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The Best Rated Cordless Drills Available Right Now

Purchasing the best cordless drill can be a big challenge especially when you do not have information on drills. It is only by using a drill that you can be able to tell whether the drill is durable, functional or easy to change the bit. Furthermore, since the drill is wireless, it would be very hard to determine how the battery holds up during intense working projects.  

In short, you can only learn about a cordless drill only by putting it into the test. Unfortunately, most stores cannot let you put their unsold merchandise into the test while still at the showroom, and unless you buy all the models  available, it would be very hard to tell which the best cordless drill is for 2019. 

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If you are wondering about ‘what is the best cordless drill’, we have done the leg work for you and came up with a cordless drill buying guide that includes a review of the best products on the market. From this, it can be easy for you to make the right purchasing decision based on your drilling needs and projects.

All you need to do is to read this guide before deciding on the best cordless drill brand to buy.

Best Rated & Most Value Cordless Drills in the Market

1. Dewalt DCD771C2 20V Cordless Drill

The Dewalt 20v cordless drill comes packed with all features and accessories that you would want in a drill. The unit includes a high quality drill combo as well as a charging system that is very efficient in charging up the battery. Also, you will find a carrying case that will make it easy to transport the tool to your project site.

The mid sized DCD771C2 has been designed to cut on weight and includes a comfortable handle that makes it easy for you to work for extended periods of time.  

The DCD771C2 is also very versatile. This is because; it is fitted with a 300 watt motor that offers variable speeds depending on your drilling needs. You can set the drill at a maximum speed of 1500 rpm and that will be enough to handle the most challenging drilling projects that you have.

This is important for it can make things easy when drilling on hard surfaces.  

One of the features that make the Dewalt DCD771C2 a unique drill is that it is fitted with a LED light around the chuck that helps illuminate the area that you are drilling. And although lighting is not a necessary feature when it comes to drills, it does help you see when drilling in dark, hidden places.  

Unfortunately, the DCD771C2 has been identified to have a few shortcomings. First, you will find that the battery won’t last as expected when handling intensive jobs. This will require you to stop and recharge the battery often which can be both an inconvenience and a time waster when handling a timely project. 

However, the battery is enough to handle small tasks around your home. The weakness with the battery will be clearly manifested when handling demanding drilling jobs such as working on the deck. Then, you will notice that the battery dies pretty quickly.

The other weakness with this drill is that it comes with a high price tag. This can be a turn off especially when you are on a budget. However, the Dewalt DCD771C2 is a superior drill that many will love using.  

Features:

  • 300 watt motor
  • 1500 max rpm
  • Led light
  • Speed adjuster
  • 20v battery

Pros:

  • Inclusive package
  • Lightweight drill
  • Ergonomic grip
  • Compact design

Cons:

  • A bit costly
  • Battery does not last long

Check out the price for the Dewalt DCD771C2

2. Bosch cordless drill 18V 

The Bosch cordless drill is not only one of the best cordless drill tools on the market, but also a mid-priced tool that weights about 1.3 kgs. The drill is fitted with an ergonomic grip that makes it easy for users to operate with it for long hours. Also, The Bosch cordless drill is well constructed and includes about 158 kgs of torque.

Fitted with a powerful motor that revolves at speeds of between 400 and 1500 rpm, the tool is very versatile.  As a result, you can easily handle small projects as well as the most demanding drilling works without worrying about reliability.  

However, this drill lacks a speed adjuster that would enable users set the speed at which the bit is revolving. On the other hand, the chuck of this drill has been noted to have problems.  It is very easy to tighten the chuck after changing the bit but when it comes to loosening it, you get a lot of difficulties.

This can be a big inconvenience especially when handling a heavy job that requires regular drill bit change.  

The Bosch cordless drill is a great alternative for those who are on a budget. This is because it offers nearly the same features and capacity as the Dewalt but at a much lower cost.   

Features:

  • Weighs 1.3 kgs
  • Maximum 1500 rpm
  • 18v battery

Pros:

  • Reasonable price
  • Lightweight
  • Ergonomic grip
  • Durable
  • Impressive battery life

Cons:

  • Lacks speed adjuster
  • Difficult to loosen chuck
  • Not versatile as other drills

Check out the price for the Bosch cordless drill

3. BLACK+DECKER LDX120C 20V

If you are on a tight budget and are looking for the best rated cordless drill to handle your home project, you may want to consider the Black and Decker LDX120C.  The LDX120C comes as a high end drill but at an affordable price. This can save you a lot of money while at the same time, providing you with a premium drilling experience.

In addition, the LDX120C is made of lightweight but strong materials to not only cut on weight but also, offer a sturdy body to handle challenging drilling applications.  The lightweight feature can also enable users to work on long and tiresome projects without getting tired.  

The only weakness with the Black and Decker cordless drill is that it has a loose chuck. The chuck has a tendency of letting loose of the bits and this may cause them to fall while working on a drilling project. This can be very frustrating and depending on the kind of project that you are handling, it can be a safety concern.  

Also, the LDX120C is not as powerful as the other drills in its class. It however can handle all the drilling projects that you may be having at home. Unfortunately, the battery will run down quickly when working on long and intensive projects. As a result, you will have to recharge it again in order to continue with work.

This can slow your project down and at time, waste a lot of your time.   

Features:

  • Ideal for drilling into wood, metals and driving screws
  • 20v battery
  • 11 position clutch
  • 3.4 pounds weight
  • 650 rpm
  • 1500 watts power

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Lightweight
  • Sturdy
  • Ergonomic

Cons:

  • Unreliable chuck
  • Cannot handle heavy duty use

Check out the price of the BLACK+DECKER LDX120C

4. Makita XFD131 18V Battery Cordless Drill-Driver Set

If you are looking for the best rated cordless drill set, you can never go wrong with the Makita XFD131. This is because; the drill comes with amazing features that make it one of the best options available on the market.

The Makita comes with a very wide range. It can easily move from 0 to 1900 rpm and that enough to handle different applications.  This makes the XFD131 the most versatile cordless drill that we have on our list.  

Another interesting thing about the XFD131 is that the manufacturer has advertised it as having 50% more battery life when compared to the other similar cordless drills on the market. In addition, the device comes fitted with a durable brushless motor that runs smoother for a longer time. 

This means that the unit promises consistent service for many years to come. 

The only shortcomings with the Makita XFD131 cordless drill is that it is sold at a very high price when compared to the other  cordless drills that we have on the list. However, it does not supersede them in terms of functionality or features and therefore, the high price works negatively against it.

Nevertheless, the XFD131 will not disappoint in any drilling project that you are having.

Features:

  • Comes with a 2 speed transmission, maximum 1900 rpm
  • Brushless motor
  • Produces 440 lbs of torque
  • 54 watts power
  • 18v battery

Pros:

  • High rpm range
  • Lightweight
  • Durable motor
  • Very efficient
  • Powerful

Cons:

  • Very costly
  • Has low value

Check out the price for the Makita XFD131

5. SKIL DL527502 20V Cordless Drill

The DL527502 is another notable cordless drill that can come handy in your drilling project.  This is because it is loaded with a host of features that enable it to deliver quality service to users. The goodness of the Skil DL527502 starts from a reasonable price tag that enables users to afford the unit without much struggle.

As a result, you can benefit from it without losing an arm and a leg.  

The other good thing with the DL527502 is that it comes with a keyless chuck that enables one to change the bit with ease. This is because you do not need to fasten the bit in the chuck like in the other cordless drills in the market.

And to ensure that users have an easy time working in the dark, the Skil cordless drill is fitted with an LED light system that illuminates your drilling area. This can be helpful when you are drilling in dark and hidden environment.  

The DL527502 is also very versatile as it comes with a variable speed setting system. You can set the speed to either high or slow. This can be convenient depending on the type of project that you want to undertake. 

It is however important to note that the Skil cordless drill does come with some inadequacies. For example, the torque of this drill is not as impressive as that of the other similar drills that we have on the list. As a result, it is ideal for use on simple projects but not intensive and highly demanding projects.

Also, the skill DL527502 has a value problem. Although it is sold at a reasonable price, it has very few features to offer. You just get the drill and a single battery. This is as opposed to the other drills of the same price point that offer more accessories and a carriage case.  

Features:

  • LED light to illuminate working area
  • Comes with a direction indicator
  • High/low speed control
  • 2.0 Ah battery
  • 20v motor

Pros:

  • Moderate  price
  • Lightweight
  • Ergonomic handle
  • Convenient
  • Easy to change bit

Cons:

  • Low value of the drill
  • Low torque

Check out the price for the SKIL DL527502

6. Hitachi DS18DBFL2S 18V cordless drill

If you are still not convinced by the above cordless drills, you have the option of going for the Hitachi DS18DBFL2S.  The product regarded as one of the best value cordless drill products and comes packed with the drill, a carrier case, additional battery and a charger. 

The drill also comes with over 22 torque settings and thus offers a wide range of use. With that, you can handle simple tasks like fastening a screw as well as difficult ones such as boring holes on concrete.  

With a 2 year warranty, you are assured of getting a free battery replacement should your current unit develop problems before the elapse of the warranty.  That can give you an assurance that you will use the drill for along time.  

However, the DS18DBFL2S has some notable glitches. First, the body of the Hitachi is very fragile and thus, is susceptible to cracking when put under high stress applications. Unfortunately, this can limit the tasks that you can perform with the drill. 

On the other hand, the DS18DBFL2S has registered some serious problems with the battery. You will find that the battery dies too soon. This will cause you to stop working for sometime as you have to change the battery too soon.

This can come as a big inconvenience especially when working on a long and complex project. And if you make a mistake of overcharging the battery, it dies completely and you will have to get a new battery pack.

Features:

  • Brushless motor technology
  • Motor has a maximum speed of 1800 rpm
  • Has a lithium in 18V battery
  • Keyless chuck
  • Metal belt hook
  • 22 torque settings

Pros:

  • Easy to change bits
  • 2 year warranty.
  • Very adjustable
  • Comprehensive package
  • Lightweight package

Cons:

  • Fragile body
  • Unreliable batteries

Check out the price of the Hitachi DS18DBFL2S

Buyers Guide

Best Cordless DrillCordless drills are very important for they can enable you to perform drilling tasks even in places where you do not have access to an electrical outlet.  Furthermore, you can use them in places where it would be hard working with conventional corded drills.

Unfortunately, many people face difficulties when shopping for the right cordless drill as they are not sure of what to look for. The key to finding the right cordless drill that meets your needs and expectation lies in the features.

Above, you have read through our cordless drill reviews and now, its time to look at the key factors to consider when buying a cordless drill. Without knowledge on these factors, it would be very hard for you to make decisions when purchasing a cordless drill.

The following information will help you tell between a good drill and a bad one.  

Weight of the drill

The weight of the unit is the first thing that you consider when buying a cordless drill. This is because a cordless drill is usually held by one hand and this causes a lot of fatigue for users. When handling a tough project such as constructing a deck or putting together a shed, fatigue will set in at some point. 

The weight of the drill will play a major role in determining how soon and how intense the fatigue will be. Therefore, you need the lightest drill possible to be able to reduce the fatigue that you can occur in the course of drilling. 

Different cordless drills on the market come with different weights. The good thing is that, you can find a cordless drill that weighs only a few pounds even with the battery attached.  If you plan on using your drill for long periods of time, avoid buying heavy drills as they will pose challenges with fatigue.

Instead, choose a cordless drill that you can use hours on end without being weighed down.

Size

The second factor to consider when looking for a cordless drill is size. While using a drill, you will find that you are working on tight spots that are dark and congested.  As a result, you need to have a cordless drill with a compact frame so that they can be able to reach those tight spots in the corners, crevices and closets.

You can find powerful cordless drills that only take up small space and these can prove convenient when working on different drilling projects.

The size of the drill also comes handy in determining their portability. There are times when you will be required to carry your cordless drill to your project location. As such you need a compact sized cordless drill that will fit in small cases and bags. 

That way, it will be very easy carrying it to your construction site.  

Additional features

Some high end cordless drills come with additional features that are not necessary in the drilling process but can be a convenience to have. A good example is a cordless drill with a LED lighting system. Although the light is not a necessity, it can come handy when drilling in dark places such as inside the closet and dark corners.  

On the other hand, there are magnetic drills that allow you to store a wide range of bits for easy access. This is important especially when you need different bits on the same project. You may also find drills that accommodate special attachments such as sunders and grinders.

These can be beneficial in the future when doing sanding or grinding tasks  

Unfortunately, the extra features on the drill add on the overall cost of the unit and thus, you might want to consider whether you have the budget for such a drill or not. If you are comfortable with their costs, you are going to enjoy drills with additional features a lot.

Variable speed capabilities

When looking for a drill, you might want to consider whether it has variable speeds or not. Different functions require different speeds, depending on the amount of tasks ahead and the type of material that you are drilling on.

As a result, you might want a cordless drill with variable speed capability if you are looking to perform different drilling tasks on different surfaces.

Ergonomics

The right cordless drill should be ergonomically correct. This means that the drill should be designed in a way that the human hand fits comfortably on the handle and thus reducing fatigue associated with using the tool for long periods of time.  

Warranty

Although most drills are designed for portability, there are situations where things go wrong. In the course of action, a nut may become loose or the motor putters out rendering the unit unusable just months after you bought it.  

With a good warranty, the manufacturer can repair or replace the unit for free. Therefore, look for drills that come with a warranty. The best manufacturers offer warranties that last for a year or two.

Conclusion

After reading the above cordless review buying guide, we hope that you are now sure of the product that would meet your needs the best. Above, we have outlined six products that offer different features.

From our review, the Dewalt DCD771C2 20V Cordless Drill is one of the best products in the market with a great balance between price value and the features. On the other hand we found the black and Decker LDX120C as the best budget cordless drill out there.

With the above information, buying a good cordless drill that meets your individual needs won’t be that scary after all.

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