How to Choose the Right Cordless Drill

Cordless electrics drills have gone from the exclusive, and expensive, domain of professionals to nearly an essential item for every homeowner. But as prices have fallen and battery size and power have increased, so have the number of choices-and they can be overwhelming for the homeowner who hasn’t been in the tool aisle for several years. How do you pick the best cordless drill for your wallet and workshop?

1. Determine your needs. Boring holes or Driving Screws?

Will you be using it mostly to drive screws in sheetrock or in assembling children’s toys? If boring holes or home-construction projects like building a deck are not on the horizon for you, a small, 9-volt “electric screwdriver” may be all you need. However, if you build that deck or plan on doing remodeling, a “drill-driver” model is necessary. These range from 14.4v to 24v and have the power to drive screws in decking and bore large holes.

2. Determine how much it will be used.

Do you have several major projects you are hoping to get finished this year? Do you plan on using the drill every weekend, or just a few times a month? Will you be using it for hours at a time, changing out the batteries often, or will you use it for only a few minutes? Will others in your household need it for their chores and projects? If the drill will be used often for long periods of time, a heavy-duty professional grade drill may be what you need. Otherwise, a home-owner or consumer quality drill would be more economical.

3. Determine how much power you really need. 14.4v? 18v? 36v??

An 18-volt drill seems like it would work harder than a 14-volt, it also carries more weight and size. What’s more, the torque and actual drilling power of a 14-volt drill may not be substantially different than one with the more powerful battery. Professional grade drills tend to do more with less battery power. For instance, a DeWalt 14-volt Ã?½ inch drill may be able to drive screws just as quickly and deeply as an 19.2-volt 3/8 inch consumer model like Black & Decker or Craftsman.

4. Determine how long you plan to keep it.

Nothing lasts forever, and cordless drills are no exception. Batteries wear out, motors burn out, clutches wear out and accidents happen. How long do you hope to use it before replacing? Less expensive drills are made with cheaper materials, using more plastic and pot-metal, whereas more expensive drills tend to have higher-quality parts. Inexpensive drills can wear out in a year or two, even if only light use. On the other hand, many contractors have been using the same professional grade drill daily for five years or more, only replacing the battery every now and then.

5. Determine if you really need the other gadgets too.

Many cordless drills can be purchased as part of a “cordless” package, featuring flashlights, trim saws, jig saws, additional batteries and more. While the flashlights can come in handy, unless you’re planning several major back-to-back projects, most homeowners do not need the cordless tools found in packages. Unless working at job site with no electricity, a corded trim saw is nearly as handy as a cordless model. The cordless tool packages are a good deal as opposed to buying each piece individually, but don’t be taken in by tools you don’t need.

After you determine what features you need, finding the right drill becomes much easier. For heavy use and long life, consider the Dewalt XRP Ã?½ inch 14.4v (DC930KA) or the Makita 18V 1/2″ Cordless Driver-Drill Kit (6343DWDE). Most homeowners do not need drills with more than 18v batteries. The 36v Ã?½ inch Hammerdrill Dewalt manufactures, for instance, is capable of some serious construction site work. But it also is 30% heavier than the 14.4v model, and substantially more expensive.

If you determine a lighter-duty, less expensive drill is what you need (as is true for the majority of homeowners), consider a any 14.4v or 18v cordless drill manufactured by Black & Decker or Craftsman.