Key takeaways
- Best overall: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2903-22 1/2" Drill/Driver Kit ($300 – $380).
- Best value: Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit PCL206K1 ($70 – $100).
- Choose a battery platform you will stick with; batteries work across a brand's tools.
In this article
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Not sure which cordless drills to buy in the US? This list keeps it short: our top pick, the best-value option, the premium choice and the models we would avoid, all with typical prices.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price.
Quick answer
- Best overall: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2903-22 1/2" Drill/Driver Kit ($300 – $380)
- Best value: Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit PCL206K1 ($70 – $100)
- Premium pick: Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hammer Drill Kit ($300 – $400)
Cordless drills compared
| Product | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2903-22 1/2" Drill/Driver Kit | Buy | 9.1/10 | $300 – $380 |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hammer Drill Kit | Buy | 9.0/10 | $300 – $400 |
| DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver Kit DCD791D2 | Buy | 8.9/10 | $180 – $230 |
| Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit PCL206K1 | Buy | 7.8/10 | $70 – $100 |
| BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver LDX120C | Consider | 7.0/10 | $45 – $70 |
| DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver Kit DCD771C2 | Skip | 6.6/10 | $100 – $140 |
Our picks in detail
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2903-22 1/2" Drill/Driver Kit
Serious DIY and pros · Verdict: Buy · Score: 9.1/10 · Typical price: $300 – $380
Why we like it: Top-tier torque in a compact brushless body.
Pros: Huge torque for its size · Excellent clutch and chuck · Two 5.0Ah batteries in the kit · Massive M18 tool lineup
Cons: Expensive · Heavier than compact drills with the big batteries
Buy it if you want a drill that never feels underpowered, from lag bolts to big hole saws, and you plan to stay on the M18 platform.
Skip it if you hang shelves a few times a year; a cheaper drill does that just as well.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hammer Drill Kit
Verdict: Buy · Score: 9.0/10 · Typical price: $300 – $400
For most people, Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hammer Drill Kit is worth its usual price of $300 – $400. Our score: 9.0/10.
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver Kit DCD791D2
Most homeowners · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.9/10 · Typical price: $180 – $230
Why we like it: Brushless power and LED modes at a fair price.
Pros: Compact and well balanced · Brushless motor for longer run time · Two 2.0Ah batteries and charger · Three-mode LED light
Cons: 2.0Ah batteries run down quicker on big jobs · Bag is basic
Buy it if you want one excellent drill for years of home projects on a battery platform you can grow into.
Skip it if you need maximum torque for daily jobsite drilling; the Milwaukee FUEL is stronger.
Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit PCL206K1
Budget and beginners · Verdict: Buy · Score: 7.8/10 · Typical price: $70 – $100
Why we like it: Gateway to a huge, cheap battery platform.
Pros: Low price with battery and charger · Works with hundreds of ONE+ tools · Light and easy to handle
Cons: Brushed motor · Small 1.5Ah battery
Buy it if you are starting a tool collection on a budget and want access to Ryobi's long list of 18V tools.
Skip it if you drill into masonry or drive long screws all day; a brushless model handles that better.
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver LDX120C
Occasional small jobs · Verdict: Consider · Score: 7.0/10 · Typical price: $45 – $70
Why we like it: Very cheap starter drill.
Pros: Very affordable · Lightweight · Fine for small screws
Cons: 3/8 in. chuck limits bit size · Single speed and modest torque · Slow charger
Buy it if you need a drill for flat-pack furniture, curtain rods and the odd picture hook.
Skip it if you want a battery platform with serious tools; this one tops out quickly.
What to check before you buy
- Choose a battery platform you will stick with; batteries work across a brand's tools.
- Brushless motors run cooler and longer.
- A kit with two batteries avoids waiting for a charge.
What to skip
Common mistake: Buying a bare tool without checking you have a compatible battery.
We would also skip these at their usual prices:
- DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver Kit DCD771C2 ($100 – $140) – Skip it if you can spend a little more: the brushless DCD791D2 is lighter, stronger and runs longer per charge, and often costs only $60-80 more.
When to buy
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November. A compact drill kit covers most home jobs.
Compare more options
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Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What are the best cordless drills in the US?
Our top pick is Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2903-22 1/2" Drill/Driver Kit (typically $300 – $380). For the best value, choose Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit PCL206K1 (typically $70 – $100).
What should I check before buying cordless drills?
Choose a battery platform you will stick with; batteries work across a brand's tools. Brushless motors run cooler and longer.
When is the best time to buy cordless drills in the US?
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.
What is the most common mistake when buying cordless drills?
Buying a bare tool without checking you have a compatible battery.