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A cordless drill is one of the important tools every homeowner should have. There are always holes to be drilled and screws to be driven, even if you’re just hanging a couple of pictures or putting together flat-pack furniture. The challenge is deciding which tool to buy. Check any retailer, and you’ll find dozens of models with a host of different specifications and a wide range of price tags. We’ve been researching the market to offer some guidance.

We’ve chosen four models that would make a great addition to any toolkit and two we would avoid. To be fair, even these aren’t actually bad tools. Few are. For example, we checked the cheapest cordless drill at Home Depot, and it’s perfectly okay. However, in our opinion, there are better options available either in terms of performance or value for money. In each of the following cases, we’ve chosen drills that include at least one battery and charger.

Our top-rated cordless drills worth buying are the DeWalt 20V Max, the Milwaukee M12 12V, the Flex 24V, and the Ryobi ONE+ Hammer Drill. The two we suggest you avoid are the DekoPro 8V and the Black+Decker 20V Max. Let’s dive into why we’ve made those decisions in detail.

DeWalt’s reputation for build quality is outstanding, and they are one of the most reliable power tool brands to buy from, according to user reviews. Generally, these tools come with something of a premium price tag, but that’s not true of the DeWalt 20V Max Drill/Driver Kit. It includes a charger, two batteries, and a contractor bag for just $99.00 on Amazon. To avoid any confusion, please note that DeWalt offers several similar drill kits; this is the model DCD771C2.

The specifications are as impressive as you would expect. There’s a ½-inch chuck with 15 torque settings. The two-speed motor runs at a maximum of 1,500 rpm, with a maximum torque of 650 in. lbs. (inch pounds). It does use a brush motor rather than the more modern brushless type, but it is a well-proven, reliable technology.

Its popularity is underlined by a staggering 49,000 reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.8 stars. In fact, 96% of people give it four stars or better. One buyer summed it up as “Lots of power and good quality. Not too heavy. Easy to use.” That renowned reliability was underlined by another who said, “It’s held up for years and continues to perform just as well as the day I bought it!” (via Amazon) At the current price, it’s an absolute bargain.

For many people, a lot of the time, an 18V or 20V model is the ideal drill. They are the great all-rounder for trade and DIY use. However, when you want something lightweight and compact enough to work in tight spaces, a smaller 12V model is the solution. In this bracket, there’s no better choice than the Milwaukee M12 12V Drill Driver Kit. It’s another model that comes with two batteries, a charger, and a bag, and it currently costs $79 at The Home Depot.

Milwaukee consistently ranks among the best power tool brands. They are arguably the only manufacturer that rivals DeWalt among contractor favorites for reliability and durability. The Milwaukee M12 has a ⅜-inch chuck with 18 torque settings. The two-speed motor runs at up to 1,500 rpm, with torque reaching 250 in. lbs. All this in a tool that weighs just 2-½ pounds.

Well over 1,000 buyers rate the Milwaukee M12 drill at an average of 4.7 stars. One captured its purpose perfectly when he said, “Powerful and versatile. Fits in tight spaces.” Another highlighted the performance when he said, “This is now my go-to drill for everything I do around the house.” It may be a compact package, but it still delivers plenty of power. (via Home Depot)

Flex may not be a well-known name in the U.S., but this German brand has been producing precision-engineered tools for 100 years. The most obvious difference with the Flex 24V Drill Driver Kit when compared to its rivals is the voltage increase. The 24V batteries are designed to deliver more power and higher torque. The two included batteries are 2.5 Ah and 5 Ah models, providing longer run times than most competitors. For $159.00, you also get a fast charger and a protective hard case.

The performance numbers reinforce the focus on power. The ½-inch chuck comes with 21 torque settings. The 2-speed brushless motor features a turbo mode to reach 2,500 rpm. Flex claims an industry-leading torque figure of 1,400 in.lbs., and to cope with these forces, the drill incorporates anti-kickback technology. By pretty much any standards, this drill is a bit of a beast.

It has been rated as the best high-performance cordless drill in independent testing, and Amazon customers give it 4.4 stars. Though a few buyers said they were initially nervous about the brand, none were disappointed. “Solid and powerful” is typical of owner feedback. There were also those who pointed out the great value for money: “I would recommend this drill to anyone who wants a quality product without the high dollar price tag.” (via Amazon)

Ryobi power tools have long been favorites with DIY enthusiasts, offering competitive performance at budget-friendly prices. Their standard drill driver will suit a lot of homeowners, but we wanted to highlight the value offered by the Ryobi ONE+ 18V Hammer Drill Kit. Generally speaking, stepping up to the increased power provided by a hammer drill means you can expect to pay a premium; however, the Home Depot has this kit with a 4Ah battery, charger, and bag for $149.00.

A ½” chuck is pretty much a given on 18V or 20V cordless drills. This one comes with 24 torque settings. Once again, there’s a two-speed motor, topping out at 2,100 rpm. The torque is 750 in.lbs. The Ryobi has a hammer action that delivers up to 31,000 bpm (blows per minute), allowing it to punch through concrete, masonry, and other tough materials. An additional side handle provides the necessary grip to keep the tool under control.

Buyers rate it at 4.7 stars, and according to The Home Depot, 96% would recommend it. One user echoed the majority when they said, “Great tool. Super smooth and has the power when I need it.” Another reflected the value for money associated with the brand when he said, “Excellent device with a lot of strength and better than other more expensive ones.”

The Dekopro 8V Cordless Drill Set has over 3,000 ratings, averaging 4.5 stars. It comes with an integral battery, USB charging cable, a selection of bits, and a small spirit level for just $24.99. So why don’t we like it? 8V power and a maximum of 800 rpm mean drilling performance is limited. There’s no clutch. The included accessories are of dubious quality. You would be better off with one of the 5 top-rated drill bit sets that are worth buying. The biggest problem, though, is that we couldn’t find spare batteries. So, when one of the included ones fails (they all do eventually), you need to buy a whole new drill.

Black+Decker is another major brand that provides quality tools to the DIY market. The Black+Decker 20V Max Drill Kit has a ½-inch chuck with 24 torque settings and is part of a 100-piece kit that includes battery, charger, bag, drill bits, screwdriver bits, and sockets. It costs $79.99. Over 5,000 customers give it an average rating of 4.6 stars. So what’s wrong with this one? In truth, not much, although, as with the Dekopro, we suspect the accessories have little value. However, once again, there’s only a single battery. By the time you add a spare, the price will be similar to the DeWalt Max featured above, which is a far superior drill. The Black+Decker isn’t bad; it’s just not the drill we would spend our money on.