Cordless Drill Ratings

We reviewed the best cordless drills to come up with these cordless drill ratings. We formulate our rankings based on product specs, actual use, other comparison/review sites, and user/buyer ratings. The following is our list of top rated cordless drills.

18 Volt Cordless Drill / Drivers

Model / Description	Rating	Pros	Cons	Est. Price
Makita BDF451 High Performance Li-Ion	9.4	Powerful, Lighter than other high performance models, Long-lasting batteries	Higher price than average	$269.99
Milwaukee 2610-24 High Performance Li-Ion	9.4	Most power in class, Long-lasting batteries, solid warranty	Users have complained power can cut out under load, Higher price than average	$305.50
Hitachi DS18DL High Performance Li-Ion	9.3	Power, Lighter than most High Performance models, Long-lasting batteries, best warranty	Higher price than average	$279.99
Bosch 37618-01 High Performance Li-Ion	9.0	Most power in class, Long-lasting batteries, tough	Heavier than average, Higher price than average	$269.99
Makita BDF452 Standard Li-Ion	8.8	Lighter than average, Long-lasting batteries	Not as much power as High Performance models, Higher price than average	$279.00
DeWalt DCD960KL High Performance Li-Ion	8.7	Decent power with high RPM, Tough, Long-lasting batteries	Heavier than average, Higher price than average, Slow charge time	$314.90
Makita LXFD01CW Compact Li-Ion	8.7	Super lightweight and compact yet good power, Super quick charging	Average battery run-time	$193.23
Hitachi DS18DSAL Compact Li-Ion	8.5	Below average cost of Compact Li-Ion, Lightweight and compact, Decent power, Solid warranty	Average battery run-time	$154.99
Panasonic EY7460LZ2S 21.6 V Li-Ion	8.4	Tough and durable, Good power, Long-lasting batteries	Higher than average cost, Slow charge time, Shortest warranty of class	$278.83
DeWalt DCD940KX Standard NiCd	8.2	Nearly the same performance of the Li-Ion DeWalt for $100 less	Heavy	$219.99
Hitachi DS18DMR Standard NiCd	8.2	Good Power, Quick charge time	Heavier than average	$229.95
Bosch 36618-02 Compact Li-Ion	8.1	Best power for compact Li-Ion class, Lightweight, Quick charge time, High user ratings	Below average battery run time	$182.14
Milwaukee 2601-22 Compact Li-Ion	8.0	Compact and Lightweight, Solid warranty	Below average in most categories compared to other compact Li-Ion models	$179.00
Dewalt DCD760KL Compact Li-Ion	7.8	Compact and Lightweight, Tough	Below average in most categories compared to other compact Li-Ion models	$192.99
Bosch 35618 Standard NiCd	7.8	Good power, Long lasting batteries, Quick charge time, Tough	Very heavy	$239.99
Skil 2895LI-04 Compact Li-Ion	7.6	Lightest model in class, decent power, Low cost for class	Below average battery run time, Slow charge time	$146.04
Porter-Cable PCL180DRK-2 Compact Li-Ion	7.6	Lightweight and compact, below average cost for class	Below average power with low RPMs	$148.99
Bosch DDB180-02 Compact 3/8″ Li-Ion	7.6	Very lightweight	3/8″ Chuck, Below average performance	$171.99
DeWalt DC720KA Compact NiCd	7.5	Below average weight for NiCd, decent power	Slow charge time	$156.24
Bosch 34618 Compact NiCd	7.5	Decent battery life and charge time	Below average power, heavier than average	$185.19
Hitachi DS18DVF3 Compact NiCd	7.5	Lighter than average, quick charge time, Lowest price in class	Below average RPMs, Below average battery run time	$119.99
Panasonic EY6950GQKW Standard NiMH	7.5	High user ratings, Best battery run time	Older battery technology, Heavy, Slow charge time	$258.03
Black & Decker HPD18AK-2 Standard NiCd	6.5	Decent power considering price, Lowest price in class, Comes with accessories	Heavy, Short battery run time	$92.47

14.4 Volt Cordless Drill / Drivers

12 Volt Cordless Drill / Drivers