Best cordless drill 2024 for walls, wood, metal and plastic

The best cordless drill could be the only power tool a lot of people need. Thanks to advancements in motor and battery technology, these handy DIY tools are more than powerful enough for everyday tasks around the house and in fact, no pro under the age of 60 will willingly use a corded drill for most tasks nowadays – that's how good the best cordless drills are. Better still, since there is no need to plug any cables in while you drill holes in the wall, cordless drills are more convenient and safer than standard high-powered power tools.

Today's cordless drills pack more punch than ever, due in no small part to the advent of the lithium ion battery. Li-ion batteries are not only lighter than the old nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) packs – a great weight saving on the wrist and forearm – they also hold their charge longer when not in use. These type of batteries don't mind being topped up from half empty either.

As we enter into the summer months, we anticipate that many of you will be looking for DIY tools to update your garden and start a fun project with the family. A cordless drill is a must-have in your tool box but if you're unsure what your task requires, you can check out our cordless drills vs corded drills comparison. Always make sure to be careful and wear appropriate PPE when working with drills, and after all the holes have been drilled, you might need the best electric screwdriver to fasten those screws properly.

The best cordless drills 2023

There’s a reason you see so many Dewalt tools on sites: they’re rock solid, reliable and cleverly designed, and this XR Brushless Compact is no exception. 

It’s been built specifically for working in tight spaces, with a quick and simple bit change, a bright white LED so you can see what you’re putting holes into, a steel belt hook and magnetic bit storage to keep everything to hand. It’s built to survive the lumps and bumps of proper work, and its two-stage aluminium transmission is built to last.

There’s just one battery pack in this version, a 4.0Ah XR Li-ion battery, but what you lose in batteries compared to other Dewalt deals, you gain in functionality. The XR Brushless Compact has 14 torque settings and a powerful hammer function for tougher jobs. 

Just beware: first gear is comparatively quick compared to many other drills so if you’re driving screws you’ll need to be that bit more careful. 

Read our full Dewalt 18V XR review for more pros and cons.

This bundle of dual-grip friskiness is 20% smaller and 10% lighter (1.1kg) than the average cordless man drill. It's also ergonomically designed to give you optimum power transfer and less of an aching hand.

Certainly, the dual grip is a godsend for those tricky jobs that require a bit of body weight and an extra hand on the drill. Where in the past you'd be triggering the drill with one hand and pushing from behind with the other, with this one you simply grip the arched front handle, lean in and drill right through to the neighbours sitting room. Furthermore, if the drill's integrated sensor detects sudden jamming – for example you may hit a steel joist, an old Roman axe, or whatever else is tucked behind the wallpaper – it shuts the motor down preventing kick back of the drill and possibly further chaos.

The PSR 18 is no lightweight when it comes to tricky tasks. It loves a good screwing – it has no less than 20 torque settings – and will penetrate any willing material, be it masonry, brick, metal, wood or, if your name's Reno, skull. It's also the first DIY drill to incorporate the latest in brushless e-motors that are not only smaller and lighter than current units, but are also more powerful and wear-free.

Bosch's accompanying 18-volt Lithium-Ion battery dishes out a very ample 2.5Ah and can be charged to 80% in just 40 minutes. You only get one for your money, but a single charge lasts long enough to see you through, ooh, at least 10 IKEA cupboard assemblies, several shelving units and possibly the building of a full-scale Spitfire replica. Oh, and because the battery is part of Bosch's 18volt 'Power4All' system it can be used on 15 other Bosch-based DIY and garden tools.

Read our full Bosch PSR 18 LI-2 Ergonomic review for more.

If you need more torque than the winning DeWalt DCD778P2T-SFGB’s modest 65Nm, try this new pro-level flagship 18v model which weighs roughly the same (1.61kgs) while packing a considerable 112Nm of torque. The DeWalt XRP also features an improved brushless motor, three main speeds, an electronic clutch and 11 torque settings to give DIYers and pros a variety of powerful drill and driver settings to cover a wide range of tasks, including penetrating hard brick like a knife through butter. It also comes with a three-level LED lamp that beams upwards from below so a hand doesn’t obscure the light. Clever.

Perhaps one of the most tantalising aspects of this drill/driver package is the new PowerStack 5Ah battery system which provides more power by maintaining a higher voltage and current when under load. According to DeWalt, the PowerStack system uses ‘pouch’ cells that have an increased surface area so that they run cooler while dissipating heat more efficiently, which means fewer shutdowns when the going’s tough. The upshot of all this is that they theoretically produce 50% more power while lasting twice as long as other batteries.

The DeWalt 18V XRP comes in a large heavy-duty stackable carrying case along with two PowerStack 5Ah batteries, a multi-voltage XR Charger, a side handle for extra pressure when drilling through tough brick and stone, and a magnetic bit holder. Everything you need, in other words, to tackle most jobs at home no matter how tough the task. Highly recommended.

This compact and lightweight hammer drill is not only one of the most powerful cordless devices offered by Worx, it also looks rather ace, with chunky rubber grips and a cool contrasting orange and black colour scheme. Not that we're easily swayed by aesthetics or anything.

A beefy 20v lithium-ion battery pack ensures the motor can develop 50Nm of torque, which is more than enough to take on most drilling tasks. The 13mm keyless chuck and - ho ho - shaft lock make it easy to swap drill bits on the fly and the latest battery tech promises no self-discharge, for optimum performance.

There's a standard 3-year warranty on all Worx tools but surprisingly they still manage to come in at the lower end of the budget spectrum. This package includes a spare battery and "over 150 accessories" in a case. Read our full Worx WX372 review.

Some might say that an impact driver is too hardcore for many day-to-day DIY jobs but we say, pah! Have a go on the Ryobi 18V One+ Cordless Impact Driver and you'll be amazed at the amount of control it offers without the fiddly torque settings or numerous gearing options that are found on rivals.

This thing isn't really designed for drilling holes but instead makes mincemeat out of tough screwing jobs (to both wood and metal surfaces), as well as being very handy at loosening tough bolts.

Although not completely novel, there's still something quite nice about the fact that just one battery pack fits the entire One+ range of DIY tools, although make sure before you buy that the package actually includes a battery, if you don't already own a One+ device. Read our full Ryobi 18V review.

The latest in Bosch's expert range is compact and handy, yet powerful enough to take on most jobs. It delivers 38Nm of torque and can drill up to 30mm in wood and 100mm in steel and masonry, while the numerous torque settings make it a great companion to annoying flatpack jobs that require tons of screwing.

It's also lightweight and the latest 18-volt battery system means plenty of running time and a rapid 1-hour recharge - you get two batteries. A keyless chuck with Bosch Auto-Lock system means drill bits can be changed by hand. 

Read our full Bosch PSB 1800 LI-2 review.

Makita practically invented cordless tools, and it’s a trusted brand in the trade for its reliability and power. They’re not remotely cheap, but if you’re pro, semi-pro, or just want the best tools, you’ll be glad you spent the money. 

The DHP484RTJ is available in a range of options from body-only to complete kits, and one of our preferred options is the drill, two 5.0Ah Li-ion batteries, charger and case that’s currently around £300. 

The LXT Brushless is compact and powerful, with 54nm of torque and the capability to drill 38mm into wood, 13mm into masonry and 13mm into steel. The hammer function has a range of 0 to 30,000ipm for fast hammering into masonry and a slower 0-7,500ipm mode: speed varies according to how much pressure you put on the trigger. The gears are all metal and housed in aluminium for endurance and there’s the obligatory belt clip for keeping it on your slacks.

A serious tool for serious people, in short.

A crazily good deal at the price, this twin pack includes the DCF815 Impact Driver, which develops a whopping 107Nm of torque, with 15 settings.

There's no hammer action, and the LED light is a but feeble, but the drilling performance is still highly impressive, and the simple, keyless chuck is cool too. Also included is aDCK211D2T 10.8v drill/driver with 15 torque settings, for all your kitchen cabinet, screw-fixing needs.

Both of these tools are very good standalone products, but in a pack with two batteries, for this price, they're very hard to beat indeed.

If you're in the market for a really heavy duty 18v drill driver (a drill and screwdriver in one) that'll last for years and perform any task you throw at it, then reach deeper into your wallet and nab yourself one of these American killer drillers. The Milwaukee brand may be relatively unknown in DIY-land but it's one of the first ports of call for the hard-hat brigade.

The newest model in the US-made M18 series is equipped with the latest in brushless motor tech which provides 50% more efficiency and twice the lifespan of your common or garden motor. It's also one of the smallest drill drivers on the market (it weighs in at around 2kgs) and that means greater ease of use in confined spaces.

The new M18 runs off a long-lasting 5Ah battery and is capable of producing a whopping 60Nm (Newton Meters) of unrelenting torque. To give you some idea of just how powerful that is, there's a video demonstration of the previous M18 model winching in an 11-ton digger without so much as a hiccup.

The M18 also features REDLINK overload protection (lest you hit a diamond seam), an on-board fuel gauge, an LED light to illuminate the working area and individual battery cell monitoring. The M18's full-fat package includes two Li-ion batteries, an 80-minute charger and an all-metal case to put the whole caboodle in. At about half its launch RRP online, this is now something of a steal…

The latest value range of tools from Wickes doesn't quite match up to the outright power of the offerings from big name brands, such as Bosch and Milwaukee, but they are great for those carrying out light- to medium-duty fastening applications.

A 240-volt motor develops around 35Nm of torque, which isn't enough for going through robust masonry like a knife through butter, but it'll have a go, and quite enough for plaster walls and wood. It's also great for making quick work of screwing things to other things.

A 2-year warranty and the fact there's a spare battery make it a very decent deal for the low price. Wiiickes.

There's not much this potent Hitachi can't handle thanks to its ability to spin up to 1,800rpm and deliver an impressive 92Nm of torque. There's a two-speed gearbox that's suitable for most applications but ultimately this is a powerful drill for making man-sized holes.

It comes with two batteries, meaning it's easy to swap them out during long and arduous DIY tasks, while the unit is ergonomically designed and weighs less than some of the other beasts mentioned here, which is great for long-term usage.

One of the neatest features is the white LED spotlight that sits at the front of the drill and illuminates the work surface for a reduction in DIY slip-ups. This is a serious drill.

How we test cordless drills

This list is made up of drills we have tested, in a real world setting. We use drill bits of different sizes and test them on wood, plasterboard, concrete and metal. Because we are not set up to do lab testing as yet, we also utilise online reviews of drills by brands that we know to be of good quality to decide which ones to include in this buying guide.

Want to know more? Discover how we test at T3.

How to buy the best cordless drill for you

A key consideration is voltage… Put simply, the higher the battery's voltage, the more power and torque you'll have to drill through tough materials like steel and especially concrete and brick. 

As an added bonus, all cordless drills serve two purposes: drilling and screwdriving. Combi Drills differ slightly in that they also include a hammer action for hard-going masonry work. If you live in a flat with plasterboard walls, chances are you don't need that additional power.

Most of the drill drivers in this roundup will tackle basic DIY tasks but it goes without saying that you get what you pay for. The more expensive models are invariably better built and add more power to your elbow.

If you're looking for the best cordless drill to get your DIY on with this Easter and beyond, then look no further.

The most important things to look for when shopping for a cordless drill

Voltage

As we've mentioned above, voltage is one of the main things to look out for when buying a cordless drill and usually range from12V to 24V. In order to have the benefit of more beans, you'll want to look for the highest voltage in the product specs shown below. This is especially important if you're looking for prolonged used and need your cordless drill to be able to tackle tough jobs. Steel, concrete and brick can all sap power rapidly, so aim for the highest voltage cordless drill you can afford.

Torque

You'll definitely want to check the torque rating of any cordless drill you're interested in. This is measured in Newton Metres, or Nm and refers to the amount of force that the cordless drill can use in order to rotate effectively. Look for the highest number you can get if you're in need of a cordless drill that can handle all sorts of jobs and materials. The higher the Nm number the easier and more effective drilling should be. Some cordless drills also offer the ability to adjust this, thereby offering a variable rate for different tasks, such as screwing or drilling.

Load bearing speed

The beefier the cordless drill the easier the job in hand should be. So, as an example, our number one cordless drill, the Dewalt 18V XR Brushless Compact Lithium-Ion Combi Drill, features a 0-600/0-2,000 RPM spec. This means it has lots of muscle and a versatile design thanks to a brushless motor that allows it to tackle different jobs. And, this can be done without too much in the way of effort. The more mechanical muscle your cordless drill has, the better.

Battery performance & life

There's nothing more annoying than having a cordless drill battery pack that runs out of juice halfway through your job. Check our product specs below for the battery charge capacity, which is shown as Ah (Amp-hours). This can range from between 1Ah to around 4Ah. Generally speaking you'll want to aim for a higher Ah number. This will usually determine how much life you'll get from the battery before it starts to fizzle out and you need to recharge it again.

Drill driver & hammer modes

If you've got the need to use a cordless drill to tackle all sorts of home DIY jobs, or if you need one for numerous professional-level tasks, look for one with various modes. A screwdriving mode model is fine for doing just that. However, if you want to make holes in things a drilling mode is essential. 

On top of that, consider a hammer-action if you want to drill into concrete or break things up. This mode uses a hammering action to push through tough surfaces. It's also really useful, when a chisel bit is attached, for breaking up slabs of concrete and suchlike.

Cost

Like most power tools on the market, the higher the cost the more power and performance you're likely to get. That's fine if you have an unlimited budget. However, the main thing to consider is what you're going to be using your cordless drill for. If it's for occasional light use then there is little point in buying a high spec, high powered drill that will never be used to its full potential. Jobs will certainly be made that much quicker and easier though. 

Naturally, if you're aiming for regular use, or have professional needs in mind, aim for the premium-end of the cordless drill spectrum. It could be money well spent in the long run.

For most people, the key thing to consider is, what is your home made of? If it's an old house made of bricks with render on top, or an old flat where the walls are often seemingly made of concrete, you should definitely consider a more expensive drill. If you live in a modern home where everything internal is essentially made of plasterboard hanging off a metal and concrete external frame, you will only need a high powered drill when you eventually start hitting the interior metal portions – and to be honest, you probably shouldn't be drilling through those anyway.