When Pros want to upgrade their systems it’s often difficult to know where to go. While you may have your favorite “color” or brand, we seek to help you understand the competition through rigorous tool testing. We understand the tendency for Pros to choose favorites. To find the best cordless drill, we not only test power, we also look at run-time, vibration, ergonomics, features, and value. We do in-house testing of various torque and speed scenarios using our 2600 square foot shop full of premium testing rigs and measuring equipment. Our individual drill reviews are thorough, and break down the performance, build quality, features, feel, and value proposition of each tool. If you want a tool that’s more suited to driving fasteners, check out our best impact driver reviews where we avoid bias by using standardized testing methods across the board. Without an objective testing source, you may find yourself purchasing a tool that can’t get the job done.
The Craftsman C3 19.2V Compact Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver 11910 is the most recent addition to the already extensive line of the C3 tool system. The latest technology was used to build this compact and ergonomic drill that is 30% lighter and has features normally associated with a full size drill. Standard with a 1/2†keyless chuck, two speed gear box, 24 position adjustable torque clutch and a built in LED work light in the handle.
The do-it-all portable drill that helped to define a market segment! For those big holes saws and auger bits… no problem! For drilling 3/4″ holes in concrete block… no problem! For driving in 1/4″ lag bolts… no problem! For taking the lug nuts off your 18-wheeler… OK, well it can’t do everything. The DeWalt DW988KA Heavy-Duty XRP 1/2″ 18V Hammerdrill / Drill / Driver is the tool for nearly any job. This drill comes with a high-torque motor, three-speed manual transmission, hammer drill setting, and a nifty removable side handle that can be added to the front and rotated 360 degrees to ensure you always have a comfortable grip and maintain control.
The Ridgid R86014 Drill/Driver is a great combination of quality and features. From its very solid construction to the automatic transmission, this drill is a sure performer. What’s more, the lithium-ion batteries reform this tool into something new, stronger, and better than its NiCd predecessors.
We took the Makita 6347DWDE Cordless Drill to task and discovered that Makita has some serious power in this 18V tool. The 6347DWDE provides ample torque and its easy to use and ergonomic torque control means that contractors and handymen will both appreciate the ease of use this tool offers. User-accessible brush replacement and Ni-MH batteries also indicate a tool that will last for years and years – even under extreme stress.
The Craftsman 4.8 Volt Pistol Screwdriver is a handyman’s (or handywoman’s) “go-to” tool. This rechargeable pistol grip screwdriver is perfect for those around the house jobs for which the big boy tools are simply too darn cumbersome. We tested out this pistol grip screwdriver in a variety of jobs and found it to be long lasting and perfect for most basic projects, provided you didn’t expect much torque or require the finesse of a variable speed drill.
