Best Cordless Drills in 2021

Things to consider when picking a cordless drill

There are a lot of variables that can go into picking the drill that best fits your needs. A phrase you will frequently hear in the tech world is "ecosystem lock-in" and guess what, that is something that permeates even the power tool world. All major cordless power tool companies are producing tools that can all use the same rechargeable battery. So if you buy a drill, but could see a use for a cordless reciprocating saw, or maybe a circular saw, impact wrench, oscillating tool in your future, then you will want to keep those in mind when looking at the brand you buy. Let's get into some things to consider when looking for the drill you need.

1. What will you be using the power tool?

You may have seen in our "Best of" section above, that there are a few different drills out there. Do you need a drill, an impact driver, or a hammer drill for the task at hand? While there are specialized tools, if you won't be drilling into concrete or brick walls regularly, then you are probably better suited looking at a drill/driver with a hammer drill setting rather than buying a hammer drill alone. A drill/driver is a versatile tool that can drill a hole, set a screw-like a screwdriver, or drive a nut. Keep in mind that a good bit set, the part you put into the end of the drill/driver for the task at hand, with a variety of components is a must regardless of the tool you choose.

As for hammer drills, they are built for driving an anchor, a screw, or bolt into a masonry material. Should your walls be made from concrete and you would like to hang a picture, a hammer drill is the best tool for the job. A quick tip, if you won't be doing much masonry work you can likely get by with a regular drill and a masonry bit. The hammer drill does as the name states and will make tiny hammer motions with the motors onto the bit to help force the drill bit through whatever material on which you are working.

An impact driver is a tool that's primary function is just that, driving a screw or nut. It's lighter weight and more compact than your average drill/driver. The quick-change chuck makes swapping from a Philips to a socket adapter simple. The motor is designed to give maximum torque when what you are driving starts to stick or get tight. It will provide quick bursts of high strength turns to get that last few threads secured. Let's dive into some of the nuances of words you may come across when buying the tool that makes it right for you.

2. Battery tech

There are few things more important when picking out your cordless power tool of choice than the battery. As was mentioned in the "Things to consider" section, the tool/battery ecosystem is paramount when choosing what brand to go buy. As for the batteries themselves, you generally have two choices, NiCad, and lithium-ion. NiCad cells have been around for decades and powered many different products. They are durable and, for the most part, quite reliable. However, they have a higher discharge rate as well as less power density. Meaning you'll be recharging them more frequently.

Lithium-ion batteries are in most modern battery-powered electronics. They charge quickly, have longer lifespans, and have a better discharge rate. Another great benefit is that they are smaller and lighter, all while providing the noted benefits.

The other consideration when choosing your battery is the voltage (V) and the ampere-hour (Ah). There are lots of cordless battery options out there, ranging from 3V to 48V. Most of your consumer drill/drivers will be in the 12V to 20V. However, a good rule of thumb is that the higher the voltage, the more torque (think power) it will deliver. So you'll likely want to opt for an 18V or 20V version. The other measurement to watch for is the ampere-hour. You can think of as the capacity of the battery, or how long it will last. That means when you can look for a balance of the right voltage for you and a higher ampere-hour to power your jobs. One caveat to keep in mind is also that the higher Ah and voltage, generally, the more bulky battery and longer it may take to charge.

3. Chuck type

The chuck is the part of the drill that will be holding the bit (drill, driver, or adapter). Your typical drill/driver you pick up at your retailer of choice is going to be a half-inch unless you are getting an impact driver and that will be a quarter-inch. The drill/driver chuck is designed so opens up to a half-inch and down to thirty-second of an inch. The chuck on a drill/driver will open by spinning/twisting a collar on the backside of the grip teeth (usually a three metal pieces that form a triangle when closed) that will open and close the chuck.

There are two standard chucks on drill/drivers. One is a keyed chuck that will require a tool that is generally included that looks like a gear that will fit the gear of the chuck to open/close it. These are an excellent option; they can be a bit cumbersome and require a tool to use. The more common and easy option is the keyless chuck. This functions as the keyed chuck, only you won't need a device to open/close the chuck. Just grip the collar at the back of the spinning head (when stopped) and twist the direction you need.

The impact driver is a little different in that it will usually have a quick connect chuck that is a spring-loaded collar that you slide to release the bit installed. You'll use a quarter-inch hex bit that's designed for these drivers and when you're done with the bit, grab the bit and slide the collar back to release it.

4. Motors and Transmissions

Motors and transmissions may seem like something about cars or trucks, but it's the same terminology and idea for your drill/driver. Like in a vehicle, the motor is the power that drives the transmission. Your transmission is a primary contributor to the torque (twisting force) it can deliver, and there are two common motor types for cordless drills, brushed and brushless. Brushless is a newer variety and provides more power and more efficient operation. With this version, less heat is produced during usage that will allow for more run time and less wear on the tool. Brushed motors are an excellent alternative and tend to be less expensive; however, in the long run, a brushless option is the way to go.

As for the transmission, this is where the power from the motor goes to get the work done. Most drills these days have a two-speed transmission. These speeds determine the rotations per minute (RPM), and the more RPMs, the faster the bit will spin. So choose the right speed for the job.

5. Clutch

Again, another automotive term for your cordless drill. The clutch is the part of the drill that engages the driveshaft to the transmission. The majority of modern cordless drills offer a variable clutch or torque selector, that lets you select the right setting for the job. A selectable clutch is an excellent feature as it can save you from potentially snapping off a screw due to overpowering, driving a screw too far into a piece of material, or even ruining the threads on whatever you are putting a screw into. A good rule of thumb when selecting the correct torque on the clutch is the softer the material you are drilling/driving into, the smaller the number on the clutch.

6. Variable speed

Let's stay with the automotive terms and think of the variable speed trigger as your gas pedal. Drill/drivers have a couple of options when it comes to the trigger. It can be on/off or range from off through "pedal to the floor." A variable speed trigger is an excellent option because it will allow you more control over the bit while you are working. Too much speed and you could drill right through the board and into something you don't want to or too little, and your screw won't go into that wall. Ease onto the trigger to a comfortable and productive speed to get the job done well.

Best Overall: DeWalt DCD771C2 20V

DeWalt DCD771C2 20V Features

• Keyless chuck
• Two-speed transmission
• Variable speed trigger
• Adjustable clutch
• 20v Batteries give excellent torque
• LED work light

The DeWalt DCD771C2 does a great job of balancing size and weight for comfortable use. Along with that, its half-inch keyless chuck allows you to quickly swap out the drill bit for a driver with little fuss. The addition of a two-speed transmission and the adjustable clutch coupled with a variable speed trigger will help you have full control while getting the job done.

The motor gets plenty of torque when utilizing the 20v lithium-ion battery. Speaking of the battery, it is a 1.3 Ah unit, so when doing intensive jobs, it may not be the longest-lasting battery out there. However, if purchasing through the link above, you will get a second battery to keep juiced up on the included charger. Keep everything together in the durable bag, and you'll be prepared to tackle almost any job at a reasonable price.