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If "safety first" is a motto you live by, then you should consider a Bosch cordless drill. It also topped the list for performance.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer array of choices on offer in the power tools section of your local hardware store. Not only will you find products from brands like AEG, Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Ozito and Ryobi, but there are also several different types of drills to choose from.
There are a few main types of cordless drill available:
However, you may also come across several other tools designed for a range of specific tasks. These include:
There are several factors you'll need to consider when deciding on the best cordless drill for your needs:
Think about the type of jobs you'll want to tackle with your new power tool. If you just want something versatile you can use for a host of odd jobs around the house, a drill driver should be more than enough to get the job done most of the time.
However, if you want to drill into masonry you'll need to consider a hammer drill, and if you're looking to tackle specialist or heavy-duty tasks you may need to look into one of the other types of drills and wrenches available.
Most modern cordless drills use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Getting two batteries for your drill is generally a good idea if you want to be able to keep working when your first battery runs out of charge. You can check the amp hour (Ah) rating of the battery to find out how much use you'll get out of it before it needs to be recharged – a higher number means better battery life.
Another factor you'll need to consider is voltage. More voltage often means increased torque but also a heavier battery. Most cordless drills have between 12V and 20V.
Most cordless drill driver kits (featuring a drill, battery charger, either one or two batteries and often a carry case) range in price from around $50 to $300, though there are some more expensive options available. If you already have a compatible battery from one of your other power tools, cordless drill driver "skins" (just the drill with no battery or charger) range in price from $40 to $200.
As you'd expect, the price range for hammer drills and impact drivers starts higher and ends higher.
It's worth heading in-store to physically put your hands on a variety of drills and see how they feel. With the battery in place, are they comfortable to hold and easy to grip? Are they too heavy? Can you use them without discomfort at a variety of angles – not just straight out in front of you but also while bending over or with your arm above your head?
Variable torque settings allow you to tailor the power on offer to suit a wide range of tasks. More settings mean more versatility from your tool, allowing you to tackle jobs that require low or high torque. The clutch allows you to select the desired level of torque from the settings available, preventing you from driving screws in too deep or stripping them.
The chuck is the part of the drill that grips the drill bit and other accessories. Modern cordless drills come with keyless chucks so you can adjust their size using your hands – older corded models required the use of a chuck key. For maximum versatility, look for a chuck size of 13mm (half an inch) so you've got enough room to insert larger drill bits when required.
Some drills come with an in-built light to make it easier to see where you're drilling when working in dark areas.
Check the length of the warranty the drill comes with and what is included in that cover. Warranties of around five or six years are common, but make sure you check the fine print before you buy.
Most drills are able to reverse direction so that you can remove screws, but make sure to check how easy is it to change settings. while you're holding the drill.
If you need more tools than just a single drill, most manufacturers offer "kits" with multiple power tools. You can think of these as a package deal – as well as a drill driver, charger and batteries the package may also include tools like:
These offer better value for money than buying multiple tools separately and can ensure that you have everything you need to complete your project. However, make sure you actually need and will regularly use all the items in the kit. If not, you'll simply be paying for unnecessary items that will do little more than take up space in your shed.
Consider the following factors before buying a cordless drill:
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| Total Score | Overall rating | Value for Money | Ease of use | Performance | Safety | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch | 8.23 | 4.52 | 4.18 | 4.20 | 4.52 | 4.38 |
| Ryobi | 8.09 | 4.36 | 4.28 | 4.50 | 4.36 | 4.42 |
| Makita | 8.06 | 4.44 | 4.32 | 4.50 | 4.36 | 4.14 |
| Other | 8.06 | 4.32 | 4.64 | 4.55 | 4.36 | 4.59 |
| Ozito | 7.79 | 4.17 | 4.54 | 4.54 | 4.19 | 4.29 |
| AEG | 7.65 | 4.12 | 4.03 | 4.18 | 4.21 | 4.21 |
| Dewalt | 7.60 | 4.16 | 4.18 | 4.14 | 4.29 | 4.06 |
These are the 7 best cordless drills you can buy right now in Australia.
