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Which is the best cordless drill?

Updated 2012-11-19 at 10:53 EST
Review

Factors

Type
Weight
Cost
Battery Type
Battery Voltage
Battery Current
Drive
Hex Drive
Speed Ranges
Max Speed
Clutch Settings
Impact
Max Torque
Max Hammer Action
Exact Weight
Manufacturer
Consider

Alternatives

Narrowing 31 starting alternatives down to 31 viable alternatives:
Alternatives include affiliate links where available. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Decide

on the Best Cordless Drill
Using 0 of 16 factors.Clear all:

Type

There are basically three types of cordless drills: drill drivers, impact drivers, and hammer drills. The overview below and the Drill Types Quick Decide Guide™ will help you decide on which type is best for your type of tasks.
Value Description Pros Cons Alternatives
Type
unset — click to want Hammer Drill
Adds a hammering action to the usual bit rotation in order to penetrate harder materials such as brick.
  • Is best at drilling through hard surfaces like brick and concrete.
  • Is the most powerful of the cordless drills with voltages between 18 and 36 volts.
  • Requires special bits.
  • Is heaviest of the cordless drills.
Bosch 17614-01, Milwaukee 2602-22, DeWalt DCD970KL, Bosch 17618-01, Makita BHP454, Hitachi DV18DL, DeWalt DCD930KX, Hitachi DV14DL, and Milwaukee 2411-22
unset — click to want Impact Driver
Is essentially the same as a drill driver but will automatically increase torque when sensing resistance.
  • Has less chance of stripping screws.
  • Has less chance of ruining bits.
  • Eliminates the need for a pilot hole.
  • Is not as effective as a drill driver at drilling holes, but good for driving a large number of screws.
Bosch 26614-01, Makita BTD144, Bosch 26618-01, DeWalt DC827KL, Makita BTD130FW, Hitachi WH18DL, DeWalt DC835KA, Hitachi WH14DL, Milwaukee 2650-21, and Milwaukee 2450-22
unset — click to want Drill Driver
Has a clutch that slips when rotation encounters resistance, allowing drill drivers to be used to drive screws in addition to drill holes.
  • Has an adjustable clutch and chuck to maximize power for both drill bits and screwdriver bits.
  • Good for drilling holes in wood and light metals as well as removing screws.
  • Cannot effectively drill into brick and concrete.
  • May slip when encounters irregular resistance when driving screw.
Panasonic EY7450LR2S, Hitachi DS18DL, Milwaukee 2610-24, DeWalt DCD960KL, Bosch 37618-01, Makita BDF451, Bosch 37614-01, Hitachi DS14DL, DeWalt DCD920KX, DeWalt DCD910KX, Milwaukee 2410-22, and Makita FD02W

Weight

The weight can become important if you use the drill for long periods or hold it at or above head height. In addition, consider the balance and grip for comfort. These can only be tested in person, but weight is a good surrogate if you can not. Keep in mind that the more powerful the drill the heavier it will tend to be.
Value Alternatives
Weight
unset — click to want 5 lbs and higher
Milwaukee 2610-24, DeWalt DCD960KL, Bosch 17614-01, Bosch 37618-01, DeWalt DCD970KL, Bosch 17618-01, Makita BHP454, Bosch 37614-01, DeWalt DCD930KX, DeWalt DCD920KX, and DeWalt DCD910KX
unset — click to want 4 to 4.9 lbs
Panasonic EY7450LR2S, Bosch 26614-01, Hitachi DS18DL, Bosch 26618-01, Milwaukee 2602-22, Makita BDF451, Hitachi DV18DL, Hitachi DV14DL, and Hitachi DS14DL
unset — click to want 3 to 3.9 lbs
Makita BTD144, DeWalt DC827KL, Makita BTD130FW, Hitachi WH18DL, DeWalt DC835KA, Hitachi WH14DL, and Milwaukee 2650-21
unset — click to want 2.9 lbs and lower
Milwaukee 2411-22, Milwaukee 2450-22, Milwaukee 2410-22, and Makita FD02W

Cost

Value Alternatives
Cost
unset — click to want $300 and higher
Panasonic EY7450LR2S, Bosch 26614-01, Makita BTD144, Hitachi DS18DL, Milwaukee 2610-24, and DeWalt DCD960KL
unset — click to want $200 to $299
Bosch 26618-01, Bosch 17614-01, Milwaukee 2602-22, Bosch 37618-01, Makita BDF451, DeWalt DCD970KL, Bosch 17618-01, DeWalt DC827KL, Makita BTD130FW, Makita BHP454, Hitachi WH18DL, Hitachi DV18DL, Bosch 37614-01, DeWalt DCD930KX, DeWalt DC835KA, and Hitachi WH14DL
unset — click to want $199 and lower
Hitachi DV14DL, Hitachi DS14DL, Milwaukee 2650-21, DeWalt DCD920KX, DeWalt DCD910KX, Milwaukee 2411-22, Milwaukee 2450-22, Milwaukee 2410-22, and Makita FD02W

Battery Type

Drill batteries are a very important consideration when purchasing a cordless drill. Charge time and battery life are important to completing a job in a timely and efficient manner. The battery weight will affect the how tiring the task will be.

There are three types of batteries for drills: NiCd, NiMH and Li-Ion.

Some of the new battery chargers have features that can both protect the battery and shorten the charging time for the batteries. These “smart” chargers can recharge in an hour or less, extend battery life by adjusting the charge and switch to maintenance mode as the battery approaches full charge.

It is recommended to have two batteries when using cordless drills to save time and be more efficient in the completion of the task. Most manufacturers offer two batteries and charger as well as a carrying case in their “kit” offerings.

Value Pros Cons Alternatives
Battery Type
unset — click to want Li-Ion
  • Light weight.
  • Has no memory effect.
  • Has longer charge/recharge life cycle.
  • Is less sensitive to recharging and storage methods.
  • Is environmentally friendly.
  • Expensive.
  • Can be damaged by overheating (but most chargers/batteries have safety features).
  • Recharge need comes on suddenly, without warning.
Panasonic EY7450LR2S, Bosch 26614-01, Makita BTD144, Hitachi DS18DL, Milwaukee 2610-24, Bosch 26618-01, Bosch 17614-01, Milwaukee 2602-22, Bosch 37618-01, Makita BDF451, Bosch 17618-01, Makita BTD130FW, Makita BHP454, Hitachi WH18DL, Hitachi DV18DL, Bosch 37614-01, DeWalt DCD930KX, DeWalt DC835KA, Hitachi DV14DL, Hitachi WH14DL, Hitachi DS14DL, Milwaukee 2650-21, DeWalt DCD920KX, Milwaukee 2411-22, Milwaukee 2450-22, Milwaukee 2410-22, and Makita FD02W
unset — click to want NiCd
  • Less expensive.
  • More difficult to damage.
  • Strong current flow.
  • Recharge need comes on gradually, giving warning.
  • Heavy.
  • Memory effect: Charge lasts less long if not fully discharged before recharging.
  • Most must be allowed to cool before being charged.
  • Cadmium is environmentally unfriendly and must be recycled properly.
DeWalt DCD960KL, DeWalt DCD970KL, DeWalt DC827KL, DeWalt DCD930KX, DeWalt DC835KA, DeWalt DCD920KX, and DeWalt DCD910KX

Battery Voltage

Voltage (v) and current in Amp-hours (A·h) are measures of the power and an indication of the operating time of the drill.
Value Alternatives
Battery Voltage
unset — click to want 18 v
Panasonic EY7450LR2S, Makita BTD144, Hitachi DS18DL, Milwaukee 2610-24, DeWalt DCD960KL, Bosch 26618-01, Milwaukee 2602-22, Bosch 37618-01, Makita BDF451, DeWalt DCD970KL, Bosch 17618-01, DeWalt DC827KL, Makita BHP454, Hitachi WH18DL, Hitachi DV18DL, and Milwaukee 2650-21
unset — click to want 14.4 v
Bosch 26614-01, Bosch 17614-01, Makita BTD130FW, Bosch 37614-01, DeWalt DCD930KX, DeWalt DC835KA, Hitachi DV14DL, Hitachi WH14DL, Hitachi DS14DL, and DeWalt DCD920KX
unset — click to want 12 v
DeWalt DCD910KX, Milwaukee 2411-22, Milwaukee 2450-22, Milwaukee 2410-22, and Makita FD02W

Battery Current

Voltage (v) and current in Amp-hours (A·h) are measures of the power and an indication of the operating time of the drill.
Value Alternatives
Battery Current
unset — click to want 3.3 A·h
Panasonic EY7450LR2S
unset — click to want 3.0 A·h
Makita BTD144, Hitachi DS18DL, Milwaukee 2610-24, Milwaukee 2602-22, Makita BDF451, Makita BTD130FW, Makita BHP454, Hitachi WH18DL, Hitachi DV18DL, Hitachi DV14DL, Hitachi WH14DL, Hitachi DS14DL, and Makita FD02W
unset — click to want 2.6 A·h
Bosch 26614-01, Bosch 26618-01, Bosch 17614-01, Bosch 37618-01, Bosch 17618-01, and Bosch 37614-01
unset — click to want 2.4 A·h
DeWalt DCD960KL, DeWalt DCD970KL, DeWalt DC827KL, DeWalt DCD930KX, DeWalt DC835KA, DeWalt DCD920KX, and DeWalt DCD910KX
unset — click to want 1.5 A·h
Milwaukee 2650-21, Milwaukee 2411-22, Milwaukee 2450-22, and Milwaukee 2410-22

Drive

The drive/chuck size determines the size of the drill bits that you can use. A 3/8” chuck can be used for most home projects and the 1/2'’ chuck is more suitable for heavier workloads.
Value Alternatives
Drive
unset — click to want 1/2 inch
Panasonic EY7450LR2S, Hitachi DS18DL, Milwaukee 2610-24, DeWalt DCD960KL, Bosch 17614-01, Milwaukee 2602-22, Bosch 37618-01, Makita BDF451, DeWalt DCD970KL, Bosch 17618-01, Makita BHP454, Hitachi DV18DL, Bosch 37614-01, DeWalt DCD930KX, Hitachi DV14DL, Hitachi DS14DL, DeWalt DCD920KX, and DeWalt DCD910KX
unset — click to want 3/8 inch
Milwaukee 2411-22, Milwaukee 2410-22, and Makita FD02W
unset — click to want 1/4 inch
Bosch 26614-01, Makita BTD144, Bosch 26618-01, DeWalt DC827KL, Makita BTD130FW, Hitachi WH18DL, DeWalt DC835KA, Hitachi WH14DL, Milwaukee 2650-21, and Milwaukee 2450-22

Hex Drive

A hex drive requires a hex shaft drill bit. Impact drills typically have hex drives for better torque transfer through the bit.
Value Pros Cons Alternatives
Hex Drive
unset — click to want Yes
  • Better torque transfer through drill bit.
  • Only works with hex shank drill bits.
Bosch 26614-01, Makita BTD144, Bosch 26618-01, DeWalt DC827KL, Makita BTD130FW, Hitachi WH18DL, DeWalt DC835KA, Hitachi WH14DL, Milwaukee 2650-21, and Milwaukee 2450-22
unset — click to want No
  • Can use with other drill bit shanks.
  • Drill bit rotation may slip.
Panasonic EY7450LR2S, Hitachi DS18DL, Milwaukee 2610-24, DeWalt DCD960KL, Bosch 17614-01, Milwaukee 2602-22, Bosch 37618-01, Makita BDF451, DeWalt DCD970KL, Bosch 17618-01, Makita BHP454, Hitachi DV18DL, Bosch 37614-01, DeWalt DCD930KX, Hitachi DV14DL, Hitachi DS14DL, DeWalt DCD920KX, DeWalt DCD910KX, Milwaukee 2411-22, Milwaukee 2410-22, and Makita FD02W

Speed Ranges

Modern drills have variable speed triggers, turning the bit faster the more trigger is pulled. For finer control over the relationship between trigger position and drill speed, choose a drill with multiple speed ranges.
Value Alternatives
Speed Ranges
unset — click to want 4 speed
Hitachi DS18DL, Hitachi DV18DL, Hitachi DV14DL, and Hitachi DS14DL
unset — click to want 3 speed
Makita BTD144, DeWalt DCD960KL, DeWalt DCD970KL, DeWalt DCD930KX, DeWalt DCD920KX, and DeWalt DCD910KX
unset — click to want 2 speed
Panasonic EY7450LR2S, Bosch 26614-01, Milwaukee 2610-24, Bosch 26618-01, Bosch 17614-01, Milwaukee 2602-22, Bosch 37618-01, Makita BDF451, Bosch 17618-01, Makita BHP454, Hitachi WH18DL, Bosch 37614-01, Hitachi WH14DL, Milwaukee 2411-22, Milwaukee 2410-22, and Makita FD02W
unset — click to want 1 speed
DeWalt DC827KL, Makita BTD130FW, DeWalt DC835KA, Milwaukee 2650-21, and Milwaukee 2450-22

Max Speed

The drill speed together with a multi-position clutch takes care of drilling and driving into all kinds of materials.
Value Alternatives
Max Speed
unset — click to want 1800 RPM
Milwaukee 2610-24, Bosch 37618-01, DeWalt DCD920KX, and DeWalt DCD910KX
unset — click to want 1750 RPM
Hitachi DS14DL
unset — click to want 1700 RPM
Bosch 37614-01
unset — click to want 1650 RPM
Panasonic EY7450LR2S
unset — click to want 1600 RPM
Hitachi DS18DL
unset — click to want 1500 RPM
Makita BDF451 and Milwaukee 2410-22
unset — click to want 1300 RPM
Makita FD02W

Clutch Settings

The clutch allows drilling in different materials without stripping the screw and will allow the drill to stop rotating if it gets stuck. This protects the motor when a lot of resistance is met.
Value Alternatives
Clutch Settings
unset — click to want 25 settings
Bosch 17614-01, Bosch 37618-01, Bosch 17618-01, and Bosch 37614-01
unset — click to want 24 settings
Milwaukee 2610-24 and Milwaukee 2602-22
unset — click to want 23 settings
Hitachi DS18DL, Hitachi DV18DL, Hitachi DV14DL, and Hitachi DS14DL
unset — click to want 22 settings
DeWalt DCD960KL, DeWalt DCD970KL, DeWalt DCD930KX, DeWalt DCD920KX, and DeWalt DCD910KX
unset — click to want 18 settings
Panasonic EY7450LR2S, Milwaukee 2411-22, and Makita FD02W
unset — click to want 17 settings
Makita BDF451
unset — click to want 16 settings
Makita BHP454
unset — click to want 15 settings
Milwaukee 2410-22
unset — click to want not applicable
Bosch 26614-01, Makita BTD144, Bosch 26618-01, DeWalt DC827KL, Makita BTD130FW, Hitachi WH18DL, DeWalt DC835KA, Hitachi WH14DL, Milwaukee 2650-21, and Milwaukee 2450-22

Impact

This factor is measured in Impacts Per Minute (IPM). Impact drills deliver 2 – 3 times more torque than a drill driver.
Value Alternatives
Impact
unset — click to want 3400 IPM
Makita BTD144
unset — click to want 3200 IPM
Bosch 26614-01, Bosch 26618-01, Makita BTD130FW, Hitachi WH18DL, Hitachi WH14DL, and Milwaukee 2650-21
unset — click to want 3000 IPM
Milwaukee 2450-22
unset — click to want 2700 IPM
DeWalt DC827KL and DeWalt DC835KA
unset — click to want not applicable
Panasonic EY7450LR2S, Hitachi DS18DL, Milwaukee 2610-24, DeWalt DCD960KL, Bosch 17614-01, Milwaukee 2602-22, Bosch 37618-01, Makita BDF451, DeWalt DCD970KL, Bosch 17618-01, Makita BHP454, Hitachi DV18DL, Bosch 37614-01, DeWalt DCD930KX, Hitachi DV14DL, Hitachi DS14DL, DeWalt DCD920KX, DeWalt DCD910KX, Milwaukee 2411-22, Milwaukee 2410-22, and Makita FD02W

Max Torque

The higher the torque number the more turning power the drill will have and the tougher the material that you will be able to work with. Note that DeWalt stopped publishing torque ratings on most of their drills, claiming that Unit Watts Out (UWO) is a better measure of power delivered at the chuck. There does not appear to be any straightforward way to convert between UWO and torque, so values for DeWalt drills without torque ratings are omitted in this factor.
Value Alternatives
Max Torque
unset — click to want 1500 in·lbs
Bosch 26618-01
unset — click to want 1420 in·lbs
Makita BTD144
unset — click to want 1400 in·lbs
Bosch 26614-01 and Milwaukee 2650-21
unset — click to want 1330 in·lbs
DeWalt DC827KL and Hitachi WH18DL
unset — click to want 1240 in·lbs
Makita BTD130FW, DeWalt DC835KA, and Hitachi WH14DL
unset — click to want 850 in·lbs
Milwaukee 2450-22
unset — click to want 650 in·lbs
Milwaukee 2610-24 and Bosch 37618-01
unset — click to want 600 in·lbs
Bosch 37614-01
unset — click to want 570 in·lbs
Hitachi DS18DL
unset — click to want 478 in·lbs
Panasonic EY7450LR2S
unset — click to want 460 in·lbs
Hitachi DS14DL
unset — click to want 450 in·lbs
Makita BDF451
unset — click to want 250 in·lbs
Milwaukee 2410-22
unset — click to want 200 in·lbs
Makita FD02W
unset — click to want not applicable
Bosch 17614-01, Milwaukee 2602-22, DeWalt DCD970KL, Bosch 17618-01, Makita BHP454, Hitachi DV18DL, DeWalt DCD930KX, Hitachi DV14DL, and Milwaukee 2411-22

Max Hammer Action

The measure of the hammer action is Blows Per Minute (BPM). Usually the hammer action can be turned off and used as a drill driver.
Value Alternatives
Max Hammer Action
unset — click to want 34000 BPM
DeWalt DCD970KL
unset — click to want 30750 BPM
Bosch 17618-01
unset — click to want 30600 BPM
DeWalt DCD930KX
unset — click to want 29000 BPM
Milwaukee 2602-22
unset — click to want 25500 BPM
Makita BHP454
unset — click to want 25000 BPM
Bosch 17614-01
unset — click to want 22500 BPM
Milwaukee 2411-22
unset — click to want 21000 BPM
Hitachi DV18DL and Hitachi DV14DL
unset — click to want not applicable
Panasonic EY7450LR2S, Bosch 26614-01, Makita BTD144, Hitachi DS18DL, Milwaukee 2610-24, DeWalt DCD960KL, Bosch 26618-01, Bosch 37618-01, Makita BDF451, DeWalt DC827KL, Makita BTD130FW, Hitachi WH18DL, Bosch 37614-01, DeWalt DC835KA, Hitachi WH14DL, Hitachi DS14DL, Milwaukee 2650-21, DeWalt DCD920KX, DeWalt DCD910KX, Milwaukee 2450-22, Milwaukee 2410-22, and Makita FD02W

Exact Weight

Value Alternatives
Exact Weight
unset — click to want 5.8 lbs
Bosch 17618-01
unset — click to want 5.75 lbs
DeWalt DCD930KX and DeWalt DCD920KX
unset — click to want 5.6 lbs
Bosch 17614-01
unset — click to want 5.5 lbs
Bosch 37618-01
unset — click to want 5.3 lbs
Milwaukee 2610-24, Makita BHP454, and Bosch 37614-01
unset — click to want 5.25 lbs
DeWalt DCD960KL, DeWalt DCD970KL, and DeWalt DCD910KX
unset — click to want 4.9 lbs
Milwaukee 2602-22 and Hitachi DV18DL
unset — click to want 4.7 lbs
Panasonic EY7450LR2S
unset — click to want 4.6 lbs
Hitachi DS18DL and Hitachi DV14DL
unset — click to want 4.4 lbs
Hitachi DS14DL
unset — click to want 4.2 lbs
Bosch 26618-01
unset — click to want 4.0 lbs
Bosch 26614-01 and Makita BDF451
unset — click to want 3.9 lbs
DeWalt DC835KA
unset — click to want 3.7 lbs
DeWalt DC827KL
unset — click to want 3.5 lbs
Hitachi WH18DL
unset — click to want 3.3 lbs
Makita BTD144 and Hitachi WH14DL
unset — click to want 3.2 lbs
Milwaukee 2650-21
unset — click to want 3.1 lbs
Makita BTD130FW
unset — click to want 2.8 lbs
Milwaukee 2411-22
unset — click to want 2.5 lbs
Milwaukee 2410-22
unset — click to want 2.3 lbs
Milwaukee 2450-22
unset — click to want 2.2 lbs
Makita FD02W

Manufacturer

Value Alternatives
Manufacturer
unset — click to want Bosch
Bosch 26614-01, Bosch 26618-01, Bosch 17614-01, Bosch 37618-01, Bosch 17618-01, and Bosch 37614-01
unset — click to want DeWalt
DeWalt DCD960KL, DeWalt DCD970KL, DeWalt DC827KL, DeWalt DCD930KX, DeWalt DC835KA, DeWalt DCD920KX, and DeWalt DCD910KX
unset — click to want Hitachi
Hitachi DS18DL, Hitachi WH18DL, Hitachi DV18DL, Hitachi DV14DL, Hitachi WH14DL, and Hitachi DS14DL
unset — click to want Makita
Makita BTD144, Makita BDF451, Makita BTD130FW, Makita BHP454, and Makita FD02W
unset — click to want Milwaukee
Milwaukee 2610-24, Milwaukee 2602-22, Milwaukee 2650-21, Milwaukee 2411-22, Milwaukee 2450-22, and Milwaukee 2410-22
unset — click to want Panasonic
Panasonic EY7450LR2S