Are you looking for a versatile tool with which you can do your drilling projects easily? Want something compact and easy to carry? Do not want to go through the hassle of connecting your drill to a power outlet every time you decide to work?
If the answers to the questions mentioned above are yes for you, then you are undoubtedly looking for a cordless drill.
Now, to make sure that you do not break your bank in case of buying one, we will guide you through to get the top-rated cordless drill.
Cordless drills are one of the versatile must-have tools out there. With them, you will be able to do small jobs around your house to more substantial projects in your garage effortlessly.
10 Best Cordless Drill Under $150
For your convenience, we went around the market and picked the ones that offer the most value. These are:
DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill
For your convenience, we went around the market and picked the ones that offer the most value. These are:
If you are looking for a cordless device that packs a substantial power to grind through most of the surfaces, then you should keep this drill from DEWALT into your consideration.
The drill machine comes featured with a motor that can deliver 300 units of power. You will be able to do a wide range of drilling applications with this.
Smaller projects such as installing wall anchors for hanging pictures or even the larger projects such as building a wooden deck can be done effortlessly with this device.
As the device features a lightweight and compact design, you will be able to drill through the tightest areas at ease.
For the inclusion of an ergonomic handle and two and a half-pound of the weight of the device, you will be able to carry it around easily.
Putting it in the toolbox will not be a hassle also as it is just 6.9 inches in length and 7.9 inches in height.
Getting back to the performance, it features a two high-speed transmission setting. With the 450 rpm, you can do all the screw fastening you want, and the 1500 rpm setting is for all your drilling purposes.
It features a keyless chuck for easy installation of drill bits. The single sleeve half-inch ratcheting chuck holds firmly onto the bits. You will not have to worry about your bits getting loose during drilling or fastening.
The device comes with a high capacity battery. It is 1.3 ampere-hour, and the standard voltage revolves around 18 volts. After charging it to the brink, it rises to 20 volts.
It also features a LED footlight that will provide you enough visibility in dark environments. In the box, you will receive the device itself and a belt clip.
Pros
Cons
Makita XFD131 18V LXT
Are you looking for a drill that has an efficient motor? Want a device that sports a brushless motor? Then you are probably looking for this unit from Makita.
The star of the show here is the motor. As it is brushless, it runs comparatively cooler than most other devices out there.
With the lower thermal operation, the efficiency also rises substantially. You can expect it to extend the overall battery life to up to 50 percent.
It is not only efficient but also powerful. The unit can deliver a maximum of 440 inches per pound of torque of drilling power.
With the combination of a decent battery and powerful motor, you will not have to make frequent trips to the battery charger.
Talking about the battery, it comes packed with an 18 volts Lithium-Ion battery. The battery has fast charging capability, which means you will not have to wait longer after it drains out completely to resume your work.
In the case of the overall design, it sports an ergonomic compact footprint. It weighs only 3.8 pounds with the battery installed and has 6-5/8 inches of total length.
The handle grip has a soft rubberized coating that will let you comfortably to hold the unit while drilling.
It also sports a speed transmission switch through which you can do a wide range of drill machine works.
The 500 rpm setting is for fastening applications while the 1900 rpm is for drilling applications.
You will not have to worry about the durability of the internals as the unit comes with appropriate protection.
It has seals along the body that will ensure that dust, water, and other debris are channeled away from the key components.
Pros
Cons
Bosch GSR12V-140FCB22 12V Max Flexiclick
Are you looking for a versatile drill machine that ships with a plethora of attachments? Want something that will make those weird angle drilling easier? Then you should definitely have a look into this driver set from Bosch.
With the included accessories, you will be able to do most of the drilling works at ease. One of them is the highly flexible keyless chuck. With that, you will be able to lock in drilling bits to work with harder surfaces.
The second accessory is the locking bit holder attachment. This holder will let you lock in hex bits to achieve a high-torque drilling power.
Then there is the right angle adapter that will allow you to work in tight spaces. It works with the other attachments, and you can rotate it to 16 different angles.
Lastly, you will find the offset angle adapter. It will let you fasten screws to the very end of the threading. You can also adjust this to 16 different positions.
In the case of the drill itself, it sports an ergonomic design that is exceptionally comfortable to hold. You will have no trouble carrying it around as it weighs 1.4 pounds only.
But do not let the weight fool you because it can provide 265 inches per pound of torque.
Working in the dark will not be a hassle anymore.
The unit features a front LED light that will illuminate every time you drill. You can even keep the light turned on for 10 seconds after you press the power button.
It comes with a two amp-hour 12V Lithium-ion battery, and there is a three-level battery indicator on the side of the driver. You will receive a battery charger and a carrying bag with the unit.
Pros
Cons
DEWALT DCD701F2 Xtreme 12V
In the case of doing drilling jobs, a decent power tool can make the work feel effortless. It can make tasks like making small pilot holes on the wall look like a piece of cake, and this cordless drill from DEWALT is one of those decent power tools that your money can buy right now.
The unit comes packed with a brushless motor that can output 32% more power than most of the drills in this footprint.
It can provide a maximum of 250 unit watts, which is more than enough for most drilling applications.
Just like every other device on the market, it also comes featured with a variable transmission speed switch.
You can choose from 0-425 rpm or 0-1500 rpm setting. The first one is for screw fastening, and the second one is for day to day drilling tasks.
In the case of the overall dimensions of the unit, it is 5.97 inches in length and 7.25 inches in height. This footprint makes the device extremely compact and portable.
The total weight of the device without the battery is 1.9 pounds, which means you will be able to carry it around easily.
You will not have to worry about the compatibility of the bits for this unit. It comes featured with a 3/8 inch ratcheting chuck that can take a plethora of drill bits and screw attachments.
Like most other drivers, this unit also comes featured with a foot LED light. It turns on every time you power the device on, and it will provide you enough visibility to work in the dark.
The drill comes with a two amp-hour 12 Volts battery, which along with the efficient motor, will be able to keep the unit up for an extended amount of time.
Pros
Cons
DEWALT DCD708C2 Atomic 20V
Are you looking for a compact device that can grind through most of the surfaces effortlessly? Do not want to sacrifice in case of power when it comes to portability? Then you were probably looking for a driver such as this one from DEWALT.
The main thing that is backing this unit in case of providing a significant power is the brushless motor. By eliminating carbon brushes, it stays much cooler and thus gains more efficiency.
It is capable of outputting 340 units of watts. You will be able to soar through most of the surfaces at ease.
Just because this unit can provide a significant amount of power, it does not mean that it is comparatively heavy or large.
It only weighs 2.4 pounds, which makes it extremely easy to carry around. In the case of the size, the length from front to back is just 6.3 inches. You will be able to fit it into most of the tight spaces.
Keeping the tabs up with the competition, it also comes featured with a switchable speed trigger.
It will allow you to control the overall rpm for precise drilling on delicate surfaces. You can dial between 0-450 rpm or 0-1650 rpm.
The half-inch ratcheting chuck will provide excellent bit gripping capability. You will not have to worry about your bits getting loose during operations. It has 15 different adjustable positions as well.
As the device comes featured with a LED foot light, you will be able to work in darker environments comfortably.
With the device, you will receive 20V lithium-ion batteries, a DCB106 charger, a belt clip, and finally, a carry bag.
Pros
Cons
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Drill Combo Kit
While you are working on your project, you might find the necessity of other power tools than just a cordless drill.
In that case, you might want a set that not only comes with a decent dill machine but also has other essential tools within the budget.
That is why we have decided to put this set into our list of best cordless drill for 150.
Let us talk about the star of the show first, the drill.
Even though you might think that getting a decent unit in a set that is within our budget is too good to be true, it is not.
The driver is capable of grinding through most of the surfaces such as plastic, metal, wood, and it can handle all types of screw fastening tasks too.
In the case of the chuck, it features a 3/8 inch chuck that has a plethora of clutch settings. You can adjust it to 11 different positions, which mostly eliminates the possibility of stripping screws.
The unit is extremely lightweight as well, which means you will be able to maneuver it without facing any difficulties.
It is also exceptionally compact as well. You will be able to fit it in most of the tightest spaces at ease.
With the 20V lithium-ion battery, it is capable of exerting 115 inches per pound of torque. The transmission speed is within 0 to 650 rpm.It also sports a front LED to provide you light in dark environments.
Besides the driver itself, you will find a circular saw, reciprocating saw, work light unit, battery charger, double-ended bit, two saw blades, and a battery in the whole set.
Overall, this is a great all in one set for most of the drilling or grinding projects.
Pros
Cons
Bosch PS32-02 12V Brushless Compact Drill
Are you looking for a 12 Volt driver that extremely light and compact? Want a drill that is compact and sports a brushless motor? Then this driver from Bosch is the perfect pick for you.
You will have a hard time trying to find a brushless 12V drill that is lighter or more compact than this.
It weighs just 2 pounds, and the length accords to 6.65 inches while the height is only 7 inches. With such a footprint, you will be able to drill through surfaces even in the tightest spaces.
One of the highlighted features of this unit is the all-metal gearbox brushless motor. Because of the elimination of the carbon brushes, it achieves a substantial efficiency by keeping it relatively cooler.
This small little driver can deliver a 180 inches per pound of torque. With this, you will be able to do most of the drilling operations at ease.
Just like most other drivers in the market, it will allow you to switch between two individual transmission speed.
The first one is 0-400 rpm, which will let you do most of the fastening tasks, while with the other 0-1300 rpm setting, you will be able to most of the drilling applications.
It features a 3/8 inch keyless chuck in which you can fit your drill bit easily. The drill bits are secured firmly on the chuck, and you will not have to worry about them getting loose during operation. You will also be able to adjust the chuck in 21 different positions.
In the package, you will receive two 12V lithium-ion batteries. Two of them combined have more than enough capacity to handle your extended overhead drilling or fastening projects. You will also receive a canvas bag for carrying the device.
Pros
Cons
CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Drill Combo Kit
Do you find yourself doing a lot of fastening tasks alongside drilling? Want a separate tool for drilling and fastening? Then this combo kit from CRAFTSMAN is the one for you.
First of all, let us discuss the drill. It sports a powerful motor that is capable of handling not only heavy drilling but also small fastening tasks.
With the maximum 280 units of watts output, you will be able to grind through most of the surfaces at ease.
It features a switch for changing the transmission speed of the gearbox. You will able able to work at 0-350 rpm setting for low to medium demanding tasks and 0-1500 rpm mode for the heavy ones.
Now, the secondary tool that you are going to receive in this kit is the impact driver. You will mostly be using it for heavy-duty fastening tasks.
It also features a high-performance motor that can offer 1460 inches per pound of torque. Those stubborn screws will not be a hassle anymore with this.
The impact driver also features switchable transmission speed to let you precisely fasten your screws.
You can run it at 2800 rpm setting for the regular tasks and 3100 rpm for the demanding fastening tasks.
Switching through the screw bits will not be a problem at all as the impact driver comes featured with drop and load bit changing mechanism.
Both the tools feature an ergonomic design. They are compact in size and sports contoured handles. These feature a half-inch chuck, and it has excellent gripping ability. Both of them have a front LED light for improving visibility in dark environments.
You will receive two high-performance 20V lithium-ion batteries and a charger. The charger can charge the batteries up within 60 minutes.
Pros
Cons
WORX WX176L 20V Switchdriver 2-in-1
Are you tired of seeing the same design throughout every cordless drill that you came across? Are you looking for something a little different? Want something innovative? Then this unit of WORX will surely catch your attention.
The highlighted feature of the unit is its innovative chucks. Yes, chucks! It comes with two individual chucks. With this, you will be able to work with two different bits simultaneously.
Even the switching process is instantaneous and straightforward too. With the push of a button, you will be able to rotate the ¼ inch chucks 180 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise.
You will be able to drill and fasten screws without having to change bits or tools. The chucks are adjustable, and it has 12 different clutch positions.
Another feature that this comes boasting with is the torque control. This feature is unique and can hardly be seen in any other drills.
You will be able to dial the torque of the chuck to 12 different settings. It eliminates the occasional stripping of screws and lowers the possibility of the surface getting damaged.
Moving on to the features that you can find in most other drills, it comes with a variable transmission switch.
This feature will allow you to switch between 0-400 rpm for fastening or slow drilling and 0-1500 rpm for heavy drilling.
It also features a front LED light to illuminate the workspaces. You will be able to work in the dark without any hassle with this drill.
The driver is comparatively lightweight too. Even though it comes with two different chucks, it is only around 3 pounds. It is powered with an efficient 20V lithium-ion battery.
Pros
Cons
PORTER-CABLE 20V MAX Cordless Drill / Driver Kit
A cordless driver that has an excellent bit retention and can provide more power in a small footprint makes drilling relatively easier. Getting such a unit in the market is quite hard.
If you were looking for one, then this one from PORTER-CABLE is the one that you were looking for all this time.
The drill machine features a half-inch ratcheting chuck that can firmly hold bits. You will not have to worry about your drill bits getting loose during operation.
It is also keyless, which means you will not require a tool for changing bits. You can adjust it to 23 different positions.
As the device comes featured with brushless motor, it runs comparatively cooler compared to most of the drills that are available in the market.
With operating in an optimal thermal condition, it also achieves a significant efficiency.
It can output 330 units of watts of power, which means you will be able to do most of the drilling tasks at ease.
You can switch between two different transmission settings. With the 0-400 rpm mode, you will be able to do precise fastening, and with the other 0-1600 rpm setting, you can grind through most of the surfaces easily.
The 7.75 inches length makes the tool relatively compact. It also weighs just 3.5 pounds. You will easily be able to work in those critical tight spaces for a prolonged amount of time.
It comes with two 20V lithium-ion compact batteries that are 1.5 amp hour. With the efficient motor, you will get at least fifty percent more runtime than most other drill drivers.
You will also receive a charger, kit box for storing the device, and a double-ended bit tip.
Pros
Cons
Things to Consider Before Buying
In your adventure of buying a high-quality cordless drill, you will stumble upon a plethora of options in the market.
Among all of those, there will be only a few that will give you the best value proposition. To get them, you have to keep some factors in mind. These are:
Power
Each of the drill drivers comes with different power ratings. The amount of power that you are going to require depends entirely on what type of surface you plan to grind through.
For example, if you plan to only use the tool for drilling on wooden surfaces, concrete walls, and sheet metals, you will be okay with a unit that can provide around 250 units of watts power.
But, if you intend to grind through thick metal surfaces, you will have to get the ones that can exert about 300 units of watts.
On that note, the amount of output watts depends on the working voltage of the drill. You will find drivers that are as low as 2 volts and as high as 24 volts.
The ones that have a higher voltage rating will be able to output more units of watts.
So, you should factor in how much power do you need before buying a drill.
The Motor
Cordless drills nowadays come featured with two types of motors. One is the conventional brush motor, and the other one is the brushless motor.
The brush motor contains carbon brushes, while the other one does not. Among the two of them, the brushless motor operates at a much lower temperature. This lower operating temperature allows it to be highly efficient.
With an efficient motor, you will be able to do your tasks for a prolonged time without having to take a break for charging the battery. So, we would advise you to pick a unit that has a brushless motor.
Battery
The battery is a crucial factor in the case of cordless drill because this is what makes them cordless.
In the case of the power cell, you need to consider two different things. One is the rated amps, and the other is the capacity.
Amps and capacity are inversely related to each other. It means that the lower the size, the higher the rated power will be and vice-versa.
If your daily drilling tasks are from low to moderate load, you should go for the one that has a high capacity battery. That means you will good with something that has more than one amp hour.
On the other hand, if you plan to do heavy drilling tasks, then you are going to require a battery that has at least two ampere-hour rating. In that case, the capacity is going to be a little lower.
Charger
The charger that the unit ships with plays a crucial role too. In the case of most of the drill machines, they usually ship with a single lithium-ion battery.
If you are planning to do heavy drilling for an extended amount of time with those, you will have to charge it frequently.
A quick charger in that regard will make the overall process a little less tedious. So, you should try to get a drill that ships with a decent charger if possible.
The Chuck
In the case of cordless drills, chuck is the place where you clamp down the rotating drill bits. Different manufactures incorporate different sizes of chuck for their units.
The most common ones are the 3/8 inch and the half inch. You should pick one of them depending on your workload.
If you intend to do heavy drilling tasks, you should go for the 3/8 inch chuck, and if you just want to do regular works, then the half-inch one should be fine.
Besides the size of the chuck, you should also consider the bit retention capability of the chuck as well.
If the chuck can not hold onto the bits firmly, you will have to tighten it frequently. A good chuck makes drilling much more straightforward.
Variable Transmission Speed
Most of the compact drills come with the variable transmission speed feature. With the flick of a switch, you will be able to change the rotation speed of the unit for your type of workload.
Usually, the devices will allow you to shift between two gears. The first one will be from 0-600 rpm, which is for fastening or slow drilling purposes, and the second one is for heavy drilling, which will vary from one unit to another depending on the power.
In a nutshell, the variable transmission speed feature will let you fasten screws and drill holes with the same device.
Ergonomics
As you are mostly going to carry your drill around while doing your works, you should give importance to the ergonomics also. The area that you should focus on in case of the whole body is the handle.
A soft rubberized contoured handle will let you firmly grip on to the drill. It will also make working with it much more comfortable. You will not have to wear additional hand gloves in that regard.
Size
The more compact the device will be, the easier it will be to maneuver. If the drill sports a shorter overall length, you will be able to work in those hard to get tight spaces at ease. Besides, smaller units are easier to store as well.
Heft
As you are going to carry the unit with just one of your hands, you should consider the overall weight.
The lighter the drill, the easier it will be to move it around. Besides, lighter devices eliminate the possibilities of hand fatigue in case of prolonged use too.
Durability
Drill machines have to go through a lot. They collide with metal shards, wood chips, concrete, and whatnots.
A well-built body will be able to withstand all of those at ease. So, to get more extended service out of the unit you invested in, you should pick one that has higher durability.
Included Accessories
The additional accessories that drill machine ships with will enhance the overall experience. For example, many come with a set of bits, angle attachments, extra battery, and a good carrying case. These will make drilling much more convenient.
Types of Cordless Drills
There are usually three types of cordless drills in the market right now. Each of them is used for a different kind of workload. These are :
Impact Drivers
The thing that sets these drivers apart from the regular cordless drills is the ability to offer higher torque in a perpendicular direction. That is why they are called impact drivers.
With these, you will not have to apply much pressure on the unit to grind through thick surfaces or to fasten and loosen up big screws.
However, they are comparatively louder and power-hungry. These drivers are mostly for heavy-duty tasks.
Hammer Drills
These drivers are the ones that add extra pounding force on the drill. However, these are mostly for drilling deep holes on thick walls.
They feature a switch that will allow you to change the state of the hammer clutch attached to your drill.
Compared to all other drills, they require the most power. They are larger in size and are quite hefty as well.
Cordless Screwdrivers
These are the light-duty drills that are mostly used for fastening small screws or drilling small holes on thinner surfaces.
They are incredibly compact and lightweight. You will be able to fit them in your pockets. They also require lower power to operate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you head out to purchase a set, you have to know about the size of the chuck for your unit.
For example, if the chuck size 3/8 inch, then you have to buy a drill set that is exactly for that size of chuck.
The voltage rating means that the unit ships with a battery of that voltage. It also means that the motor inside can work at that maximum voltage. The higher the rating, the more powerful a drill driver will be.
Brushless motor does not have any carbon brushes in them, and on the other hand, the brushed motor does.
Among the two of them, brushless motor is the most efficient as they operate at a lower temperature.
Rpm stands for rounds per minute, which means that the drill bit will revolve that many times in a minute.
The ah stands for amp hour, the amp is the unit of electricity. In other words, the amount of energy the battery will flow through in an hour.
Yes, they do. The more voltage a drill works with, the higher the inches per pound of torque you will obtain.
Final Words
With all that, we hope that we have narrowed down the options to a certain amount that it is now easier for you to pick the top-quality cordless drill.
We would like to conclude here by wishing you good luck and hoping that all your projects turn out the way you want them to be.
