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In A Rush? Here's our winner after 70 hours of research!
PORTER-CABLE PCCK604L2
Top Reasons to Buy
- Powerful Motor
- LED Light illumination
- Compact and Lightweight
Feature list
- Dimensions: 12.5" x 7.5" x 8.9"
- 5 Pounds
- Warranty: 3-Years
Even if you seldom do any work around the house, a cordless drill is one of the few must haves that you need in your tool kit or box. Depending on the power behind the model that you choose, you can do everything from hang pictures in your living room to put together furniture for your bedroom. Most are small in size and won’t take up much space too.
The top model we found on our search is the 20V Max from Porter-Cable (Check Price on Amazon.com), which has a built-in LED light that helps you see tight spaces in the dark and in lower light conditions. It also has a 1,500 RPM rating for completing jobs faster and comes with a kit bag for storing all included accessories. Porter-Cable gives you a battery that is compatible with some of its other power tools too.
70 HOURS OF RESEARCHING
62 MODELS CONSIDERED
1 WINNER
Our Favorite Cordless Drills on the Market
10 Best Cordless Drill Reviews (2020)
1. PORTER-CABLE PCCK604L2
One of the top choices for the Best Cordless Drill for anyone who likes doing DIY projects at home is this option from Porter-Cable, which comes with a rechargeable battery that is compatible with other tools from the company’s 20V Max line. It functions as an impact driver and produces 2,800 RPMs when set to that feature but also has a 1,500 RMP rating when used in other ways. This cordless drill comes with a pair of batteries and a hex driver.
Also included is a charger for fast charging of the battery and a kit for carrying all parts. This cordless drill model has a built-in light for using at night too.
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2. Makita XFD131 18V LXT
While other cordless drills are quite heavy and can wear down your hand, this Makita cordless driver drill kit weighs less than 3.8 pounds and significantly reduces pressure on your hands. It comes with a heavy-duty case with a handle on top and space inside for storing the drill as well as the battery and charger. When put together, the entire tool measures less than 6-5/8 inches long to help you fit it into more compact spaces.
A BL Brushless motor delivers up to 440 pounds of torque, and its two speed settings design lets you use it for driving and hammering. This model also comes with extreme protection technology that lets you use it on sites with a lot of dust or water.
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3. Bosch Power Tools Drill Driver Kit DDB181-02
BOSCH designed this cordless drill driver kit to come in at a lower weight and at a smaller size than other products to let you use it in tighter and more compact spots. The full kit comes with a battery and a charger as well as a carrying case with individual spaces inside for each piece. It produces up to 350 pounds of torque and 1,300 revolutions per minute.
A trigger on the front and buttons on the front let you use this cordless drill with one hand, and it has a two-speed transmission for both driving and drilling. It also comes with an LED light built inside for use when less light is available.
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4. DEWALT DCD771C2
The first model from DEWALT that made its way onto our list is this one, which has a two-speed transmission that can produce up to 1,500 revolutions in a single minute. This DeWalt Compact Drill Driver has an ergonomic handle with a trigger that reduces discomfort and lets you keep your hand on that trigger for an extended period of time. This cordless drill also comes with a chuck that has a ratchet design to more effectively keep a grip on the bit.
The manufacturer includes a battery pack with this cordless drill, but the battery does not come fully charged. You also get a charger and a carrying bag.
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5. DEWALT DCD777C2
Another option from DEWALT is this cordless drill that comes with two batteries, a charger and a contractor bag that can withstand even the roughest of conditions. That charger will charge either battery in around an hour or less. This DeWalt cordless drill weighs 2.5 pounds without the battery and has a compact design for working the head into tighter spaces.
Each of the two batteries will last for a little over an hour when fully charged. This model has a two-speed transmission that lets you increase the RPM rating up to 500 on one setting and 1,750 on the second setting.
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6. BLACK+DECKER LDX120C
Perfect for hanging photos and putting together furniture, this BLACK + DECKER cordless drill will work on wood, plastic and any other lightweight materials. It comes with a battery that pops in and out of the bottom and a charger that plugs into any outlet. This model is lighter and lasts longer than others around the same price.
A variable speed motor quickly adjusts based on the job you need to perform, and the clutch works in 11 different positions. You can easily adjust the clutch with one hand based on the bit you want to use. It also comes with a double-ended bit and a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
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7. BLACK+DECKER BDC120VA100
Anyone building a brand new toolbox will appreciate this set, which comes with 100 bits and other accessories. While some of those accessories are a little on the cheap side, others are strong enough for most jobs around the house. You also get a contractor bag for storing all those parts, a charger and a battery that fits right onto the base of this power tool.
The included lithium ion battery comes ready for use and will last for up to 18 months once fully charged. It also features a clutch that you can use in one or more than 20 positions, which reduces the risk that you might strip a screw or bolt.
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8. Porter Cable PCC601
Though similar to the number one product on our list, this Porter-Cable drill driver is more affordable but comes with the same two-speed design. You can use the gear box to switch between speeds, but it may be hard to reach this switch. This model also comes with a LED light that you can use whenever you need more light.
Its compact size drops its weight down to less than four pounds but extends its overall length to more than eight inches to make it fit better in your hand. This cordless drill also delivers 350 revolutions on one setting and 1,500 on a higher speed setting.
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9. Genesis GCD18BK
If you keep losing bits, you’ll like this Genesis model because it has a magnetic tray that keeps those bits in place. This product also comes with 13 extra bits as well as a storage case with space for the bits and other accessories. A built-in bubble level helps you use it at the angle that you want, and its built-in LED work light brightens the area around the bit.
The clutch has 16 settings and produces a high level of torque for working on most household jobs. This clutch also adjusts in seconds without the use of a key.
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10. BLACK+DECKER Li2000
For minor jobs around the house, this cordless drill model helps you accomplish everything on your to do list without going over your budget. This model has a three-position handle that you can adjust to fit in different size spaces and a spindle that you can lock down for using it as manual screwdriver. A single button changes the direction for screwing and unscrewing too.
This model comes with a basic lithium ion battery that will last for up to 18 months before your need to charge it, but it also comes with its own charger that works in any socket. You get two bits designed to work with the chuck on this one too.
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Our Ultimate Winner
No matter how tight of a space you work in or the amount of light is available, the Porter-Cable 20V Max is the winner for the best cordless drill on the market. It can help you take care of all tasks around the home because it comes with a built-in LED light that illuminates the area around that light. It has a 1,500 RPM rating and a higher torque rating that increases that rating up to 2,800 revolutions per minute.
As part of the 20V Max system from the manufacturer, this one comes with a battery that you can pop out and use in other compatible tools. We also like that it comes with a charger and a kit bag for storing all its parts.
How to Choose the Perfect One
What is the Battery Voltage?
The top cordless drills up for sale have a voltage rating of between 12 and 24 volts. Those that use 12 volts are suitable for light and basic jobs around the house and will handle general work. If you need one capable of moving through a larger board or working at a faster speed, you’ll want one that with a battery of up to 24 volts.
What is the Chuck Size?
You will need to pick a model with a chuck size of between 3/8 of an inch and ½ of an inch. A larger size means that it can accommodate a larger shank, which means that you can use larger bits with it. One with a larger size can handle more jobs because it provides more power too.
How Long Does the Battery Last?
Unlike corded models that plug into the wall, cordless models rely on a rechargeable battery. You should always check how long the battery will last on a single charge, which ranges from under an hour to several hours. It’s helpful to look at how quickly the battery can charge and whether it comes fully charged.
Also consider whether the battery comes with an indicator light. This is a light that changes colors to tell you when the charge is running out. Some batteries have just one light that goes out instantly when it dies.
Is the Handle Comfortable?
Handles on the top products can look like a simple trigger or a larger handle. Trigger models have a handle called a pistol grip that you simply squeeze to use. Others come with a T-handle, which is a better option because these products have a better balance and allow the product to fit in smaller spaces.
Is it Compatible with Other Models?
Home and amateur handyman may want to look for products that are compatible with other cordless tools. These models come with an interchangeable battery that you can remove and use in another power tool. Some manufacturers even make kits that come with multiple tools and a battery that powers each one inside the same case.
What is the RPM?
The rotations, sometimes called revolutions, per minute tells you how many times the bit spins around in a minute, which also helps you know how long it will take to accomplish a task. You need one with an RPM of 1,500 at the high end, but some basic jobs will only require a 300 RPM.
How Long Does it Take to Charge the Battery?
Most standard battery charges will take at least three hours to charge a battery, and some will take more than five or six hours to fully charge that battery. Newer lithium ion battery models come with charges that will completely charge that battery in as little as 60 minutes or less. Some newer models will even charge more than one battery simultaneously.