Home improvement can be an easy task if we count on the right tools. If you are the kind of homeowner that loves to redesign your personal space, you are well aware power drills are a must for your toolbox as they’re indispensable for many types of jobs.
Also, if you are a power tool enthusiast that likes to build and repair the furniture at your workshop for leisure or as a private business you might profit from, you’d be very interested in knowing about the best prices on the market for modern electrical power drills, hammer drills, cordless drills of great quality that can be great additions for your tool stock.
In this article, we did extensive research to find the highest performance drills under or around $100, we also put together a buying guide and a FAQ section for you to make an informed decision when surfing the net or visiting stores looking for the next drill machine that will complete your set of home-repair gadgets.
Power Drill Buying Guide
How to Choose the Perfect Drill?
Contrary to what we may think, power drills have been in the market for a fair number of years, a century to be exact. And we have come a long way since Black & Decker started marketing their first portable electric drills to the public around 1920; their innovative designs included a barrel in the lower part of the drill for users to handle the tool efficiently as before this brand simplified the drill machine design, electric drills in 1916 used to be big, bulky stationary machines used only on industrial purposes.
Of course, even the early electric drill portable machines were heavy and tough to operate and were aimed at male customers. Nowadays, veteran companies like Bosch, Black+Decker, Skil, Dewalt, which are experts in power tool manufacturing have been perfecting the drilling technology releasing modern drills, impact drivers, hammer drills, that can be operated by any homeowner that is disciplined and careful enough to do responsible work around their house. However, before you purchase your first portable drill, we have to define what type of drilling machine will satisfy your home improvement needs:
- Electric drills: Usually of higher torque strength/velocity than cordless drills, they are fed directly from the power grid. If you’re meant to carry them away from the house sockets you will need an electric cord extension that supports the voltage the drill needs. The average speed of a corded electric drill varies from 1200 RPM to 1800 RPM. (Revolutions Per Minute). The price of an electric drill can go from $50 to $200 dollars. Some of them come with drill bits and screwdriver kits included.
- Hammer drills: Hammer drills as the name points out, is a type of rotary drill that has an inbuilt impact mechanism (An automatic hammer) that generates a hammering motion making fastening and drilling on hard surfaces much easier. Their RPM varies from 750 to 1500, 1800 RPM. The price of a hammer drill varies from $70 to $120 dollars, depending on if it’s corded or cordless.
- Impact drivers: Impact drivers are high-torque drill tools primarily used in heavy-duty drilling and fastening jobs, as an impact driver delivers a strong, rotational force and it is often used by mechanics to loosen larger screws and nuts that are over-torqued. It helps perforate thick surfaces such as masonry walls, metal studs, etc. The torque strength of an impact driver can go from 450 to 2000 Inches/Pounds. Their prices vary from $30 up to $150 dollars, depending on if they are corded or cordless. Many impact drivers can be bought together with a drill of the same brand.
Once you have closely studied the characteristics of each drill type, you are going to feel more confident about investing in your next power drill.
Power Drill Safety Tips
As appealing as some drill designs may look to us, we must remember we are not operating a toy, and that any electric/battery-powered tool implies a risk of severe injury if not handled properly. Under abuse conditions, a power drill can be hazardous to your health and the health of your loved ones.
Make sure your tool (and any other power tool) is stored away from the reach of children and pets.
Most of the battery-operated drills come with a lithium battery that should be stored in a dry, cool place.
Dress properly to operate your drill machine: Imagine you are going to a party and you need to dress for the occasion. The same goes when you are in a “Home improvement” mood and you have to change your outfit for a safer one when operating heavy-duty power tools. Make sure you are standing correctly on the ground, do not overreach, do not wear slippers, soft fabric, or high-heeled shoes that can make you lose balance, trip, and lose grip when operating the drill. Take off jewelry, watches, and any other accessory that can be trapped, hooked on the drill when in movement. Make sure your device is in an off/switch position before connecting it to the power grid or assembling its battery pack.
Wear protective gear: Your eyes are precious, do not risk your eyesight by operating a power tool without protective glasses. Also, keep your hearing safe by using earplug protection as drills tend to be extremely loud. Gloves are also a must for your grip to be stronger and safer when holding the device.
Dangerous materials: The state of California recognizes certain building materials as harmful to your health as some dust produced by sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling and other home-construction activities may contain chemicals prone to cause, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Scary, but we must keep this in mind if we are into repairing our homes ourselves, some examples of these chemicals are (but are not limited to):
- Lead traces from lead-based paints. (Fortunately, many modern paint formulas do not contain lead anymore).
- Crystalline silica from bricks, grey cement, and other masonry building materials.
- Arsenic and/or chromium residuals from chemically-treated lumber (wooden furniture for example).
Of course, your risk from these exposures is quite relative as it depends upon how often you do this kind of housework, and for you to reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals, make sure you work either outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
5 High Quality Power Drills at the Best Price
Our editors picked for you 5 cordless drills of great quality you may want to check out as cordless or Battery Powered drills are quickly invading the power tools market as they present the advantage of being of cheaper prices, lightweight, and very portable.
Cordless drills are preferred by female customers as their weight hardly exceeds 3 pounds, making it an excellent addition for a dedicated homeowner that likes to hang her paintings everywhere!
Take a look at these great picks!
1. DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill / Driver Kit (DCD771C2)
Manufacturer, color, type: Dewalt presents their 20V Cordless Drill, a compact, well-designed steel cordless drill that is strong enough to drill metallic or wooden based surfaces, (Recommended 25 mm for wood (1/2 inches) and 15 mm (1 inch) for steel) that can be used indoors or outdoors as it is battery operated; it comes with a 2-speed transmission, and bright LED light to work in not-so illuminated environments. It comes in yellow/black color and it includes a mountable battery pack that can be used to sit on flat surfaces whilst the device is at ease. Dewalt 20V Cordless Drill uses only Dewalt chargers.
Power source, wattage: Dewalt’s 20V Cordless Drill is battery operated, and as its name indicates, it’s cordless and works with a lithium battery (included/rechargeable). The device uses 20Volts to operate and its sophisticated inner motor delivers 300-unit watts out (UWO) of power ability helping you complete diverse tasks that require such wattage power.
Dimensions, Weight, and Speed: This medium-sized device measures 13.88 x 9.88 x 4.25 inches and weighs 3.64 pounds, its ergonomic handle design adapts to different sized hands, it’s not too heavy to operate, and with a working torque of 530 Inches/Pounds the cordless drill is capable of producing up to 1500 revolutions per minute. Making it fast and lightweight.
Other available options: Dewalt’s 20V cordless drill can be ordered/paired with different options/accessories depending on the work you need to get done; the available options to complete your cordless drill kit can be: The Drill w/ 45 pieces Screw Bit Set, the Brushless Impact Driver, a Grinder, the Oxide Drill Bit Set, or a Reciprocating Saw. (Look out for the best prices/offers on Amazon).
Safety: Dewalt recommends using protection gear when operating your drill outdoors or indoors. Safety glasses and gloves can protect your eyes and your hands from material fragments/particles that can be sharp or pointy and can cause sudden pain, making you lose control of the device leading to major injuries. The drill’s battery pack should be kept away from humidity and direct sun rays.
Other Features: Dewalt’s Compact Drill/Driver kit includes an exclusive Dewalt’s charger, a battery mountable pack for your cordless drill, plus a practical bag made of thick fabric you can use to carry your tools everywhere. Also, the kit includes a second spare battery.
SUMMARY
DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill / Driver Kit (DCD771C2)
Pros
- Includes a second battery
- Capable of producing up to 1500 RPM
- Lightweight
- Compact, easy to operate, the kit includes a carry-on bag
Cons
- The support department delays answering to customers
- The LED light casts a shadow on the surface
- The battery has to be forced into the charging pack
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2. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Drill / Driver (LDX120C)
Manufacturer, color, type: The well-established Black+Decker company, (Formally known as Black & Decker) that has been manufacturing power drills since the 1920’s features their 20V Cordless Drill, a lighter, more compact, longer-battery-life cordless drill that provides sharp control for drilling into wood planks, metal surfaces, plastic layers and that comes in handy for any screw-driving task. It comes in orange/black color; its 11-position clutch prevents stripped screws.
Power source, wattage: The super-compact Black + Decker 20V Drill is cordless, just uses 20Volts to fully perform tasks, its wattage is 1500 (1800 maximum) also, we find that its Black +Decker LBXR20 20 Volt MAX lithium battery is completely compatible with the 20-Volt MAX line of power tools and gardening tools. The kit includes an Lcs20 charger. The battery’s runtime is one hour. It is recommendable to not exceed the capacity of the drill to avoid overheating issues.
Dimensions, Weight, and Speed: This small-sized unit measures 10.63 x 3.69 x 8.5 inches and weighs barely 3.64 pounds; it is lightweight and easy to transport, with a torque of 115 Inches/Pounds, this cordless drill can produce 650 RPM. It’s ideal for light/quick drilling jobs that do not require an extreme amount of torque. Female users seem to prefer this model.
Other available options: Black+Decker’s cordless 20V drill’s kit can be completed with different accessories, like the very useful drill w/ 10 piece Drill Bit Set pack (featuring different drill bit sizes), the elegant kit that consists of the drill w/ 109 pieces Drill & Screwdriver Set and the extra battery pack (drill w/extra battery). Check prices from different sellers on Amazon.
Safety: Black+Decker releases a disclaimer that informs that this product contains chemicals that can be harmful to your health. Do not open the device in case it breaks, and if it arrives in a bad state, make sure you contact the support department of the company to request a refund/product replacement. Also, watch out and make sure you remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the drill tool on, as a wrench attached to the rotating part of the device may result in personal injury.
Other Features: Although small, this cordless drill has inbuilt LED light that helps us work in dark places, it comes with a battery pack-base that can be used to sit the drill in an upright position when not in use; also, its interchangeable battery technology makes it compatible with other Black+Decker devices.
SUMMARY
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Drill / Driver (LDX120C)
Pros
- Economical buy
- Capable of producing up to 1800 of UWO
- Lightweight
- Compact, female users prefer it
Cons
- It’s a light drill not for heavy-duty tasks
- It might overheat if used for long periods
- The barrel is short
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3. Bosch PS31-2A 12-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver Kit
Manufacturer, color, type: The German Bosch company that is known worldwide for manufacturing high-level home appliances for many years, presents their Bosch 12Volt 2-Speed Drill, a short-height light drill that makes the device great for overhead and tight area work, its 3/8-inch single sleeve chuck helps to accommodate a wide array of common applications, it comes in blue/grey duotones. Its fuel gauge makes battery handling easier.
Power source, wattage: Bosch 12Volt 2Speed Drill is battery powered, it uses a lithium battery (included), it only requires 12 Volts to operate, and needs a power converter to be used with a 220/240V power input, the Bosch 12Volt drill is cordless, its wattage (UWO) is not specified on the Bosch website.
Dimensions, Weight, and Speed: This very small compact drill measures 3/8 x 7 inches and weighs no more than 2.14 pounds with the attached battery. The main purpose of its design is to reach difficult reduced spaces that are difficult to reach if using bigger power drills. However, despite its size, the Bosch12 Volt cordless drill comes with two transmission velocities that can go from 0-350 RPM to a high-speed of 1,300 rpm its efficient motor delivers 265 Inches/Pounds of torque.
Other available options: For only $20 extra you can acquire the complete bundle for your Bosch cordless drill, the Bosch MS4041 41-pieces Drill & Drive Bit Set that includes a wide array of driver bits and drill bits plus a neat selection of accessories to help you complete your drilling and fastening home improvement tasks.
Safety: Even with small drills like the Bosch 12Volt 2Speed drill it is recommendable to wear ear protectors when operating the tool as exposure to drilling noise for long periods of time can result in hearing loss. Also, when holding the drill, do not overreach, keep proper footing and balance at all times, this helps to keep the tool under control and prevents accidents. The Bosch 12Volt cordless drill helps you reach difficult spots that you would need to lean sideways from a ladder or overreach if the tool was bigger.
Other Features: This small drill includes LED light to illuminate small, dark areas that need drilling work. Also, the kit includes two lithium-ion batteries, a 12V Charger, a pack of screwdriver bits, and a very fancy blue soft carrying bag giving you great value for your money!
SUMMARY
Bosch PS31-2A 12-Volt Drill/Driver Kit
Pros
- Includes a second battery
- It comes with a hard case and can be purchased with a drill kit
- Extremely light to carry
- Uses only 12 volts to operate
Cons
- The user’s guide is not available for download, there is a lack of information about the product online.
- Limited warranty if purchased outside ProVantage
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4. CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Drill Combo Kit (CMCK200C2AM & CMA123AMQ4)
Manufacturer, color, type: This elegant duo pack by Craftsman can complete your power tool stock, like the very useful combo includes a 20 Volts 1/2 inches drill and a 1/4 impact driver. In the meantime, a common drill can help your home improvement needs such as fastening and drilling small jobs around your house; an impact driver is a heavy-duty tool that will come in handy for house building tasks such as driving carriage bolts into wooden thick posts, it is also very helpful when fastening concrete screw anchors into block walls and drilling screws into metallic framing structures. Both devices come in bicolor red and black designs (The corporate colors of the Craftsman company), the devices are cordless and battery operated.
Power source, wattage: The Craftsman 20V Cordless drill comes with a powerful motor that provides 280 UWO of wattage power. Both devices included in the pack use no more than 20 Volts of power to operate. Craftsman’s technology always makes sure that their designed tools do not sacrifice their power strength even if those are meant to be built in small/ compact sizes. Both devices use lithium-ion batteries (included alongside a charger).
Dimensions, Weight, and Speed: Both units in this combo are of compact sizes: The Craftsman 20V Cordless drill measures 9.37 x 2.87 x 8.35 inches, and it weighs 2.67 pounds, with a chuck size of 1/2 inches. It includes a 2-speed transmission that can go from 350 RPM to 1500 RPM depending on the desired task.
The Craftsman 20V Cordless Impact Driver measures 2.87 x 7.01 x 7.95 inches and weighs 2.49 pounds, it provides 1460 inches /pounds of torque running at 2800 Revolutions per Minute to 3100 BPM (Blows Per Minute) for heavy-duty fastening/drilling/perforating tasks with a chuck size of 1/4 inches.
Other available options: The Craftsman drill and impact driver pack can be purchased alongside the complete bundle (for an approximate price of $54 dollars) which is a very complete kit that includes the CRAFTSMAN Drill /Driver 53 pieces set, the CRAFTSMAN Drill/Driver Set of Impact Ready Bits, that contains 33 pieces, the CRAFTSMAN Tooth Carbide Circular Saw Blade and another set of CRAFTSMAN Reciprocating Saw Blades, with 9 pieces in the pack.
Safety: Craftsman, always concerned about being environmentally friendly recommends turning your used batteries to an authorized service center for recycling. The Call 2 Recycle, Inc. company in cooperation with CRAFTSMAN and other companies that manufacture products that may use nickel, cadmium, and lithium-ion batteries has established a recycling program in the United States and Canada to facilitate the recollection of disposed of batteries. Do your part and recycle yours too! To contact the RBRC® (Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation) in the USA, call this free toll number:
1800-822-8837.
Other Features: Both items have inbuilt LED lights to work in dim environments, also, whether you buy the complete bundle or not, the drill & driver pack comes with a practical handy back of the CRAFTSMAN brand and a 20V MAX lithium-ion charger.
SUMMARY
CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Drill Combo Kit (CMCK200C2AM & CMA123AMQ4)
Pros
- It’s a combo kit that is cost-effective, you get two tools for a good price.
- The tools are capable of producing up to 1500 RPM (drill) and 1460 inch/pound of torque (impact driver) for a variety of house works.
- The combo altogether doesn’t weigh more than 6 pounds
- Both units are compact, the kit includes a carry-on bag
Cons
- Batteries in the two units drain faster than in other models.
- The trigger in both models need extra hand pressure to get started
- The forward/reverse switch is too small
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5. SKIL PWRCore 20 Brushless 20V 1/2 Inch Drill Driver, DL529303
Manufacturer, color, type: The veteran company Skil (formally owned by the German Bosch, nowadays owned by the Chinese Chervon), has also broken into the market of cordless drills with their own version of a Brushless 20V Drill driver, a compact, battery-operated drill-driver that has inbuilt up to 17 torque settings and a drilling mode to adjust to any application; it has a keyless chuck of 1/2 inches, it comes with a battery pack and in bi-color red & black.
Power source, wattage: The Skil PWR Core Brushless Drill Driver uses 20Volts to operate, it includes a PWRCore lithium-ion battery that can be charged via USB port or by a standard charger. Its wattage (UWO) is not specified on the Skil official website.
Dimensions, Weight, and Speed: This elegant cordless drill-driver measures 7.15 x 2.85 x 7.72 and weighs 2.23 pounds excluding its battery, (Barely 1 kilo) its ergonomic handle makes the grip comfortable and with a working torque of 450 Inches/Pounds the cordless drill driver is capable of producing from 480 to 1800 RPM which is an impressive speed considering its small size, it can work on wooden planks, metallic frames, and even masonry surfaces.
Other available options: Skil’s PWRCore fancy power tool line includes many tools that are battery compatible among them that can be paired with the SKIL 20 Brushless 20V 1/2 Inch Drill Driver. Make sure you check the available options on Amazon before ordering the drill as there may be good PWRCore kits available for an affordable price; an example could be the SKIL duo tool kit: A 12V Cordless Drill Driver plus a 5 -1/2 inches Circular Saw, with a lithium-ion battery and a charger included in the set.
Safety: Skil recommends to not overuse drill bits, as a worn-out bit has to be changed for a sharper, newer one. Using old bits can result in poor tool performance, surface damage, and the material dusting created from the drilling would be of higher density putting your health at risk. Also, always wear protective equipment. Cover your eyes and ears when using any high-power tool. If you are an allergic person, make sure you use a nasal spray to clean your nose passages after a prolonged session of drilling, sanding, or fastening with any kind of drill, driver, hammer drill, or impact driver.
Other Features: Skil’s leading PWRCore 20 Lithium battery technology makes sure that each battery cell is well-wrapped with cooling material to keep the battery powering on for 25% longer than the average lithium battery, this assures you a handsome runtime when using your drill and promises an extended battery life.
SUMMARY
SKIL PWRCore 20 Brushless DL529303
Pros
- 5 Years of warranty
- Capable of producing up to 1800 RPM
- Long battery runtime
- Recharges completely in one hour
Cons
- Some users claim the chuck may have a slight wobble
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Check Out More Of Our Power Drills Reviews
FAQs
In the meantime lithium batteries are meant to last approximately for two years, a cordless drill if well taken care of can last from 3 to 5 years, or perhaps more than that if the tool is not in continuous use and it is stored in a dry place away from direct sun rays.
The Snap-On company is a renowned brand among builders, engineers, and mechanics as they produce lifetime warranty power tools that are usually stronger/harder to break than other common brands. However, sometimes in some of their products, we will be paying more for the brand name in itself but the highest quality they assure their tools include.
Batteries in a cordless drill can be interchangeable usually only on same-brand devices, like the Black+Decker gardening tool line for example that is battery compatible with the power drills of the same brand. Do not combine different brand batteries. The same goes for battery replacement. Usually, cordless drills/drivers will ask to get the same-brand battery they originally came with to fully operate the tasks you need to get done.
Owning a power tool always implies a risk and operating it will always demand you to be in the best physical shape possible to avoid undesired accidents.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages or take any heavy medication that may make you sleepy-drowsy when using your drill. Although, if you are responsible/creative homeowner that is well aware of all the risks of owning power tools, those will for sure bring you many hours of fun and will save you money in the long run if you dare to perform certain types of home repairs by yourself. Happy power drilling!
