One of the tools that I use the most, without a doubt, is my cordless drill. I have an old Black & Decker 12v cordless drill, which has performed marvellously over the years and has handled just about everything that I’ve thrown at it. I hear people talking about drills every so often and they invariably want to know, “What’s the best cordless drill?”
Well, there’s no easy answer to that. There are lots of great drills out there that will take care of just about any job that you need them to. A lot is going to depend on what your budget for a drill is, and what sort of jobs you want the drill to be able to handle. Let’s take a look at some of your options.
Before we do that though, one quick word on cordless vs corded drills. Cordless drills are great in a lot of ways because they can go anywhere and aren’t tied to the length of your power cord. However, the most useless thing in the world is a cordless drill with dead batteries. A few of my DIY buddies have sworn off cordless drill for this reason. They’d rather suffer the inconvenience of using a corded drill since that means they don’t have to worry about charging the batteries. To each his own, but just let me say that a second battery for your cordless drill is probably a wise purchase.
If you’re looking to spend $100 or less, there are a couple of great options available. The DeWalt DCD950B is one of the highest rated items on Amazon, with an average of 4.5 stars out of 5. Just about everyone who gets this drill likes it. It’s currently available for around $95 new. (That price doesn’t include any batteries. Make sure to grab them when you buy it too.)
Another option for under $100 is the Black & Decker CDC180ASB, which is an updated version of the great quality old drill that I have and use. The model to the right is the 18v version, and is available for around $60. They also have a 12v version for a little bit less.
Both of these drills are great for around-the-house type projects, and will handle the occasional big DIY project. If you’re just looking for something to put screws into and out of walls, and hang some pictures or plants, they’re a great choice. On the other hand, if you want something with a bit more muscle, you’re probably going to have to spend a little bit more money.
In the $100 to $200 range, the Bosch 36614-02 is a great choice. It comes in at just under $200 and that includes two batteries. This drill is a 14v version and is a serious piece of hardware. It will handle anything the typical weekend-hobbyist can throw at it, and wouldn’t be out of place in a professional setting.
Lastly, if money is no concern, the DeWalt DC827KL cordless driver kit has gotten top reviews on Amazon. It’s an 18v drill that comes with 2 Nano-technology (lithium) batteries that are lighter and last longer than typical Ni-Cad batteries. If you use your drill for a living, this is probably the drill for you.