For decades, electric drills have been one of the most important professional and home tools. An electric drill is a must-have tool, whether you are drilling holes in the wall to hang artwork or driving screws into the new swing set for the children. It is very useful for many home maintenance and repair work.
Electric drills can be used to drill holes in almost all materials. However, there are many accessories and attachments that make it possible to do many other tasks, such as screw driving and grinding, as well as mixing paint.
There are some things you should consider before choosing the right electric drill for you. There are both corded drills and cordless drills. You’ll need to determine how powerful, torque, and speed your drill needs for the project you have in mind.
Best Electric Drills
1. DEWALT Cordless Drill Kit
- Dewalt drill has compact and lightweight design that fits into tight areas
- High performance motor of the power drill delivers 300 unit watts out (UWO) of power ability completing a wide range of applications
- High speed transmission of Dewalt 20V drill delivers 2 speeds (0-450 and 1,500 rpm) for a range of fastening and drilling applications
- 1/2-inch single sleeve ratcheting chuck provides tight bit gripping strength
- Ergonomic handle delivers comfort and control. Tool Height-6.5 inch
- The charger is designed to operate on standard 120V household electrical power. Do not attempt to use it on any other voltage. This does not apply to the vehicular charger
- Lightweight and portable design for easy storage
- Long lasting and quick recharging batteries
- 2 speeds to handle various drilling and fastening jobs
- Come with two batteries
- Item weight: 3.64 pounds
- Need several spare batteries for long-time use.
2. WORKPRO Pink Cordless 20V Lithium-ion Drill Driver Set
- High Performance - Our cordless drill driver is powered by a max 20 voltage, 1.5AH Lithium-ion battery for strong and steady power and an endurable run time. The battery is simple to change and charge. The drill is designed with variable 2-speed settings (0-400 rpm and 0-1500 rpm) for multiple purposes
- 21+1 Torque Adjustment with Larger Chuck- Your new brand cordless drill, delivering 203 in-Lbs (23N.M) of max torque, features 21+1 torque position clutch,which provides more precision of torque adjustment as needed. Large 3/8"(10mm) keyless chuck can provide you superior bit retention
- Super Safe & Comfortable to Use - Our drill tool is built with a soft grip handle for added comfort and gives you total control of the tool without heavy fatigue while using. Comes with LED light for extra security and safety when you work in dark areas. Notice: please make sure the drill driver is fully charged before the first use
- Notice - This is a carbon brushes drill. Most new DC motor tools and new carbon brushes have sparks, which will be smaller over time, as long as it's not a malfunction or the spark gets bigger and bigger. The spark is slightly larger when the tool started because of the high starting current, but it will be more uniform when it start working
- Pink Ribbon: WORKPRO Tools is donating $0.25 from this purchase to National Breast Cancer Foundation, INC.. NBCF is Helping Women Now by providing early detection, education and support services to those affected by breast cancer
- Strong battery-powered drill with good battery life
- Easy to maneuver with the soft grip handle
- Come with a lightweight storage bag and multiple accessories
- Item weight: 4.07 pounds
- Occasional battery life reports
3. BLACK+DECKER LDX120PK Lithium Drill and Project Kit
- CORDLESS DRILL: Includes 20V Lithium drill for a variety of home projects, Hanging pictures or wall decor, Assembling furniture, Updating fixtures, Building birdhouses
- EFFICIENT BATTERY: Lithium Ion Battery - Always Ready, holds a charge up to 18 months
- 11 POSITION CLUTCH: The 11 position clutch prevents stripping and overdriving screws
- INCLUDES: 68 hand tools and accessories. Cordless design offers easy use and portability
- PORTABILITY AND STORAGE: Includes carrying bag for easy portability and storage
- Easy to handle various home projects
- Long-lasting battery
- Multiple position cluth
- Come with multiple accessories and carrying bag
- Item weight: 4 pounds
- Not very powerful for bigger projects.
4. BLACK+DECKER DR260C 5.5 Amp 3/8" Drill/Driver
- POWERFUL – 5.2 Amp motor delivers plenty of power for drilling/driving into a range of materials.
- VARIABLE SPEED – Supplies the power you need for enhanced control of all your projects.
- COMPACT – Perfect for taking with you on the job and working in small spaces.
- ON-BOARD BIT STORAGE – Keeps an extra bit contained and within easy reach.
- CORDED – Corded drill offers unlimited runtime for even the biggest jobs.
- INCLUDES – (1) DR260 drill/driver, (1) double-ended screwdriving bit.
- Lightweight for home projects
- Ergonomic grip and compact design
- Variable speed settings
- Built-in bit storage
- Item weight: 3.25 pounds
- Over tightened keyless chuck
5. Bosch 18V Compact 1/2" Drill/Driver Kit GSR18V-190B22
- Performance: The Bosch GSR18V 190B22 drill/driver kit provides an enhanced torque rating, delivering 480 inches lbs of torque for improved productivity
- COMPACT: Featuring a compact, lightweight design, the GSR18V 190B22 weighs only 2.75 lbs (Tool only, not including battery) and has only a 7.8 inches head length
- ACCURACY: With 20 plus 1 clutch settings, the drill/driver provides accuracy for reduced fastener damage; The keyless ratcheting 1/2 inches chuck with auto lock enables easier bit changes
- VERSATILITY: The GSR18V 190B22 provides 2 speed settings, allowing for high speed (0 1, 700 RPM) setting and high power (0 450 RPM) mode
- CONVENIENT: The GSR18V 190B22 includes a built in LED light, an ergonomically designed soft grip handle, 2 1.5 Ah SlimPack batteries, an 18V charger and a carrying bag
- Powerful for drilling on various materials
- Great battery life
- Useful instruction manual
- Soft grip handle
- Item weight: 2.75 pounds
- Need to check with the compatibility of the charger
6. DEWALT Brushless Impact Driver and Hammer Drill Combo Kit
- DCD996 20V MAX* 1/2-inch hammerdrill 3-speed, high performance (0-2,000 rpm), all-metal transmission optimizes tool-to-task for fast application speeds and improved run-time for the cordless drill combo kit
- DCD996 20V MAX* 1/2-inch hammerdrill in the cordless tools combo kit gets 0-38,250 BPM for fast drilling in masonry materials
- DCD996 20V MAX* 1/2-inch hammerdrill in the drill/ impact driver combo kit has a compact size (8.4-inch front-to-back length) and lightweight (4.7 lb) design to fit tight areas
- DCD996 20V MAX* hammerdrill includes 3-mode LED providing lighting in dark or confined spaces up to 20 times brighter than previous model
- DCF887 20V MAX* 1/4-inch impact driver provides 1,825 in-lbs of max torque at fast 0-3,250 RPM speed and 0-3,600 impacts per minute
- DCF887 20V MAX* 1/4-inch impact driver has a compact size (5.3-inch front-to-back length) and lightweight (3.4 lbs) design
- Impressive driver speed
- Two 4.0 Ah batteries included
- Built-in lights for convenient use
- Good battery life
- Re-charging issues. It’s best to use a quick-charger.
7. PORTER-CABLE Corded Drill 6-Amp 3/8-Inch
- 6.5-Amp motor delivers power in demanding applications
- Keyless 3/8-inch chuck provides fast and easy bit changes
- 0-2500 RPM variable speed trigger provides the best results for drilling and driving
- Lock-on button provides easier control during prolonged use
- Continuous power for drilling jobs
- Easy to change bit
- Lock-on button for long use
- Variable speed for drilling and driving
- Item weight: 4 pounds
- Occasional wobbly bit reports in use
- Need to tighten the chuck regularly
What to Consider When Buying an Electric Drill?
Electric drill types
There are many types of drills and each has its own unique features. You need to understand the capabilities of your drill if you want to get more out of it. We have listed the main features of each drill, as well as their functions, so you can choose the right option for you.
Drill drivers
Drill drivers are a versatile tool that can handle small tasks in your home such as putting up shelves and hanging pictures or assembling flat-pack furniture. They can drill holes in wood or metal and can also be used as drivers to loosen and tighten screws with different bits.
Power drills
These cordless, lightweight screwdrivers can drive in and out of screws at the same time. They also have torque control or variable speed. These screwdrivers are great for tightening loose screws in tight spaces or assembling furniture quickly, but they can’t drill holes.
Hammer drill
For more difficult jobs around the house, a hammer drill is ideal. You can adjust the torque to set the power and keep the RPM low. This allows the drill to power through hard surfaces while minimizing damage to the surface. This drill is ideal for drilling concrete and masonry. Some slotted driving models can cut through tough materials by using a piston to fire the drill bit forward and pull it back.
Combi drills
These drills are 3-in-1 and offer the same features as drill drivers, but also have the hammer-action feature that allows it to drill into brick and mortar.
Impact drivers
The impact mechanism used by impact drivers is designed to reduce the impact on the wrist and do more work for you. Because of their high torque capability, they are useful for drilling into metal and tightening bolts.
Corded or cordless
The corded electric drill can be used anywhere there is a power socket. It also works night and day if needed. Although cordless drills are a great improvement, they still require a battery to work. Cordless drills don’t have the same performance, but their torque is often higher.
The weight of cordless or corded drills depends on what size drill you purchase.
Ergonomics is another matter. While cordless drills have become more ergonomically designed, there is still a heavy battery at the grip’s end. This is not an issue with a corded drill.
There’s also the financial savings. You can buy many electric drills for less than the price of a battery for a cordless drill. It’s clear why many people prefer an electric drill over a cordless drill.
Amps
Amps are the units of power for corded electric drills. A basic model that is used for light DIY tasks will have a rating of around three amps. General-purpose drills with professional-grade quality can be rated up to nine amps.
The more difficult the job, the more power you will need. A three-amp motor would be sufficient if you are putting up shelves within internal drywall. An electric drill of six amps or more can drill holes in concrete or brick.
Speed
A drill’s speed can vary depending on its purpose. It may have one speed, two or three preset speeds, or a variable speed function.
High speed is required if you are using a small drill bit to drill a 1/16 inches hole in aluminum. But if you need to drill a 1/2-inch hole in wood, you just need to use a slower speed.
Variable speed settings are more important than the maximum speed of an electric drill. They are usually available on higher-end models. It is very useful for driving screws. A reversing function can also be used to remove screws.
Drills with low power can run at 1,000 or 1,500 RPM. Higher-powered models can run at speeds up to 2,500 and 3,000 RPM. There is usually a built-in control dial on the drill’s body. It could be moved to another part of the drill body or into the trigger. Some manufacturers claim this as an advantage.
Adjustable clutches are also common in drills. This allows a screw to be driven while the motor is still running. It prolongs the motor’s lifespan.
Brush vs. brushless motor
Brushed motors are made from carbon, while the brushless ones use magnets to generate power.
Brushless motors are more adaptable, have less friction, heat up faster, and produce less heat. Because there are no brushes that rub against any surface, friction is not an issue. Brushless motors are 50% more efficient than brushed drills and last up to 50% longer on batteries. They have a significantly longer life span than their brushed counterparts. Hence, brushless motors are more expensive.
Chucks
There are two electric drill chuck types: keyed or keyless.
Since the invention of electric drills, keyed chucks are common. A key lets you apply more force to tighten your drill bit. Keyed chucks have the added advantage of applying more torque to the bit during slippage situations. However, in practice, the lack of force is rarely an issue. Many who have used keyed chucks can attest that it can be frustrating to not find the key.
Keyless chucks, which can be tightened by hand quickly and conveniently, are becoming more popular. The jaws of a keyless chuck are always made from metal or plastic. Metal is preferred for its durability.
If you intend to use the drill for small to medium-sized holes or driving screws, then a keyless is best. A keyed chuck is best for drilling large holes or in difficult materials.
Weight
Corded electric drills for general purposes weigh between three and six pounds. This isn’t too heavy but could be an issue for those with weaker hand or arm strength. You should always check the weight of any drill before buying. High performance does not necessarily mean a heavier drill. Manufacturers who are conscientious will often reduce the product’s weight.
Cord length
Most electric drill cords measure between 6-8 feet in length. A shorter cord would be too restrictive. It is likely that an extension cord will be required with your electric drill, regardless of its length.
Grip
The rubberized grip makes it more comfortable to hold the drill in your hand and gives you a firm grip when using large bits and full power.
Drilling capacity
Manufacturers may quote drilling capacities as maximum sizes in steel or wood. These numbers may seem impressive but they are not practical. These figures don’t tell what kind of wood you would use or what kind of steel, so the particular material is important.
Lock-on button
The lock-on button sometimes called a stopper, allows you to release the trigger without having to press it to keep power.
On-board storage
A few drills have onboard storage for a bit of a screwdriver. This is an added convenience.
How to Use Electric Drills Safely?
Eye protection is essential. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when drilling wood or other man-made materials. Before you purchase, make sure you know what product protection you have.
The extension cord or cord of an electric drill should be handled with care. You can keep the extension lead or cord out of your way by looping it around your shoulder.
Tighten the chuck and make sure the bit doesn’t come loose during use. If the chuck is a keyed version, remove the key before drilling.
Bits of small diameters break easily. Make sure to use the drill slowly and keep the drill at a 90-degree angle to your workpiece. Don’t use a bent drill bit and use excessive force to the drill bit on very hard material.
Fix the workpiece to ensure accurate drilling.
Make sure your hands are well-gripped when drilling large holes with a hole saw or spade bit. Sometimes electric drills can be quite powerful. While the bit is caught on the workpiece, it might twist unexpectedly and you may not have enough hand strength to hold it.
If you are working outside, make sure to plug your corded tools into a GFCI outlet. If a cable is damaged or water enters a connection, this will immediately cut off power.
Before adjusting the bit, make sure the power supply is disconnected. Remove the drill bit when it’s not in use.
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