No matter if you’re a novice DIYer looking for a power tool to do repairs around the house or just beginning your career, a cordless drill is an indispensable piece of equipment. Their portability and power make them convenient and versatile. Additionally, they save you from the hassle of a cluttered mess of corded drills.
As a beginner, it’s somewhat overwhelming to find the best one from the abundance of choices. Therefore, to provide you an ease in making a quick decision, our experts have tried and tested dozens of cordless drills based on their speed, variations, functionality, and versatility. Finally, we have come up with the best cordless drill for beginners. Plus, the buying guide helps you to choose the best one according to your needs and budget.
Cordless Drill Types
There are mainly two popular types of cordless drill: drill/driver and hammer drill. Both drills seem similar but use specifically for different purposes.
1- Drill/Driver
drill/driver is a versatile Cordless power tool mainly used for drilling holes and driving screws. It can be used for boring holes in multiple materials, including plastic, wood, and metal. It comes with variable speeds and torque ratings, making using a cordless drill while drilling and driving easy. It comes in various such as 12V, 18V, and 20V. They are lightweight, portable, and appropriate for multiple applications.
2- Hammer Drill
A hammer drill is a high-end cordless tool that usually works best while drilling in masonry, brick, mortar, and stones. Its hammer action enables you to drill holes even in the most rigid material like walls and blocks. Its hammering mechanism helps you to penetrate the drill bit easily into the toughest surfaces.
Difference between Drill/Driver Vs. Hammer Drill
As far as the performance and functionality are concerned, both the drill driver and hammer drill are designed for almost the same purposes, but they are slightly different. The hammer drills are most powerful cordless drills than drill/drivers. You can use heavy-duty hammer drills for most rigid materials.
Furthermore, the speed of the drill/driver is more than hammer drill because the drill/driver uses variable speeds for drilling as well as fastening and driving screws according to the material nature. On the other hand, the hammer drill comes with low speed but the highest torque rating, which helps drill holes conveniently, even in bricks and stones.
Specifically, the main difference is that the drill bit consists of a chuck that holds the drill bits and driver bits and rotates them to make holes and drive the screws. Contrarily, in the hammer drill, the hammering action not only allows the drill bit to rotate but also moves it back and forth to drill into the most rigid materials conveniently. The high-end mechanism of the hammer drill makes them more versatile and powerful.
Which is Suitable for Beginners and Why
Despite being a beginner, you don’t remain that way forever. While upgrading your skills, you will also need to upgrade your tool. That’s why, to choose the best one, you should consider and determine your work nature and projects’ demands as well.
The best option for beginners is the 12V drill/driver if you do house chores such as assembling furniture or hanging wall hangings. Because these small tasks don’t require much power, the 12V cordless drill/driver is more than enough to fulfill these tasks efficiently.
Compared to this, if you’re planning to start a career in woodworking or metalworking, an 18V or 20V drill/driver is the right choice. Because plastic, wood, and metal working tasks require a powerful tool to drill and drive accurately and precisely.
I have written a detailed post on 12v vs 18v drills for home use, must check that you to clear your confusion. 🙂
Alternatively, an 18V or 20V hammer drill would be an ideal choice if you plan with soft and hard materials, such as metal, masonry, mortar, or bricks. Whereas the hardest material demands heavy-duty tool hammering and drilling the holes according to the required width and length.
Factors to Consider for a Beginner
Being a beginner, you should know which key factors are essential to consider while buying the best cordless drill. For your guidance, here are some crucial factors to consider:
1- Variable Speed and power
The drill’s variable speed is measured in RPM ( rotation speed per minute), and power is measured in volts. The cordless drills are available at different variable speeds and powers. While buying a drill, you should consider your work requirement and opt for the one accordingly. The recommended speed is 12V, 18V, and 20V, and the recommended speed is up to 500 RPM.
2- Torque Rating
The torque rating sets the rotation of your drill chuck. Chuck rotation is measured in inch-pounds/foot-pounds. The more the torque rating, the more powerful the chuck rotation. The highest rotation enables the drill to drill the holes and drive the screws more accurately and efficiently, even in the hardest and most sturdy materials.
3- Battery Capacity
The battery capacity is a considerable essential fact. The drill is dependent on the battery and your work as well. If the battery contains plenty of juice, the smoother your work will be. The latest Lithium-ion batteries provide extended run-time, quick recharge, and a long-lasting life span. If the cordless drill comes with dual batteries, it works like the frosting on the cake.
4- Drill Size and Weight
For beginners, the size of the drill should be compact and lightweight. It can be easily portable and easy to handle while the drilling process. Compact and lightweight drills also tend to produce less noise and hence they are the quiet ones.
5- Price
The price should be according to the drill’s specs, features, and budget. But don’t sacrifice the main components for the lowest price. As a beginner, you don’t need to get a very expensive and heavy-duty drill. Try to find a good-featured pack cordless drill under your budget.
3 Best Cordless Drills for Beginners (2023)
1- DEWALT ATOMIC 20V MAX (Best Cordless Drill for Beginners)
Main Specifications
- Voltage: 20V
- Speed: 1650 RPM
- Amperage: 1.5 AMPs
- Weight: 2.5 lbs
Look no further than the Dewalt Atomic Max cordless drill if you are looking for a powerful drill with many other features. It’s the best 20V cordless drill for beginners that is also future-proof. So you don’t need to change or upgrade your tool rapidly. With the 1650 RPM, it enables you to drill holes and drive screws accurately and precisely.
Additionally, its hammering action allows for drilling holes effectively in masonry, stones, and bricks. Plus, its build quality and design are not only eye-catching due to its sharp color combination of orange and black but also compact at only 6.9 inches front to back. Furthermore, just 2.5 lbs make it a lightweight tiny creature that can reach narrow hard-to-reach spaces.
The LED footlight enhances visibility and accuracy even in darker spots. As a beginner, it’s an added bonus to keep your focus on the center point. The latest high-quality brushless motor combined with the 20V lithium-ion battery is the best sturdy and long-lasting partner to stand with you throughout the toughest projects and extended working sessions.
Moreover, the 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck provides a tight bit grip as well as 340 UWO to accomplish multiple tasks of drilling, driving, and hammering. Although it’s a bit expensive, it’s worth the price.
2- Bosch Cordless Combi Drill
Main Specifications
- Voltage: 18V
- Max Rotational Speed: 1900 RPM
- Amperage: 1.5 AMPs
- Weight: 3.02 Kg
Bosch Universal Impact is a reliable and versatile tool for beginners that is best for fulfilling small to the biggest drilling projects. This superior quality bosch cordless drill offers multiple operations like drilling and screw driving on plastic, wood, and metal and impacts drilling on masonry and other rigid materials. Additionally, its variable speed and 20 torque settings allow you to control and set the speed according to your tasks and material.
It is equipped with excellent impact drill features with the 10mm shank and an easy-to-handle chuck; this unique feature allows you to change the bit quickly without wasting much of your time. Dual batteries play a vital role in saving your precious time, and from any inconvenience, dual batteries play an essential role in any inconvenience. It offers a delicious workflow without running out the power juice too soon. It comes with a sturdy carrying case that makes the portability more convenient. It’s the best cordless drill for under $100. Overall, its rich features and lower price make it a great bang for your buck.
3- BLACK+DECKER 18 V
Main Specifications
- Voltage: 18V
- Speed: 1400 RPM
- Amperage: 1.5 AMPs
- Weight: 2.16 kg
When it comes to the beginner’s cordless drill, there is no an affordable and versatile option than the Black+ Decker combi hammer drill. It’s a universal combi drill that comes equipped with a two-gear function and a powerful motor. The variable speed of 0-1400RPM allows doing plastic, wood, and metal drilling and screwing much easier.
On the other side, the 21000 BPM enables you to do hammer drilling effectively on masonry and stones. Moreover, It offers 17/38 Newton Meter max torque and ten torque speeds that increase its accuracy while working on various types of material and applications as well.
Above all, it’s an easy-to-use cordless drill due to its marvelous keyless chuck. It makes it worth opting cordless drill for beginners. You can easily handle it even single-handedly to save your time and hassle. Top of all that, it comes at the lowest price and with a pack of unique features. Overall, it’s the best budget cordless drill for beginners and budget buyers.
Conclusion
Our extensive research will prove to be fruitful for you if you will be select the best cordless drill for you and your loved ones after reading it thoroughly. We have elaborate on all the technical aspects of our top picks, and the essential technical factors you must consider while buying the best one according to your needs. Go through this unique piece of advice and make a desired decision according to your budget.
