Best Brushless Cordless Drill Reviews & Comparison (Updated!)

April 24, 2021

Every household needs a cordless drill, it is one of the most versatile tools you can have. You can use it for multiple jobs around the house such as hanging pictures and shelves, drilling accurate holes very fast, and even building simple pieces of furniture using a dowel jig or a pocket hole jig.

Here are the best cordless drills with brushless motors:

The best brushless cordless drills

Our top choice: DeWalt DCD791D2

Budget alternative: Ryobi-P252

Best for DIYers:

DeWalt DCD791D2 is the best brushless drill

Ryobi P252 is a good brushless drill on a budget

Best brushless cordless drill for homeowners

(Click the images for more info)

Benefits of brushless vs. a brushed motor

Longer lifespan. There are no brushes to wear out, the drill also operates at a lower temperature.
Lower maintenance. There are no brushes to replace (plus you easily spend $15-20 on a pair of brushes every 50-60 hours of use).
Lighter motors. Reduced operator fatigue for any hand-held power tools.
Higher efficiency. Brushless motors are 85-90% efficient, while brushed motors are 75-80% efficient. That means longer working hours out of each battery charge.

Brushless Cordless Drill Reviews (AKA the ONLY buyer’s guide you’ll need)

Cordless drill drivers are designed to drill holes, insert screws, and remove them.

You can control the drill/drive speed by pressing the speed control. It works very intuitively: by pulling further you increase the drilling speed, while releasing the trigger you slow it down or completely stop.

The chuck is the part that holds the drill bits - as a standard, chucks come with 3 jaws. Most power drills today come with a keyless chuck, so there is a forward/reverse button which serves both to drive or remove screws and to change drill bits.

Drill Driver Advantages

Higher Torque. More power, higher speeds, and greater torque due to higher-voltage batteries and better gear systems. The average cordless drill-driver delivers 400-500 in-lbs (50-60 Nm) of torque, while cordless screwdrivers only deliver 20% of that. In other words, it is easier to drive larger screws in tougher materials – plastics, hardwoods, and so on.
Torque Control. Set it up accurately and your screws will consistently be at the right depth. You will also avoid damaging the work surface and the screw head. Cordless impact drivers do not have this feature, so you can only control torque by the trigger squeeze and risk sinking the screw below the material’s surface.
3-Jawed Chucks. They are compatible with both straight-shank drill bits and hexagonal screwdriver bits. Neither impact drivers nor screwdrivers have 3-jawed chucks. In other words, if you want to use either of them for drilling holes, it is very likely you will need to find and purchase hexagonal-shank drill bits.

Drill Driver Disadvantages

Cumbersome. The higher-capacity battery and the more versatile chuck come at a price: heavier weight and bigger length. Occasional use is not an issue, but long use periods will bring arm and wrist strain, especially if you hold your tool above your head for long periods of time - rafters of a roof, for instance.
Kick Back. When the motor is not able to drill a large hole or drive a long screw in a hard material, all its power goes to the tool body - which can potentially strain your wrist and arm as you hold the drill.

Drill Driver vs Screwdriver

Cordless screwdrivers are smaller, lighter, and less expensive. They allow you to insert and remove smaller screws and even drill smaller pilot holes in softer materials.

A cordless drill driver is more powerful and can drill all types of holes in all types of materials, as well as to insert and remove bigger screws even in harder materials.

Drill Driver vs Impact Driver

Cordless impact drivers (also known as combi drills) are designed to be used in masonry, concrete, and brickwork - and they do it easily thanks to their hammer function. They are more powerful, heavier, and more expensive. This extra power also means they can easily damage softwoods.

A cordless drill driver allows you to work with softer and harder materials alike, as well as inserting and removing screws.

Tool Torque

In simple words, it is the turning force used to drill holes and insert/remove screws and bolts. It is measured at the chuck - where it actually counts. Larger holes and screws or harder materials demand higher torque.

Torque is one of the most important features of a drill/driver. It’s how much power the tool delivers at the clutch. Most companies present their torque figures in inch-pounds force (US) or in Newton meters (metric).

Speed

You should look for a drill/driver that can deliver high RPMs and high torque if you know you will work with harder materials and larger screws.

Adjustable Clutch

Some also call it torque control or torque clutch, and it is required if you are driving screws.

Before starting the job, you set a maximum torque on the clutch and the drill will not over-drive the screw into your work piece. This is especially recommended if you are driving lots of screws, such as when building a deck.

Picking A Chuck

Chuck is the part that holds the bits in the drill. You should pay attention to both the size and the type of chuck.

You will most frequently see chuck sizes in 1/4”, 3/8”, and 1/2” in diameter. 1/2” chucks allow you to use large drill bits.

As for chuck types, you can have them either keyed or keyless:

A keyed chuck simply means you will use a mechanical key to loosen or tighten drill bits. The main advantage here is that drill bits are held tighter.
A keyless chuck tightens the drill bit when you power the drill while hold the chuck with your hand. The advantage here is that changing bits is faster, plus there is no chuck key to lose in the middle of a job.

Battery

Even when your tool is off, it still draws a tiny amount of energy from the battery, which adds up over days and weeks without use. The best course of action is to remove the battery from the tool when putting them away.

Also, avoid storing or charging the batteries in a place with extremely high or low temperatures:

High heat ruins your batteries permanently.
Cold weather decreases the amount of power available for your tool.

Also, avoid using the batteries to full discharge. Sometimes you will not be able to recharge your battery and you will permanently lose it. Most batteries today also offer a charge indicator, so you can avoid running your batteries down fully and damaging them.

There are several aspects you should consider when buying a brushless cordless drill. Here they are:

Number of Batteries. A kit that includes more than one battery offers you the ability to keep on working with one battery while you recharge the other. Less downtime and higher productivity.
Battery Capacity. This is simply the amount of electric charge a battery can hold. and it is measured in Ampère hours (Ah). The higher the Ah rating, the more battery juice you have between charges. A battery rated for 3.0 Ah can deliver 3 Amps during 1 hour, 6 Amps during 30 minutes, or 4.5 Amps during 45 minutes.
Battery Gauge. Some tool manufacturers offer you a level gauge, others only include a charged/empty indicator, and others do not offer any sort of battery gauge. You’d better find out how much charge you have left before climbing up a ladder or going into a tight crawlspace to start working.
Smart Battery Chargers. Many brands also offer smart chargers, which can recharge a battery in 15 minutes to one hour, versus three to five hours of the conventional chargers.
Cordless Tool Lineup. When you decide on a battery size and a brand, you will be able to share the same batteries and charger among all your cordless tools. This way you can save money on buying (and garage/shop space on storing) extra batteries and chargers.

Drill Head Length

Important measurement for working in tight spaces - the shorter the head length, the more convenient and versatile the unit will be. If you need to drill many holes in tight spaces such as wall studs and floor joists, then you might want to consider buying a right-angle drill.

Drill & Battery Total Weight

Usually torque and bulk are directly correlated because a bigger motor and battery will deliver more power. That translates in wrist and arm strain.

If you plan on using your drill/driver for long periods, make sure to look at brushless drill drivers. They tend to be lighter and deliver higher torque and speeds, all while needing less Amp hours to perform the same tasks as brushed units.

I chose to compare total drill and battery weight in my table because this is what you will actually hold in your hand when working.

Soft Bag or Hard Case?

I find no difference because I do most of my work in my workbench.

However, folks who are constantly on the move may have their preferences and should watch out for this as well.

The Material You’re Drilling

How much power you will need is directly related to the type of project and materials you will be dealing with.

Tougher materials or larger screws demand more battery power. Laying decking demands more usage time and battery power, or more spare batteries to switch between the one you use and the other you leave charging.

On the other hand, smaller DIY tasks such as hanging a picture frame or fitting hinges to cupboards don’t demand much power, so you can save money here and buy lower Amp hour rated batteries.

Other Desirable Features

Reverse mode, so you can remove stuck drill bits. Keyless chucks always have reverse mode (because this is how you get the drill bit out), so you have to look for this feature only if you are buying a keyed chuck drill
Variable speed, so you can use your drill to drive screws. This is also useful for drilling cleaner holes in different materials, which requires different bit speeds. Softer materials require higher speeds. Harder materials need lower speeds.
Two speed ranges are especially important for driving screws. The lower speed range simplifies the task of driving screws without stripping them.
LED work light. This is a small detail that you will thank when you are working in a dark place.

FAQ

Is a brushless drill better?

In short, yes. Their battery consumption is lower so you work more from a single charge. The lack of brushes leads to lower friction, causing lower operating temperatures, more power, and a longer-lasting life. The maintenance is also simpler because brushed drills need new brushes after 50-60 hours of use.

Are brushless drills worth the money?

Yes. Prices are dropping. Brushless drill are also lighter and reduce operator fatigue.

The costs can be deceiving too. A single pair of brushes costs $15-20 and lasts only 50-60 hours. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that brushless motors are way cheaper for experienced DIYers and heavy-duty users.

Should I Get A Drill, An Impact Driver, Or A Cordless Screwdriver?

Drills work best for quick drilling and almost all screw-driving.

An impact driver can loosen a complicated screw avoiding to strip its head. Driving a screw with an impact driver also will not damage its head. The “hammering” action, as it is called, is noisier than a drill.

Cordless screwdrivers are lighter, but usually under-powered. A professional model costs around the same as a cordless drill, which is more powerful and versatile.

How long do brushless motors last?

Brushless motors virtually last indefinitely. All you need is to pay attention to the bearings. If the motor starts getting hotter than usual, it’s time to replace them. There are no other parts inside that need replacement, unless something breaks or someone drops your drill.

As a comparison, brushed motors last 1,000 to 3,000 hours. Plus, you need to change brushes every 50 to 60 hours of use.

How to convert UWO into in.lbs?

DeWalt and Porter-Cable inform their torque output numbers in UWO, or “Unit Watts Out”.

Here’s the math:

Torque (in.lbs) = MWO x 560 / Speed (RPM)

How to convert Nm into in.lbs?

Converting between Newton Meters and Inch-pounds Force is simple. Multiply your in.lbs by 8.8507 and you get the Nm figure.

What’s the Difference between NiCad & Lithium Batteries?

Both are rechargeable batteries with ideal applications.

Most batteries today are Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), which offer more power, less weight, no battery memory problems, are lighter, and contain less metal elements harmful for the environment.

Lithium-Ion batteries are lighter and smaller in size. They can be recharged before being completely discharged without creating a “memory effect”, so their maintenance is simpler. They also deliver power constantly. Their drawback is being more fragile, so they need a protection circuit for safe operation. That makes them more expensive. They are used in laptops, smartphones, cordless power tools, and so on.

Caring for Li-Ion batteries is simple. Keep them cool. The hotter they become, the higher your chances are of facing battery failure.

Avoid the cheaper Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and the Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries – Cadmium is a toxic metal that can pollute ground water if it is not disposed correctly.

Nickel-cadmium batteries suffer from “memory effect”. Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal, so special battery disposal is a must. They are usually used in smaller cells such as batteries ranging from AAA to D, or in bigger cell packs such as in automotive applications.

Which Drill Voltage Should I choose? 12V, 18V, 20V, 36V, 60V?

In a cordless drill, power and torque is determined by the voltage. Higher voltage also commands higher weight. So, if you need more juice in your cordless drill, such as 18V or 20V and upwards, then your tool will weigh just as much as a corded tool. Smaller batteries such as 12V are lighter.

36V and 60V are professional tools for handymen who use and abuse of their tools. They pay a premium for better battery technology and improved tool construction.
20V is a marketing play. That’s the maximum voltage without any load. 18V is the nominal voltage. For all practical purposes, 20V = 18V
18V are great for weekend warriors. They are the best for projects such as cutting multiple sheets of plywood, driving many deck screws, and drilling a bunch of holes.
12V are good enough for DIYers who occasionally use power tools to install a screen door or put some hooks in the garage.

18V tools are the best because they are the most versatile, strong, and offer a good balance of weight and power output.

What Does The “ah” Mean in Cordless Batteries?

Ah means Ampere-hour, or amp-hour. A higher Ah rating means you can use your cordless power tool for a longer time. A battery rated for 4.0 Ah can deliver 4 Amps during 1 hour or 8 Amps during 30 minutes.

What does Variable Trigger Speed Mean?

A variable trigger switch means the motor will spin the drive shaft faster, according to how much you squeeze the trigger.

If your drill has multiple speed settings, your drill will work between zero RPM and the maximum RPM of each speed setting.

Final thoughts

Sources: Quantum Devices, Wikipedia 1, 2, RCuniverse.