Top 5 Best Cordless Drills
We here at AutoGuide.com believe every garage should have a cordless drill lying around. Not only do they come in handy when you’re working on your car, they’re great for use around the house. But shopping for a cordless drill is no easy task, especially when there are dozens of options to choose from and a list of features that might read like a foreign language to you. So how do you choose the right cordless drill?
For starters, a cordless drill naturally uses a battery for power. Depending on how often you’re using the drill, battery life may be one major factor to consider. If that’s the case, look at our options that include a pair of batteries, so you always have one on the charger ready to go.
You’ll also notice some of our recommendations have brushless motors. These motors will adjust based on how much resistance it encounters, allowing it to use less energy depending on the task. So along with working more efficiently, they will also last longer since there are less moving parts.
For more information on the best cordless drills, refer to our table of contents.
Table of contents
1. Editor's Pick: DEWALT 20V Cordless Drill Combo Kit
When it comes to tools, this is one of the most recognizable brands in the industry. Available with a variety of different accessories, we recommend the cordless drill driver/impact combo kit. With it, you'll get the drill/driver, a 1/4" impact driver, a pair of 20V lithium-ion batteries packs, a charger, and a carrying bag. The cordless drill delivers 300 unit watts out (UWO) of power, which should be more than sufficient for working on your car.
Compact and lightweight, the drill features a high speed transmission with 2 speed options—0-450 RPM and 1,500 RPM—and a 1/2" single sleeve ratcheting chuck ensures bits stay put. An ergonomic handle makes the drill comfortable to hold with optimal control. Both tools are compatible with DEWALT's 20-volt MAX system, which means they can use all 20-volt MAX batteries.
Product features:
- Combo kit includes cordless drill/driver and impact driver
- Cordless drill delivers 300 UWO
- Compact and lightweight design
- High speed transmission with 2 speed options (0-450 RPM and 1,500 RPM)
- 1/2" single sleeve ratcheting chuck
- Ergonomic handle
- Compatible with DEWALT's 20-volt MAX system
2. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Drill
This recommendation also comes from a reputable brand within the industry. Like our top pick, you can purchase this cordless drill kit on its own, or add various accessories including 2 different drill bit sets, an inflator, stick vacuum, or reciprocating saw. The cordless drill/driver has a 3/8" chuck and 11 position clutch to prevent stripped screws. With a compact and lightweight design, this cordless drill is ideal for working on cars, especially for hard to reach areas. There is also an LED work light to help you see in dark spaces.
This recommendation offers 0-650 RPM speed and 115 in-lbs of torque. The 20V drill/driver kit includes the drill/driver, a 20V MAX lithium-ion battery, a charger, and a double ended bit.
Product features:
- Reputable brand
- Available with a variety of accessories
- 3/8" chuck
- 11 position clutch
- Compact and lightweight design
- 0-650 RPM speed
- 115 in-lbs of torque
3. Bosch Power Tools Drill Kit
Weighing a scant 1.8 lbs, this is the cordless drill to get if you need something that's powerful and lightweight. This drill offers 265 in-lbs of max torque and 2 speeds (0-350 RPM and 1,300 RPM), along with 20+1 clutch settings. That means you can make precise torque adjustments based on what you're working on with the drill. It's also a great drill for working on cars, with its 7" compact length.
Integrated LED lights improve visibility in dark areas, while a soft grip makes it comfortable to hold. There is even a convenient location for a magnetic bit holder, so you can keep up to 4 bits on the tool. Included with this drill is a pair of 12V lithium-ion batteries so you're never left without power. An ideal option if you need a 12V cordless drill.
Product features:
- 12V cordless drill
- Max torque of 265 in-lbs
- 2 speed options—0 to 350 RPM and 1,300 RPM
- 20+1 clutch settings
- Extremely compact (7" length) and lightweight (1.8 lbs)
- Integrated LED lights
- Soft grip
- On-tool bit storage
- Includes 2 lithium-ion batteries
4. KIMO 20V Cordless Drill Set
Another versatile 20V option, this cordless drill kit comes with plenty of accessories including drill bits, screwdriver bits, nut driver bits, a carrying bag, a charger, and a battery. The drill itself features 3 different functions: screwdriving, drilling, and impact drilling, with 2 variable speeds to select from (0-350 RPM and 0-1,350 RPM). For precision, this drill has a 21+1+1 clutch, while maximum torque of 330 in-lbs takes care of power.
Measuring 7" front to back, this drill is compact and lightweight, tipping the scales at 2.2 lbs. It too has a built-in LED light to help in dark environments, which is often necessary when working on a car. Securing your bits is a 3/8" keyless metal chuck.
Product features:
- Includes plenty of accessories
- Can be used for screwdriving, drilling, and impact drilling
- 2 variable speeds (0-350 RPM and 0-1,350 RPM)
- 21+1+1 clutch
- Max torque of 330 in-lbs
- 7" front to back
- Weighs 2.2 lbs
- Built-in LED light
- 3/8" keyless metal chuck
5. SKIL PWRCore 20V Cordless Drill
This brushless, 20V 1/2" drill driver kit offers longer-lasting battery life with up to 25% longer run times than comparable units. And if you do run out of juice, the PWRJump fast charger will get the battery back to 25% life in just 5 minutes. As an added bonus, the PWRAssist USB port in the battery is capable of powering mobile devices. So if you're looking for versatility, this is a great option, since the drill's battery can also serve as a battery bank for your portable devices.
This drill is equipped with 2 speed settings (low and high), along with a 1/2" single-sleeve, keyless chuck, making it easy to change your bits. The digital brushless motor provides efficient performance and extended tool life. You can also choose to purchase a few accessories with this drill kit, including an impact driver from the same company.
Product features:
- Digital brushless motor
- 1/2" single-sleeve keyless chuck
- 2 speed settings (low and high)
- Longer battery life than competitors
- Fast charging option
- Batteries can be used as a battery bank for portable devices
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Photo credit: Nakornthai / Shutterstock.com
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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