Adam says the thought of tightening the DeWalt drill’s chuck with his bare hands gives him the heebie jeebies (that’s a technical term). Something about that metal ratcheting chuck makes his hair stand on end. I guess it’s the same as how some folks can’t stand the sound of nails on a chalkboard.
Our journalists combine independent research with over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right . After more than 350 hours of research and tests of more than 250 tools, we’ve assembled the the best toolkit for your home. The larger DeWalt has all of the successful characteristics of its 12-volt counterpart. It has the same excellent handle, the foot-style battery, and a great belt hook. The Bosch drill’s LED is positioned right above the trigger, so it illuminates a smaller area.
This lightweight and easy-to-engage trigger allows the operator to extend the tool into tight places and work for long periods without straining their hand. A relative newcomer to the cordless-tool arena, Flex has aimed high with tools designed for dewalt impact drill contractors and building trade professionals. As such, its Quick Eject Hex comes equipped with advanced features that make it a versatile performer. We’ve come to appreciate impact tools with special drive modes, and this one comes with five.
Once we have our testing batch, we use each impact driver to repeatedly drive and remove numerous types of fasteners in different materials. We evaluate them on performance, price, comfort, value, and versatility to determine which we believe will best serve your needs. In general, these are the kinds of tools that a tradesman would use on a dewalt cordless drill daily basis for big jobs and not have to worry about them breaking down. Indeed, DeWalt tools are well known for being durable and long-lasting, often using top-of-the-line materials and components in the construction of their power tools and other products. Let’s go over arguably one of the most important sections of this brand comparison.
If you’re in the market for a powerful yet affordable brushless drill/impact driver combo kit, Ridgid is your go-to guy. A dedicated impact driver, unlike a drill-driver, has a spring-loaded, quick-release chuck that accepts 1⁄4-inch hex-shank driver bits. This tool is designed to drive wood and sheet-metal screws, but it can also turn a bolt or drill a hole using the appropriate impact-rated bits.
The quick-release chuck seemed a little awkward at first, and we found that it works better on some bits than others. If you’re a rabid DIYer with plans to build a deck, a doghouse, and a tree house, we recommend a stronger, 18- or 20-volt drill. They’re designed for constant heavy-duty use and might be seen hanging off a pro carpenter’s tool belt. And they’re a bit bigger and better suited for storage in a garage or shed.
Add an impact driver to your workshop from one of the most well-respected names in power tools. During testing, the Craftsman drilled 44 holes, which puts it lower than our other 18-volt recommendations. In the hand, it feels chunkier than the others and doesn’t seem as solid. It does not come with a belt hook, which left us scratching our heads a little. If budget is your primary concern, this is a great option, but you’ll be able to do more with the others.
The DeWalt DCD701F2 is part of the Cordless Drills & Impact Drivers test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Cordless Drills models like the DCD701F2 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below. Includes the drill and battery pack, to the nearest tenth of a pound. Reflects how much work the drill can perform per battery charge, as measured on a dynamometer.