Best Cordless Drills and Drivers for 2022

Buying a Cordless Drill

Cordless drill/drivers are perhaps the single most widely used power tool among DIYers. Few tools can match the flexibility, affordability and dependability of a quality cordless drill.

Whether you’re shopping for your first cordless drill or looking to upgrade an older model, here are some factors to keep in mind before purchasing:

• Function. Drills don’t just put holes in things. Most DIYers are better off with a drill/driver with an adjustable clutch so it can drive screws as well as drill holes.
• Price. Many DIYers are surprised to find cordless drills have become quite affordable. Most general-purpose cordless drills fall in the $30 to $150 range.
• Chuck size. A chuck is the piece that clamps drill bits in place. The chuck size determines the largest bit size that tool can use. Almost all cordless drills are keyless, meaning the chuck can be tightened by hand, rather than with a specialized chuck key.
• Variable speed. This allows you to increase the drill’s revolutions per minute (RPM) as you add pressure to the trigger.
• Motor style. Electric motors are brushed or brushless. Here’s a thorough discussion of the differences between brushed and brushless motors. Simply stated, brushed motors feature a physical contact that brushless motors don’t. That means brushed motors generate more heat and require the occasional brush replacement. Other motor considerations include whether the gear housing is metal or plastic.