Buyers Guide: Cordless Drills

A quality cordless drill is the most versatile and convenient power tool; you'll soon find it indispensable around the home, in the garage, workshop or on the job site. Cordless drills are powerful, compact and make light work of drilling and screw driving into a variety of materials.

Designed to meet the needs of both the professional and home handyman there is a huge variety of makes and models that offer different specifications and features. Choosing the right cordless drill will save you time and money in the long run. Your best bet is to take a closer look at the different features and specifications on offer to insure you get the right drill for the job.

Making the Right Choice

It is important to keep in mind what you will use the drill for and select the right drill for your needs. Major DIY and/or big build projects require different drill specifications to light DIY or general home maintenance and improvement? Not everyone needs maximum power and run time; there are specified cordless drills for a range of applications designed to meet the individual needs of the user.

To make the right choice consider the following:

• What type of Cordless Drill suits your needs?
• How much power do you required?
• What type of battery is the most suitable?
• What chuck size is most appropriate?
• Should you consider any special features?
• What brand best suits your needs and budget?

Types of Cordless Drills

Standard Cordless Drill – For fast drilling and general screw driving you can’t beat a standard cordless drill. They range in weight and voltage and there are a few different options when it comes to battery power.

Cordless Hammer Drills - Designed for the toughest jobs, Hammer Drills are equipped with a hammer action for drilling masonry materials such as concrete, brick and stone and are ideal on masonry construction sites and build jobs. Hammer drills are handy for those who need the combined benefits of a hammer drill and a regular rotary drill. See the DrillKings Hammer Drill Buyers Guide for detail information.

Cordless Screwdrivers – Their convenience, small size and lightweight make cordless screwdrivers the right choice for light tasks. Typically cordless screwdriver units will be 9.6V or less and are great for very specific lightweight application.

Cordless Power Tool Kits – Many brands now offer combo cordless packs that include other cordless tools and accessories. This can be a good option when looking to buy different tools as they all operate off the same battery and you save money by not having to purchase an individual battery packs and chargers for each tool.

Understanding Power Specifications

Power is an important consideration when choosing the right drill, the most powerful drill is not always the right tool for the job and choosing one that suits your needs will save you both time and money.

Voltage is the key power indication of a cordless drill and drills can range from 6V to 36V. Lower voltage drills are typically more suitable for lightweight application such as screwing and drilling into timber framing and cabinetry. The more powerful, high voltage, drills are ideal for tough jobs and a designed to have the right power for drilling and screwing into masonry, steel and decking.

Cordless drills between 12V and 18V are the most popular and best suited for general use. Choose the right drill for your needs and also consider that the more powerful the drill typically the heaver it is. You want a drill that is easy to both handle and use.

Aside from voltage consider also the drill speed, ranging from 300-400 rmp (rotation per minute) for low speed to 1 200-1 500 rpm for high speed. Lower speeds are ideal for screw driving while higher speeds are best for drilling. Most drills have a variable speed switch which gives you the option to switch between high and low speeds. This lends versatility to the drills applications and allows you to use the same drill on a wide variety of tasks.

Battery Recommendations

There are three main types of batteries found in cordless power tools; NiCd (Nickle Cadmium), NiMH (Nickle Metal Hydride) and Li-Ion (lithium Ion).

NiCd and NiMH are less expensive yet still offer good current flow and a typical lifespan of up to 1000 charging cycles. Li-Ion are the latest in technology and while more expensive they offer higher power density with less sensitivity to charge cycle patterns. A lithium-Ion battery can offer twice the performance and hold charge four times longer than the regular NiCd and NiMH batteries.

Most drills will come with two batteries so you can always have one fully charged. Many brands now also offer interchangeable batteries between their full range of cordless power tools which may be a handy option to consider.

The right Chuck size for the job

There are two standard chuck sizes found on cordless drills and these determine how large a drill bit they can hold. 3/8” is great for general use with the 1/2” found on heavier-duty models for more powerful applications. Most brands now will also feature a keyless chuck for convenience; this should be easily hand operated.

A look at special features

Clutch settings – Multiple clutch settings protect the motor and allow you to limit the drills torque for better use in different applications. Some makes and models offer more setting than others so consider your options.

 Smart Charge- Smart chargers offer much faster charge times of 15 to 60 minutes compared with 3 to 5 hours of conventional chargers. They also protect the battery life by not overcharging.

Choosing the right Brand

There are many brands and manufactures of cordless drills and choosing the right one can insure you get the quality you need at the right price. For homeowners and DIY your best choices lie with Black & Decker, Ryobi, Skil and Porter-Cable. For serious DIY or professional tradesmen look to Bosch, DeWalt, Hitachi, Makita and Milwaukee. Check out the specific profile pages to compare each brand.

Black & Decker – Ryobi – Skil – Porter-Cable – Bosch – DeWalt – Makita - Milwaukee

Final Recommendations

Determine what you want from your drill. Where and how will it be used; will you require it to perform well in a variety of tasks or only a few specific jobs? Narrow your options and avoid purchasing a cordless drill way above or below your needs.

Determine your budget based on your needs and the above recommendations. You don’t have to spend big dollars on a heavy duty drill if you are only require it for general use.

Consider all the above options to find the best cordless drill for your needs. You want a drill that can perform to the task at hand, be comfortable to handle and simple to use.

Check out the DrillKings cordless drill catalogue to compare prices and product ratings and read in depth customer reviews.

DrillKings stock a huge range of Cordless Drills at competitive prices. All our drills are in-stock unless otherwise specified and ready to ship, typically within 24 hours.

Great savings mean you get the Drill you want at a Price you can afford. That’s the DrillKings Advantage.