Vol. XXVI · No. 04 • Workshop Almanac
— The Everyday Handyman —
Est. MMXIX
Vol. XXVI · No. 04 • Workshop Almanac
Est. MMXIX
Drill/driver, impact driver, or hammer drill — the right cordless drill depends on what you fasten and what you bore into. This buying guide covers voltage and battery platforms, chuck size, torque and clutch settings, and brushless motors, so you can pick a drill for flat-pack furniture, deck screws, masonry anchors, or daily job-site work.
§ II — Reader’s Manual
The drill aisle is a wall of near-identical guns with wildly different guts. Voltage on the box tells you little about how a drill actually drives a three-inch screw. Here are the six things we check before recommending any drill or driver in this guide.
A drill/driver bores holes and drives screws — the everyday workhorse. An impact driver adds rotational hammering for long deck screws and lag bolts without stripping heads. A hammer drill adds forward percussion for masonry and concrete anchors. Many homeowners want a drill/driver and impact driver combo kit; that pairing covers ninety percent of jobs.
Voltage — commonly 12V for light work and 18V or 20V MAX for everything else — matters less than the battery ecosystem you buy into. Batteries, chargers, and amp-hour packs are shared across a brand’s whole lineup. Choose the platform you will grow with, because you are marrying the batteries, not the drill.
Torque, measured in inch-pounds, decides how big a fastener the drill will sink. A multi-position clutch lets you dial it down so you stop stripping screws and cracking trim. High torque for lag bolts and spade bits; a low clutch setting for cabinet hardware and drywall.
A 3/8-inch keyless chuck suits light drilling; a 1/2-inch chuck accepts larger bits, spade bits, and hole saws. Two speed ranges help — low gear for high-torque driving, high gear for fast, clean drilling. All-metal chucks grip round-shank bits better than plastic ones.
Brushless motors run cooler, last longer, and squeeze more runtime from every charge than older brushed motors. For occasional flat-pack assembly, brushed is fine and cheaper. For decks, renovations, or daily driving, a brushless drill pays back in battery life and lifespan.
A drill you hold overhead all day should be compact and balanced, with a comfortable grip and an LED work light at the chuck. Belt hooks, bit holders, and a fuel gauge on the battery are small features that matter once the tool is actually in your hand.
Read the guide. Then close the tab, walk away, and come back to it tomorrow. The tools that still feel right after a night’s sleep are usually the right ones to buy.
§ II — Specimen Pages
§ II — Specimen Pages
Every pick in this guide is also a set of drills we left on the shelf. Below are the kinds of drills and drivers we have stopped recommending — not to knock one brand, but because the type rarely serves you well.
A bargain drill with one weak pack and no replacements sold anywhere becomes landfill when the cell dies in eighteen months. Buy into a real battery platform you can keep feeding for years.
A corded drill still has its place for masonry and mixing, but as an all-purpose driver it is tethered and clumsy. For screws and everyday tasks, a cordless drill/driver wins on freedom alone.
No clutch means stripped screws, cracked trim, and cam-out all day. Even a budget drill should have a multi-position clutch; skip the one-speed guns that only spin flat out.
A compact 12V drill is great for cabinets and light assembly, but ask it to sink three-inch deck screws and it stalls and overheats. Match voltage and torque to your heaviest fastener.
Tiny electric screwdrivers marketed as drills lack the chuck and torque to bore real holes. If you need to drill, buy a drill; do not be fooled by a gyroscopic gadget.
A drill sold with 100 flimsy bits that strip on first use is hiding a mediocre tool behind a big number. Buy the better bare drill and a quality bit set separately.
§ IV — Directory
One email, every Sunday. New tool reviews, the best tip of the week, and a single recommendation from the editors. No clutter.
