Power drills

Power Drills Compared

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Finding the Best Cordless Power Drill for Your Needs

When it comes to selecting the best cordless power drill or electric drill, there’s a lot to consider. With various types of drills, features, and specifications, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of your options to make the right choice. This article dives deep into comparing standard power drills, hammer drills, and right angle power drills, as well as how they stack up against impact drivers and impact wrenches. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of battery-powered vs. corded drills, the difference between brushed and brushless motors, and the key specifications that make a difference in performance.

Below is a detailed comparison table with many of the most popular power drills on the market. Scroll down to view the comparison table or click here to continue reading about the different types of power drills and what features may be most important to you.

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SpecLook does not favor or promote any specific products, manufacturers, or distributors over the others. All highlights and awards are purely based on the comparison of details and specifications gathered for the products mentioned in the above table. All details and specifications in the above table are gathered directly from, but not limited to, manufacturer websites, manufacturer released distribution materials and product manuals. All rating data is updated as frequently as possible to reflect the most up to date and accurate values.

Types of Power Drills

There are three main types of power drills that we will discuss in this article: Standard Power Drills, Hammer Drills, and Right Angle Power Drills. Each of these drills have their own pros and cons, and a specific use case, making it important to choose the type that suits your needs best.

Standard Power Drills

Pros

  • Versatile and ideal for most common household or DIY tasks.
  • Lightweight and easy to handle.
  • Price point is usually lower compared to impact drivers and impact wrenches.

Cons

  • Limited to drilling and driving screws.
  • Not as powerful as specialized drills for more heavy-duty tasks.

Hammer Drills

Pros

  • Best for drilling into tough materials like concrete, brick, and masonry.
  • Provides a hammering action that helps penetrate hard surfaces.
  • Can function as both a standard drill and a hammer drill in one tool.

Cons

  • Typically heavier than standard power drills.
  • Overkill for lighter tasks such as wood or plastic drilling.
  • Higher price tag than standard power drills if you don’t need the hammering action.

Right Angle Power Drills

Pros

  • Light weight and easy to maneuver in difficult locations.
  • Great for working in confined areas like between studs or in cabinets where standard drills can’t fit.

Cons

  • Usually less powerful than standard or hammer drills.
  • May not have the same range of applications as traditional drills.

Power Drill vs. Impact Driver vs. Impact Wrench

In theory, these power tools can all be used for simple tasks like driving screws, but each has it’s own unique features and intended use cases that a buyer should be aware of. While power drills are versatile tools primarily designed for drilling holes and driving screws, impact drivers and impact wrenches are more specialized for heavier fastening tasks.

  • Power Drill: Ideal for general drilling and driving screws. It typically has an adjustable speed and torque control, making it great for a variety of tasks.
  • Impact Driver: Known for its high torque output, an impact driver is designed specifically for driving screws and bolts into tougher materials. Its hammering action helps with more stubborn fasteners, and it excels in situations where a power drill might struggle.
  • Impact Wrench: This tool is built for maximum torque, ideal for loosening and tightening large bolts or nuts, particularly in automotive work. If you need to handle high-torque tasks like working on tires, an impact wrench is the tool of choice.

For more details on impact drivers and impact wrenches, check out our impact driver comparison and impact wrench comparison blog articles.

Cordless vs. Corded Drills

Choosing between a battery-powered or corded drill largely depends on your specific needs. Cordless drills are favored for their portability, allowing you to work anywhere without needing a power outlet. However, corded drills offer unlimited runtime and typically a more consistent power output.

Cordless Drills

Pros

  • Completely portable and versatile.
  • Available in different voltages (Usually 12V, 18V, 20V, and 36V/40V), providing a range of power for different tasks.
  • Brand compatibility: Many brands offer battery systems that are interchangeable with other tools from the same line. This means you can use one battery across multiple tools if they share the same voltage. Milwaukee M18, DeWalt 20V MAX, and Makita 18V LXT are a few examples.

Cons

  • May have limited runtime depending on battery capacity.
  • May not provide as much power as corded models for heavier-duty tasks.

Corded Drills

Pros

  • Unlimited power supply, making them great for tough, longer-running, tasks.
  • Typically more powerful than battery-powered drills.

Cons

  • Limited by cord length and need for an electrical outlet.
  • Less portable and flexible than cordless options.

Brushed vs. Brushless Motors

Brushed motors and brushless motors are two types of motors commonly found in power drills. Though brushed motors are usually not advertised, power drills that feature a brushless motor often mention this in the tool listing’s title. Understanding the difference between brushed and brushless motors can help you choose the best cordless power drill for your situation.

  • Brushed Motor: Traditional brushed motors use carbon brushes to transfer power to the motor. They are typically more affordable but wear down over time due to friction on the brushes.
  • Brushless Motor: Newer technology that are more efficient and require less maintenance. They offer longer runtime, higher torque, quieter operation, and generally more power than brushed motors.

Key Specifications and Ratings

Max Torque

Max torque determines the twisting force the drill can produce. Higher torque is essential for drilling into harder materials and driving larger screws. If you need a high-torque drill, look for tools like the DeWalt DCD996, the Milwaukee 2903-20, and the Makita XPH14Z, which are known for their impressive torque ratings, each coming in at over 100 ft-lbs. More details on each of these drills can be found in the comparison table above.

Max Impacts Per Minute (IPM)

The Max Impacts Per Minute, or IPM, measures how fast the hammer mechanism strikes. This is a crucial specification for hammer drills, especially when drilling into tough surfaces like concrete. Drills with a higher IPM, such as the Makita GPH01Z, DeWalt DCD997CB, and  Milwaukee 2906-20, excel in masonry and concrete applications.

View more details on these drills in the comparison table above.

Max Speed (RPM)

Max Speed (measured in RPM) reflects how fast the drill can rotate the bit. Higher RPMs is important for drilling quick and clean holes in softer materials like wood. If speed is your primary concern, check out drills like the Makita GPH01Z, DeWalt DCD997CB, and the Milwaukee 2906-20, which feature some of the highest RPM ratings among the over 100 drills we compared.

Search the comparison table above to find full specifications and features for these drills. And don’t forget to use the Compare feature to compare features of specific tools side-by-side. 

How to Choose the Best Power Drill

Power drills are essential tools for any DIY enthusiast or professional contractor. They are versatile tools that can be used for a variety of tasks such as drilling holes, driving screws, and even hammer drilling into masonry. When it comes to choosing the best power drill, it’s important to compare different models and features to find the one that best suits your needs.

The first thing to consider is the type of drill you need. There are 3 main types: drill, driver, and hammer drill. A drill is a versatile tool that can be used for drilling holes and driving screws, while a driver is specifically designed for driving screws. A hammer drill is specially designed to drill into masonry, concrete, and other tough materials.

When comparing power drills, one of the key factors to consider is the power and type of the motor. When it comes to power, a drill with a stronger motor will be able to handle tougher tasks. A drill with a brushless motor will likely be more durable in the long run. And a drill with a higher speed will help leave cleaner holes in softer materials like wood or plastic.

When it comes to the best power drill, it ultimately depends on your specific needs and the types of tasks you’ll be using it for. Consider the types of projects, what environments you will be working in, and what features are most important to you. By keeping these factors in mind, and using the comparison table to help search, sort and filter through some of the most popular power drills available today, you’ll be able to find a power drill that best meets your needs and budget.