The 9 Best Cordless Drills
Updated by · How we research
Compact kits, 12-volt drivers and hammer drills for brick, compared on power, battery and warranty. The DeWalt DCK240C2 combo kit is the pick for most homes. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
The "20V MAX" on many drill batteries is the voltage with no load; the working figure is 18 volts, the same as other brands' 18V packs, so voltage alone won't separate them. What matters more is the battery family you buy into, since every later tool will share it. This list covers homeowners, renters and tradespeople, from light starter kits to hammer drills for masonry.
Editor's Notes
October 23, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The DeWalt DCK240C2 now leads, because a drill and an impact driver in one kit, with two batteries and a three-year warranty, covers what most households need for less than many single drills cost. Only two picks survive from the old list: the Bosch GSR12V, now in its GSR12V-300FCB22 version with swap-on heads, and the Black+Decker LD120VA for people who drill a few times a year.
The Makita CX200RB, Worx WX176L and DeWalt DCD780C2 have left the market, while the Milwaukee 2804-22 gave way to the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2904-20. The Porter Cable PCCK602L2, Ridgid Fuego R86008, Ingersoll D5140-K2 and Pink Power PP182 went too, as older brushed designs that newer kits beat. We passed on a cheap Greenworks drill that charges by USB-C, since a July 2026 recall pulled Kobalt-branded yard tools with a similar battery setup.
The ranking leans on TechGearLab's timed runs with 17 drills, a Pro Tool Reviews head-to-head of hammer drills, and spec sheets from DeWalt, Makita and Milwaukee, with every brand checked against federal recall records.
February 05, 2021:
A good quality cordless drill is an essential tool for construction workers and tradespeople alike, and makes a useful addition to any home tool kit. A less powerful model such as the Black & Decker LD120VA or the Pink Power PP182 should still be competent enough for most tasks around the home such as hanging shelves or doors or putting furniture together. However, those who need to use them on a daily basis should consider a more hard-wearing option such as the Makita CX200RB.
In this update, we added two new options to the ranking. Firstly, we switched the Milwaukee XC M18 with the Milwaukee 2804-22, which features a longer-lasting battery with a reduced charge time, and now boasts 1,200 inch-pounds of torque. It also comes with a second battery and a lockable hard case. The Bosch GSR12V was also included because, although it has less power than most on the list, it is very compact at six inches in length and weighs just 1.6 pounds, making it ideal for overhead work or for use in restrictive areas.
June 04, 2019:
The Makita CX200RB is our top choice, as it packs enough punch to be suitable for contractors while still being manageable for the DIYer. It's also one of the more rugged options listed here, giving you plenty of bang for your buck.
The Black & Decker LD120VA was the last model to make our list, and it did so just barely. It's not terribly powerful, which is a big strike against it; however, that also makes it suitable for finesse work around the house. It's worth having around for that reason alone, but you may want to keep another, stronger drill handy as well.
There are two models on this list that come with impact drivers: the Porter Cable PCCK602L2 and the aforementioned Makita. This certainly provides additional value, but for the purposes of ranking on this list only the qualities of the drills were considered. That said, both drivers appear to be fine tools in their own right.
Special Honors
Ryobi One+ HP Drills Ryobi's 18V One+ battery runs a very large range of home, garden and shop tools, and TechGearLab rated its One+ HP brushless drill kit among its higher scorers. Ryobi kits are sold mainly through Home Depot rather than as factory kits from general online stores. ryobitools.com
Flex 24V Hammer Drills Flex, a newer cordless brand, makes the 24V FX1271T hammer drill that topped Pro Tool Reviews' cordless hammer drill head-to-head. Its kits are sold mostly through Lowe's. flexpowertools.com
Volts, Brushless Motors And The Battery Family
Battery size, in amp-hours, sets runtime: the 1.3 to 1.5Ah packs in many starter kits are light but short-lived, and a 4 or 5Ah pack lasts far longer.
Start with the battery, not the drill. DeWalt's fine print says its "20V MAX" packs measure 20 volts only with no load and run at a nominal 18 volts, which is why Makita and Milwaukee call the same class 18V (DeWalt). A 12-volt tool is lighter and fits tighter spots, but it slows down in big holes. Whatever brand you pick, its batteries will run every tool you add later, so a brand with a wide range of tools saves money over time.
Brushless motors waste less power as heat, so they run longer per charge and tend to outlast brushed motors, while brushed kits cost less and are fine for occasional use (Bob Vila). Battery size, in amp-hours, sets runtime: the 1.3 to 1.5Ah packs in many starter kits are light but short-lived, and a 4 or 5Ah pack lasts far longer. Chargers vary as much as batteries. In TechGearLab's runs, budget kits needed three to four hours to refill, against under an hour for pro kits.
Drill, Impact Driver Or Hammer Drill
A drill/driver bores holes and drives screws, and its clutch lets you stop before a screw strips or sinks too deep. An impact driver adds rapid hammering taps around the bit, which drives long deck screws and lag bolts with less strain on your wrist, but it takes only hex-shank bits and has no clutch. That's why the most popular starter kits pair the two.
A hammer drill adds a forward pounding motion for brick, block and concrete. Use carbide-tipped masonry bits in hammer mode and the side handle, since a bound bit can twist the tool hard. In a Pro Tool Reviews head-to-head of cordless hammer drills, the Flex 24V FX1271T placed first and DeWalt's DCD1007 second. For occasional anchors in a basement wall, a hammer drill is enough; for drilling many large holes in concrete, rent or buy a rotary hammer.
Clutch, Chuck And Safe Habits
Clutch settings matter more than top torque figures, which brands measure in different ways and can't be compared across labels. Ten or more settings give you room to drive small screws into soft wood without stripping them. A half-inch chuck takes bigger bits and grips better than a 3/8-inch chuck, and all-metal chucks hold bits more firmly than plastic sleeves. Bits with three flats on the shank slip less than round ones.
Wear safety glasses, clamp small workpieces instead of holding them, and take the battery out before changing bits. Charge only with the maker's charger, never charge a damaged pack, and store batteries somewhere cool and dry (This Old House). Drilling concrete or brick throws off crystalline silica dust, which OSHA limits on job sites; use dust extraction or a respirator (OSHA). You can look up any tool or battery recall at the CPSC.
How we researched this
We screened 18 current drills and kits and read the maker spec sheets for the finalists from DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee and Bosch. We weighed independent results from TechGearLab, Bob Vila, This Old House and Pro Tool Reviews, looked at owner feedback patterns, and checked every brand against U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records.
Sources (9)
- DeWalt: DCK240C2 20V MAX 2-tool combo kit
- Makita: CX203SYB sub-compact brushless combo kit
- Milwaukee: M18 Fuel 1/2 in. hammer drill/driver 2904-20
- TechGearLab: The Best Drills
- Bob Vila: The Best Cordless Drills
- This Old House: Best Cordless Drills
- Pro Tool Reviews: Best Cordless Hammer Drill Head-to-Head
- OSHA: Crystalline silica
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a drill or an impact driver?
Most homes need a drill first: it bores holes and drives small screws with a clutch to stop overdriving. An impact driver is better for long deck screws and lag bolts. Kits with both are often only a little more than a drill alone.
How many volts does a home drill need?
A 12-volt drill covers furniture, shelves and light repairs. An 18V or 20V MAX drill, which are the same class, handles framing lumber, big holes and hole saws, and its batteries fit more tools.
Is a brushless motor worth the extra cost?
If you drill often or for long sessions, yes: brushless motors run cooler and get more work from each charge. For a few projects a year, a brushed drill is fine.
What does the clutch on a drill do?
The numbered ring behind the chuck sets how much twisting force the drill applies before it slips. Low numbers protect small screws and soft materials; the drill symbol bypasses the clutch for boring holes.
Can a regular drill go through concrete?
Only slowly, for a small hole or two. A hammer drill with a carbide-tipped masonry bit is the right tool for brick, block and concrete anchors.
What battery size should I get?
Starter packs of 1.3 to 2 amp-hours keep the tool light but run down quickly. For decks, framing or hole saws, a 4 or 5 amp-hour pack, plus a second battery, avoids waiting on the charger.
