Features

The most capable drills and drivers have long run times, letting you do more work with fewer pauses to charge or change batteries. Recharge times of 30 minutes or less are another advantage. Some manufacturers offer a variety of tools without batteries and chargers so that you can power them with the ones you might already have. Here are the cordless drill features to consider.

Batteries

All but the least-expensive drills come with two batteries so you can use one while the other is charging. While you can't share batteries and chargers between brands, Craftsman's and DeWalt's 18-volt tools let you use each brand's lithium cells in its 18-volt, nickel-cadmium tools. Both brands, and Black & Decker, also let you buy drills, saws, and other tools without batteries and chargers, saving you money by letting you share both among multiple tools as you would with a cordless kit.

Battery charger

A "smart" charger on many models can recharge the battery in 15 to 60 minutes, compared with three to five hours or more for conventional chargers. It also helps to extend battery life by adjusting the charge as needed. A few models can charge two batteries at once-handy for big projects. The box typically lists the recharge time.

Battery-charge indicator

More models now have a meter that indicates the remaining charge. This feature is especially helpful with lithium-ion batteries, which can be damaged if you allow them to run down fully before recharging.

Speed ranges

Many cordless drills have a low speed range with more torque, or twisting force, for driving screws and a high-speed range with added speed for drilling. All have a variable-speed trigger to make starting a hole easier, and most have an adjustable clutch that reduces maximum torque to avoid driving a screw too far into soft wood or wallboard. All are reversible-handy for freeing a stuck drill bit.

Chuck size

Most cordless drills have a 3?8-inch chuck, but some heavier-duty models have a 1/2-inch chuck for larger, 1/2-inch drill bits. Note that large-diameter bits are available with a reduced shank to fit smaller chucks.

Extra handle

Some models have a second, side handle so that you can hold the drill with two hands-helpful for counteracting twisting force when tightening or loosening.

Built-in LED work light

This can be handy in dark places, flooding the work area with light. Some kits include a separate work light.

Kits

Some makers bundle their drills with other tools in kits that typically include circular and reciprocating saws and a flashlight in a carrying case. Some kits are a good deal, while others are a collection of mediocre tools.

See also:

Miter & table saws

Circular saws

Wet/dry vacs

Pressure washers