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Best 20V Cordless Drills - [Top 3 for 2024]
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A drill is a basic necessity for the homeowner, professional contractor, and do-it-yourselfer however, not all drills are created equal. With the advances in battery technology that have occurred in the past years, you are now able to get a drill that has a long battery life, and still has the same power as the older plug-in models.
How do you know which drill is the right option for you? Do you want one that has a fixed set of rpm, or would you rather have one that can operate in two different modes, thus giving you more or less power depending on the project you’re working on?
Luckily, these are the sort of questions we will look at in our article. We have tested multiple drills to find you the best 20v cordless drill on the market and hopefully provide you with lots of answers to all of your questions.
Table of contents
This article will also give you a list of those drills that we feel are the top three 20V cordless drills available today, so without any further adieu lets dive in.
Key features:
- Dewalt drill has compact and lightweight design that fits into tight areas.
- High performance motor of the power drill delivers 300 unit watts out (UWO) of power ability completing a wide range of applications.
- High speed transmission of Dewalt 20V drill delivers 2 speeds (0-450 and 1,500 rpm) for a range of fastening and drilling applications.
- 1/2-inch single sleeve ratcheting chuck provides tight bit gripping strength.
- Ergonomic handle delivers comfort and control. Tool Height-6.5 inch.
- The charger is designed to operate on standard 120V household electrical power only.
Key features:
- Brush-less motor of Porter Cable 20V drill provides 50% more runtime.
- Powerful motor on Porter Cable tools has 370 MWO of power for heavy duty applications with minimal stall.
- 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck of the power tool combo kit is made for improved and reliable bit retention.
- Transmission has 1,800 MAX RPM for speed of drilling & fastening applications.
- Compact size of 7.4 inch for work in tight spaces.
- Lightweight design at 3.3 lbs for less fatigue.
- Mode Collar allows you to switch from drilling to fastening mode without losing your clutch setting.
Key features:
- Powerful 20-volt max motor.
- Compact and lightweight design allows users to carry out drilling/driving tasks in confined spaces and with ease.
- Magnetic Bit Holder.
- Variable Speed Trigger.
- 11-Position Precision clutch.
- Powered by a BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* POWERCONNECT Lithium Ion battery.
- Included Components: (1) BDCDMT120 20V MAX Power Unit, (1) BDCMTDD Drill/Driver Attachment, (1) 20V MAX Lithium Ion Battery, (1) 20V MAX Charger, (1) Double-ended Bit
- Part of the 20-volt Matrix Quick Connect System.
Buying Information
Whenever you purchase something new, there are a few variables that you need to consider and this is especially true when you are looking for the best 20v cordless drill since there are so many on the market today.
Battery Life. Since all of the drills featured have 20v batteries, you would expect them to last a long time. However, you should always look for a drill that has a battery life of at least 4 hours.
Charge Time. Obviously, the faster the drill charges, the more work you can get done when the batteries do run out. In our testing, we found that the best drill batteries took an average of 1 ½ hours to charge fully.
Drill Rpm. Depending on the kind of work you are doing, you will need a drill that either has a high capacity for rpm or one that can operate at lower speeds. All of the drills tested were able to operate at lower rpm for more a more controlled drilling experience. However, not all of them were able to reach the highest rpm levels.
If you are unsure of exactly what you want from your drill or what you will be using it for, we highly recommend getting one that has two different rpm settings. That way, you are covered for whatever job might come up.
Top 3 Best 20v Cordless Drill Reviews
Now that we have had a quick look at our 3 drills and some of the things that you need to consider when making you purchase lets have a more in-depth look at our 3 20V cordless drills.
1. DEWALT MAX XR Brush-less Compact Drill/Driver Kit
Of all of the drills we looked at, this is by far the best 20v cordless drill that we found. It has a variable speed feature that allows the user to control the number of rpm that you are using. This feature not only allows the user to gain more control over the drilling but also helps out with battery life, too.
This battery lasted the longest of all of those that we tested. Even though the battery lasted a good long time, this drill can be purchased as a kit, which comes with two batteries.
This is a huge advantage because even if one battery runs out, you will have another that is ready to use immediately. Then while you are using your backup, you can charge your first battery, which will be fully charged before your drill has gone flat again!
While this makes this drill more expensive than others we tested, it might be well worth it for someone who will be using it all day long.
Pros:
- Powerful: The DEWALT MAX XR Brush-less Compact Drill has a powerful motor, which can deliver up to 57% more runtime than standard brushed motors.
- Compact: The compact design of the drill allows you to work in tight cramped areas.
- Lightweight: The drill is lightweight 3.6 pounds.
- Durable: DEWALT is known for making high-quality, durable tools that can withstand the wear and tear of everyday use.
- LED light: 3-Mode LED provides lightning in dark or confined spaces up to 20X brighter than previous model.
- Hammer function: The drill comes with a hammer function.
- Belt clip provided.
- Limited warranty: The warranty provided with the drill is 3 years.
Cons:
- Expensive: The DEWALT MAX XR Brush-less Compact Drill is more expensive than some other drills on the market.
Summary: While expensive, this drill delivers! The battery lasts for a long time, and having a backup battery is advantageous. You can control the number of rpm with the flick of a switch, which gives you more control over your drilling, as well as extending the life of the battery.
Check Latest Price on DEWALT MAX XR Brushless Compact Drill/Driver Kit.
2. PORTER-CABLE Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver Kit
This drill has a lot of the same features as the Dewalt that we ranked as our number 1. However, it also has some drawbacks that keep it from being ranked higher on our list.
On the positive side of things, it has a long lasting battery that includes a LED display on the side that tells you how much battery life you have left; this is a helpful feature since it allows you to gauge how long you can keep working.
This drill also allows you to control the number of rpm, which again gives you more control and a longer battery life.
The biggest drawback with this drill is that it only comes with one battery, and that battery takes up to 4 hours to charge fully; this could result in a lot of lost time for someone who might need to use it more heavily. We would recommend getting a second battery to alleviate this problem.
Pros:
- Powerful: The PORTER-CABLE Lithium-Ion Drill is a powerful tool that can handle tough drilling tasks with ease.
- Lightweight: The drill is lightweight, 3.3 pounds, which makes it easy to handle and maneuver, even in tight spaces.
- Long battery life: up to 50% longer run times than previous models.
- Compact design: This drill is 14% shorter in length than previous models.
- Variable speed: The drill has a variable speed control, which allows you to adjust the speed to suit the task at hand.
- Limited warranty: The warranty provided with the drill is 3 years.
Cons:
- Expensive: The PORTER-CABLE Lithium-Ion Drill is relatively expensive compared to other models on the market.
- No case included: The drill does not come with a carrying case, which can make it difficult to transport and store.
- Long charging time.
Summary: This drill has lots of power and a battery that lasts a long time. The battery gauge is a really cool feature which lets you know how much battery life remains for your drilling needs. The one drawback for this drill is that it takes 4 hours to charge fully.
Check Latest Price on PORTER-CABLE Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver Kit.
3. BLACK+DECKER Lithium-Ion Matrix Drill/Driver
Of all of our reviewed cordless drills, this is the only one that does not offer the option of two different rpm modes. The maximum rpm output of the drill is 800 rpm, while it would be better if it offered more speed the 800 rpm is still plenty for the DIYer.
While speed is important the up side of it having a lower output of rpm, is that the battery will last a bit longer than the others drills we featured.
The drill also only comes with one battery, so if you are someone who constantly uses your drill daily you would need to invest in another battery, if on the other hand you are someone who only uses it occasionally, then the one battery that it comes with would probably be sufficient.
If price is a factor for you then this is also one of the cheaper drills we tested, which again, makes it more attractive for the casual user.
Pros:
- Versatile: The Black+Decker Lithium-Ion Matrix Drill has a modular design that allows it to transform into different tools, including a sander, jigsaw, and impact driver.
- Lightweight: Weighing only 2.8 pounds.
- Long-lasting battery: With a lithium-ion battery, this drill offers long-lasting performance, and the battery can hold a charge for up to 18 months, making it always ready to use.
- LED light: This drill comes with an LED work light that illuminates the work area, making it easier to work in low-light conditions.
- Affordable: Compared to other drills in its category, the Black+Decker Lithium-Ion Matrix Drill is relatively affordable.
- Limited warranty: 2 year limited manufacturers warranty
Cons:
- Limited power: The drill's power output is not as high as some of its competitors, making it less suitable for heavy-duty applications.
- Not suitable for large projects: Due to its smaller size, this drill may not be suitable for large projects that require a more powerful tool.
- Limited battery life: The battery life of the drill is not as long as some of its competitors, which may require frequent recharging during extended use.
- Limited speed range: The drill has only one speed settings.
Summary: While only having one mode to control the rpm, this drill still has plenty of power for the casual user. It is relatively inexpensive to purchase, and its one battery should be sufficient for infrequent use around the home. We would not recommend it for professional use.
Check Latest Price on BLACK+DECKER Lithium-Ion Matrix Drill/Driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below i have listed some of the frequently asked questions that people are asking about cordless drills that i thought would be helpful to you.
Q: Is a 20 volt drill stronger than an 18 volt?
A: Yes. Absolutely. Because the electronics, motors, and cells are better.
Q: Is a brush-less drill better than one with brushes?
A: Brush-less drills offer enhanced power and torque as they lack brushes that cause friction and reduce speed. They are capable of achieving higher speeds as well. In comparison to brushed motor drills, brush-less drills deliver a 15 to 35 percent improvement in performance.
Q: Is DeWalt re-branded Black and Decker?
A: In 1960, DeWalt was sold to Black and Decker and continues to be its subsidiary to this day.
Q: Is DeWalt XR worth the extra money?
A: Undoubtedly, XR is the preferred option. XR branding on a tool indicates the presence of brush-less motors, which offer enhanced efficiency, leading to an extended battery life. As per DeWalt, the XR range of batteries has a 33% longer runtime than the same-sized 20V "max" line of batteries.
Final Verdict
Having a cordless drill can allow you to tackle tasks that you would otherwise have had to call in a tradesman to solve. Depending upon your needs and budget, any of these 20V cordless drills would be an excellent choice, and given that even the cheapest of our drills gives you a 2 year warranty we know that which ever you decide upon will be a quality drill.
For us though given the over whelming good reviews and feedback that people provide gives us an easy recommendation of the DEWALT MAX XR Brushless Compact Drill/Driver Kit, Yes it is the most expensive of all of our reviewed drills but in this instance we think that you are getting the best bang for your buck if you decide to purchase this drill.
Check Latest Price on DEWALT MAX XR Brushless Compact Drill/Driver Kit.
More Resources
We hope you found our article helpful, if you would like to read some more of our articles then we think these below may be interesting for you.