Consumer Reports put models from Bosch, DeWalt, Milwaukee, and other top brands through their paces
By Keith Flamer, Paul Hope
Whether you’re hanging a shelf, installing a ceiling fan, or building a deck, a cordless drill is a must. In fact, we would argue that it’s the single most important item in your toolbox.
In the past decade, cordless drills have become more powerful, lighter, and energy-efficient, making corded drills practically obsolete. These improvements in cordless drills come thanks to advancements in lithium-ion battery technology and the introduction of brushless motors, which are more powerful despite requiring less energy. And the changes aren’t unique to cordless drills; they’ve occurred across many of the power tools we test.
“A more recent trend we’re seeing is interchangeable batteries that work among a brand’s entire suite of power tools,” says Courtney Pennicooke, CR’s market analyst for cordless drills. “So you can use the same batteries for your drill, chainsaw, and string trimmer. You can adjust the voltage to match the project you’re working on and save money by buying bare tools to complete your set.”
The voltage of your drill dictates the size of the job it can tackle. Higher-voltage drills, which we call heavy-duty in our ratings, have 18 to 20 volts or more of power. They’re typically heavier but also more capable of tackling difficult tasks like boring a large hole through studs or joists, or driving hundreds of screws on a single battery charge, which is what you’d want if you were building a deck. Lower-voltage drills, which we call general use drills in our ratings, typically use about 12 volts. They offer plenty of power for most household tasks, like hanging a shelf or tightening screws, and they weigh less, too. But despite the capabilities of these smaller drills, most people prefer larger, heavy-duty options. In fact, according to a recent CR member survey, two-thirds of those who own cordless drills have a model that’s 18 volts or more.
For our cordless drill tests, we narrow down the field to the most widely available models and run them through a series of tests in our lab, where we use a device called a dynamometer that measures torque under different loads. We translate those readings into scores for power, speed, and run time. We also incorporate ratings for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction based on data from CR’s member surveys.
If you’re unsure about what kind of cordless drill to buy, start with our cordless drills buying guide. CR members can also explore our comprehensive cordless drill ratings. There, you can filter more than 50 drills according to your needs, including category, price, weight, noise level, and more. Below, in alphabetical order, we highlight the 10 best cordless drills we’ve tested, in both sizes.
CR’s take: This 12-volt drill is one of only three models in the general-use category with a brushless motor. That means the Bosch PS32-02 can deliver a tad more power than if it used a traditional “brushed” motor. It also means it will run longer on a charge and may have a longer life span. The Bosch is highly rated for handling. Weighing only 2 pounds, it’s less than half the weight of a number of heavy-duty drills we tested. The slim pistol-grip profile makes it easy to wield but also prevents it from standing upright when not in use. The compact size lets you maneuver the drill into the most awkward of positions and accommodates a built-in LED light and bit storage. Based on data from our member survey, Bosch cordless drills are in the top tier for reliability and owner satisfaction. What’s included: Two 2-amp-hour batteries, five bits, a belt hook, a soft-sided case, and a 3-year warranty.
CR’s take: This 12-volt general-use DeWalt drill is light enough that you won’t tire when swapping out an overhead light fixture but forceful enough to bore holes into hardwood without bogging down. That’s what you get with a brushless motor. The DeWalt DCD701F2 ranks at the top for its power and speed scores, and its price earns it a CR Best Buy badge of honor.
What’s included: Two 2-amp-hour batteries, a belt hook, a built-in LED light, a soft-sided case, and a 3-year warranty.
CR’s take: This 20-volt heavy-duty brushless DeWalt DCD991P2 is one of our best performers, snagging top ratings for power, speed, and run time. But the hefty 5-amp-hour battery that produces all that power makes this drill heavy, unbalanced, and a bit awkward to handle. At 4.7 pounds, it’s at least 1 pound heavier than most other heavy-duty drills and more than double the weight of some 12-volt models we’ve tested. Unlike most drills in our ratings, this DeWalt drill is equipped with three speed settings, providing a handy middle option for drilling into soft metals, such as aluminum, when the slow speed required for steel isn’t enough and the fast speed for wood is too much. What’s included: Two 5-amp-hour batteries, a belt hook, an LED light, a hard-sided case, and a 3-year warranty.
CR’s take: This 24-volt offering from Flex features a ½-inch chuck and a 5.0 amp-hour battery, standard, for long run times. At nearly 6 pounds, it’s heavier than nearly all of the competition, but it offers unmatched performance. It aces many of our tests while still costing less than many other models in its class.
What’s included: One five-amp-hour lithium-ion battery, an LED work light, and a 5-year warranty.
CR’s take: The unique Hilti SFD 2-A drill falls in our light-duty category because of the limitations of its fixed ¼-inch chuck. That’s not a problem, though, if you’re not drilling large holes. Plus, it goes for half the price of many cordless drills with similar capabilities, while still proving to be reasonably powerful. A built-in LED light helps illuminate your workspace, and the drill’s modest 2.2-pound weight minimizes strain and fatigue. What’s included: Two 2.6-amp-hour batteries, a belt hook, an LED light, a soft-sided case, and a 20-year warranty, which goes far beyond the standard three years for cordless drills.
CR’s take: This dynamo can drill fast, earning a top rating for speed. Its performance and great price earn this compact Kobalt KXDD 1424A-03 a CR Best Buy designation. The 24-volt heavy-duty brushless drill packs the power of drills costing twice as much. Just keep in mind that it comes with a single battery instead of two, so you’ll need to buy an extra or pause projects while you recharge the battery.
What’s included: One 2-amp-hour battery, a belt hook, an LED light, and a 5-year warranty.
CR’s take: This general-use Makita is the third brushless model in our general-use category. It weighs just over 2 pounds and stands barely 6 inches tall. Despite its slim profile, the Makita FD07R1 aced our power test and packs a serious punch, making it a solid alternative to some of the larger 18- and 20-volt models. It doesn’t rate as well as some others for run time, but the kit comes with two batteries and a rapid charger, which tops off an empty battery in an impressive 60 minutes. What’s included: Two 2-amp-hour batteries, a belt hook, an LED light, a hard-sided case, and a 3-year warranty.
CR’s take: If you’re looking for a lighter drill that packs the power of a full-sized model, check out the Milwaukee 2503-22. It offers the power, speed, and run time of models that are significantly bigger and heavier, weighing only 3.2 pounds. It earns top marks for handling, in part because of the pistol grip and slim battery profile.
What’s included: Two 2-amp-hour batteries, a belt hook, an LED light, a hard-sided case, and a 5-year warranty.
CR’s take: Milwaukee is a favorite brand among contractors for a reason: It makes powerful tools with pros in mind. The Milwaukee 2805-22 drill is no exception. It has an astonishing amount of power, drives fasteners quickly, and offers great run time, thanks in part to large 4-amp-hour batteries that are included. The trade-off is weight. At 4.8 pounds, it’s among the heaviest models here, making it best for serious users.
What’s included: Two 4-amp-hour batteries, a belt hook, an LED light, an auxiliary handle, a plastic case, and a 5-year warranty.
CR’s take: Although a bit bulky and noisy, the brushless Ridgid R86116K is more than adequate for drilling into wood, drywall, or various composite materials. Just have earplugs and two hands at the ready if your job is long. This model is one of the few high-scoring heavy-duty models under $200 in our ratings. It’s great for sinking screws, too, with Excellent speed and plenty of clutch settings to help you avoid damaging fasteners or other hardware. It even has hammer mode and an LED work light. While many 18-volt batteries take hours to reach a full charge, the battery on this drill takes only 60 minutes. What’s included: It comes with two lithium-ion batteries, a belt hook, a case or bag for storage, and a 3-year warranty.
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Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.
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