When you want the best cordless drill for home use, it’s a completely different ballgame than getting your hands on the best cordless drills that professionals use. You typically don’t need as much power and lightweight options become more attractive. Most homeowners also don’t have the budget of a professional crew. So, who’s doing a good job of meeting the needs of homeowners for repairs and projects?
I’m glad you asked! I’m going to walk you through the cordless drills I think are the best fit for several homeowner priorities. Along the way, I’ll also point out the key performance characteristics and features to look for as you’re shopping.
Best Drill for Home Use Top Picks
- Best Overall: Skil PWRCore 20 Compact – Buy from Acme Tools
Jump to this Drill ↓ - Best Performance: Masterforce Ultra Compact 20V – Buy from Menards
Jump to this Drill ↓ - Best System-Focused: Ryobi HP Brushless Compact – Buy from Home Depot
Jump to this Drill ↓ - Best Under $50: Black and Decker 12V – Buy from Amazon
Jump to this Drill ↓ - Best Combo: Greenworks 24V Brushless Combo – Buy from Amazon
Jump to this Drill ↓
Best Drill For Home Use Overall
Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless Compact 1/2-Inch Drill Driver (DL6293B-10)
It’s rare that any tool pulls together a complete package, but as the best drill for home use, the Skil PWRCore 20 Compact Drill Driver does. Whether it’s size and weight, performance, or price that’s your highest priority, Skil nails it.
As the name suggests, it’s on the stronger 18V/20V Max battery as opposed to 12V battery systems. One thing that sets it apart from other drills we tested in the DIY/Prosumer class is that it has higher performance.
Among the competition, it’s also lighter, weighing just 2.5 pounds with a 2.0Ah battery.
Then there’s the value. With a battery and charger, you can get it for just under $100 and we see it go on sale from time to time for even less than that.
There’s also a hammer drill version of this model if you want a more efficient concrete drilling mode.
Skil doesn’t have quite as many tools as some brands on its PWRCore 20 battery system, but it has been steadily expanding with quality tools and lawn care options. The platform is even making its entry into lifestyle products.
Pros
- Excellent performance for a compact drill
- Lighter than its competition
- 2-Speed brushless motor
- Built-in USB charging port on the battery
- PWRJump charger gets battery from 0% – 25% in 5 minutes
- Excellent value
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
| DL6293B-10 Drill Driver | HD6294B-10 Hammer Drill | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 0 – 500/1800 RPM | 0 – 500/1800 RPM |
| Max Torque | 450 in-lbs | 450 in-lbs |
| Hammer Rate | NA | 0 – 27,000 BPM |
| Head Length | 6.1 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Bare Weight | 1.9 pounds | 2.0 pounds |
| Weight w/ 2.0Ah Battery | 3.0 pounds | 3.1 pounds |
Drill Driver Price: $69.00 with a 2.0Ah battery and charger
Hammer Drill Price: $129.99 with 2.0Ah battery and charger
Best Performance Drill for Home Use
Masterforce Ultra Compact 20V Brushless 1/2-Inch Drill (2410381)
If you haven’t heard of Menards, it’s understandable. It’s a Midwestern retailer that doesn’t have as wide a reach as some of the others. I bring it up because Menards is where you can find Masterforce cordless tools, and its 20V Ultra Compact Drill is my recommendation if performance is your top priority.
Its 2-speed brushless motor produces 525 in-lbs of torque and 1850 RPM, performing more like a compact professional drill than a DIY model.
There’s a trade-off in that it’s a little heavier at 3.3 pounds with a 2.5Ah battery. However, it’s more compact from tip to tail, allowing you to work in tighter spaces.
Easily the most confident among its peers in our tests, it’s no surprise that it’s also at the top of the price list with a list price of just over $110 for the kit. However, Menards often runs a mail-in rebate bringing your total cost under $100.
There’s a hammer drill version of this model available as well.
Pros
- Outstanding performance in its class
- Compact profile
- Kit includes 2 batteries
- Excellent value
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- A bit heavier than other options
| Drill Driver | Hammer Drill | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 0 – 500/1850 RPM | 0 – 500/1850 RPM |
| Max Torque | 525 in-lbs | 525 in-lbs |
| Hammer Rate | NA | 27,700 BPM |
| Head Length | 5.8 inches | 5.8 inches |
| Bare Weight | 2.2 pounds | 2.2 pounds |
| Weight w/ 2.0Ah Battery | 3.3 pounds | 3.3 pounds |
Drill Driver Price: $98.99 with two 2.0Ah batteries and charger
Hammer Drill Price: $133.49 with 4.0Ah battery and charger
Best System-Focused Drill for Home Users
Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless Compact 1/2-Inch Drill Driver (PSBDD01K)
If you’re looking to get into a cordless battery system beyond a few core products, no other DIY/Prosumer brands come close to what Ryobi has to offer. Boasting more than 300 products on the 18V One+ system, every product is compatible with every One+ branded battery.
Turning our attention specifically to a drill to use around your home, I really like Ryobi’s HP Brushless Compact drill driver. When I got it in my hands for the first time, the drill’s size and weight impressed me. Up until that point, one of Ryobi’s characteristics had been to be noticeably heavier and bulkier, so seeing the brand deliver something genuinely compact was a big deal.
Compared to my other brushless recommendations above, the performance level is lower, but certainly still relevant. It can handle the majority of your weekend projects with no problem. Its limits are when you need to work with larger spade bits or hole saws. Of course, you can always step up to Ryobi’s full-size HP Brushless drill for those applications.
The form factor got an upgrade from Ryobi’s previous designs, making it more comfortable and secure to hold. The weight is a very reasonable 2.1 pounds bare and a 1.5Ah battery brings it up to 3.0 pounds on the nose.
Continuing the trend, Ryobi offers a hammer drill version of this model as well.
Pros
- Higher performance than most DIY drills
- 2-speed brushless motor
- Two batteries come in the kit
- Incredible number of compatible tools using the same battery
- Excellent value
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
| Drill Driver | Hammer Drill | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 0 – 450 / 0 – 1700 RPM | 0 – 450 / 0 – 1700 RPM |
| Max Torque | 400 in-lbs | 400 in-lbs |
| Hammer Rate | NA | 27,200 BPM |
| Head Length | 5 inches | 5 inches |
| Bare Weight | 1 pound | 2.5 pounds |
| Weight w/ 2.0Ah Battery | ~1.6 pounds | ~3 pounds |
Drill Driver Price: $129.00 with two 1.5Ah batteries and charger
Hammer Drill Price: $169 with 1.5Ah batteries and charger
Best Drill for Home Use Under $50
Black and Decker 12V Max 3/8-Inch Drill Driver (BDCDD12C)
It’s tough to find a cordless that’s under $50 unless you’re shopping on Amazon. Unfortunately, most of the brands that show up there and hit the price we’re targeting aren’t ones I’m willing to risk my own money on. For the brands that I’m willing to consider, $60 is the new $50 (thanks, inflation).
The first thing I’d do is check and see what’s on sale. Skil, Ryobi, and HART are retailers that run frequent deals. You might be able to get a better drill than you think by doing a little extra homework.
If you have to pay full retail, Black and Decker has a 12V model that’s just under $40. It doesn’t have the speed and power as the other drills I recommend, but it is capable of helping you with many household projects. If you’re hanging pictures, assembling furniture, installing a TV mount, or other light-duty tasks, it does the job just fine.
Adding to its appeal, this is a very lightweight drill. It’s also compact enough to fit in a kitchen drawer. For my money, I’d buy this before taking a chance on an off-brand Amazon drill.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Low cost
Cons
- Lower performance level
| Speed | 550 RPM |
| Max Torque | Not Listed |
| Hammer Rate | NA |
| Head Length | 9.38 inches |
| Bare Weight | 2.95 pounds |
| Weight w/ 1.5Ah Battery | Not listed |
Price: $44.70 with 1.5Ah battery and charger
Best Drill Combo for Home Use
Greenworks 24V Brushless Drill and Impact Driver Combo
I did a double-take when I saw this kit from Greenworks. For less than $100, you get a 2-speed brushless drill, a brushless impact driver, two 1.5Ah batteries, a dual port charger, and a carry case. Normally, I’m happy to find a brushless drill kit for less than $100, so the fact that this includes the impact driver makes it a crazy-good deal.
Focusing on the drill, its performance level is good, though not as high as some of the others I’ve recommended. With 310 in-lbs of torque, it’s mainly a light-duty drill that can also reach up into some of the medium-duty tasks such as drilling with spade bits and small hole saws. We were even able to bore with a 2 9/16-inch self-feed bit in soft pine.
Both tools have a comfortable physical design. The handles favor small to medium-sized hands and have a nice hand-fitting contour and rubber overmold that I like.
Pros
- Two brushless tools
- Two batteries come in the kit
- Dual-port charger included
- Amazing value
- Uses the same batteries as Greenworks 24V and 24V x 2 lawn care tools
Cons
- Drill performance may be lower than serious DIYers are looking for
| Drill Driver | Impact Driver | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 0 – 380/1450 RPM | 0 – 2800 RPM |
| Max Torque | 310 in-lbs | 1950 in-lbs |
| Impact Rate | NA | 3500 IPM |
| Bare Weight | 2.3 pounds | 2.1 pounds |
| Weight w/ 2.0Ah Battery | 3.2 pounds | 3.0 pounds |
Combo Kit: $99.99 with drill driver, impact driver, two 1.5Ah batteries, and charger
Also in This Article
- Best Drill for Home Use – More Options
- Best Drill for Home Use — What To Look For
- Related Content
- Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews
Others Drills We Recommend for Home Use
Looking for something from another brand? I have a few others to consider.
Pro Tip: If you see a brand that’s attractive, but the recommended drill isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, check out the rest of the lineup. All of these brands in the article have multiple drills to choose from.
Craftsman V20 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill CMCD700
Craftsman balances performance and price well with its CMCD700 cordless drill. With 1500 RPM and 280 Unit Watts Out, it’s in the mid-range for performance in the DIY class. At $79.00 for the kit, it’s also in the middle of the price range. The downside is that it’s bulkier than many of our other recommendations.
| Speed | 1500 RPM |
| Max Torque | Not Listed |
| Hammer Rate | NA |
| Head Length | 8.35 inches |
| Bare Weight | 2.67 pounds |
| Weight w/ 2.0Ah Battery | Not Listed |
Price: $79.00 with a 1.3Ah battery and charger
HART 20V 1/2-inch Drill Driver HPDD02B2
HART’s HPDD02 drill driver got my attention with its sub-$100 kit price that includes two batteries and a charger. While it doesn’t have a brushless motor, the 1750 RPM top speed and 475 in-lbs of torque are in the top tier of what I look for in homeowner drills. Compared to other drills that made the cut for this article, the big difference you’ll notice is that this model isn’t as compact. As a second-generation drill, though, it is more compact than the previous version.
| Speed | 0 – 450/1750 RPM |
| Max Torque | 475 in-lbs |
| Hammer Rate | NA |
| Head Length | Not listed |
| Bare Weight | 2.6 pounds |
| Weight w/ 1.5Ah Battery | 3.4 pounds |
Price: $89 with two 1.5Ah batteries and charger
Worx 20V SwitchDriver
Worx has a fun little drill that has a rotating chuck capable of holding different bits in each. The idea is to have a drill bit in one and a driver bit in the other so you can make your pilot hole and set your fastener without having to manually switch bits or have two tools. Just keep in mind that both chucks are 1/4-inch hexes, so you need to make sure you buy bits with that shank style.
At 1500 RPM and 265 in-lbs of torque, it’s a mid-range performer that can handle your light-duty projects and repairs with ease.
| Speed | 1500 RPM |
| Max Torque | 265 in-lbs |
| Hammer Rate | NA |
| Head Length | 8.75 inches |
| Bare Weight | 2.9 pounds |
| Weight w/ 2.0Ah Battery | Not Listed |
Price: $169.99 with 1.5Ah battery, charger, and bit set
Best Drill for Home Use — What to Look For
Performance
The two key performance numbers are speed and torque. These give you an idea of how fast you can drill and how much overall power the drill has. For multi-speed drills, the relationship is inverse. In low gear, you get the highest torque and slower speed. In high gear, you get lower torque and higher speed.
The numbers each drill specifies tell you the top speed and torque overall, so you won’t get them both at the same time unless it’s a single-speed drill.
For the most part, high performance typically isn’t the number one priority for most homeowners. If you’re thinking about getting into more serious projects, you may want something with more muscle, though. For less than $100, some quality kits include a drill with a brushless motor that offers higher runtime, performance, and service life than brushed models.
Battery System
Because you don’t need the highest performance, you have more options. Typically, the choice is between 18/20V Max and 12V systems. The higher voltage systems have higher performance, but the 12V systems tend to be more compact.
As you’re looking, consider what other tools or products you might want that work on the same battery. Some brands, such as Ryobi, are incredibly deep with hundreds of products that can all use the same battery. Others are developing and some don’t have many compatible products. The more products you can use without having to buy more batteries, the better the value for you. Plus, you won’t have a bunch of different batteries and chargers to manage.
Size and Weight
Most of the time we want the best drill for home use, we’re talking about light-duty projects. That means we can get away with a much lighter and more compact drill than we need for heavy-duty professional jobs. These drills tend to be easier to use and more comfortable to hold.
Features
On the homeowner side of the drill spectrum, we don’t expect a ton of features. A variable speed trigger, LED light, clutch, and belt hook are all you need in most cases. Of course, if your budget is higher, you can get more bells and whistles.
Price and Value
Price tends to be a high priority when you’re looking for the best drill for home use. With prices approaching $300 for professional kits, you may wonder if there’s anything worth buying for under $100. Not to worry—you have some good options.
Still, bumping up your budget can come with quality gains. Often, the best value isn’t at the bottom of the price range but in the middle.
Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews to Recommend Drills
The are a whole lot of publications and authors out there trying to convince you that they know what the best lightweight drill is. Let’s give credit where credit is due—they use good SEO writers and may have even used some of the top sellers in the process.
But do they have more than a decade of experience using drills and hammer drills, understand the key features to look for, and have they experienced the differences in quality in the field? Have they been around to see advances in brushless motor development, the injury reduction of kickback control, and how smart connectivity is changing the way Pros work?
We have. We’ve been testing and reviewing drills since we started back in 2008, and they’re a core part of the construction process. They’re also an essential part of a homeowner’s tool kit once they move in and are enjoying their home.
So, you can take the advice of whatever Big Media company decides to offer product reviews designed first and foremost to rank for Google, written by someone who may or may not understand the difference between what Pros and DIYers need. While you’re there, don’t forget to check up on breaking news, weather updates, and maybe even play a few games.
Or you can trust Pro Tool Reviews because tools are what we do. When I recommend a drill for you, it’s because it’s the one I would buy. My primary motivation is to recommend what I genuinely believe is the best in each category based on more than a decade of experience and being involved in the power tool industry every day. And if you choose to buy something I recommend, I hope that it works exactly the way you expect on your next project.
That’s how I hope to earn your trust. Not because I work for a high-profile media company with massive name recognition. I’m like you, and when I choose to make a purchase, I see the dollars come out of my bank account. I expect products to work when I need them. I want authentic recommendations when I’m shopping, and I’m committed to offering you the best of my experience and knowledge when you see my name as the author.
