Best Cordless Drill for the Money in 2017
You don't really want to search for a plug point station all the time when you're working on your home, and this is where the cordless drill comes in.
This device solves the problem, and in this article we'll be sharing some of the best cordless drills for the money.
Just recharge the drill, and use it anyplace, anywhere, without having to worry about a charging point. Users usually have a spare one in hand, to switch the drained battery with a charged one, for continuous work.
Things To Know Before Buying A Cordless Drill
It's the freedom from cables that make cordless drills a worthwhile option. You also save on costs as you do not need the long cables, and can carry out work in distant and often inaccessible areas. When buying a cordless drill, you would need to look at its features - which add in convenience, utility, and appeal. Sometimes it can also be good value for money to get them as part of a cordless power tool combo set.
In some ways, cordless drills are better than their cabled counterparts, though they often do not have the power that the traditional machines do. It's their utility though that makes them a favourite among many.
Before you head off and buy a cordless drill, understand how they work. Everyone wants the best cordless drill for the money - the question is, have you chosen the right one that you need? You need to choose the best cordless drills for the money.
Clutch
A clutch, which differentiates an electrical drill from a cordless one, is present just below the chuck. The clutch helps in controlling the machine, so as to prevent overriding of the screw, once it is fit. It also helps the motor deal with resistance from the bolt when it is tightened or the screw loosened.
The number of clutches varies for different models. An increased number of clutches offer a better controlling power for the user.
Speed
The speed of most drills is two paced, at 300rpm and 800rpm.The feature is often found in the pricier ones, and it helps in switching the speed, depending on the function. High speed can be best suited for drilling holes while the lower speed can be used for tightening screws.
Power
High voltage drills have more power, helping one drill range of products, from lumber to even floors. But with more power comes more weight. The drill can be chosen depending on the burden of the work.
Design
The design feature represents the compatibility of the drill. The design needs to fit the purpose. When the work is in a confined place, a drill compatible with it, such as the Black+Decker can be used, which is designed for these purposes.
Comfort
Probably the most important feature to be considered, if you want to get a drill worth the money. A drill that is light weight with sufficient power to make up for it can help as it will ensure less arm fatigue.
You can work outdoors without any worries about having a thirty feet electronic cable behind you, and avoiding any potential dangers.
Many of these have an extended battery life so that you can work for hours on end. They are often light in weight, so you wouldn't get bogged down easily as you work.
It also offers increased torque, which can make the work easier for you. The torque decides how easily the drill turns when you're working - and you need to apply less pressure with high torque.
So What Is The Best Cordless Drill for the Money?
We take a look into the top five cordless grills that we can find today, which offer a good value for money. Since the type of cordless drill that is right for you can depend on your usage, we have reviewed the best cordless drills according to what would be right for you.
1. Makita XPH012 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2-Inch Hammer Driver-Drill Kit with One Battery
The cordless drill weighs 4.0lbs and has a variable two-speed design for the heavy and light work as necessary. The product is small in size, with high power, making it compatible with heavy work.
The machine doesn’t weight much, making it convenient to hold without getting tired. The product has an option to shift to hammer drive, which is compatible for heavier loads. This has a keyless ratchet chuck made of plastic. The product runs on 2.0 Ah batteries. It has a built-in LED flashlight and has good power of 480 watts.
Things We Liked
- The product is lithium-ion based, which gives it a lighter weight.
- The product is designed with a dual speed. This gives an advantage of switching the speed of the drill, according to the work.
- This product can be changed to a hammer drill.
- The lithium-ion powered batteries are designed for fast charging.
- The product has a large clutch, making it easier for tightening it.
- It is built with 4-pole motor for better work.
Things We Didn't Like
- Though the clutch is easy to maintain, it constantly requires to be tightened.
- Battery has a low staying capacity.
- The chuck in the product is made of plastic, so it is designed more for home power operations.
- The batteries are lithium based which albeit its light weight can be affected with extreme temperatures as compared to NiMH.
- This doesn’t have a belt clip for convenience.
2. BLACK+DECKER LDX120C 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill/Driver
You have a 6.4lbs machine here with the power of 20v and the choice of drill rotation. This product is designed for light work and is also light in weight, reducing the arm fatigue. This drill has one speed setting, which can go up to 0-650rpm. It has a keyless ratcheting chuck, in the size 3/8”.
You would love to use this Black & Decker Drill for light housework such as hanging pictures, drilling holes on light surfaces etc. This drill has 115 inch-pounds torque. It also is compatibly made, to allow it to reach small places like in between drawers, cupboards etc.
Things We Liked
- You’ve a 11 position clutch, i.e., 11 different positions for clutch, which provides better precision while drilling and can be adjusted as per need.
- Advantage of being built to be used in small and confined spaces, providing better posture. You can work for hours with ease.
- The drill is lithium-ion based, making it lighter in weight. Also, it charges faster and holds longer.
- Promising battery stay.
- Has an anti slip grip for convenient use.
- Has an attached LED light.
- The price is affordable, making it good value for money.
- Battery can be left in the charger for a long period of time, without spoiling the battery capacity.
Things We Didn't Like
- The battery is lithium based, which compromises on the durability during extreme temperature change.
- The body parts are made of plastic, which will require timely replacements.
- The drill doesn’t come with a carrying case, which may cause inconvenience.
- This drill has only speed setting.
- This drill is not apt for heavy work.
- The product doesn’t come with a fast charger.
3. DEWALT DC970K-2 18-Volt Compact Drill/Driver Kit
This machine weighs 5.2lbs and the lightweight drill has the capacity for a lot of power. It is apt for all home level work as well as basic industrial work. The battery runs on NiCd and reaches complete charge in one hour. This charge stays for a considerable amount of time, which is economical and apt for home use.
You get a keyless ratchet Chuck and plastic clutch with this Dewalt model. The drill features dual speed, which helps the user in changing the speed depending on the heaviness of the work. It has a power of 680 watts. It is compatible for drilling and reaching small spaces, and also large enough to get the heavy work done.
Things We Liked
- Has dual speed for convenience.
- A drill speed of 0 to 450mp.
- The battery DeWalt DC970K is cheaper to replace as compared to the lithium-ion based batteries.
- It is most apt for home projects such as to drill through wood, framing work, cabinet etc.
- The weight is convenient for longer hours of drilling without fatigue.
- It is economically priced.
Things We Didn't Like
- The body is made of plastic which may require replacement.
- The batteries are NiCd which doesn’t have longer holding capacity, as compared to the Lithium-ion based batteries.
- The packaging doesn’t come with hard case packaging, instead with a sturdy bag.
- This product cannot be used for hard applications.
- Small chuck size, difficult for tightening.
4. Bosch DDS181-02 18-Volt Lithium-Ion 1/2-Inch Compact Tough Drill/Driver Kit with 2 High Capacity Batteries
This device comes with a 4-pole motor with high power and features a plastic chuck. Weighing 6.9 pounds, you has as many as 19 different clutch settings, allowing more flexibility. It has a keyless ratchet chuck and built in LED light for convenience. It also has an option for variable speed, depending on the hardness of the object. It has a maximum speed 1700rpm. The battery is lithium-ion based, which helps the drill to charge faster and holds the charge longer.
Things We Liked
- Lithium-ion battery- Longer battery life and faster charging.
- Availability of variable speed option.
- This is a strong drill, lasting longer.
- It is compact in nature, allowing for drilling in small and confined places.
- It has 19 clutch settings to control the torque.
- It has a smooth operation with noise controller.
Things We Didn't Like
- This battery doesn’t last in extreme temperatures.
- It’s on the heavier side, tiring the user quickly.
- The packing case is quite fragile.
5. Milwaukee 2691-22 18-Volt Compact Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit
This product is lithium-ion based with 18V, weighing 11 pounds. This drill has a built in LED light for convenience. It also provides option to change the speed of the drill. This contains a metal chuck and varying speed changers. This drill is built to provide better accessibility to small and enclosed spaces.
You have a 4 pole motor with rare-earth magnets, providing 1400lbs of torque. This machine is competent for light and home projects. The Lithium-ion based battery makes the device light and shorter time is taken for charging. The battery is sustaining and also shows the running time, however, it immediately switches off once drained.
Things We Liked
- It shows the run time of the battery, so you know just how long the machine would last.
- It has a varying speed changer, which can easily adapt to the level of work.• It has a metal chuck, which has longer durability.
- This drill has a lithium-ion based battery, which allows faster charging and better sustenance.
- This comes with a belt clip for convenience.
- This drill comes with a rubber bumper sticker, to prevent friction.
Things We Didn't Like
- Battery cannot survive extreme temperatures.
- Drill is slightly on the heavier side.
- The machine is not apt for heavier projects.
- Doesn’t have any noise controller which can cause inconvenience.
- The plastic of the machine is compromised because of the economical price.
Other Types of Cordless Drills On The Market
In addition to the in-depth reviews we have done above, there various other types of cordless drills on the market on which we have compiled further information to help you make the right purchasing decision.
Please see below some of the other types of cordless drills and drill accessories we have reviewed:
Which One Is The Winner?
While a lot depends on the usage, we took a look at the wide variety of features offered to decide the winner.
Of the five cordless drills that we reviewed, the BLACK+DECKER LDX120C 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill/Driver seems to be the best one. This product weighs 6.4 lbs, light to hold thereby reducing arm fatigue. This makes it a real contender our selection of the best cordless drill for the money.
The drill has a speed setting for convenience and 11 position clutch which can provide better precision for the accuracy of the work to be done and promising battery stay, with 115-inch pounds torque. This product is also built for using in places that are closed and confined. This product uses lithium-ion based battery, which has its own advantages.
The battery enables fast charging and also stays for a long period of time. Even though it cannot sustain in extreme temperatures, the battery has a life for an average of 3 years. Add to it the fact that the battery is quite economical for replacement also. It is also user friendly, with its light weight structure and its slip free grip.
Interestingly, the drill also has batteries that have ‘memories’ which can be put in charge for a long period, without spoiling the battery life. The charge stays for a convenient period making the product one of the best cordless drills for the money.