Best Cordless Drills 2026
The best cordless drills for most homes start with the DEWALT DCD771C2 20V MAX, the best-selling kit here, with a compact body, a 1/2-inch chuck, two speeds, and two batteries in the kit. Platform builders should weigh Makita LXT, Milwaukee M18, Ryobi ONE+, or Craftsman V20 instead.
A cordless drill is the first power tool most homes need, and the one that gets used most. The right one drives screws without stripping them, drills clean holes in wood and metal, and feels balanced in your hand. In our comparison, we looked at power, chuck size, battery platform, weight, and what comes in the kit. These five cover the main platforms, from the best-selling starter kit to compact pro-grade options.
Key Takeaways
- Best-selling starter kit: the DEWALT DCD771C2 — a compact, light body, a 1/2-inch chuck, two speeds, 300 unit watts out, and two batteries plus a charger and bag.
- Compact pro pick: the Makita XFD131 — a brushless motor, a compact body, a mechanical two-speed gearbox, and the massive 18V LXT platform.
- Trade use: the Milwaukee M18 Compact Drill/Driver — a metal ratcheting chuck, a durable gearbox, and the M18 platform behind it, though a little heavier than the DEWALT.
- Value platform: the Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V — the same 18V batteries power over 300 Ryobi tools, with a brushless HP motor.
- Starter kit: the Craftsman V20 — a two-speed drill/driver, two batteries, a charger, and a bag, for the same home jobs as the DEWALT.
- Buy the kit with two batteries, not one — a dead battery in the middle of a job is the most common drill frustration, per the article.
Top 3 Picks
DEWALT DCD771C2 20V MAX — Best Overall. The best-selling cordless drill kit: compact and light, with a 1/2-inch chuck, two speeds, two batteries, and the door to DEWALT’s huge 20V MAX platform.
Makita XFD131 18V LXT — Best Compact Pro Pick. A brushless motor with a compact body and a mechanical two-speed gearbox, giving efficient power in a drill that fits tight spots.
Milwaukee M18 Compact Drill/Driver — Best for Trade Use. Built for people who use a drill daily: a metal ratcheting chuck, a durable gearbox, and the M18 platform covering nearly every trade tool.
Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V (value platform) and Craftsman V20 (starter kit) remain in the full comparison below.
1. DEWALT DCD771C2 20V MAX — Best Overall
The DCD771C2 is the best-selling cordless drill kit for a reason: a compact, light body, a 1/2-inch chuck, two speeds, and two batteries plus a charger and bag in the kit. It delivers 300 unit watts out, which covers furniture assembly, shelving, cabinetry, and general drilling in wood, plastic, and light metal. It also opens the door to DEWALT’s huge 20V MAX platform.
Pros: Two batteries and charger in the kit; compact and light; huge 20V MAX tool range to grow into.
Cons: Not for masonry or heavy-duty work; the 1.3Ah batteries are small for long jobs; no hammer mode.
2. Makita XFD131 18V LXT — Best Compact Pro Pick
Makita’s XFD131 pairs a brushless motor with a compact body and a mechanical two-speed gearbox, giving efficient power in a drill that fits tight spots. The 18V LXT platform is one of the largest in the industry, so the batteries you buy here power saws, sanders, and yard tools too.
Pros: Brushless motor for longer run time; compact head length; massive 18V LXT platform.
Cons: Kit contents vary, so check what batteries are included; pricier than the DEWALT starter kit; no hammer mode.
3. Milwaukee M18 Compact Drill/Driver — Best for Trade Use
Milwaukee’s M18 compact drill/driver is built for people who use a drill daily: a metal ratcheting chuck, a durable gearbox, and the M18 platform behind it, which covers nearly every trade tool. It is a little heavier than the DEWALT, but the build quality shows in daily use.
Pros: Tough metal chuck; strong trade-focused platform; good balance and grip.
Cons: Heavier than the DEWALT and Makita compacts; the kit costs more; batteries are shared with a pricier platform.
4. Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V — Best Value Platform
Ryobi’s ONE+ HP drill is the value play with a twist: the same 18V batteries power over 300 Ryobi tools, from drills to lawn gear, so one battery collection covers the whole house. The HP brushless motor gives a real step up from Ryobi’s basic drills, and the kit is easy to find.
Pros: One battery platform for hundreds of tools; brushless HP motor; easy availability and support.
Cons: Bulkier than the compact pro drills; not built for daily trade use; chuck grip is average.
5. Craftsman V20 Drill/Driver Kit — Best Starter Kit
The Craftsman V20 kit is a straightforward starter: a two-speed drill/driver, two batteries, a charger, and a bag. It handles the same home jobs as the DEWALT — assembly, shelves, light drilling — and the V20 platform covers the common tools a new homeowner adds next.
Pros: Complete kit with two batteries; simple two-speed control; good starter platform.
Cons: Smaller platform than DEWALT, Makita, or Milwaukee; less refined clutch feel; no brushless option in the base kit.
FAQ
Which cordless drill is best for a first home?
The DEWALT DCD771C2: the best-selling, best-supported starter kit, with two batteries, a charger, and a bag in the kit.
Which drills here are brushless?
The Makita XFD131 and the Ryobi ONE+ HP are brushless, per the article’s comparison table; the DEWALT and Craftsman kits are not.
Should I pick a drill or a platform?
If you plan to build a tool collection, pick your platform first: Makita LXT for compact pro tools, Milwaukee M18 for trade durability, Ryobi ONE+ for the widest value range, or Craftsman V20 for a simple start.
One battery or two?
Two. The article advises buying the kit with two batteries, not one, because a dead battery in the middle of a job is the most common drill frustration.
Comparison Table
| Drill | Best For | Voltage | Chuck | Brushless |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DCD771C2 | Overall | 20V MAX | 1/2 in | No |
| Makita XFD131 | Compact pro | 18V LXT | 1/2 in | Yes |
| Milwaukee M18 Compact | Trade use | 18V | 1/2 in | Varies by kit |
| Ryobi ONE+ HP | Value platform | 18V | 1/2 in | Yes (HP) |
| Craftsman V20 | Starter kit | 20V | 1/2 in | No |
Conclusion
Start with the DEWALT DCD771C2 if you want the best-selling, best-supported starter kit. If you plan to build a tool collection, pick your platform first: Makita LXT for compact pro tools, Milwaukee M18 for trade durability, Ryobi ONE+ for the widest value range, or Craftsman V20 for a simple start. Buy the kit with two batteries, not one — a dead battery in the middle of a job is the most common drill frustration, and it is entirely avoidable.
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