We Tested 13 Cordless Drills: Here’s the Ultimate Winner for Pros!

Our team spent hundreds of man-hours testing cordless drills to see which ones rise to the top for professional contractors and tradesmen. If you’re a serious DIYer, we tested some popular brands like Ryobi and Skil side-by-side with Milwaukee, Makita, DeWalt, and other Pro brands. We even threw in Hercules for fun.

We evaluated 13 of the highest-performing models from each brand using objective hands-on tests we developed specifically to simulate real-world jobsite conditions. When the sawdust settled, we ranked each cordless drill in a variety of categories to determine which ones Pros should keep their eyes on.

Want more affordable options for DIYers and homeowners? Check out our Best Cordless Drills main page.

Cordless Drills for Professional Contractors: The Winners

• Best Overall: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2904
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• Highest Performance: Flex 24V Brushless w/Turbo FX1271T
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• Rough-In Specialist: Makita 40V XGT GPH01
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• Concrete Drilling Specialist: Metabo SB 18 LTX-3 BL Q I
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• Tight Space Specialist: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2904
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• Highest Value: Ryobi 18V One+ HP PBLHM101
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Don’t like reading? Check out our video:

Our Process and the Nitty-Gritty

• Other Models We Tested
• More Cordless Drills We Recommend
• Numbers You Should Know for the Drills We Tested
• Testing Methods and Full Results
• What to Look for When You’re Shopping (Buyer’s Guide)
• Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Best Overall for Professional Contractors and Tradesmen

After tallying up the results, Milwaukee takes home three significant accolades, including our pick as the top cordless drill overall, our favorite lightweight option, and our go-to when we need a compact drill with high performance. There’s some push and pull here, though. The only area Milwaukee ranked first in was length. However, it’s the holistic look that makes the 2904 so compelling.

First, there are lighter drills in the DIY and Prosumer categories, but Milwaukee does take the top spot for Professional models. The trade-off here is that it’s with a 5.0Ah battery. If you want Milwaukee’s top performance, you need to switch over to the 6.0Ah High Output or Forge batteries, which both bump up the weight.

Considering Milwaukee’s lowest ranking was 5th with a 5.0Ah battery and 4th with a High-Output pack, it’s a contender in performance, though. Features such as the kickback control, which is new to this model, plus the massive width of Milwaukee’s M18 platform and a solid 5-year warranty help solidify the 2904 as our top selection.

This model is also available with One-Key as model 2906.

Price: $199 bare, $299 kit with two 5.0AH batteries

Hands-on Testing Results

	5.0Ah Battery (vs Primary Batteries Only)	6.0Ah High Output Battery (vs ALL Batteries)
Soft Torque	539 in-lbs (2nd place)	593 in-lbs (2nd place)
Spade Bit	3.36 sec (5th place)	2.62 sec (3rd place)
Self-Feed Bit	2.59 sec (3rd place)	2.21 sec (3rd place)
Concrete Bit	3.74 sec (3rd place)	3.38 sec (4th place)

Highest Performance for Professional Contractors and Tradesmen

Flex launched its 24V line with this hammer drill and it continues to be a top-performing model several years in. Its high speed and high torque ratings showed in our testing where it earned the highest overall performance rating. There’s a caveat, though. That’s with using the 6.0Ah Stacked Lithium battery. If you’re a Pro, going with the Stacked Lithium kit is, without a doubt, the way to go.

It’s not just about speed and torque for Flex. This is a full-featured drill that includes kickback control and the ability to turn the Turbo mode off when you’d like more control.

When you take away Flex’s Stacked Lithium advantage, Bosch’s GSB18V-1330CN is your next best bet. Technically, the Core18V 6.3Ah battery we tested with is an advanced battery, but it’s so common on today’s Bosch cordless tools that it’s effectively the standard pack.

Price: $179 bare, $249 kit with a 5.0Ah and a 2.5Ah battery, $279 kit with a 6.0Ah Stacked Lithium battery

Hands-on Testing Results

	5.0Ah Core18V Battery (vs Primary Batteries Only)	6.0Ah Stacked Lithium Battery (vs ALL Batteries)
Soft Torque	425 in-lbs (6th place)	549 in-lbs (3rd place)
Spade Bit	2.82 sec (3rd place)	2.44 sec (2nd place)
Self-Feed Bit	4.74 sec (6th place)	2.47 sec (5th place)
Concrete Bit	3.44 sec (2nd place)	2.55 sec (1st place)

Professional Rough-in Specialist

Makita ended up with a mixed bag of results. It delivered excellent power and speed. And it got even better as the load increased. Nonetheless, its ranking in concrete drilling was a bit of a head-scratcher, with speed and blow rate ratings that were expected to finish higher up the list. However, we ran multiple tests and used averages to help us identify issues and outliers, and the numbers were consistent.

While Makita has an extensive line of rotary hammers you can turn to for concrete drilling, the GPH01 proved itself to be the one you want for rough-in tasks. Its consistent top-tier speeds with both spade bits and self-feed bits set it apart to earn the win.

What you can’t tell from our test results is how smooth this drill is. Ergonomically, it’s excellent with a shape that’s comfortable to hold. Plus, the size is compact for its performance level, and the weight is lower than you’d expect from a 40V max battery system.

As for features, Makita includes kickback control on this model. For those of you who are more OCD in driving mode, there are 41, yes 41, electronic clutch settings in low speed and 21 settings in high gear. Having that many settings and electronically controlling them are characteristics you won’t find on other drills we tested.

If you’re thinking about jumping on Makita’s 40V max XGT system (or you’re already on it), the GPH01 is just one of many tools that will confirm you’re making a great choice.

Price: $244 bare, $499 kit with two 2.5Ah batteries

Hands-on Testing Results

	2.5Ah Battery (vs Primary Batteries Only)	2.5Ah Battery (vs ALL Batteries)
Soft Torque	428 in-lbs (5th place)	428 in-lbs (8th place)
Spade Bit	2.64 sec (2nd place)	2.64 sec (4th place)
Self-Feed Bit	2.12 sec (1st place)	2.12 sec (1st place)
Concrete Bit	4.22 sec (8th place)	4.22 sec (11th place)

Professional Concrete Drilling Specialist

Metabo’s SB 18 LTX-3 BL Q I continues to carry the torch as the highest-performing hammer drill for concrete drilling in our tests. Its 4000 RPM top speed plays a big part in that.

There are some trade-offs to consider, though. This is a beefy drill and the largest we tested. For many applications, that won’t be a bother, but if you’re used to working in tight spaces, you’ll want to look at something else.

Another consideration is that this model is great at low- to medium-load applications but more middle-of-the-road as the load gets heavy. It’s certainly capable of doing almost any job you’d ask of your hammer drill, but there are better ones if you frequently dive into heavy-load jobs.

Still, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a hammer drill that enjoys the high level of quality Metabo packs into their flagship hammer drill.

Price: $289 bare, $399 kit with two 4.0Ah batteries

Hands-on Testing Results

	8.0Ah LiHD Battery (vs Primary Batteries Only)	8.0Ah LiHD Battery (vs ALL Batteries)
Soft Torque	430 in-lbs (4th place)	430 in-lbs (7th place)
Spade Bit	2.20 sec (1st place)	2.20 sec (1st place)
Self-Feed Bit	6.68 sec (9th place)	6.68 sec (12th place)
Concrete Bit	2.60 sec (1st place)	2.60 sec (2nd place)

Highest Value for Professional Contractors and Tradesmen

While you don’t normally see the Ryobi name among Pro-focused brands, there are a number of Pros who rely on them. Apartment maintenance crews and handymen favor them thanks to legit mid-range performance, the convenience of purchasing at Home Depot, and a more affordable price tag.

As the HP Brushless lineup rolled out for Ryobi, one of the big things we noticed was how much smaller many of the tools are. That’s the case for their flagship hammer drill sitting at a mid-range 7.5 inches long and well under 5 pounds with a battery. It’s a significant change for a brand that used to be on the bigger, heavier side of the conversation.

Boasting the lowest-rated torque of the group (Craftsman is likely lower but reports UWO instead), its results weren’t surprising. The drill had no trouble completing our tests, though, and it is easier to handle than some of the larger, heavier models we tested.

For maintenance crews and handymen, it’s a very good choice based on its performance and design. What makes it more compelling than its competitors is that Ryobi now has more than 300 products that all work on any 18V One+ battery. Chances are, if you need it Ryobi has it. And if they don’t, most likely, no one else in the Prosumer class does, either.

Price: $129 bare, $179 kit with a 4.0Ah High Performance battery

Hands-on Testing Results

	4.0Ah High-Performance Battery (vs Primary Batteries)	4.0Ah High-Performance Battery (vs ALL Batteries)
Soft Torque	266 in-lbs (11th place)	266 in-lbs (14th place)
Spade Bit	3.92 sec (11th place)	3.92 sec (14th place)
Self-Feed Bit	6.93 sec (12th place)	6.93 sec (15th place)
Concrete Bit	4.16 sec (6th place)	4.16 sec (9th place)

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Other Models We Tested

Bosch 18V Profactor Brushless Hammer Drill GSB18V-1330CN

• Speeds: 0 – 550/2,200 RPM
• Max Hammer Rate: 30,000 BPM
• Max Torque: 1,300 in-lbs
• Length: 8.3 inches
• Weight: 4.2 lbs bare, 5.9 lbs with a Core18V 6.3Ah battery

Hands-on Testing Results

	6.3Ah Core18V Battery (vs Primary Batteries Only)	6.3Ah Core18V Battery (vs ALL Batteries)
Soft Torque	514 in-lbs (3rd place)	514 in-lbs (5th place)
Spade Bit	3.39 sec (6th place tie)	3.39 sec (9th place)
Self-Feed Bit	2.18 sec (2nd place)	2.18 sec (2nd place)
Concrete Bit	3.78 sec (4th place)	3.78 sec (7th place)

Bosch proved its flagship hammer drill to be a solid all-around performer. Its strong performance got better as the load increased, and it was certainly no slouch in the low and medium-load tests. From a performance perspective, there’s no reason to shy away from it, and current Bosch users shouldn’t feel like they need to switch brands.

The downside is that this is a larger, heavier hammer drill compared to the others. Keep in mind that Bosch’s 18V line is robust, and there are more compact models you can grab as a supplement when you’re working on lighter-duty days.

Three key features help Bosch stand out from the competition. It’s one of the few that has kickback protection. You can also turn it into a smart tool by adding the Connected Module. It’s also the only model in our test group that includes an electronic angle detection function to help you drill and drive straighter.

DeWalt 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage Brushless Hammer Drill DCD999

• Speeds: 0 – 450/1,300/2,000 RPM (0 – 500/1,500/2,250 RPM in hammer drilling mode)
• Max Hammer Rate: 38,250 BPM
• Max Power: 1,219 UWO
• Length: 8.4 inches
• Weight: 3.6 lbs bare, 4.9 lbs with a 5.0Ah battery, 5.9 lbs with a 6.0Ah FlexVolt battery

Hands-on Testing Results

	5.0Ah Battery (vs Primary Batteries Only)	6.0Ah FlexVolt Battery (vs ALL Batteries)
Soft Torque	380 in-lbs (8th place)	468 in-lbs (6th place)
Spade Bit	3.39 sec (6th place tie)	2.73 sec (5th place)
Self-Feed Bit	3.58 sec (5th place)	2.31 sec (4th place)
Concrete Bit	4.18 sec (7th place)	2.85 sec (3rd place)

If you’re shopping at the top of DeWalt’s drill lineup, there are four models to wade through. You won’t go wrong with the DCD996, DCD997, DCD998, or the highest performer, the DCD999. Similar in size and weight, it’s all about what battery you’re primarily going to use (and if you want Tool Connect for the DCD997).

To get the highest performance from the FlexVolt Advantage, you need to use a FlexVolt battery, which significantly increases both size and weight. It also performs well when you’re using a standard 5.0Ah battery. However, it’s like having two different tools because of how much the FlexVolt battery boosts performance—something you can see in our test results.

With a 6.0Ah FlexVolt battery, this drill pushes close to 6 pounds. Moreover, it’s one of the longer models, so it’s not ideal for tight spaces. DeWalt has a wide range of drills to choose from, so you can always pick up a compact supplement when you need it.

When you need top-tier performance, the DCD999 has it. Plus, its 3-mode gearbox has an all-important middle gear for when high speed isn’t quite enough. But you don’t want to drop into low gear. Also, keep in mind that this drill operates at higher speeds in all three gears when you’re in hammer drilling mode.

Hilti Nuron 22V Brushless Drill Driver SF 10W-22 ATC

• Speeds: 0 – 300/560/1,300/2,230 RPM
• Max Hammer Rate: NA
• Max Torque: 1,062 in-lbs
• Length: 9.5 inches
• Weight: 4.8 lbs bare, 7.7 lbs with a 7.9Ah battery

Hands-on Testing Results

	7.9Ah Battery (vs Primary Batteries Only)	7.9Ah Battery (vs ALL Batteries)
Soft Torque	697 in-lbs (1st place)	697 in-lbs (1st place)
Spade Bit	2.91 sec (4th place)	2.91 sec (7th place)
Self-Feed Bit	2.83 sec (4th place)	2.83 sec (7th place)
Concrete Bit	5.51 sec (13th place) *	5.51 sec (16th place)*

We know that people use their cordless drills to mix frequently, but Hilti was the first brand we saw intentionally build a cordless drill for this purpose while maintaining the full capabilities of other drill drivers. The 4-mode SF 10W-22 ATC has a low-speed mixing gear that delivered more torque than anything else we tested came close to. Hilti’s addition of ATC kickback control is particularly helpful with that much torque on board.

When standard drilling and driving tasks are on the docket, the top three gears take over, and there’s plenty of speed and power on the top end.

As we saw from the previous cordless lineup, Hilti does not include a hammer drilling mode on this model, so we certainly can’t fault its performance in our concrete drilling tests. If you want a drill driver that includes a hammer drilling mode, Hilti’s SF 6H-22 is what you should turn to on the Nuron platform. With Hilti’s expertise in the concrete industry, the next logical step up from there for concrete drilling is into the cordless rotary hammers.

As an extremely powerful drill, this is another model that’s on the heavy side, especially with the 2P 7.9Ah battery. However, you can shave some weight with the 1P 4.0Ah pack. It’s also the second longest in our tests. But, like other brands, there are more compact models you can add as a supplement when space is tight.

Kobalt 24V XTR Brushless Hammer Drill KXHD 1424A-03

• Speeds: 0 – 550/2,000 RPM
• Max Hammer Rate: 32,000 BPM
• Max Torque: 1,200 in-lbs
• Length: 7.6 inches
• Weight: 3.2 lbs bare, 4.9 lbs with a 4.0Ah Ultimate Output battery

Hands-on Testing Results

	4.0Ah Ultimate Output Battery (vs Primary Batteries Only)	4.0Ah Ultimate Output Battery (vs ALL Batteries)
Soft Torque	317 in-lbs (10th place)	317 in-lbs (13th place)
Spade Bit	3.67 sec (8th place)	3.67 sec (11th place)
Self-Feed Bit	7.30 sec (13th place)	7.30 sec (16th place)
Concrete Bit	4.54 sec (9th place)	4.54 sec (12th place)

Kobalt’s XTR hammer drill was a big step forward for the Lowe’s exclusive brand. In addition to higher performance, it also gave us kickback control—a luxury most value-focused brands didn’t have at the time.

While this model didn’t light up our tests the way some of the other drills did, it proved itself to be capable of handling all our tasks without pushing close to its limits. Both the weight and size are reasonable, and it’s hard to argue with the price.

Ridgid 18V Brushless High-Torque Hammer Drill R861152

• Speeds: 0 – 550/2,000 RPM
• Max Hammer Rate: 32,000 BPM
• Max Torque: 1,250 in-lbs
• Length: 7.3 inches
• Weight: 3.4 lbs bare, 5.0 lbs with a 4.0Ah Max Output battery

Hands-on Testing Results

	4.0Ah Max Output Battery (vs Primary Batteries Only)	4.0Ah Max Output Battery (vs ALL Batteries)
Soft Torque	218 in-lbs (12th place) *	218 in-lbs (15th place)*
Spade Bit	4.27 sec (12th place)	4.27 sec (15th place)
Self-Feed Bit	6.42 sec (8th place)	6.42 sec (11th place)
Concrete Bit	5.32 sec (10th place)	5.32 sec (13th place)

Ridgid’s most recent brushless drills have been a breath of fresh air since leaving the Octane line behind. Even with the High-Torque R861152 model, it’s much more compact and lighter than we’ve been used to from Ridgid, making for a more pleasant user experience.

The results were not what we were hoping for, though the drill had no trouble completing our tests in the slightest. However, we suspect that stepping up to the 6.0Ah Max Output battery will help it step up.

Craftsman V20 Brushless Hammer Drill CMCD721

• Speeds: 0 – 600/2,100 RPM
• Max Hammer Rate: 35,700 BPM
• Max Power: 400 UWO
• Length: 7.9 inches
• Weight: 2.7 lbs bare, 4.1 lbs with a 4.0Ah battery

Hands-on Testing Results

	4.0Ah Battery (vs Primary Batteries Only)	4.0Ah Battery (vs ALL Batteries)
Soft Torque	213 in-lbs (13rd place)	213 in-lbs (16th place)
Spade Bit	9.96 sec (13th place)	9.96 sec (16th place)
Self-Feed Bit	6.73 sec (10th place)	6.73 sec (13th place)
Concrete Bit	4.78 sec (10th place)	4.78 sec (13th place)

Craftsman’s big win is that it’s the lightest drill we tested. That’s significant for those of you looking for a quality DIY/Prosumer option. While its overall performance was the lowest for that group, keep it in context. It was able to complete our tests without feeling strained. That said, there are plenty of other drills we didn’t bring in that would have struggled or failed to complete some of the runs.

Hercules 24V Brushless Hammer Drill HCB92B

• Speeds: 0 – 550/2,000 RPM
• Max Hammer Rate: 32,000 BPM
• Max Torque: 1,200 in-lbs
• Length: 7.2 inches
• Weight: 3.3 lbs bare, 5.2 lbs with a 5.0Ah battery

Hands-on Testing Results

	5.0Ah Battery (vs Primary Batteries Only)	5.0Ah Battery (vs ALL Batteries)
Soft Torque	395 in-lbs (7th place)	395 in-lbs (10th place)
Spade Bit	3.78 sec (9th place)	3.78 sec (12th place)
Self-Feed Bit	6.89 sec (11th place)	6.89 sec (14th place)
Concrete Bit	4.06 sec (5th place)	4.06 sec (8th place)

Harbor Freight made bold claims about the performance of its latest Hercules hammer drill. To its credit, it did outperform the others in the DIY/Prosumer class. Targeting Milwaukee’s Gen 4 M18 Fuel hammer drill as a comparison in its marketing, it failed to beat that model in any of the tests and was significantly far behind with the soft torque and self-feed bit. However, it was within sight of the other two.

Compared to the other flagship drills in our test, Hercules does a nice job of keeping the weight and size on the lower side of the scale.

We haven’t used this drill enough to make a recommendation on its long-term reliability. However, Harbor Freight now offers a 5-year warranty that’s sure to raise eyebrows. Nevertheless, Harbor Freight lists it as a professional hammer drill. I’m not convinced it’s ready for that designation. For DIY use, it’s an attractive option.

Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless Hammer Drill HD5295-1A

• Speeds: 0 – 500/2,000 RPM
• Max Hammer Rate: 32,000 BPM
• Max Torque: 859 in-lbs
• Length: 7.6 inches
• Weight: 3.3 lbs bare, 4.8 lbs with a 4.0Ah battery

Hands-on Testing Results

	4.0Ah Battery (vs Primary Batteries Only)	4.0Ah Battery (vs ALL Batteries)
Soft Torque	347 in-lbs (9th place)	347 in-lbs (12th place)
Spade Bit	3.87 sec (10th place)	3.87 sec (13th place)
Self-Feed Bit	6.04 sec (7th place)	6.04 sec (10th place)
Concrete Bit	4.91 sec (11th place)	4.91 sec (14th place)

Skil sets itself apart in the Prosumer and DIY class by outperforming its competitors from Ryobi and Craftsman. While not the most compact or lightest of the three, it’s still very reasonable in both departments.

Two features also jump out that push Skil over the top. The battery includes a USB port for charging your devices. It’s a super-handy value add that you can take advantage of at home or on the road.

Skil also packs their kit with a PWRJump charger. It gives a super-fast initial charge from 0% to 25% so you can wrap up projects you’re close to finishing. Then it charges at a rapid rate to 80% before tapering off to complete the job. It gets you back in the game quicker and doesn’t hurt the overall life of your battery.

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More Cordless Drills We Recommend

Not every drill we’ve used went through our full suite of flagship testing. However, after putting them to use, they’re certainly worth your consideration.

Greenworks 24V Brushless Drill Driver

• Speeds: 0 – 380/1,450 RPM
• Max Torque: 310 in-lbs
• Bare Weight: 2.3 pounds

If you’re looking for a drill to use around the house for DIY projects, Greenworks has a 24V brushless model worth considering. It’s a 2-speed model with 1,450 RPM on the top end and 310 in-lbs of torque. This model is reasonably lightweight. Furthermore, it has batteries that double as USB power supplies to charge your devices on the go.

Thinking about going with battery power for your lawn care tools (or maybe you already have)? These tools work with the same batteries Greenworks uses in its 24V and 2 x 24V outdoor power equipment.

Ingersoll Rand IQV20 Cordless Drill D5241

• Speeds: 0 – 500/1,800 RPM
• Max Blow Rate: 28,000 BPM
• Max Torque: 1,100 in-lbs
• Head Length: 7.8 inches
• Bare Weight: 3.5 pounds

Ingersoll Rand brings their focus on extreme reliability into the cordless drill sector with a couple of options. Our favorite is the D5241 hammer drill. This model’s gearing steps down the speed a little while stepping up the torque to 1100 in-lbs. While the numbers may not seem quite as eye-popping as some models, the durability of the build is what sets Ingersoll Rand’s design apart.

Metabo HPT 36V Brushless DV36DC

• Speeds: 0 – 550/2,200 RPM
• Max Blow Rate: 33,000 BPM
• Max Torque: 1400 in-lbs
• Head Length: 7.6 inches
• Bare Weight: 4.6 pounds

Metabo HPT’s 36V MultiVolt hammer drill has the advantage of using a 36V battery that also works with their 18V tools. Plus, you can add an AC adapter if you’d like to have corded power as an option. With a recent upgrade from the DV36DA to the DV36DC model, you get 1400 in-lbs of torque to work with in low gear and a quick 2,200 RPM/33,000 BPM in high gear.

Add in solid ergonomics, the safety of kickback control, and a lifetime warranty, and you get a hammer drill that’s a solid performer for professional contractors.

Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless Compact Hammer Drill HD6294B-10

• Speeds: 0 – 500/1,800 RPM
• Max Blow Rate: 27,000 BPM
• Max Torque: 450 in-lbs
• Head Length: 6.6 inches
• Bare Weight: 2.0 pounds

Even though Skil’s PWRCore 20 Brushless Compact Hammer Drill isn’t in the same class as the other drills in our tests above, it’s worth serious consideration. It has a compact, lightweight design yet still has the power to complete the majority of weekend projects and DIY repairs around your home. And if you don’t need the hammer drilling mode, the drill driver version (DL6293B-10) is even more compact and has a price tag under $100.

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Professional Cordless Drill Comparison

Battery Selection

There’s no way to ensure every drill has the same capacity battery. We’re dealing with multiple voltages, and there are more advanced battery packs on the market to consider as well. We tried to keep every model working with a 2P pack, though. For most brands, that’s somewhere in the 4.0Ah to 6.0Ah range. Here are the batteries we tested:

Model	Primary Battery	Secondary Battery
Bosch GSB18V-1330CN	Core 18V 6.3Ah (113.4Wh)
Craftsman CMCD721	4.0Ah (72Wh)
DeWalt DCD999	5.0Ah (90Wh)	FlexVolt 6.0Ah (108Wh)
Flex FX1271	5.0Ah (90Wh)	Stacked Lithium 6.0Ah (108Wh)
Hercules HCB92B	5.0Ah (90Wh)
Hilti SF 10W-22 ATC	7.9Ah (142.2Wh)
Kobalt KXHD 1424A-03	Ultimate Output 4.0Ah (72Wh)
Makita GPH01	2.5Ah (90Wh)
Metabo SB 18 LTX-3 BL Q I	LiHD 8.0Ah (144Wh)
Milwaukee 2904	5.0Ah (90Wh)	High Output 6.0Ah (108Wh)
Ridgid R861152	Max Output 4.0Ah (72Wh)
Ryobi PBLHM101	High-Performance 4.0Ah (72Wh)
Skil HD5295-1A	4.0Ah (72Wh)

Weight

Weight is straightforward but important. Indeed, the lower the weight, the less fatiguing it is to use the drill, especially on overhead applications. Here are the weights we measured, starting with the lowest weight using the primary battery and going up from there:

Model	Bare Weight	Weight with Primary Battery	Weight with Advanced Battery
Craftsman CMCD721	2.7 lbs	4.1 lbs
Ryobi PBLHM101	3.0 lbs	4.6 lbs
Skil HD5295-1A	3.3 lbs	4.8 lbs
Kobalt KXHD 1424A-03	3.2 lbs	4.9 lbs
Milwaukee 2904	3.2 lbs	4.9 lbs	5.7 lbs
DeWalt DCD999	3.6 lbs	4.9 lbs	5.9 lbs
Ridgid R861152	3.4lbs	5.0lbs
Hercules HCB92B	3.3 lbs	5.2 lbs
Makita GPH01	3.7 lbs	5.3 lbs
Bosch GSB18V-1330CN	4.2 lbs	5.9 lbs
Flex FX1271	3.8 lbs	5.9 lbs	6.1 lbs
Metabo SB 18 LTX-3 BL Q I	3.9 lbs	6.1 lbs
Hilti SF 10W-22 ATC	4.8 lbs	7.7 lbs

Length

Lighter weight and a smaller size tend to hand-in-hand. Models that swap out plastic components for more durable metal ones can beef up in a hurry, so it’s no guarantee. A more compact cordless drill gives you the advantage of working in tighter spaces.

Model	Head Length
Milwaukee 2904	7.1 in
Hercules HCB92B	7.2 in
Makita GPH01	7.2 in
Flex FX1271	7.3 in
Ridgid R861152	7.3 in
Ryobi PBLHM101	7.5 in
Kobalt KXHD 1424A-03	7.6 in
Skil HD5295-1A	7.6 in
Craftsman CMCD721	7.9 in
Bosch GSB18V-1330CN	8.3 in
DeWalt DCD999	8.4 in
Hilti SF 10W-22 ATC	9.5 in
Metabo SB 18 LTX-3 BL Q I	9.8 in

Specifications

To get a general idea of a drill’s performance, the speed offers an idea of how fast you can drill while the torque is an indicator of how strong it is. For hammer drills, the hammer rate (or blow rate) tells you how fast the chipping action is while using hammer mode.

Keep in mind that the speed is based on having no load on the tool. Once you start drilling or driving, the motor has to work hard to keep the speed up. Drills with stronger motors and more efficient energy transfer can outperform models with higher specifications—which is why we test.

Model	Max Speeds	Hammer Rate	Max Torque
Bosch GSB18V-1330CN	550/2200 RPM	30,000 BPM	1300 in-lbs
Craftsman CMCD721	600/2100 RPM	35,700 BPM	400 UWO**
DeWalt DCD999	450/1300/2000 RPM*	38,250 BPM	1219 UWO**
Flex FX1271	700/2500 RPM	32,000 BPM	1400 in-lbs
Hercules HCB92B	550/2000 RPM	32,000 BPM	1200 in-lbs
Hilti SF 10W-22 ATC	300/560/1300/2230 RPM	NA	1062 in-lbs
Kobalt KXHD 1424A-03	550/2000 RPM	32,000 BPM	1200 in-lbs
Makita GPH01	650/2600 RPM	39,000 BPM	1250 in-lbs
Metabo SB 18 LTX-3 BL Q I	500/2050/3800 RPM	32,300 BPM	1062 in-lbs
Milwaukee 2904	500/2100 RPM	33,000 BPM	1400 in-lbs
Ridgid R861152	550/2000 RPM	32,000 BPM	1250 in-lbs
Ryobi PBLHM101	500/2100 RPM	31,000 BPM	750 in-lbs
Skil HD5295-1A	550/2000 RPM	32,000 BPM	859 in-lbs

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How We Tested Plus Full Results

Our team has tested so many cordless drills over the years that I’ve lost count. At one point, our shop was filled with 50 drills for an epic head-to-head tool comparison. We nearly lost our video editor over that one, but we also learned a lot that has helped us develop our current methods.

Soft Torque Test

There’s no great to test maximum torque on a drill—trust me, we’ve built several rigs trying. What we finally settled on is using an in-line torque meter between the drill and nutsetter to measure the maximum torque as we drive a large lag screw into stacked OSB.

It’s a tough test designed to force each drill to stop while measuring the top torque it produces. However, there’s a flaw. Modern brushless motors are designed to sense when things aren’t quite right and shut down to protect themselves. Our test isn’t capable of measuring the full hard-stop torque that’s in the specifications, but it does give us an idea of how much torque the motor is willing to provide in a soft-stop setting.

Model	Measured Soft Torque Using the Primary Battery
Hilti SF 10W-22 ATC	697 in-lbs
Milwaukee 2904	539 in-lbs
Bosch GSB18V-1330CN	514 in-lbs
Metabo SB 18 LTX-3 BL Q I	430 in-lbs
Makita GPH01	428 in-lbs
Flex FX1271	425 in-lbs
Hercules HCB92B	395 in-lbs
DeWalt DCD999	380 in-lbs
Skil HD5295-1A	347 in-lbs
Kobalt KXHD 1424A-03	317 in-lbs
Ryobi PBLHM101	266 in-lbs
Ridgid R861152 *	218 in-lbs
Craftsman CMCD721	213 in-lbs

Model	Measured Soft Torque Using an Advanced Battery
Milwaukee 2904 (HO 6.0Ah)	591 in-lbs
Flex FX1271 (SL 6.0Ah)	549 in-lbs
DeWalt DCD999 (FV 6.0Ah)	468 in-lbs

Spade Bit Test

In the first of our timed tests, we used a 1-inch self-feeding spade bit to drill through 4 inches of stacked glued USB subfloor to test the medium-load capacities of each drill. We started the test at high speed. If a drill was unable to complete the test, we dropped it into low gear. The result is an average of three successful runs without a bind-up.

Model	Average Speed w/Primary Battery
Metabo SB 18 LTX-3 BL Q I	2.20 sec
Makita GPH01	2.64 sec
Flex FX1271	2.82 sec
Hilti SF 10W-22 ATC	2.91 sec
Milwaukee 2904	3.36 sec
Bosch GSB18V-1330CN	3.39 sec
DeWalt DCD999	3.39 sec
Kobalt KXHD 1424A-03	3.67 sec
Hercules HCB92B	3.78 sec
Skil HD5295-1A	3.87 sec
Ryobi PBLHM101	3.92 sec
Ridgid R861152	4.27 sec
Craftsman CMCD721	9.96 sec

Model	Average Speed w/Advanced Battery
Flex FX1271 (SL 6.0Ah)	2.44 sec
Milwaukee 2904 (HO 6.0Ah)	2.62 sec
DeWalt DCD999 (FV 6.0Ah)	2.73 sec

Self-Feed Bit Test

To push the drills into a heavy-load rough-in application, we used a 2 9/16-inch self-feed bit to punch through 2x studs. The top performers were able to complete the test in high gear. Some that didn’t but had the advantage of 3 or more gear settings settled into a mid-range gear, while others had to complete the test in low gear. The results are the averages of three successful runs without bind-ups.

Model	Average Speed w/Primary Battery
Makita GPH01	2.12 sec
Bosch GSB18V-1330CN	2.18 sec
Milwaukee 2904	2.59 sec
Hilti SF 10W-22 ATC	2.83 sec
DeWalt DCD999	3.58 sec
Flex FX1271	4.74 sec
Skil HD5295-1A	6.04 sec
Ridgid R861152	6.42 sec
Metabo SB 18 LTX-3 BL Q I	6.68 sec
Craftsman CMCD721	6.73 sec
Hercules HCB92B	6.89 sec
Ryobi PBLHM101	6.93 sec
Kobalt KXHD 1424A-03	7.30 sec

Model	Average Speed w/Advanced Battery
Milwaukee 2904 (HO 6.0Ah)	2.21 sec
DeWalt DCD999 (FV 6.0Ah)	2.31 sec
Flex FX1271 (SL 6.0Ah)	2.47 sec

Concrete Bit Test

The final test we ran involved drilling a 3/8-inch concrete bit 3 inches deep into cured 4000 PSI concrete using high gear. We used the hammer drilling mode for each drill except Hilti’s, which only has drilling and driving modes. The result is an average of three successful runs without a bind-up.

Model	Average Speed
Metabo SB 18 LTX-3 BL Q I	2.60 sec
Flex FX1271	3.44 sec
Milwaukee 2904	3.74 sec
Bosch GSB18V-1330CN	3.78 sec
Hercules HCB92B	4.06 sec
Ryobi PBLHM101	4.16 sec
DeWalt DCD999	4.18 sec
Makita GPH01	4.22 sec
Kobalt KXHD 1424A-03	4.54 sec
Craftsman CMCD721	4.78 sec
Skil HD5295-1A	4.91 sec
Ridgid R861152	5.32 sec
Hilti SF 10W-22 ATC *	5.51 sec

Model	Average Speed w/Advanced Battery
Flex FX1271 (SL 6.0Ah)	2.55 sec
DeWalt DCD999 (FV 6.0Ah)	2.85 sec
Milwaukee 2904 (HO 6.0Ah)	3.38 sec

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Cordless Drill Brands Based on User Type

Cordless drills are one of the most fundamental tools you can own, and it’s no surprise that there are a dizzying number of brands in the space. The good news is that there are a lot of trustworthy names. The bad news is that it can be difficult to tell which one you should buy if you’re new to the industry. Not to worry—we’ve got your back!

We recommend each of the brands listed below, and we’ve broken them up into four classes to help you have more confidence in your selections.

Professional

• Bosch
• DeWalt
• Festool
• Flex
• Hilti
• Ingersoll Rand
• Makita
• Metabo
• Metabo HPT
• Milwaukee

Entry-Level Professional

• Kobalt
• Ridgid

Prosumer/Serious DIY

• Craftsman
• Masterforce
• Ryobi
• Skil

DIY

• Black and Decker
• Greenworks
• HART
• Worx

Think you know everything? Our How to Use a Drill article might still manage to show you a thing or two.

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What Professional Contractors and Tradesmen Need in a Cordless Drill

Performance: Speed, blow rate, and torque give you an idea of how fast and strong a drill or hammer drill will perform. They’re helpful when you’re comparing data during research, and typically the higher the battery, but it’s the motor’s ability to keep the RPMs high under load that separates them.

Size and Weight: Size and weight tend to go hand-in-hand, with larger drills weighing more. Ideally, we want the lightest and most compact tool that still does the job effectively. That keeps the fatigue to a minimum while maximizing access.

Ergonomics: Beyond the size and weight, how the weight is balanced and how the grip feels in your hands brings ergonomics full circle. As you narrow down your choices, there’s something to be said for a tool that feels right in your hands.

Features: As you move up from entry-level cordless drills, you should expect more features that make working more convenient than just performance boosts alone. Here’s what to look for:

• Multiple speeds: 2 speeds are a must, more is generally better
• Kickback control: stops the motor if the bit binds up
• Side handle: absolutely necessary on drills with higher torque
• Smart controls: helps with inventory management and tracking, some offer customizable controls
• Interchangeable chucks: switching to a specialized chuck can get you out of a sticky situation
• All-metal chuck: better durability
• LED light: nearly every drill has one, but our favorites put the light(s) around the chuck
• Belt hook: usually reversible, they’re super-helpful when you have materials to carry or you’re climbing a ladder

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Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Pro Tool Reviews has tested and evaluated cordless power tools since 2008. We understand the key features to look for — including the differences that affect users in the field. We’ve 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.

In short, 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. If you choose to buy something I recommend, my hope is that it works exactly the way you expect on your next project.

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