There are many different carpentry tools on the market, and it can be difficult to decide which is the best for your needs. In this article, I will compare the best cordless drills for woodwork so that you can make an informed decision.
But before you choose, there are a few things to consider. The first factor to look at is power. A good cordless drill should have plenty of power to handle tough jobs. The second parameter to consider is portability and design. A cordless drill should be lightweight and easy to transport so that you can take it with you wherever you go. The third factor is battery capacity. A good cordless drill should have a long-lasting battery so that you can use it for extended periods of time. Of course, the warranty is also an important aspect, you should not buy a drill without a warranty. The final factor to consider is the price. A good cordless drill should be affordable so that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a high-quality tool. But, remember that you get what you pay for.
I hope this article helps you choose the best carpentry drill for your needs.
Quick Compare
DEWALT DCD991P2 20V MAX XR
- Max Power (UWO): 820
- Voltage (V): 20V (18V)
- Torque (in-lbs) : 1020
Milwaukee M18 2801-21P 18V Cordless drill
- Max Power (UWO): 446
- Voltage (V): 20V (18V)
- Torque (in-lbs) : 500
Makita XFD131 18V Cordless Drill Driver
- Max Power (UWO): 395
- Voltage (V): 20V (18V)
- Torque (in-lbs) : 440
Bosch GSR18V-190B22 Cordless Drill
- Max Power (UWO): 386
- Voltage (V): 20V (18V)
- Torque (in-lbs) : 480
Makita 12V MAX CXT FD07R1 Cordless Drill
- Max Power (UWO): 225
- Voltage (V): 12V
- Torque (in-lbs) : 280
Features to Consider When Buying a Cordless Drill
I believe that a cordless drill is an essential tool for any woodworker. How many times have you attempted to bore a hole into hardwood only to discover that you need to buy a longer-lasting battery? Or how many times have you drilled through a board and failed because the hole wasn’t deep enough?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that you should buy a cordless drill with a battery that lasts all day. Instead, you should focus on some of the more important features of the tool.
1. Power and torque
With a powerful cordless drill, work is always easier and more efficient. When choosing the right drill, two values must be considered: power and torque. The amount of power a cordless drill produces is measured in UWO (Unit Watts Out). The other value is the torque. To decide how powerful a machine to choose, it determines what kind of work you will do with it. For light to medium jobs, choose a machine with 200-500 UWO and up to 500 in-lbs of torque. While for medium-heavy and heavy work, we recommend a machine with a power of at least 500-800 UWO and 500+ in-lbs of torque.
2. Weight and design
The next thing you want to consider is how the cordless drill feels in your hand. Does it feel comfortable? If not, then it’s probably not the right machine for you. A soft grip is also a nice feature, as it will help to reduce fatigue during extended use.
The weight of the drill is also important. A heavier machine will obviously be more difficult to use, so keep that in mind when making your decision. But if you need a powerful tool, then you may have to make a compromise. Try to find the balance between the two that work best for you.
3. Battery Capacity
The battery capacity is another important factor to consider when choosing a cordless drill. A drill with a large battery capacity will allow you to work for longer periods of time without having to recharge. This is especially important if you have a lot of drilling to do.
In general, a 2Ah battery is already quite sufficient for average usage. If you want to use the drill for hard tasks, such as drilling into concrete or hardwood, a minimum 4Ah machine is recommended.
4. Warranty
Next, you’ll want to consider the warranty of the cordless drill. Never buy a machine without a warranty. This will give you peace of mind in knowing that if something goes wrong with the machine, you’ll be covered.
Most companies offer a 1-2 year warranty on their products, but some offer longer time frames too. If you can find a machine with a longer warranty, it’s probably a good idea to go with that one.
5. Price
Finally, you need to make sure that you are purchasing a tool that is within your budget. If you want to be cost-effective, then you may want to consider a model that has a better value to cost ratio. But remember, you get what you pay for. So if you buy a cheap drill, it’s likely that you will have to replace it sooner than if you had purchased a more expensive model, as often lower price equals less robustness.
If you want a more detailed buying guide on how to choose the best drill, you can read it here.
Keep these factors in mind when shopping for your next cordless drill and you’ll be sure to find the perfect machine for your needs.
List of The Best Cordless Drills for Woodworking
This is the list of the best cordless drills for woodworking.
Our choice: The best 20V cordless drill for woodwork:
01. DEWALT 20V MAX XR (DCD991P2) review
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Power is essential for woodworkers. This is why we chose this Dewalt cordless drill as one of the best among professional woodworkers. It has a powerful brushless motor that is able to provide up to 1020 in-lbs of maximum torque making it a great tool for drilling in hardwoods like oak. With its reliable motor, it can drill through any wood that woodworkers may come across. Also, it is equipped with a 3-speed metal gearbox which lets you change the motor speed according to any type of wood in a professional way.
This DeWalt cordless drill is a solid performer, with the power to handle tough jobs. It is lightweight and has long battery life. It comes with two 5Ah 20V MAX lithium-ion batteries.
It is easy to use and control, with its variable speed switch. It has a soft-grip handle and a built-in LED light with a smart variable function.
The DeWalt DCD991P2 cordless drill is made of durable plastic and can withstand the toughest challenges in your workshop.
PROS
- XR Li-Ion batteries have more capacity than competitors.
- They are lightweight and easy to handle.
- Powerful brushless motor with 1020 in-lbs torque
- Variable LED lights make it easy to drill in bad light conditions.
- The soft-grip handle makes it easy to use and hold during long hours of operation.
- 3-speed settings (450 RPM/1300 RPM/2,000 RPM)
CONS
- If you’re on a low budget, you may be forced to skip this power tool, because it is a bit pricey.
Customer Reviews
More than 670 people have reviewed this cordless drill on Amazon.com, it was rated on average 4.8 out of 5 stars. The reviews are generally positive.
Best design and ergonomics:
02. Milwaukee M18 2801-21P review
Features
Woodworking is a hobby that can make a lot of people proud of their work. However, this kind of activity often becomes inconvenient, if you select the wrong power tool, as many of the available ones are quite bulky to use. Consequently, I got surprised to learn that the Milwaukee cordless drill features the above-mentioned compact size and will fit into tight spaces without any problems, without making any sacrifices on power. This kind of drill also offers two speeds in which you can easily adapt the drilling speed to all wood types.
The Milwaukee M18 cordless drill will handle all of your carpentry jobs on the go. It comes with a high-power brushless motor and high-quality construction for years of reliable use. The 1/2inch full metal keyless chuck provides secure grip for the drill bits over the whole lifetime of the tool. Thanks to the efficient brushless motor the battery life is also impressive.
The lightweight and durable design of this Milwaukee 18V compact drill will be appreciated by all users as it provides comfortable grip and easy-to-use controls. This is a great drill for DIY projects and is also recommended for contractors.
PROS
- The Brushless motor produces maximum torque of 500 in-lbs (above average).
- REDLINK’s temperature monitoring and overload protection.
- This compact design will allow drilling in tight spaces.
- 2-speed settings: 0-500 RPM /0-1800 RPM, allows maximum adaptability to different woodworking applications
- RedLithium battery provides higher energy than others
CONS
- People complain about the heavy battery though.
Customer Reviews
Around 400 people have reviewed this cordless drill on Amazon.com, they have rated, on average 4.7 out of 5 stars. The reviews are generally positive.
Best value for the money:
03. Makita XFD131 18V LXT review
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People are always concerned with what they get for their money and it always takes a lot of time to do the necessary research to find the best option. We do this for you. If you are looking for a tool that offers the best value for money, this Makita tool is exactly what we believe you need.
It’s hard to find any negatives with this really powerful engine. With 395 UWO power and 440 in-lbs of torque, it easily handles any piece of woodwork. It has a variable 2-speed (0-500/ 0-1900 RPM) transmission. But the best thing is that the electronic control of the BL brushless motor optimizes battery power consumption and provides up to 50% more uptime.
In addition to performance, of course, other factors are also important, such as weight. Well, this tool weighs a total of 3.8 pounds including the battery. It has a compact size compared to the power it has and comes with a soft-grip handle and a strong LED lamp, which also has a delay function.
PROS
- The powerful brushless motor is designed to save battery runtime, while also providing more than enough power for woodwork projects of any size.
- It weighs just 3.8 lbs, making it a perfect tool for carpenter tasks.
- Powerful LED light.
- Soft grips.
CONS
- A metal chuck would be even better.
Customer Reviews
More than 1620 people have reviewed this cordless drill on Amazon.com, it was rated, on average 4.8 out of 5 stars. The reviews are generally positive.
The lightest cordless drill:
04.Bosch GSR18V-190B22 review
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It is important for carpenters or other woodworkers to have a cordless drill on hand that allows them to easily drill into any wood without having to replace the battery every 30 minutes. This certainly requires more power and efficient power management.
Although it is not at the forefront in terms of performance, I have decided to rank this Bosch cordless drill/driver among the best cordless drills for woodworking.
The reason for this is the amazing weight/power ratio. The machine (without a battery) weighs a total of 2.8 pounds, which is amazing even for a 12V machine. However, this weight is accompanied by a serious performance. The 386 UWO of power and 480 in-lbs of torque is more than enough for almost any type of woodwork.
Of course, this power tool won’t let you down for convenience either. Built-in LED light helps you work in dark places. The soft grip provides comfort in the long run. The slim pack battery is easy to replace and can be recharged quickly. Although only 1.5 Ah of capacity, but we get two in the package.
PROS
- This compact drilling machine has high torque for drilling through most wood and other hard materials.
- It’s lightweight (only 2.8 pounds), compact housing is easy to carry around and is suitable for all sorts of woodworking needs.
- 2-speed transmission (0-450 / 0-1700 RPM)
- Built-in LED lights
CONS
- A higher capacity battery at this level would already be mandatory.
Customer Reviews
Around 1450 people have reviewed this cordless drill on Amazon.com, they have rated it on average 4.7 out of 5 stars. The reviews are generally positive.
The best 12V cordless drill for woodwork:
05.Makita 12V MAX CXT FD07R1 review
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Small but powerful. The only 12V cordless drill on the list and it’s not there by accident. The main reason is its great value to price ratio, but its performance is also impressive, as it outperforms some of the 20V drills.
This Makita power tool has 225 UWO of power and 280 in-lbs of torque. Thanks to this, it is suitable for most of the light woodworking tasks, like drilling or screwing into soft wood The modern brushless motor inside the cordless drill optimizes the power consumption and provides up to 50% longer battery runtime per charge, compared to other tools with brushed motors.
The tool weighs just 2.3 pounds including the 2Ah battery and is really small in size. Therefore, it is easy to handle and can be used in tiny spaces. It has a soft grip and a built-in LED light.
PROS
- Lightweight and ergonomic design (only 2.3-pound weight)
- Great value to price ratio.
- Powerful 12V brushless motor with 280 in-lbs torque.
CONS
- A higher capacity battery and a metal chuck would be better.
Customer Reviews
More than 370 people have reviewed this cordless drill on Amazon.com, it was rated on average 4.8 out of 5 stars. The reviews are generally positive.
Conclusion
After reviewing the 5 best cordless drills for carpenters, we have concluded that the Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill is the best tool overall.
It has a powerful motor that delivers 1020 in-lbs of torque and a 3-speed gearbox making it perfect for drilling through tougher materials. It also has a metal chuck that can grip bits more securely, and thanks to the included 5.0Ah battery, the runtime is very good.
If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Bosch GSR18V-190B22 is a great choice. It is more than powerful enough for most woodworking tasks and is very lightweight and easy to maneuver.
If you’re looking for a smaller and more compact option, the Makita 12V MAX CXT Lithium-ion brushless cordless drill driver is a great choice. It’s compact, lightweight, and delivers 225 UWO of power and 280 in-lbs of torque.
Do you own a cordless drill that you love? Let us know in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Cordless vs corded drills which one is better for woodworking?
There is no definitive answer when it comes to deciding which type of drill is better for woodworking, as it really depends on the individual’s needs and preferences. However, there are a few things to consider when making this decision.
One of the main advantages of cordless drills is that they are portable, which can be helpful when working in tight spaces. They also tend to be lighter weight than corded drills, making them easier to handle. However, cordless drills can be more expensive than corded drills, and they can take time to charge. If you often work in the field or in tight spaces, cordless drills are the best choice for you.
Corded drills are often less expensive than cordless drills and they don’t require charging. They also tend to have more power and torque, which can be helpful when drilling through tougher materials.
On the downside, corded drills can be less portable than cordless drills and they can be more difficult to handle since they are often heavier. But, if you have a large workshop and don’t need to move your drill around often, then a corded drill may be a better option.
So, which type of drill is better for woodworking? It really depends on the individual’s needs and preferences. If portability is important, then a cordless drill might be the best option. If affordability is a priority, then a corded drill might be the better choice. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which type of drill is best for their needs.
What’s the recommended torque for drilling on wood?
It mainly depends on factors, the wood type and hole diameter. There are plenty of types of wood that a carpenter has to work with, including hard oak and soft pine. Also if the diameter of the hole is large (more than ½ in), you will struggle with a low-power tool. So if you are worried about machine performance, you may want to choose a machine with at least 300 to 500 in-lbs of torque. This torque is sufficient for the machine to handle any wood and larger holes too. For lighter woodwork (pine) or smaller holes, a drill with a torque of up to 200-300 in-lbs may be sufficient.
Are the batteries in cordless drills interchangeable?
Yes, batteries are interchangeable for cordless drills, but only in the same brand. This means that if you have, for example, a DeWalt cordless drill and you want a Milwaukee power pack, you won’t be able to install it. Just like your DeWalt battery pack can’t be used in a Makita or a Milwaukee drill.
As the lifetime of the batteries is generally lower than the tool’s, manufacturers secure themselves this way. It is cheaper to buy a battery than a brand new machine. However, these batteries can most of the times be used in other tools too. Most brands have a whole portfolio of cordless tools, which use the same battery, so you can make the best use of them.
Why does a carpenter need a cordless drill?
A cordless drill is a great tool for carpenters because it is lightweight and easy to use. It also has a powerful motor that can quickly drill through wood. This makes it the perfect tool for drilling holes in walls or floors, or for driving screws into lumber. A cordless drill can also be used to remove old screws or nails from a piece of wood. A good cordless drill can be a carpenter’s most valuable tool because it can make any job easier and faster.
Carpentry is all about using hand tools to make things. But when you don’t have to drag a corded drill around, it can be much easier to get the job done. And since carpenters are always working in tight spaces, a cordless drill can be a godsend. The bottom line is, a cordless drill is a must-have tool for any carpenter. It’s just that simple.
What is the best cordless drill for the best value?
The best value drill doesn’t mean the most expensive at all. In many cases, we have said that it is “too expensive” or that the “price/value ratio” is not good.
There are more things to consider than the best value. Of course, price is an important factor, but in addition, performance, quality, usability, and the contents of the entire package are included with accessories.
One of the best value machines in our opinion is the Makita XFD131 18V LXT or Bosch PS31-2A 12-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver.
Is a 12V cordless drill enough for woodwork?
The most popular cordless drills today have a battery voltage of 12V or 20V. There are huge differences within that category though. There are 12V tools that are more powerful than some 20V. So if we want to get an answer to this question, we really need to clarify what we are going to use the tool for. For lighter woodwork (for example, when working with pine or other softwood), a better quality 12V drill with 200-300 in-lbs (or more) torque may be sufficient. However, if you want to work with harder wood (such as oak), we definitely recommend 20V cordless drills with at least 350 in-lbs (or more) of torque. In case you don’t want to risk performance, choose a machine with 2 speeds and at least 500 in-lbs of torque.
Light, medium, or heavy-duty cordless drill?
In general, you can buy power tools that fall into 3 different categories: light, medium, and heavy-duty. The light drill is made for use around the house; the medium drill is best for home improvement or renovating work around the home, and the heavy-duty drill is good for doing some very complicated construction work.
Light drills are good enough for general DIY use around the house. They are not very powerful, and usually less robust, so don’t last very long. However, they are sufficient for assembling furniture, tightening screws, and for occasional use. These are usually easy to use, lightweight, and relatively cheaper power tools. You’ll be better off picking up a medium drill for general use, as it lasts much longer than the light model.
Medium drills are made for home improvement or general use. They are better than the light model for simple jobs, as the medium model is more powerful and can be used more widely. For example, these drills are great for using on the garage door, drilling drywall or wood, and other general home improvement tasks.
Heavy-duty drills are good for working on construction projects that are more complicated and demanding than simple home improvement and renovating projects. These drills are perfect for working on construction projects in the yard, on bricks (sometimes concrete), hardwood, metal, or any other drilling tasks you can imagine on a construction site.
