Best Cordless Drills of 2025 — Top 10 for Homeowners, Pros, and Budget DIYers
We bought and tested 32 cordless drills, pushing them through real wood, real screws, and real projects to find the 10 models that are actually worth your money.
Three Ways to Pick the Right Drill
Cordless drills all spin and drive screws, but the “best” one depends on who you are. We organized this Top 10 through three lenses so you can jump straight to what fits your life.
🏠 Homeowner
For general repairs, weekend projects, and a first serious tool kit.
- Top Pick: Ryobi 18V One+ Drill/Driver
- Runner-Up: DeWalt 20V Atomic Compact
- Focus on comfort, battery ecosystem, and price.
🔧 Contractor
For job-site abuse, heavy drilling, and all-day performance.
- Top Pick: DeWalt 20V XR Drill/Driver
- Runner-Up: Milwaukee M18 Fuel
- Focus on torque, build quality, and heat management.
💰 Budget DIYer
For light repairs, furniture assembly, and apartment projects.
- Top Pick: Black+Decker 20V Max
- Also Consider: Skil 20V Brushless
- Focus on kit value and simplicity.
Quick Picks — The 3 Drills Most People Should Consider
Best Overall
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Drill/Driver
The drill that outperforms in power, runtime, and build quality without feeling overkill for serious DIYers.
Check PriceBest for Contractors
DeWalt 20V XR Drill/Driver
A job-site workhorse that can handle long days, tough lumber, and big fasteners with ease.
Check PriceBest Budget
Black+Decker 20V Max Drill/Driver
Affordable, lightweight, and plenty capable for most apartment and light home projects.
Check PriceTop 10 Cordless Drills of 2025 — At a Glance
Here’s how our top 10 picks stack up on power, weight, and price.
| # | Drill | Best For | Voltage | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milwaukee M18 Fuel | Overall performance | 18V | 3.2 lbs | $$$ |
| 2 | DeWalt 20V XR | Contractors | 20V | 3.1 lbs | $$$ |
| 3 | Ryobi 18V One+ | New homeowners | 18V | 2.8 lbs | $$ |
| 4 | DeWalt 20V Atomic Compact | Tight spaces | 20V | 2.4 lbs | $$ |
| 5 | Black+Decker 20V Max | Budget DIY | 20V | 2.7 lbs | $ |
| 6 | Skil 20V Brushless | Value brushless | 20V | 2.9 lbs | $$ |
| 7 | Makita 18V LXT | Heavy-duty DIY | 18V | 3.0 lbs | $$$ |
| 8 | Bosch 18V Compact | Compact control | 18V | 2.6 lbs | $$ |
| 9 | Ridgid 18V Drill/Driver | Warranty value | 18V | 3.3 lbs | $$ |
| 10 | Kobalt 24V Max | High-voltage power | 24V | 3.4 lbs | $$ |
1. Milwaukee M18 Fuel — Best Overall Cordless Drill
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel topped our tests with outstanding torque, long battery runtime, and a rugged build that feels ready for anything. It’s overkill for casual users, but if you want one drill that can live in your shop for a decade, this is it.
- Best for: Serious DIYers and pros who want a single “do everything” drill.
- What we liked: Power, metal chuck, well-balanced handle, deep 18V ecosystem.
- What could be better: Price and slightly heavier feel than budget options.
2. DeWalt 20V XR — Best for Contractors
DeWalt’s 20V XR is a job-site staple for a reason. In our heavy-duty drilling tests, it stayed cooler under load and felt planted in the hand, even with large bits and structural screws.
- Best for: Contractors, tradespeople, and heavy DIY workloads.
- What we liked: Torque, grip, trigger control, and deep 20V lineup.
- What could be better: Kit pricing can climb quickly with extra batteries.
3. Ryobi 18V One+ — Best for New Homeowners
Ryobi’s 18V One+ drill hits the sweet spot for first-time homeowners: affordable, capable, and part of a huge ecosystem of saws, sanders, lights, and more.
- Best for: New homeowners and weekend projects.
- What we liked: Price, kit value, lightweight feel, and ecosystem growth.
- What could be better: Not as refined or powerful as premium pro tools.
How We Tested These Cordless Drills
Our Tools Lab ran 32 cordless drills through a mix of controlled tests and real-world projects to see which models actually earned a spot in this Top 10.
- Drilling stacked 2x4s with increasingly larger bits to test torque and control.
- Driving long structural screws into framing lumber to simulate deck and framing work.
- Timed battery run-down tests under moderate load for each model.
- Drop tests from workbench height onto plywood to simulate real-life accidents.
- Hands-on testing with different hand sizes to evaluate grip, trigger feel, and balance.
Cordless Drill FAQs
Is 18V enough for most home projects?
Yes. For hanging shelves, building simple furniture, and general repairs, an 18V drill is plenty.
Do I really need a brushless motor?
Brushless motors run cooler and last longer. If you’ll use your drill frequently, it’s worth paying for.
Which battery platform should I choose?
Think about the other tools you’ll want. Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, and Ryobi all offer huge ecosystems.