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A drill is perhaps one of the most useful power tools to have in your arsenal. It can be used for multiple DIY tasks, including building furniture, fixing shelves, and hanging canvases. If you don’t currently own one, or your existing model is a bit outdated, you are in luck. We have hand-picked seven of the best corded and cordless options for your benefit.
How We Compared Drills
To find the right drills, we considered multiple factors, including:
- Functions
- Power source
- Safety Features
- Power Output
Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.
Drill Reviews
Bosch Home and Garden Cordless (Editor’s Choice)
This drill is a versatile model that serves great as your primary home DIY option. This is due to the multiple modes, different torque settings, and the ability to push through numerous materials, including wood, metal, and masonry.
The Bosch Home and Garden Cordless Combi Drill comes with two Lithium-Ion batteries and a charger. The packs are powerful, have a great life, and don’t take too long to charge. It has two units, so you can always have one ready to go.
Aside from the power source, the drill itself is easy to use. It features a variable torque setting that you simply twist on the barrel. Also, it has three modes – drilling, screwdriver, and impact. As a result, you should quickly be able to tackle most DIY tasks in your home like furniture assembly, hanging photos, and woodwork.
Pros:
- It includes two battery packs for greater longevity
- It can be used for different materials like wood and metal
- Both drilling and screwdriver options
- Ergonomic design with a simple trigger operation
- The chuck and drill bits are easy to change
Cons:
- It may struggle with brickwork
- The drill may only include one bit
DeWalt DCD796P2-GB (Luxury Choice)
This option could be ideal if you want a powerful product to tackle both minor and major DIY tasks. This drill has improved motor airflow to reduce overheating, a powerful battery, and multiple settings.
The DeWalt DCD796P2-GB looks great and comes fully equipped with a carry case and charging unit. You also have two Lithium-Ion 18V batteries, so one can be charging while the other is in use.
The torque settings can be changed by twisting the barrel’s rear, giving you greater control. Plus, you can quickly switch between drilling and hammer modes using the button on the side of the unit. We also like that the battery pack fits and unclips easily into the base of the drill.
Pros:
- The motor has improved airflow to reduce overheating
- Carry case and charging unit included
- It comes with both drilling and hammering modes
- Powerful 18V Lithium-Ion batteries
- The torque settings are easy to change
Cons:
- Some customers may have received faulty batteries
- The chuck could lose grip when used in hammer mode
Terratek 13Pc Cordless (Best Value)
This is a perfect choice if you want a model that you can immediately use for a range of DIY tasks because it includes an extensive 13-piece accessory set. Within the kit, you get six different drill bits, six screw heads and one magnet holder.
The Terratek 13Pc Cordless Drill is an excellent model and is great for beginner DIY users. It has all the features and control you need to tackle different tasks. For example, it comes with both forward and reverse modes and can be used for drilling and screwing.
The battery pack is relatively powerful, with a rating of 18V. It has no memory effect and should not discharge over time when not in use. We also like its performance rating of 20V for more force at peak charge.
Pros:
- It includes a 13-piece bit set for different DIY jobs
- The battery pack is easy to insert and change
- You can adjust the torque settings by rotating the barrel
- Keyless chuck design for quick bit changes
- Suitable for wood, plastic, and metal
Cons:
- The drill may struggle on brickwork and tougher materials
- The battery life could be a little short for some tasks
Bosch Professional 12V (Best Compact)
This drill is a brilliant model if you often work in tight spaces or don’t have much storage room. It has a compact design and a small battery pack. These features allow you to manoeuver the unit effortlessly in confined areas without worrying about knocking the power source.
The Bosch Professional 12V has excellent performance and versatile functions. The gearbox has two varying speed settings, and you can change the torque easily too. This gives you far more control and the ability to undertake different DIY jobs.
We also like that the 12V battery has improved electronic cell protection, which ensures a superior charge and minimum discharge when not in use. The standard package includes 2x Lithium-Ion batteries, a carrying case, and a charging unit.
Pros:
- Excellent compact design for easy storage
- It has a two-speed gearbox for improved torque
- The batteries last longer due to electronic cell protection
- It has both drilling and screwdriver modes
- Suitable for wood and masonry
Cons:
- The drill casing could feel a little flimsy
- It may not be powerful enough for some tasks
Bosch Universal Impact 700 (Best Corded)
This is the right option if you have multiple outdoor electrical outlets and want a drill that can tackle more demanding jobs. The unit benefits from a corded connection which gives you unlimited power and no need for recharging.
The Bosch Home and Garden Hammer Drill has an ergonomic dual-handle design too. Thanks to this, you can wield it two-handed when you need additional body force to push through tougher surfaces. It also results in better grip and control.
The motor performance is powerful enough for wood, metal, and masonry. Furthermore, it has three different modes – impact drilling, screwdriver, and standard. As a result, it is versatile and should be capable of tackling any home DIY task you have. Lastly, we like the keyless press + lock chuck system. You can swap drill bits quickly and securely.
Pros:
- Corded design for constant use
- Dual-handle design for tackling tougher surfaces
- Three modes – drilling, screwdriver, and impact
- Keyless lock and chuck design for fast changes
- It also includes an electronic speed control
Cons:
- It could be too powerful for some screwing jobs
- The trigger might stick occasionally
MYLEK 18V Cordless (Best Ergonomic)
If you have little experience using drills, the ergonomic design of this model helps. It has numerous features that put you in control and make sure you can operate the product safely. These include variable speed control and 19 torque settings.
The MYLEK 18V Cordless Drill also benefits from a soft rubberised grip, which makes it comfortable to hold, and you can easily apply pressure without damaging your hand. The battery pack and drill head are also balanced, which means it is less intensive for time-consuming jobs. There are two gear settings for high and low speed to work quicker on different tasks.
It includes a 13-piece accessory set so you can get started immediately. You get six screw bits, six drill bits, and a bit holder.
Pros:
- The drill has a two-speed gearbox to tackle different tasks
- Includes a 13-piece accessory kit
- It also has an LED light to help work in poorly lit areas
- It has variable speed control and 19 torque settings
- The battery pack is springloaded and easy to swap
Cons:
- The battery charge light may not always work
- The speed setting dial could sometimes get stuck
Flybiz 21V Cordless (Best for Manoeuvrability)
This model is a superior choice if you intend to use your drill for multiple indoor and outdoor tasks. It has a 23-piece DIY accessory set that is presented together with the tool in a functional case. As a result, you can do jobs like furniture assembly, hanging photos, and outdoor construction.
The Flybiz 21V Cordless Drill Driver offers excellent manoeuvrability due to its compact design. The head is relatively short, thus making the overall footprint of the unit smaller. This is also aided by the well-balanced battery pack.
Included in the set, you’ll find the drill, 2x 1500mAh Lithium-Ion batteries, a charger, manual, storage box, and accessory kit.
Pros:
- It includes a 23-piece DIY toolset
- The battery charges in 1 hour for quick usage
- The drill also has a LED light to help to work in the dark
- It has a keyless chuck system for simple bit changes
- The trigger is a variable speed design for better control
Cons:
- Some customers may have reported faulty batteries
- The casing may feel a little flimsy
How to Choose a Drill
We wouldn’t be surprised if you were confused by the features and designs of all drills available. There is a lot to consider, and it can be difficult to select the right one. To help, we have created a short buying guide below. This explains the main aspects to look for when choosing these products.
Functions
Most importantly, you need to look at the drill functions. Common modes include:
- Drilling
- Screwing
- Hammer-Drill
Drilling is used for driving holes into materials like wood while screwing is for fastening screws into items. Lastly, some models also have a hammer function for making holes in tougher surfaces like concrete.
Power Source
Next, consider the power source. There are two types of drills – corded and cordless. Both have their pros and cons.
Corded products need a direct connection to a power outlet. The benefit here is that you have a continuous operation and don’t need to wait for a battery to charge. However, your movement can be restricted.
In contrast, cordless models come with a battery pack. While these options allow more freedom of movement, you need to wait for the unit to be fully charged and may have to deal with limited use time.
Safety Features
Drills can be challenging to use, and some people are not confident handling one. Therefore, we always advise checking the safety features too.
Some models have a slow-start function. This ensures that the bit doesn’t instantly reach full speed as you pull the button. Many units have trigger locks, preventing accidental usage. You can also get drills with anti-overheating protection so you can use these for longer.
Power Output
Lastly, the power output is also an important aspect to consider. This is usually listed in Watts and dictates what materials you can use the drill on.
Less powerful models, for example, may only be suitable for softer surfaces like wood. In contrast, drills with a higher wattage should be able to tackle tougher materials like metal and concrete. Think about what you intend to use the product for, and choose a Wattage rating accordingly.
Summary
Our Editor’s pick is the Bosch Home and Garden Cordless Combi Drill. This model has everything you need for various DIY tasks around the property. For versatility, it has drilling and screwing modes and an 18V power rating. This means you can drive through wood, masonry, and metal. We like that this package includes two battery packs so you can use it for longer. It also has 20 torque settings to tackle multiple DIY jobs, ensuring efficient drilling.
Paul is the type of person who never met a problem he couldn’t fix. He can always be found tinkering with something in his house, even if it isn’t broken! His tips and tricks are often shared on our site. He’s the one you call when something breaks because he has been known to improvise fixes for everything from leaky faucets to malfunctioning dryers.