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A cordless drill is probably the first power tool most people buy. It bores holes, drives screws, and does light fastening work. This page compares models from DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, Ryobi, and Craftsman using manufacturer spec sheets and user reviews from Home Depot, Amazon, and construction forums.
A cordless drill spins a bit with steady rotational force (measured in inch-pounds of torque) to bore holes and drive fasteners. It's different from an impact driver, which delivers repeated rotational blows for faster fastening at the cost of precision. Drills are better when you need clean holes and controlled screw depth.
Bare-tool weight runs 3 to 5 pounds. Compact models are lighter and easier to use overhead. Full-size models deliver more torque for heavy drilling. Voltage is either 18V or 20V; battery capacity (Ah) determines how long the tool runs between charges.
The clutch is worth paying attention to. It's a dial that limits torque so you stop driving a screw at the right depth instead of sinking it too deep into drywall or soft wood. Quality drills have 16 to 20 clutch settings.
For detailed reviews of the best cordless drills, including specs, prices, pros/cons, and comparison tables, see our best cordless drills guide.
Torque is rotational force. At 300 in-lbs, you can drive screws into softwood and bore small holes. At 450-600, you handle deck screws, lag bolts into framing, and most residential work. Above 700, you're into structural fastening and drilling metal. Buy for the work you actually do, not the biggest number.
Higher RPM (up to 3,000) drills holes faster. Lower RPM (under 500) gives you control when starting holes or driving screws into soft material. Two-speed drills let you switch between the two. Variable speed gives finer control through the trigger.
A 3/8-inch chuck holds bits up to 3/8 inch in diameter and covers almost everything a homeowner or light-commercial user needs. Some pro models use 1/2-inch chucks for larger bits. Unless you're regularly boring big holes, 3/8 is fine.
Modern drills use lithium-ion batteries. Voltage is either 18V or 20V. The real-world performance difference between the two is small (5-10%). What matters more is which battery platform you already own. Buying into a new platform means buying new chargers and batteries.
Bare-tool weight runs 3 to 5.5 pounds. If you do overhead work, stay under 4 lbs or your wrist will tell you about it by lunch. Heavier drills (4.5+ lbs) give better control and stability for heavy drilling. Pick based on what you'll actually be doing with it.
The clutch limits torque so the chuck stops spinning after reaching a set resistance. More settings (16-20) mean finer control. If you're driving trim screws into pine one minute and lag bolts into oak the next, a good clutch matters.
300-500 in-lbs handles general fastening and wood drilling. 500-700 covers carpentry and decking. Above 700 is for structural work and metal. If you're hanging shelves and assembling furniture, 400 in-lbs is more than enough.
A drill applies steady rotation. Good for boring holes and controlled screw driving. An impact driver hits the fastener with repeated rotational blows, which is faster for driving but less precise. If you own one tool, make it the drill. If you drive a lot of long screws or lag bolts, add an impact.
Barely. The real-world difference is about 5-10% in torque and runtime. If you already own 18V batteries from DeWalt, Makita, or Milwaukee, buy a drill that uses them. A quality 18V drill will outperform a cheap 20V one.
It limits torque so the chuck stops spinning at a set resistance. Turn it down for drywall screws so you don't punch through. Turn it up for hardwood and structural fastening. Without a clutch, you'd over-drive every screw in soft material.
If you use it regularly, yes. Brushless motors run cooler, last longer, and squeeze 20-30% more runtime out of the same battery. They cost $30-80 more. For someone who drills a few holes a month, brushed is fine. For weekly use or professional work, brushless pays for itself.
3/8-inch is standard and handles most bits you'll ever use. 1/2-inch accepts larger bits for heavy construction drilling. Unless you regularly bore holes bigger than 3/8 inch, the standard chuck is all you need.
Less than the box says. A 1.5Ah battery gets you 30-45 minutes of moderate use. A 4.0Ah lasts 1.5-2.5 hours. Drilling into hardwood or metal eats runtime fast. If you're on a job, keep a second battery on the charger.
It's useful. Low speed keeps you in control when starting holes and driving into soft material. High speed bores through wood faster. Two-speed is enough for most people. Smooth variable control through the trigger is better but costs more.