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Frank's pick
Milwaukee M18 18V Cordless Drill
★★★★☆ 4/5$150
Why 4/5: Well-reviewed overall, with only minor trade-offs.
Backed by 2 credible sources. What reviewers liked: Popular Mechanics recommends: Best Overall: Milwaukee M18 2904 Hammer Drill No specific criticism surfaced in the sources we read — not proof none exists, so check recent reviews before buying.
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Prices were last checked 2026-08-27 and can change — confirm the current price at the retailer before buying.
#1
Milwaukee M18 18V Cordless Drill
Milwaukee
Best for most buyers in this category
Why 4/5: Well-reviewed overall, with only minor trade-offs.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 1.1
- ●Sources
- 2
Backed by 2 credible sources. What reviewers liked: Popular Mechanics recommends: Best Overall: Milwaukee M18 2904 Hammer Drill No specific criticism surfaced in the sources we read — not proof none exists, so check recent reviews before buying.
Pros
- Popular Mechanics recommends: Best Overall: Milwaukee M18 2904 Hammer Drill
- Our Picks Best overall 18-volt cordless drill Milwaukee M18 2606-22CT $179 at Home Depot Bottom Line Although it's the most expensive 18-volt drill, this Milwaukee drill has tons of drilling power.
- powerful Ergonomic grip Built-in LED light Cons Tool only (doesn't include battery) If you’ve spent any time on a construction site, you know the name Milwaukee.
Specifications
- lbs
- 2.7 lbs
- inch
- 2 inch
- inches
- 7 inches
- lb
- 2.23 lb
Best for buyers prioritizing specific tradeoffs
Why 4/5: Well-reviewed overall, with only minor trade-offs. Main caveat reviewers raised: The Bosch is not meant to rip through metal or concrete.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 1.1
- ●Sources
- 2
Backed by 2 credible sources. What reviewers liked: / Steve Conaway/CNET Best overall 12-volt cordless drill Bosch PS31 2A Get it now $99 at Amazon Expert Take This Bosch drill is dynamite The main drawback they noted: The Bosch is not meant to rip through metal or concrete
Pros
- / Steve Conaway/CNET Best overall 12-volt cordless drill Bosch PS31 2A Get it now $99 at Amazon Expert Take This Bosch drill is dynamite
- Jump To See More Details Best overall 12-volt cordless drill Bosch PS31 2A $99 at Amazon Bottom Line This Bosch drill is dynamite -- explosive performance in a small package.
Cons
- The Bosch is not meant to rip through metal or concrete
- you will pay for all this handy goodness, as this drill is tied for the second most expensive drill in the category
Specifications
- lbs
- 2.7 lbs
- inch
- 2 inch
- inches
- 64 inches
Best for easy drill bit c
Why 4/5: Well-reviewed overall, with only minor trade-offs. Main caveat reviewers raised: overall midlevel performance.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 0.6
- ●Sources
- 1
Backed by 1 credible source. What reviewers liked: Most compact 12-volt: Black & Decker BDCDD12C ($70 at Best Buy). The main drawback they noted: overall midlevel performance
Pros
- Most compact 12-volt: Black & Decker BDCDD12C ($70 at Best Buy).
- Jump To See More Details Most compact 12-volt cordless drill Black & Decker BDCDD12C $70 at Best Buy Bottom Line This B&D compact drill will help you get in and drill in tight spaces.
- With overall midlevel performance, a keyless chuck for easy drill bit c...
Cons
- overall midlevel performance
Specifications
- inch
- 500 inch
- inches
- 64 inches
#4
Bosch PS31-2A 12-Volt Max
Bosch
Best for buyers prioritizing specific tradeoffs
Why 3.5/5: A solid, usable pick — but not the best in its class. Main caveat reviewers raised: The Bosch is not meant to rip through metal or concrete.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 1.1
- ●Sources
- 2
Backed by 2 credible sources. What reviewers liked: At 1-18/64 inches side clearance, this drill gets into tighter spaces than any other I’ve tested, although it’s worth noting that our overall pick, the Bosch PS31-2A was just behind at 1-19/64 inches. The main drawback they noted: The Bosch is not meant to rip through metal or concrete
⚠ Why some reviewers rated it low
This scores below 4★. Here’s the criticism reviewers actually raised — read it and decide whether any of it is a dealbreaker for you:
- It includes only a single battery (1.5-aH) and no carrying case, so you may want to pick up a spare battery or a case separately.
Pros
- At 1-18/64 inches side clearance, this drill gets into tighter spaces than any other I’ve tested, although it’s worth noting that our overall pick, the Bosch PS31-2A was just behind at 1-19/64 inches.
- we’re calling it lightweight, this Bosch cordless drill can definitely hang in the general-use category.
Specifications
- lbs
- 2.7 lbs
- inch
- 2 inch
- inches
- 64 inches
#5
Ryobi 18V Cordless Drill
Ryobi
Best for buyers prioritizing specific tradeoffs
Why 3.5/5: A solid, usable pick — but not the best in its class.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 1.1
- ●Sources
- 2
Backed by 2 credible sources. What reviewers liked: Good Housekeeping recommends: Best Overall: Ryobi 18V Cordless Drill No specific criticism surfaced in the sources we read — not proof none exists, so check recent reviews before buying.
⚠ Why some reviewers rated it low
This scores below 4★ and we couldn’t surface specific, credible criticism — treat the rating cautiously and read recent buyer reviews before purchasing.
Pros
- Good Housekeeping recommends: Best Overall: Ryobi 18V Cordless Drill
Specifications
- lbs
- 2.7 lbs
- inch
- 2 inch
- inches
- 7 inches
- lb
- 2.23 lb
#6
Milwaukee 3403-22
Milwaukee
Best for buyers prioritizing specific tradeoffs
Why 3.5/5: A solid, usable pick — but not the best in its class.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 0.6
- ●Sources
- 1
Backed by 1 credible source. What reviewers liked: Milwaukee 3403-22 This Milwaukee 3403-22 drill is extremely powerful and has a respectable speed. No specific criticism surfaced in the sources we read — not proof none exists, so check recent reviews before buying.
⚠ Why some reviewers rated it low
This scores below 4★ and we couldn’t surface specific, credible criticism — treat the rating cautiously and read recent buyer reviews before purchasing.
Pros
- Milwaukee 3403-22 This Milwaukee 3403-22 drill is extremely powerful and has a respectable speed.
Specifications
- inches
- 6 inches
Best for buyers prioritizing specific tradeoffs
Why 3.5/5: A solid, usable pick — but not the best in its class. Main caveat reviewers raised: While it has a shorter run time compared to the Hercules and Milwaukee drills above, it recharges very quickly, allowing you to complete projects with minimal downtime for charging.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 0.6
- ●Sources
- 1
Backed by 1 credible source. What reviewers liked: Skil DL6290A-10 This Skil DL6290A-10 drill is impressive with a powerful speed. The main drawback they noted: While it has a shorter run time compared to the Hercules and Milwaukee drills above, it recharges very quickly, allowing you to complete projects with minimal downtime for charging.
⚠ Why some reviewers rated it low
The main caveat reviewers raised is noted above. We didn’t surface additional specific criticism — read recent buyer reviews before purchasing.
Pros
- Skil DL6290A-10 This Skil DL6290A-10 drill is impressive with a powerful speed.
Specifications
- inches
- 6 inches
Best for buyers prioritizing specific tradeoffs
Why 3.5/5: A solid, usable pick — but not the best in its class.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 0.6
- ●Sources
- 1
Backed by 1 credible source. What reviewers liked: It has above-average power and is fast to drill and drive, earning top marks in that test. No specific criticism surfaced in the sources we read — not proof none exists, so check recent reviews before buying.
⚠ Why some reviewers rated it low
This scores below 4★ and we couldn’t surface specific, credible criticism — treat the rating cautiously and read recent buyer reviews before purchasing.
Pros
- It has above-average power and is fast to drill and drive, earning top marks in that test.
- It’s also fast to charge and offers exceptional run time.
Specifications
- inches
- 6 inches
Best for most part
Why 3.5/5: A solid, usable pick — but not the best in its class.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 0.6
- ●Sources
- 1
Backed by 1 credible source. What reviewers liked: For the most part, all of the 18-volt drills felt strong starting this test off with a new battery, and although it did score second-to-last here, the since-discontinued Ryobi P215K1 felt the strongest out of the gate. No specific criticism surfaced in the sources we read — not proof none exists, so check recent reviews before buying.
⚠ Why some reviewers rated it low
This scores below 4★ and we couldn’t surface specific, credible criticism — treat the rating cautiously and read recent buyer reviews before purchasing.
Pros
- For the most part, all of the 18-volt drills felt strong starting this test off with a new battery, and although it did score second-to-last here, the since-discontinued Ryobi P215K1 felt the strongest out of the gate.
Specifications
- inch
- 500 inch
- inches
- 64 inches
#10
Craftsman CMCD701C2 V20 20-Volt Max
Craftsman
Best for buyers prioritizing specific tradeoffs
Why 3.5/5: A solid, usable pick — but not the best in its class.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 0.5
- ●Sources
- 1
Backed by 1 credible source. What reviewers liked: The drill weighs less than 3 pounds and has a rubberized grip, so it stays comfortable through longer projects. No specific criticism surfaced in the sources we read — not proof none exists, so check recent reviews before buying.
⚠ Why some reviewers rated it low
This scores below 4★ and we couldn’t surface specific, credible criticism — treat the rating cautiously and read recent buyer reviews before purchasing.
Pros
- The drill weighs less than 3 pounds and has a rubberized grip, so it stays comfortable through longer projects.
- Testers are consistently enthusiastic about its value and power.
Specifications
- lbs
- 2.7 lbs
- inch
- 2 inch
#11
DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill
DeWalt
Best for buyers prioritizing specific tradeoffs
Why 3.5/5: A solid, usable pick — but not the best in its class. Main caveat reviewers raised: its 3/8-inch chuck can’t handle larger bits.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 0.5
- ●Sources
- 1
Backed by 1 credible source. What reviewers liked: Best cordless drills 2026 compared: Milwaukee M18 FUEL wins torque, DeWalt 20V MAX wins value. The main drawback they noted: its 3/8-inch chuck can’t handle larger bits
⚠ Why some reviewers rated it low
The main caveat reviewers raised is noted above. We didn’t surface additional specific criticism — read recent buyer reviews before purchasing.
Pros
- Best cordless drills 2026 compared: Milwaukee M18 FUEL wins torque, DeWalt 20V MAX wins value.
- The Ryobi was among the best battery drills during a range of light- to medium-duty performance tests.
- The brand’s tools are approachable and easy to use, right out of the box.
Specifications
- lbs
- 2.7 lbs
- inch
- 2 inch
- inches
- 7 inches
- lb
- 2.23 lb