The Best Cordless Drills for 2026
The cordless drill is the first power tool most people buy, and it's where most people overspend or underspend. Buy too little drill and you'll be fighting it on every lag bolt. Buy too much and you've paid pro money for a tool that hangs pictures. This guide cuts through the specs that matter and the ones that are marketing noise, then recommends five drills I'd actually hand to a friend.
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What actually matters
Voltage and platform first
For almost everyone, the right choice is an 18V/20V-class drill from a major platform: DeWalt 20V Max, Milwaukee M18, Makita 18V LXT, or Ryobi 18V One+. The drill is rarely your last tool purchase. Once you own two batteries and a charger, every future tool on that platform gets cheaper, because you can buy "bare tools" without batteries. Pick the platform, not just the drill. Think about what you'll buy next year: the sander, the circular saw, the yard tools. That ecosystem decision matters more than any single spec.
Brushless vs brushed
Get brushless. A brushless motor runs cooler, delivers more power from the same battery, and lasts longer because there are no brushes to wear out. Brushed drills still exist at the bottom of the price ladder, and the small savings isn't worth it. Every pick below is brushless.
Chuck size
Most drills in this class have a 1/2-inch chuck, which accepts the full range of bits you'll ever use. Some compact 12V drills use 3/8-inch chucks to save size and weight. For a primary drill, 1/2 inch is the standard. Also look for an all-metal ratcheting chuck: it grips bits tighter and survives drops better than plastic.
Battery amp-hours (Ah)
Amp-hours measure the fuel tank. A 5.0Ah battery stores more than twice the energy of a 2.0Ah pack, so it runs longer and, on many tools, delivers more power under load. Kits usually include a 2.0Ah and a 5.0Ah, or two 5.0Ah packs. For drilling and driving around the house, that combination is plenty. Don't chase the biggest battery as your only pack: a 8.0Ah battery makes a drill noticeably heavier and more awkward overhead.
The picks
1. DeWalt DCD791: the safe all-rounder
The DCD791 is DeWalt's compact brushless 20V Max drill, and it's the one I recommend when someone asks for "just a good drill." It's short enough to fit between studs, light enough for overhead work, and strong enough for the occasional lag bolt. The 20V Max platform is enormous, so you'll never lack for compatible tools later.
- Compact 6.9-inch head length fits tight spots
- Huge 20V Max ecosystem for future tools
- All-metal 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck
- Not the most powerful in its class
- DeWalt batteries are priced at a premium
2. Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2804-20: the power pick
If you want the strongest drill in this roundup, this is it. The M18 Fuel hammer drill (sold as the 2804-20 bare tool or in kits) is the choice of working contractors for a reason: it drills faster, drives bigger fasteners, and shrugs off abuse. It's heavier and pricier than the DeWalt, so it's overkill for light household duty, but for serious DIY and pro work it's the benchmark.
- Class-leading power and drilling speed
- Excellent build quality, 5-year warranty
- M18 platform is arguably the deepest in the industry
- Heavier than compact competitors
- Premium price, even on sale
3. Ryobi 18V One+ HP PBLDD01: the value king
Ryobi's One+ HP brushless drill delivers about 80 percent of the big brands' performance at roughly half the price, especially when it goes on sale (and it goes on sale constantly). The One+ platform has hundreds of compatible tools, including yard equipment, which makes it the smartest ecosystem for a homeowner who wants one battery system for everything. It won't match the Milwaukee for raw power, but for household projects it's more drill than most people need.
- Outstanding price to performance ratio
- Massive One+ tool ecosystem, including outdoor tools
- Frequent deep discounts at Home Depot
- A step below DeWalt/Milwaukee on power and refinement
- Chuck and clutch feel less premium
4. Makita XFD13: the refined choice
Makita's 18V LXT brushless drill is the smooth operator of this group. The variable-speed trigger has the best feel here, vibration is low, and the ergonomics are excellent for long sessions. Makita's LXT platform is deep and the tools are known for lasting. It doesn't win spec-sheet shootouts, but in the hand it feels like the most thoughtfully designed drill of the bunch.
- Best-in-class trigger control and ergonomics
- Low vibration, great for extended use
- Proven long-term durability
- Often priced above DeWalt and Milwaukee equivalents
- Deals are less frequent
5. DeWalt 12V Max DCD701: the compact second drill
This one's a bonus pick, not a primary drill. The 12V Max brushless drill is tiny and light, perfect as a second drill for pilot holes, driving screws, and working in cabinets. Lots of people buy a big 20V kit first and add this later once they're tired of lugging the full-size drill for small jobs. If you only buy one drill, skip this and get the DCD791 above. If you already own a full-size drill, this is the most useful upgrade you can make.
- Remarkably small and light
- Surprisingly capable for its size
- Affordable entry into the DeWalt system
- Not a substitute for an 18V/20V primary drill
- 3/8-inch chuck limits bit selection
What I'd actually buy
Homeowner starting fresh: the Ryobi One+ HP kit on sale, and put the savings toward a second battery. Serious DIYer or future pro: the Milwaukee M18 Fuel or DeWalt DCD791, depending on which platform's other tools appeal to you more. And whatever you buy, buy it as a kit with two batteries. A drill with one battery is a drill that sits dead on the charger half the time.
Watch the monthly deal roundup before you buy: drill kits are among the most discounted tools in the industry, and paying full price for one is almost always avoidable.