Whether you're a trade professional or a DIY home improver, a drill is a toolbox essential. You can loosen or tighten screws, bore holes, or chip away wood and concrete. It's a nearly all-around device to undertake whichever construction task you may need. In this article, we will know the types of drills with a focus on cordless drills and their qualities.
We will also get to know the pros and cons. If you feel uninformed when searching for the right cordless drill, our handy guide might be able to assist you. We will also list down the brands available in the market nowadays, plus some tips and tricks before we end the article.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Table of Contents
Popular with DIY enthusiasts, cordless drills are the handiest, yet powerful tool that anyone could have on their toolshed. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using a cordless electric drill.
In this time and age of wireless technology, a cordless tool is the most convenient thing to have, such as the case with cordless drills. You are not confined by the availability of a power socket anywhere you may need to work. Plus, it adds some level of safety by eliminating cables that someone might trip over during a construction project.
These small machines are powered by rechargeable batteries which can be charged at the end of every working day. Just plug the charging dock for a few hours and you're ready to work again on the next day.
The strain that you put on your hand and wrist each time you drive a screw into a wall withers away. All you need now is to whip out your cordless drill and drive that screw in less than 5 seconds. It is fast, convenient, and safe with no cord restrictions.
Cordless drills use rechargeable batteries that are commonly found below the handle. The bulkiness and weight could give the user a hard time keeping it upright when drilling at a wall or holding it above your head for hours. It wears you out faster and could sometimes get in the way when you're working on tight spaces.
The much telling downside is the lack of power due to its battery limitations. Some tasks require more energy to get accomplished so professionals think twice before purchasing this type of drill. Yes, corded drills have cable restrictions, but the power and performance are consistent.
Before you click that "Add to Cart" button or drive down to your favorite hardware shop, consider the following tips first.
In cordless drills, the voltage of its battery dictates the power it could put to work. A higher voltage produces more torque strength to overcome resistance. Nowadays, the battery voltage ranges from 6V to 24V.
If you need a drill for medium projects inside the house, you could go for the 12V variant. These are considerably lighter than higher voltage models but still has enough power to effectively do the job.
But if your task extends to the garden or backyard, you might need more power to handle harder surfaces such as concrete or slabs. However, a 24V battery weighs more because of the size.
Most corded drills have pistol-grips, where the handle is behind the motor, as with a gun. With cordless drills, it was redesigned to a T-handle where the motor is on top of the handle, to provide a better overall balance and prevent slippage. The base is flared to accommodate the rechargeable battery and serve as a stand whenever idle.
If you need more force in heavy-duty drilling, you might as well use a corded drill, since the handle is directly behind the motor which allows you to put more effort into it.
Cordless drills have an adjustable clutch which doesn't exist on corded drills. You can find it behind the chuck and when you rotate it, a clicking sound is heard when a preset level of resistance is met. The clutch provides control so you don't strip a screw or overdrive it and accidentally remove the screw head.
The number of clutch settings would vary from brand to brand, but a good drill must have at least 24 settings. This allows you to fine-tune the power it delivers and set it depending on the job to be done.
The forward and reverse action is an efficient feature when it comes to screw driving. This allows the user to remove and redo the job if the screw is uneven or askew. The reverse function is very handy for quick disassembly of a piece of furniture or appliance. You can let the drill do all the work for you.
Speeds on a drill are measured in RPM or revolutions per minute. Standard drills run at a single speed only, but most have two fixed speeds at 300rpm and 800rpm. There is a switch to shift from high to low speed and vice versa. Low speed is for screw driving, while the high speed is for boring holes.
If you're doing mostly repair or carpentry duties, look for a cordless drill that has a dual-speed with a maximum rpm of 1000. Whereas, when you perform more hole boring than driving, choose a model that has at least 1000rpm.
Li-Ion battery is the newest addition to the roster, and it is the most expensive of all, but also the lightest. This type trumps the other two batteries in terms of capacity and quick-charging. It requires little to no maintenance and has no memory effect at all. Its only downside is the shorter life cycle at 500 charges.
We could conclude that Li-Ion is the best way to go, but the price point has a significant effect on its merits. NiCd and NiMH aren't bad choices but you must need to look at the purpose of the cordless drill and the work that you intend to do to determine the right battery for the job.
There are several classes of drills to choose from today. Some may come with cord and others are cordless, depending on the configuration. They all differ in terms of usage and power factor, so it's best to know the correct type that you will suit your task ahead.
As the name implies, these compact power-driven tool is specially made for screw driving tasks around the house. Mostly cordless, they are easy to operate and allows you to work on tighter spaces. A handy tool to use on knocked-down furniture assembly or disassembly because of its forward and reverse functions.
This type of drill is an upgrade of the power screwdriver. It could come in a corded or cordless version with an added feature. It can do light wood-boring with its replaceable wood drill bits.
The forward and reverse function is still present for tightening or removing screws. The ideal tool for putting up shelves or assembling pieces of furniture.
Combi drills, or 3-in-1s, were made to resemble a drill driver in all its functions, but the significant difference is the inclusion of hammer action. This type is a corded or cordless all-rounder with a feature that allows light drilling into masonry or bricks.
These drills were made for heavy-duty driving or constant screwdriver workloads. Its impact mechanism reduces strain on the wrist and relieves most of the hard work from you.
Higher torque capacity is need when drilling into the metal or tightening bolt heads, so this drill is the ideal tool for the job. Plus, it also has the forward and reverse actions.
If you need a powerful drilling tool for hard surfaces, the hammer drill is what you're looking for. Also known as impact drills or percussion drills, it is made for heavy-duty tasks.
You can adjust the power via the multiple torque settings to bust through solid materials while restricting damage to the surface area. There's no reverse function on this tool, but you won't be needing it anyway.
This type of drill works the same as the hammer drill but with a slight difference in the piston action where it pushes forward and back like a hammer. SDS or Slotted Drive System hammer drills have specialized drill bits that aren't prone to slipping and could withstand intense hammering action while chiseling or chasing.
Makita Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of electrical products that started with lighting equipment, motors, and transformers. Makita's cordless hammer drill has more power and less weight, which is compact and more efficient than any other.
This drill is one of the CXT range of 12V tools with sliding Li-Ion batteries. Equipped with multi-contact terminals, it ensures a stable connection even on extreme vibrations. It features 18 torque settings with an ergonomically designed handle grip. The drill works best at any surface, such as masonry, steel, or wood.
For over 133 years, the Bosch brand is synonymous with multinational engineering and technology with products encompassing mobility, consumer goods, industrial, energy, and building. That good reputation is what makes the GSB 120-LI a reliable and durable cordless drill.
It's multipurpose and can be used for drilling or hammering metal, wood, and others. The keyless chuck feature quickly closes or opens, without causing tension when trying to replace an accessory or drill bit. It has a very responsive gearbox that helps in making screw driving and drilling processes easy and smooth.
You can control the speed of drilling or screw at any material you're working on. It has a comfortable grip with the newly invented SoftGrip technology. If you're looking for a versatile driller, this is your top choice.
Black+Decker's cordless tools are known for their excellent performance and stability. The Push and Go Cordless screwdriver is part of the impressive roster of premium quality cordless tools from Black+Decker. It is equipped with a magnetic tip, thereby tightening and loosening screws is effortless.
This screwdriver has a LED light to illuminate the workspace, so even in low light conditions, the task can go on. Black & Decker cordless screwdriver handle has an ergonomic and anti-slip grip that ensures no accidental drops or slippages will happen.
A wire stripper is also included on the kit if ever the need to peel a cable arises, you don't need a separate tool to do it. The whole kit consists of 27 accessories with a case as a whole package. There it is, your cordless screwdriver on the go.
INGCO tools are manufactured in China and distributed globally through marketing partners in every country. It offers the same quality and performance as well-known brands but at a low-price.
Its full impact cordless drill is equipped with a two-speed mechanical gear for optimal drilling or hammering results. The Li-Ion battery keeps the power delivery at a steady rate and makes the tool lighter. See your target while working even at night with its integrated work light.
Whenever you have drilling, driving, or hammering project, easily slip in the right bit and choose the correct torque setting from its 20 options. If you're looking for a heavy-duty and high-quality cordless hammer drill, the INGCO S12 is your sensible choice.
The DeWalt brand is a registered trademark of the popular Black+Decker Inc. who manufactures power and hand tools for construction, manufacturing, and woodworking industries.
Its cordless hammer drill has a brushless motor for more energy-efficient operation. Brushless motors have advantages over brushed motors, where an electronic circuit board and a sensor facilitates the shaft spin. It is more responsive, has more power and speed, lighter, and easier to maintain.
Claiming to be the smallest and most compact combination drill in the market, the DeWalt XR is measured at 174mm only. It's full metal gearbox protects the gears and nearly perfect for tough working conditions in every construction site. Get the exact torque setting for any job and material with 15 options for each speed.
DEKO is another company based in China that manufactures tools and appliances for consumers around the world. Its Sharker 20V is an impressive cordless drill that has more power and suitable for any type of surface.
This is a good foundation power tool for contractors and DIY enthusiasts. Its two-gear transmission can provide optimized torque and efficiency for precise drilling. The durable and powerful battery has a high capacity at 20V, which can be charged as fast as 60 minutes. Whether on wood, plastic, metal, or masonry, the Sharker will not budge.
LED lights for work and as a power indicator is also on board, to provide illumination while working and battery charge warning. Accessories and bits are included in the carrying case to widen the range of drilling capabilities.
If you want an extremely powerful rotary hammer that is designed for serial anchor hole drilling in concrete, you've found the right option. Its Active Vibration Reduction makes the tool convenient to use. For versatility, change the bit quickly with the TE-C Click chuck if you need to have an occasional boring task on wood or steel.
It is made mainly for drilling or hammer drilling in concrete and masonry, but can also do light chiseling if needed. Screw driving isn't a problem, just replace the bit with an SDS Plus-compatible bit.
The drilling depth guide ensures that you won't overdrive and achieve the correct hole depth. It has full compatibility with all Hilti 22V batteries so having an extra set of batteries is a good practice.
Not much can be told about the Mitsushi brand, but it's making waves in the local online selling scene. The company is a supplier of inexpensive construction devices such as power tools, welding tools, and motor tools.
Its cordless drill has a dual-speed setup with 18 torque settings. The replacement of drill bits is hassle-free because of the keyless chuck.
Although not recommended for steel or masonry drilling, you will have no problem when it comes to plastic, wood, or fiberglass. If you're planning to purchase this model, you will get the whole kit with accessories and an extra battery. You will get a good deal at its price point.
As the second most popular online brand for cordless drills, Mailtank's product is presented on a rigid plastic case with 24 pieces of accessories to complete your DIY needs. A shaft extension bit is included for hard to reach spaces so you need not worry on nooks and corners.
The balance of the drill is evident because of the 12V Li-Ion battery. It's lighter and compact to help relieve stress on the wrist and hand. Easily release the bit with the keyless chuck in front of the 18 clutch settings.
Shifting from forward to reverse function is simple, just press a switch and it's set. This cordless drill can accommodate any screw driving tasks, but it works best on masonry projects.
The Oshima 12V cordless drill is a power tool that was designed, engineered, manufactured, and tested in Japan. Its motor is made from quality pure copper wire with a strong load capacity for highly efficient performance. Its high-density die-cast carbon brush prevents overheating and keeps the temperature at optimum levels.
A sliding switch is located on top to manually switch between the two-speed options and has a vent at the back to dissipate excessive heat from the shaft. Equipped with an 18-torque setting and a keyless chuck, the cordless drill applies to plastic, wood, metal, drywall, concrete, and ceramic surfaces.
You can conveniently plug the charging adaptor straight to the battery, and there's no charging dock needed. Your home improvement gets done in no time with the Oshima cordless drill.
Still trying to plan and assemble your study table? We know you have the right cordless drill but why sweat over it when you could have it delivered right at your doorstep. Know the latest brands today by clicking on the link to the article below. You can also find the perfect items to add to your desk!
Your DIY project shouldn't be put on hold because of inferior tools. Get a reliable cordless drill that delivers just the right amount of torque and power to deal with any of your pending tasks. We've already provided the guide, and now, it's all up to your informed evaluation to find the correct product for the right job.
Author: Chafi Lacson
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