For those of you looking for a quick answer as to what cordless drill is the best one, then you’ve come to the right place. We did the research for you by checking out each model’s specs, looking for product ratings on numerous sites, and checking actual user’s comments to see what they liked or didn’t like.
* Best 18V Cordless Drill: Makita BDF451
This model scores an overall 9.4 rating. It provides plenty of power and the 18V Li-Ion batteries provide long run-time, all while being lighter than other brand’s high performance Li-Ion models.
* Best Compact 18V Cordless Drill: Makita LXFD01CW
This drill earned an overall rating of 8.7 because it is smaller and over a pound lighter than the BDF451, while not sacrificing too much power. The biggest difference is in the batteries which last only half as long, but that is what provides the primary weight savings. The price is also very attractive for this cordless drill.
* Best 14.4V Cordless Drill: Bosch 37614-01
All Bosch drills provide lots of power and this one is no different. It provides more torque than most 18V models, which is why it scores a 9.3 overall rating on our list. The biggest drawback is its weight at 5.3 lbs. The run-time of the Li-Ion batteries is just average and it is the most expensive model of 14.4V cordless drills, but you can see why since it will outperform most 18V drills.
* Best 12V Cordless Dill: Milwaukee 2410-22
The 2410-22 ranks at a 9.0 overall rating primarily because it is super compact and lightweight at just 2.5 pounds. It has decent torque for a 12V and a price of around $120 is significantly cheaper than 18V models. The chuck is only 3/8″ which may limit some applications and the run-time for the Li-Ion batteries is less than half of the top 18V cordless drills.
To see our overall ratings for these and more cordless drills check our cordless drill ratings page.