying the DCD791D2!

Milwaukee 18V Brushless Drill/Driver (M18 2801-20)

Specs:

• Battery Included: No
• Voltage: 18 Volts
• Max Torque: 500in/lb
• Weight: 2.5 Pounds

Now, we’re going to look at something not DEWALT. Instead, we are going to look at the M18 2801-20 from Milwaukee. They’ve been around since 1924 and they are another established company with plenty of trusted products in the power tool industry.

The M18 2801-20 is a compact cordless drill with a length of 6.5 inches. It is extremely lightweight, barely registering the scale at 2.5 pounds without a battery. And even though it is so small and compact, it still manages to put out 500in/lb of torque from the brushless motor. To control the M18 2801-20, Milwaukee included a two-speed adjustable transmission. You control the RPM range from 0-500 and 0-1800, making it a lot easier to handle tough jobs when speed isn’t the most important requirement.

Milwaukee makes sure this has plenty of power to work with, using their own 18V batteries that are equipped with REDLITHIUM (lithium-ion). They claim that it can outperform and outlast other comparable 18V batteries due to the REDLITHIUM technology. But that’s not the only REDtech they’ve included. They’ve also included REDLINK intelligence that monitors the motor and battery temperature to make sure that it doesn’t get overloaded/overheated.

What We Like

With 500in/lb of torque, there is not much that can stand in your way. This is an extremely light and compact cordless drill that packs a serious punch. The included REDLINK intelligence helps to protect it from serious damage that other units would fail from.

Overall

The Milwaukee M18 2801-20 is a great, budget-friendly, compact cordless drill that can compete with the best. While it’s not the most powerful option on our list, it checks off some of the other important features of being lightweight and compact. While the brand isn’t nearly as notable (or visually recognized), this is not a cordless drill you will want to overlook.

Bosch 12V MAX Brushless Drill/Driver (PS32-02)

Specs:

• Battery Included: Yes
• Voltage: 12 Volts
• Max Torque: 265in/lb
• Weight: 2.0 Pounds

Let’s be real, how in the world did a 12-volt option even make it on this list? Bosch is well-known in the power tool market, but 12 volts is still kind of weak – right?

So, we are pretty impressed with the PS32-02 from Bosch. It is a compact, brushless cordless drill that barely weighs anything coming in at only 2 pounds. It has a length of 6 1/2 inches which makes it perfect for getting into tight spaces. And yes, it only puts out a total of 265in/lb of torque, but it feels like it is more.

Feature-wise, the PS32-02 is loaded! It comes with an auto-lock chuck that produces an audible click when the bits are secured. It comes with an LED light in front of the variable speed trigger to light up what is in front of you. It comes with a fuel gauge to let you know how much power/battery life you have left. It comes with a variable speed trigger so you can control how fast or slow you want to go. It comes with a 20+1 clutch adjustment that controls how much torque you are applying. It comes with a two-speed gearbox so that you do not spin off any screw heads. It comes with a 2AH lithium-ion battery pack for plenty of juice between jobs. It comes with a bit tip holder that can hold up to four different bits at one time. Plus, it comes with a battery charger and carrying case making it a true all-in-one, portable option.

What We Like

Most 12-volt cordless drills are weak and slow. They get bogged down easily even on some simple projects or where down really fast due to weak batteries. The PS32-02 has a super-strong lithium-ion battery that just keeps going and going. The 265in/lb of torque is impressive, easily handling most of the jobs thrown at it.

Overall

It would be easy to overlook the Bosch PS32-02 as it is a 12-volt cordless drill. But, that would be a mistake. If you want something simple and lightweight, but packed with features, you can not skip over this one. It is an extremely well-balanced and customer-centric cordless drill designed for light-duty work.

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Drill/Driver (LDX120C)

Specs:

• Battery Included: Yes
• Voltage: 20 Volts
• Max Torque: 115in/lb
• Weight: 3.4 Pounds

BLACK+DECKER products can be found in a lot of local and online stores. They have proven themselves in the power tool/cordless industry, specifically in the home improvement section. While they are not worksite powerhouses, they have good light-duty/medium-duty tools.

The LDX120C from BLACK+DECKER weighs exactly the same as the DEWALT DCD791D2 mentioned earlier at 3.4 pounds. In fact, it is pretty close to the same size as well. But, there are some differences.

For starters, the LDX120C only puts out 115in/lb of torque. This is good for home projects and small DIY projects, but not so much for heavy-duty jobs that you would find on the worksite. Additionally, this is not a brushless motor so it is not nearly as power/energy-efficient as some of the others on our list. So, why did this make our list? This is a sub-$50 cordless drill that works well in many small to midsize projects.

It still comes with plenty of features like an 11-position clutch for precise drilling control, and interchangeable 20-volt MAX battery pack that works with all of the other BLACK+DECKER cordless products, a variable speed trigger, and an included battery and charger.

Is it fair to compare the LDC120C to the DCD791D2? Absolutely not! They aren’t on the same level. DEWALT products are designed for the most brutal work environments in the world. BLACK+DECKER products are designed for homes and small workshops.

What We Like

For the price, you get enough power to handle most jobs around the house. While you probably will not use this to drill lag bolts into your 4×4’s, you will easily be able to hang pictures and build that doghouse for Fido.

Overall

This is not built for medium-duty/heavy-duty use. It is small, compact, portable, and ready to work. At the home, this will handle most jobs without any hesitation. Plus, you can easily swap the batteries to your other BLACK+DECKER products. If you trust the BLACK+DECKER brand already, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t add this to your home arsenal.

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Drill/Driver (XFD131)

Specs:

• Battery Included: Yes
• Voltage: 18 Volts
• Max Torque: 440in/lb
• Weight: 3.8 Pounds

Makita is another well-known power tool brand, creating plenty of medium-duty/heavy-duty products that stand the test of time.

The XFD131 is another compact, brushless cordless drill with plenty of power to boot. It weighs just under 4 pounds and manages to squeeze out a staggering 440in/lb of torque. It has plenty of protection from the thick ABS plastic with plenty of rubber wrapped around it for the occasional drops. It is powered by an LXT 18-volt battery that is interchangeable with more than 200 other LXT branded cordless tools from Makita.

Now, it comes with several noteworthy features including a two-speed transmission (0-500 RPM + 0-1900 RPM), a built-in LED light with extended afterglow that helps you to see what you have done even after you let go the trigger, fully metalized here and gear housing for long life and durability, and it is well-balanced so you do not have to fight it like some of the other larger cordless drills on the market.

What We Like

While it is a little heavier than some of the other cordless options on the market right now, it still manages to put out 400+ in/lbs of torque. This can easily work in any environment from the home, the office, and even the worksite

Overall

Mikita products are built to last. All of their products are backed by a three-year limited warranty that covers the battery, the drill, and the charger. If you want a great mid-level cordless drill with plenty of power, then the XFD131 from Makita is perfect for you.

WORX 20V Switchdriver 2-In-1 Drill/Driver (WX176L)

Specs:

• Battery Included: Yes
• Voltage: 20 Volts
• Max Torque: 265in/lb
• Weight: 3.1 Pounds

Next, we are going to look at a brand that came to life from the “As Seen on TV” commercials. WORX has not been around for a long time, but they have managed to become a household name quickly due to the quality products that they create.

The WX176L is a full-size cordless drill that looks a little bit different. Yes, it does look like a cordless drill, but they have added a few features that really separate it from everyone else (which is what WORX does).

Getting to the elephant in the room, the Switchdriver has a unique rotating bit driver system. You can switch from a drill to a bit driver in less than a second without having to stop and switch out bits. To do this, they have built a patented system that uses tool chucks. For some, this might be a little bit gimmicky, but it is very fast and efficient. Other brands have tried to do the same thing focusing more on the bit itself (i.e. think Craftsman and DEWALT).

And even though this is a full-sized cordless drill, it is one of the lightest it only 3.1 pounds. In fact, it still manages to put out over 265 in/lbs of torque making it comparable to some of the light-duty/medium-duty cordless drills on our list. It is powered by the 20-volt PowerShare battery system which is interchangeable with other cordless WORX products.

While we did focus on the ability to switch between bits, that is not all that the WX176L has to offer. In fact, it has a built-in LED light for increased visibility, a variable two-speed gear system for high/low-speed situations, 12 different torque control settings, and an electronic torque control to prevent stripped-down screws. And finally, the WX176L is covered by a three-year limited warranty through WORX.

What We Like

WORX has come a long way. In the beginning, there was no way we would consider them. Knowing this, they have consistently built better products. The Switchdriver addresses a big problem of having to switch out bits consistently when you are pre-drilling holes and then putting screws in. Using this, you will easily be able to reduce the amount of time on each job.

Overall

The Switchdriver is your solution to constantly have to swap out bits. Whether you are drilling or driving a screw, all you have to do is switch chucks and keep going. It has a 20-volt cordless drill with 265in/lbs of torque for most light-duty/medium-duty jobs. When you buy a product from WORX, it works!

Porter-Cable 20V MAX Brushless Drill/Driver (PCC608LB)

Specs:

• Battery Included: Yes
• Voltage: 20 Volts
• Max Torque: 293in/lb
• Weight: 3.2 Pounds

Porter-Cable is one of those brands that you have seen on worksites. They look industrial and cool with their high contrast red, gray, black color scheme. However, they are considered budget options when compared to other brands like DEWALT and Makita.

The PCC608LB looks amazing! It is a full-sized cordless drill that is covered in a color scheme that absolutely stands out. Of course, this is probably from the brand update a couple of years back (to look younger/edgier), but it looks great. They have balanced out the black, grey, and red well, definitely giving it in edgier look. But, it is more than just looks too. It is a brushless drill that is powered by a 20-volt MAX Lithium-ION battery that can be shared with other Porter-Cable products as well.

It can easily push through most jobs without any hesitation or drag with the 293 in/lbs of torque. It does not weigh much, weighing in at only 3.2 pounds and it is extremely well-balanced. The PCC608LB can install up to 400 3-inch screws on one battery. It has 12 torque settings to ensure you do not strip out any screws and has a max rpm speed of 1700.

What We Like

Porter-Cable has come a long way too. Even though they are a budget-friendly option, they have some high-quality power tools. This one is extremely strong, lasting longer than some of the other options on our list on a single charge. For the at-home mom or DIY-dad, this will easily handle all of your projects and/or repair needs.

Overall

Yes, the PCC608LB from Porter-Cable does fit into the “budget” classification when compared to heavy-duty brands like DEWALT and Makita. However, not everyone can afford those two powerhouses. That is the exact reason why we put this on our list. It is a great medium-duty cordless drill that gives you plenty of power for a full day of work.

SKIL 20V PWRCore Drill/Driver (DL527502)

Specs:

• Battery Included: Yes
• Voltage: 20 Volts
• Max Torque: 350in/lb
• Weight: 3.98 Pounds

SKIL has been around for a long time. Most of the time, you will find them on store shelves and in online stores under the less than $100 category. Most of the SKIL products are extremely inexpensive, with a reputation of lasting for a few years. However, SKIL went to a major rebranding and completely innovated everything that they do.

The DL527502 from SKIL is a perfect example of what they can do! This is a full-sized cordless drill that can pump out 350in/lbs of torque, even though it does not use a brushless motor. However, the trade-off is that it does weigh a lot when compared to the others on our list; in fact, it weighs 3.98 pounds. And while that is a lot, is the exact reason why you have so much torque in such a small body.

It is powered by the 20-volt PWRCore lithium-ion batteries from SKIL. The included battery is a 2.5AH battery that will last through most of your projects without failing. All of the PWRCore batteries can be used with any of the other PWRCore SKIL products too. And, the PWRCore technology has built-in safeguards to help monitor and regulate the temperature so that the battery does not experience any type of fading and provides a consistent charge from start to finish.

But, that is not all that they have included with this. In fact, you get a half-inch keyless chuck with spindle lock, a 17+1 adjustable clutch, a two-speed transmission, an LED indicator indicating whether you are going and forward or reverse, and LED work like with extended lighting after trigger has been released, a belt clip for easy portability, and an included battery and charger.

What We Like

If they had included a carrying case with this, we would have had a hard time not making this the best budget option on our list. For the price, it is hard to imagine that this could be so versatile. It packs plenty of punch and lasts almost all day.

Overall

SKIL has made some major changes over the last few years. Have they started creating heavy-duty products that we can’t ignore – no. Have they created light/medium-duty products that work well at home or in the shop – yes. If you want a good, budget-friendly cordless drill, don’t skip over this SKIL.

TECCPO 20V Power Drill/Driver (TDCD03P)

Specs:

• Battery Included: Yes
• Voltage: 20 Volts
• Max Torque: 530in/lb
• Weight: 4.5 Pounds

Up until now, we have focused on big-name brands. But, we could not overlook this cordless drill from TECCPO. It is definitely not a fancy looking cordless drill with its black on black color scheme, but that is not really what caught our eye.

This is a full-sized cordless drill that has the ability to put out up to 530in/lbs of torque. It is powered by a 20-volt MAX TPower battery from TECCPO. The batteries can be recharged in just 30 minutes and can hold up to 4AH of power on a single charge. You actually get to batteries with this cordless drill and the actual fast-charging battery charger. You have a 24+1 torque setting control paired with a two-speed transmission.

What made this so unique to us is the fact that they included everything but the kitchen sink for less than $100. With this kit, you get:

1. Cordless
2. 2 Batteries
3. Battery Charger
4. 29-Piece Drill Bit Accessory Clip
5. Flexible Shaft
6. Contractor Bag
7. Belt Clip
8. 2-Year Warranty

Nothing else on our list included all of this. Sure, TECCPO is not a named brand, but everyone has to start somewhere. Simply put, this is definitely a cordless drill for the home DIYer.

What We Like

If you have not already figured it out, we absolutely love the fact that you get everything you will need with this kit. While this is not a heavy-duty cordless drill, it will easily handle anything you have around the house.

Overall

For someone looking for a great gift for their handyman, here it is. It is not bright and bold, but it’s strong! And it comes with everything they’ll need to get started on some of the projects that have been on the backburner. Give them everything for less than $100!

Buyer’s Guide To Find The Best Cordless Drill

Portability

Some cordless drills are fairly large (full-sized) while others are much smaller (compact). Both have their purpose, but there are some trade-offs with each.

Smaller cordless drills are much easier to carry around in vehicles and storage bags. However, they tend to be weaker than their full-sized counterparts. But, full-sized cordless drills tend to be heavier and harder to carry around.

Depending on your needs, and the size of your tool bag/toolbox, you really need to consider the size of the cordless drill you want. If you need true portability, then a compact cordless drill is your best option. If you have the room, then you might as well get a larger, more powerful full-sized cordless drill.

Battery Life

Another feature that you need to look at is how strong the battery is. If you are working on projects around the house, you might not need a 20-volt battery system. Instead, a 12-volt battery system might be more than enough.

But, if you were working on a job site where you know you will need all-day performance and massive power, then nothing less than 18 volts will be sufficient. Larger, more powerful batteries give you the most control, power, and speed.

Extra Features

This is where manufacturers love to push their products. Every single company has their “special” features that no one else has. Truth be told, they pretty much all the same thing. But, you still need to make sure that you are getting plenty of features with your purchase.

Built-in LED lights are becoming more common now. Temperature monitoring and overload protection should be an option. Certain safeguards put in place to protect you from injury are not bad.

If you were trying to figure out which one you want between two equally powerful cordless drills, then look at the extra features and see which one has more. Generally speaking, you will be happier with more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are cordless drills as good as corded drills?

A: Yes and no.

Cordless drills have come a long way. In the past, they were specifically built to be light-duty power tools. But, as the demand increased, companies started taking notice. As such, they started building them with bigger motors, better batteries, and better transmissions.

Today, you can find cordless drills that work with 20+ volts and can hold up to most corded drills. Now, that does not mean that they are better per se. But, when you can do the same job of a corded product without having to be plugged in, that kind of makes it a better option. The only downside to this is that you do have to have a charged battery.

Unless you were going to need a cordless drill all day long, a cordless drill makes the most sense. You do not have to deal with cords and electrical outlets, they are not nearly as heavy, and they do the same thing that a corded drill does.

Q: Does voltage matter?

A: Yes, voltage does matter. If you can remember WAY BACK, cordless drills used to be powered by 12-volt battery packs. The cordless drills back then were not very powerful and they did last very long before they needed to be recharged.

Fast forward to today and battery packs now boast 20+ volts of power. Now, cordless drills are equipped with some of the most powerful motors ever. What used to slow them down and/or be impossible for them is now possible. They last well over half a day without any type of fading and their even interchangeable with other products (same brand/line).

Of course voltage is not the only thing that matters, but it is a big component of a cordless drill’s performance. Some companies have developed proprietary technology that works with the voltage and amperage to create a super-powerful cordless drill (think DEWALT). These drills outperform many other products simply because of their optimization, but it would not be possible without high-voltage battery packs.

Q: Is there a such thing as too much power?

A: Some of these cordless drills have some major torque! The DEWALT DCD991B list above has more than 800in/lbs of torque – that is enough to rip a screw in half. So, is it possible that that is way more than necessary?

Absolutely!

Which is why manufacturers build variable speed triggers and torque adjustment settings. Without these features, it would be easy to absolutely destroy a bolt and/or screw. You would overdrive screws and create massive divots (and possibly even split the wood).

While no one truly wants to admit that there is such a thing as too much power, it is real. In order to control all that power, you need to make sure that there are certain features built-in such as variable speed triggers, transmission speed controls, and adjustable torque settings.

Q: Is there a such thing as too much speed?

A: Again, you absolutely can have a problem with too much speed. With a cordless drill, going too fast can strip out heads and cause bolts to cross thread. Having the ability to control all of that speed is what makes the tool useful.

That is why manufacturers have numerous controls built-in such as variable speed triggers and transmission speed controls. A variable speed trigger allows you to manually control how fast the cordless drill spends. The harder you press on the trigger, the faster it goes. A transmission speed control limits how fast the cordless drill can go. So, if you note that you need to be careful with what you are doing, then you would set it to keep the speed under say 500 RPM. When combined with a variable speed trigger control, there is almost no chance that you will go too fast.

Just because a drill can reach 3000+ RPMs does not mean that it is the best one for you. If you cannot control it, it is not good for you. Make sure that the cordless drill you want has the torque and speed that you need, with the speed controls that can help you control your device.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of great options to choose from when it comes to cordless drills. In fact, you probably looked at more than that before you got here. Our list looked at the features that mattered most, making sure to consider power, portability, battery life, extra features, and included accessories. Not only did we look at cordless drills that are perfect for the worksite, but we also looked at cordless drills that could work for home use too.

If you still haven’t found the cordless drill that is perfect for you, the buyer’s guide above should help you narrow down your search. Ultimately, we want you to find the perfect cordless drill for all your needs.

Product Boxes: Last updated on 2021-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API