10 Best Cordless Drills (Review) In 2021

The LXT Brushless cordless drill from Makita is a part of their extensive 18V Lithium-Ion collection of cordless power tools for fast and easy batter interchange. The brand market range as one system with over 200 solutions. With a 1/2 inch driver and its compact and ergonomic design, it’s the ideal drill for a versatile range of jobs and delivers superior power to rate ratio. With a rubberized soft grip handle, it’s comfortable to use.

It combines maximum torque with a brushless motor and features a mechanical 2-speed transmission with either a 0-500 RPM range or a 1-1900 RPM setting. Perfect for the Pro as well as the enthusiastic amateur DIY’er, it delivers plenty of drilling power from one charge meaning more productivity. It’s relatively lightweight at 3.8 lbs including the battery which helps to reduce operator fatigue plus there are built-in dual LED lights which contribute to illuminating your workspace better. The metal gears and housing are all protected which adds to the durability of this Makita XFD131 LXT. Additionally featuring Extreme Protection Technology, all the parts are sealed and protected from water, dust, and debris. Make sure you also check our guide to the best stud finders.

Our next cordless drill machine comes from Dewalt and is the DCD7902 20V MAX XR. It’s efficient and powerful yet still reasonably affordable and light-weight to operate. With a compact and ergonomic design, it can tackle tight spaces and corners, and it makes a great portable drill for all kinds of personal as well as professional projects. The handle has a comfortable grip which helps to minimize user fatigue. It’s another brushless style motor which means that it’s efficient and friction free so works harder and delivers solid, reliable results.

Containing a powerful lithium-ion battery, it has an enviable continuous run time, upwards of 2.0 amp-hours which is almost 50% more than non-brush competitors. It only takes about 35 minutes to complete a full battery recharge which is pretty impressive stuff. This Dewalt DCD790D2 MAX runs at up to 2000 RPM add has a max power of 360 UWO. Included with your purchase is a tool kit box, and LED light for extra illumination in dark spaces as well as a belt hook. It also comes with an extended three-year limited warranty, so you have no problems on that score

The next battery powered drill we’re reviewing is the Worx WX176L Switch drive which has dual functionality and a 2-speed motor for precise electronic torque control. With the Worx cordless drill and driver, you can get more done, faster, thanks to rotating dual chucks that enable you to hold multiple bit pairings. Other invaluable features include a built-in LED light to increase visibility in low light working conditions as well as a light-weight and compact design which make this drill a pleasure to work with. It only weighs 3 lbs which is quite a feat considering all of the onboard functionality.

Besides being an impressive 20V, it also has 12 torque control settings, 2 variable speeds, and 2 1/4 inch chunks that can rotate 180-degrees clockwise and counterclockwise. It’s part of the Worx Power Share Platform which means that you can use the same 20V battery pack with their whole family of power tools which save you time and money. As the brand marketing message says, “share batteries, save money!” Money that you can put to good use on more power tools perhaps?

We couldn’t possibly write any review that involves high-quality tools without something from the German brand, Bosch getting a mention. They are after all one of the worlds most renowned suppliers of power tools, famous for their efficiency, quality, and reliability. The Bosch PS31 12V cordless drill is no exception, and while it may be small, it’s reasonably priced and delivers a good performance. Popular with both amateur home DIY enthusiasts and professional contractors alike, it’s lightweight, has two-speed settings, comes with scrabble and long-lasting batteries plus it benefits from high torque too.

Weighing just 2.4 lbs, it is small and compact and possibly one of the lightest battery drills in this category and with a head length of just 7,” it’s perfect for getting into tight spots and difficult to reach angles. We already mentioned those 2-speed settings, but it also comes equipped with 20_1 clutch settings and has a max torque of 265 in-lb. There are single-sleeve 3/8-inch chuck and a convenient LED light to illuminate trouble spots. Constructed from Durashield ( a blend of Nylon and ABS) it’s durable and can even serve a drop of up to 12 feet. It’s easy to operate, comfortable to hold and comes with 2 long-lasting lithium-ion batteries.

Our next cordless drill driver is our Best Value choice and comes from Black and Decker, another brand synonymous with high-quality power tools for all those DIY jobs. The LDV120VA really packs a powerful punch considering it has a sub $100 price point. It’s ideal for working on all kinds of materials from wood to metal and plastic and features a soft comfort grip handle which is easy to hold and operate. Included with your purchase from Black + Decker are 30 additional accessories which include everything from drill bits and screwdriver bits to nut drivers and magnetic bit tip holder. It’s exactly the kind of versatile battery drill that you need to have in your toolbox.

Besides all the above great features, it also has a 24 position clutch that provides precision control as well as a powerful 330 in.lbs of torque. The compact and lightweight design make it perfect for use in small and hard to reach tight spots, and it further features a 3/8-inch keyless check for quick and easy changing of all those different sized screw and driver bits. If you’re looking to pick up an affordable, versatile and reliable everyday portable drill, then the Black + Decker LD120VA is a smart choice.

We’re taking a look at the Hitachi DS18DGL cordless drill set next which has plenty of speed, torque as well as all the settings you are likely to need for a multitude of jobs around the home. It’s also compact and lightweight so it can go where full-sized drills just can’t reach. Ergonomically designed, it reduces operator fatigue and has a slim and well-balanced grip that feels comfortable in your hand. There are also LED lights built in so that you can continue to work in dimly lit areas and it’s also equipped with a 1/2-inch keyless chuck so that bit replacement can even be done one-handed if necessary.

When it comes to power, it delivers 400 in. Lbs of maximum torque and has a two-speed gear setting allowing you to select either 450 RPM or 1250 RPM simply by increasing pressure on the trigger. There are also 22 clutch settings that can be adjusted according to your various needs and requirements. It offers precision control and also comes with Hitachi’s Reactive Force Control signature technology, with built-in sensors that detect when the drill is jammed or binder and automatically switch off the motor. This is a great safety feature which really helps to set this Hitachi DS18DGL apart from the competition.

The Rockwell RK2852K2 Brushless drill certainly looks the part and while it’s is super compact, it also packs quite a punch with that 20V lithium-ion battery which can be fully charged in just one hour and has a 2.0 Ah capacity. It comes with both a 1/2 inch and a 1/4 inch drill and features a 1/2 inch single sleeve ratcheting chuck. The brushless motor helps to deliver even power distribution while reducing heat and friction for efficient performance.  Being brushless also means that it has up to 50% more power than standard drills.

The Rockwell RK2852K2 certainly is neat and compact and can easily be stored away in a small box. Being lightweight it’s also perfect for getting into hard to reach and tight, cramped spaces. Other convenient features of this cordless brushless drill include an LED light which can be easily activated with a light touch and helps deliver more target illumination where you might need it most. With a maximum speed of 2900 RPM, it can also be used effectively on almost all surfaces, including concrete. 

The latest cordless drill from Kobalt has had a voltage update so that it’s now packing 24V and has been given a brushless motor for even more efficiency. Compared to the original 18V Kobalt which was a popular drill before this one came along, it’s one inch shorter but has 165 in-lbs of extra torque which mean 25% more driving and drilling power. With two operating modes, 550 as well as 2000 RPM’s and one single 2Ah battery, it really does deliver highly on performance. It may have one of the slowest battery charge times but it sure does run well plus there is a 4-LED charge level indicator on-board so that you always know when it’s time to give your Kobalt 24V a re-charge.

Like many of the other best cordless drills we’ve already reviewed the Kobalt comes with an LED to light up that work area and it also features a 1/2 inch all-metal chuck for durability. There’s a 23 position clutch too so that you can adjust and optimize the settings. It’s an impressive drill and can even handle heavy-duty jobs without any problems.

Our next review isn’t just for a cordless compact drill, it’s for a whole combo tool kit from Milwaukee with one of the hero products being their M18 cordless 1/2 inch hammer drill driver. Featuring a 4-pole frameless motor, it delivers 550 in-lbs of peak torque as well as two variable speeds, 0-450 and 0-1700 RPM. The entire collection is unmistakably Milwaukee in that bright red design, and the system is powered by the company’s patented Red Lithium-Ion technology. Besides the cordless drill, you also receive Milwaukee’s M18 Sawzal Recip Saw, their M18 1/4 inch Hx Impact Driver as well as the M18 Works Light which comes with a foldaway hook for hand free use as well as a 135-degree rotating head.

Also included with this compressive professional style kit, is a branded contractor bag to carry and store all your essential Milwaukee power tools to your next project site, not one but two high capacity extended Red Lithium batteries as well as  Multi-Voltage Charger. They really have thought of everything when pulling together this combo kit. Overall you’re also getting exceptional torque, power as well as long-running times too from all your essential work tools. There won’t be a DIY project that you can’t tackle with the Milwaukee 4-Tool Combo Kit in your arsenal.

We’re finishing up today’s best cordless drill review with an attractive and super affordable little number from Ryobi which is another brushless model and is their Ryobi 18V cordless 1/2 inch drill. The brushless motor is vital as this extends the tool life compared with a brushed version. It comes with a 2-speed gear as we as a 24 position adjustable torque clutch. There’s an LED light to illuminate your workspace and belt clip mounts on both sides of the drill for your convenience. The handle is ergonomically designed with a comfortable and grippy micro textured zone.

It comes with an 18V battery which is part of Ryobi’s One+ compact lithium-ion power tool series and so can be interchanged and used with other products from their range. The battery charger also features IntelliPort technology which means that when it’s not being used, it conveniently conserves energy to protect the battery cells and maximize the lifespan of your battery pack.