Cordless Drills

Key specs:

• ONE+ 18V cordless drill/driver, bare tool
• 515 in-lbs of torque, up to 1,750 RPM
• 1/2 in. keyless ratcheting chuck, 2-speed gearbox
• 24-position clutch with on-board LED worklight
• Runs on any ONE+ 18V battery (sold separately)

Pros:

• HouseDigest tested it as the cheapest cordless drill at Home Depot and found it fully capable for home tasks
• Home Depot reviewers report plenty of power for everyday drilling and driving, including 1/2 in. bits in hardwood
• Users describe it as comfortable, well-balanced and lighter than older cordless drills
• Strong power-to-price ratio in a major 18V battery platform

Cons:

• Battery and charger are not included
• Pros may want more torque and features than this budget class offers
• Third-party marketplace sellers often price it above the official $54 list

Key specs:

• PWR CORE 20 brushless compact drill driver kit with 2.0Ah battery and PWR Jump charger
• Digital brushless motor delivers up to 450 in-lbs of torque
• No-load speed 0-500/0-1,800 RPM with 17+1 clutch settings
• 1/2 in. single-sleeve keyless ratcheting chuck
• LED light strip with pre-light and after-glow modes

Pros:

• Consumer Reports found it fast at drilling holes and driving screws, capable of handling most jobs easily
• Walmart reviewers praise the brushless design and multiple settings
• Lowe's describes it as a great drill: powerful, compact, with quick charging

Cons:

• Consumer Reports rates it moderately powerful rather than class-leading
• Compact body delivers less torque than full-size 20V drills
• Kit battery is a smaller 2.0Ah pack

Key specs:

• Brushless 12V/20V flip drill with double collet flip head, 20V kit with 2.0Ah USB-C battery and charger
• 20V mode: 350 in-lbs torque, 0-450/0-1,700 RPM; 12V mode: 300 in-lbs
• Electronically controlled torque settings plus drill mode
• Magnetic on-board bit storage and LED light
• 1/4 in. hex collet flip head for quick bit changes

Pros:

• The flip head swaps between bits without changing chucks, useful in tight corners and edges per SKIL's design notes
• Runs on both 12V and 20V PWR CORE batteries for platform flexibility
• Digital torque control adapts to different driving applications

Cons:

• 1/4 in. hex collet accepts only hex bits, unlike 1/2 in. chuck drills
• Lower torque than full-size 20V drill/drivers
• Flip mechanism adds complexity over a standard drill

Key specs:

• 18V LXT compact cordless 1/2 in. driver-drill kit
• 4-pole brushED motor delivers up to 480 in-lbs of max torque
• 2-speed transmission, 0-1,500 RPM class compact design
• Kit includes 1.5Ah battery, charger and tool bag
• Weighs significantly less than full-size LXT drills

Pros:

• Home Depot reviewers praise performance, durability, quick-charging batteries and ease of use
• Users report it is well built with plenty of power for most general-purpose wood and metal projects
• The 1.5Ah battery lasts a long time per user feedback
• Rubberized soft grip and compact size reduce fatigue per ToolUp

Cons:

• Brushed motor, not brushless like newer Makita compacts
• Not intended for heavy-duty professional use per TechReviewer
• Single 1.5Ah battery is a smaller pack than 3.0Ah+ kits

Key specs:

• 20V Max cordless 3/8 in. drill and driver kit with 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery and charger
• Up to 354 inch-pounds of torque
• Two speed ranges up to 1,500 RPM with 15 clutch settings
• 3/8 in. keyless chuck, LED work light and belt hook
• Drills up to 1.2 in. in wood and 0.39 in. in steel
• Backed by a two-year warranty

Pros:

• Consumer Reports lab testing found it fast at drilling holes and driving screws
• Moderately long run time per battery charge per Consumer Reports
• Grassroots Motorsports forum users report WEN cordless tools holding up well over hundreds of holes

Cons:

• Consumer Reports notes it is less powerful, limited to smaller screws and drill bits
• 3/8 in. chuck is smaller than the 1/2 in. chucks on mid-grade drills
• Budget kit lacks a second battery or hard case

Key specs:

• 18V compact brushless 1/2 in. drill/driver kit with two 2Ah standard batteries, charger and soft bag
• Up to 400 in-lbs of max torque with a 6.3 in. head length
• No-load speed 0-500/0-1,900 RPM with all-metal chuck
• Weighs 1.95 lbs as a bare tool
• Belt clip included; part of the Bosch 18V battery platform

Pros:

• Consumer Reports found it fast at drilling holes and driving screws, handling most jobs easily
• TechGearLab measured a hole-saw bore through a door in only 56 seconds
• Lowe's customers praise its power, torque and ease of use across home projects

Cons:

• Consumer Reports rates its power as moderate rather than top-tier among 18V drills
• The dp listing was temporarily out of stock, so availability varies
• Smaller 2.0Ah batteries give shorter runtime than 4Ah+ kits

Key specs:

• 20V MAX lithium-ion cordless drill driver with battery and charger included
• LED work light illuminates the work surface
• Brushed motor with 2-speed gear box
• 3/8 in. chuck accepts a wide range of round and hex shank bits
• Part of the 20V MAX lithium-ion platform

Pros:

• Priced well under $100 with battery and charger included
• Sold and shipped by Amazon first-party with a long sales history
• Compact and light enough for furniture assembly and household tasks

Cons:

• Brushed motor with lower power than brushless competitors
• 3/8 in. chuck is smaller than 1/2 in. chucks on mid-grade drills
• No clutch settings display or belt hook