Cordless power drills have become a staple tool for household and commercial use. Whether it is in boring holes or driving down screws, electric hand drills can cut your work by as much as 300-percent compared to using non-power tools like a screwdriver. Whether you are a professional mechanic or a Do-It-Yourself repairman, you will surely appreciate the convenience that a cordless drill offers. First, they are very portable and do not require a long wire to attach to an outlet. Second, you can use them outdoors without any fuss. And finally, you won’t have to worry about tripping on its wire. In this article, we are listing the best cordless drill for the money which you can consider buying.
The Best Cordless Drill for the Money
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1. Black Decker SS 12- Great Value Drill
Black Decker SS 12- Great Value Drill
Starting off the list is the ergonomically designed Black Decker SS12 which has a smart select clutch that automatically adjusts to correct the power and speed needed in a drilling project. This device has two-speed switches: 0-400 RPM and 0-1200 RPM and a powerful motor that can deliver 130 inch-pounds of torque.
The drill weighs less than five pounds, a few pounds lighter than most 12V models. Its shell is made from decent plastic material which can take some beating. It also has a durable metal chuck.
This drill is quite a bargain especially considering its affordable price. The item also comes with an adapter that you can plug in any outlet making it perfect for household use.
PROS
- Value for money
- Rechargeable batteries
CONS
- Battery lifespan is short and needs constant recharging
2. Makita FD02W- Add it to your Tool Box
Makita FD02W
One of the best additions to your toolbox or tool belt is the Makita FD02W. This drill is ultra-compact (7.5 inches long) weighs only 2.2 pounds (with battery) and delivers a serious 200 inch-pounds of torque.
This device has a 2-speed variation (0-350 RPM and 0-1350 RPM) which allows it to perform numerous drilling and driving tasks including overhead work. It also comes with 18 clutch settings for precision torque adjustment. Moreover, the drill also has an LED light near the trigger which provides illumination when you are working in dark areas.
This drill also has a 3/8 inch chuck. Users can also choose between the straight shank bits or the ¼ inch standard hex shank.
PROS
- Delivers serious power
- Ergonomic design; especially its LED illumination
CONS
- More expensive than the rest
While this drill is relatively pricier than its rivals, buyers will find comfort in knowing that they bought a very competitive tool.
3. Bosch PS32- Balanced Cordless Drill
Bosch PS32- Balanced Cordless Drill
If you are looking for a drill that is both convenient and has ample power, the Bosch PS32 Max got you covered. This tool is very lightweight at only 2 pounds (with battery) which makes it great for overhead work. It also has an ergonomic design that fits perfectly fit in your hand, while allowing you to work over any tight spaces.
One particular feature it has that you can’t find with other drill is its battery level indicator which tells you how much juice is left in the drill. It also comes with 20+1 clutch settings which adjust your drill’s pressure.
This device is sold as part of a kit that also includes 2 lithium-ion batteries and a quick charger.
PROS
- High-performance drill in terms of speed and power
- Very lightweight and great for work overhead
CONS
- One of the more expensive 12V out there
Spending more money for a drill is a logical choice if you are buying the Bosch PS32. It’s a very balanced cordless drill that is small in size but huge in power and performance. The power indicator is also a useful added feature.
4. DeWalt DC710S2- Premium 12V Drill
DeWalt DC710S2- Premium 12V Drill
DeWalt is a brand often associated with heavy-duty tools. It’s no surprise that their cordless DCD710S2 will land a place on this list. It’s a solid starting point if you want to invest in a 12V drills with brushed motors. At 2.4 pounds (with battery) it can deliver a maximum torque of 212 inch-pounds and has two-speed transmissions (0-400 RPM, 0-1500 RPM).
This unit also has an impressive battery of 15.6-watt hour which can driver 12 screws per watt-hour (based on expert’s test). It also has an LED light that improves visibility when working in dark areas.
It also has one of the best ergonomic design in this bunch, especially its overall hand grip and the solid feel under load. Its size and weight, however, stay in the middle of its contenders, much like its speed and performance.
PROS
- Ergonomic design; very stable during the drilling process
- Impressive battery life
CONS
- Remains in the middle of the pack of this list
If you are not very particular about having a drill with the best power, speed or performance, then the DeWalt DC710S2 may be what you are looking for. It has fast charging batteries and has a very practical layout.
5. Hitachi DS10DFL2- Efficient Cordless Drill
Hitachi DS10DFL2- Efficient Cordless Drill
When you want an efficient drill without having to pay too much, the Hitachi DS10DFL2 is one that we simply must recommend. It weighs 2.42 pounds with battery and delivers a decent 300 inch-pounds of torque. Standing at 8 ¼ inches, it’s also a bit taller than most 12V drills.
The drill also has a freestanding design that allows it to stand on a flat surface when not in used. Its batteries are also quite decent at 15-watt hour. Much like its competitors, it has 21 torque settings that improve precision and control.
Bit replacement is also simple and quick thanks to its 3/8 inch keyless single-sleeve chuck. Another great addition to this tool is its LED light that illuminates dark work areas. The same feature can be used to see clearly where to set up an application before the user puts the drill in motion.
PROS
- Outstanding price point
- Decent battery life
CONS
- Speed and power are in the middle of the bunch
6. Pink Power PP182- Drills for Women
Pink Power PP182- Drills for Women
Whoever said that home improvement is just for men? The Pink Power PP182 is one of the few drills designed specifically for women. Everything in the kit is colored pink from its drill, tool case, battery charger, and even its two NiCad batteries.
The unit is also lightweight and is just less than 3.5 pounds. The device also has a built-in bubble which improves accuracy during the drilling process. The drill’s base is also magnetic allowing it to hold bits or screws. It also has a variable speed (0-550 RPM) with 16-torque settings.
While customers may buy it because it looks girl-ish, this drill can still play with the big boys on the list especially in terms of power and performance.
PROS
- Fabulous design for women
- Automatic LED light when drilling
CONS
- Slightly underpowered compared to most of its competitors
7. Ryobi HJP004- Best Bargain Cordless Drill
Ryobi HJP004- Best Bargain Cordless Drill
If you are looking for a bargain drill, look no farther than the Ryobi HJP004. It’s readily available at your local hardware store. Its price is also much lower than some of the top brands like DeWalt or Bosch. But don’t let its cheap price fool you, the drill is more than decent and remains to be one of the preferred tools of many project operators.
This drill weighs 3.1 pounds and is very compact which makes it perfect for operating in tight spaces and work overhead. The recharge time for its batteries is only 45-minutes. Moreover, it has a 3/8 inch heavy-duty keyless chuck that allows it to be used for extended hours.
The device also has an LED battery indicator which tells the user how much power is still left in the drill. While it doesn’t have speed settings, it has adjustable driver power settings and a forward/ reverse button for drilling.
PROS
- Very Affordable
- Durable and can run for a long time
CONS
- No speed settings
The Ryobi HJP004 is a great alternative to some of its more expensive rivals. It has decent performance that will do any household improvement job. While it is lacking in the control and precision department, it makes up for its durable design.
8. Craftsman Nextec- Impressive Bare Tool
Craftsman Nextec- Impressive Bare Tool
Sometimes you don’t want to buy the whole kit of a product. Perhaps you simply need only the main article or perhaps have a spare part of the other items. In any case, if you simply want to buy the bare tool and save some change along the way, then the Craftsman Nextec is for you.
This 6.4-inch long drill weighs only 2.2 pounds but is capable of delivering 195 inch-pounds of torque. It has a 3/8 inch drill-driver which allows it to fill 80 percent of most household projects.
This item is specifically targeted for customers that have leftover chargers and battery from their previous drills. It’s a quick fix if you don’t want to spend much on a drill.
PROS
- Very affordable
- Bang for the buck
CONS
- User’s charger and batteries may not be compatible
This item’s real worth can be appreciated if you realize that you have batteries and chargers from your damaged drill. It’s really one way to save your money. You also have the option to buy separately the accessories from its manufacturer.
9. Hitachi KC10DFL- Most Powerful 12V Drill
Hitachi KC10DFL- Most Powerful 12V Drill
When you want absolute power for your drill, then only one model can deliver what you desire. The Hitachi KC10DFL’s powerhouse micro impact driver can produce up to 840-inches pound of torque. That’s the power for you!
The unit has 21 torque settings and a “Drill” mode that provides the best precision both in forward and reverse motions. This makes this cordless drill perfect for heavier tasks that its competitions may find hard to do such as: sinking deck screws, tightening carriage bolts and driving lags.
Other notable features include: user-friendly variable-speed triggers for better control during the drilling process and LED lights under its 3/8 inch keyless chuck to effectively illuminate the surface you are working on.
PROS
- Has the highest power in its class
- Excellent performance and added features
CONS
- A compact flashlight illuminates a small area
This drill’s outstanding power separates it from the competition in terms of the number of things it can do. With numerous features along with it, the Hitachi KC10DFL is recommended for project contractors.
10. Powerstroke PSL0DD121- Great Cordless Drill Alternative
Powerstroke PSL0DD121- Great Cordless Drill Alternative
The last item on the list doesn’t shy away from any tough jobs as it is one of the most durable in the bunch. The Powerstroke PSL0DD121 is very compact and features a textured grip that gives it a non-slip feel without sacrificing comfort.
Weighing at 4.6 pounds, this drill can produce up to 240-inch pounds of torque. It comes with a 2-speed transmission and has 18 position clutches including a countersink depth setting. This item also uses one of the leading lithium batteries which require only 30 minutes charging.
PROS
- Fast charging batteries
- Ample power
CONS
- Doesn’t have notable features
Conclusion for The Best Cordless Drill for the Money
Easily the Powerstroke PSL0DD121 is one of the emerging alternative drills in the market. It has everything you are looking for to complete that home improvement project.
While there are tons of other cordless drill models that run on 12V batteries, we believe that these 10 are the best of what is out there. It has all the qualities of a competitive drill that will remain relevant for years to come.