Best Cordless Drill. EVER.

Are you in the market for a cordless drill and want to find the best model for 2024?

You’ve found the right place.  Unlike the other reviews online, this is a no-BS analysis and review.

Best All-Around Cordless Drill

DEWALT 20-Volt Max Li-Ion Compact Drill/Driver

***UPDATE 4/9/2024: I have now been using a version of this drill for over 10 years as my sole drill for my handyman business. The first one lasted nearly 8 years. I could not be happier with the way the drill has held up and continues to dominate. After constant daily use, the batteries still charge in less than 30 minutes, and I get days of operation without recharging. If this thing ever gives out, I’ll buy another without hesitating***

Why should you listen to me?

• For starters, I use a drill every day for my handyman business. (unlike some other reviewers you’ll find online.)
• Secondly, I picked up a few things while working as a mechanical design engineer that helped me see through the crap.
• And last but not least, I only give recommendations on products that I use and am sure are quality.

This isn’t the usual topic of this blog. I typically share strategies for starting/growing a handyman business. However, I decided to share my input on what I think is the best all-around drill for a handyman. In my analysis, I considered the following:

• How badass does it look?
• Does it feel like a toy or a drill?
• Is it bulky or compact?
• Battery life.
• Features.
• Ability to dominate.

The drill I ended up with is AWESOME. Before I purchased this drill I was using an old Dewalt 12v with only a single battery. So, it’s kinda like stepping up from a 1990 Datsun pickup to a new F-150. Maybe that’s why I’m so excited.

Nonetheless, the Dewalt 20V Max handles all of the jobs I need it for, it’s fairly lightweight, the batteries charge really fast, and I found an awesome price – saving $40 bucks by purchasing online.

Side by Side Testing

No, I didn’t sit there and screw in screws or drill holes until the battery ran out to compare each drill side by side. Who cares, the drill I got came with two batteries that charge in less than 1/2 hour. I’ve never run a battery down in less than 1/2 hour unless it’s an old battery.

What I did do was stand in Home Depot for about 1.5 hours thoroughly inspecting the different options, using each drill, and getting a good feel of which ones were quality and which ones weren’t. Inspecting the chuck, switches, battery release, and other features.

Yes, I also spent about two hours doing research online for other people’s opinions and reviews.  his little exercise only told me which drill not to buy – the Makita 18V lithium-ion compact drill. I was considering this drill because I’ve used Makita drills in the past and they were always the best. But, apparently, they now have some quality issues. The main thing people complain about with the Makita is the chuck not being centered causing the drill to wobble like crazy while in use. No thanks.

Cordless Drill Features

In addition to the compact, lightweight design, the Dewalt 20v Max compact drill has several other notable features.

• Ergonomic handle (pretty much all drills have this)
• Heavy-Duty 1/2″ ratcheting chuck.  (I thought the chuck on this drill seemed to be of the highest quality when compared to similarly priced models.)
• 2 20V lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are great due to their compact design and superior performance.
• 30-minute fast charger.
• Belt hook. This was probably the main reason I needed a new drill in the first place. I’ll never buy another drill without a belt hook.
• LED light. I could do without this, but it has come in handy many times.

Where to Buy

As with most things, this drill can be found online significantly cheaper than at the local retail stores. Here’s a link to get the best price:

DEWALT 20-Volt Max Li-Ion Compact Drill/Driver