Best cordless drills

Why it ranks here. The DCD771 is the drill every budget comparison starts from: $99 with two batteries, a charger and a bag, light, and enough for fences, decks and drywall. It ranks first for that. A tradesman warns it is nowhere near professional, its stock batteries fade, and the brushless DCD777 often costs the same.

'I figured I didn't need the more powerful ones just to do basic house work'↗, says one owner: 'so far it's been great. Just does what I want it to do'↗. A traffic-signal installer uses it 'to do holes on metal poles'↗, 'but I like to put on a big battery'↗. Another 'did upgrade the battery pack'↗ after a few years. The gripes: 'there's no bit clip/holder on the drill itself like my old black and decker had'↗, and batteries that die. 'Brushless at Lowes for $99 right now on the 777 more power, better drill if you need an upgrade'↗, says one commenter. And the warning from a framer: 'Please don't give people the impression that this drill is anything but for a DIY person...it is not professional or even close'↗, 'this will not last for everyday use...nor does it have the power'↗.

“I actually just picked one of these up (in the street, drove around it and went back and got it) for free with a nice Ryobi 2" T-25 bit in it, works perfectly, just got the charging base for the battery from my son, he had a few extras and gave me one! Thanks, now I know all the specks on it.” — YouTube comment · Frank-uf2vn · 2021-06-01

4 positive · 3 mixed · 1 neutral · 1 negative · 9 voices · ✓ all 9 linked to source

Read all 9 quotes (9 voices)

• I actually just picked one of these up (in the street, drove around it and went back and got it) for free with a nice Ryobi 2" T-25 bit in it, works perfectly, just got the charging base for the battery from my son, he had a few extras and gave me one! Thanks, now I know all the specks on it.

  YouTube comment · Frank-uf2vn · 2021-06-01 · watch the original ↗

• Bought the same drill and experienced same issue with batteries dyeing, that's why I'm here so thanks for the clarification. Only other issues is there's no bit clip/holder on the drill itself like my old black and decker had. That feature came in handy.

  YouTube comment · rvvrn · 2019-06-01 · watch the original ↗

• Brushless at Lowes for $99 right now on the 777 more power, better drill if you need an upgrade

  YouTube comment · thebackwoodsmechanic5029 · 2020-01-01 · watch the original ↗

• Late to the party... great video. I have the same drill now for a few years now . I did upgrade the battery pack . Last a bit longer then the stock one that came with it.

  YouTube comment · oldschoolgamer2337 · 2021-01-01 · watch the original ↗

• You should have got the impact driver. I have dewalts best drill and I still choose the $100 impact drill all day long

  YouTube comment · Protrainer77 · 2020-01-01 · watch the original ↗

• I just got this drill. I figured I didn't need the more powerful ones just to do basic house work around the house and so far it's been great. Just does what I want it to do and that's fine by me.

  YouTube comment · ironclad1056 · 2021-01-01 · watch the original ↗

• Yes, it’s a great drill. I installed traffic signals and I used this drill to do holes on metal poles but I like to put on a big battery.

  YouTube comment · carlosayala6754 · 2021-01-01 · watch the original ↗

• I'm comparing the DCD771C2 vs DCD777D1 both $99 on Amazon. Both 20v. The DCD771 comes with an extra battery. The DCD777D1 is brushless so I assume it is the better deal?

  YouTube comment · boxbeatle · 2017-01-16 · watch the original ↗

• Please don't give people the impression that this drill is anything but for a DIY person...it is not professional or even close....I love Dewalt but this will not last for everyday use...nor does it have the power....please give pros and cons and let people know other options for just a few dollars more...

  YouTube comment · joeframer9642 · 2017-01-16 · watch the original ↗

Why it ranks here. The LDX120C is probably the most-owned cordless drill in America: 2.5 pounds, compact, an LED, and owners who built sheds and barns with it over ten years. It ranks second on value. It ranks below the DeWalt because its 3/8-inch chuck gives up past small bits and hole saws, and it is a light-duty tool by everyone's admission.

'my favorite DeWalt drill died on me, there was a Walmart, about a mile away and I bought one of these to get by. To my surprise I am still using it'↗, says a tradesman: 'its not a commercial drill by any means, but around the house it would be fine!'↗. Another has 'served me well for almost ten years and still going strong, built a shed, decks, walls'↗. A horse rescue runs two daily and is building 'a 10 stall barn'↗ with them: 'Batteries are decent, but you will need several'↗. One family assembled patio furniture, a dining set and a custom closet and 'never lacked the power to drill 1/4 pilot holes'↗. The limits: the chuck struggles past 5/16-inch bits and larger spade bits, and the reversing switch feels lighter than a DeWalt's. Owners call it the drill you replace when it dies, not a first choice for a pro.

“We where at a job site in Cincy and my favorite DeWalt drill died on me, there was a Walmart, about a mile away and I bought one of these to get by. To my surprise I am still using it, its not a commercial drill by any means, but around the house it would be fine!” — YouTube comment · glennellis1391 · 2016-05-13

7 positive · 7 voices · ✓ all 7 linked to source

Read all 7 quotes (7 voices)

• We where at a job site in Cincy and my favorite DeWalt drill died on me, there was a Walmart, about a mile away and I bought one of these to get by. To my surprise I am still using it, its not a commercial drill by any means, but around the house it would be fine!

  YouTube comment · glennellis1391 · 2016-05-13 · watch the original ↗

• I have two of them. use them daily to fix boards and such on our horse rescue. Currently using them them as the main tool to build a 10 stall barn... Batteries are decent, but you will need several to get anything other than usual household tasks done... They are cheap enough that it won't ruin my day if they die. So far, they are going strong. Comfortable in the hand. Definitely a winner. Great value.

  YouTube comment · littogether700 · 2016-05-13 · watch the original ↗

• Great little drill, has served me well for almost ten years and still going strong, built a shed, decks, walls, drilled countless holes and installed countless fasteners. Just picked up the BDCI20C from Sears for automotive work and the spare battery.

  YouTube comment · macelius · 2016-05-13 · watch the original ↗

• This drill is perfect for what we use it for we put together patio furniture a dinning room set 2 benches a chair hung pictures hung 6 curtains and build a coustom closet which has 4 side shelves one cabinet and a shoe rack all this and we had no problems with it also we didn't run into over heating problems and never lacked the power to drill 1/4 pilot holes in some wall studs.

  YouTube comment · waynerhea6649 · 2016-05-13 · watch the original ↗

• I have a Black + Decker 20V matrix drill driver with four attachment heads... Over all, I'm quite pleased with my B + D tools.

  YouTube comment · geraldpatrick9463 · 2016-05-13 · watch the original ↗

• Great tool. Did my kitchen cabinets and remodeled bathroom with it.

  YouTube comment · johnnybehealthy5720 · 2016-05-13 · watch the original ↗

• So this is the drill that Avid Power tried to rip off and failed.

  YouTube comment · davidcornell4463 · 2016-05-13 · watch the original ↗

Why it ranks here. The M18 2801 is the way into Milwaukee's system, and the drill with the most eight-year owners here, including one handed down by an electrician father. It ranks third because it costs more, usually comes in a kit, and its stock 1.5 amp-hour battery is, in one owner's word, useless.

'I've owned this drill for +8 years and have had zero issues with it. Still has tons of power'↗, says a DIYer: 'Worth the money all day long'↗. Another inherited his from an electrician father: 'Its been basically to hell and back again, and its still going strong for me. Never stalled it, never had it even bog down'↗. An AV tech wiring houses says 'A 5.0 battery will last for like 2-3 days of work easily'↗. One owner mixes 'a 5 gallon bucket of joint compound with a 6ah'↗, but 'The batteries that come with that drill are useless'↗, and his went back for warranty after two years. No bit holder, unlike an old Craftsman. On the Fuel hammer-drill version, 'the clutch is too strong for most stuff I do like drilling in 2x4'↗.

“I have one of these, my dad is an electritian and he passed it down to me. Its been basically to hell and back again, and its still going strong for me. Never stalled it, never had it even bog down on me. Absolutely love it, both for how amazing of a tool it is and for how long I've had it (it legit has sentimental value to me)” — YouTube comment · eden_blacke · 2021-01-14

5 positive · 3 mixed · 8 voices · ✓ all 8 linked to source

Read all 8 quotes (8 voices)

• I’ve owned this drill for +8 years and have had zero issues with it. Still has tons of power and is still going strong. I am a home owner DIYer. Worth the money all day long.

  YouTube comment · The.Dude.Abides. · 2021-01-14 · watch the original ↗

• I got this drill in a set that came with their equivalent level impact driver as well. Both tools work to a level that I am completely pleased with as a sporadic DIYer

  YouTube comment · xringarcher1440 · 2021-01-14 · watch the original ↗

• I have one of these, my dad is an electritian and he passed it down to me. Its been basically to hell and back again, and its still going strong for me. Never stalled it, never had it even bog down on me. Absolutely love it, both for how amazing of a tool it is and for how long I've had it (it legit has sentimental value to me)

  YouTube comment · eden_blacke · 2021-01-14 · watch the original ↗

• I've been using & abusing this brushed model for like 6 months now... never let me down and always gets the job done.

  YouTube comment · qusaiqarqaz5941 · 2021-01-14 · watch the original ↗

• Got this drill and the impact in a kit for work about a month ago. I’m an A/V tech so I’ve been using this to wire houses for cat6, speakers, etc and hang TVs. Honestly it’s been pretty good so far. A 5.0 battery will last for like 2-3 days of work easily.

  YouTube comment · henrym294 · 2021-01-14 · watch the original ↗

• The batteries that come with that drill are useless. The m18 1.5ah is significantly less power on this drill than a xc5 or even a cp3. I’ve had that drill for a while and it’ll even mix a 5 gallon bucket of joint compound with a 6ah. Took it back for warranty after 2 years and got new one this week

  YouTube comment · mattcournoyer7028 · 2021-01-14 · watch the original ↗

• I just got this drill for my birthday. Seems like a nice drill. I was disappointed that it didn't come with a bit holder. My old craftsman had that built in on both sides for a flat and philips.

  YouTube comment · outdoor044 · 2021-01-14 · watch the original ↗

• I have the M18 Fuel hammer/driver. It is good BUT the clutch is too strong for most stuff I do like drilling in 2x4, plywood, etc.. I can't use the clutch even on the lowest setting since it is too strong, I am guessing it is at 12 pounds on low?

  YouTube comment · internalharm · 2021-01-14 · watch the original ↗

Why it ranks here. The Ryobi is the most argued-about drill on r/Tools: one battery across dozens of tools, and 25-year-old blue Ryobis still running on new packs. It ranks fourth because its chuck lets bits slip, its clutch is vague, it is the cheapest entry in Ryobi's own range, and trades agree it will not take daily abuse.

'I built my house with Ryobi. They must be defective because they worked fine 15 years ago and are still working just as fine'↗, says one owner. Another loves that 'my brand new (year old) One+ batteries work in those blue oldies'↗ from 25 years ago. The chuck is the sore point: 'the chuck is hard to get tight enough. I have resorted to using channel locks'↗, says an owner of 19 Ryobi tools who has 'gotten to hate this one'↗. Another: 'It keeps falling out'↗, and the clutch numbers 'arent accurate'↗. This kit is 'the cheapest entry model(s)'↗, and 'The HP Brushless models are miles ahead in performance'↗. A decade-long owner is blunt: 'Ryobi tools lack in power and do not stand up to daily trade abuse'↗. One found it 'loud and rattly'↗ and gave up on a four-inch screw.

“I have been using the Ryobi drill for awhile and the chuck is hard to get tight enough. I have resorted to using channel locks instead of hand tightening. The rubber grip on the chuck is just too slick. I used gloves for awhile but that was too much. I have 19 different 18v Ryobi tools and I have gotten to hate this one.” — YouTube comment · georgefreiermuth2025 · 2015-11-06

5 positive · 2 mixed · 3 negative · 10 voices · ✓ all 10 linked to source

Read all 10 quotes (10 voices)

• I just picked one up. I'm pleased with it so far. It's well made and seems solid enough. I got it in the kit with the 5 1/2" circular saw, battery, and charger.

  YouTube comment · dbkfrogkaty1 · 2015-11-06 · watch the original ↗

• The drill also has a light that shines directly at the drill spot. It's a really helpful feature.

  YouTube comment · imareal7625 · 2015-11-06 · watch the original ↗

• I have been using the Ryobi drill for awhile and the chuck is hard to get tight enough. I have resorted to using channel locks instead of hand tightening. The rubber grip on the chuck is just too slick. I used gloves for awhile but that was too much. I have 19 different 18v Ryobi tools and I have gotten to hate this one.

  YouTube comment · georgefreiermuth2025 · 2015-11-06 · watch the original ↗

• The chuck needs a more steady grip on the drill bit. It keeps falling out after a while. The drill clutch to adjust the torque on the numbers 1 to 24 arent accurate. At setting 1 it kinda loose thread on the wood

  YouTube comment · rubenium33 · 2015-11-06 · watch the original ↗

• Well… for starters that set is the cheapest entry model(s) of Ryobi drill and impact driver you can buy. Hence why it ya know, feels cheap. Very simplistic and crude in performance and ergonomics. The HP Brushless models are miles ahead in performance and generally a good tool.

  Reddit comment · u/iFunny-Escapee · r/Tools · 2026-08-11 · read the original ↗

• They do the job at home. Sure, they aren't top of the line, but they help me get my DIY job done, and the battery design has been the same for decades. I still have a couple of the blue Ryobi tools from a set I bought 25 years and I love that my brand new (year old) One+ batteries work in those blue oldies.

  Reddit comment · u/e_line_65 · r/Tools · 2026-08-11 · read the original ↗

• I built my house with Ryobi. They must be defective because they worked fine 15 years ago and are still working just as fine

  Reddit comment · u/kewlo · r/Tools · 2026-08-11 · read the original ↗

• Ryobi tools lack in power and do not stand up to daily trade abuse.. theres no if ands or buts. And I say this as a person who has had ryobi tools at home for almost a decade and I have mistreated them but its not the same as daily trade use

  Reddit comment · u/ArtoriasArchives · r/Tools · 2026-08-19 · read the original ↗

• The ryobi drill, impact driver , sawzall, grinder, multi tool specifically never gave us issues, espcially in the most recent few years... When ryobi had the drill impact combo for $100 around christmas, best purchase ever.

  Reddit post · u/AwningGuyNJ · r/Tools · 2026-08-19 · read the original ↗

• The tool sounded like it was pre-broken, loud and rattly, high pitched, the opposite of smooth... The 4” GRK got driven, kind of, but the tool had to keep hammering and hammering to get the last 1/2”, and I gave up with the screw heads still proud of the board.

  Reddit post · u/jyl8 · r/Tools · 2026-08-11 · read the original ↗

Why it ranks here. Makita's LXT drills are the ones owners measure other brands against, and its batteries are called the best there are. It ranks last because the XFD131 itself draws few owner reports; what people write about is the brand, its price, and the commitment of switching platforms.

'My first cordless power tools was a NiMH 14.4v Makita drill. That tool sold me. I've bought Makita ever since'↗, says one owner. Another 'still have my trusty old Makita one even though I mostly use the Milwaukee cordless one now'↗. An owner of both says 'if I need the tool all the time, I prefer Makita, but if I use the tool only occasionally, Ryobi is usually just fine'↗. One buys cheap off-brand tools purely because 'I can use Makita batteries which are pretty much the best batteries out there'↗. A drywall hanger who came into the trade on Makita guns, 'still a Team Teal fanboy decades later'↗, says 'the clutches wore out quickly'↗. Nobody in our sources described the XFD131 specifically.

“My first cordless power tools was a NiMH 14.4v Makita drill. That tool sold me. I’ve bought Makita ever since.” — Reddit comment · u/jyl8 · r/Tools · 2026-08-11

6 positive · 1 mixed · 7 voices · ✓ all 7 linked to source

Read all 7 quotes (7 voices)

• My first cordless power tools was a NiMH 14.4v Makita drill. That tool sold me. I’ve bought Makita ever since.

  Reddit comment · u/jyl8 · r/Tools · 2026-08-11 · read the original ↗

• I know I still have my trusty old Makita one even though I mostly use the Milwaukee cordless one now

  Reddit comment · u/Electronic_Flan_482 · r/Tools · 2026-09-10 · read the original ↗

• I'm a Makita guy!

  Reddit comment · u/IzilDizzle · r/Tools · 2026-08-19 · read the original ↗

• I have both Makita and Ryobi batteries. There is a difference, and if I need the tool all the time, I prefer Makita, but if I use the tool only occasionally, Ryobi is usually just fine.

  Reddit comment · u/Striking-Ad770 · r/Tools · 2026-08-19 · read the original ↗

• I basically only every use 2.0 in my Makita impactor and drill unless I actually need the extra capacity.

  Reddit comment · u/eristicforfun · r/Tools · 2026-08-11 · read the original ↗

• I used Makita drywall guns when I came into the trade (an am still a Team Teal fanboy decades later). They were good when new, but the clutches wore out quickly.

  Reddit comment · u/bassboat1 · r/Tools · 2026-09-09 · read the original ↗

• I chose SeeSii because I got screaming deals on Temu/AliExpress and I can use Makita batteries which are pretty much the best batteries out there.

  Reddit comment · u/pushdose · r/Tools · 2026-09-10 · read the original ↗