Power Drills Buying Guide

Power drills are one of the most common household power tools for a good reasons.  For one, they come in handy for all sorts of household chores like hanging pictures and drywall repair.  Many also seem to forget how cumbersome hand tools are when compared to time-saving electric gadgets like the power drill. So what are you waiting for? Use this guide to pick out a power drill and forget the screwdrivers and hand drill for good. 

Cord vs. Cordless

Cordless power drills are more popular than cordless drills because of their portability and convenience.   On the other hand, many professional contractors prefer corded drills due to their no-frills power and dependability.  Although recent technology has done an exceptional job of closing the gap between corded and cordless power drills, the choice is still ultimately yours to make .

Corded Drills 

  • Pack the most power.
  • Most durable.
  • Can handle heavy duty jobs.
  • Essential for projects that require frequent drilling. 

Cordless Drills 

  • Easily transported and used.
  • Power and continuous run-time restricted by battery.
  • Heavier than corded drills (battery).
  • Many are multi-functional.

Types of Drills

Driver / Drill 

  • Reversible direction for screws or drilling.
  • Variable speeds are useful on different materials and thicknesses.
  • Magnetised screw bits help keep screws on the drill.
  • Often come with different size drill bits which are secured with a key or keyless chuck.

Hammer Drills 

  • Hammering action provides a short, rapid hammer thrust to pulverize relatively brittle material and provide quicker drilling with less effort.
  • Hammer drills are well suited for drilling holes in masonry or stone.

Screw Guns 

  • For drywalling or decking.
  • Have a depth gauge to ensure proper drilling into drywall.
  • Make hanging drywall extremely convenient.

Drill Bits

Drill Bit Size: The bit , which actually makes the holes, can come in any number of sizes.  Drill chucks (the front tip of the drill where you insert the bit) also come in a couple sizes. The size given indicates the maximum size bit the drill can hold.

Make sure that you consider what type of materials you will be drilling most. Softer materials (such as wood) don't need a very large bit and they can run at very high speeds, whereas harder materials (metal and masonry) require slow speeds and large bits to get the job done. Opt for a model with variable speed if you plan to work on a variety of materials.

Drill Bit Type: There a different drill bit accessories suited for different tasks, such as for drilling wood, masonry, metal, ceramic, and glass.

Chuck Type: Choose between a keyless or keyed chuck, which determines the method for screwing on the bit. Keyed chucks require using a key to tighten the bit, while keyless chucks have an internal gripping mechanism that does not require any other tools. Keyed chucks were the old standard, preferred due to their reliability. These days key less chucks are just as reliable and they offer faster switching between bits.

Other Features

Torque

Torque, which is measured in foot-pounds, is the drill's maximum amount of turning force. Some drills have an adjustable clutch with different torque settings for different applications. There is a general correlation between drill price and torque; drills that cost more have more torque.

Power

The higher the voltage, the more power (9.6-28V) and weight (3-10 lb) the drill will possess. Most household jobs will be fine with a 13.2 volt  or 14.4 volt  battery, but an 18 volt  couldn't hurt. Most 9.6V drills  might be sufficient for home jobs, but may lack the needed torque you find in a 14.4V drill -- which is usually not significantly more in price. Go with at least a 14.4V. For tough jobs and doing masonry, a more powerful 24  or 28 volt  battery is recommended.

Rechargeable drill batteries should last you about five years, or roughly 500 charges, though with frequent use you might need to replace it sooner. They can be pricey, so you might want to consider just buying a brand new drill. If you have a higher end drill, it's probably more economical to buy a replacement battery.

Recommended Features

Common features you'll want in a cordless or corded drill:

  • Electric brakes -- Stop the drill chuck as soon as you release the trigger.
  • Keyless chucks -- Make changing bits easier.
  • Reverse direction-- For drilling and screws
  • Adjustable clutch -- Torque control
  • Variable drilling speed -- Helps screws from stripping. 

Top Manufacturers

Related Products

Power Saws 

Routers 

Sanders and Grinders 

Combo Drill Sets 

Screwdrivers