10 Best Cordless Drill Under 100 2023 - There’s One Clear Winner

The voltage of a cordless tool is the amount of energy it produces. Most drills range from 7.2V to 20V but there are some with higher voltages. The higher the voltage of a drill, the stronger its motor. The voltage you need will depend on how you intend to use the drill. Often, 12V models are great for general household use.

Professionals and DIYers who are serious about their work tend to prefer models with 18V or 20V voltage. There is some confusion over 18V and 20V cordless drilling. In fact, they are the same. The electric motor gives a rapid surge, in this case 20 volts. The motor then returns to its normal operating power of 18 voltages. Some manufacturers include the smaller number in the specifications, while others use the larger figure. In terms of power, they are the exact same. The running power of 12V drills is actually 10.8V.

How you intend to use the drill will determine what voltage is best.

Compact and lightweight, this tool is perfect for people who need a drill or driver only occasionally. Hobbyists and model-makers also love these models.
12V: A versatile, affordable tool that is popular among DIYers. It can be used for many drilling and driving jobs, including installing shelves and assembling furnishings. Not intended for heavy-duty applications.
18V or 20V: These powerful and versatile tools can be used to drill masonry, and they are able to drive longer screws with relative ease. The heavy-duty versions with slotted-drive systems have the power to tackle home remodeling, professional work and even small demolition jobs.
The battery's Amp-Hour rating is also important. The longer the tool will run, the higher the Ah rating. Battery packs that come with drills typically have 1.3Ah or 1.5Ah. This is adequate but not generous. For the same price, models with 3.0Ah to 4.0Ah offer a much higher performance. The 10Ah battery is more powerful and comes at a lower price, which will appeal to professionals who need to use longer-lasting tools.

NiCd batteries are still available, but they're less common than lithium-ion models. Li-Ion battery models are more powerful, have a longer runtime, and do not contain cadmium. Li-Ion battery are lighter than NiCd. Li-Ion drills are more expensive, but they're the only ones we recommend.

Some corded drills come with a motor that is brushed. The brushes wear out eventually and need to be replaced. They are reliable and, but they can also wear out. Brushed motors also create friction which drains the battery faster in cordless models.

Brushless motors are often used in the best cordless drills. These motors are virtually maintenance free and make better use of battery power. Brushless motors are more expensive. Many budget cordless drills use brushed motors.

The difference between the two is likely to be negligible for a DIYer. Professional users who are looking to maximize their performance and runtime often opt for a brushless, cordless drill.

The size and weight of a drill is affected by the strength and frequency of the user, as well as the length and frequency with which the drill will be used. Some lightweight models can weigh less than a pound. Heavy-duty cordless hammer drills might surpass 8 pounds. It may be tempting for you to purchase the most powerful tool within your budget. However, the additional weight of the tool could lead to fatigue. Check if the weight quoted includes the battery. Often, the weight stated in the product specifications does not.

Despite the fact that many cordless drills for general use are large, some can be compact and still deliver power. This is important to know if you need to drill and drive screws in tight spaces.

The size of the chuck varies, but most cordless drills have a keyless chuck. The maximum size drill bit can be inserted is determined by the chuck size. This reflects the drill's capabilities. The chuck on a light-duty model might be 1/4 inch, while a high-power tool may have up to a 1/2-inch chuck.

More torque is produced by powerful motors. The rotation speed is the number of revolutions per minute that the drill bit performs (normally between 200-1,000 rpm). Slower speeds provide more torque. A high-speed drill drills faster but a model that has more torque will drill through tougher materials more efficiently with larger bits.

Most drills come with a clutch that helps to reduce the amount of torque. The clutch will disengage the spinning force when the screw is inserted to the maximum depth. This prevents the drill bit from stripping the screw head or worse, catching the screw head, which can cause injury.

Most cordless drills have multiple clutch settings and a variable speed trigger. You should look for models with at least 10 different clutch settings, so that you can choose the appropriate amount of resistance for various tasks. A drill with two speeds offers greater versatility.

Rechargeable lithium-ion battery power is used in almost all cordless tools including drills. One charge can last from 15 minutes up to over an hour for a drill battery. A full charge can take as long as 5 hours, so opt for a kit that includes backup batteries if you plan to do a lot of drilling.

It is important to note that manufacturers often include backup batteries in their statements about runtime. The specs of a drill with two batteries that last an hour each may indicate a runtime of 2 hours.

Many cordless drills also come with a smart charger, which recharges the battery more quickly, typically within 15-60 minutes. You can monitor the battery capacity with a charge indicator.