Best Overall
Bosch 18V Compact Brushless ½-Inch Drill/Driver Kit
Best Bang for the Buck
Craftsman V20 ½-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
Best Power
Ridgid 18V ½-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
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Cordless drills are all-important for any respectable home workshop , but that does n’t mean you need to overspend on a Mandrillus leucophaeus designed for pros . There are plenitude of qualitycordless drillsunder $ 100 that will handle a DIYer ’s demands .
Having completed dozens of projects on various homes throughout the geezerhood , I ’m very intimate withhow to apply a drilland what specs one ask to pay attention to when shopping for one of these power tools . I used my own experience , along with hours of research , to pick out the six good cordless drill under $ 100 . I then put these bargain - price cordless drills to the psychometric test in my own workshop to find out which ones were the best of the best . Check out our cordless recitation review article below to find the right one for your next project .
How We Tested the Best Cordless Drills Under $100
I put each cordless drill through a series of tests to pass judgment how well it handled various types of jobs . I began by practice smaller holes through 2×6 pieces of dimensional lumber using ¼-inch bits before progressing up to a 1 - inch paddle bit . I then tack Mandrillus leucophaeus bits for a Phillips headscrewdriverbit and tested each cordless drill ’s power to drive a 1¼-inch screw into a 2×6 . I then stacked two 2x6s on top of each other and used each cordless mogul drill to repel in longer 2½- inch screws , again evaluate how easily and quickly the drill was capable to handle each fixing . Along with performance , I also assessed how wanton each cordless exercise is to use by see its weight and size .
Testing Stats
Our Top Picks
The six cordless drills below act some of the best you could buy for under $ 100 . Keep in judgment that this list only includes modelling that are at or below $ 100 at their regular Leontyne Price . sales event - priced cordless practice sell for under $ 100 that are typically over this price detail were not let in .
ThisBob Vila Approvedproduct carries our brand ’s highest tier of recommendation .
Bob Vila Approvedrecognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our veridical - world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand , including craftsmanship , introduction , and value for the dollar . winner of this designation come commend by our professional review squad and are personally approved by Bob Vila .
Bosch wield to keep its 18 - V cordless drill compendious and lightweight yet still able of fork up tremendous drilling and driving business leader . This is why it ’s my top pick for the secure cordless recitation for home use .
This compact drill weigh just 2.8 pound , include its 2 Ah ( amp hour ) battery , making it the lightest of the drill I quiz . It ’s compact , too , with a head that measures just 6.3 inches farseeing and a streamlined profile . Overall , this drill felt very quick compared to some of the much bulkier drills I quiz .
The Bosch also bested the residual in build quality , as it was the only drill of the bunch with an all - metallic element chow .
Despite its lowly size of it , it did n’t miss power during testing . It had no problems sinking 2½-inch screw into two stack 2x6s with simplicity . And while it was n’t the fastest when it came to drill with a large 1 - inch boat paddle bit , it was n’t far behind the mighty drills on this list . If you ’re looking to get the most out of a $ 100 drill , this Bosch cordless recitation is the one .
interpret our full review : Bosch 18V Compact Brushless ½-Inch Drill / Driver Kit
Get the Bosch cordless drill atAmazonorLowe ’s .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Craftsman ’s cordless Mandrillus leucophaeus is n’t the debauched or most knock-down of the cordless drills I tested , but it ’s also significantly less expensive , fall well below the $ 100 price point . This tacky cordless drill is a great pick for those looking for an affordable cordless drill that can handle light- to average - obligation jobs .
Craftsman ’s 18 - V cordless drill is speedy . Despite only have a brushed motor , it felt nearly as fast at practice in smaller fasteners as some of the brushless drills it went up against . It also do well drive in larger 2½-inch screws into our stacked 2x6s . Drilling was a unlike taradiddle . While it ’s more than capable of bore low diameter holes , it was markedly dull with our 1 - inch boat paddle bit than the other drills I tested , though it still cope to discharge the hole .
In full term of size , the Craftsman certainly is n’t humble . Its longer - than - average mind measures 8.25 inches long , which is almost 2 inches longer than the heads of some of the other drill I test . It ’s heavy , too , at almost 3.5 lbs .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
That tell , if you do n’t mind its large size and heavier weight , the Craftsman offers ripe speed and power for a recitation well under $ 100 .
Get the Craftsman cordless exercise atAmazonorLowe ’s .
While the Ridgid is one of the largest and heavy drills I tested , it ’s also the most powerful cordless drill on this list . It raise 525 in - lbs of torque with top speed of 1,800 RPM , both of which were evident during testing . The drill topped the others on this leaning when it come up to repulse in nooky , and it had no problems drive longer structural piece of ass into two stacked 2x6s . Of all the drills I tested , this one had the least trouble drilling a 1 - inch golf hole with a paddle bite .
Photo: amazon.com
The Ridgid ’s powerfulness is impressive for a recitation at this terms full stop ; however , there is a notable trade - off when it comes to size and weight . At 3.5 pounds , the Ridgid cordless drill is the weighty of the clustering . It ’s also on the bulky side , thanks to a 7.5 - inch - foresighted drumhead . While its weight and size of it can lead to gird fatigue and make it unmanageable to fit into tight spots , this drill offers telling power at this cost point .
Get the Ridgid cordless recitation atThe Home Depot .
Best Compact
Skil PwrCore 20 Brushless 20V ½-Inch Drill Driver Kit
This recitation ’s stocky sizing and mid - range power make it a great alternative for light- to medium - duty jobs around the house . With a head that appraise just 6.25 inches long , it ’s capable of fit into miserly spaces , such as between bulwark stud or inside a console . While the Skil ’s battery is noticeably big for a 2 Ah barrage fire , the drill matter just 3 Cypriot pound , making it one of the lightsome exemplar of the lot .
During testing , the Skil proved to be a very capabledriver . It had no problem driving 2½-inch piece of ass into two stacked 2x6s . As a Mandrillus leucophaeus , results were mixed . While it shined when using little bits , it struggled with the bombastic 1 - inch paddle bit . I was forced to apply its lower speed set to improve torsion to finish the golf hole .
Along with its small size , this lightweight cordless drill is also famous for its work luminousness , which was by far the brightest of the drills I tested . It also has a stamp battery you’re able to charge on the include charger or via a USB battery charger , which is commodious if you are using it out from home plate .
Photo: amazon.com
If you require a drill that ’s easy to handle and do n’t listen some of its power restriction , the Skil PwrCore20 is a great option .
Get the Skil cordless drill atAmazon , Ace Hardware , orLowe ’s .
Best Hammer Drill
Craftsman V20 ½-Inch Cordless Hammer Drill Kit
If you ’re after raw drilling mogul , you wo n’t find a honest deal than this Craftsman cordless malleus drill . It has a traditional practice function and a powerful malleus drill function , all for under $ 100 .
When in pound drill mode , the Craftsman produces 25,500 beat per minute ( BPM ) , which allows it to bore holes more quickly . While it wo n’t equal pro - level malleus practice session , it ’s more than adequate for anything a DIYer will fuddle at it . It snap through my 1 - column inch paddle bit exam , outperforming all other cordless drills on this list .
Hammer exercise are larger than standard cordless recitation , and the Craftsman is certainly no exception . Its head valuate nearly 9 inches long , and it consider a hefty 3.6 pounds without the battery , making it both heavier and longer than any of the cordless drill I tested . If you do n’t need the mightiness that a cock drill offers , it ’s belike best to look elsewhere , give its size and weight . However , if you ’re after a drill that can handle large bits , bore through masonry , or drive in lag bolts , then this hammer drill is worth the weight and size compromise .
Photo: homedepot.com
Get the Craftsman cordless hammer drill atAmazonorLowe ’s .
Also Consider
Ryobi 18V One+ ½-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
If you could depend past its hefty weight and bulky size , then you ’ll find the Ryobi to be one of the mighty cordless drills at this monetary value full point . With its 515 in - lbs of torque and a soap speed of 1,750 RPM , it blaze out through smaller holdfast during testing . And while it does n’t match the speeding and might of higher - price cordless drills , it well force 2½-inch screws in our stacked 2x6s and capably practise a 1 - inch maw in our test pound with a boat paddle bit .
While I be intimate the world power that this drill bid at the sub-$100 price point , it is bulky . At 3.45 pounds , it ’s one of the heaviest drills we essay , and it has a mind that measures some 7.5 inches long . Its tumid size and tally weightiness make it unmanageable to fit into tighter spot and could certainly lead to more arm fatigue over longer efforts . That said , if you value ability over size and exercising weight , then the Ryobi is a great cordless drill for the money .
Get the Ryobi cordless exercise atThe Home Depot .
Photo: amazon.com
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Cordless Drill Under $100
The master specification you ’ll desire to pay attention to when shopping for a good cordless drill let in speed and torque for performance and size of it and weight for easiness of use . Find out about these and other attribute of these power tools below .
Speed and Torque
Most manufacturers provide fastness eyeglasses on their drills , which are given in gyration per minute ( RPM ) . Some , but not all , will also provide torque specifications , which are given in pounds per square inch . drill that bring out greater torque are secure capable to drill larger holes and take in large structural screws , while high - speed drills can bore small fix and force back in smaller fasteners at blazing speeds .
Most cordless drills also number with speed and torque controls , which countenance you to make adjustments to suit the size of the fixing or drill bit . keep all this in creative thinker , if you plan to spend a lot of clock time drill larger holes or repulse in larger fastener , such as lag bolts or 3 - column inch screws , then it make sense to prioritise torsion over focal ratio . If you gestate to expend most of your time practice hotels under a half inch in diameter and driving in 1- or 2 - in jailer into softwoods , then go with a Mandrillus leucophaeus that create more rev .
Battery and Runtime
Cordless drills that cost $ 100 or less descend in 12 - V , 18 - V , and 20 - volt model . All the drills I tested use an 18 - volt or 20 - volt battery . It ’s important to note that though a 20V battery sounds like it has more capacity , it uses the exact same amount of voltage as an 18V model . Some brands apply 20 volts , which is the maximum voltage the tool score when it first begin up , while others apply 18 volts , which is the amount of potential difference it systematically grow after get-go - up .
Cordless drill outfit at the under $ 100 damage point make out with charger and batteries ranging in sizing from 1.5 Ah to 2 Ah . The greater the amp hours , the more inner cells in the barrage fire pack , hence the longer it can go before require a recharge .
Size and Weight
Cordless drills can vary significantly in weight and sizing . The most compact 18 - volt model might weigh around 2.5 pound with a head duration ( the measurement from the lead of the chow to the back of the drill ) of 6.5 inches . The big models can weigh upward of 3.5 pounds with oral sex duration that are 8.5 in or longsighted . Lighter cordless practice are easier to hold , result in less arm tiredness . Compact cordless drills can fit into tighter space , which is all important if you ’re working inside a cabinet or between two paries studs .
Additional Features
Many cordless Mandrillus leucophaeus come equipped with LED work light that automatically turn on to illuminate the piece of work field when you pull the trigger . Some cordless drills also replicate as malleus drill . The beneficial cordless hammer Mandrillus leucophaeus will produce increase torque , allow you to exercise into dense materials such as masonry or drive in bigger fasteners like lag thunderbolt . Other extra features let in belt crotchet and keyless chucks .
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a freelancer writer specializing in habitation improvement , landscaping , engineering science , home security , and pattern . His article have been featured on such site as Angi , Popular Science , Futurism , 360 Reviews by U.S. News & World Report , Domino , and more . Carrick has lead rigorous merchandise examination on everything from power tools to home surety systems to backyard grille . With each review article , his goal is to aid reader determine whether a merchandise meets their needs and if it is or is n’t worth its price tag .
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