37 articles
Direct product picks for buyers who are ready to compare models, with the full guide one click away.
Best Overall for DIY Homeowners: The default pick for most homeowners. A complete two-battery kit on the DEWALT platform at a price that leaves room to add tools later.
Best Overall: Best all-around drill bit set for everyday wood and metal drilling. The Pilot Point tip and titanium coating make this the default pick for most buyers.
Best 20V MAX Tool: The smartest 20V MAX drill. Runs fine on 20V, gets a real power boost on FLEXVOLT -- best of both worlds.
Compact jobsite and finish work: The M12 FUEL kit earns its place in any trade bag where compact size matters more than raw power. If you work in junction boxes, crawl spaces, or overhead all day, this beats an M18 every time.
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When it comes to building your DIY toolkit, few tools are as essential, or as transformative, as a quality cordless drill.
We drilled 500+ holes across pine, oak, 1/4-inch steel plate, concrete, and ceramic tile to find the best drill bit sets for 2026. Best overall: DEWALT DW1361. Best for metal: Irwin Cobalt.
We tested 5 cordless screwdrivers across furniture assembly, cabinet hardware, and outlet cover tasks. Best overall: DEWALT DCF682K1. Best budget: Black+Decker BDCS20C at under $35.
DeWalt runs two cordless ecosystems. 20V MAX covers everyday tools. FLEXVOLT handles the heavy work. Here's how to decide which one -- or both -- belongs in your shop.
Milwaukee makes two separate battery platforms -- M12 and M18 -- and their batteries do not cross. Picking the wrong one means buying a second set of batteries later. Here is how to pick right the first time.
The sub-$100 drill category is full of junk -- brushed motors, weak clutches, and batteries that die in 18 months. We tested 7 models to find the 3 that actually last. Best overall: Ryobi PBLDD01K at the current retailer price.
The best cordless drill for a homeowner is not the same drill a framing crew buys. We tested 7 drills and picked the 3 that balance weight, torque, and battery platform for household work.
We tested five brushless drill kits under $150 for framing, cabinetry, and renovation use. At this price, every top pick includes a brushless motor. Here are the five worth buying in 2026.
We tested five drill presses under $200 for hole accuracy, table stability, and depth stop repeatability. Here are the benchtop picks that deliver straight holes every time -- starting with the WEN 4210 at the current retailer price.
We tested the top SDS-Plus rotary hammers for concrete drilling and demolition. Best pro pick: Bosch 11255VSR. Budget pick: Metabo HPT DH40MC.
Your first cordless drill should not fight you. We tested 5 beginner-friendly models for weight, ease of use, and forgiveness on common mistakes. Here are the picks that make learning easier.
After building dozens of decks professionally, here are the 6 power tools you actually need: no fluff, no unnecessary purchases.
Not all drills are good for hanging shelves and mounting TVs. You need adjustable clutch, compact size, and enough precision to not blow out drywall anchors. These 5 picks handle it cleanly.
Wood, metal, concrete, tile: each material needs a different drill bit. We explain exactly which bits to use for any material and how to pick the right size.
A drill that stalls mid-hole has one of six causes: wrong speed setting, dull bit, stripped clutch, overloaded motor, or incorrect technique. Here is how to fix each.
The best cordless drills for home DIY projects: we rank picks for furniture assembly, shelving, and general repairs at every budget in 2026.
The best hammer drills and rotary hammers for concrete and masonry tested and ranked: picks for anchor setting, tile drilling, and block work in 2026.
Ryobi PBLDD01 rated 4.5/5. Brushless motor with 750 in-lbs torque at a price that undercuts DeWalt and Milwaukee by $50+.
Metabo HPT DV36DC rated 4.5/5. MultiVolt 36V hammer drill delivers 1,061 in-lbs torque: exceeds most 18V competitors.
The Makita XFD131 is a brushless 18V LXT drill that hits the sweet spot for tradespeople and serious DIYers. 480 in-lbs, 16-position clutch, proven build quality. Here is how it performed in a full week of testing.
DeWalt DCD708C2 rated 4.6/5. Compact brushless drill kit with two batteries included under $150.
Ridgid R86012B rated 4.5/5. 750 in-lbs brushless hammer drill with a lifetime service agreement: hard to beat at this price.
DeWalt DCD999B rated 4.7/5. Gets a performance boost with 60V FLEXVOLT batteries on the standard 20V MAX platform.
Craftsman CMCD721D2 rated 4.5/5. Brushless V20 hammer drill kit with two batteries, 400 UWO output, and masonry mode for occasional concrete anchors.
Bosch GSB18V-755C rated 4.5/5. CORE18V EC Brushless motor delivers 880 in-lbs in a compact form with Active Response Technology for kickback protection.
Milwaukee 2904-20 rated 4.8/5. 1,200 in-lbs torque, all-metal ratcheting chuck, POWERSTATE brushless motor.
Most homeowners need 300-400 in-lbs for furniture and shelving. Contractors need 600+ for structural work. Here is how to match torque spec to your actual tasks.
Impact drivers crush fasteners fast. Drills give you torque control and precision. We explain the difference and which one to buy for each job.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL vs Makita 18V LXT Drill: we tested both on torque, ergonomics, and battery efficiency. Here's which drill wins for contractors and serious DIYers.
Ryobi ONE+ HP vs Craftsman V20 Drill: we compared wood drilling, screw driving, platform fit, and occasional masonry use to find the better homeowner drill.
Bosch 18V EC Brushless Drill vs Makita 18V LXT: we compared torque, speed, battery efficiency, and build quality. Here's which drill wins for most users in 2026.
Milwaukee M12 FUEL vs M18 FUEL Drill: compact vs full-size within the same brand. We break down when the M12 is the smarter buy and when M18 is worth the size.
DeWalt ATOMIC vs DeWalt XR Hammer Drill: two tiers of the same brand compared head-to-head. We break down where the $100 price gap is actually worth it.
Makita 18V LXT vs Ryobi ONE+ HP Brushless Drill: we ran both through concrete, steel, and hardwood to find out which drill delivers better performance per dollar.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Drill vs DeWalt 20V MAX XR Hammer Drill: the two most popular pro drills compared head-to-head on power, speed, and value. Here's the verdict.
We tested 7 cordless drills from Milwaukee, DEWALT, Makita, and Ryobi for torque, speed, and battery life. Best overall: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2803-20.
We tested 6 drill presses for precision, table stability, and depth stop accuracy. Best benchtop and floor-standing models for home workshops in 2026.