That makes it easier to manage the impressive 2,500 rpm its 8-amp motor can produce. The brushed motor version of DeWalt’s line of 20-volt MAX drills is the most affordable of its cordless offerings, but it’s certainly no slouch. Though not as fast as some of dewalt drill its higher-priced brothers, it’s not far off with a max speed of 1,500 rpm. That’s impressive, given its ½-inch chuck size and 300-UWO rating. While that may not quite cut it at the construction site, that’s more than enough power to handle most DIY projects.
For the 12-volt brushed variable speed trigger cordless drills, Tacklife offered near-optimal performance at only 0.5 unit per amp hour shy of first place in our light duty battery tests. Its body size is one of the bulkier options, but it does have a battery life LED indicator, variable speed and is priced near the bottom of the pack to be named best value. We included models for DIYers that provide enough power for home projects while still being reasonably priced. For pros, we chose higher-end DeWalt drills that offer the UWO, rpm, and, in the case of cordless drills, battery life needed to complete more extreme projects. While DeWalt’s cordless drills dominate its collection, we made sure to include entries on our list to feature its corded collections of drills as well. Lightweight and compact for working in tight spaces for long periods of time, DeWalt’s Max XR is a lighter drill driver with a weight of 3.4 pounds.
There’s no doubt that Yellow and Black is one of the most popular, so we’re highlighting the best dewalt drills we think you should consider. If you’re unsure if your drill has enough power to match the auger you have or want, check out this handy guide. The DCD771C2 did redeem itself a bit by including two batteries, so you can at least always have one on the charger while you are working and by charging faster than average. It takes less than an hour — 58 minutes — for the included charger to completely recharge a dead battery. The DCD771C2 finished out with a solid performance when drilling through the steel sheets.
DeWalt’s cordless drills come as bare tools or in full kits with batteries, chargers, and hard plastic carrying cases. Since DeWalt’s batteries are interchangeable among most DeWalt power tools, bare tools are a more affordable option for those who already own other DeWalt cordless tools. A ½-inch drill also tends to have lower max speeds than smaller ⅜-inch drills that can rotate their smaller chucks faster. The hammer drill’s built-in LED work light makes ongoing projects even easier, as it’s 20% brighter than previous models and will stay on for 20 minutes at a time.
Perhaps the best DeWalt cordless drill is the Atomic 20-Volt MAX, which represents the mid-tier of the company’s collection of power drills. Its 340-UWO rating is powerful enough to turn its ½-inch chuck up to 1,650 rpm. Those impressive numbers are in part due to a two-speed brushless motor and 20-volt dewalt tool MAX lithium-ion battery. The drill is noticeably longer and heavier than DeWalt’s premium cordless drills at 8.5 inches long with a total weight of 3.6 pounds. This bulkier size makes it a bit more cumbersome to use for long periods and can limit the drill’s ability to fit into tight spaces.
The DeWalt DCD771C2 is in the middle of these two drills in terms of list prices, but it did the worst in our battery life performance tests of this group. However, it is the best at driving in this trio and better than the Porter-Cable when drilling, though the M18 did a bit better than both in our harder drilling tests. In selecting the best of DeWalt’s collection of drills, we considered a variety of criteria. Although DeWalt is considered to be one of the premium brands in power tools, its collection of drills covers a surprisingly broad price spectrum.
Plumbing, cabinet installation, and other projects that take place in tight spaces demand a drill that can fit into nooks and crannies. DeWalt’s take on this specialized power tool makes it one of the best. With a head that measures just 4 inches long, it can get into tight areas that standard cordless drills can’t reach. Despite packing quite a punch, the DeWalt Atomic 20-Volt MAX is surprisingly compact at just 6.3 inches from front to back with a total weight of just 2.4 pounds. Other handy features include a built-in LED work light and a tool belt clip. These cordless pistol-grip drills are powered by DEWALT batteries of a compatible series and matching voltage.