The Best Drill

Cordless drills are more powerful than they’ve ever been. Yet they’ve also gotten so compact and lightweight that you can probably handle one even if you’ve never picked up a drill in your life. Manufacturers like to market them to pros, but don’t be put off: For all of those slightly more-involved tasks—from hanging a baby gate to mounting shelving—a drill will make the work faster, easier, and more enjoyable. And you’ll be more likely to achieve solid, professional-looking results than if you used hand tools alone. After drilling about 600 holes and sinking at least 50 pounds of screws in drill tests dating back to 2013, we’ve found the DeWalt DCD701F2 Xtreme 12V Max Brushless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver Kit to be the best one yet.

The DeWalt DCD701F2 Xtreme 12-volt drill combines power, comfort, and convenience in a way that none of the other tested drills do. In our tests, it bored 30 1-inch holes through a 2-by-10 on a single battery charge. These results show the drill can handle just about anything within the four walls of a home, and even the occasional foray into more aggressive work, like a small decking repair. The DeWalt drill’s power is on a par with that of some other models we looked at, but it particularly excels in ergonomics and convenience features. The molded handle seems to account for every curve and bulge of the hand, making this drill the most comfortable we’ve ever held. The battery is designed so that the drill can stand upright when not in use (other drills, like the runner-up Bosch, need to be placed on their side). And the LED is positioned so that it illuminates the drill front better than most. The DCD701F2 also comes with a nice belt hook, and the battery gauge is located on each battery rather than on the tool, so you can check batteries without having to insert them into the drill.

If the DeWalt DCD701F2 is overpriced or unavailable, we also like the Bosch PS31-2A 12V Max 3/8 in. Drill/Driver Kit. In our tests, this 12-volt Bosch couldn’t drill as many 1-inch holes on a single charge as our top pick, but it still has more than enough power for general home tasks. In our own measurements, we found it to be about 5 ounces lighter than the DeWalt 12-volt, but it feels heavier because the balance isn’t as good. The Bosch battery slides up into the handle, making the grip fatter and not as contoured as the DeWalt’s. Also, the LED doesn’t illuminate as well.

If you take on projects that have you drilling lots of holes and sinking long screws, we recommend stepping up to the DeWalt DCD791D2 20V Max XR Li-Ion Brushless Compact Drill/Driver Kit. This is a larger, 20-volt drill, but it shares all of the most important characteristics of the smaller, 12-volt DeWalt: It’s very powerful and extremely comfortable to hold and use, and the little convenience features, such as the belt hook and the case, are spot-on. Compared with our 12-volt pick, this larger drill completes tougher jobs much faster, doing the same work in less than half the time, with a battery that lasts longer. The well-positioned LED can also be switched on independently of the drill, a unique feature that makes it a rudimentary flashlight (which could come in handy in nearly any crawl space). For around-the-house tasks, the added speed and power are often unnecessary. But for more-production-oriented work, such as putting down decking or building a garden shed, they make a noticeable difference.

If the DeWalt 20-volt drill is not available, we also like the 18-volt Milwaukee 2801-22CT M18 1/2 in. Compact Brushless Drill/Driver Kit. It’s very similar to the DeWalt DCD791D2 in power, ergonomics, and overall design (18- and 20-volt tools are the same—the difference is simply marketing). The negatives: This Milwaukee model has only a single-setting light that turns on and off with the drill, and the case has hardly any room for drill or driver bits. Those are minor points at best, however, so if you’re already invested in Milwaukee’s cordless tools, or if you find this drill at a lower price than the DeWalt DCD791D2, go for it.

We think that most people will be happy with the power and size of the DeWalt 12-volt drill. However, if you’re looking for a little more power, but you’re hesitant about the size and weight of the 20-volt DeWalt drill, we recommend the Ridgid R87012 18V Brushless SubCompact Cordless Drill Driver Kit, which splits the difference between the two. This is a relatively new category of tool, one that is closer to the size of a 12-volt yet uses 18-volt batteries. Combined, this places the Ridgid drill right between the two classes in power and size (as well as price): The tool has enough power for more substantial DIY projects such as light framing, but it’s not as streamlined and easy to use as the 12-volt DeWalt. We see it as a good drill for someone starting out on the DIY road who may not want to deal with the heft of the larger drills.

A bit set to go with the drill

The Best Drill Bit Set

Ryobi’s 300-Piece Drill and Drive Kit and 95-Piece Drill and Impact Drive Kit are the best drill bit sets we’ve found in years of testing.