Important features Cordless drills
Adjustable clutch. Lets you limit a drill's maximum torque to prevent stripped fasteners and marred surfaces. All tested drills and cordless screwdrivers have it.
Battery meter. An LED gauge on the power pack shows remaining power.
Fast charging. Quick recharging can help compensate for shorter run times. Tested drills judged excellent in charge time can recharge batteries in 30 minutes or less. Those judged very good or less for charge time took an hour or more.
Hammer mode. Drills that have it pulse the chuck and bit back and forth to help drill through masonry.
Larger chuck. A half-inch chuck can accept larger bits than a 3/8-inch chuck. All drills we've classed for larger jobs in our Ratings also have a 1/2-inch chuck. None of the impact drivers or screwdrivers have it.
Lithium-ion battery. These cells tend to generate more power and run time for their weight than nickel-cadmium.
Multiple speeds. A high-speed setting helps you drill holes faster, while a low-speed setting emphasizes twisting power for driving and removing stubborn fasteners. Most drills also have a variable speed trigger to make starting holes easier.
Second handle. This attaches to the side for two-handed drilling.
"Smart" charger. This device recharges a battery in 15 to 60 minutes, compared with three to five hours or more for conventional chargers. They also extend battery life by adjusting the charge as needed. Some models have a dual charger that charges two batteries at once.
Two batteries. A second one lets you keep working while the first recharges-especially handy if one battery needs recharging at the start of a project. Most of the drills we tested include two batteries. (We include prices for batteries and chargers within our prices in the Ratings.)
Work light. An LED light helps in low-light conditions.
Adjustable clutch. Lets you limit a drill's maximum torque to prevent stripped fasteners and marred surfaces. All tested drills and cordless screwdrivers have it.
Battery meter. An LED gauge on the power pack shows remaining power.
Fast charging. Quick recharging can help compensate for shorter run times. Tested drills judged excellent in charge time can recharge batteries in 30 minutes or less. Those judged very good or less for charge time took an hour or more.
Hammer mode. Drills that have it pulse the chuck and bit back and forth to help drill through masonry.
Larger chuck. A half-inch chuck can accept larger bits than a 3/8-inch chuck. All drills we've classed for larger jobs in our Ratings also have a 1/2-inch chuck. None of the impact drivers or screwdrivers have it.
Lithium-ion battery. These cells tend to generate more power and run time for their weight than nickel-cadmium.
Multiple speeds. A high-speed setting helps you drill holes faster, while a low-speed setting emphasizes twisting power for driving and removing stubborn fasteners. Most drills also have a variable speed trigger to make starting holes easier.
Second handle. This attaches to the side for two-handed drilling.
"Smart" charger. This device recharges a battery in 15 to 60 minutes, compared with three to five hours or more for conventional chargers. They also extend battery life by adjusting the charge as needed. Some models have a dual charger that charges two batteries at once.
Two batteries. A second one lets you keep working while the first recharges-especially handy if one battery needs recharging at the start of a project. Most of the drills we tested include two batteries. (We include prices for batteries and chargers within our prices in the Ratings.)
Work light. An LED light helps in low-light conditions.
