What’s The Best Drill/Driver?

Rounding up drills from most major manufacturers really highlights the recent improvement in brushless motors, battery performance, and overall thoughtful tool design. If you’re still running a brushed cordless drill, you’ll be amazed at the significantly increased torque and runtime. If there’s a single power tool that most people own, it’s a cordless drill. You probably have one in your shop right now. When’s the last time you upgraded though? If you have an older drill with a brushed motor or even NiCad batteries, it’s time to shop for a new one. Thankfully, we’re here to help. We’ve rounded up 15 drills from major manufacturers, in full size and compact format. All of the drills in the test use the latest in brushless motor technology which allows for smaller, more compact tool design and greater performance at the same time. We hogged out holes, drove screws, and sorted these from homeowner-grade to shop standouts and construction beasts. If the drill you’re eyeing isn’t the fastest or brawniest of the bunch, don’t worry, as the tool only needs to meet your personal needs. Often a great shop drill isn’t the most powerful of the bunch, but stands out by being lightweight and having features that matter to you. Testing Procedures Included in the test are the flagship drill/driver in the 18-20v range from each make, as well as a compact drill (if available). Tools were specifically selected for woodworking, where power often takes a back seat to a light weight and ergonomic design. There are certainly great tools that fall outside these criteria, and one that comes to mind is Makita’s 40v line. In the end, the field had to be narrowed somehow, so the focus was cast on these popular 18-20v offerings. Each drill/driver drilled 100 holes in ½” OSB sheet goods as an endurance test and battery check, using a new 1” spade bit. Next, a speed test was performed drilling holes in a fir 2×4 with the same 1” spade bit. Drills were set in high gear, drill mode, with any special features such as auto speed function, or kickback control disabled. Now, drilling 1” holes in high gear is a brutal test of the motors ability to quickly generate power. In a shop setting, you’d normally switch to low speed for increased torque, when drilling larger holes. So as a second chance, any drills that struggled in the test were given another go in low speed. Any outlier time that varied greatly from the mean was discarded and repeated. Our stopwatch operator was pleased she recorded identical numbers on two of the three trials, for multiple tools. Finally, the tools were used in the shop for 2 weeks performing everyday tasks to hone in on our favorites. When the dust settled, we had drilled 1500 holes, driven over 500 lags, and countless drywall and woodworking screws to assess chuck function and overall usability of each model. Hammer Drill vs. Impact Driver Here’s a topic where a lot of confusion persists, so we should set the record straight. There were a few drills in the test that included a hammer drill function, although it wasn’t a feature we sought out. After all, a hammer drill function, usually indicated by a small hammer icon, is designed for drilling masonry and cementitious material. Now, both a hammer drill and impact driver use an anvil of sorts to create impacts or bursts of momentum to drive the spindle and attached chuck. The key difference between the two is this: a hammer drill creates longitudinal impact along the axis of the bit, while an impact driver creates a rotational impact. This makes an impact driver ideal for driving larger screws and lag bolts, while a hammer drill creates a chipping or pounding action for drilling concrete or bricks. For woodworkers, it may be difficult to know if you need a hammer drill function at all. The answer simply depends on weather you also want to occasionally work with concrete. One drill that incorporates a hammer mode particularly well in a fairly compact size is the Bosch GSB18V-65. A Word About Chucks Most of the chucks on the drill/drivers are all-metal construction, with a couple of exceptions. Either style can work, however metal chucks are generally seen as more robust for heavy duty work. If your last drill has an old-fashioned brush style motor, you likely got in the habit of installing and removing bits by spinning the chuck in your hand. I don’t know about you, but my last kit drill liked to spit out bits like a dog taking a bitter pill. Luckily, brushless motors offer enough resistance to rotation, so there’s a more effective way to install or remove bits. Sure, you can run the bit loosely into the chuck in the traditional way. Then, with the chuck stationary, give it a 1/8 turn by hand to snug up the bit. Likewise, when it’s time to swaps drill bits or drivers, loosen the chuck by hand, with the drill off. The extra rotational resistance of a brushless motor works to your advantage here, and I’ve never lost a bit with this simple technique. Drill/Driver Test Results Initially, it was surmised that the 100-hole test might just be a battery test. That was an interesting point, because the drills were tested as equipped. Some tools came with a 1.7 or 2.0Ah battery, and others had a 4 or 5Ah battery. One model even came with a 6Ah battery, and some came as tool-only, leaving the tester to decide which battery made the most sense. To our surprise, all drills but one in the test managed the 100-hole test, regardless of the battery size. Some of the compact models developed more heat during this extended and unusual test, and specific notes are included with each model, as applicable. For the speed drilling test, there was a wide range of results, with the leaders blasting through 2x material like it was polystyrene, and other models that couldn’t drill a single hole with the gearbox in high. The fastest performers were the Dewalt DCD801 at 1.31 seconds, the Makita XPH14 at 1.46 seconds, and the Milwaukee and Ridgid tied for third at 1.59 seconds. The fastest drills weren’t always the ones selected as best, so be sure to check out the model specific sections, and winner’s circle discussion to learn all the details. Three drills rose to the top, and will exceed the needs of most woodworkers. If you need one drill to handle everything including construction jobs, go with the Dewalt DCD801. For a midsize shop drill that’s high quality throughout, and has all the features woodworkers want, the Bosch GSB18V-65 would be the best bet. While the Milwaukee 3601 doesn’t stand out on paper, we actually enjoyed the compact size and light weight of this model, and found it a go-to tool for most any job. Bosch GSR18V-400 Compact Drill This small drill features a brushless motor and ½” chuck in a lightweight, compact footprint. Holding it in your hand, it feels well suited for home repairs like installing door hinges and similar light-duty tasks. Starting with a fully charged 2Ah 18v AMP Share battery, we noted the battery drained quicker than other models. The 100-hole test dropped the battery life indicator from 3 bars (full charge) to just one bar. That said, it’s impressive that a tool weighing just 2#, 13oz including battery (lightest drill weight in test) could complete such a grueling task. With the minimal torque output we observed in high speed, it performed more naturally in low speed for drilling larger holes. The gearbox has two speeds and a manual selector switch that we’ve come to expect on top of the tool. The drive mode selector is pretty basic and allows switching between drilling mode for unlimited power output, or turn the clutch dial for 1-20 settings for driving fasteners. The metal chuck operates smoothly, and was easy to use. A small, single-source LED light is well-positioned just above the battery, with adequate brightness. A partial rubber overmold and the small size grip, makes this a perfect fit for those with smaller hands. Bosch GSB18V-65 Drill This is one model that can only describe as a midsize drill, and it’s a perfect fit for any shop. While it shares some DNA and good looks with its little brother, it adds a couple key features, and performs much better. Backing up the all-metal chuck is a 3-position quick selector, to easily swap between drill, drive, or hammer modes – all without rotating the 20-step clutch selector dial. Stepping up to this professional line drill also gets you kickback control to prevent twisting your wrist. I found the anti-kickback circuitry performs very naturally, and did just what was expected. Or you can turn the function off with a single button located at the base of the tool. A two-source LED light is functional, although the upper light (mounted just above the trigger) does little more than cast a shadow on your bit. Luckily, the lower light above the battery pack is bright enough to pick up the slack. The partial rubber overmold grip is comfortable for most users, and the overall weight with a 2Ah AMP Share battery is just 3#, 4oz, making this drill an ergonomic champ. Bosch GSR18V-800FC Flexiclick Full-Size Drill This is a specialty drill that allows you to remove the metal chuck, without any tools, and replace it with your choice of a right-angle chuck or offset chuck. The quick-change system is impressive, because it doesn’t take much force to release the attachment, yet it stays put in normal use. It’s reminiscent of a compact Bosch router from the 90’s that included various bases, including an offset base for laminate trimming. Best of all, there’s a hidden quick-release chuck beneath the standard chuck, allowing use of common hex-style bits. With this drill, you get a couple of advanced features, in addition to the swapable chucks. Behind the chuck twist lock is a typical drill mode and clutch mode selector dial with 20 clutch positions. Like the rest of the Bosch drills, a red two-speed gear selector sits on top of the tool, and a partial rubber overmold provides a good grip. Similar to the GSB18V-65, the Flexi Click drill gives you kickback control, and a quick way to turn the clutch on or off, but the interface is entirely different. Here, both the kickback control and clutch on/off switches are digital, and located at the base of the tool. Nestled between these special buttons is a one-source LED light, smartly positioned for even lighting without a shadow. With the standard chuck and a 4Ah Core 18V battery installed, the weight jumps to 4lbs, 2oz. placing it firmly in the full-size drill category. You can save about 7oz. by using a 2Ah battery, but the removable chuck thrusts the center of gravity forward, so the tool perhaps feels more balanced with the larger battery. If you like the advanced features on this drill, but don’t need the quick-change chucks, consider the GSR18V-800CB24 kit or GSR18V-800CN bare tool. Dewalt DCD794 Compact Drill Around construction sites, you’ll here the phrase “Atomic or Nothing” touting the power-to-weight ratio of many 20v tools in Dewalt’s Atomic line. While this compact drill is a good performer, it’s actually positioned below the top-tier XR lineup of tools. The ½” plastic-sleeved chuck works better than older Dewalt kit drills, and performed best with a good hand-snugging of the chuck with the drill stationary. The DCD794 completed the 100-hole test without much trouble, and was on-pace with the compact Milwaukee for the drilling time trial. The 15-position clutch plus drilling mode was somewhat stiff initially, and like most brushless drills, there’s less room for your hand to grasp the dial. Adorned with Dewalt’s hallmark overmold handle, and weighing in at just 3lbs, 3oz with a standard 2Ah lithium-ion battery, this Atomic model is easy to get a grip on. There’s a standard two-speed gearbox on top for speed changes, and like the clutch ring control, they both feel a little stiff right out of the box. A single-source LED light is wisely placed above the battery pack for evenly dispersed task lighting, without harsh shadows. While its stature places it squarely in the compact category, you don’t give up much in terms of power or speed. Plus, this one’s easier to hang from your tool belt than a full-sized drill. This model would be a good choice if you occasionally work from a ladder, and need one drill to do it all. Dewalt DCD801 Full-Size Drill This is Dewalt’s flagship XR drill, and it shows. Scarcely 3/8” longer than the DCD794, the DCD801 weighs in at 4lbs, 1oz. That weight feels manageable, because it’s well-balanced with a 4Ah XR Power Pack battery, or you can trim it to 3lbs, 10oz with a standard 2Ah battery pack. The 2-speed gearbox and 15-step clutch have a traditional layout, and both feel a little stiff initially. The articulating 70 lumen LED light is the best of the bunch, and provides bright, even lighting in two different settings, including an extra-bright worklight mode that stays on for 20 minutes. The pivoting light is a nice touch, and can be turned off if desired, but some testers wondered how durable it would be over time. With advanced features like Anti-Rotation protection and Tool Connect Chip-Ready optional add-on, you won’t likely need to upgrade anytime soon. If you don’t need a hammer drill, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better performing full-size drill. While it may be built for a construction site, there’s nothing it can’t tackle in the shop. Kreg KPTDR0500 Compact Drill The headliner of Kreg’s exciting new Blue Ion launch is perhaps the ½” Kreg 20V drill with all-metal chuck and two-speed gearbox. Now you can drill and drive pocket hole screws with a matching blue drill. The controls are standard, including a 20-position clutch ring with drill mode selection as well. The Blue Ion drill posts a respectable 3#, 4oz weight using a 2Ah battery, and felt right at home in the shop. While the raw torque didn’t quite match the top performer for drilling large diameter holes in high gear, all you need to do is flip the selector to low speed, and it does just fine. The 2Ah battery gives the tool a nice overall balance, and it performed well with common cabinet making and furniture building tasks. The single-source LED light seems bright enough, and provides even lighting, without shadow lines. If the lions share of your work is drilling with bits ½” diameter or less, and driving screws all day, the all-new Kreg Blue Ion drill/driver would be a great choice. Plus – once you’re on the Kreg Blue Ion battery line, you can drool over other new tools like the Kreg Rebel cordless pocket hole machine. Makita XFD15 Compact Drill Equipped with a 2Ah 18v lithium-ion battery, this ½” drill was the second lightest in the test, and it truly felt like one of the most compact models. The controls are standard and well-placed, so you can get to work without much fuss. It offers a 20-step clutch ring, plus drilling mode if you’d rather not be limited by the clutch. The two-speed gearbox selector was a little stiff initially, but certainly does the job. The plastic covered chuck works well if you give it a final 1/8 turn by hand, with the drill stationary. In fact, the chuck clicks positively as you snug it up, signaling a solid bite, that won’t let go. This chuck was a little more work to release by the power of the drill, but was easy to operate with a hand-twist. The full rubber overmolded handle is comfortable, and combined with its light weight make this drill easy to use. The single-source LED is mounted above the trigger, where it can cast a shadow on your work. This was really only an issue when using extremely short driver bits. If you like smaller drills on a 12v platform, but need a little more power, the Makita XFD15 18v compact drill would be a perfect fit. Makita XPH14 Full Sized Drill This ½” 18v drill features an all-metal chuck and standard controls including a 21-step clutch ring, as well as drill and hammer drilling modes. The clutch ring projects out beyond the trigger housing, making it easier to rotate than some other brushless models. Commonly equipped with a 5Ah lithium-ion battery, this drill crashes the scales at 5lbs, 1oz, the second heaviest in the test. It universally drew comments from testers such as “Wow this thing is heavy.” That extra weight comes with a lot of power as well, and it can plow through a 2×4 in under 1.5 seconds with a spade bit. It was unphased by the 100-hole test, while the brushless motor and metal gear case stayed cool with continual use. The rubberized grip is a comfortable size, and the tools is well-balanced with the 5Ah battery. The single-source LED light is positioned just above the trigger, where it tends to cast a shadow on your work. If you like heavy-hitters that use their weight as an advantage, such as boring large holes, the full-size Makita might be right for you. Milwaukee 3601 M18 Compact Drill This compact 18v drill has several simple features that make it stand out, and operates on the excellent M18 battery platform. Not only is the partial overmold handle rubber-lined, but so is the battery, for extra grip when setting the drill on slippery or uneven surfaces. As we’ve come to expect from Milwaukee, the ½” chuck is metal, but the gear case on this model is all-metal as well. Testers found the chuck locked firmly in place with a 1/8 twist by hand, and unlocked just as easily. The three-jaw chuck also has grooves that allow it to register either the flats or edges of a hex bit. The 13-step all-new M-clutch is much easier to position than other brands, or select the drill icon for unlimited torque. The 2-speed gearbox selector is firm, but not unnecessarily stiff like so many other drills in the test. Equipped with Milwaukee’s excellent CP2.0 Red Lithium battery, the 3601 weighs just 3lbs, 3oz. and overall, the tool feels light and well-balanced. While this model doesn’t connect to the internet, or communicate with your mini-fridge, it does have Redlink Intelligence advanced overload protection. This system monitors temperature to prevent damage in the most demanding scenarios. Whether you need your next shop drill, or a tool that can climb a ladder without dropping your Levi’s, the 3601 is a winner. Milwaukee 2905 M18 Full Sized Drill This ½” solid state brushless drill performed very well in the 100-hole test, without ever slowing down. Packed with features like Autostop rotation control, and One Key to let users customize, track, and manage the tool. Very specific settings can be dialed in with a mobile app, including Autostop sensitivity, and 3 digital presets at the base of the drill for various speed and power output. Like other Milwaukee tools in the test, the 2905 uses Redlink Intelligence circuitry to protect from overloads, heat, and over-discharge. The premium all-metal ratcheting chuck has carbide teeth for maximum durability and bit retention. The single-source LED light is well-positioned at the base of the tool, and plenty bright too. The handle has a full rubber overmold, and is comfortable to hold, despite a fighting weight of 4lbs, 10oz. including the capable CP3.0 Red Lithium battery. Like the smaller 3601, the clutch selector ring is easier to turn than most. Full-size, full-weight, and full featured. If that’s your jam, this is your next drill. Ridgid R87012 Compact Drill This is a nice brushless ½” drill / driver offering from Ridgid, and it feels similar to the Ryobi compact drill, perhaps with a little nicer fit and finish. The chuck is plastic coated, and features a small groove in each of the three jaws. This lets the chuck grab the bits on either the flats or the corners. A 23-step clutch ring provides just the right torque for any application when driving screws, or choose the drill icon for max torque. A two-speed gearbox on top of the tool has a short, firm throw, but is predictable to operate. This compact drill pairs well with Ridgid’s 2Ah 18V Lithium battery, and weighs just 2lbs, 15oz in that configuration. The R87012 earned praise for good ergonomics and a finely textured full rubber overmolded handle. It has a soft-start feature that helps when starting fasteners, once you’re accustomed to it. The features all have a standard layout on this model, so it’s easy to jump in and start working. It handled the 100-hole test without issues, and drilled through a 2×4 in a little over 2 seconds. The LED light is notably brighter than some in the test, and angled for a perfect line-of-sight to your work. Generally, the two-tab battery release makes sense, although the tabs on the Ridgid batteries do project slightly beyond the base of the tool. With the battery removed, the drill tips forward on the rounded base, and doesn’t feel stable enough to stand on its own. This compact model feels more like a shop or household drill than a construction site staple, which is fine for most woodworkers. Ridgid R861152 Full Size Drill This large ½” hammer drill looks like it’s been hitting the gym, and ready to work all day. With a 4Ah Max Output 18v Lithium battery clicked in, it weighs 5lbs, 2 oz. That’s a chunk of weight to drag around the shop, but might be worth the effort if you need one drill to build backyard decks as well as furniture. Layout and finish of the tool is very similar to its younger sibling, with the notable addition of a hammer drill setting, which can be useful for drilling concrete and brick. There’s also a bit clip that can mount to either side, just above the battery. It increases the width of the tool though, and might snag your leg when hanging from a toolbelt, but it’s easy to remove if needed. The LED light was universally liked for brightness and placement on this tool. Ryobi PSBDD02 Compact Drill A lightweight brushless ½” drill is something that every household needs. While it gave up at 84 consecutive holes in our drilling test, you’ll likely never push it that hard. It stalled frequently when drilling 1” spade bits in high gear, but was capable if you take your time in the recommended low gear. At 3lbs flat with a 1.5Ah battery, most users will find this one comfortable in the hand. The plastic covered chuck, like the Ridgid, has a groove in each jaw allowing it to grab the flats or corners of common hex bits. The LED light is bright and useful, without casting unwanted shadows. Unlike the compact Ridgid drill, the Ryobi easily stands upright with the battery removed. It’s one of the lightest drill / drivers in the test, and would be perfect for many homeowners who love to tinker. Ryobi PBLDD02 Full Size Drill With a 4Ah High Performance Li-Ion battery, this 4lbs, 8oz cruiser blew through the 100-hole test and performed well. Despite the stemmed battery design that fits inside the handle, the grip is average size and easy to grasp. You’ll find standard layout of the adjustments including a short-throw 2-speed gearbox up top, and a 23-step clutch ring for precision driving. It has the same bright LED as the compact Ryobi, however it steps up to an all-metal ½” chuck. Carried on from other drills in this family, is the grooved chuck jaws to quickly accept most any bit. If power is paramount, and you don’t want to pay the premium for a lighter drill, the full-sized Ryobi will meet your needs. Vevor DJZH 5025-13 Compact Drill Here’s a brushless drill/driver with ½” metal chuck and traditional features and layout. A 21-step clutch or drill mode is easy to select for the job at hand. A short-throw 2-speed gearbox is a little stiff, but seems to function well. Equipped with a slim 2Ah 20v lithium-ion battery, it weighs just 2lbs, 15oz., so it feels light weight and easy to handle. The partial rubber overmold makes the grip ergonomic, and comfortable even for smaller hands. The LED had average brightness, but was well-positioned at the base of the tool. It managed 100+ large holes for our drilling test, but bogged down when drilling 2×4’s in high gear. In a more appropriate 1st gear, it drilled through framing lumber in a little over 6 seconds. The virtues of the Vevor are a relatively low cost, and being light weight and compact – especially the overall tool length which is just 5-5/8”. If the bulk of your work is drilling small diameter holes, and precisely driving screws, this value drill could be a good fit. As a late entry in the test, we didn’t have a Vevor impact driver to test, although they are available online.