Sure, there are plenty of cordless drills to choose from but do you really need the most powerful, top of the line drill?  No, not if you’re just doing a light-duty project around the home.  You don’t need to spend two hundred bucks for features (and power) you truly don’t need.

The Right Tool for the Right Job

Most cordless drills usage falls into three major categories:

  • Repair and Light Duty Maintenance
  • Repair and Remodeling
  • Heavy Duty – Construction

Choosing the right drill comes down to what projects are you planning to use it for.

Repair and Light Duty Maintenance

Are you typically looking to accomplish these kind of tasks?

  • Installing curtain brackets
  • Affixing anchors in drywall
  • Assembling yard equipment and do-it-yourself furniture
  • Attaching new handles on cabinet doors and drawers
  • Replacing door hinges.

For lightweight chores that are completed fairly quickly, a single-battery tool will do just fine.

If your project requires drilling holes and driving screws, select a drill that has two fixed speeds or a variable speed option. An adjustable clutch is also a nice feature to prevent stripping out the screw head.

And you don’t need top-of-the-line equipment to tackle these projects so save some money.  You can get a good dependable drill for under $50.

REPAIR AND REMODELING

This category is for users who will be tackling these kinds of projects:

  • Making furniture
  • Drilling pilot holes and driving screws in hardwood or plywood
  • Hanging drywall.
  • Building or repairing deck railings

These projects need more power and ‘stamina’ from a cordless drill and require at least a 9.6V tool.  Of course, a 12V drill will work for projects in this category, but a 12v will also add weight and a larger drill adding to user fatigue.

A variable speed drill is what’s needed with two speed ranges and a clutch.  Since these projects take more time to complete, you’ll need longer run-time of your drill .  Get a second battery so you don't run out of power and have to wait until the unit is recharged.

These drills run in the $50 - $150 range.  Hitachi and Makita are good choices.

HEAVY-DUTY CONSTRUCTION JOBS

Cordless Drills for these projects need power and reliability.  Heavy duty performance is a necessity.  Construction jobs include:

  • Drilling into steel
  • Home construction
  • Working with pressure-treated wood and landscape timbers
  • Drilling into masonry walls
  • Installing decking

In the pro-use category, a high-voltage tool is mandatory.  Drilling into denser materials and the usage of larger bits require more penetrating punch.  The power of a 12V drill or even 14.4V model is  need.

Drills in this class are typically larger and heavier.  Their cost is in the $150 and up range.

If you only occasionally need a drill in this class, you might be better off with less expensive corded drill (if you have power available) or even considering renting a heavy-duty cordless drills for one-time-use projects.

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