Best Drills in 2027

The DEWALT DCD777D1 tops our Best Score at 70 because it gets the basics right. It has a brushless motor, which DEWALT says gives more run time than a brushed motor, a 1/2 in chuck for larger bits, and a 40 Wh battery, tied for the largest battery energy on this page.

Top speed is 1750 rpm across two speed ranges, with 15 torque settings to keep screws from stripping. The LED light stays on for 20 seconds after you release the trigger, which helps when you are working inside cabinets or under sinks. DEWALT describes the grip as balanced for control.

At 5.1 lb it is not the lightest drill here, so very light users may prefer a smaller model. But for a homeowner who drills into studs, builds furniture and hangs shelves, the mix of chuck size, battery and 3-year warranty is hard to beat on this list.

The CRAFTSMAN CMCD702D1 also scores 56. Its standout spec is the battery: the kit includes a 40 Wh pack, tied with the DEWALT DCD777D1 for the most battery energy on this page. CRAFTSMAN says it can drill up to 90 holes per charge with its brushed motor.

It runs up to 1700 rpm through a 2-speed transmission and takes bits in a 1/2 in keyless chuck, so larger spade bits and hole saws fit. The listing claims up to 30% more power, rated at up to 300 UWO, and an LED light helps in dark spaces.

The motor is brushed, not brushless, and the drill weighs 4.39 lb. The number of torque settings is not listed. A 3-year warranty matches the top DEWALT. It is a sensible pick if you value runtime and a full-size chuck over the latest motor technology.

Tied with the AVID POWER on a Best Score of 56, the DEKOPRO fba20vg suits DIY projects and home repairs. It weighs 2.5 lb, light enough for overhead work, and offers two speed ranges of 0-350 and 0-1350 rpm. The low range gives control when driving screws, and the high range is for drilling.

It lists 19 torque settings, described by the maker as 18+1, which is more clutch positions than several heavier drills here. That helps when you move between soft wood and harder materials and want to avoid stripping screw heads.

The kit includes a 20 V 1.5 Ah lithium-ion battery, listed at 30 Wh, and a charger. The chuck size and max torque are not published, and there is no warranty term listed. Treat it as a capable light drill rather than a heavy-duty one.

The DEWALT DCD806B ranks fifth with a Best Score of 51, but it has the highest top speed on this page at 2000 rpm. It is a brushless hammer drill, so it can bore into brick and concrete as well as wood and metal. DEWALT calls it its most powerful 20V MAX 2-speed hammer drill.

An anti-rotation system senses if the drill twists suddenly, for example when a bit binds, and shuts the motor down. That is a real safety feature for large bits. It takes bits in a 1/2 in keyless chuck and has 14 torque settings, the fewest among the drills that list them.

It is sold as tool only, so there is no battery or charger in the box, which is why its battery score is low here. At 3.49 lb it is fairly light for a hammer drill. Buy it if you already own DEWALT 20V batteries.

The AVID POWER CD316-20 is ranked second with a Best Score of 56, and its biggest strength is weight. At 2.19 lb it is the lightest drill on this page, which makes it easy for first-time users and for jobs held at arm's length, like hanging curtains or assembling flat-pack furniture.

It lists 31.6 Nm of max torque, which the listing also gives as 280 in-lbs, and 16 torque settings described as 15+1. The settings help you stop before a screw strips or sinks too deep. A battery level display shows how much charge is left.

The trade-offs are clear in the numbers. Top speed is 550 rpm, the lowest here, and the chuck is a 3/8 in keyless type, so large bits are out. AVID POWER also describes the battery as aimed at occasional users. It is a drill for small tasks, not for drilling into masonry or framing.