Photo: Jens Mortensen
An 18-volt cordless drill is the go-to power tool for pro builders. The latest models use ultralight lithium-ion batteries and compact designs to put all that construction-site brawn in a nimble, home-size package.
1. Milwaukee M18 2601-22
Engineered with homeowners and backyard carpenters in mind, the 4-pound M18 performed beautifully on every reasonable task we set it to, including driving a finger-thick half-inch lag bolt to the hilt in a solid slab of cedar. For nimbler work, the low-gear setting provided enough precision to literally take apart the competition. It can’t match a full-size hammer drill for jobs like sinking anchor bolts into granite, but those behemoths can’t match the versatility of the agile M18 for home use.
WIRED On a nonstop burn, Milwaukee’s fifth-gen Red Lithium battery lasted 63 minutes, almost double the endurance of our runner-up.
TIRED Battery “fuel” gauge is too cutesy. C’mon, this isn’t a Nissan Leaf.
$200, Milwaukee
2. Makita LXFD01CW
If the Makita were a car, it would appeal to buyers more for its reliability than its horsepower. The 3.3-pound unit boasts the sort of durable, all-metal drivetrain found in professional-grade drills, meaning it should last for years. It cranked out at least as much driving torque as the Milwaukee, but it wasn’t as capable when it came to backing out deeply sunk bolts. Don’t stray far from the charger, either. We got a paltry 14 minutes from the battery in our continuous-burn test.
WIRED Smart hook lets it hang from any belt. Durable build will outlast your projects.
TIRED Charger’s icons and blinking lights are overkill. For extended use, you’ll need to buy a backup battery or two—at about $70 a pop.
$200, Makita
3. Hitachi DS18DSAL
At 3.3 pounds, the Hitachi tied for lightest drill in our roundup, yet it still sank those lag bolts with the best of them. More impressive, its comparatively small battery ran for 33 minutes in our burn test. We worry about long-term durability, though. It doesn’t feel as solidly built as the competition, and there are plastic components in the drivetrain. That might contribute to the forearm-friendly weight, but we’d accept a bit more heft to get sturdy metal.
WIRED Well-thought-out covers for quick motor access to replace worn-out brushes. Comes with a flashlight that uses the same battery.
TIRED The hard plastic grip might save weight, but it’s less comfortable than rubber and, we suspect, more prone to wear and tear.
$180, Hitachi
4. DeWalt DCD760KL
DeWalt’s newest entry in the compact-18 category has a max rpm of 1,700 in drill mode (the others hit about 1,500) and made quick work of our cedar block. When it came to driving, though, the DeWalt was lacking. It conked out after just three lag bolts—most likely because the battery overheated and tripped an onboard circuit protector (a safety feature of all these drills). It needed a 15-minute cooldown before we could use it again. Something smaller and cheaper would do for home repairs, while serious carpentry requires something stronger.
WIRED Battery packs are backward-compatible with every 18-volt DeWalt tool since 1996.
TIRED Lasted just 10 minutes in our burn test. Overheats faster than Chris Brown.
$240, DeWalt
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wired.com/reviews/2011/06/pr_cordlessdrills/
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