#CHEAP ELECTRIC DRILL DRIVER#
#CHEAP ELECTRIC DRILL SERIES#

Below, in alphabetical order, we highlight 11 of the best cordless drills we’ve tested, in all three sizes. There, you can filter more than 60 drills according to your needs, including category, price, weight, and noise level. CR members can also explore our comprehensive cordless drill ratings. If you’re unsure about what kind of cordless drill to buy, start with our cordless drills buying guide. We also incorporate ratings for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction based on data from CR’s member surveys.

Best 18V cordless drill: Bosch Cordless Hammer Impact Drill UniversalImpact 18.

#CHEAP ELECTRIC DRILL DRIVER#

We translate those readings into scores for power, speed, and run time. Best overall cordless drill: Bosch Cordless Brushless Drill Driver AdvancedDrill 18.

#CHEAP ELECTRIC DRILL SERIES#

How Consumer Reports Tests Cordless Drillsįor 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. Their batteries range in power from 12 to 20 volts, but their relatively small motors don’t spin or drive with the same force as heavy-duty or general-use drills. We also test light-duty drills, which are best-suited for small jobs around the house, such as assembling flat-packed furniture, changing a light fixture, or drilling into drywall. 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. But despite the capabilities of these smaller drills, most people prefer larger, heavy-duty options. They offer plenty of power for most household tasks, like hanging a shelf or tightening screws, and they weigh less, too. Lower-voltage drills, which we call general-use drills in our ratings, typically use about 12 volts. 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. Higher-voltage drills, which we call heavy-duty in our ratings, have 18 to 20 volts of power or more. The voltage of your drill dictates the size of the job it can tackle. You can adjust the voltage to match the project you’re working on, and save money by buying bare tools to complete your set.”

“So you can use the same batteries for your drill, chainsaw, and string trimmer. “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. And the changes aren’t unique to cordless drills they’ve occurred across many of the power tools we test. 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. In the past decade, cordless drills have become more powerful, lighter, and energy-efficient, making corded drills practically obsolete. In fact, we would argue that it’s the single most important item in your toolbox. Whether you’re hanging a shelf, installing a ceiling fan, or building a deck, a cordless drill is a must.

Cheap electric drill