While the hammer action can be turned off to use it as a standard driver or drill, we love this drill for heavy-duty jobs that require a little extra power. At 3.64 pounds and 6.5 inches tall, this DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Drill delivers 300 unit watts of power, with two different speeds and 530 inch-pounds of torque. Users like this drill for its half-inch single-sleeve ratcheting chuck, which provides tight bit-gripping strength, making it easier to complete any job on your to-do list. Your cordless drill will be powered by a rechargeable battery.
They can handle all but the most aggressive jobs (like mixing mortar with a paddle or drilling repeatedly into concrete). The compact models we looked at split a nice difference between the smaller 12-volt drills and the much larger, heavy-duty, contractor-grade 18- and 20-volt drills that can cost hundreds more. Drills and drivers use interchangeable bits to make holes and turn fasteners. They have a chuck or collet that accepts the bits and a switch that activates the tool motor to drive the bits. These tools are mainly used for holemaking and fastening but are sometimes used with attachments for cutting, mixing, or grinding.
It’s really easy to check the remaining charge in the battery. Unlike many drills, the DeWalt’s battery gauge is on the battery rather than on the tool. This means you can quickly check both batteries before you start your project. Other drills have the battery gauge on the actual tool, so to check each battery, it needs to first be installed in the drill. It’s a minor point, but it emphasizes the overall convenience of the DeWalt DCD701F2’s design. The DeWalt 12-volt drill stands out for its ergonomic design.
The 12-volt DeWalt LED’s lower position means it casts much better light at the nose of the tool and reduces the drill’s shadow considerably. In our tests, the light from the Bosch and Milwaukee models’ LEDs barely dewalt tool illuminated above the drills at all. Solid 12-volt drills (with a charger and two batteries) from reputable manufacturers typically cost between about $100 and $150 (but are occasionally available for less).
Drills vary by voltage, which is the available power offered by the tool. The higher the voltage, the more heavy-duty work a drill can handle. If you’re working on small household tasks, a 12-volt DEWALT cordless drill will suffice.