You are probably here because you have made up your mind to pick a drill for yourself from the best cordless drills for home use. Believe me; you made the right decision. A Cordless drill can help small tasks like hanging up a photo on the wall, fixing up your furniture, or just making a hole or installing a screw.
To sum it up, the best cordless drill for the home should have at least a 2AmpH battery, should cost between $100 – $150, should have torque around 30 ft-lb, should come with the charger and a spare battery, And should belong to a well-known brand.
Summary of Recommended 18V Compact Drills for home use:
| Make and Model | Warranty | Rated Torque | Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee 2606-22CT | 5 years | 41.6 ft.lb (500 in.lb) | Two 2AH 18V Li-Ion Batteries, Carrying Hard Case & Charger |
| Dewalt DCD708C2 | 3 Years | 340 unit watts outs (UWO) | Two 1.3AH 20V Li-Ion Batteries, Carrying bag & Charger |
| Makita XFD11R1B | 3 Years | 29 ft.lb (350 in.lb) | Two 2AH 18V Li-Ion Batteries, Carrying bag & Charger |
Summary of Recommended 12V Compact Drills for home use:
| Make and Model | Warranty | Rated Torque | Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dewalt DCD706F2 | 3 Years | 250 unit watts outs (UWO) | Two 2AH 12V Li-Ion Batteries, Carrying bag & Charger |
| Milwaukkee 2407-22 | 5 Years | 22.9 ft.lb (275 inch.lb) | Two 1.5AH 12V Li-Ion Batteries, Carrying bag & Charger |
| Bosch PS130-2A | 1 Years | 22.08 ft.lb (265 inch.lbs) | Two 1.5AH 12V Li-Ion Batteries, Carrying bag & Charger |
| Metabo DS10DFL2 | 2 Years | 25 ft.lb (300 inch.lb) | Two 12V Li-Ion Batteries, Carrying Case, bits & Charger |
| Ryobi HJP004L | 3 Years | 29.1 ft.lb (350 inch.lb) | One 1.5AH 12V Li-Ion Battery & Charger |
| Black and Decker GCO1200C | 2 Years | 12.5 ft.lb (150 inch.lb) | One 12V NiCad Battery & Charger |
Being a homeowner, do I need a professional drill?
When selecting a drill, homeowners should focus on the point that they occasionally use drills to get their work done, and the torque demand is usually low.
There might be an occasion where they need higher torques, but a low torque drill will still be able to accomplish that with the expense of time. Usually, that should not be an issue so, a good quality entry-level kit will get the job done.
Getting a high torque/heavy-duty drill for homeowners is not considered a wise choice as the priority for them is affordability and comfort over time consumption.
You might also be up to something big like a DIY home deck or planning to make a shed for your new car, In that case, an entry-level drill might not work, and you will need a professional drill with higher torques.
Your main focus should be how portable, compact, and lightweight the drill is as a homeowner. You would be mainly doing smaller tasks and working in tight spaces to be uncomfortable and more tiring if the drill is heavy.Â
Selection Criteria:
- Assess your usage
- Define your budget
- Select a well-known and reliable brand
- Choose the compact drills, which are mostly the entry-level, low-cost drills.
- Pick out the most suitable drill considering your budget, brand, usage, and specifications.
18 Volt Category
We have divided the drills into two categories for the voltage. Starting with 18V, the following are the best ones with great value for money.
01. Milwaukee 2606-22CT Drill Driver
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Tool Type: | 1/2 inch Cordless Drill Driver |
| Model: | 2606-22CT |
| Battery: | Two 2AH 18V Li-Ion Batteries & Charger |
| Speed: | 1,800 Max RPM, 2 Speed Control |
| Weight: | 2.9 lbs |
| Torque: | 41.6 ft.lb (500 in.lb) |
| Warranty: | 5 Years |
Why Buy Milwaukee 2606-22CT:
- Powerful, compact, and lightweight.
- Highly durable: Premium quality metal body frame
- Variable 2-speed settings.
- REDLINK Intelligence protects the tool against abusive overload, maximizing tool life.
- An enormous amount of torque
- Great value for money tool.
- Comes with premium Hard Case
- A lot of great tools offered by Milwaukee
Why Avoid Milwaukee 2606-22CT:
- Not recommended for drilling holes in concrete or masonry.
- Chuck might loosen up sometimes.
Milwaukee 2606-22ct – Conclusion:
Milwaukee undoubtedly has the best tools in the market. This drill is a prime example of this. It is compact and mighty, taking care of almost any tasks that DIYers face at home. The durability of this drill is also top of the class with a high-quality metal body frame. This is a contractor grade drill.
02. Dewalt DCD708C2 Drill Driver
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Tool Type: | 1/2 inch Cordless Drill Driver |
| Model: | DCD708C2 |
| Battery: | Two 1.3AH 20V Li-Ion Batteries & Charger |
| Speed: | 0-450 & 0-1650 RPM |
| Weight: | 3.1 lbs |
| Output Power: | Â 340 unit watts outs (UWO) |
| Warranty: | 3 Years |
Why Buy Dewalt DCD708C2:
- A compact and lightweight drill that is easy to use and comes with a comfortable grip.
- Comes with enormous torque: Enough to handle mid-high DIY tasks.
- Best value for money: Reasonable price for the quality you get.
- Faster, more compact, and more powerful than it’s older model DCD777.
Why Avoid Dewalt DCD708C2:
- Not recommended for drilling holes in concrete or masonry.
- Soft case to hold the tool items.
- Some complaints about the battery not being sufficient.
- Recommended using only with Dewalt batteries.
Dewalt DCD708C2 – Conclusion:
Lightweight yet a powerhouse, this drill works like a beast doing all your home tasks easily with a brushless motor for more efficient output. Just like all other tools of Dewault, this drill has got an amazing built. This is one of the most well-rated Dewalt tools on Amazon, with a 4.8 Star rating out of 5 when writing this article.
To avoid small batteries, you can buy the bear tool from here and get a separate 3AmpH battery and charger from here.
03. Makita XFD11R1B Drill Driver
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Tool Type: | 1/2 inch Cordless Drill Driver |
| Model: | XFD11R1B |
| Battery: | One 2AH 18V Li-Ion Batteries & Charger |
| Speed: | 0-500 & 0-1, 700 RPM |
| Weight: | 2.8 lbs with battery |
| Torque: | 29 ft.lb (350 in.lb) |
| Warranty: | 3 Years |
Why Buy Makita XFD11R1B:
- Lightweight and powerful with a compact design.
- Strong iron chuck.
- Plenty of torque for DIY tasks.
- 3-year warranty.
- Comes with a pice case for extra protection of tools.
Why Avoid Makita XFD11R1B:
- Not recommended for drilling holes in concrete or masonry. However, check out this article in which we have explained that it is not a must feature.
- Build quality of the tool itself is not great like Dewalt or Milwaukee.
- Torque adjustment rings might get stiff.
Makita XFD11R1B – Conclusion for the best cordless drills for home use:
This drill offers some great specifications with fairly good enough torque to handle DIY tasks easily. Although it has great features, this drill struggles a lot when it comes to the tool’s built quality. It is made up of hard plastic material and is not durable enough. In conclusion, if you’re looking for some durability and good build quality, Dewalt and Milwaukee are much better options than this drill.
12 Volt Category
01. Dewalt DCD706F2 Hammer Drill Driver
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Tool Type: | 3/8 inch Cordless Hammer Drill Driver |
| Model: | DCD706F2 |
| Battery: | Two 2AH 12V Li-Ion Batteries & Charger |
| Speed: | 2-speed settings with RPM 0-425/0-1500 |
| Weight: | 2.1 lbs (Tool Only) |
| Torque: | 250 unit watts outs (UWO) |
| Warranty: | 3 Years |
Why Buy Dewalt DCD706F2:
- Compact and powerful drill with a great quality build. Â
- Hammering feature for the price of a normal drill driver.
- Best customer service and comes with a 3-year warranty.
- High-quality chuck.
- Perfect for drilling concrete or masonry.
Why Avoid Dewalt DCD706F2:
- No concerning major issues regarding the drill.
- Will work perfectly for tasks requiring 20-25 ft.lbs torque. We will recommend 18V Category if you are looking for a high torque requirement.
Dewalt DCD706F2 – Conclusion:
It is a compact, powerful, easy to use, and extremely lightweight drill for all its features. It is also quite affordable compared to the other competitors in the market. The cooperative and interactive customer service and the 3-year warranty add up to its charm.Â
02. Milwaukee 2407-22 Drill Driver
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Tool Type: | 3/8 inch Cordless Drill Driver |
| Model: | 2407-22 |
| Battery: | Two 1.5AH 12V Li-Ion Batteries & Charger |
| Speed: | 2-speed settings with 0-400/0-1,500 RPM |
| Weight: | 2.5 lbs |
| Torque: | 22.9 ft.lb (275 inch.lb) |
| Warranty: | 5 Years |
Why Buy Milwaukee 2407-22:
- A very powerful, lightweight, and compact tool for its size.
- Comes with a hard, high impact durable case and a good quality belt as well.
- A nifty battery indicator.
- Premium Milwaukee 5 year warranty for the tool and 2-year warranty for the batteries.
Why Avoid Milwaukee 2407-22:
- Slightly more expensive than the off-brands.
- Some complaints about the speed changing switch being of bad build quality.
Milwaukee 2407-22 – Conclusion:
This Milwaukee drill is a top-value at an affordable price. You pay a little more than for the off-brands, but this is a top-notch drill kit worth the extra dollars. It has plenty of power for small tasks, but most importantly, it is very compact and well balanced. Further, Milwaukee’s own credibility adds up, and you won’t regret buying it.
03. Bosch PS130-2A Hammer Drill Driver
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Tool Type: | 3/8 inch Cordless Hammer Drill Driver |
| Model: | PS130-2A |
| Battery: | Two 1.5AH 12V Li-Ion Batteries & Charger |
| Speed: | 2-speed settings with Max BPM 19,500 and Max RPM 1300 |
| Weight: | 2.5 lbs |
| Torque: | 22.08 ft.lb (265 inch.lbs) |
| Warranty: | 1 Year |
Why Buy Bosch PS130-2A:
- Compact size and design.
- Highly Durable: Made from tough ABS-Plastic
- High-quality chuck, and there is no chuck wobble issue like on the non-hammer 12V Bosch drill.
- Auto-spindle feature, which automatically locks the chuck and bit when the speed trigger is released.
Why Avoid Bosch PS130-2A:
- Some complaints about the drill heating up and shutting off.
- Not a major issue was reported other than this.
- Only 1-year Warranty
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Bosch PS130-2A – Conclusion:
Despite being compact, this is a powerful tool in the mid-low category. Great torque for most of the little DIY jobs at home. Some people have been using it for more than 5 years, and it still works like a charm, so this fact alone accounts for this drill’s durability. Like the previous models of Bosch, this one doesn’t have the wobbly chuck issue, which was quite troublesome for the users. Overall, it’s a great tool with guaranteed value for money.
04. Metabo DS10DFL2 Drill Driver (Hitachi)
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Tool Type: | 3/8 inch Cordless Drill Driver |
| Model: | DS10DFL2 |
| Battery: | Two 12V Li-Ion Batteries & Charger |
| Speed: | 2-speed settings with 0-350/1,300 RPM |
| Weight: | 2.2 lbs |
| Torque: | 25 ft.lb (300 inch.lb) |
| Warranty: | Lifetime for tool body, 2 Year for Li-ion Battery, and 1 Year for the charger. |
Why Buy Metabo DS10DFL2:
- Lightweight, compact, and has a great feel to it. Works best for home projects.
- Powerful: Plenty of torque for small DIY jobs.
- Comes with a hard case and screwdriver bits.
- Affordable: Cheaper than most bigger brands like Milwaukee and Dewalt.
- Removable side belt clip.
Why Avoid Metabo DS10DFL2:
- Lighter in weight than Dewalt and Milwaukee drills but also not as strong as those drills.
- The chuck might drop drill bits.
- Some complaints about the batteries and charger.
Metabo DS10DFL2 – Conclusion:
This is a great tool if you’re looking for comfort over build quality. It will perform really well for most house jobs. Affordability wise, this is a pretty good valued drill, comes for under $100, and performs just like other bigger brands like Milwaukee and Dewalt.Â
05. Royobi HJP004L Drill Driver
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Tool Type: | 3/8 inch Cordless Drill Driver |
| Model: | HJP004L |
| Battery: | One 12V 1.5AH Li-Ion Battery & Charger |
| Speed: | 600 Max RPM |
| Weight: | 1.5 lbs (Tool Only) |
| Torque: | 29.1 ft.lb (350 inch.lb) |
| Warranty: | 3 Years |
Why Buy Royobi HJP004L:
- Extremely lightweightÂ
- Plenty of torque power for its size and weight.
- Ideal for homeowners as it’s lightweight and gets the job easily with high torque.
- Compact design, great for use in tight spaces.
- Variable speed settings.
Why Avoid Royobi HJP004L:
- Not a solid design-build like other Ryobi tools
- It might trouble you with the chuck loosening problem.
Royobi HJP004L – Conclusion:
The fact that this drill only weighs around 1.5lbs makes it stand out in the category of lightweight drills. Not only is it lightweight, but it also has plenty of torque, and you won’t have any trouble doing your home tasks. On the contrary, some customers complained about the weak design of this drill and the Chuck-wobble issue. Other than these two points, it’s a great tool overall.
06. Black and Decker GCO1200C Drill Driver
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Tool Type: | 3/8 inch Cordless Drill Driver |
| Model: | GCO1200C |
| Battery: | One 12V NiCad Battery & Charger |
| Speed: | 750 Max RPM |
| Weight: | 3.7 lbs |
| Torque: | 12.5 ft.lb (150 inch.lb) |
| Warranty: | 2 Years |
Why Buy Black and Decker GCO1200C:
- A decent drill with no flashy features.
- Works perfect for light jobs.
- Great for building/assembling furniture and other household chores.
- Extremely cheap for the features and build quality it has.
Why Avoid Black and Decker GCO1200C:
- Not suitable for medium power requiring jobs.
- A bit heavier than other competitors in this category.
- No battery charging indicator or belt clip.
Black and Decker GCO1200C – Conclusion:
Looking for a decent drill but does not come with plenty of flashy features, gets your job done, and is easy to use? Then, this drill is the perfect choice for you. It is inexpensive and perfect for homeowners planning to do small tasks.
Summary
So, I hope you have found value in this article, and it will help you make the right choice. In the end, all I will say is, assess your usage and then make your selection. If you are here just because you wish to have a cordless drill, get the cheap one. They will work fine and if you have some serious work to do, go for a well-trusted brand. Peace.
