The 27 best cordless drill brands
DEWALT, Milwaukee and Makita lead our ranking of 27 cordless drill brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Cordless Drill brands, ranked
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1
DEWALT
Yellow and black 20V MAX and XR platform with brushless compact drills and impact drivers popular on job sites.
Top products: DCD805· DCD777B· DCD887
Website: dewalt.com |Brands like DEWALT
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Milwaukee
Red M18 and M12 FUEL brushless drills built for heavy daily use, with the bigger hammer drills at the top of the range.
Top products: 3602-20
Website: milwaukeetool.com |Brands like Milwaukee
Popularity 7.7/10
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3
Makita
LXT 18V and XGT 40V batteries drive brushless hammer drills and compact drivers with good balance and long runtime.
Top products: XPH14Z· FD02· GPH03Z
Website: makitatools.com |Brands like Makita
Popularity 6.9/10
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4
Ryobi
ONE+ 18V battery platform shared across dozens of tools, so one battery covers drills, impact drivers and lights.
Top products: PCL201
Website: ryobitools.com |Brands like Ryobi
Popularity 5.5/10
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5
Craftsman
V20 20V platform with brushless compact drills and combo kits, often sold with batteries and chargers included.
Top products: CMCD725· CMCD711· CMCD750B
Website: craftsman.com |Brands like Craftsman
Popularity 5.1/10
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6
BLACK+DECKER
20V MAX drills and combo kits, including Matrix-compatible bases, a practical pick for light home jobs.
Website: blackanddecker.com |Brands like BLACK+DECKER
Popularity 4.9/10
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7
RIDGID
Sub-compact 18V brushless drills and hammer drills aimed at trades, with rugged housings for jobsite knocks.
Website: ridgid.com |Brands like RIDGID
Popularity 4.3/10
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8
Bosch
Blue 12V and 18V drills with fine speed control, plus a Connect-ready 18V hammer drill for jobsite tracking.
Top products: GSR12V-300N· GSB18V-975C
Website: developer.bosch.com |Brands like Bosch
Popularity 3.2/10
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9
SKIL
PWRCORE 12V and 20V brushless drills with flip-style designs and a lower price point for home workshops.
Top products: DL529001· PWRCORE 20
Website: skil.com |Brands like SKIL
Popularity 2.4/10
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10
Hitachi
Power is an entity that every individual or group of individuals wants to conquer. With power in your hands, you can change the world for good. Hitachi Group took this as an opportunity to do the same. They had the...
Website: hitachi.com |Brands like Hitachi
Popularity 2.1/10
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11
Snap-on
Snapon makes some of the most durable and professional quality tools for use in the transportation industry. The brand has been in the industry for decades and is the number one company for quality hand tools. They have a range...
Website: shop.snapon.com |Brands like Snap-on
Popularity 2.1/10
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12
HART
Home Depot's own 20V line offers 2-speed drills and hammer drills at lower prices than the big name brands.
Website: harttools.com |Brands like HART
Popularity 2.0/10
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13
Hilti
Commercial-grade cordless drills on Hilti's 22V platform, aimed at construction crews who need dust control.
Website: hilti.com |Brands like Hilti
Popularity 1.9/10
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14
PORTER-CABLE
Cordless drills and drivers on the 20V platform suit woodworkers and contractors, often sold as two-battery kits.
Website: portercable.com |Brands like PORTER-CABLE
Popularity 1.8/10
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15
Workpro
Value kits with 12V and 20V drills, often sold with bit sets and carry cases for light household jobs.
Top products: 20V Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
Website: workprotools.com |Brands like Workpro
Popularity 1.7/10
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16
Autojare
Quality power tools like grinders, drills, etc., are demanding in the market. Several brands deal in this sector, but only a few succeed. One of those brands is Autojare, which provides services and tools to its customers. These tools are...
Popularity 1.6/10
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17
Panasonic
Matsushita Konosuke founded the Matsushita Electric Industrial Company to produce electric plugs and lamp sockets that he had designed. The 30s incorporated these products and experienced a rapid expansion of business. Over the years, various products such as irons, radios,...
Popularity 1.6/10
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18
GreenWorks
GreenWorks produces battery-powered outdoor equipment, including lawnmowers, pressure washers, chainsaws and cordless power tools. Its tools run on lithium batteries shared across many of its products, so one battery can power several items. The equipment is quieter and emission-free, suited...
Website: greenworkstools.eu |Brands like GreenWorks
Popularity 1.5/10
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19
HiKOKI
Multi-volt 18V and 36V brushless drills from Japan, where the 36V model adds torque in a compact body.
Website: hikoki-powertools.eu |Brands like HiKOKI
Popularity 1.4/10
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20
Avid Power
It can be tiring to look across different places to find other solutions. Avid Power fixes that trouble as it manufactures a broad spectrum of mechanical power tools ranging from saws, drills, and routers to massage guns, solar generators, and...
Website: avidpowertool.com |Brands like Avid Power
Popularity 1.1/10
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21
WORX
Large accessory kits with variable-speed 20V drill drivers, mostly suited to home and garden users.
Top products: WX100L.2
Website: worx.com |Brands like WORX
Popularity 1.0/10
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22
Metabo
German brand drills with all-metal gearboxes and keyless chucks for daily site work.
Website: metabo.com |Brands like Metabo
Popularity 1.0/10
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23
Festool
Festool has found perfection in the 90 years it has been in service. The company was established in the process of creating better and more efficient power tools. Festool has manufactured several power tools in its 90 years of service...
Website: festool.com |Brands like Festool
Popularity 0.9/10
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24
Einhell
Power X-Change 18V battery system drills for garden and home workshops, often bundled with mowers and trimmers.
Website: einhell.de |Brands like Einhell
Popularity 0.9/10
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25
Metabo HPT
Former Hitachi Power Tools brand with 18V and 36V multi-volt drills and hammer drills for trade users.
Website: metabo-hpt.com |Brands like Metabo HPT
Popularity 0.9/10
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26
Dremel
Dremel DigiLab 3D printers are state-of-the-art 3D technology for your home and workplace. These printers will assist you in bringing your thoughts to life by converting them into physical items. The principle behind 3D printing is to build an object...
Website: digilab.dremel.com |Brands like Dremel
Popularity 0.8/10
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27
Ingersoll Rand
Ingersoll Rand, an industrial firm from the United States, builds air-powered impact wrenches, drills and air compressors for its industrial line. It also makes solenoid valves and other tools for factories and workshops. Its power tools are built for heavy,...
Popularity 0.7/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT | dewalt.com | /dewalt | dewalttough | – | dewalttv |
| Milwaukee | milwaukeetool.com | /MilwaukeeTool | MilwaukeeTool | @MilwaukeeTool | – |
| Makita | makitatools.com | /makitatoolspage | makitatools | @MakitaTools | MakitaPowerTools |
| Ryobi | ryobitools.com | /ryobitoolsusa | ryobitoolsusa | @RYOBItoolsusa | – |
| Craftsman | craftsman.com | /craftsman | craftsman | – | craftsman |
| BLACK+DECKER | blackanddecker.com | – | – | – | – |
| RIDGID | ridgid.com | /RIDGIDTools | ridgidtools | @ridgidtoday | RIDGIDtoday |
| Bosch | developer.bosch.com | – | – | – | – |
| SKIL | skil.com | /SKILtools | SKILpowertools | @SkilTools | UCIh1cMrknMS6RpEayi5TeEg |
| Hitachi | hitachi.com | /hitachi.global | hitachi | @HitachiGlobal | – |
Cordless Drill Buying Guide: Tips for Finding the Perfect Drill
A cordless drill is a versatile tool that has become a staple in many households. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional contractor, having a cordless drill in your toolkit makes any job around the house a lot easier. However, with so many options available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right cordless drill. Here, we’ll provide you with some valuable tips to help you find the perfect cordless drill to suit your needs.
1. Consider the Drill’s Intended Use
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a cordless drill is its intended use. Different drills are designed for different applications. For example, if you only need a drill for occasional household repairs and DIY projects, a basic drill with 12 to 18 volts will suffice. If you're a professional contractor, however, a high-voltage model with a more extended battery life is a better choice. It’s important to consider not just the voltage, but also the battery’s mAh (milliamp-hour) rating. Higher mAh ratings mean longer battery life.
2. Consider the Size and Weight of the Drill
The size and weight of the drill are vital considerations when choosing a cordless drill. While a smaller, lightweight drill is easier to handle and maneuver, it may not have enough power to complete more challenging tasks. Larger drills are typically more potent but are often heavy and cumbersome. The size and weight of the drill should be proportional to the intended use. For instance, if you plan to use the drill for extended periods, a moderately-sized and lightweight cordless drill is likely the best option.
3. Consider the Power and Speed of the Drill
The power and speed of the drill are essential considerations when selecting a cordless drill. Both are typically measured in amps and RPM (revolutions per minute), respectively. The higher the amp rating and RPM, the faster the drill can work. Powerful drills can handle more challenging tasks, such as drilling into thicker materials or driving screws into hardwoods. Consider the power and speed you need for your projects, and find a model that meets those needs.
4. Consider the Chuck Size
The chuck size is the diameter of the drill bit it can accommodate. Most cordless drills have chucks that range from 3/8” to 1/2". A smaller chuck size is sufficient for lighter tasks, while a larger chuck size can handle more substantial applications. Additionally, a larger chuck size simplifies the replacement of broken or worn-out bits.
5. Consider the Clutch Settings
The clutch settings are another essential consideration when selecting a cordless drill. The clutch is the mechanism that prevents the drill from overdriving or under-driving screws. The clutch is adjusted by rotating the collar around the chuck. The clutch settings usually range from 15 to 20, with higher settings being more precise. If you plan to work with different surfaces, look for a cordless drill model with adjustable clutch settings.
6. Consider the Battery Life and Charging Time
Another important consideration to make when selecting a cordless drill is its battery life and charging time. Cordless drills are powered by rechargeable batteries. Most modern models use lithium-ion batteries, which provide a longer life than previous commonplace models do. A drill with a longer battery life offers more convenience and productivity, while a model with shorter battery life will require frequent recharging. Additionally, charging time is also crucial since every battery has a limited lifespan. Look for a cordless drill model that includes a fast-charging option or allows for battery replacements.
7. Consider the Brand and Warranty
The brand and warranty of the cordless drill are essential considerations. Reputable brands often provide better-quality cordless drills, which can save you money over time while providing improved longevity and reliability. In the meantime, the warranty of the cordless drill is necessary in case it malfunctions or doesn't meet your expectations. Look for cordless drill models that include a warranty of at least one year, if not more, to ensure you’re covered in case of any problems.
Wrap-up
A cordless drill is a valuable tool to have in your toolkit, allowing you to take on any home repairs or DIY projects comfortably. When selecting a cordless drill, it’s essential to consider its intended use, size, power, chuck size, clutch settings, battery life, charging time, brand, and warranty. By taking these factors into consideration, you can ensure that you find the right cordless drill for you and enjoy a tool that works well and lasts for years to come.
